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Australia might be a nation of dog lovers, but not all of us are looking after our pets properly.
With surveys showing that many canines aren’t being brushed and clipped enough, master groomer and TV regular Emily Myatt is warning that we need to up our game to keep our furry friends safe and healthy.
The award-winning dog expert and qualified veterinary nurse, who owns the Pet Stylist Academy, Australia’s most prestigious grooming school, is a judge for Wahl's Next Pet Model, a search for Australia’s cutest and most stylish pooch, launching this week.
But there’s nothing cute about a dirty, smelly mutt with matted, tangled fur!
“We all look after our own hair and skin, and we need to do the same for our dogs,” she declares.
“I see hundreds of them a year in my salons and even experienced owners can get things very wrong.”
Emily’s list of the 10 most common grooming mistakes:
1. Brush hour’s too short
“When it’s hot and dry outside, dogs get very dusty, but many owners don’t notice because it’s not as obvious as when they’ve been rolling in the dirt,” Emily warns. “If they’re not thoroughly brushed on a regular basis, their skin could get itchy and irritated. And if they have a heavy coat, brushing will help thin it out and keep them cool.”
2. Snip slip
“Different dog breeds have wildly varied coats, from smooth and silky to long and wavy and curly and wiry,” she says.
2. Snip slip
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| Groodle being groomed using Wahl Lithium Pro Deluxe Dog Clipper |
“Some have very short hair while others have thick, bushy double coats so it’s essential you get high-quality clippers or trimmers that are right for your animal or you could damage their skin and mess up their coat.”
If you’re not sure which grooming tools to use, there’s a free guide here.
3. Eye-sore
Breeds like Poodles, Groodles, Shih Tzus and Spoodles grow lots of hair around their eyes. If left uncut, it not only obstructs their eyesight but can cause a build-up of gunk in their eyes.
“Plenty of dogs are brought to my salons with way too much hair in their eyes,” Emily says. “You have to be very careful when trimming with grooming scissors it so it’s a good idea to do it after a long walk when they’re tired and get a friend to hold them steady.”
4. Smell you later!
If you’re not sure which grooming tools to use, there’s a free guide here.
3. Eye-sore
Breeds like Poodles, Groodles, Shih Tzus and Spoodles grow lots of hair around their eyes. If left uncut, it not only obstructs their eyesight but can cause a build-up of gunk in their eyes.
“Plenty of dogs are brought to my salons with way too much hair in their eyes,” Emily says. “You have to be very careful when trimming with grooming scissors it so it’s a good idea to do it after a long walk when they’re tired and get a friend to hold them steady.”
4. Smell you later!
“Heaps of people think dogs only need washing when they get stinky, but that’s nonsense,” Emily says.
“Some breeds need a soak in the tub every week while others can get away with once a month. If they’ve been in the sea, they’ll need a good wash afterwards as salt water causes itching.”
5. In a lather with shampoo
“Fragrances and soaps in human shampoos can strip out the natural oils in fur and irritate the skin, but too many still use it,” she says. “You must use a dog shampoo, which is more gentle and will safely clean their coat. Look for ones that contain natural ingredients, and use a puppy shampoo on very young dogs.”
6. Ruff rinse
“It takes more time than most people think to wash out shampoo, especially from breeds with thick coats,” Emily says. “If any soap is left behind, it can attract dirt and result in matted fur so always take time and give them a really good rinse.”
7. Painful canines
Studies show that four out of every five dogs over the age of three have a dental disease, mainly because owners don’t look in their mouths often enough.
But, unlike humans, it isn’t the teeth that can be the biggest problem.
“If we don’t brush our own teeth every day, they’ll decay, but that’s actually rare in dogs,” Emily says. “The most common issue is periodontal disease, which is inflammation of the gums. It can be very painful so you need to keep their teeth and gums as clean as possible so bacteria doesn’t build up.
6. Ruff rinse
“It takes more time than most people think to wash out shampoo, especially from breeds with thick coats,” Emily says. “If any soap is left behind, it can attract dirt and result in matted fur so always take time and give them a really good rinse.”
7. Painful canines
Studies show that four out of every five dogs over the age of three have a dental disease, mainly because owners don’t look in their mouths often enough.
But, unlike humans, it isn’t the teeth that can be the biggest problem.
“If we don’t brush our own teeth every day, they’ll decay, but that’s actually rare in dogs,” Emily says. “The most common issue is periodontal disease, which is inflammation of the gums. It can be very painful so you need to keep their teeth and gums as clean as possible so bacteria doesn’t build up.
There are excellent dog toothpastes and dental chews that will keep plaque and tartar at bay.”
8. Ear-responsible
8. Ear-responsible
Ear infections are one of the most common reasons dogs are taken to vets. And breeds with large floppy ears such as Spaniels, Afghans and Beagles, and those with hairy ear canals
like Poodles and Bichon Frisé are at greater risk.
“It’s important to wipe away muck and debris from the opening to the ear, but don’t try to clean too far inside or you can cause damage,” Emily advises. “If in doubt, consult a professional groomer or vet.”
9. Shear madness
“So many owners are convinced they have to drastically shave long-haired coats in summer or else the dogs will get too hot, but that’s not always the case,” Emily says.
“I see a lot of over-shaved pets! Coats can actually protect them from the sun so get advice before you shear it off.”10. Claw enforcement
“If a dog’s paw pads are hairy, it’ll be slip-sliding everywhere and injuring itself,” Emily warns. “And as they sweat through their feet, if they’re too bushy there’s a good chance they’ll overheat too.”
And while you’re tending to their paws, check their claws aren’t getting too long.
“If the dog gets most of its exercise on grass or sand, then its nails might not get worn down enough. Clip them regularly with a special dog nail clipper, but only take very small amounts off each time so you avoid cutting into its quick, which is the pink, fleshy part of the claw.
If your dog is an Insta-cutey, enter it into this year's Wahl's Next Pet Model and you could win a share of prizes worth $13,000, including a professional photoshoot and become the face of Wahl Australia for a year.
Simply post a photo of your dog on Instagram, follow @wahlaustralia and #wahlpetmodel24.
About the Author
Emily Myatt has judged grooming competitions across Europe, Asia, the UK and Europe, and owns Animal Magic professional pet grooming salons on the Gold Coast.
She’s a Wahl master groomer and runs the Pet Stylist Academy on The Gold Coast, the country’s most prestigious grooming school.
A fully qualified veterinary nurse, she’s appeared on numerous TV shows and is an honorary professor of pet grooming at universities in South Korea and Taiwan.
Learn more about the Pet Stylist Academy at https://www.petstylistacademy.com.au
You can follow @thepetstylistacademy on Instagram.
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