Primitive Pups & The Equinox
Happy Vernal Equinox! Spring is upon us everybody! Your pets may have been gearing up for a little while now. If you have a triple coated dog in your house, you’ve seen signs of the vernal equinox all around. While the snow has been settling down outside, its just getting started inside. Our triple coated furry friends have a way of reminding us where they’ve been by leaving chunks of fur in our beds or on the love seat. If your pup is chucking chunks of fur its time to get them into the salon. Triple coated pups experience a heavy coat release twice a year and the reasons are fascinating. Our dogs are literally aligning themselves with the stars.
The Chow Chow’s origins date all the way back to the Mongolian steppe.
Triple coated dogs such as the Chow Chow and the Malamute exude a level of cuteness as puppies that steals our hearts. These pups are as fluffy as it gets and their personalities are as full as their fur. Dogs with this coat type are bred for cold weather. These dogs were typically bred for working in the snow and shuttling their masters along trade routes or to war in significantly harsh conditions. There are three layers of fur protecting their skin from the plummeting temperatures of the polar regions. The layer we look at and love to run our fingers through is their top coat. This is made of your pup’s guard hairs; which is your pup's first defense against overexposure to UV rays. It also protects your dog’s skin from moisture and debris which are known to cause dermatitis. The next layer of coat that provides its own purpose is known as the insulating layer or undercoat. This layer provides temperature regulation. The insulating layer of undercoat is made up of a network of hair that creates channels for air to flow throughout your dog’s coat while also insulating your pup and therefore allowing them to self regulate. Then we get to the third layer of this fluffy beast known as their “Arctic fuzz” or primitive coat. This is a dense layer just above the dermis. This layer traps heat and allows these pups to retain warmth in the cold weather they were bred for. While these layers of fur are meant to help keep these dogs warm they are not as effective at keeping them cool. Basic physics allows us to understand that our pup’s metabolic heat gets trapped under that second and third coat. This creates higher body temperatures leading to uncontrollable panting and pacing around the house looking for an air vent. Our climate controlled homes are certainly beneficial to these breeds however proper coat maintenance goes such a long way in keeping them cool during the warmer months.
Nala is not leaving any fluff behind after her blowout
Seasonal coat blowing is a biannual event that occurs just before the vernal or spring equinox and hibernal equinox or winter solstice. As it is March we’ve arrived at this time and you’re probably seeing puffs of fur sticking out of your pup's coat or even falling on the floor. This fluff should be addressed before coat impaction occurs. Coat impaction is the result of continued growth of the undercoat becoming trapped in the guard hairs which leads to a solid mass of hair that is now exponentially more difficult to remove. It also makes it tough to get their coat back to proper health once this occurs. Undercoat needs to come out in order to allow for new growth and airflow. These pups are understandably high maintenance. They don’t have one coat. They have three. They no longer only reside in the north and south poles. We have introduced them to humidity and heat while expecting them to continue to regulate without shaving them down. Coat maintenance is key to a healthy triple coated dog. Along with daily brushing a regular salon visit is a good idea to help keep their coat and skin health under control.
A good slicker brush with firm bristles is an excellent option for undercoat removal
We hear a lot of clients say that no matter how cold they keep their home, their double and triple coated dogs are always panting because they’re so hot. This leads to one of our most common requests. “Can you shave my (insert triple coated fluffball)? He’s so hot!” It’s ill-advised to shave a dog with an undercoat . Shaving in the wrong growth cycle can cause follicle death leading to alopecia. This is a risk I inform all of my clients of before moving forward. I have shaved triple coated dogs and I know it was in the best interest of the animal at the time. That being said, there are a lot of ways to maintain our pups' coats to help keep them from resorting to that measure. Daily brushing and conditioning helps our pups maintain a coat that allows maximum airflow and temperature control. Our dogs will constantly generate heat due to basic metabolic function so outside sources are just adding to their overall body climate. Regular sanitary trims will keep air flowing to vital areas such as their feet, bellies, and back legs. Removing topcoat in these areas will allow your pup to self regulate a little better. Regular brushing, which includes removing excess undercoat and debris, will also help protect your dog from overheating.
