The Dog Whisperer  has changed the whole way I look at my dog and what I expect from him.  He is an animal first, then a dog, then his breed (Brussels Griffon) then finally he is Farfel.   He will never react to any situation as a human.  Ok, his cute little monkey face, his liquid brown eyes and the way he cocks his head when I speak as if to say, “Yea, I totally understand” can be misleading.  He will always react as an animal, a dog, a BG and then Farfel, sometimes all four in order.       

Almost human expression!

The Science of Canine emotions   

Quick guide to dog body language    

 A puppy is  born with his sense of smell fully functional.  That makes it the number one sense.  He will learn to recognize his mother, his littermates, milk, and human scents.  Eyes open around fourteen days and hearing becomes functional shortly afterwards.  If you observe mama dog you will see her communications with puppies is all body language (ie: scruff grab for disipline, nuzzling for affection, picking pup up by scruff makes pup relax so mom can move him, etc).  Later, verbal communication is limited to calling pups, growling to warn of misbehavior and barking to alert of danger or other significant happenings.  When I was young, I got the idea that I would be the genius that would finally translate dog speak into human speak.  Over the years I realize it is the tone and the body language which can be read as clear as crystal if you are observant. 

Humans have a tendency to talk “baby talk” to their dog, a high pitched, squeaky tone which is great to get their attention or get them interested to come to you when other distractions are happening.  It is not the best way to give a command.  A one word command given in a calm, assertive tone is what it takes to get them to listen and follow direction.  A simple pat on the head or a treat is better than an excited, squeaky “good dog!!!!!”   The less excitement the more attention.  Dogs can only do one thing at a time and excitement means no attention paid to command.

You scold her out of total frustration, and she squats again.  *sigh* you know she doesn’t have a bladder infection, she was just at the vet to check that out.  This happens every time you come home!  This seems to be another confidence issue, and a very timid or  insecure dog feels they need to show submission at all times.  Adding to your dog’s excitement will also cause him/her to lose control.  Victoria Stillwell hits it on the nose; looking directly at this dog will cause anxiety which, of course, will trigger another puddle!  Victoria made a great point on her show yesterday, a sitting dog cannot pee.   Have your dog sit when company comes in or any other incident which causes excitement.

I love Cesar’s rule – No talk, no touch, no eye contact.  Calmly go about your business.  Never make greeting the dog the first thing I do when I come home.  He/she  have to wait at least a few minutes or longer until the initial excitement is over.  Once out of the spotlight the dog can start to relax.  Very calmly, without a word, walk up to the dog or crate dog is in, slip on leash and take dog outside.   Praise the dog for urinating outside.  This is the time to give affection.

Follow these suggestions faithfully and your problems should be solved!

There is a purpose to hair in the ear canals much the same as hair in the human nose.  It protects from dust, dirt and bugs.  It also absorbs excess moisture.  Groomers are now  trimming  excess hair that sticks out from the ear, leaving the protective hair down in the sensitive ear canal alone.  Previously it was believed that ears filled with ear hair could not circulate air and thus would cause infection. Now, reasoning has evolved that if the hairy ear remains clean and dry, as long as there are no underlying conditions, the ear will not become infected.

We have been following this practice for almost two years at Pet Pizazz and have had less ear infections and problems than in previous years. We now only pluck from down in the ear canal at the owners request and an extra fee is charged for the time and extra handling involved.

So, you want to be a dog groomer.  To me, it is the most satisfying careeer I have ever held.  Numerous cases of beast to beauty, satisfied customers, clean happy dogs, respect from the community…I sigh and look around the shop.

There’s piles of hair everywhere from an excesssively hairy shedout.  My perfectly groomed bichon just got sick and layed in the mess.  She’s being picked up in 1/2 hour, can we get her rebathed and fluffed in time?  The shih-tzu with the floor length fu man chu mustache zigged and I zagged, half his mustache is on the floor.  He belongs to one of my fussiest customers, omg!  The new scottie was very snappy for his first time, we got everything but his face done.  I feel tears welling up-I will NOT cry, I will not cry…

Is it worth it?  Do I still want to be a dog groomer?  You betcha! 

