{"id":4220,"date":"2020-05-21T12:50:26","date_gmt":"2020-05-21T12:50:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.petz.co.uk\/?p=4220"},"modified":"2026-03-03T12:40:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T12:40:22","slug":"home-grooming-during-lockdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.petz.uk\/home-grooming-during-lockdown\/","title":{"rendered":"Grooming Under Lockdown: Eddie &#038; Betsy"},"content":{"rendered":"When it was announced that \u2018non-essential\u2019 businesses were to close around the UK due to the Coronavirus outbreak, owners who frequently rely on dog-grooming parlours were left wondering how on earth they were going to keep their pooches from looking a bit dog-eared.\r\n\r\nIt has been quite a challenge for some. There have been hundreds of photos and stories of disasters where things haven&#8217;t quite gone to plan, from dogs who are looking a bit balder than usual to quite lopsided hairdos.\r\n\r\n<strong>Some are now starting to open up safely following the ease in restrictions<\/strong> but with things not set to be completely back to normal until July at the earliest (and some people needing to stay inside even after this), it may be worth taking the plunge rather than waiting.\r\n\r\nSo we\u2019ve also talked to professional groomer Anna at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedoghouseleicester.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Dog House in Leicester<\/a>, to bring you some tips for what is <strong>hopefully going to be the last few weeks of lockdown<\/strong> &#8211; but will come in handy for months to come!\r\n\r\nPetz\u00a0has also turned to Instagram stars <strong>Eddie and Betsy<\/strong> at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/just.two.cavapoos\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@just.two.cavapoos<\/a> on Instagram to see how they have coped. After all, we don\u2019t want your dog ending up on a Coronavirus Dog Grooming Fails compilation&#8230;\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<h2>Grooming Tips To Help You At Home!<\/h2>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\nLuxury dog groomers The Dog House, who pride themselves on helping dogs who are a bit nervous about the situation at the best of times, have started to reopen up their services again.\r\n\r\nBut during the lockdown, they provided their customers with a handy guide on how best to care for dogs and their fur at home &#8211; and there is no better advice to follow than this!\r\n<h3>The right tools for the job<\/h3>\r\nYour home grooming tool kit doesn\u2019t need to be enormous \u2013 just a few of the right tools are key to ensuring success! For most dogs, especially curly-coated dogs, a <strong>flexible slicker brush<\/strong> (with wire pins) and <strong>comb<\/strong> are essential for getting through the coat from root to tip.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>You may want to add a <strong>detangling spray or conditioning spray<\/strong> to your toolkit to make getting knots out much easier and pain-free for your dog.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>A <strong>treat mat<\/strong> loaded with high-value rewards can be perfect for keeping your dog in one place. You might find that some dogs are more motivated by a <strong>squeaky toy or ball<\/strong> providing they don\u2019t find it so exciting that they\u2019re bouncing around.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>You might also want to keep your dog on a <strong>collar or harness and lead<\/strong> or get an extra person to help with the handling.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Have a grooming station set up<\/h3>\r\nHave a think about a good area you can use for your grooming station if you want to avoid the &#8216;grab &amp; go&#8217;. Think about how a salon is set up; you might want to use a <strong>table or worktop<\/strong>.\r\n\r\nIf you have a giant dog you will find a designated area is easier! Once you have your area you need to make sure it\u2019s slip-proof. Have a yoga mat or bath mat to pop on the surface. If your dog feels like they\u2019re going to slip they\u2019ll grip with their claws.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>You need to <strong>avoid brushing your dog on your knee or on the floor<\/strong>, this can be a little confusing as this is where they have all of their fun, games and food. Make it a clear grooming area and set them up for success.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Always remember your dog needs to be <strong>safe at all times<\/strong>. Make sure they\u2019re not near anything that they could hurt themselves on or knock-off and never leave them up on a surface unattended.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Technique<\/h3>\r\nThe best way to work is methodically. For example, if you\u2019re going to brush a leg, start at the foot, create a parting line and then brush everything that falls below that line and then move up to the next section and so on.\r\n\r\nKeep the handle of your brush working in the <strong>same direction of the coat<\/strong>, like an arrow. Comb through the section you\u2019ve brushed from root to tip. If you find any knots gently pull them apart with your fingers and brush them through.\r\n\r\nBe careful with your slicker and use the whole of the flat face against your dog\u2019s hair, avoid having it at an angle as this can cause uneven pressure and result in brush burn.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>You should always be able to see down to your dog\u2019s skin when you part their hair, if you can\u2019t it means that the coat is matted.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>You don\u2019t need to brush your dog from nose to tail every time, start small and work up to it.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>You should be brushing your dog through at home <strong>about 3 times a week<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Using your vocals<\/h3>\r\nIt\u2019s good to talk to your dog whilst you\u2019re brushing them. Find your inner baby voice and tell them that <strong>they\u2019re such a good boy or girl<\/strong>.\r\n\r\nIf you have a real wriggle-bum it might be worth turning the baby voice down a notch but still say \u2018nice\u2019, \u2018good\u2019 in a calm but reassuring tone to keep them on track.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Dogs can really pick up on our emotions and intonation in our voice. If you\u2019re having a bad day or getting a bit stressed, take a breather for a few minutes or come back to it another day.