I will forever sing the praises of coat conditioning spray but never louder than for this breed. These sprays make brushing such a dense coat dramatically easier. Its important to keep our pup’s coat conditioned in order to remove as much friction as possible. Friction equals matting. Ignored undercoat overgrowth equals impaction. These issues severely affect your pet’s ability to maintain a comfortable temperature whether or not the weather is a factor. You can read more about coat conditioning spray and my recommendations in the article Matting Mysteries Detangled. You’ll find a great brush recommendation in HPG Product Recommendations.
Let’s briefly talk about what not to use on our double and triple coated dogs. In my opinion** There is absolutely no room in your grooming arsenal for a Furminator. A blade based brush is for carding and stripping. This type of “deshedding” brush suggests using sharp bladed teeth to remove undercoat. Since the teeth on a Furminator is essentially a carding knife we end up cutting and damaging the guard hair and undercoat. Instead I highly recommend the Zoom Groom or a pumice stone alongside a high velocity blow out when doing heavy undercoat removal. The Zoom Groom, created by KONG, is also great for daily maintenance and bath time. It allows you to grab excess undercoat and dead hair without damaging healthy layers. A high velocity dryer will be a lifesaver when working with a blowing coat. The force will push a lot of excess undercoat out before you begin brushing; saving you a lot of time and elbow grease.
We use the Kong Zoom Groom at HPG; achieving stellar results
As the vernal equinox has made its appearance its time to address those tufts of fluff falling all around us. With our famous regional weather you’ll definitely have some warm days to take advantage of if you’d prefer to do a heavy de-shed outside. A professional blowout during the two equinoxes that occur each year are highly beneficial to your dog’s ability to regulate their temperature and for you to regulate your floor cleaning. We’ve recently invested in new high velocity dryers. HPG is now equipped with Challengair Extreme Animal Dryers. Our salon grade high velocity dryers have been a game changer during coat blow outs. We’ve seen a significant increase in removal from the dryer alone. It allows us to provide your pet with highly effective coat removal before and after their bath. We’re also absolutely obsessed with our shampoo and conditioning system that includes Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids as well as chamomile extract and vitamin E. Vital nutrients and natural hair strengthening properties make for a silky soft pup who feels and looks like a million bucks after their bath and blow out. Regularly scheduled blowouts will keep your triple coated loved ones comfortable and cuddly all year round. You’ll even get to cozy up during the equinox instead of vacuuming!
Happy Spring, Everyone!!
xoxo Britt
The Power of Play: Enriching Your Dog's Life
Minnow’s second favorite enrichment activity is solving treat puzzles.
Can you guess her all time fave? Read on to see her answer!
Every dog owner wants a happy, healthy, and well behaved companion. True canine well-being often hinges on meeting their instinctual needs. Specifically, the need to work their brain. This is where enrichment toys like snuffle mats, treat puzzles, KONGs, and lick mats become indispensable tools. These toys aren't just a fun way to pass the time; they are vital for addressing common behavioral issues by tackling their root causes: boredom and anxiety. A fantastic resource related to enrichment is Annie Grossman’s podcast, How to Train Your Dog with Love + Science. Her podcast episode titled: Private socialization lessons for "Misfit" dogs of NYC: A conversation with two SFTD (human) clients, truly showcases the different levels of anxiety we can see in our dogs and how to approach helping them.
Why Enrichment Matters
Dogs are naturally curious, intelligent creatures that thrive on mental stimulation. When they lack opportunities to engage their minds, they often find their own ways to cope. This can look like constant howling and barking, destructive behavior, or marking. We see all of these behaviors in the salon. Offering beneficial ways for our pets to release energy and cope with their anxiety is vital for their mental and emotional health. As enrichment has been introduced, some of you may notice that your pups are now running toward the door. We strive to create an environment that offers positively stimulating experiences. We’ve noticed less stress barking, less marking, and more naps being taking while pups are with us. We’ve also noticed a decrease in overstimulation during drying. (I’ll discuss sensory overload episodes in an upcoming blog post)
Key Benefits of Mental Enrichment
Reduces Boredom: A bored dog is often a destructive dog. Enrichment activities provide a challenging outlet for their energy, replacing chewing on your furniture with problem-solving.
