The Soapy Dog

02/10/2024

Just a reminder from The Soapy Dog team! February is dental health month!Have your furry friends teeth evaluated by your vet!

10/01/2022

What are A**l Glands?
The a**l glands in dogs are small sacs located in the a**l opening. The a**l gland deposits your dogs specific scent each time they defecate, just another way dogs mark their territory. Most of the time, when your dog poops, the a**l gland will express itself and there are no problems. Sometimes, the glands get overfilled or blocked and your dog may need help expressing them.

A blocked or full a**l gland can be very uncomfortable for your pet. You may notice them Scooting their behind on the floor, nibbling at their back end, straining to poo, or leaking from their back end. You may also notice an overwhelming fishy odor or redness/swelling of their a**s. If you notice this may be time to get your dogs a**l glands expressed. The Soapy Dog, will express them externally upon request as part of your grooming service or as a walk in service. If your groomer is unable to safely and successfully express the glands externally, we will refer you to your vet for internal expression.

09/22/2022

09/14/2022

Today is The Soapy Dog's Birthday! We wouldn't be here without all of you! We want to take the time out to give a huge thank you to our valued clients and pets. For your loyalty, support, and trust, we are continually grateful. The Soapy Dog looks forward to pampering your pets for many years to come!

09/13/2022

Ever noticed those slits at the sides of a dog’s nose? Why do dogs have them?

Once again, nature proves her elegance in the design of our dogs. When we humans inhale and exhale, air comes in the same way it goes out. Any smells that come in through our mouths are forced out as we exhale.

When a dog exhales through his nose, however, the exhaled air is released through those slits and off to the side so that nice, smelly air going into the dog’s nostrils doesn’t get diluted with the outgoing air. Put another way, the slits allow the dog to avoid smelling what he just exhaled.

The slits help the dog hold scent particles in the nostrils even as exhaled air passing out the slits creates a swirling air turbulence allowing interesting odors to be inhaled directly into the centre of each nostril. Since dogs breathe faster when trying to sniff a certain smell, they widen their nostrils to pull in more air which makes it possible for a dog searching for smells to have a steady stream of air coming in for up to 40 seconds, maybe even longer.

The slits also allow dogs to wiggle each nostril independently which gives them the ability to know which nostril a smell entered. This is how a dog can pinpoint where a smell is coming from, and why a dog searching for smells on the ground will weave back and forth as he follows a trail.

We all know the superb smelling abilities of dogs, but let’s use an a**logy between scent and sight to really put it into perspective: What we as humans can see at a third of a mile, our dog can see more than 3,000 miles away and still see as well.

09/11/2022

Honoring the dogs who were hero's on this day 21 years ago.

09/05/2022

Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States.

Wishing you all a fun and safe LABor Day!

09/03/2022

World Beard Day has gone to the dogs! Share pictures of your bearded creatures with us in the comments!

https://www.thedodo.com/close-to-home/dog-has-crazy-looking-beard

He's only 2, but he looks like an old man.

09/01/2022

Brushing your dogs teeth:
Brushing your dog’s teeth is just as important as brushing your own! Tartar buildup on your dogs teeth shoots bacteria into their blood stream every time they bite down, leading to heart, liver, and kidney disease. Your dog will often hide any pain they are feeling. So by brushing regularly, not only are you promoting good dental health, but you are able to keep a look out for any problems in the mouth. Don't hesitate to call your vet if you notice anything in your pets mouth that concerns you. As part of your grooming experience at The Soapy Dog, you can ask us to brush their teeth for an additional cost. We also accept Walk-In’s for Teeth brushing. If we notice anything while performing this service, we will bring it to your attention.
Its great to start young with your puppy to get them used to it, but it’s never too late to start a good habit. If your dog is older and not used to having their teeth brushed, it’s important to start gradually. Some pets may refuse completely. If that’s the case, don’t force it. In these cases or if brushing your dogs teeth every day just isn’t feasible talk with your vet about alternatives.
To help your pet enjoy the experience, let them get used to the process slowly. First let them taste the toothpaste, then gradually add the toothbrush into the process. For our dogs we mainly need to get the outside surface, they don’t have to say “AHHH” like we do. You don’t have to scrub hard, but be firm.
Items you will need:
Dog Specific Tooth Paste (Not Human Tooth Paste)
Dog Specific Toothbrush

