Author: pioneerpetgrooming

You will need.

Flea combs ( Helpful removing dead lice and may pick up nits and adults  but eggs are stubborn) . 

Adams : Flea , Tick and Lice Shampoo 

Old Toothbrush 

Old Towels 

Plastic cup ( Beans and Brews Cups they are tall and perfect for tools. 

Bleach and water for surfaces .

You may have to clip your dogs hair if it is long.

Fill plastic cup with water / and a little treatment shampoo. Take 5 flea comb and. Comb thru your dog alternating the combs. . Use the plastic cup of shampoo to clean and soak the flea combs and use an old toothbrush to help remove the lice debris. Do this a minimum of twice a day  . keep your combs stored in cup. 

Now its time to change the bedding or vacuum the area where animal is contained. Alternating some old blankets is helpful . 

Becareful of handling your dog or petting them with your nails could pick up the eggs .You will have to keep your fingernails clipped to prevent spreading eggs that you cannot see.   Be sure to wash your clothing along with towles or blankets for the day in hot water . 

I hope this was helpful to someone . 

Update … No New lice cases reported to me personally . Lice can come from other dogs , squirrls , birds , rats and other wild animals .They also migrate thru regions . I have been told last yr Texas was highly invaded . If your traveling to the wooded areas , the lake , humid states , sandy beaches , frequent doggie day care , grooming , play dates and dog park attendes , my advice is get your dog on a preventive treatment program . So far the information out there is that People and cats are not affected by dog lice . If you suspect your dog has lice , you need to isolated your animal , inspect them in a controlled environment and clean any area they frequently lay and wash all linens and beds . Once you isolate your dog. Get on a shampoo and cleaning routine to control the environment . Use a flea comb . The shampoo does not kill eggs so you will need to treat your pet for at least 1week for 4 wks until you eliminate the cycle . It could take longer if you didnt catch the sleeping areas in time . It is tasking but with information you can treat this quickly . Adult louse lay eggs on the host that hatch with in 3 to 4 weeks . Those eggs , turn into nits with in 1 to 2 weeks they are able to lay eggs . Lice cannot live off a host more than 2 days . You could use a preventive ivermectin like heartguard which you can get from your vet or over the counter oils . Your mind set should always be defensive when it comes to parsites of any kind. I will continue to give updates . Many people dont actually tell you , but it is helpful because we have a cycle we can track with the exposure dates and infestation times. I hope this information was helpful and it certainly is the least of the information available for you to research .

We are still continuing to do curbside pick up for grooming appointments . The self wash is closed at this time. There are some things that should be known before bringing your pet to the grooming appointment.

PLEASE make sure your dog collars are secure make sure you have a leash. We perfer to carry the smaller dogs . Picking up and Paying will follow a similar procedure, we will bring your dog outside and you will pay. You can pay with either cash or card still. Please be patient as we are very busy , getting dogs out can take some time, the priority is to make sure all pets in the building are secure before I go outside of the bulding , so it is important that you notify me when you are arriving. This is easiest if done by a text, and when you arrive you can honk/beep your car horn to get our attention. Thank you for your cooperation .

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Wow what a busy time of the year it is . Actually it’s been consistently busy all the time. People calling wanting to get their pets short and cool for the summer is the main concern. I wish I could get those babies in on that very day cause I feel bad for them. It’s hard for me when I have to say I am booked up until the next week. Which brings me to the next subject…… Missed appointments .

Its Saturday Morning and the phone is ringing with several calls from new people wanting to know If I can get their pet in today. Unfortunately I have a full schedule today and they will look else where . Oh well my schedule is full so i have to focus on what’s coming in the door .  At 11 o’clock I have a client scheduled for two dogs, They are 45 min late , this is ok she called me because of an emergency and we worked it out  but just for an example in the 45 min I could have had a rough cut and bath/dry done on a little dog that had called earlier that I turned away.  Fast forward to 12 30 ….. no show …no phone call. Wow ,I could have fit in another potential client that I turned away that day. This person texted me three hours later saying she was helping with a wedding or something. I totally understand but what about my schedule. I’ve been grooming this dog for several years on a discounted price mind you . I really like this little dog but I am trying to make a living here . So I text back and say sorry but you will be charged for this appointment if you want to reschedule what happens next , she says I have to save up now before I can reschedule. The guilt sets in what should I do , cause I know its been a while and my little friend needs grooming. Ugg I hate this.

How can I charge for a missed appointment when I know how hard it is for some people to even pay for one groom?

 

Woody started coming to me in 2008 with his companion Lexi. They were on a two week schedule. They never missed a week. I was very nervous about grooming them because their mom was very specific on how she wanted them done. I was sure soon she just would not come back . She would call me every once in a while with a complaint. It was always easy to fix. She would also call me with a compliment. She brought a picture of how she wanted them to look and we tryed it . It was a great look for them and very fun and easy.  A few years went by and Sue was not able to bring them anymore because she could not drive . Her husband continued the same schedule. I was sad because I really missed seeing Sue.