Alleviates Anxiety and Stress: The focused, repetitive action of sniffing, licking, and working for a reward is inherently calming for dogs. It helps them self soothe and diverts attention from stressors.
Prevents Destructive Behavior: By giving your dog a job such as figuring out their puzzle and finding their high value treats; you satisfy their innate drive to forage and work which dramatically cuts down on unwanted chewing, digging, and barking.
Slows Down Eating: For fast eaters, enrichment toys can turn mealtime into a slower, more deliberate activity, aiding in digestion and reducing the risk of bloat.
We’ve seen the power of enrichment firsthand in the salon. Grooming can be stressful for some dogs, but incorporating treat puzzles, snuffle mats, and KONG toys has really helped to bring down the anxiety level we often see in our clients. The overall energy has become much more calm. Once pups have engaged in enrichment they’ve often been observed napping or relaxing near our window. This allows them the opportunity to calm down between grooming processes. We also provide snuffle mats to our furry friends who can’t be out and about. The focused tasks provide a soothing distraction, dramatically reducing anxiety and making the grooming salon experience much more positive for your pup. We highly encourage integrating these tools into your dog's daily life to make their time with us, and their time at home, happier and calmer. Another fabulous resource that has helped me to incorporate enrichment in the salon is the podcast episode DogLogical: Making Sense of Your Dog's Behavior. In this episode; host Renee Rhodes with R+ Dogs sits down with the creator of Bindi’s Bucket List, Taylor. Their conversation brings light to reactive dogs and how enrichment can change and enhance the lives of all of our pets.
Enrichment Essentials
Snuffle Mats: Engaging the Nose
A dog's primary sense is smell. A snuffle mat is a fleece mat with fabric strands sewn into it, designed to hide dry food or treats.
How it benefits: Using a snuffle mat allows your dog to engage their natural hunting and foraging instincts. Just 10-15 minutes of sniffing is as mentally tiring as a long walk! This focused nasal work is incredibly effective at reducing stress and calming hyperactive dogs.
Treat Puzzles: The Canine Brain Teaser
*This is the puzzle we use in the salon so it’ll be a toy your pup is familiar with.
Treat puzzles come in many forms, requiring your dog to manipulate sliders, levers, or compartments to access the hidden reward.
How it benefits: These toys require cognitive effort, improving your dog's problem solving skills and boosting their confidence as they successfully figure out the mechanism. They are excellent for challenging highly motivated dogs and providing long- lasting mental exercise.
KONG Toys: The Classic Lick-and-Chew Solution
The rubber KONG toy is a classic for a reason. Its unique shape makes it bounce unpredictably, but its real power lies in being a delivery system for frozen, lickable, or chewable goods (like peanut butter, yogurt, or high value treats).
How it benefits: The licking action required to get food out of a frozen KONG is deeply satisfying and incredibly soothing for dogs. It is the gold standard for crate training, managing separation anxiety, or simply keeping your dog quiet and happily occupied while you're busy.
Simple DIY Enrichment Options
You don't need expensive gear to stimulate your dog's mind. Use household items to create effective, budget friendly puzzles:
The Muffin Tin Puzzle: Place treats or kibble in some wells of a muffin tin and cover each well with a tennis ball (or another suitably sized toy). Your dog must remove the balls to find the food.
The Towel Roll: Lay an old towel flat, sprinkle treats across it, and roll or crumple it up. Your dog has to use their nose and paws to unravel the towel and claim the reward. This is a great beginner scent game.
Cardboard Box Shredding: For dogs who love to shred, put a few treats inside an old cereal box or toilet paper tube and fold or tape it shut. Let your dog rip the cardboard apart to get the reward. (Always supervise and remove small pieces that could be swallowed).
