The duration of the groom varies widely, depending on the size, temperament, and coat condition of your pet. The first groom will be scheduled for three hours, and adjustments in appointment duration may be made for subsequent visits. Owners may request a phone call, text message, or email when the groom is finished to reduce any unnecessary wait time.
The frequency of grooming appointments depends on the breed, coat length and type, and commitment to regular home brushing in between appointments. For breeds whose hair grows and grows, such as Shih Tzus and Cockapoos, a full groom every 4 to 6 weeks is recommended. With at home brushing, breeds such as Labs and Pomeranians may be able to wait as long as 10 or even 12 weeks between appointments.
12 weeks is the longest any dog should go without grooming, but most require a full groom every 5 to 7 weeks.
Groom frequency for your pet will be discussed as part of the pre/post groom consultation. It is important to keep a watchful eye on your dog’s nails, ears, and face in between grooms, as these areas require frequent attention. Stand alone services are available in between grooms (nail trim, ear cleaning, around-the-eyes trim) and can be found on the ‘Grooming Services' page of this website.
When your dog walks across a hard floor in a relaxed gait the nails shouldn’t touch the ground. If you hear the tell-tale tap tap tap of doggie nails on the floor it’s time for a nail trim!
It often takes several visits to correct the length of overgrown nails. Snipping an overgrown nail to the correct length in one day would entail cutting through the quick, or vein, that runs through the centre of the nail. This is painful for the animal and would cause him/her to bleed. However, by snipping and/or filing the nail up close to the vein without touching it, it becomes possible to trigger the blood vessel to recede, allowing a shorter trim with each visit. This is the only way overgrown nails are corrected at The Dancing Hound.
Nail trims are recommended once every two to four weeks to correct overgrown nails, and every four to six weeks for maintenance.
If you have a Husky, Alaskan Malamute, or German Shepherd-type dog, the answer is no, although even dogs with heavy coats benefit from wearing protective footwear in the winter.
If you have a Greyhound, Chinese Hairless, or Chihuahua-type dog the answer is yes, warm winter apparel is essential (here in Ontario).
For those dogs in the middle, the answer is not so straight forward.
Often clients decide to ‘grow’ their dog’s coat long for winter with the expectation that this will keep them warm and negate the need for additional winter clothing. More hair is only warmer if it is perfectly tangle free, with no snags, mats, clumps, burrs, or sticky bits. When hair tangles or bunches up in any way it creates a gap in the body coverage that allows wind and chill directly onto the skin of the dog. A dog with a longer summer clip will be much warmer than a dog with 2.5 inches of matted or tangled hair.
Tangles and mats can hurt the dog with every step (depending on their location), and keeping a long coated dog completely brushed out is a LOT of work. All of that extra hair also makes for a pretty toasty dog indoors. If you have the type of dog who would normally receive a ‘summer’ and ‘winter’ clip, my recommendation is typically to go for a long summer-type clip and invest in a winter coat or sweater. It will extend the time between grooms, be less work than constantly brushing out a soggy tangled dog, keep your house cleaner, and keep your dog cooler indoors and warmer outdoors.
Winter paw protection is recommended for all dogs.
Tooth brushing takes patience, dedication, and perseverance when first introduced. Don’t try and brush all of your dog’s teeth on the first day. Aim to have daily tooth brushing sessions; in the evening is best, when your dog is full, tired, and won’t be undoing your good work by eating any more. Start by brushing one tooth, and praising your dog when you’ve finished. Repeat each day, adding an additional tooth every two days or so, depending on how well your pet adjusts. Dogs love routine, and soon brushing your dog’s full mouth of teeth will become part of the daily schedule.
If you’ve tried brushing and it simply isn’t for you, there are tooth cleaning gels available that are much easier to apply. If you have specific questions, or would like some help, just ask!
Yes! Massage provides many benefits to all dogs. Regular massage promotes healthy skin and coat, decreases shedding, increases circulation, helps to prevent injury, enhances the immune system, detoxifies the body, releases endorphins, and creating a sense of balance and relaxation.
