Prepping YOUR PET FOR Pampering

BY NIKKI M. MURRY

There are all kinds of avenues for treating your pet to something special nowadays. Perhaps you shower your dog with his or her favorite toys or treats. Or maybe you want to gift them with a trip to the groomer for a spa day or to your local doggie daycare for some playtime while you’re hard at work. If you’re considering one of the latter two, keep these tips in mind for a more positive experience…

BRING A COPY OF THEIR MEDICAL HISTORY.

A good daycare facility will want to know if your pup is up-todate on his or her vaccines, if he or she has been neutered or spayed, if you are using flea and tick prevention and whether or not they’ve had their Bordetella vaccine to help in preventing the spread of Kennel Cough, which is highly contagious.

ASK ABOUT CERTIFICATIONS.

Does the person supervising your pet know important procedures like basic pet first aid and CPR? At least one person at a doggy daycare should be certified in both.

CHECK FOR CLEANLINESS.

Before you book a day at the groomer or for playtime at a daycare facility, do a pop-in or plan a time to meet the people in charge and to check out the facilities. With many animals sharing the same space, you’ll want to be sure strict cleaning procedures are put in place.

MAKE SURE THEY MEET YOUR DOG.

A great groomer or doggie daycare should request a meet and greet with your dog before he or she spends an extended period of time with them and before you invest in their services. They should look to learn about your pooch’s temperament – likes and dislikes – and tailor your pet’s experience accordingly. On your end, be upfront about your dog’s great AND not-sogreat characteristics. It’s in everyone’s best interest.

KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.

Don’t assume you know all about the services provided. If you have questions, ask them upfront. At a doggy daycare, for example, you might inquire what a typical day is like, what downtime opportunities are available, if snacks are fed and the like. You might also ask about amenities and extras, like if they have a camera system you can tune into, or if a groomer does special baths with allergyfriendly shampoos and so on.

BEGIN

PREPARING AT HOME.

Especially for pup’s first trip to the groomer, you can work on things to get him or her ready. Most likely, they’ll be groomed on an elevated surface, so practice that by placing your puppy on a table (while attended, of course). You can also get them used to being handled by touching all parts of their body, including their toes, nails, and their face. Getting them familiar with brushing is also a great idea.

START YOUNG.

If you have a puppy, exposing him or her to experiences like meeting people and other dogs on walks, or even via a puppy socialization class, is essential to kicking things off on the right foot. If you start early, problems can be worked through, and it will likely be easy going as your dog ages and moves into new experiences.