Are you a "OAY" dog owner?

Are you the person dog groomers mark on the profile card as a OAY client? You bring your dog in the spring and have it shaved to the skin with the excuse it doesn't need it more often?  Do you do this because you are trying to save money? Do you really believe you don't have to bathe and clean your dog because it is an animal therefore it does not need this? Some people try to tell me "My breeder told me I don't have too!" Hogwash…'scuse the pun.

You may try to talk yourself or whoever else questions you about this into that frame of reference but it is far from true or humane. If your dog lives with you- and unless it is some kind of outdoor working farm dog -even then- your dog deserves to be cared for and maintained. House dogs deserve and should be bathed once a month at the very least. If you can't do it yourself, then have it professionally done. If you can't afford it - well you should have thought about that before you took on the responsibility.  At least figure it out so you can do it outside in the warmer months with a hose and a bucket.  Youtube has plenty of helpful videos.

When you wait until the spring to bring your dog into a shop it is usually a stinky smelly matted mess. The dog is so uncomfortable and the skin underneath the hair is often raw, sore, and full of yeast. To shave all that mess off exposes the sensitive skin to clipper burn and brush burn and who knows what else is living under there. Don't blame the groomer if these things happen because OAY dogs are unhappy and uncomfortable long before they get to the groomer. 

When I hear someone proudly say "I don't bathe my dog but once a year" I know what they are saying… and I am not impressed, just sorry for the dog…

Every 8 weeks is my suggestion for a dog who lives outside urban areas but every 2 weeks is not at all uncommon for an urban hound. The streets are filthy and they have no other respite unlike the dew baths their country cousins get in the mornings. 

If your dog needs a haircut because it grows long, an 8 week puppy cut keeps the skin and hair healthy if you can't maintain it yourself. It helps to keep bugs and knots and dirt under control.

This is bare minimum guideline but more is better if you have a coated breed that you want to have the coat. Springtime is when all the OAYs come out of the woodwork so make your appointments early and don't wait until Saturday when the saloon is overcrowded and the groomers are worn to a frazzle. Not fair to them or your dog. You and your best friend will feel the difference!

Happy Spring!