Top tips

My customers often ask me for guidance on how to keep their dogs looking and feeling their best, so I’ve put together a few top tips to help answer some of your questions.

If you’d like any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

How do I keep my dog healthy and happy?

There are many reasons why you should keep your dog well groomed. An easy way to remember them, and to think about what you can do at home, is to use the acronym CHAIR.

Cleanliness

Bathing your dog promotes the cleanliness of their coat, enabling it to shine. At Alice’s, I use the highest quality shampoos and also cater for sensitive skin.

Health

With every dog, I carry out a visual health check to spot any potential health issues, from which you can pursue any queries with your vet.

Appearance

Brushing your dog at home will dramatically improve their appearance as it avoids mats from forming. This also makes it easier for me for me to get the best from your breed.

Inspection

At Alice’s, I inspect every dog’s skin for ticks, lice and anything else unusual.

Relationship

Keeping your dog well groomed will improve the bond between you. Not only will it help to rid the house of doggy odours, but they will look and feel their best too.

The matter of mats

What is matting?

“Matting” refers to densely tangled clumps of fur in a dog’s coat. If a coat is not properly and/or frequently brushed, loose and live hair becomes embedded in large masses. As mats can form in the deeper undercoat too, they can sometimes be hidden from view.

Why is it important to keep on top of it?

Matting not only affects the appearance of your pet, but it can be also cause your dog a lot of pain. Mats often form in uncomfortable places, for example underneath paws and armpits, where they rub and can cause sores to appear. It also makes it easier for organic matter – like weeds – to become entangled in the fur and eventually embedded in the skin.

Severe matting can cut off blood supply to extremities and will deny regular air circulation, which makes the dog’s skin unhealthy.

How do I deal with mats?

You can help to prevent mats from forming by brushing your dog regularly. This is particularly important for long-haired dogs.

At Alice’s, I inspect each animal’s coat thoroughly and will brush out any mats I come across. However, if the mats have been left for too long, this becomes impossible and the only option left is to shave the dog’s coat. This is nothing to worry about. The coat will only be shaved with your permission, and this is a slow, delicate process which requires experience and expertise. I use professional clippers which cut away the mats without harming the dog, and always ensure they look great and are treated with care.

How long should I wait in between grooms?

Each dog is different, depending on their coat, condition, and overall health but here are some general guidelines you can follow:

Wool coat

Example: Bichon Frise
8 weeks

Silky coat

Example: Spaniel
Springer – 8 -12 weeks
Cocker – 6 -12 weeks

Smooth coat

Example: Vizsla
12 -16 weeks

Wire coat

Example: Hand-Stripped Border Terrier
Every 6 weeks

Double coat

Examples include:
Border Collie – 8 – 12 weeks
Shih-Tzu – 6 – 8 weeks

Which products do you recommend?

There are a variety of products available to keep your dog smelling and feeling fresh. At Alice’s, I use animology shampoo and colognes which smell lovely, and Tropiclean tear stain remover. Both of these brands are sold in store so pop in if you’d like to have a look! You can also purchase ProCare Dental Gel Toothpaste in store which helps with bad breath and effectively cleans their teeth and gums.

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