At Woofcuts it’s our aim to help promote the benefits of having your dog regularly groomed so we’ve prepared a short but informative question and answer section. If there is anything you don’t see covered here please contact us.
What benefit will my dog get from being groomed?
Regular grooming is essential to your dog’s health and well-being. It provides an opportunity to inspect the dog for any skin, coat or health problems. It provides the dog and the owner time together to relax and form a valuable bond of trust, promoting good handler-dog relationship. Regular grooming prevents the fur from becoming matted and tangles and acts as a stimulus for the skin allowing the natural oils to circulate to the coat.
We recommend that you brush your dog as frequently as you can between visits to the groomers to help prevent matting and knotting. The areas to pay particular attention to are under the ears and elbows.
It would be helpful if you could walk your dog before bringing it to the salon so that it is relieved and calm.
How often does my dog need to be groomed?
It is important to adhere to a regular grooming programme,
Recommended Grooming Times
Every 4 to 6 Weeks:-
Bearded Collie, Bichon Frise, Kerry Blue, Lhasa Apso, Old English sheepdog, Poodle, Shih Tzu
Every 6 to 10 Weeks:-
Airedale Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Schnauzer, Rough Collie, Scottish Terrier, Spaniels, West Highland White Terrier, Wire Fox Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier
Every 3 – 4 Months:-
Border Collie, Border Terrier, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Setters
What about Puppies?
We recommed that puppies are brought into the grooming parlour as soon as possible so they can become accustomed to the grooming enviroment.
During the first Grooming session for a puppy we will get the puppy used to the sounds of the grooming parlour including the dryers and shower etc. We will spend time handling the puppy so as to build up its confidence in us. It is a good idea if you bring along with you a couple of your puppies favourite toys so that we can spend some time playing not forgetting to give lots of hugs and cuddles too!!. If the puppy is calm and content we can then proceed to bath and dry the puppy if this is required. The most important thing on the first session is to gain your dogs trust so they are happy to be groomed in the future. We suggest they should have their first groom between the ages of three and five months.
How long does it take?
This depends on the dog, but as a guide expect about two and half hours each session. If the dog is nervous or badly matted this can significantly increase the time it takes. When you arrive at the salon we will discuss this with you, we normally give you a ring when your dog is ready to be collected.
What’s included in a full groom?
- Your dog is given a thorough wash using specialist dog shampoo to suit your dogs’ skin and coat type/conditioner applied if required.
- Blow drying using a stand dryer where the power level can be adjusted and lowered to suit nervous dogs and puppies (no cages or cabin dryers used).
- Your dogs ears are cleaned and plucked if necessary and nails are clipped, anal gland are also emptied if required
- Your dog is styled to breed standard including owners personal preference, taking into consideration practical needs
- Finished with a conditioning cologne spray
- Not forgetting we provide lots of cuddles and attention at all times!!
My dog is nervous, my dog is old, will that cause a problem?
We know from experience that some dogs are more nervous than others when being groomed. With this in mind we only have one dog in the salon at any one time, and this helps to keep you dog calm. We will constantly reassure your dog and provide all the care and attention that your dog needs. We use Stand Dryers (no cabin dryers) which enable us to alter the power settings (which reduces the noise they make).
We also use the most up to date equipment such as an electric bath with a non-slip surface that can be lowered so the dog can step into it, which is especially useful for the elderly dog. We also have a hydraulic grooming table which again can be lowered for your dog to step on and off. As we have an appointment only service we can allow extra time to groom an elderly dog, so that they can have plenty of rest whilst being groomed. They will be able to sit down as much as possible.
Hand Stripping
Hand stripping is only suitable for certain breeds and is used in order to maintain the correct coat texture and colour. The aim of hand-stripping is to remove the dead topcoat and dead undercoat. Using the finger and thumb is the best stripping method. Hand-stripping will leave your dog looking tidy but still natural.
Hand stripping will usually be required several times a year, or when the coat is ‘blown’. A blown coat is long and shaggy and parts between clumps of hair, the hair comes out very easily when pulled between your finger and thumb.
0161 705 1290