Pugs are a breed originating from China going back as far as 400 BC. Although the pug we know of today is drastically different to their predecessors due to breed requirements as set by the American Kennel Club. Pugs belong to the Brachycephalic breed. They have a short blunt square muzzle with deep and large wrinkles. The shortened muzzle means that their nostrils are narrowed and consequently their airways are also narrowed. Their ears are high set and are either the rose or button type ears with a preference by the AKC for the latter.

Grooming a Pug: Points to Bear in Mind

Grooming a Pug: The Coat

Pugs have a fine, smooth, short and glossy coat which lies flat against the skin. The coat can be fawn, apricot, black or silver. The muzzle, ears, moles on cheeks are deep black in colour. Pugs’ coats are low maintenance but care has to be taken to ensure that they are clean. They tend to pick up dirt and infections easily and as such it is important that a grooming session accommodates these needs.

Grooming a Pug: Standing or Sitting or Lying down?

Pugs tend towards obesity which will impact on their ability to be standing during an entire grooming session. They are predisposed to hip dysplasia and degenerative joint disease such as arthritis. Hence it is important to bear this in mind when it comes to grooming senior Pugs. It’s best to let the dog lead on this. If they want to sit or lie down while being groomed then work around it.

Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome [BOAS]

Pugs are predisposed to an illness called the Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome [BOAS] because of their flat faces that can make it difficult to breathe. It’s important to ensure that the Pug being groomed is not too excited, stressed or is in an hot environment.

Skin Allergies/Infections in Pugs

Pugs are prone to skin allergies and infections nearly 11 times more than any other breed. Since they tend to pick up dirt and debris in the folds of their skin especially the wrinkles on their face it is important to clean these areas well.

Grooming a Pug: Ear Cleaning

Pugs are also prone to ear infections. Regular grooming will ensure that ear cleaning is attended to. As well as one would be able to spot an ear infection that is just starting.

Grooming a Pug: Dental Hygiene

Pugs have the same number of teeth as other dogs but due to their flattened face and short muzzle the teeth tend to be crowded in. This can lead to a build up of bacteria and plaque leading to teeth degeneration. One of the ways of combating this is through teeth cleaning during a grooming session. Extra care has to be taken to ensure that all the teeth are thoroughly cleaned and any massive build up of plaque is brought to the attention of the pet parent. So that professional plaque removal can be accessed with a vet.

Pug Eye Cleaning

Pugs are predisposed to eye problems including excessive tear production, dry eye, eye discharge, inflammation, tear staining to name a few. This is because of the breeding requirements that expects large, bold, globular eyes leading to an inability to blink properly [https://focusreferrals.co.uk/information-sheets/the-problem-with-pugs-eyes]. Hence attention needs to be paid to eye cleaning which has to be gentle with the groomer looking out for any signs of bubbling issues.

To Sum Up

In summary while it seems that grooming a pug is probably one of the easier grooming sessions it isn’t so. This is because care has to be taken to incorporate the specific needs the Pug breed has with regard to its predisposition to several illnesses. A grooming session designed specifically for a Pug will then ensure not just that your Pug comes out looking beautiful but also ensure that the well being of your Pug is being monitored regularly and specific needs are attended to.

Pawpad offers dog grooming sessions designed to be breed specific. We groom by appointment only. You can book yours by chatting with us on whatsapp below or call us at 9663077496 to book your appointment.

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The picture that you see above is of Ashley. She is an Indie dog and is all of a wonderful 15 years old.

While dealing with a senior dog it es extremely important to be gentle and empathetic. This will ensure that the pet grooming session an absolute cakewalk for both the groomer and the dog.

Senior Dog Grooming: Health Issues

Senior dogs tend to get dirtier more often because of a very simple reason. They tend to not have the energy to groom themselves. So what you are likely to see is an inability to maintain their nails, ear and eye dirt, matting of the coat and/or skin infections/growths. There could be general fatigue. Or maybe even pain. There could be illnesses. It’s important to take this into account while planning a senior dog grooming session.

Senior Dog Grooming: How much time does it take?

