Getting Your Dog Groom-Ready for the Holidays

Every year, sometime in mid-November, the same thought hits a lot of dog owners at once: family is coming, there will be photos, and the dog looks like a mop. Your dog is part of the family, so of course you want them looking and feeling their best when everyone's together. A little planning now makes that easy.

Book earlier than you think

Late November and December are the busiest weeks of the year for groomers. Everyone wants their dog fresh for Thanksgiving, then again for the December holidays and New Year's. The appointments in the week or two before each holiday go first, and the good times on weekends go faster still.

If you're reading this in early November, now is a great time to book. If you already have a regular schedule with your groomer, look at where your next appointments fall and ask whether one can land closer to the holidays. Shifting a regular appointment by a week or so is often easier than finding a brand new slot in December.

If you know you'll want grooms before both Thanksgiving and the December holidays, book both at once.

Timing the groom

A few days before guests arrive is the sweet spot. The coat has had a day or two to settle after a cut, any small unevenness has relaxed, and your dog still looks and smells freshly groomed. Grooming the morning people arrive leaves no room for a delay, and grooming two weeks ahead means the fresh look has worn off.

Think about your dog's energy too. Grooming can be tiring, especially for seniors and nervous dogs. Giving them a quiet day or two afterward, before the house fills up, lets them rest before a busy stretch.

If you're traveling with your dog, aim for a groom a few days before you leave, so there's time for things to settle and for you to notice anything that seems off.

Trying something new? The holidays aren't the best time to try a dramatic new cut or a first-ever color. If you're curious about a different style, try it on an earlier appointment so you know how it looks and how your dog does with it.

Keeping them tidy in between

Holiday weeks get hectic, and a few minutes of care every couple of days keeps your dog looking good right up to the gathering.

• Brush a few times a week. Focus on the spots that tangle first: behind the ears, under the collar or harness, the armpits, and the backs of the legs. Rain and sweaters both make mats more likely, and our rainy season usually starts around November.
• Wipe paws after walks. Muddy feet and a freshly groomed dog don't mix. Keep a towel by the door and give paws a quick wipe and dry, especially between the toes.
• Keep the face clean. A damp cloth around the eyes and mouth handles tear stains and crumbs.
• Check nails. If you hear clicking on the floor, they're due. Short nails are also kinder to guests' legs and your nice tablecloth.
• Skip the extra bath if you can. Bathing too often right before a groom can dry out the skin. A spot clean with a damp cloth usually does the job.

A calm spot during gatherings

This is the part I'd most like owners to think about. A house full of new people, noise, cooking smells, and open doors is a lot for many dogs, even friendly, social ones. Giving your dog a quiet place to go makes the day better for everyone, and especially for them.

Set it up ahead of time. A bedroom, a crate they already love, or a gated corner away from the front door works well. Add their bed, water, a favorite toy, and something to chew or lick. Let them spend some time there in the days before, so it feels familiar rather than like a punishment.

Let them choose. Many dogs will say hello, soak up some attention, and then take themselves off for a nap if they know where to go. Ask guests, especially kids, to let a dog who has gone to their spot stay there undisturbed.

Watch the door. Guests coming and going is when dogs slip out. If your dog is a door-dasher, keep them in their spot or on a leash during arrivals. Check that their collar and tags are on and their microchip details are current.

Mind the food. Holiday tables are full of things dogs shouldn't have, including chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, cooked bones, and anything sweetened with xylitol. Fatty scraps like turkey skin and gravy can also make dogs sick. Ask guests not to share from their plates. If your dog eats something worrying, call your vet or an emergency clinic right away rather than waiting to see what happens.

Keep their routine. Walks, meals, and bedtime at the usual times help a dog feel steady even when everything else in the house is different.

Getting on the calendar

If you'd like to get your dog on the calendar before the holiday rush, get in touch here. I groom in Pinole, one dog at a time.