When people come to the shop to apply for a job as a groomer or bather it makes my toes curl when their main reason is that they love dogs.  I have learned that statement means they want to pet and play with the dogs, they have no clue how much work is involved or how unpleasant some of it is.  On the bright side, if you live through a day like this (and you will!) tomarrow wlll probably be better.  One of my best employees happened this way-she had been watching through the window for weeks as she passed before gathering the courage to come in and talk to me about a job.  She had no experience and admitted she was more of a cat person than dog, but she felt she could do the job as a bather.  I was working on a large, somewhat difficult mixed breed.  He was frisky and squirmy.  Helen picked up a brush and started to copying me as we talked.  She talked to the dog and kept his attention as I worked on his back end.  All I could say after that was “You’re hired!”

She worked for me for 2 years, learning tecniques eagerly.  She became very adept at dematting, bathing and fluff drying.  The dogs loved her, she was calm, firm and affectionate.  I was very sorry to lose her when the time came.

I love this poster, it says so much about grooming!

I met fire ants and that was NOT good.  I am terribly allergic to them!  Every morning and evening I would sit on my porch and see tree frogs and toads.  The toads were all sizes and hopped across the concrete into the grass or shrubs.  I never gave them much thought until Farf  decided to be a brussels griffon and pounce on one.  BG’s may be toy dogs but they are terriers, vermin dogs and they have a high prey drive.  He grabbed the toad then spit it out, foaming and gagging.  I gave him some water and thought little of it until later I noticed he was laying very quietly, looking dazed.  He did not get up to eat, answer any call nor ask to go out to potty.  The next morning he refused to respond to his usual morning toilet time.

I went on the internet to see if there was anything to read about it.  There was.  OMG!  I took him to the vet immediately.  I don’t remember exactly what treatment he got but it cost over $200.00.  The vet did tell me if he grabbed another toad to give him a shot of peroxide and make him throw up asap and then wash his mouth out.  That would reduce the toxins he would absorb.  Since then when I see a toad I pull him in close so he can’t reach it.  He did not learn anything from his experience and still wants to snatch that toad!

Toad Licking

I respect the shelter and the work they do, I understand being county owned they are under more strict regulations as far as how they treat strays, surrenders and even their policies on ferals.  I work diligently with numerous organizations to keep the feral cats under control, trapping, neutering and releasing whenever possible rather than taking them to the shelter to be euthanized.  Stray dogs who turn up here are taken to the shelter, they may find their owner or a new home, it is kinder than letting them starve or be killed by the traffic.

We are starting to have a serious crisis here lately!

Eight new cats have appeared in the past ten days.  One proceded to have her kittens immediately, hiding them from sight under someone’s trailer.  By time they emerge they will be feral and terrified, 2 to 5 new lives that should have had a better start.  These new cats are not feral, they are well fed and somewhat friendly even if they are absolutely confused.  They are prowling, looking for food, shelter and people.

Two dogs have been added to this situation, one adult, one puppy.  They lay in the road or on someone’s porch, bewildered, watching for their person.  I watched the adult dog beg at the door, wagging her tail plaintively for food and attention.  Just as I decided to coax her into my car and take her to the shelter the park manager drove by and did so.  I have no idea if he caught the puppy but I hope so.

Why is this happening suddenly?  It’s heartbreaking!  My guess is that people decide to surrender their pet for whatever reason and they take it with them in the early morning.  The shelter does not open until ten or eleven am so they drop the pet off if the parking yard.  “I’m sure the staff will find the dog/cat and take them in once they open” may be the thought.  Wrong, wrong wrong!!  By time the shelter opens, the pet is long gone, searching for it’s home and person.  Many are probably killed in the heavy traffic.

Please, people, please be responsible!  If you must surrender your pet please make sure you take them somewhere safe where they will be fed and at least have a chance.  Every living thing deserves that!

