DF Dog Grooming

02/02/2025

You may have noticed the warm weather of late! Hope you’ve been able to enjoy it. I must admit, it’s my favourite time of the year and I don’t mind melting. But..for our dogs, they may be feeling the heat a little more. Hopefully, there’s a tip or 2, to help you keep your furry friend more comfortable.

Make sure they have a couple of water bowls around with fresh clean drinking water. You can cool the water with a couple of ice cubes.

Ensure your outside area has plenty of shade…some dogs naturally like to be outside and some will even sunbathe. Nice to get that little kick of vitamin D, but keep your eye on them as they may become overwhelmed with the heat. For water lovers, a low splash pool/paddling pool may be a welcome relief from the heat The ideal temperature to cool with is 15 - 17 degrees C.

For those dogs who spend most of their day in the air con, even though the recommended temperature for us (economically and efficiency of power etc) of 24 C might not be enough to stop them panting. Drop it to 23 C and see if it makes a difference.

Walk early, early morning or in the evening when the sun is low. Optimum walking conditions for dogs is between 16 and 19 degrees C, although I think Australian dogs acclimatise more readily to heat than temperate climate dogs. It generally takes dogs 6 weeks to acclimatise to warmer weather.
For older dogs or brachycephalic (round head/short muzzle) dogs, they may not thermoregulate as well as other dogs, so when temperatures reach those 24/25/26 very warm days…..skipping a walk might be the best option. No dog ever died from missing a walk!! And if you do walk - take a water bottle for yourself and your dog.

Know your signs of heatstroke….

*Faster panting
*Excessive drooling/panting
*Agitation/anxiety/restlessness
*Increased heart rate and red gums or tongue/swollen tongue.

More advanced signs

*Lethargy
*Confusion
*Diarrhoea/vomiting
*Collapse/staggering
*Seizures.

What can you do in a worst case scenario….

*Contact vet as soon as possible, but try and cool them down before you transport….

*Small sips of water without force
*Place a fan nearby if possible for air flow
*For brachycephalic dogs (Shih Tzus, French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Cavalier King Charles etc), a cold pack under the throat area wrapped in a tea towel may help
*Apply cool water over the body - particularly to neck, groin and armpits. Don’t use cold or iced water as you don‘t want to drop the temp too quickly or shock the body
*Place cool towels underneath not on top- they allow evaporation. Towels on top may insulate rather than cool.
*Transport to vet as soon as possible.

And remember - keep your dogs well groomed - brushed AND combed. A well groomed coat allows air to flow over the skin which will help cool them. A tight coat allows very little air flow.

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05/01/2025

Just to let you all know, I will be introducing a de-matt fee in addition to regular grooming costs this year. I will chat to you about it when you come for your appointments, so we are all on the same page! So many of you are on board which is fab for your dogs and their grooming experiences, but sometimes, life gets busy and coats are difficult to manage. I understand! If any of you need help with routine brushing or a brushing routine/help with handling - please let me know, I'm here to help xx

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01/01/2025

Wishing everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. As my dear dad used to say, "Here's to all the good things"!

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26/12/2024

Hope you all had a wonderful day yesterday. Many thanks for presents, cards and wishes. Much love to you all. I'm back on it tomorrow 🤣xx

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24/12/2024

Wishing you all a fabulous Christmas and New Year. Enjoy the festive season ahead, but keep the choccies and the christmas cake out of your fur babies reach!! Enjoy folks! See you all soon ###

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30/11/2024

This happened last weekend. Full of information, demonstrations, case study results, discussion and an exam. Laughs and sharing along the way too! Many many thanks to the organiser, the host, and mostly to Dr Cliff Favor DVM and Suzanne Marchetti for sharing their insight, experience and knowledge. Now looking forward (with more insight) into completing case studies with dogs who experience hair loss or problem skin. If you know anyone who has a dog with skin/hair problems please pass on my details and I’ll gladly meet/chat with them x

21/09/2024

This post isn’t about the finished groom. Far from it…these dogs are just a few examples of excellent home grooming…meaning the daily/every other day brushing AND combing…that you do. As you can see, after their bath, blow dry, brush and comb, I haven’t removed much hair. So, no knots and tangles (maybe one or two fairy knots), but thats it. Fab!!