Now to answer the question on everyone’s mind. Minnow’s all time favorite enrichment activity is..Drumroll, please… BOX SHREDDING!! I know. Color you surprised! Ahh..Well, I can’t wait to hear all about your pup’s favorite enrichment activity when we meet next. Until then!
xoxo, Britt
HPG Product Recommendations
As we gear up for spring and continue to manage this wet weather; now is the perfect time to add to your home grooming arsenal.
I’ve put together a comprehensive list of products that are worth your investment. Our pups are only in the grooming salon once a month - if that. These products will help you manage your pup’s overall grooming health at home.
This list includes all of the products we use on your pups in the salon. They are acclimated to these tools and products; making it even easier to integrate them into your own routine.
Happy Home Grooming!
Full Product List
Artero Bella Double Sided Slicker Brush
Les Poochs Detanling & Finishing Spray
iGroom Magic Detangler Conditioning Spray
Biosilk Silk Therapy Detangling & Shine Spray
Zymox Shampoo, Conditioner, Ear Cleaning Solution
Bark2Basics Dog Ear Cleaner
Virbac C.E.T. Toothpaste
Shelandy Dog Grooming Dryer
Flying Pig High Velocity Dog Dryer
Desensitization Vol. 1
ENS Training and Early Development
Welcome back to HPG’s Dog Blog! I hope you’re finding the information provided here helpful to you and your furry friends. This month I’m going to begin discussing desensitization training. I’ve talked a bit about this in my previous post, Matting Mysteries Detangled. Dogs have areas of sensitivity that will need to be worked on whether it's at home during brushing and maintenance, a professional grooming session or a veterinary visit. Some of our pets react differently to these stimuli. Some dogs are not reactive to touch or auditory stimuli at all. Others recoil or snarl at their handler. This is an unusual response due to fear or sensitivity. In this article I’ll explain what to discuss with breeders about early development and handling. I also touch upon the importance of exposure to stimuli as it relates to your pet’s abilities to cope in stressful situations. This topic is not something that I believe is discussed enough. We should understand out pets on a base level. We need to know how they were handled and brought up during their early days of development so that we can properly care for them and prepare them for the world once we welcome them home.
Our pets have sensitive areas. I don’t know a dog who doesn’t have a spot they’d prefer I avoided. Sensitivities may be linked to past injury, poor handling as puppies, prior punishment, or anxiety due to lack of desensitization. This last cause seems to be the most common in my experience. Fear around strangers and being handled is often due to a lack of exposure. Puppies should be handled by their breeder prior to five weeks of age in order to ensure that their fear responses don’t develop around touch and humans in general. Early exposure to stimuli allows puppies to develop coping skills that are not otherwise inherent.
Early handling should begin when the puppy is three days old. As pet parents it’s vital that we do our research before making the decision to go with a certain breeder or adoption agency. If you’re looking to purchase a pup from a breeder; ask questions about their early development. The crucial window of socialization opens up at three days of age. Once this window of development opens up the little ones can be exposed to short periods of stimuli such as being held for short periods and exposing their feet and face to soft q-tips to activate stress responses for 3-5 seconds.These tactics are part of a five step training system known as the The Bio Sensor program; also referred to as the “Super Dog” program; which was created by the United States military to train service dogs such as mine detection dogs. They've created a series of exercises used to provide coping skills, boost neurological development, as well as improve cardiovascular and adrenal health, and encourage a stronger resistance to disease. According to the Veterinary Information Network; studies have proven that handling at an early age allows puppies to produce neurological stimulation that does not occur naturally. After years of research studies show that as puppies are not born with the ability to see, properly digest their food on their own, or differentiate between dangerous and innocuous noises; they need outside assistance.
Early Neurological Stimulation i.e. The Bio Sensor Program
Puppies exposed to certain stimuli, such as that as the Bio Sensor Program, are better equipped to deal with stressful situations later in life. Stressful situations could include a loud blow dryer, strange objects in their face, or strange people touching their feet. Desensitization begins at three days but continues into adulthood as your pup navigates their way around different experiences and stimulation.