A senior dog decides the grooming session time. This is the default setting. Senior dogs might have mobility issues, fatigue issues, anxiety etc. Breaks during the grooming session may be necessary. It is also important for the groomer to go with what is most comfortable for the dog. Such as if the dog prefers standing or lying down while being groomed. Dogs tend to lose muscle mass as they get older which means that for some standing might become a strain. Whereas some dogs who are anxious may not want to lie down. There is no one size that fits all. When in doubt look to the dog!

What is definitely highly recommended is that grooming sessions are short in duration. It is preferable to schedule more short grooming sessions than one long one. Pet groomers need not be rigid about what they do during a grooming session. It is okay to skip some steps to ensure the well being of the senior dog.

Why Groom A Senior Dog?

Imagine what it must feel like to be taken care of, to be made clean, gently! Going to a professional groomer who has experience with senior dogs also means less anxiety. For the dog as well as the pet parent! One of the advantages of regular grooming sessions is that an expert pet groomer will be able to spot changes in coat/hair/skin early on. If there are growths or if there is pain or if the coat has started to show marked differences in certain areas then these can be informed to the pet parent.

Senior Dog Grooming: Musts for a Pet Groomer

• Get a health history of the dog
• If you are unaware of any illness the dog has read up on it
• Be aware of vision or hearing problems
• Use a non slippary surface to ensure the dog has a grip while standing
• Allow for breaks during the grooming session
• Use gentle equipment
• Use equipment gently to ensure no injuries
• Dogs hide pain. Be hyper aware of any signs that a dog is uncomfortable
• Check skin/coat/hair for any abnormalities
• Keep the grooming session short

Grooming a senior dog is an extremely fulfilling task. You are in the moment and are mindful. You help make things easier and beautiful for a precious being. Enjoy!

Pawpad Bangalore offers dog grooming sessions catering to specific needs. Do speak with our pet groomer while making the appointment.

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Creative grooming is an interesting way to spruce up the look of your loved ones. As a pet groomer this offers an exciting opportunity to create art! As a pet parent you may choose to avail of this as this offers an expression of your dog’s personality.

Pawpad is taking small steps in this directions as these creative grooming makeovers are what our loved ones live with albeit temporarily. Creative grooming covers a wide range of creativity. Creative groomers who do shows can go extreme as some of you who have watched this interesting documentary know

What Pawpad currently offers is something that is simple. More like wearing an accessory!

What is Creative Dog Grooming?

Creative dog grooming involves not just colouring (that is the first thing that comes to mind!). It is also sculpting of the coat or coat carving. Additionally, colour can be used as a way to draw attention or enhance an aspect of your dog’s individuality.

Health and Safety

The colours that we use are temporary dyes. They are non-toxic, safe and made specifically for use on dogs. Pawpad has always looked at pet grooming as something that focuses primarily on health and safety of the animals who come to us. Hence, rest assured that this is safe.

Ultimately the decision as to whether to try something unique/different for your dog is something that pet parents take after a lot of thought and discussions. We welcome having such conversations. We can then collaboratively see if this is something that your pet would be happy with. All the attention might just be something your fur baby basks in!!

You can book your pet grooming appointments by registering here.

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Anyone who’s ever lived with these lapdogs knows what incredible companions they can be. Always following you around from room to room. Friendly, loving, playful with the most doleful eyes that has your heart melting. They make great house dogs needing little space. But they love their walks. A heart breaking story of a Shih Tzu on her last walk made the news, recently. They do need their exercise even though they are in house dogs. Otherwise they tend to work off energy with barking. You don’t want that!

Dental Health

One of the characteristics of the Shih Tzu is the undershot jaw. This is when the lower jaw is longer than the upper one. The upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth in a closed mouth. The Shih Tzu, like other dogs, needs proper dental care. One of the best and easiest ways to take care of your dog’s teeth is daily brushing.

