Brushing - A Necessary Evil

One of the complaints I hear from clients most frequently is “my dog hates to be brushed” and that is why he/she is so matted this grooming session. As a pet owner and groomer I share the same problem.  One of my dogs does not like to be brushed and runs and hides while the other spins with glee when seeing the brush come out of the draw.  Unfortunately, brushing is a necessity and if your pet does not enjoy it, it can be frustrating and exhausting for you both.

However, daily brushing will keep your pet’s coat clean and free of mats. Mats are evil, plain and simple.  They are uncomfortable for your pet and if the mats circle around skin they can cause hematomas to form which can be very painful.  Mats usually have dirt and debris in them that could cause skin inflammation.   Mats between toes can cause pets to stand incorrectly which could affect limbs and joints causing inflammation and pain. 

De-matting is my biggest time consumer in grooming your pet.  As many of you are aware, most mats occur in the hardest to reach areas…armpits, belly, under thighs, behind ears, under chins/neck.   Sometimes it is the entire pet’s body!  Because of the delicate areas on the pet’s body it is difficult to shear and shave the mats off as they are normally stuck to the skin.  It takes a lot of time to properly remove the mats to assure your pet does not get cut.  In the perfect grooming world the pet lifts his/her leg and lets the groomer shave at will.  Alas, in the real world the pet does his/her best to keep the limb as close to the body as possible making it doubly difficult to free the mats from the skin! 

So what is the solution?  Make brushing a pleasant time for your pet by offering rewards while brushing.  Brush for a few minutes or however long it takes for the pet to allow you to brush without pulling, pushing, biting, growling, etc.  (Note this may be only a few seconds!) Offer a treat and a pat on the head and a “good Matty” with a smile.  Keep this going and try to make the brushing period longer between rewards.  Eventually you will be able to get through brushing the entire pet with just one or two rewards (or clicks if your pet is clicker trained).  Also get on a regular grooming maintenance program.  Four weeks between grooming is ideal especially for long haired pets, but no longer than 6 weeks to ensure the pet’s coat stays healthy and mat free.

By Dawn Foster

Pampered Pets Curbside Grooming Salon & Spa

Please call (703) 329-1043 for an appointment!