Some dogs are more sensitive to noise than others.  An insecure dog will look to you as his/her leader for reassurance.  They may whine, pace or show other anxious behavior.  As a human, our first reaction is to soothe and comfort by talking *baby talk* (oh, sweetie, it’s ok…).  What we don’t realize is that this is rewarding their behavior and showing our weakness. (yes, I’m nervous, too…)  It is up to us to stay calm, act as if nothing is wrong, and show the pack everything is ok.

Years ago my ex-husband’s dog came to live with us.  She was eight years old and a 130 lb. blubbering mess when it came to thunderstorms.  She paced, drooled, whined and tried to crawl into your skin with you.  She had learned that would gain her treats, hugs and undivided attention.  Back then I used my dog sense to curb this annoying behavior, when she crowded me I pushed her down.  I did not punish, that would just intensify her anxiety.  I made her lay on her rug and tried to ignore anything I disagreed with.  When she was calm I would allow her to come near me.  It took disipline on my part, much more on my husband’s part, but with consistancy Frannie stopped her obsessive behavior.  She still showed a few signs of nervousness, but it would pass as long as we stayed calm!

 Storm Sensitivity by the dog whisperer

Victoria Stillwell’s tips for fear of thunderstorms

Shadow Caughey,        Libby Owens ,                Joan & Teddy Crosby

Patch & Gizmo ,Gracie, Brandy and Shadow Dewitt, Bailey and Bella Beam

 Very thoughtful                    Robin with Mimi the maltese

Kristen with Rudy and Sugar, Daisy the westie

Allee                                                                                                Kristen’s Rudy

Kadejeia supervising,            Natisha with Angel,          Brittany and Angel           

Noodle                                              Oreo Skipper

Brittany concentrating on styling, Rascal Coats. absolutely adorable face!

We get customer calls on a daily basis asking about how to handle their dogs shedding problems. As the owner of a large German Shepherd Dog I am all too familiar with shedding! Unfortunately, I cannot give a one time remedy. Most short to medium coated dogs and all double-coated breeds shed year round. There is a technique that drastically reduces shedding and we use it here at Pet Pizazz Salon & Spa.

Many owners think the only way to stop hair loss is to shave their dog down short. Your dog will still shed, but the hair on the floor won’t be as noticeable! The problem with this approach, however, is that it can cause many other skin and coat problems due to the damage is causes to the hair follicles.

 We follow a technique taught by Jodi Murphy, a multiple grooming champion and consultant to the grooming industry. It is a process of de-shedding the coat while in the tub using shampoos, conditioners, and de-shedding tools to remove all dead undercoat. While drying with high velocity dryers we finish the de-shedding process after the bath.  

Preparing for deshedding

finishing after the bath

 The result is a luxurious coat we can slide a comb through, minus all the dead undercoat. The shedding is reduced by 90% for up to 5 weeks, while promoting healthier skin and coat. It’s a win-win situation. Call us to give it a try on your “Hairy Monster”, you’ll be glad you did.  

short coated shedder, can be very deceiving

Each day we are being notified by email of forty and more comments.  That takes time to screen, allow or disallow each one.  The majority are not even related to the site or topic, many are just someone advertising their own site.  One person was very annoyed that we disallowed their advertisment saying it was an important message to all people.  If it is not relevant to our topics, what concern is it to us?  Our interest here is the pet grooming industry, our part in it and other animal topics we post for information and amusement.  If someone really wants to advertise here, contact info@pet-pizazz.com and get a price for a sponsorsip.

Please do not ask me (Debbie) to critique your site or advise you of how to improve it as a favor.  I am a web designer and writer contracted to Pet Pizazz.  I can be hired for a small fee to do so but you would need to conctact me personally at  dsaxon@pet-pizazz.com. You are welcome to conctact me personally to discuss any articles I write here, I will answer asap. 

Thank you for your understanding, keep reading and enjoying what we offer here, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions.  Thanks!

Debbie