An exercise you can do at home to continue this work is playing with your puppies feet, face, and legs with a soft electric toothbrush. This will allow them to become familiar with sound, vibration, and touch sensations. Create safe environments when working with loud noises. Allow your pup to get used to the sound of your blow dryer at home. Auditory stimulation will teach them to reason whether something is a threat or if maybe it’s something they’ve already heard before and are therefore familiar with. Once our pets can decipher whether or not something is harmful they can make decisions for themselves based on confidence rather than fear.
The more exposure we allow our pets to experience; the better off they’ll be in situations that could cause them stress. We want them to be able to relax; especially during the grooming process. It’s supposed to be a spa day after all. This discussion will continue as we move along through our grooming education journey together. I’m always furthering my education on animal behavior along with new grooming techniques and grooming health. It’s vital that we do our research and continue learning about our pets and their care in order to ensure that they get to live their best lives. The life a dog deserves. Thank you so much for checking out this issue of HPG Dog Blog. Thank you for your patience as well as this is a little late coming out. See you in the salon during your grooming appointment or maybe for a Chat and a Treat!
xo Britt
How often should my dog be groomed?
The number one question that I get asked is, “how often should I get my dog groomed?” This is a loaded question. As your groomer I will always recommend a recurring schedule of 4 to 8 weeks.
Your circumstances may not warrant a grooming visit during that time frame. How often you professionally groom your dog is truly based on a set of circumstances that are breed and lifestyle specific.
If you and your dog are beach bums and love to run with the tides; it’s likely that a short haircut or a shorter span between visits is best for them since their coat will be absorbing moisture and debris on a regular basis. If you know that your pup is a couch potato who prefers snuggly brush sessions to hiking in the woods; you could easily stretch that timeframe. It's important to remember that regular grooming is not just a fancy haircut and a “spa day”. It's a vital maintenance practice. Taking your dog to see a professional groomer on a regular basis keeps you informed of your dog’s skin condition, any abnormalities, signs of infections, and so on. As pet owners we don’t always notice new abnormalities. Professional groomers are working up close and personally with your dogs. We often notice lumps and bumps that weren’t there the month before. A skin condition can flare up in the span of a couple of months and it's crucial that it's caught early before it worsens or causes hot spots. Hot spots can go unnoticed; becoming infected. Anal glands can fill up and cause abscesses. Your groomer will help bring these things to your purview in order to stay abreast of your pets dermal and even subdermal health. Working together with a professional groomer on a regular basis will help you keep your pet looking and feeling their best.
Our goal is to create a cozy experience for everypup.
Your grooming schedule should reflect your pup's needs, your lifestyle, and your budget. The official answer is that your time frame is what works best for you. Evaluate how quickly your pet’s coat grows. Are there areas that require attention before they require a full haircut? A service that we offer is the bath and sanitary trim. Even if your pet doesn’t need a full groom they could benefit from a good scrub and touch up. Before long your dog’s facial hair comes back in. Their paw pads fluff back up and make it hard to grip the floor. You hear the little clicking of their nails. Maybe it’s time for a bath and sanitary trim to address these issues before their next full grooming session. This also allows your pet to spend more time with their groomer - further strengthening their bond.
Something else I’ve learned in the last couple of decades is that dogs who see their groomer more often create a tighter bond. Positive experiences and regular exposure help our pets become acclimated to stimuli. In our case it's the grooming environment and the staff that is handling them.
Love and patience go a long way to help our clients feel safe.
Trust building is something that has become essential to me. As a young groomer it was important to provide quality work in a timely fashion. I’ve always respected the dog/human relationship but in the past ten years or so it's become so much more about earning the dog’s trust while they're in my care. I see a lot of high anxiety clients who are not quick to trust anyone. They love their parents, their small circle, and maybe a few others outside of the home. Creating a bond that allows me to become a part of a dog’s circle is an amazing feeling. Earning a pet’s trust is a privilege that takes time and patience; but is so worth the reward. We want to create an experience your dog begins to look forward to. That includes regular visits and positive correlation.
