A: More than enough. Most dogs do not need to be bathed more than once a month. Some do not need to be bathed more than once every six months, unless they get extremely dirty. However, long haired dogs should be brushed out properly at least once a week, in lieu of a bath. 

6. Q: What kind of brush should I use?

A: That depends on the type of coat. Please ask your groomer about the equipment which is correct for your dog.

7. Q: My dog scratches all the time, but I can't find any fleas on him/her. What’s the problem?

Scratching is often caused by dry skin and not fleas. This could be the result of excessive bathing, dry climate, nutritional deficiency or the wrong type of shampoo. Discuss this problem with your groomer.

8. Q: Why do my dog’s nails get so long? 

A: Because he/she isn’t on hard surfaces often enough to keep them worn down. You should have them checked at least once a month. Walking on pavement will help wear them down naturally.

9. Q: My dog doesn’t behave when I try to brush him. How do you get him/her to stand still? 

A: Most dogs tend to be on their best behaviour with groomers, especially when they sense the firm yet gentle touch which marks the experienced professional. It is rare for a groomer to encounter a dog with a drastic temperament problem. In these infrequent cases, the groomer might ask the owner to have his or her veterinarian administer a mild tranquilizer prior to grooming. This protects the dog from injuring him/her self and enables the groomer to complete the grooming quickly. (We do not administer tranquilizers unless they are prescribed and provided by the animal’s veterinarian, since undesirable side-effects sometimes occur.)

Many times, a dog which reacts badly to grooming at first, will learn to accept and appreciate the process as he/she becomes more at ease with the groomer, and as he/she realizes how much better he/she feels after grooming. Younger animals (puppies) learn to accept grooming faster and enjoy it more than a dog that is not groomed until an adult age, and groomed infrequently. 

10. Q: I have my dog clipped every six months, but he/she doesn’t look as pretty as my neighbour’s dog. Is that my groomer’s fault?

 A: Your neighbour probably has a regular six to eight week appointment with the groomer, and keeps his/her dog well brushed between appointments. This kind of regular attention enables the groomer to devote more time and effort to beautifying his/her dog, rather than to de-matting and trying to salvage a neglected coat. 

11. Q: Should I bathe my dog before taking him/her to my groomer? 

A: One of the worst problems that confronts groomers is that of working on a dog which has been bathed, without being brushed out completely. The result of such a practice is a coat which is so firmly matted that clipping is sometimes the only solution. Ask your groomer if bathing at home prior to grooming is recommended and always brush your dog properly before bathing. 

12. Q: How old should a dog be before he/she has his/her first grooming appointment? 

A: Even though a three-month-old puppy is not usually in need of grooming he/she should be taken to your groomer to get him/her used to full grooming, gradually. In this way he/she will learn to accept grooming as a happy experience that he/she will enjoy.

12A. Q: Should my cat be groomed? 

A: Long-haired cats need combing occasionally to prevent matted fur. Many cats also need bathing at times, if they are not capable of achieving the neatness that is usually attributed to cats. Check to see if your groomer provides this service for cats.

14. Q: Why do I need to have my dogs toe nails trimmed regularly?

A: You need to have your dogs toe nails trimmed regularly because your dog's paws need to rest flat on the ground to be able to walk correctly. Your dog needs to walk on the pads, not the toe nails. If the toe nails grow too long, the pads will not touch the ground and all the weight of your dog will bear down on the nails. This will cause discomfort and your dog will lose interest in walking, which will cause more weight gain, thus increasing pressure on the toe nails, eventually will become so uncomfortable that your dog will not want to walk at all.

Remember that your professional ABKA groomers are specially qualified to advise you about the type of grooming and grooming equipment that is best for your dog. They can advise you of techniques for grooming your dog at home, and can provide the finest service available at their kennel or grooming shop. Many times your groomer will be able to detect potential health problems, which should be handled by your veterinarian, before you might ordinarily notice them. Problems such as possible ear infections or mites, skin disorders, unusual growths, parasites, etc., are more easily detected as a result of regular grooming. Your groomer is familiar with the type of grooming which will make your dog look his/her best and can also provide special baths for fleas and ticks, dry skin problems, and, in cooperation with your veterinarian, medicated baths for special problems. Good health and good looks go hand in hand with good grooming ... and nobody likes a dirty dog. The best team for accomplishing this is your veterinarian, your ABKA professional, and you.