Nails, Ears and Paws: The Small Jobs That Matter

When people picture a groom, they picture the haircut. The finished dog with a fresh trim and a neat face is the part that gets photographed. But the small jobs are what keep a dog comfortable between visits, and they are the ones owners tend to put off because they are fiddly or because the dog objects.

Dog Gone Clean Mobile Pet Salon lists each of these jobs on its services page. Some are part of the standard package and some are flat-rate add-ons. Here is what each one involves, and what you can do at home between visits.

Nails: clipping and grinding

Nail trimming is part of the standard grooming package. Grinding is offered as an add-on at $17.00. Clippers cut the nail; a rotary grinder files it down gradually and leaves a smoother edge. Some dogs tolerate one better than the other, and some owners prefer the rounded finish a grinder gives.

Long nails are easy to spot. They click on the kitchen floor, snag on carpet and can change the way a dog stands. If you hear that clicking in your hallway in Woodbridge, the nails are due. Ask the groomer about grinding when you book, since the extra is a flat $17.00 and does not depend on how long the appointment runs.

Ear cleaning

Ear cleaning is included in the standard package. A groomer cleans the visible part of the ear and checks that the area looks tidy. Dogs with floppy ears or a lot of hair around them tend to need more attention because air does not circulate as well.

At home, a quick look once a week is plenty. You are looking for anything unusual: a bad smell, a lot of dark buildup, redness, or your dog shaking its head or pawing at an ear. Those are questions for your vet, not something to scrub away. A groomer cleans; a vet diagnoses.

Canine teeth brushing

Teeth brushing is on the Dog Gone Clean service list. A brush at a grooming visit is a nice touch and gets a dog used to having its mouth handled. It does not replace brushing at home or checkups with your vet. If you want it as part of your appointment, ask when you call and confirm any cost, since the price list does not give one for this service.

Anal glands, expressed as needed

This is the job nobody likes to discuss, and it is also one that matters to the dog. Gland expression is offered as needed at $10.00. Some dogs never need it, and some need it regularly. A dog that scoots along the carpet, licks at the area or has a sharp odor near the tail may be trying to tell you something.

Mention it when you book so the groomer can include it. If your dog scoots repeatedly, or seems sore, have your vet look at it instead of relying on repeated expressions. The groomer handles the routine job as part of a visit, and a vet handles anything that looks like a problem.

Paw trimming and foot pad cleaning

Paws are listed twice on the services page: dog paw trimming and dog foot pad cleaning. Paws are trimmed in the standard package when required. The hair between the pads gathers burrs, mud and ice melt, and long hair there can make a dog slip on tile and hardwood floors.

A tidy paw is also easier to keep clean. After a walk in Milford or Orange, wiping the feet with a damp towel removes most of what the dog picked up. Get in the habit of checking between the toes. Small stones, burrs and bits of grass hide there, and your dog may not be able to tell you.

• Nails: clip or grind every few weeks, depending on how fast they grow and how much walking happens on pavement.
• Ears: look weekly, and call your vet about odor, redness or head shaking.
• Paws: wipe after walks and check between the toes.
• Glands: mention scooting or licking to your groomer or vet.
• Teeth: brush at home on a schedule your vet recommends.

Making the small jobs easier

Most dogs object to these jobs because they involve a part of the body that is being held or touched in an unusual way. The fix is practice. Touch the paws while your dog is relaxed. Lift an ear and let go. Offer a treat after each one. Within a couple of weeks, the groomer's job gets easier, and so does yours.

Dog Gone Clean says its groomers are dog owners themselves, and the van comes to your door by appointment, Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. Call 203-804-6248 to add nail grinding, gland expression or any of the jobs above to your next groom, and ask for the price on anything that is not on the list. A short list of questions before the visit saves a long conversation at the door.