I will now be implementing “positive pop-ins”. Bringing your furry friends by to say “hello” and grab a treat will help them begin to associate the salon with positive memories. I’ve mentioned before that dogs have great recall. If they continue to have good encounters with the grooming staff it's likely that they’ll become the pup that runs toward the door. Of course we’re responsible as their groomers to continue the positivity during the grooming process. We work hard on and off the table to create long lasting relationships with your pets using calm energy work, positive reinforcement, and providing a calm environment (when possible; sometimes zoomies do occur).
Learning your pet’s specific grooming needs, creating a positive grooming routine, and fostering a strong bond between your dog and their groomer will all factor into how often your pet visits the salon. Find what works best for your schedule, your budget, and your pet’s lifestyle. That’s the recipe for success. Remember; if you’re going to stretch salon visits it's important to implement a home grooming routine to ensure coat and skin health. I look forward to continuing to foster the amazing relationships I share with you and your pets. Don’t forget to pop in for a chat and a treat! See you in the salon!
xo Britt
Matting Mysteries Detangled
Well everyone! It’s a new year and we’ve all decided to be resolute in our vigilance to care for those coats! Brushing our pets is necessary to ensure their overall health. Matting can lead to a number of health concerns which can be avoided with a positively reinforced brushing routine. I see a number of matting cases each week. It's not uncommon and it's not always avoidable. Matting occurs when our dog’s fur rubs together causing friction. While the coat continues to rub together it’ll fuse - causing a tangle. These tangles can get out of control quickly if gone unnoticed. A major problem that we see is air drying pets at home after a bath. It’s highly recommended that if a pup is bathed at home that a good conditioner is used in addition to a conditioning spray before or after (or both in my case). Home bathing needs to be followed up with a high force dryer if you’re working with a double coated or curly coated dog. You can likely get away with a personal blow dryer on low heat for your yorkies and shih tzus. Once the coat is completely dry you’ll follow your brushing routine as normal. It's also a good idea to run a brush through any fur that needs to be dried after going outside in inclement weather.
Brushing routines can be tough to establish. It's best to begin brush introduction around five to eight weeks of age. As we begin to acclimate our puppies into their new home it's our job to continue to acclimate them to this routine. As we all know not every dog comes to us as a puppy. I’ll talk more about counterconditioning with established pups in a later post; however this process is just as useful in helping to desensitize older pups who are resistant to brushing.
Start in areas you know aren’t sensitive and work your way up. This desensitization process can include the use of a small rubber brush like the Pet Teezer by my favorite personal hairbrush company, Tangle Teezer, to get them used to the idea. Begin by simply rewarding your dog’s reaction to seeing the brush. Help your pet understand that the brush isn't scary by creating a pleasant experience right off the bat so that you can work your way up to the brush that is best appropriate for their adult coat. Keep these sessions short when working on desensitization. Along with positive reinforcement and high value treats you will begin to build a healthy relationship between your dog and their time spent with you during brushing. Make it a snuggly, training treat filled extravaganza until they understand that it's just a nice way to wind down with you at the end of their day.
Best practice is to brush downward in small sections and try to alleviate pulling when working with matts. Don’t push too hard as it will cause brush burn. Pups tend to recall past negative experiences and may run from the brush if they’ve had their hair pulled or have been brushed too hard. Once you’ve worked through your section; you’ll go over the coat with a fine tooth comb to check that there are no leftover matts or tangles. The amount of brushing your dog will need is breed specific. Research your pups coat type to learn what works best for them and your lifestyle. It's also important to incorporate a detangling spray to alleviate pulling. Detangling spray takes a lot of the work out of brushing and puts a lot of benefits in. A good detangling product will envelop the coat and prevent further friction. It also adds luxurious moisture to your pet’s fur/hair. Trust me a good detangling spray will be your best friend!