Make sure you're in an area where your dog is comfortable and the environment is calm. Never push yourself or your dog. We want this to be a pleasurable experience and it will take time to get there.
Try to gently touch their mouth by rubbing your finger along their upper gums and teeth. This will help them get used to the feel of something against their teeth. Use light pressure. You may need to get them comfortable with this over a few sessions before moving on.
Once they are comfortable with just your finger, add some dog toothpaste to your fingertip. Continue to rub your finger along their upper gums and teeth. It may help to first Let your dog lick the toothpaste from your fingertip so that they can get used to the texture and taste. You can always experiment with flavors.
When your dog is used to you rubbing their gums and teeth with your toothpaste covered finger, start using the toothpaste and toothbrush together. Brush a few teeth at a time, working up to more each day. Aim for two minutes total. Lift their upper lip. As you approach their teeth with the brush, angle the bristles so they reach the gum line. Placing them at a 45-degree angle against their teeth will help the bristles massage the gum line and clear away plaque. Brush in small circles, getting top and bottom on each side. As you move the bristles along the gum line, some light bleeding may occur. Ongoing or heavy bleeding may mean you’re brushing too aggressively or it may be a sign of gum disease. Chat with your vet for advice.
Always end on a positive note and praise good behavior.

08/28/2022

Today, on Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, we celebrate the lives of all of our sweet friends who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge. We send love to all those affected by loss.

08/26/2022

Because we can always use an excuse to celebrate our four legged kiddos, today is National Dog Day! There are as many different types of dogs as there are ways to celebrate them! Give all of your babies an extra snuggle from us here at The Soapy Dog

08/21/2022

As the summer comes to an end and we are preparing for the exciting school year ahead, things can get stressful on us and our kids (both human and furry). Here are a few tips to make things easier on the whole family!

1) Slowly shift in to the new routine. For all of us, it can be hard to get into the new routine, especially when waking up earlier is a part of it. If we start early it can make the first day less stressful.

2) While the kids are busy with school, our pets may be missing the play time they got used to all summer. Introducing new toys, distractions, and other enrichment opportunities will help keep their boredom at bay. Get the human kids involved too, they'll feel better going to school knowing their best furry friend is having a good day! Picking out new toys, making treats, and helping your pet learn the new routine are all good ways to involve the kids.

3)Make sure the family is setting a little time aside each day to bond. Snuggling or playing with our pets helps relieve stress for us and them. Who doesn't need a little stress relief after a long day? “Maintaining the human-animal bond is essential for a happy pet and pet owner,” says Dr. Taylor.

08/20/2022

Cool Stuff to do with your dogs hair:
Did you just brush you dog and now you have enough fur on the floor to make another dog?
Here’s some cool things you can do with that fur other than tossing it in the trash!
Leave it outside for birds to use in their nests.
Knit clothes
Felt Crafts
Protect your garden from animals and bugs
Clean Oil Spills
Stuff Pillows
Add it to the compost pile

08/10/2022

We are thrilled to celebrate National Spoil Your Dog Day with our furry friends. And what better way to be spoiled than a day at the spa?

08/01/2022

Tip of the nose to Tip of the tail Check

When your dog comes to the grooming salon, we get up close and personal. If we notice concerning something we will bring it to your attention. You know your dog better than anyone, so it is recommended you perform a Tip of the Nose to Tip of the Tail Check roughly once a week to once a month while you’re at home. Doing this Tip to Tip Check will help you stay on top of your pets health by catching things early (that helps your pocketbook too!).
So what does a Tip to Tip Check include and what are you looking for to be sure your dog is in tip-top shape?

Nose: Is your dog’s nose running? dry or cracking? crusty? are there sores present? Is the color normal? Has your dog been sneezing? If you answer yes to any of these questions, there may be something going on. Its worth a chat with your vet.
Eyes: Have you noticed any changes in your dogs vision recently?
The whites of the eyes should be white. The pupils (the black dot in the center)should both be the same size. The eyes should be moist, but no crazy eye boogers. Your dog should blink easily and not be squinting. There should be no swelling around the eye. The lids (where a human would wear eye liner) should be straight, not curling in or out. If you note any abnormalities, chat with your vet.

Ears: Note if your dog has been hearing you well or not and any recent changes.
Look at the flaps. Are there any scratched or sores? Are they dirty? Look in the ear ca**l (you wont be able to see very far). Do you see any redness or debris (more than normal)? Do your dogs ears have an odd odor? Are they scratching or shaking their head a lot? If you can answer yes to any of these, you may want to chat with your vet.

Mouth: The lips and gums should be pink and free of bumps, ulcers, cuts, or cracks.
The teeth should be white. Excess tartar will make teeth look yellow or brown. Note any loose or broken teeth. Make sure there is nothing sticking in your dogs mouth where it shouldn’t be. Pay attention to the smell, a bad small may be indicative of dental disease or a multitude of other issues. Feel under your dog’s jaw for lumps and bumps, which could indicate enlarged lymph nodes or salivary glands.

