Signs your dog needs a groom
Dogs do not always look “unkempt” in a way that photographs well. The useful signs are often under the surface, at the paws, or in how the dog is behaving.
Run a comb or your fingers through to the skin, not just over the top. If you meet resistance, or you can feel a pad of hair, the coat is starting to felt. Behind the ears, in the armpits, along a collar or harness line, and in the feathering on legs and skirts are the usual places. A coat that has a stale or damp smell after it should have dried, or that stays wet underneath after a towel, is another prompt — particularly in winter.
Nails that click clearly on a hard floor, hair that covers the pads, or eyes that are being irritated by hair in front of them are everyday grooming signs. So is a dog who is scratching, nibbling or rubbing at one spot. That last one, though, needs a second look: itch, redness, discharge, swelling, or a sore that does not settle is a veterinary question, not a reason to book a prettier haircut and hope. See ear and eye care for that boundary.
If the coat is already tightly matted, read matted coats before you bathe it. If you are simply unsure whether a visit would help, call us and describe what you are seeing. We groom at our Banbury salon only; we don’t offer home visits.
Give us a call to book your dog in at our Banbury salon, or to ask for directions.