Tips for Pet Grooming | Professional Groomers

Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears

Yes, you can degunk your dog’s ears right at home.

How do you clean your dog’s ears at home?

Just like us, your dog’s ears can build up wax and other debris. Dogs can also get ear infections and ear mites. Whatever the reason, when your dog’s ears are gunky, they need to be cleaned

to prevent further problems and to allow ear medications to work effectively. But don’t overdo it. “If your dog’s ears aren’t gunky, don’t clean them! Over cleaning can cause ear disease,” warns William H. Miller, DVM, Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine director of the

Companion Animal Center.

If your dog’s ears do need to be cleaned, you may notice him scratching at his ears, and you may see that the skin inside the ear is red and angry-looking. Cleaning the ears will help to reduce the irritation, although ultimately the source of the infection must be treated to gain long-term relief.

Untreated ear infections can damage the skin inside your dog’s ear and even perforate the eardrum. Severe infections can spread into your dog’s skull, resulting in brain damage and potentially death.

Options

Your veterinary clinic or a groomer can clean your dog’s ears for you. Many groomers clean ears as part of their routine services and should mention it to you if your dog’s ears are particularly gross (if that happens, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian).

At the veterinarian’s office, the staff may do a cytology exam on some of the debris from the ear. This is the only way to definitively diagnose the cause of an ear infection and allows your veterinarian to prescribe the appropriate medication for the specific infection.

You can also clean your dog’s ears yourself at home, of course. This saves you money and is less stressful for your dog. Most dogs tolerate ear cleaning very well or can easily be taught to (more on that to come under Pro Tips).

Gather together pet-safe ear cleaner, cotton balls, cotton-tipped swabs, and treats.
Soak a cotton ball with ear cleaner. Place the soaked cotton ball inside your dog’s ear and gently massage the outside of the ear so that the cotton ball gets squished. This causes the ear cleaner to drip into the crevasses in your dog’s ear. You can also squirt ear cleaner directly into the ear, but many dogs are less tolerant of that sensation. Remove the cotton ball when done.
Wipe the ear out with a dry cotton ball.
Use cotton-tipped swabs to remove debris from the crevasses of the ear. Do not reach into the ear where you can’t see. You could accidentally puncture the eardrum.
Continue wiping with cotton balls and swabs until they are clean.

Pro Tips

Start getting your dog used to having his ears handled now. Gently play with his ears when petting him, and practice holding his ears open to peer into them. You can even gently rub the inside of his ear with your finger. If your dog is already used to having his ears touched, cleaning will be much less stressful when you need to do it.

Use treats and praise frequently, especially the first few times you clean your dog’s ears. Reward him after applying the ear cleaner and after every couple of swipes with the cotton ball.

Phone a friend! If your pooch is squirmy, enlist the help of a friend or family member to hold him still. You can also place him against a wall or on the couch so that he can’t back away from

you. Some dogs are better for ear cleaning sitting up, while others may prefer to lie down, head on the ground. Experiment to see which works best.

If his ears start to bleed at all, stop and contact your veterinarian. Same goes for if your dog cries out in pain. Some infections can do a lot of damage to the ear, and a thorough cleaning may be too painful early in the healing process.

For additional advice on ways to keep your dog healthy, subscribe to DogWATCH from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Drat Those Mats!

Here’s how to keep those ugly, dirty and sometimes painful mats from becoming a health issue.

We used to babysit a brother-sister Blue Picardy Spaniel team. These regal dogs have luscious, wavy feathering on their legs, underside and tail. This breed is also a ball of energy! Add that glorious feathered coat after a long hike with running and romping through streams, and you have yourself some serious matting.

The kicker — the siblings’ folks were adamant that their fur could not be cut. We’d try to help by brushing them after our outdoor adventures, but we felt bad for the groomer when we’d drop them off and have to remind the staff, “No cutting!” Like magic, those two pups would come back with silky, mat-free feathers. How did those groomers do it? Patience, the right tools, skill and help from vigilant dog parents.

Matting must-knows

Here are some grooming and matting 101 basic tips.

First, train your dog to enjoy grooming so he’ll stand still long enough to get the mats out! Start brushing your pup when he is young, even if he doesn’t need it. Hand out praise and high-value treats so he can associate grooming with happy things.
Pay close attention to areas that mat easily: behind the ears and legs, in the armpits, on the undercarriage and where his collar or halter rubs.
Keep mats from forming. A detangler cream or spray helps prevent fur from getting clumped up and can be used before your pup jumps into a river or lake to make the post-swim brushout easier. Use only products specifically made for dogs.
If your pup’s coat has gotten severely matted or hasn’t been cared for in a while, take a trip to the veterinarian. An uncared-for coat can cause skin irritation or infection that needs to be treated by a medical professional.
To learn the best way to brush out your pup and what kind of brush to use, talk to your groomer. The better you are at daily grooming the easier her job is.
Don’t ignore the paws. Hair that grows in between the pads can get matted. Keep it short. Touch-up between professional grooming with some dog clippers at home. They’re easier than scissors on your dog’s sensitive paw pads.
Clippers are also useful to keep a pup’s rear end neat and clean. Between sitting and pooping, that area can get messy fast. A clean area around the anus is worth a little embarrassment between you and your dog.
A good diet helps your dog have a healthy coat that’s less likely to get tangled. Look for omega-3 or fish oil in your pup’s food and supplements. Of course, consult your veterinarian to learn the best amount to be giving your dog.

Wendy Newell is a former VP of Sales turned dog sitter, which keeps her busy being a dog chauffeur, picking up poop and sacrificing her bed. Wendy and her dog, Riggins, take their always-changing pack of pups on adventures throughout the Los Angeles area. Learn more about them on Facebook at The Active Pack and on Instagram @wnewell.

Tangle Tips From Professional Groomers

1. Deana Mazurkiewicz IGMS, NCMG, IFMS President, Intellectual Groomers Association and Master Stylist at Pawsh By Deana in Zephyrhills, Florida. facebook.com/igadirector

Never bathe your dog if he has mats or tangled hair. Water acts as a sponge and only makes mats tighter.
Use cornstarch to help loosen mats. Rub some into the mat to help loosen, then brush out.
Don’t assume that conditioner will remove or loosen mats. They must be brushed and combed out thoroughly before the bath.
NEVER try to cut out mats. They may be tighter than you think or have the skin caught up in them, and you can easily cut your pet.

2. Windmere Kennels, St. Charles, Michigan; facebook.com/Windmerekennels

Dogs like Poodles and Goldendoodles that are considered non-shedding don’t shed the dead hair on their own; they need help by brushing a minimum of twice a week with a good slicker brush.
Regular visits to a professional groomer is a must every six to eight weeks.
Mats begin at the base, not at the top of the hair. While your dog might look to be mat-free, get your fingers down into the nape of the hair to feel for any tangles and snarls. Catching a potential mat before it happens makes removing it much easier.
Do research on your breed’s specific needs for proper grooming. Depending on your breed, the coat or hair will require different practices to keep it healthy and vibrant.

3. Vanessa Hoyt, Groomer Girls Pet Salon, Lawrenceville Georgia. Facebook.com/groomergirlspetsalon

Always work on small sections, from the ends of the hair working your way up to the skin.
Always use a good conditioner. Dematting can cause major breakage even if done correctly.
Always use cooler warm water as a quick rinse as the last thing you do in the tub. This will help seal the hair shafts. Warmer water leaves them open, making the hair prone to breakage and damage. Broken and damaged hair tangles quicker.
Use a finishing conditioning spray.

For additional advice on living with dogs, subscribe to Dogster magazine.

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