Coat and Care

The Shih Tzu is an hypoallergenic dog. This basically means they make great pets for people with allergies. Said to have hair and not fur, they shed very little on to the floor or your couch. The breed sports a ‘double coat’. A short inner layer and a longer outer layer. Hair that is shed falls into the coat. Hence seen as low shedding dogs. This dead hair has to be brushed out regularly. If not this could result in matting. One of the worst cases of matting ever made it to the news. Matting is painful. Brush your pooch daily!!
Here’s a detailed article on grooming a long coat if your dog sports one.

Grooming Tasks

• Face and Eye cleaning: preferably more than once a day
• Nails: As often as possible. Unlike large or medium breeds taking Shih Tzus on long walks doesn’t help grind their nails down.
• Baths: Every 2 – 3 weeks since they do tend to pick up dirt easily. Do use a gentle shampoo if bathing your dog frequently. It is recommended that you also use an oil supplement to help replace natural body oils lost because of frequent bathing.
• Hair cut/trim: This is dependent on the length of hair. 4-6 weeks is recommended for longer hair and 6-8 weeks for shorter coats.

For a detailed article on DIY grooming take a look at How To Groom A Shih Tzu

Professional Grooming

We recommend that you take your dog, once every few weeks, for professional grooming. Here’s a video on what professional grooming entails. The groomer will take care of a lot of what we tend to miss. This could include haircuts, nail trimmings, ear and eye cleaning etc. Do take look at the dog grooming packages that we offer. Shih Tzu dog grooming price at our studio in Bangalore is Rs.2000 (extra charges depending on condition of coat). Check out our Shih Tzu grooming board on Pinterest for ideas on haircuts. Call us on 9663077496 to book your appointments!

Cover photo by Edson Torres on Unsplash

The post Shih Tzu: Dog Breed and Care first appeared on Pet Grooming Bangalore | Pawpad.

Small Dogs: Who and What?

Begin your journey in to the world of small dogs with Petfinder who writes about the different breeds of small dogs. You get a snapshot introduction to each breed including the Shih Tzu, Beagle, Poms, Terriers etc.

Photo by Alicia Gauthier on Unsplash

Fluffy Small Dogs

If you’re looking specifically to learn about fluffy small dogs then look no further! Small Dog Place pins down each small breed especially coats and behaviour. These small dogs require regular grooming care. More on that coming up!

Photo by Michelle Tresemer on Unsplash

Small Dog Care

Alliemacb writes about choosing, training, feeding and grooming a small dog. A good introductory article on looking at different aspects of having a small dog.

Photo by Carissa Weiser on Unsplash

Small Dog Care: What You Can Do

“Try to get down on your dog’s level – literally” – what a fantastic way to begin an article on small dogs! One tends to forget to see the world through their eyes. Here’s a good reminder to do just that!

Photo by Marcus Wallis on Unsplash

Small Dogs: Grooming

How To Groom A Small Dog At Home by Wag! takes you step by step through grooming. Small dogs tend to be fidgety and it’s good practice to get them used to grooming at home.

Photo by Mink Mingle on Unsplash

Common Health Concerns

Last but not the least here’s an article by PetMD on common health issues that affect small dogs.

Photo by Rob Fuller on Unsplash

If you’re looking for professional grooming services for your small dog breed do check out our dog grooming services.

Do let us know if you’ve come across any other great articles you would recommend on taking care of these tiny little bundles of joy!!

Featured photo courtesy Adam Grabek on Unsplash

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Before Becoming A Pet Groomer

By the time I turned 18 our house was always filled with rescued puppies or kittens. The ones who I couldn’t house would be found homes. Sometimes it wasn’t all that perfect. Because rescuing animals is also finding them at their most vulnerable. It also shows you the cruelty that human beings are capable of. Turning to pet grooming after such a life experience brought me to a completely different world.

What A Pet Groomer’s Life is Like

What I encounter here in my pet grooming business is a completely different picture. It is the love that human beings are capable of. The love and affection that animals are capable of giving, those they meet for the first time, still surprises me. It is deeply humbling to see the trust with which they let me near them, let me work on their bodies. Those one to two hours we spend together alone, only engaging with each other, is an extremely intense experience. Most times it is smooth and easy. But again, there are times though when it is all about give and take. It is about respecting each other’s boundaries. About giving time. Being patient.

