Certified Terrier Grooming

That natural, scruffy, shaggy, puppy look is adorable. You try to keep the hair brushed, you really honestly do.

But your dog is young. She needs to learn. She doesn’t like it, That’s okay, that’s what a professional is for, right? Wrong! Pet groomers are actually pet stylists. The one responsible for caring for the condition of the dog is the owners of the dog. The reason for this is that the maintenance of the coat is a constant routine. The level of difficulty depends upon the length of the coat, and other factors such as:

1. Do you wash the dog?

2. Does the dog swim or go into a wading pool?

3. Do you leave a harness on the dog?

4. Does the dog wear clothing?

5. If the dog is in full coat, or has a lot of hair around the neck, does she wear a collar?

6. If you wash your dog, do you that very same day, thoroughly brush and comb that dog over every inch of it’s body?

All of these factors determine the amount of work necessary to maintain the coat. I specialize in maintaining a full coat. My own dogs, and many of my clients dogs have had coats in amazing condition.

It is a labor of love. The secret is dedication. It is not a chore, it’s actually a bonding time for you and your pets IF and only IF both of you enjoy it.

Sometimes it can become frustrating, the dog fights the brush, or you give the dog a quick bath with no brushing only to later realize that was a disastrous decision. Or you leave the cute Christmas sweater on for 3 days while we have freezing temperatures, only to end up with a completely shaved down dog.

Sometimes, clients think, no worries, the groomer has special techniques, special tools, and wonderful conditioning treatments that they are trained to use in the event that your dog gets a few little mats. And to an extent, this is true.

The problem is, when we brush out matted hair, it hurts. And when the dog already hates the brush, it can be traumatizing. Sometimes I can do it once, to save the dogs coat, but the next time, the dog says NO. I often have clients prefer for me to save the coat, to please keep the hair that I trimmed short underneath the last time, and to let the coat grow. But if the coat is matting at this shorter length, why should we grow it longer?

The dogs owner must listen to the pet. If the pet cannot tolerate the brush, then keep the hair shorter until the training and routine are established.

The routine and tools depend on the desired length of coat and the type of coat that the dog has. Softer coats benefit from the use of a Pin Brush, and a Comb, a Chris Christensen Buttercomb, and a Face Comb.

Cottony  bushy coats benefit from the use of the flexible slicker brushes, a Long Pin Slicker, and the Chris Christensen Poodle Combs.

The type of pins on the slicker depend on the depth of coat and the area you are brushing. I use both and go back and forth using both brushes on each dog, using the stiffer shorter pins on mats, the legs, and sometimes under the arms, and the longer pins in the areas where the hair is longer and thicker.

Most slicker brushes either have short pins or angled pins. The short pins are useless for penetrating a coat that is more that a half inch long. I do not recommend any brushes with plastic coated tips. 

Brushes with sharply angled pins have a lot of drag and pull in a thick coat. This can make brushing very uncomfortable for the dog. Therefore, the brushes that you choose need longer pins that are not too sharply angled.

People often ask, “Should I brush every day ?” Or “How often should I brush?”. The answer is different in each situation. 

The length of the coat determines the frequency of the bath days, ideally every 7-21 days. This system works only if you are very diligent to completely brush and comb the dog from one end of its body to the other on the same day as the bath is done.

At Grande Style Dog  Grooming in Tampa, we want to make sure that our clients are well informed before they decide to clip the dogs instead of hand stripping them. Once the coat has been clipped, it will be changed in the way it grows. Wire coated dogs who will be shown must have their coats hand stripped to maintain correct color and texture. 

In my experience most dogs' kept as pets look great with clipped coats, and many pet parents find the hand stripping process too expensive and tedious. 

I have hand stripped many top winning show dogs and numerous pets. I love the art of hand stripping, but I do not find it practical for most pet dogs. I rarely offer the service in my salon.

Does the dog groomer express glands? When groomers express anal glands, it is usually done externally, as it’s illegal for groomers to cross the barrier entering the dogs rectum. When the veterinarian expresses the anal glands, they do it internally. The videos linked below will give you a better understanding of the function of the anal glands, and the groomers role. You will see by watching all 3, that even in the veterinary community there are slight differences in opinion.

As a general rule, we at Grande Style Dog Grooming do not routinely express anal glands because that can actually cause more problems for the dog. We recommend only emptying anal glands when they actually need it, not as a preventative measure.  

Beware of companies who offer monthly memberships and offer this service during grooming, as these services often employ entry level workers who perform the anal gland expression. This is best performed by a veterinarian. 

Does the dog groomer express glands? When groomers express anal glands, it is usually done externally, as it’s illegal for groomers to cross the barrier entering the dogs rectum. When the veterinarian expresses the anal glands, they do it internally. The videos linked below will give you a better understanding of the function of the anal glands, and the groomers role. You will see by watching all 3, that even in the veterinary community there are slight differences in opinion.

As a general rule, we at Grande Style Dog Grooming do not routinely express anal glands because that can actually cause more problems for the dog. We recommend only emptying anal glands when they actually need it, not as a preventative measure.  

Beware of companies who offer monthly memberships and offer this service during grooming, as these services often employ entry level workers who perform the anal gland expression. This is best performed by a veterinarian.

