TIPS & RESOURCES

Looking after your dog between visits

A few things we tell clients at the salon all the time — coat care, bath day, and how to keep nervous dogs comfortable.

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  • COAT CARE

    Brushing Between Visits

    Short, smooth coats only need a weekly once-over. Double coats and curly or wool coats (poodles, doodles) need brushing every 2–3 days to stop mats forming close to the skin, where they're hardest to remove.

  • BATHING

    Bath Day, Done Right

    Use a shampoo made for dogs — human shampoo strips the natural oils in their skin. Rinse longer than feels necessary (leftover suds cause itching), and dry/brush right down to the skin, especially in armpits and ear folds.

  • COAT CARE

    Reading the Signs

    A musty smell, nails clicking on the floor, or a coat that's started to felt near the collar or behind the ears are all cues it's time for a trim — waiting until it's visibly matted makes the groom harder on your dog.

  • SEASONAL

    Surviving a Canterbury Nor'wester Coat

    Christchurch's hot, dry nor'wester spells push double-coated breeds into heavy shedding. A daily five-minute brush through spring and summer keeps loose undercoat from matting and cuts down on the fur tumbleweeds at home.

  • BEHAVIOUR

    Calm Paws: Easing Grooming Nerves

    Get puppies and nervous dogs used to having paws, ears and tail handled in short, relaxed sessions at home with treats on hand. A dog who's comfortable being touched settles into the grooming table far more easily.

  • NAILS

    Nail Care 101

    If you can hear nails clicking on hard floors, they're overdue. Long nails change how a dog stands and can be genuinely painful — regular trims every 3–4 weeks keep the quick short and the trim painless.