Patience and Trust on My Grooming Table

Patience has been the single most important lesson I have learnt (more like have been taught!) as a pet groomer. Even Bangalore traffic couldn’t teach me that! This hasn’t come easy. It has taken years of work. Years of working with animals with such a variety of temperaments. At the core of it is the fact that the dog or cat who sits on my grooming table is able to trust me. Trust me to not harm them. When that happens, at each and every groom, it is one of the most beautiful things that life offers.

Every day is different. Every cat or dog is different. Pet parents are different too! Just like the excitement of meeting a stranger for the first time. Like a blind date! We live in a city like Bangalore where travelling anywhere is a nightmare. To have all these wonderful new people come in every single day. Wonderful new dogs. New cats. What more could one ask for?

Do take a look at our dog grooming services and cat grooming services. You can give me a call on 9663077496 to book your appointments.

If you’re looking at becoming a pet groomer I offer courses in pet grooming. Feel free to give me a call to chat. If you have the time take a look at this lovely article that lays bare the secrets of being a pet groomer.

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Brushing your dog’s teeth everyday is one of those things we tend to put aside. Periodontal or Gum disease, one of the most common illnesses, in dogs is the result of a lack of proper dental care. This can be extremely painful. As anyone who’s suffered through a toothache will vouch for! An important part of a preventive dental care program is brushing your dog’s teeth regularly.  Read on to know why you need to make time for this.

Anatomy of Dog Teeth

Dogs start off with 28 teeth when they are puppies. These teeth are sharp as anyone who’s ever played with a puppy will know. Called ‘milk’ teeth or deciduous teeth they are usually shed when the puppy is around 3-4 months old. Puppy teeth tend to fall out on their own. At times an adult tooth may start growing in the same place. It is important to take care of this.

At around six months puppies would have finished teething. They will now be the proud owners of a set of 42 strong rooted teeth. These consist of:

• Incisors – A total of 12 (6 in the upper jaw and 6 in the lower) in number. These teeth help tear off meat from bones. Dogs use them in self grooming. These are also the teeth that dogs use to carry things in their mouths.
• Canines – These pointy teeth are 4 (2 in the upper and 2 in the lower) in number. These teeth, also known as ‘fangs’, help hold on to things.
• Premolars – They number a total of 16 (8 upper and 8 lower) and take care of the chewing. They help tear meat into smaller pieces.
• Molars – A total of 10 (6 lower and 4 upper)in number. These are the last to appear and are used to chew heavy stuff like bones or even biscuits.

Premolars and molars are prone to plaque build up. Hence it is important to pay attention to them while thinking about a dental care routine for your dog.
If you’re interested in knowing further about the anatomy of dog teeth do take a look at the following video by dental specialist Jo Banyard.

Dental Diseases in Dogs

Dogs do not grow back teeth that they lose as adults. Hence it is extremely important to pay attention to the health of teeth and gums in your dog. Dogs rarely get cavities. If they do they are treated the same way as human teeth are – through drilling, filling, root canal, capping or extraction.

Signs to Watch Out For:

• Tartar and Plaque: This is quite common and is visible as a brownish greenish colour on your dog’s teeth.
• Reddening of gums
• Swollen/Bleeding Gums
• Bad Breath
• Lumps in mouth
• Blood in water bowls or on toys
• Chewing on one side of the mouth
• Not wanting to be touched on the face
• Swelling in face

Do read this article on Pet WebMD for a more detailed look at gum disease in dogs.

Dog Teeth Brushing: How and How Often

It is extremely vital to take care of your dog’s dental hygiene. This will help in avoiding serious dental illnesses that damage not only teeth but also internal organs. One of the ways to do this is to brush your dog’s teeth on a daily basis. It is recommended that you introduce dogs to teeth brushing as early as possible. Coupled it with professional teeth brushing at your pet groomer’s. Follow this up with regular teeth cleaning at your vet’s. Regular brushing, once a day, will help prevent the buildup of tartar and plaque. It will also help you keep an eye on any changes in your pet’s dental structure so you can catch problems as soon as they appear.

