Grooming tips
Advice for keeping your dog happy between visits
Practical notes from Nat on coat care, grooming schedules, and helping your dog feel comfortable.
Seasonal Care
Getting Your Dog Groom-Ready for the Holidays
Why to book your dog's holiday groom early, how to time it before guests arrive, how to keep them tidy in between, and how to give them a calm place to retreat during gatherings.
Nov 2, 2026 · 5 min read
Behavior & Training
Halloween with Dogs: Costumes, Doorbells, and the Candy Bowl
How to tell if your dog is happy in a costume and fit one safely, how to keep costumes from matting the coat, a plan for trick-or-treaters at the door, and what to do if your dog gets into the candy.
Oct 19, 2026 · 5 min read
Seasonal Care
Fall Shedding and What a Deshedding Treatment Actually Does
Why double-coated dogs shed again in the fall, what happens step by step during a deshedding treatment, how often it makes sense, and how to keep up at home.
Oct 5, 2026 · 5 min read
Pet Health
Wildfire Smoke and Your Dog: Walks, Air, and Coat Care on Smoky Days
How to decide when the air is too bad for a walk, which dogs are most at risk, the signs that mean call your vet, and how to get smoke and ash out of your dog's coat afterward.
Sep 21, 2026 · 5 min read
Pet Health
Skunked Dog? What to Do Right Away
What to do in the first few minutes after your dog meets a skunk, when to call the vet, why tomato juice disappoints, and how to use the peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap mixture safely.
Sep 7, 2026 · 5 min read
Grooming Tips
Small Trims That Make a Big Difference Between Grooms
The four small trims that keep a dog comfortable between full grooms: the sanitary area, paw pads, around the eyes, and the ears, plus what's safe to do at home and what to leave to a groomer.
Aug 24, 2026 · 5 min read
Behavior & Training
Your Rescue Dog's First Groom: Going Slow and Building Trust
How to plan a newly adopted dog's first groom when you don't know their history: when to wait, when not to, how to practice handling, and why a short cut is sometimes the best start.
Aug 10, 2026 · 5 min read
Grooming Tips
Dog-Safe Color: What It Is and Whether It Suits Your Dog
What pet-safe coat color actually is, which dogs it suits, how long it lasts, and when it's better to skip it and keep things simple.
Jul 27, 2026 · 5 min read
Seasonal Care
Coat Care for Dogs Who Swim
What to do after your dog swims in a lake, a pool or the bay: rinsing, drying the coat and ears properly, and checking for foxtails and anything else they brought home.
Jul 13, 2026 · 5 min read
Behavior & Training
Fireworks and Dogs: Getting Through the Fourth of July and New Year's Eve
How to prepare a noise-sensitive dog for fireworks nights: ID and microchip checks, secure doors and gates, a quiet room, and when to talk to your vet.
Jun 29, 2026 · 5 min read
Pet Health
Checking Your Dog for Ticks After an East Bay Hike
Where ticks hide on a dog, how to remove one safely with fine tweezers or a tick tool, and what to watch for in the weeks after.
Jun 15, 2026 · 5 min read
DIY Grooming
How to Bathe Your Dog at Home Between Grooms
A step-by-step look at the bath itself: how often to do it, what to use, how warm the water should be, and how to rinse and dry so your dog's skin stays happy.
Jun 1, 2026 · 6 min read
Seasonal Care
Should You Shave Your Dog for Summer?
Why shaving a double-coated dog usually isn't the cooling fix it seems, which coats can safely go shorter for summer, and the one situation where shaving really is the kind choice.
May 18, 2026 · 6 min read
Pet Health
Paw Care for Dogs: Pads, Paw Fur, and Hot Pavement
How to keep your dog's feet comfortable: trimming the fur between the pads, looking after dry or cracked pads, checking between the toes, and knowing when licking or limping needs a vet.
May 4, 2026 · 6 min read
Pet Health
Poison Oak, Dogs, and East Bay Trails: How to Keep the Oil Off Everyone
How to recognize poison oak, why your dog can bring it home to you, and how to wash your dog and their gear after a hike without spreading the oil.
Apr 20, 2026 · 5 min read
Pet Health
Foxtails and East Bay Dogs: What to Check After Every Walk
When foxtails dry out around the East Bay, where they hide on a dog, how to check after walks, and the signs that mean your dog needs a vet today.
Apr 6, 2026 · 5 min read
Pet Health
Spring Pollen and Itchy Paws: Helping Your Dog Through Allergy Season
How to spot seasonal allergies in your dog, simple ways to rinse pollen off paws and coat at home, and when the itching needs a vet.
Mar 23, 2026 · 5 min read
Seasonal Care
Spring Coat Blow: Helping Your Double-Coated Dog Through Shedding Season
What is happening when your double-coated dog suddenly sheds in clumps, how to brush the undercoat out properly at home, and why shaving is not the answer.
Mar 9, 2026 · 5 min read
Home Care
Tear Stains and Keeping Your Dog's Face Clean
What causes those reddish-brown streaks under a dog's eyes, how to keep the face clean with a gentle daily wipe and regular trims, and when tearing needs a vet.
Feb 23, 2026 · 5 min read
Grooming Tips
Your Puppy's First Groom: When to Start and How to Prepare
When a puppy is ready for their first groom, the handling and sound practice worth doing at home beforehand, and what a short, gentle first visit looks like.
Feb 9, 2026 · 5 min read
Seasonal Care
Rainy Season Care: Muddy Paws, Wet Coats, and Damp Skin
How to handle muddy feet at the door, dry a wet coat all the way down to the skin, and catch the damp-weather skin problems that show up in winter.
