How to Prepare for your Pup’s Spa Day
From first-time puppies to lifelong clients, it’s good to know how to prepare, not only for your dog’s upcoming grooming but also for their future relationship with being groomed. Firstly, it is normal for your dog to be nervous when walking in. Your pup picks up on all the smells of previous dogs and it registers in their little head “Hang on now, we’re here for me?”
Before you come in
Knowing that your pup will be treated with our luxurious spa treatment, a good amount of exercise beforehand helps their overall experience. The most important activity you can do before coming in is a long, quality walk that gives them plenty of opportunity to move about and relieve themselves. If you plan to potty them upon arrival, ensure that you arrive early, with enough time to do so before your scheduled appointment. It is not our responsibility to take your pup potty and given they will be with us for a few hours, don't make them wait for pick up to do their business. Not only does this make them more comfortable during their time with Le Pawsh, but you would be surprised by the amount of potty we deal with every day. Sometimes it’s a stray pee in the corner, sometimes it’s a smeared poo with footprints leading to the culprit. So please, for their sake and ours, don’t make them wait!
Drop off
It is entirely normal for some dogs to seem nervous when walking in. Your pup picks up on all the smells of the previous dogs, and it registers in their little head “Hang on now, we’re here for me?” When handing off your fluffy family member to us, we advise you to not baby/coddle as this reinforces their nervous behavior. As hard as it may be, encouragement for them to go with us and a quick goodbye is best. You will soon be reunited, and they will be looking and smelling better than ever before! Severe cases of nervousness when leaving, could be a sign of separation anxiety which coddling worsens.
Puppies
To puppies, everything is new and exciting, but can be big and overwhelming. Puppies spend the first year of their life building relationships with the experiences of their new day-to-day so we, at Le Pawsh wish to foster the happiest feelings with grooming possible, to make certain that they have a calmer experience. Those who book our Bath & Haircut for their puppy’s first visit will most likely receive a Bath & Tidy. This “introductory groom,” means their little nails are trimmed, a bath, some light scissor work, and a ton of kisses. We take our time with every step to build a confident foundational relationship with grooming as they come back into and throughout adulthood.
Training
All dogs should be trained by a professional. Conditioning your pup to associate certain things with good feelings is a standard dog training technique. For instance, if you find your pup is sensitive about having their paws/legs touched, make it a frequent, everyday exercise to gently handle their limbs, and treat them. This will begin to reinforce touching with treats and positivity. This method can be used for teeth brushing, ear cleaning, coat brushing, and anything your pup may not love at first.
Crate Conditioning
Crate conditioning is essential for every dog. Some owners associate crates with jail or prison, when in reality, it is a safe, confined space. Think of it like a room for a child. This gives them a space to go to be alone/sleep and gives both you and them peace of mind. Though we love and encourage a free-roaming, friendly environment, when with Le Pawsh, your pup may need to go into a kennel. This could be due to crowding, reactive behaviors (your dog or otherwise), or maybe just to give them a break during the grooming process. If your pup is conditioned to accept crating, their experience will improve immensely. Whilst on the subject, your pup may also need to be crated at the vet, boarding, if they get out and are found by animal control, etc. so it should be a standard practice to train them for this.
Mind the Heat
We unfortunately cannot roll out a (well-deserved) cool red carpet leading from us to your car. In the summer, the asphalt temperatures can reach extreme temperatures and most pups don’t wear shoes. According to the AKC, 70 degrees is the ideal temperature for most dogs. At an outside temperature of 86 degrees, the asphalt can register 135 degrees. Sidewalks are made of grey concrete and are healthier for your pup to walk on in the heat. We welcome everyone to drive their car up to the curb to pick up/drop off or to carry your little fluffy family member from the car to us and back. This obviously goes well beyond grooming. Please keep the outside temperature, and thus the ground temperature, in mind for the entirety of your pup’s life. The easiest way to measure if the ground is safe or not is to comfortably place your hand on the surface and hold it for about 10 seconds.
If you’re unsure of anything, we would love to help. We’ve consolidated a list of our FAQs, for your convenience.