Skin: Run your hands over the head, down neck to the chest, over his back, under his belly , and over the legs and tail feeling for lumps, bumps, or crusty lesions. Look for fleas and ticks while you are at it. Massage each leg from top to bottom with the same thorough approach. Feel under your dog’s jaw for lumps and bumps, which could indicate enlarged lymph nodes or salivary glands. Feel under the front legs, the groin area, and behind the knees for smooth swellings that could be enlarged lymph nodes. Roll your dog over and examine their abdomen for skin lesions. Check the mammary glands of both female and male dogs for lumps or bumps. Check the p***s and sheath of male dogs for redness or discharge. Look under the tail at the female’s v***a and note any redness or discharge. If you note any abnormalities, chat with your vet.

Paws: Carefully examine the paws in a position that works best for you and your dog. Are the pads cracked or torn? Are the nails too long? Is there swelling or redness between the toes? Is there a musty odor? If you can answer yes to any of these, chat with your vet.

Joints: Does he walk without limping, taking long strides? Can he lie down and rise up again with ease? Yes to these questions is great!
Or is he droopy and slow to respond? Does he walk with short steps? Does he lie down gingerly and struggle to get up? Yes to these questions warrants a chat with your vet.

Input: Has your dog been hungrier or thirstier than normal? Have they been eating or drinking less? Have you noticed any drastic weight loss or gain? If you answer yes to these questions, chat with your vet.

Output: Has your dog been straining to urinate or defecate? How does the urine look and smell? What is the consistency and color of the stool? Has there been any vomiting? If you note abnormalities or changes, chat with your vet.

Behavior: Have you noticed any extra grumpiness or tiredness recently? Any major behavior changes would warrant a chat with your vet.

Make this a fun experience for your dog by incorporating lots of loving and treats in to your Tip to Tip Check. If you notice anything out of the ordinary or anything that concerns you, do not hesitate to contact your vet.

07/31/2022

National Mutt Day is observed biannually on July 31 and December 2 every year to celebrate the magic of the mutt. Some famous mutts you may recall are:
Higgins – The dog from Benji
Laika – The Soviet space dog
Pluto – Mickey Mouse’s dog
Bobbie the Wonder Dog – The lost dog that walked 3,000 miles to return home
Clifford The Big Red Dog is a Labrador/Vizsla mix
Sinbad – “Chief Dog” of the United States Coast Guard
Tramp – From the Disney movie Lady and the Tramp
Spike – Dog who played Old Yeller
Murray – The dog on TV’s Mad About You

07/15/2022

U.S. National Pet Fire Safety Day takes place every year on July 15, and it's a day to learn how to keep your pet safe in a fire.

Here are a few tips for pet owners from American Kennel Club to ensure their pets are safe from house fires:

Extinguish open flames-Pets are generally curious and will investigate cooking appliances, candles, or even a fire in your fireplace. Ensure your pet is not left unattended around an open flame and make sure to thoroughly extinguish any open flame before leaving your home.

Pet-proof the home-Take a walk around your home and look for areas where pets might start fires inadvertently, such as the stove k***s, loose wires, and other potential hazards.

Secure young pets-Especially with young puppies, keep them confined away from potential fire-starting hazards when you are away from home.

Keep pets near entrances-When leaving pets home alone, keep them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them.

Practicing escape routes with pets-Keep collars and leashes at the ready in case you have to evacuate quickly with your pet or firefighters need to rescue your pet.

Since pets left alone can’t escape a burning home-Use monitored smoke detectors which are connected to a monitoring center, providing an added layer of protection beyond battery-operated smoke alarms.

Affix a pet alert window cling-Write down the number of pets inside your house and attach the static cling to a front window. This critical information saves rescuers time when locating your pets. You can obtain a free window cling by going to www.adt.com/pets or at AKC Responsible Dow Ownership Days events. Details are available at www.alc.org.

Keep your information updated-Firefighters are familiar with pet alert window clings so keep the number of pets listed on them updated. Knowing the accurate number of pets in the house aids rescuers in finding all of your pets.

06/01/2022

Clipping your dogs nails:
How often you need to clip or dremel your dogs nails is dependent on many factors. A good rule of thumb is to check your dogs paws weekly for any changes and clip/dremel the nails if necessary. The difference between clipping and dremeling is fairly simple. When you clip you are generally taking of length, but the edges may still be a little sharp. When you dremel, you can also take off some length but normally you are just trying to smooth out any sharp or rough edges. Always keep your dremel moving. Never hold it in one spot on the nail for too long, it can get too hot for comfort on your pets foot.
If you notice any excessive licking, brown staining on the paw fur, wounds, or redness around the nail bed, it is recommended to seek veterinary attention.
As part of your grooming experience at The Soapy Dog, we will clip your dogs nails and report back to you if we note a need for veterinary attention. You can add dremeling to the grooming experience for an additional cost. You can also do a walk-in nail trim or dremel (the price will vary based on the size of your dog).

