If your dog has a double-coat and is shedding a lot, you may think it will be helpful to shave him down in order to move the shedding process along. But in fact, shaving a double-coated dog is the worst thing to do. Shaving prevents cool air from getting to the skin because the undercoat is still present.

Mats cut off the air flow in your dog’s hair and can trap moisture, which can cause irritation and sores on your dog. Even mild matting can be painful, but in severe cases, matting can cut off circulation to your dog’s skin and cause hematomas.

Deshedding a dog is basically a removal of a dog’s loose undercoat hair. When you deshed your dog, you’re helping them get rid of hair that will eventually end up on furniture and clothes. This will benefit your dog in many ways, making them more comfortable and keeping their coat and skin healthy.

Puppies don’t need professional grooming until they’re around 12-16 weeks old and have had all their shots. Why do the shots matter? Because your puppy needs vaccinations before interacting with other dogs or visiting locations with lots of dog traffic. Professional groomers typically require puppies to be fully vaccinated before their first visit to the shop.

However, you can start grooming your puppy at home right away. The sooner you start handling them; the better behaved they’ll be later on! Brush their coat with a soft-bristled brush, gently “brush” their face with your fingers, and practice holding their paws. Eventually, you’ll work in a simple nail trim. And of course, have plenty of treats on hand to reward them for being so good. 

1. MY DOG’S FUR/COAT LOOKS DULL 

Regardless of the color, a dog’s fur/coat should look shinny and healthy. If it looks dull, matted and untidy, it’s time to make an appointment with a professional dog groomer. Some dogs get matted, especially if they enjoy playing in the water. Matted fur is uncomfortable (even painful) for dogs. The matted or tangled fur traps dirt, feces, debris, and pests in the coat, which causes skin irritation and increases the chances of skin infections and other ailments. 

2. MY DOG’S FUR/COAT SMELLS BAD 

Excessive dirt and debris on the dog’s fur/coat and skin can not only trigger skin irritation or damage, but also cause the bad odor. A professional dog groomer will always give your dog a good bath with skin-appropriate shampoo and conditioner to remove all traces of dirt and debris and thoroughly dry the fur/coat, leaving him/her sparkly clean.

3. MY DOG’S NAILS ARE TOO LONG 

You KNOW your dog’s nails are too long when you hear them clicking on the hardwood floors. Your dog’s nails can be worn down naturally when walking or running on the pavement. However, if your dog isn’t spending too much time on the pavement, his/her nails may need a trim. It is important to keep your dog’s nails trimmed to avoid vain overgrowth, as the nail will only be able to be trimmed up to the start of the vein to avoid bleeding. You can see the vain clearly on white nails, it’s harder to see the vain on dark nails, that’s why regular nails trims are always recommended. 

4. MY DOG’S EARS ARE SMELLY 

You may notice a foul odor when you smell your dog’s neck (yes, right in that yummy spot under his/her ears). Your dog’s ears clean themselves, when wax makes its way out of the ear canal, keeping the odor to a minimum. But if the odor is stronger than usual, it may mean that your dog is due for a good ear cleaning. A professional dog groomer will alert you if he/she suspects the dog has an ear infection.