Tales of Itchy and Scratchy (and not from the Simpsons cartoon)

Spring has sprung! The warmth of a new season is upon us! Along with the sunshine and the rain showers (and the occasional thunderstorm that has Buster running under the bed) comes ALLERGIES!

It's no fun your furry friend keeping you up at night scratching like there's no tomorrow. How can you give your pup some relief?
Disclaimer: A trip to the veterinarian is always the best course of treatment, but if your dog is not in any physical pain at the moment, here are a few DIY tips to make your pup more comfortable for spring. 

Grass Allergies: 
If you find he is scratching right after he comes in from using the bathroom outside (in the grass), it could be a grass allergy. Best bet is to wipe his paws and belly with a baby wipe or damp wash cloth to rid his skin of topical allergens. (Especially right after the lawn is mowed)

Ask your vet about antihisitmines (Such as benadryl) you can give your dog to help with some relief: General rule is 1-2mg per pound but check with your vet before administering ANY medications. It may make them sleepy at first, but once their body is used to it they perk right up. 

Yeast: If your dog is losing hair and getting constant ear infections, (and he kinda smells like cheetos) a vet visit is definitely in order. There are many specialty shampoos that are antibacterial and antifungal that can be prescribed or used to treat these conditions once diagnosed. Lazy Daisy Mobile Grooming offers a mud bath for dogs with itchy irritated skin.
Just remember to leave the shampoo on the pet for at least 10-15 minutes so it can work it's magic to make your pup better!

Food Allergies: 
If your pup has a not so best history of allergies plus ear infections, check what kind of food he is eating. Those you typically find in the grocery store may not be the best quality. Flip the bag over and see how many times a grain is listed, and how many meat by-products are listed. Food allergies are very difficult to pinpoint, but upgrading your dog's food from a food that heavy in grains and meat is the third or fourth ingredient to a food source with a protien the dog hasn't had before may be your best bet.
And if your dog's food looks like the colors of the rainbow, they are more than likely food dyes also added to it.

My favorite link for comparing dog food is http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/

My favorite brands of food are: 
Fromm - can buy at local specialty food stores such as Tomlinson's (in Austin)
Kirkland's Nature's Domain (brand at Costco)
Taste of the Wild (can be found at most Petco locations)

February Facebook Contest

February is national pet dental health month, we at Lazy Daisy Mobile Grooming want you to show your pup off! We are looking for your dog's biggest smile! (He doesn't have to be showing teeth, just looking generally happy!) 

This is a facebook contest, so please post on our Facebook page: 
www.facebook.com/LazyDaisyMobileGrooming, "message us" or you can email us a photo at info@lazydaisymobilegrooming.com 

Disclaimer:  This contest is in no way associated with or endorsed by Facebook and Facebook is not held liable for any content you post. Open to Austin area residents age 18 and older. Void where prohibited. 

PRIZE: 
1st place winner (one with the most likes on facebook): 
20% off grooming certificate*
PetzLife Dental Spray
Petzlife Toothbrush
Four Paws Dog Toothpaste (vanilla flavor)
Groom N Fresh cologne (that we use on all Lazy Daisy's grooming clients)
Homemade cheese n parsley "breath buster" dog biscuits

Runner up:
10% off grooming certificate*
Petzlife Dental Spray
Groom N Fresh cologne
Homemade cheese n parsley "breath buster" dog biscuits


RULES: 

• Entries start January 17 and you can submit photos until January 31. On February 2nd is when voting begins. The most LIKES wins! 
• Only dogs to be featured. You can have a smiling cat, bunny or iguana, but only the dog will be counted! Multiple dogs per photo is okay!
• Please include your dog's name(s), breed, and your email address when you send us the photo (for fb users, those who email us put that in the body of your email with subject line "February Contest")
• Dogs do not need to be under 35lbs to enter this contest, BUT they will if you win and would like to use the grooming certificate! 
• Grooming certificate DOES NOT include tax or travel fee, and client must live within our service area (Pflugerville, Round Rock, Cedar Park and north Austin). 
• Winner must provide street address for delivery of winner basket. 
• Disclaimer: This contest is in no way associated with or endorsed by Facebook and know that Facebook is not held liable for any content you post. 

How do I get my dog to like the groomer? (part II)

Last time we talked about brushing your dog to get them more used to when I do it when they are being groomed. The other thing that really drives many dogs up the wall when they are getting groomed is having their feet touched!

Many dogs (especially short-legged dogs such as dachshunds, corgis and basset hounds) HATE having their feet touched. Just like with brushing, start them off young- or if you get them as an adult, make it into your daily routine/training program. 

What I suggest is get a treat that is high value (as long as your pup doesn’t have a sensitive stomach) such as peanut butter, spray cheese, or my personal favorite, liverwurst. Massage their paws and if they don’t struggle, give them the treat. If it’s peanut butter and the dog has to work to eat it, you can multi-task and they can munch on a tasty treat while you are playing with their feet.
Some dogs are scared of the noise of the nail clippers. It is important with these dogs you get their nails clipped about every 3-4 weeks, so you don’t always have to use a nail clipper. There is a tool that your groomer can use (or they have them on the market in the pet supply stores) that is a nail grinder. It files the nails down for a smoother finish.