Upon arrival your dog is welcomed, and given the chance to settle into the environment.
Large dogs are massaged on a comfy bed on the floor, and smaller dogs are massaged on a padded table, or on the floor, depending on their level of comfort.
The massage begins with a series of gentle strokes designed to relax the dog, and prepare them for session. The practitioner then moves through a sequence of massage strokes, including (as appropriate) compression, palpation, jostling, cross fibre friction, circular friction, rubbing, percussion, direct pressure, gentle stretching, and sweating.
Following the sequence the dog is given an opportunity to rest, and offered a drink of water, a treat (if permitted), and given a minute or two to stretch. If you have requested a post-massage walk, we would then head outside to move gently through your dog's paces and stretch out his or her freshly massaged muscles.
The duration of a massage session is determined by factors including the dog's size, age, health issues (if any), and the number of muscle spasms that they are experiencing. Massages range from 30 minutes to one hour.
It can be very difficult to 'look' and see that your dog is in need of a massage. The following is a list of a few helpful indicators that your dog may be in need of a massage, but it is by no means inclusive. Dogs are stoic, and may be in need of massage even if they don't show you any of the following symptoms.
Your dog may need a massage if they...
- show signs of stiffness when getting up, laying down, climbing stairs
- show signs of stiffness when walking, running, or are unable to walk or run
- are constantly licking, scratching, rubbing, or 'nursing' parts of their body
- lick, chew, or nibble at areas on their bodies (may be indicated by 'stiff', or stained patches of hair)
- have been diagnosed with a muscle or joint condition
- become snappy or upset when other dogs or children attempt to play with or touch them
- participate in regular heavy exercise (such as agility, flyball, high-speed dog park romps)
- regularly walk or run on paved surfaces
- have a weak immune system or digestive upset issues
- have a dull or itchy coat, dandruff, or are having trouble with excessive shedding or a coat that doesn't grow well
- are shy, nervous, recently adopted, or suffer from separation anxiety
- are overweight, obese, or generally inactive
- are unable to receive regular exercise on account or age, illness, injury, or are in recovery
Before a massage session it is best to refrain from feeding a meal for at least 1 hour prior. It is important to offer your dog a bathroom break before the appointment. This helps them relax, and prevents interruption in the massage sequence. If your dog is able, providing exercise prior to the appointment will drain some of their excess energy and help them to relax and enjoy their massage.
Following the massage session is it beneficial (for most dogs) to receive some light exercise, such as a slow-to-moderate walk. This helps to flush toxins that have been dispelled during the massage session, and to gently stretch the freshly worked muscles. Your dog may also need more frequent than usual bathroom breaks as they flush toxins out of their system.
It is best not to feed a meal for 1.5 hours following the massage.
Your dog may be sore for up to 3 days following their massage - just like a person would be! This is particularly true following the initial sessions.
Your dog may be very tired and / or sleepy following the massage. This improves with time, but may last up to three days.
Your dog's mood will be improved immediately by the massage. Many endorphins are released during massage sessions that leave dogs feeling happy, calm, and relaxed.
Ask them! Canine massage therapy is not a replacement for veterinary care. Massage is a compliment to veterinary medicine – never a substitute.
This varies dog by dog, and depends on their unique health profile. Some factors include their activity types and level, age, medical condition(s), size, and desired outcome. Generally dogs benefit from more frequent massage sessions at first, and then taper off to a maintenance schedule that is customized to their unique needs.
The following is an example of a massage schedule for a healthy dog who exercises vigorously on weekends.
Week 1: initial consultation, 1 massage session
Week 2: 2 massage sessions
Week 3: 1 massage session
Week 4: 1 massage session
Maintenance massages once monthly.
Canine massage therapy is intended to work alongside veterinary treatment. It is never a substitute for veterinary care.
Please consult with your veterinarian prior to massage if your dog has any health concerns.