Problems and Solutions

A thorough bath with shampoo designed to loosen dead fur, then dried with a high velocity blaster that forces the dead hair out of the coat, and a good brush to remove whatever the blaster missed. Repeat every 4 – 6 weeks to keep fur off your furniture.

The best way to help your dog stay cool depends on their coat type. Dogs with double, smooth or wire coats should not be clipped as it will damage their fur. In their case the best thing to do is remove as much old undercoat as possible. This improves air circulation to the skin and allows body heat to disperse more easily.

Dogs with a single, continuous coat can be clipped shorter during the summer months, however, the skin must remain covered to protect against sunburn; so no shaving.

Whatever their coat type make sure your dog has access to water, shade, walk them during cooler times of day, and remember that pavements can get very hot for bare paws.

Minor mats are common behind ears, in armpits and around toes. Typically these can be removed without leaving holes in the dog’s coat. If, however, the matting is more severe, trying to brush out the mats can be painful for the dog. In this case pretty takes a backseat to comfort as the dog’s welfare is our top priority. We make every effort to save a dog’s coat, but sometimes it’s just not possible. When this happens the best thing to do is shave off and start again. 

It is always best to consult a vet about skin problems to diagnose the root cause. For those dogs with general skin sensitivity, regular baths in the right shampoo can be very beneficial. Earthbath brand cosmetics are formulated to match the pH level of dogs' skin, preventing further irritation, and the natural ingredients encourage skin to heal. Book a bath with us today.

Grass seeds can be a real problem; causing irritation and working their way into the skin. If you are struggling to pick them out of your dog's coat give us a call, we have a variety of conditioners and detangling sprays that will help remove grass seeds. 

There are many products on the market designed to soothe sore paw pads. What they have in common is that they moisturise the skin, helping it heal. Coconut oil is safe for dogs, even if ingested, and does a good job at softening the skin. Gently rub a little into paws a couple of times a day, and once healed keep up the habit once a day to stop them drying out again.

In the past expressing anal glands was a service offered by groomers, but now it is considered a job for the vet.  At Menagerie Pet Grooming we respect this current advice and do not express anal glands.

Some dogs grow a lot of hair in and around the ear canal. In the past groomers would pluck out this excess hair but it is now considered a job for the vet. At Menagerie Pet Grooming we respect this current advice and do not pluck ear hair, however we will trim hair in this area as short as possible.

Bacteria causes dog breath. Just as with humans, oral hygiene is important to prevent tartar build up and tooth decay, and, like humans, cleaning their teeth is the best thing to do. Emmi-Pet uses ultrasound to safely and effectively break down tartar and kill bacteria without the need for sedation at the vets. Agnes Pet Grooming Studio offers Emmi-Pet treatments, visit their website for more details.

Parasites of any kind are bad for your dog and need to be treated as quickly as possible. If your dog has fleas, mites, other parasites or any contagious condition please do not bring them to the grooming studio until the issue has been completely resolved. We advise you seek medical advice from a vet; it's important to get the right treatment through correct diagnosis.

If your dog is found to have parasites during their groom there will be an extra charge for cleaning the studio.

Tears stains are common and there are many products claiming to remove them, unfortunately we have not found one that really works. If your dog has hair that grows long around their eyes then we can trim off the stained hairs. If the hair cannot be cut off then daily cleaning of the eye area can reduce and prevent further staining.

Ear wax is normal and anything visible can be wiped clean during the groom. At Menagerie we do not put drops, powders or cotton buds into dogs' ears. If there is an excessive amount of ear wax, unusual discharge or a bad smell, then you should consult a vet, as your dog may have an ear infection or other issue.