Les Poochs Detangling Spray
Enriched with Vitamin B5 & Sea Kelp
We are seeing a serious surge in mixed texture coats as of late. With the ever popular doodle rising in numbers; groomers are adjusting their techniques, groom time expectations, and product investments. With the help of some wonderful products hitting the market in the last fifteen years or so; it has become much easier to work with coats that may otherwise cause a bit of stress such as the Alaskan malamute or cocker spaniel. Brands like Tangle Teezer, BioSilk, Hydra, iGroom, etc. have noticed this rise in necessity for products that help in alleviating the negatives that can come along with grooming. The Les Poochs Detangling Spray is one product that we couldn’t live without in the salon. It’s a prewash and/or leave-in spray that enriches your pup’s coat with vitamin B5 and sea kelp. Both of which are moisturizing powerhouses. This duo helps to fortify your pup’s fur; leaving it shiny, smooth, and so much more manageable. Among the list of benefits is the noticeable effect the Les Poochs Detangling spray has on itchy skin. The valuable nourishing and moisture protecting properties of this particular compound have made it a salon favorite. Based on dermatological benefits alone we cannot recommend this spray enough. That’s not to say that there aren’t other detangling sprays out there that work fabulously and offer their own sets of benefits! Below you’ll find a list of amazing sprays that we incorporate daily. A huge bonus of each of them is the readministration of moisture after bathing or during a thorough brushout. Remember as we strip the moisture via bathing or brushing we need to replenish it to ensure our pets overall dermatological health. Choosing a detangling spray will depend on several factors. Which is best for your dog’s coat type? Which products work well with your budget? Which sprays will benefit your pup the most? Well, it’s been over a decade in the making but these game changing products have been put to the test and now I have a comprehensive list of recs and their benefits that I think you’ll love! Don’t worry - a great list of brushes is coming soon. Cheers to the new year, the same amazing you, and your pups’ health in 2026 and beyond!
Remember - a thoroughly brushed and moisturized coat is a happy, healthy coat.
Les Poochs Detangling Spray $34.00
Enriched with vitamin B5 and sea kelp infusing coat and skin with natural protection and strengthening properties leading to less damage and breakage. This product is highly recommended for doodles and double coated dogs but can be used on any coat to help matting removal and coat maintenance.iGroom Magic Detangler & Conditioning Spray$21.75
Infused with Keratin, amino acids, and vegetable proteins to add body and moisture while repairing previous damage. This spray is extremely versatile and can’t be recommended enough for all coat types. Magic is right!BioSilk for Dogs Silk Therapy infused with Coconut $10.99
Sulfate free, paraben free, and made in the USA with the consciousness of animal skin needs. The pH balanced formula is perfect for your pooch’s coat. This product can be used as a leave-in conditioner and waterless bath. The infusion of coconut oils further conditions without leaving fur feeling heavy. We love this for doodles, cockers, and double coated dogs.BioSilk for Dogs Silk Therapy $12.00
Just like its friend; the Silk Therapy original spray is fortified with vitamins and amino acids to protect your pup’s skin barrier while assisting in light matting and tangle removal. This USA made product smells amazing and leaves the coat shiny and smooth. This product works great on drop coats, cotton coats, and single coated curly pups.
IGROOM Magic Detangler & Conditioning Spray
I hope you find these products as useful as I have in your daily grooming routine. These are game changing sprays that have overhauled the way we as groomers and pet parents approach coat maintenance and care. Follow us for monthly advice and salon news here!
Welcome Friends!
Welcome Everyone!
Over the last twenty years or so I have been working with animals and learning the ins and outs of their likes, dislikes, trigger areas, etc. during grooming. Throughout my time as a pet groomer I’ve often found myself researching a myriad of topics related to animal behavior. What triggers a dryer seizure? What causes a dog to pull away when touching their legs? Why is one dog running into the salon to see us and the next dog running in the opposite direction? These answers are out there; but “out there” is so vast! I want to bring you the information you need to ensure that your pups’ salon visit is a valuable experience every time.
We will be learning about desensitization and counterconditioning, table manners, positive reinforcement, enrichment, energy work, home grooming care, and so much more! The goal of this blog is to keep a healthy and beneficial relationship between your pup and the grooming experience. The most important thing for our pets is their safety and their comfort. After all - that’s why we welcome them into our homes and our hearts. Follow me and our HPG family while we navigate the world of pet grooming and share the advice we’ve learned along the way!