What difference does this make?

It means, that between us, we work together to maintain a healthy and mat free coat that is comfortable for your dog, makes thermo regulation efficient, makes my grooming a lot easier/quicker (can save up 30 minutes or more) and the whole process of grooming your dog much more comfortable and pleasurable causing less damage to the coat.

I have to say there are a lot more examples than just these few dogs show, so a ‘big thank you’ for coming on board with maintenance at home. Good work!!

I will post more about coat and coat care in the coming months. With tips on tools, products and routine. Please bear with me. I’m off to paint the house now !!!

03/09/2024

Grooming sprays have arrived. If you have ordered one…please message me xx

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27/08/2024

I've ordered 17 bottles of grooming spray - helps to rehydrate coats without build up. Also helps to keep tangles and knots at bay! One of the best I've ever used. If you are interested in a bottle, can you pm me please. First in best dressed.

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27/08/2024

Thank you so much for your support over the last week. Messages, drop ins, flowers, phone calls. All, so very much appreciated! It has been an emotional up and down week, as you can imagine. My heart will heel and I will love again xx

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19/08/2024

Vale my darling girl! Always and forever deep in my heart. (04/10/10 - 19/08/24) 😢

11/08/2024

Zara had the first ozone bath last night. Ozone baths can be used to help combat fungal, bacterial and viral infections which may lead to a variety of skin/hair conditions. It is also anti inflammatory which may help with conditions such as arthritis and help speed up healing. So although it won't take away her lymphoma, I'm pretty sure it made her feel really good and refreshed. Feel free to ask for more information!😊

05/08/2024

Ever noticed the teddy bears hiding in your dogs feet? 🐻 Ever wondered why the hair is trimmed during a groom? Here’s a bit of trivia…

Despite looking thick, strong and tough, a dogs paw pads are very sensitive and full of nerve endings. They feed information to the brain about surface textures, sharp objects, pressures and temperatures so the dog adjusts movements and positions accordingly. 🐾

Removing the hair not only helps by giving the dog better traction on smooth surfaces, it also helps to keep the hair between the digits free of knots and mats. For those dogs with allergies who may need frequent washing and wiping to remove allergens, shorter hair between pads is easier to wash clean and dry. It makes it easier to see if there is any foreign object stuck - like a grass seed or burr and less likely for them to stick… and it does look cute when that teddy bear is uncovered! ☺️

17/07/2024

I don’t often do before and after photos but today I will because I think she scrubbed up quite nicely! 😊

The Shih Tzu is one of the oldest of the Tibetan dogs. It owes its ancestry to the Pekingese and Lhasa Apso. A sturdy dog, with an independent spirit, friendly and alert. This little one is also very playful.

The Shih Tzu grows HAIR which grows to an undetermined length, whereas dogs that grow FUR have a predetermined length.

They are part of the brachycephalic group of dogs, meaning they have shortened muzzles and round heads. Brachy means shortened and cephalic relates to the head. Other dogs in this group include French Bulldogs, Boxers, Pugs, King Charles Spaniel and the Dog de Bordeaux. (So not just small dogs!).

Famous owners include Beyoncé, Mariah Carey and Bill Gates.

03/07/2024

For those of you who might be concerned about your dogs teeth, I have ‘Simply Seaweed’ in stock. It is a dental supplement which may help to prevent plaque and tartar forming on your dogs teeth. It is an organic product and is easy to give - just sprinkle on food. I have leaflets giving more information than I have here. If interested, ask for more info at your dogs next groom or drop me a text/call.

24/06/2024

Before and after.....had been a while and a different stylist! Now to get back on track 😉

07/06/2024

You know how everything is getting more expensive lately - well, as much as it pains me to say this folks - but I'm going to have to join that club. Soooo, .... there will be a price increase as from 1st July.

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17/05/2024

I'm doing well folks. As is Zara (she still has a lot of issues but is eating well and sleeping lots). Would like to thank you for messages of kindness, positive thoughts, cards, flowers, food, drop ins! Amazing! You really are a lovely lot!! 🥰 I'll be in action from 27th of this month so all good. Please check with me, if I haven't sent you a personal message regarding dates. Much love to you all, Deb and Zara xx

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