If you need to clip your dogs nails at home or want to do so in between groomings, below are some steps:

Items you will need:
Nail Clippers/Dremel
Quick Stop

Doing this once your dog is tired out from a good game of fetch or a brisk walk may make the following process easier. We want to keep the sessions in each segment short (a maximum of 5 minutes) and fun. Do all four paws during each session if possible. Repeat the sessions in each segment until you and your dog are comfortable moving on to the next segment. It may take days, weeks, or even months to go through all the segments and get your dog comfortable with their paws being touched.
To get your pet ready for nail care, please read our post on getting your dog used to their paws being touched. Allow your dog to sniff the items and familiarize themselves with them before beginning.
Repeat the last segment in our Paw Touching Post but this time take out your nail clippers/ dremel and leave the item(s) sitting on the floor next to you during your session.
Once you’re ready to move on to the next segment, hold the paw and pick up the clippers/dremel, but do not bring the clippers/dremel close to the nail. When the dog is calm reward them.
You're ready to move on to the next segment, when your dog accepts you picking up all four paws and putting pressure on their toes, while holding the clippers/dremel. At this point, you can graduate to just clipping the very tip of the nail. Always reward good behavior with an upbeat word and with their favorite toy or treat.
Start with just one nail at a time, keep sessions short and upbeat. Never push yourself or your dog, we want this to be a good experience.
When your dog calmly accepts getting the tip of their nail trimmed you can start to clip/dremel the nails shorter! Be careful not to clip past the quick when you’re clipping the nails. It is painful to your pet and will bleed. This is where your Quick Stop comes in (cornstarch or flour will work in a pinch!). Take a small pinch of the powder and press it in to the bleeding nail. You may have to use several pinches and apply pressure for a few seconds to a minute to get the bleeding to stop. Always feel free to come by if you’d like us to perform the nail trim!

05/30/2022

To all who've served, human and animal alike, we salute you this Memorial Day and every day. Thank you.

05/30/2022

It's International Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Day and Oreo is ready to be celebrated!

05/15/2022

Happy International Family Day, especially to our furry family members!!

05/14/2022

Celebrating National Dogs Mom Day with all of you and your furry kiddos!

05/05/2022

05/05/2022

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army's victory over Napoleon III’s French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. We wish everyone a happy and safe celebration!

05/03/2022

Playing with your dogs feet:
A dog’s paws can be extremely sensitive (some are even ticklish!). It is important to get your dogs used to having their paws touched and cleaned. This will make it easier when the comes time to clip nails, clean muddy paws, or get groomed. If your dog is not used to having their paws touched, they may try to pull away, jerk, or even bite!
So how do we get our dogs to let us touch their paws? We love on them and give them treats! We want the paw touching to be a good experience.

Doing this once your dog is tired out from a good game of fetch or a brisk walk may make the following process easier.
We want to keep the sessions in each segment short (a maximum of 5 minutes) and fun. Do all four paws during each session if possible. Repeat the sessions in each segment until you and your dog are comfortable moving on to the next segment. It may take days, weeks, or even months to go through all the segments and get your dog comfortable with their paws being touched. Some dogs are never fully comfortable with their paws being touched, but we owe it to them and ourselves to try.
Start by getting your dog to lay quietly and run your hands down their leg towards their foot. You want to pause at a point when they are calm and not reacting, then reward them. Repeat the sessions over a period of time until your dog is comfortable.
Once you’re ready to move on to the next segment, run your hand down the leg to the foot, touch the foot briefly, and reward. Repeat the sessions over a period of time until your dog is comfortable.
Once you’re ready to move on to the next segment, pick up the foot, hold it briefly and then reward. Repeat the sessions over a period of time until your dog is comfortable.
Once you’re ready to move on to the next segment, pick up the foot in your hand and put light pressure on the pads and toes almost like a mini massage, when the dog accepts it reward.
Once your dog is comfortable, you’ll want to play with their feet at least once a week to keep them used to the sensation.

05/03/2022

National Specially-Abled Pets Day is observed every year on May 3rd. It’s a day designed to bring people’s awareness to the many pets who are living with disabilities and their very special needs. We would like to give a shout out to these pets and their hard working humans!

04/27/2022

Rosie is happy to be a part of National Little Pampered Dog Day!