Your pet can learn to enjoy (or at least tolerate) grooming, especially if they are a long haired breed (such as poodle, shih tzu or schnauzer) that will need proper grooming about every 4-6 weeks; as long as you are pro-active and work with your dog to get them used to this process! Then they can enjoy the aromatherapy and facial scrub treatments just like you do!

Getting your dog to like the groomer (part 1)

Everybody likes going to the spa! You get your nails painted, your hair done, and a full body massage. This is even true for your dog! These days many grooming salons offer “spa treatments” such as pad treatment, nail painting, and exfoliating sugar scrubs. You want Fluffy to enjoy their grooming appointment at the salon, but sometimes when you pull up to the salon, he puts on the breaks!

Here are a few tips that you can do at home to get your pup more used to the grooming process, and even enjoy having a day of beauty!

The most important thing to do in-between grooming appointments is to keep your dog properly brushed/combed. It’s best to start them out young, so they can grow up knowing this is part of the routine! The tools you’ll need is a slicker brush and a metal comb. With the brush, you can think you are doing a great job and brushing correctly, but you don’t get all the way down to the skin (especially on long-haired dogs and dogs with undercoat that shed). A comb will ensure you get all the matts out.  When a dog gets too matted, the hair actually pulls on the skin and trying to detangle it can be very painful.

Give your pup lots of praise and treats when introducing the brushing process. If they try to move away or bite at the tools, give a firm “no” and keep going. When they don’t struggle, give them a treat and lots of praise! Biting the grooming tools is dangerous (especially because sharp objects such as scissors and clippers are being used) and should be discouraged.

The best way to brush correctly is to start on the dog’s side at the bottom (near the ribs) and part the hair using your hand, and brush all the hair from your hand in layers. This ensures you don’t miss any spots. Places that matt up the most include behind the ears, armpits, and base of the tail. If your dog has matting that you cannot put a comb in-between the matt and the skin, please DO NOT attempt to cut it off yourself! Many times, dog owners clip out the tangled hair and end up getting skin with it. 

Brushing your pup can be very rewarding for the both of you, and with enough practice, you will both become pros at it! As long as it's a positive experience! 

Getting my dog groom costs HOW much?! (HUMOR)

There is a joke among fellow pet stylists that there is a reason getting your dog groom costs more than your average person haircut.

So, why does Fluffy's haircut  cost more than yours?

Disclaimer: I did not create this, and this is not intentionally meant to dispute hair salons or pet salons. It's all in good humor!

• Your hair stylist does not wash your rear end
• You don't go 6-8 weeks or longer without brushing your hair
• Your hairdresser doesn't give you a "sanitary trim" 
• Your hair dresser doesn't clean your ears or remove your eye "boogers" 
• You (if you are above the age of 5) sit still for your hair dresser
• Your hairdresser only clips the hair on top of your head! 
• You dont' bite or scratch  your hairdresser

And the number one reason your dog's haircut costs more than yours! 

#1: The likelyhood of you pooping and peeing on your hairdresser is (hopefully) incredibly slim. 

In my next blog post, we'll take a more serious note on pricing and why mobile grooming costs more than your average grooming salon, and the benefits. 

-Happy travels! 

Laura

Puppy's First Groom

At what age should you get your puppy's first groom? The answer is: when they've had their first two sets of puppy shots. (i.e. about 12 weeks)
Many groomers and breeders have many different answers, so this is just one groomer's opinion on grooming MANY puppies!

I always recommend a puppy's first groom be well before you want to get them an actual haircut! They are very impressionable at a young age, and they go through "fear periods". One of the most critical development stages is between 8-12 weeks. They are learning things- things that can be scary, sometimes that can impact the dog for the rest of their life.

Due to this, we want to make your puppy's first grooming a positive one! We dont want to push them too far, yet we want to gently encourage them that brushes, clippers and scissors are not to be feared! We will try to clip around their eyes, feet, and sanitary.



What can I do at home to help? 

Excellent question! I always give my new puppy owners "homework". This may include the following:

• Get an electric toothbrush (but dont use it for teeth!): Use it around your puppy's eyes, feet, and body. (In that order). This will get her used to the sound and feeling of the clippers near her. Give her a VERY tasty treat if she is good for this! 
• Touch her feet every night: Massage her footsies every night- when you are sitting on the couch together. Give her a nice rub-down all over. This helps us to clip her nails easily and without struggle. 
• Brush her- Use BOTH a soft slicker brush AND a comb. (the comb is more important, it will get any tangles you missed.) 

Our puppy package includes the following: 

• Bath with your choice of  shampoo (oatmeal, whitening, or deodorizing) and conditioner
• Blueberry facial
• Teeth Brushed
• Nails trimmed (filed if puppy allows)
• Ears cleaned 
• "Face, feet and fanny" (Trim around eyes, paws, and sanitary) 
• Bow/bandanna
• Cologne

Our puppy package starts at $50, depending on breed of dog and city you live in. 

Happy Travels!
-Laura

Lookout Austin! There's a new groomer in town!

Yep, that's right. July of 2013 I packed my bags and headed to Austin. (Pflugerville to be exact). I decided in May that I needed to be closer to my significant other and family and friends. I miss my College Station clients incredibly much, but it was something I needed to do. 

Lazy Daisy Pet Care re-launched almost immediately, with the new name "Lazy Daisy Mobile Grooming" 

Don't worry. I will still be an Aggie, but as College Football rivalries go, can't we all just be friends? If Bevo and Rev can get along, so can we!