Jan 26, 2026 · 5 min read
Behavior & Training
How to Make Grooming Enjoyable for Your Dog
Simple ways to help your dog look forward to grooming: calm handling, good treats, short sessions, and paying attention to what your dog is telling you.
Jan 12, 2026 · 4 min read
Pet Health
The Role of Grooming in Preventing Ear Infections
Why some dogs are prone to ear trouble, how grooming and home care help keep ears clean and dry, and the signs that mean a trip to the vet.
Dec 29, 2025 · 4 min read
Pet Health
What to Do if Your Dog Gets Fleas: Grooming and Treatment Tips
How to confirm fleas, what a bath and a flea comb can and cannot do, why your home needs treating too, and when to call your vet.
Dec 15, 2025 · 5 min read
Behavior & Training
Managing Grooming Anxiety in Dogs: Tips and Tricks
Why some dogs fear grooming, how to spot the signs, and step-by-step ways to work on nail trims, dryers, and clippers.
Dec 1, 2025 · 5 min read
Behavior & Training
How Regular Grooming Can Improve Your Dog's Behavior
Discomfort, handling, and routine all affect how a dog behaves. Here's how regular, gentle grooming can help, and where it can't.
Nov 17, 2025 · 4 min read
Product Reviews
The Best Grooming Tools for Pet Owners
Which brushes, combs, and nail tools are worth having at home, which ones to match to your dog's coat, and which to leave to a groomer.
Nov 3, 2025 · 4 min read
Home Care
Maintaining Your Dog's Coat Between Grooming Sessions
Practical at-home care to keep your dog's coat clean, comfortable, and free of mats between professional grooms.
Oct 20, 2025 · 5 min read
Green Grooming
The Benefits of Eco-Friendly Grooming Products
What eco-friendly actually means on a dog shampoo label, which ingredients are worth avoiding, and how to switch products without upsetting your dog's skin.
Oct 6, 2025 · 4 min read
Pet Health
How Grooming Can Help Detect Skin Issues Early
A groom is a chance to look at every inch of your dog's skin. Here is what groomers notice, what you can check at home, and when to call the vet.
Sep 22, 2025 · 4 min read
Seasonal Care
Seasonal Grooming: Summer vs. Winter Coat Care for Dogs
Even in the East Bay's mild climate, your dog's coat changes through the year. Here's how to adjust brushing, bathing, and trims for summer and winter.
Sep 8, 2025 · 5 min read
Grooming Tips
What to Expect During a Professional Grooming Appointment
A step-by-step look at a grooming appointment: the check-in conversation, prep, bath, drying, haircut, and what you'll hear from me afterward.
Aug 25, 2025 · 5 min read
DIY Grooming
A Practical Guide to Grooming Your Dog at Home
How to brush, bathe, trim nails, and care for ears and teeth between professional appointments, plus when to leave it to a groomer.
Aug 11, 2025 · 5 min read
Grooming Tips
How to Handle Matting and Tangles in Your Dog's Coat
How mats form, where to look for them, how to deal with small tangles safely at home, and when to leave it to a groomer.
Jul 28, 2025 · 5 min read
Pet Health
Why Regular Nail Trims Matter for Your Dog's Health
Why long nails cause problems, how to tell when they're too long, how to trim safely at home, and how to make nail trims less stressful for your dog.
Jul 14, 2025 · 5 min read
Behavior & Training
How to Keep Your Dog Calm During Grooming Sessions
Practical ways to help a nervous dog stay calm during grooming, from practice at home before the appointment to what helps on the day.
Jun 30, 2025 · 4 min read
Senior Care
Grooming Tips for Senior Dogs: Keeping Older Pets Comfortable
How to adjust grooming for an older dog: shorter sessions, gentler handling, and a focus on comfort over looks.
Jun 16, 2025 · 4 min read
Grooming Tips
How to Pick the Best Grooming Style for Your Dog's Breed
Teddy bear cut, puppy cut, or something else? How to choose a grooming style that suits your dog's coat, your routine, and your dog's comfort.
Jun 2, 2025 · 4 min read
Pet Health
How Regular Grooming Supports Your Dog's Health
Grooming keeps skin, coat, ears, and nails in good shape, and it's a regular chance to notice problems early so you can get them to your vet.
May 19, 2025 · 4 min read
Breed Guides
The Best Grooming Services for Different Dog Breeds
What curly, double-coated, wire-haired, smooth, and toy breeds actually need from a groom, and how often.
May 5, 2025 · 5 min read
Grooming Tips
Preparing Your Dog for Their First Grooming Appointment
A few weeks of simple practice at home can make a dog's first professional groom calmer for everyone. Here's what to work on and what to tell your groomer.
Apr 21, 2025 · 5 min read
Pet Care
Signs Your Dog Needs a Professional Grooming Session
Lingering odor, mats, clicking nails, and hair in the eyes are all signs your dog is overdue for grooming. Here's what to look for and when to call a vet instead.
Apr 7, 2025 · 4 min read
Grooming Tips
How Often Should You Groom Your Dog? A Guide by Coat Type
A practical starting schedule for curly, long, double, short, and wire coats, plus the things that mean your dog needs grooming more or less often.
Mar 24, 2025 · 4 min read
Grooming Tips
Why Home Grooming Might Not Be Enough for Your Dog
What's worth doing at home, what tends to go wrong with DIY haircuts and baths, and when it makes sense to bring in a professional groomer.
Mar 10, 2025 · 4 min read
Pet Health
10 Benefits of Regular Grooming for Your Dog
Regular grooming does more than keep a dog looking tidy. It helps with shedding, skin, nails, comfort, and noticing problems early.
Feb 24, 2025 · 4 min read
Grooming Tips
How to Choose the Right Grooming Service for Your Dog
What to look for in a groomer, what to ask before booking, and when it's time to switch.
Feb 10, 2025 · 3 min read