External expression involves applying pressure to the outside of the anal area with a cloth, but this method is less effective and carries a higher risk of rupture. Internal expression involves a veterinarian inserting a gloved finger into the anus to manually squeeze the sacs from the inside, providing a more complete and effective emptying.   

External Anal Gland Expression  

How it's done: A soft cloth or napkin is placed over the anus, and gentle pressure is applied to squeeze the anal glands from the outside.   

Pros:  

Can be performed by some pet owners or groomers.   

Cons:  

Often results in an incomplete emptying of the sacs.   

Higher risk of anal gland rupture or other injury.   

Does not allow for a thorough assessment of the glands.   

Internal Anal Gland Expression  

How it's done:  

The person performing the expression wears a glove and inserts their lubricated index finger into the pet's anus to locate and squeeze each sac between their finger and thumb.   

Pros:  

More effective at completely emptying the glands, especially when secretions are thick or impacted.   

Allows a veterinary professional to assess the gland for thickening or abnormal growths.   

Cons:  

Requires medical expertise to perform correctly and safely.   

Can be an uncomfortable procedure, requiring distraction or sedation from a vet.   

When to See a Vet:

If your pet is scooting, licking their bottom excessively, or has a strong odor, it's essential to have a veterinarian assess them. They can determine if the anal glands need expression and perform it safely and effectively. Self-expression is not recommended, as it can cause injury or worsen existing problems. 

Allergies are a common cause of anal gland issues in dogs because inflammation from allergies can cause the anal glands to become swollen, impacted, and infected. Allergies can lead to increased licking of the anal area, which can introduce bacteria, and may result in digestive issues like diarrhea or loose stools that prevent the glands from emptying properly. Treating the underlying allergies with diet or medication can often resolve the anal gland problems. es, allergies are a common cause of anal gland issues in dogs because inflammation from allergies can cause the anal glands to become swollen, impacted, and infected. Allergies can lead to increased licking of the anal area, which can introduce bacteria, and may result in digestive issues like diarrhea or loose stools that prevent the glands from emptying properly. Treating the underlying allergies with diet or medication can often resolve the anal gland problems. 

How Allergies Lead to Anal Gland Problems

•  Inflammation:Allergies cause chronic inflammation throughout the body, including the skin and the delicate lining of the anal glands, leading to swelling and irritation. 
•  Increased Licking:Dogs with allergies often lick or chew their skin, including the anal region, which can introduce bacteria and worsen irritation. 
•  Digestive Issues:Allergies, especially food allergies, can lead to loose stools or diarrhea, which hinders the normal emptying process of the anal glands during defecation. 
•  Hot Spots:Allergies can also cause skin inflammation or hot spots, and because the anal glands are part of the skin apparatus, these issues can contribute to anal gland problems. 

Signs of Anal Gland Problems 

•  Scooting or dragging their bottom on the floor 
•  Excessive licking or chewing at the rear end 
•  Foul odor 
•  Pain, discomfort, or swelling in the anal area 

What to Do

1. Consult with your veterinarian: A veterinarian can properly diagnose the cause of the anal gland issues and rule out other potential underlying health conditions. 
2. Allergy treatment: Your vet may suggest diet trials with novel proteins or hypoallergenic foods to address food allergies. 
3. Medications: Allergy medications or supplements can help manage environmental allergies and reduce skin inflammation. 
4. Dietary changes:Your vet might recommend a higher fiber diet to help firm up stools. 

5. Probiotics: Supplements containing probiotics and prebiotics can support gut health and improve stool consistency, which is beneficial for anal gland function. 

Did you know that some Countries prohibit anal gland expression of any kind, except under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian! In the United Kingdom, it is illegal for groomers to express a dog's anal glands, as it is considered an act of veterinary surgery. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) states that deciding if a gland requires expression or if it is infected involves a diagnosis, which must be performed by a qualified vet or a veterinary nurse under a vet's supervision. Other countries, such as Canada, also have regulations that discourage or prevent groomers from performing this procedure. 

Laws in the United Kingdom

      • The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 dictates that certain procedures, including anal gland expression, can only be performed by veterinary professionals.

•  The British Dog Groomers' Association (BDGA) advises its members not to offer this service and to refer it to a vet.
•  Violation of this act can result in legal action against a groomer for practicing veterinary medicine without a license. 

Guidelines in Canada

Guidelines in Canada

•  The legality of groomers expressing anal glands is determined at the provincial level.
•  Some Canadian provinces have regulations from veterinary organizations that mandate the procedure be performed only by vets.
•  The Professional Pet Groomers Association of Manitoba provides resources to help groomers understand and follow their provincial regulations. 

Risks of groomers performing the procedure

Groomers are typically only trained to perform an external expression, which carries several risks: 

•  Incomplete emptying: The external method often fails to completely empty the glands, leading to repeated issues and potential infection.
•  Rupture and infection: The delicate glands can be ruptured by improper technique, leading to severe pain and infection.
•  Scar tissue: Repeated external expression can cause trauma and scar tissue formation, making future natural expression difficult and creating a dependency on manual intervention.
•  Missing a diagnosis: Because groomers cannot assess the glands internally or diagnose issues, they may miss signs of infection, impaction, or tumors, which require veterinary attention. 
• https://youtu.be/TiZQ_-6gWwM?si=nkaExgQq9Yrtim0Q