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Bathing your dog<\/h3>\r\nYou might find yourself needing to bath your dog in between grooms but there\u2019s a couple of things you need to remember. You should always use a <strong>good quality, natural and cruelty-free shampoo<\/strong>, dogs have a different skin PH to humans so don\u2019t use your own shampoo.\r\n\r\nNever get water down your dog\u2019s nose; the best way to avoid this is to keep their head level or tilted down slightly. Of course, once your dog is wet, then <strong>don\u2019t let them dry themselves naturally<\/strong>.\r\n\r\nYou\u2019ll need to pop them on your grooming station and brush them through as you dry them to make sure there are no knots.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>A curly dog that is left to rub themselves dry on the carpet or have a mad half hour will get knotty.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<h2>Clipped by Coronavirus: Keeping Pooches Insta-Ready<\/h2>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\nFor Eddie and Betsy, their owner Emma has had to turn to some home-grooming to keep them comfortable and ready for their time in front of the camera.\r\n\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4222\" src=\"https:\/\/www.petz.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/Eddie-Betsy-@just.two_.cavapoos-1024x953.webp\" alt=\"Eddie &amp; Betsy @just.two.cavapoos\" width=\"731\" height=\"681\" \/ fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.petz.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/Eddie-Betsy-@just.two_.cavapoos-1024x953.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.petz.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/Eddie-Betsy-@just.two_.cavapoos-300x279.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.petz.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/Eddie-Betsy-@just.two_.cavapoos-768x715.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.petz.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/Eddie-Betsy-@just.two_.cavapoos.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/>\r\n\r\nBoth one year old, the delightful duo need regular grooming and ideally a good brush every day. Betsy is the younger of the two by five months, with straight hair which is slightly easier to groom than Eddie\u2019s, which is very curly, thick and gets very knotty.\r\n\r\nLuckily for them, their owners were prepared for the groomers closing before it was even announced. \u201cWe actually bought a clipper set just before lockdown, as we thought we\u2019d give it a try as two dogs are quite pricey every couple of weeks at the groomers. Turned out they\u2019ve come in very handy,\u201d says Emma.\r\n\r\nAs most owners can probably relate despite their best efforts to recreate the professional setting, grooming Eddie and Betsy has been a bit of a \u2018grab &amp; go\u2019 situation as opposed to a regimented schedule. She says: \u201cI usually just target them when they\u2019re a bit sleepy albeit outside or on the sofa, wherever I can catch them.\r\n\r\nI\u2019ve just been doing bits here and there, for as long as they let me and then let them have a rest. But with the nice sunny weather we\u2019ve been having to do them a lot more so they\u2019re short.\u201d\r\n\r\nFor Emma, thankfully there are no horror stories for either party. \u201cTo be honest, I\u2019ve really enjoyed home grooming them and found it quite therapeutic, except for when they run away and hide!\u201d she adds.\r\n\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-4239\" src=\"https:\/\/www.petz.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/eddie-and-betsy6-768x1024.webp\" alt=\"eddie &amp; betsy @just.two.cavapoos\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.petz.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/eddie-and-betsy6-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.petz.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/eddie-and-betsy6-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.petz.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/eddie-and-betsy6-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.petz.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/eddie-and-betsy6.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\r\n\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-4224\" src=\"https:\/\/www.petz.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/Eddie-and-Betsy-After-Grooming-1024x928.webp\" alt=\"Eddie and Betsy After Grooming\" width=\"800\" height=\"725\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.petz.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/Eddie-and-Betsy-After-Grooming-1024x928.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.petz.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/Eddie-and-Betsy-After-Grooming-300x272.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.petz.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/Eddie-and-Betsy-After-Grooming-768x696.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.petz.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/Eddie-and-Betsy-After-Grooming.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\r\n\r\nThere has been no need for top-of-the-range equipment either, as they just bought a little set from Amazon, \u201cnothing posh or pricey,\u201d showing that you don\u2019t always need to spend top dollar to get the job done.\r\n\r\nWhile the salons have largely had to shut their doors, <strong>some mobile groomers have still been able to operate<\/strong> if they adhere to the distancing rules and don\u2019t come into your home.\r\n\r\nBut with the increase in demand versus the fewer available appointments, we recommend knowing how to ensure your dog remains comfortable with their growing fur.\r\n\r\nIt is vital to make sure their fur doesn\u2019t get too long &#8211; this can cause <strong>overheating, ear infections and very itchy skin<\/strong>.\r\n\r\nDo be aware that it isn\u2019t widely recommended to groom your doggy if you\u2019re not feeling too confident about it. They need to be <strong>calm and relaxed<\/strong>, and they need to know what it is you\u2019re about to do.\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You May Also Like<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.petz.uk\/dog-grooming-at-home\/\">How To Groom Your Dog At Home<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.petz.uk\/diet-control-tackling-dog-obesity\/\">Tackling Dog Obesity<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.petz.uk\/sugar-diabetes-mellitus-dogs\/\">Caring For Dogs With Sugar Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.petz.uk\/microchip-guide\/\">Microchipping Your Cat Or Dog: All You Need To Know<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When it was announced that \u2018non-essential\u2019 businesses were to close around the UK due to the Coronavirus outbreak, owners who 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