Dog Toothbrush: There are specially designed toothbrushes available for dogs. Otherwise you could use a children’s toothbrush or a finger toothbrush. Please ensure that these toothbrushes have soft bristles. Take a look through some of the best dog toothbrushes of 2019.

Dog Toothpaste: There are dog specific toothpastes that are available in the market. These are safe even when ingested. NEVER use human toothpaste on a dog as fluoride, salt, soda can affect the health of your dog. Look through some of the best dog toothpastes available in the market in 2019.

To help you with this a step by step guide with pictures on how to brush your dog’s teeth. You can also check out this really simple informative guide on dog teeth brushing by White Cross Vets.

Pawpad offers dog teeth brushing with all its grooming packages. Do call 9663077496 to book your appointments.

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Dog shedding is a natural process through which dogs get rid of their old dead hair. How much hair a dog sheds is dependent on the breed of the dog, whether they stay indoors or outdoors and what their health is like. Dogs shed throughout the year but some breeds may be prone to shedding more during certain seasons. Normal year long shedding is not visible on the dog’s coat but will be visible all over your things.

Dog Hair Fall: Signs To Watch Out For

• The dog’s coat has patches with no fur on them.
• Shedding is only in certain parts of the body and not uniformly.
• Your dog’s hair has thinned to such an extent that you can see the skin.
• Skin problems are present together with hair fall.
• The dog’s scratching too much.
• If your dog doesn’t like being touched on those bald patches

then it’s probably best to pay a visit to the vet.

Some reasons for this could be:

• Allergies – environmental, fleas or food. It could be as simple as a shampoo that hasn’t been rinsed off properly.
• Poor Nutrition – not having a well balanced diet
• Hormones – thyroid problems
• Skin Infections – bacterial, yeast or fungal
• Parasites – like mange or scabies because of mites
• Stress
• Pregnancy

For a more detailed look at symptoms and reasons do check out this article on excessive shedding by petMD

Dog Breeds That Shed A Lot!

Here is a list of dog breeds that shed the most.

Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed At All!

Here’s a list of dog breeds that shed the least

Dog Shedding Season and Dogs with Double Coats

Certain breeds of dogs such as Huskies, German Shephards, Chow Chows, Labradors etc have a double-layered coat. They have two coats – the undercoat which is dense with short hair and helps with insulation and a topcoat which has longer hair called ‘guard hair’ that helps to repel water and dirt. The undercoat underneath the topcoat creates pockets of air which helps protect the dog from both heat and cold. These dogs shed their undercoats twice a year during Spring and Autumn and the topcoat once a year. When both the layers are shed together it is called ‘blowing their coat’. This annual shedding ritual can last anywhere between three to eight weeks.

Dog breeds with double coats should never have their fur cut or shaved. What works better for them is a Deshedding treatment.

What is Deshedding?

Deshedding is a dog grooming treatment that removes dead and loose hair from a dog’s undercoat. This helps prevent matts/tangles/knots as well as keeps the dog’s coat light and comfortable.

DIY Deshedding

Brush once a day for at least 15 minutes
Remove all matts/knots/tangles
Bathe your dog more regularly during the high shedding seasons.

Here’s an article that gives you a comprehensive look on brushing, various brushes available on the market and which brush would suit your breed the best.

There are deshedding tools that allow you to do the deshedding at home itself.  Do look at this article that looks specifically at the best deshedding tools.

Dog Deshedding Grooming Service

If you find it difficult to deal with the deshedding yourself you could opt to go to your local pet groomer for a complete deshedding treatment for your dog.

At Pawpad the deshedding dog grooming service includes:

Cleansing with specialized clay mixed with essential oils
Deep Cleansing with shampoo and conditioner
Eye/Ear cleaning
Nail clipping
Application of leave in conditioner
Application of snout butter and paw butter

To lighter summer coats!!

Please Note: The information in this article is for informational purposes only and not meant to be read as a substitute for medical advice.

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