When I opened the shop in town I remember the first time Lexi and Woody came in. They were so excited for me . ” Jackie !!! Congratulations !!!! ” They always ran to the door and their pampering would begin. Both dogs were always good for me.  then one day Sue passed away. I was so upset . She made me a better groomer and I will always be thankful for that. Her husband would have me come to the house and watch the dogs when he was out of town. Those two were so crazy . They loved showing me their toys . As I would sit on the couch and throw Lexi her balls , Woody would literally scratch my back for me . Recently Woody started coming to the shop and was a bit stiff. It was hard to clip his nails because he didn’t

have the mobility he used to have. This April Woody came in and his dad said that he was not doing well. He didn’t think Woody would be with us much longer . Woody was Lethargic , but he was very good for his grooming . I must have hugged and kissed him for an hour , crying like a fool . I didn’t want anyone to see me but I knew I would never see him again. He did pass three days later. ……. Lexi is alone now but she has her dad. I will miss woody so much and his sweet smile. I am thankful I was his groomer and that Lexi is still with us .

 

Thank You Sue and Lee Caldwell I love you ……..

I always follow the same protocol when grooming . Your appointment could last 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on the job and the day. I can usually have two to three dogs done within a 3 hour period. Of course a large dog could take 3 hours alone , so It really all depends on the job and type of dog.  I use a rotation system throughout the day . I am trying to make a living so if I were to do only do one dog at time , It would be hard to pay the bills and I would have to raise my prices. These are the Procedures I follow.

1. Nails
2. Ear hair plucking
3. Brushing and Dematting
4. Rough Cut
5. Teeth Scrape or Brush
6. Bath
7. Blow dry kennel or by hand
8. Finish Cut

Bathing Procedure / Suggested Self Wash Procedure

1. Mineral Eye Drops Applied
2. Anal Gland expression
3. Ear cleaner
4. Wash face and Rinse
5. Wash Body
6. Rinse Body
7. Conditioner
8. Comb thru with Conditioner if applicable
9. Rinse
10. Towel Dry
11. Blow Dry or Kennel Dry

This is a list of my Grooming Policy that I have followed for over 20 years.

• I always do what I say I do
• I never cut corners
• I follow the same procedure for every groom .
• I always make owner aware of any kind of clipper niche .
• I never cover up my work
• I always try to be reasonable with prices
• I never bad mouth another groomer or facility
• I do my best possible job on any day .
• I am reliable .
• I dont give medical advice , but I do have an opinion.
• I dont view others as competition , there are plenty of dogs to go around.
• I value my integrity
• I am human and not perfect , slack is appreciated
• If I am not capable of doing a job on any day I will tell you .
• I am always aware of my limits .
• I try not to judge

In the past month I have lost three of my oldest clients. I have seen these dogs on my table at least once a month for over ten years. I remember when these dogs were young. I have watched them become cloudy eyed, slow and grey.  These dogs know me and greet me as a friend. I get so happy when they come in the door excited to be groomed by me.   When you lose your pet, I also lose your pet. Recently the reality is they may not come back again. This thought saddens me, but also gives me gratitude for the next time they come to be groomed. I appreciate the grooming experience so much more. I tell them the world is a better place because YOU’RE in it. I feel love for my friends that is unconditional . It’s a blessing to be able to work with dogs all day.

This is why its important to find a groomer and stick with them. A groomer develops a relationship with your pet. Sometimes it takes a few years for the groomer to develop a trust relationship with dogs that have behavior issues like fear. Sometimes a bond won’t take place because of personality conflict. Find a groomer that your pet bonds with and stick with them. Sometimes people will switch groomers because the cost is a few dollars less. If you have been with the same person for several years, remember your dog has a special relationship with the groomer as well. I say if your pet is happy stay where you are.

I know that it is hard to understand why you would be charged for things like waste. It would seem that this goes with the territory. While it is expected , the time disruption should not be ignored. For example : when an animal goes to the bathroom in a kennel it causes a big disruption especially on a busy day. It also causes interruption to another clients appointment. There is nothing worse that bathing a dog and putting it in the kennel to dry , then when its time to do the finish groom , you go to the kennel only to find the dog had gone to the bathroom. stepped in it and waste is all over the clean dry dog and kennel. The dog has to be re bathed and dried . Mean while the next dog has to wait longer before it can go into bath.

These kind of set backs can be frustrating not only for the groomer but the dog as well. Some customers believe this may be caused from the dog being nervous. I dont agree with this at all. I would relate this to the dog being more relaxed because the bath is warm and soothing acting as a laxative. I would kindly suggest not feeding your pet before taking it to the groomer ,