TOP 5 DOG GROOMING MYTHS
1. ONLY CERTAIN BREEDS NEED GROOMING
This is false because grooming consists of more than just a haircut. Grooming is a general hygiene process just as we take daily showers and brush our teeth. The grooming process includes everything from the nail clipping to the haircut. So whether your dog is a Pug or a Great Pyrenees they all benefit from a regular grooming routine to promote a healthy skin and coat. Regardless of their age, size, breed, or temperament all dogs require general grooming from ears to nails to stay happy and healthy.
2. CERTAIN BREEDS DON’T SHED
This is also false and we hate to be the one to tell you, all dogs shed. No matter what your breeder told you, a Goldendoodle sheds. Just as our bodies will shed hair, a dogs coat will do the same. The difference is in the breed and its frequency and amount they lose opposed to other breeds, i.e. a Shih Tzu .vs. Lab. The Lab will noticeably shed all over your house, but when your Shih Tzu sheds you will be required to brush out that blown coat to prevent matting. All dogs will go through stages of shedding or coat changing, i.e. all puppies will blow their puppy coat to get their adult coat starting anytime from 6 months to 12 months of age and could last for months.
3. MY DOG NEEDS A SHAVE-DOWN IN SUMMBER & LONGER COAT IN WINTER
This makes sense to most, as we shed cloths for summer and bundle in winter but its not true for many dog breeds especially those whom are indoor dogs. Some breeds coat exist to help regulate body temperature during extreme cold and heat, again referring to the changing in coats from season to season. Coats will thin out naturally for summer and thicken for winter. Simply shaving a dog doesn’t “cool” them off and leaving them longer for winter won’t keep them “warmer”. As both situations are based upon your dogs breed and how long they stay outside.
4. DOGS ONLY NEED BATHED EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE
This is false. Do we only need a shower every once in a while? Just as our skin builds up oil and dirt, so do our dogs. Sure when they roll in mud, get skunked, or have fleas those are great times for a good bath, but a healthy bathing routine will help maintain your dog’s coat and promote healthier skin. Bathing every 4 weeks can help to maintain shedding, itchy skin, and so much more. The key to good skin and coat maintenance is using the right shampoos, conditioners, and not bathing more than once per week (with except of vet instructions).
5. MY SHAMPOO IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR MY DOG
NO, completely false. Your dog’s skin and our skin maintain a different pH balance and human shampoo can strip necessary oils and dry out your pet’s skin, leading to additional issues for your dog’s skin. Always use shampoo’s formulated for dog’s, especially if they are a puppy. Just as our infants require special formulated shampoo to be gentle, so do our puppies but special formulated for them.
