Just like us, animals feel the cold. As the mercury drops, find out how you can get your pet ready for freezing temperatures with the winter survival guide from Blue Cross…
Dogs wear fur coats year-round, most pet dogs aren’t used to the extreme cold so could develop hypothermia or frostbite if left outside unattended. Breeds that don’t have much fur, such as greyhounds and Chihuahuas, do feel the cold. Investing in a cosy canine jumper or coat will help them to cope with low temperatures.

Ice, snow and cold road surfaces can make paws poorly. If your pet starts lifting up their paws, whining or stopping on walks it could be that their feet are cold. Boots will help keep paws safe.
Trim the hair around your dog’s feet to help prevent ice balls – these form between the pads and toes and are really painful
Give your dog’s paws a wash after walking on salted pavements as salt and grit can irritate their footpads.  
If your dog doesn’t get as much exercise during the winter months don’t forget to cut back a bit on what you feed them.
 

 Keep your dog’s grooming pattern the same.

If you normally get your dog groomed every 6 weeks, keep this the same throughout autumn and winter. It is not advisable to leave your dog’s hair to grow longer as you think this will mean they will be warmer. Walks become wetter and there are a lot more puddles to play in! The shorter the hair the easier it is to dry off and not be left to be wet and cold or to matt up from all the dirty water and debris! Your best bet is to buy a nice waterproof jacket to use on walks, and brush/comb your dog daily to avoid knots forming.

Protect their Paws

With the colder months your dog’s pads can crack and become irritated, so make sure to keep them in tip top condition. Products such as a ‘paw balm’ is great to help with this. Also try not to walk your dog in areas there is salt down (for ice/snow) as this can increase irritation and sores. Keep a towel handy by the door and make sure to wipe your dog’s paws after every walk. Also be mindful of snowballs in-between the pads, for this you should soak your dog’s paws in warm water to melt the snow and ice away.

Don’t forget Fleas/Ticks
The colder months doesn’t mean fleas and ticks are no more. In fact fleas can live on for months in the environment so continue to treat your pets and your home to ensure you don’t have an infestation. Ticks also love the damp season of autumn and the longer grass can help transfer the little things into your dog’s coat. So remember to check thoroughly after walks for anything untoward. Regularly brushing will help you see to the skin easier and will also help to keep knots at bay as well as checking or parasites/lumps or bumps.
Time for a de-shed

Many pet owners think their dogs have 2 seasons that they shed in (Autumn and Spring). Unfortunately dogs shed all year round however due to the amount of daylight, shedding can increase/decrease. So it’s all to do with when the clocks change! A lot of dogs can look super in winter with a nice full and thick coat, however they still need a good de-shed so that the dead coat doesn’t get packed into the new growth of coat and cause uncomfortable matting. Keep your dog’s coat well combed through and avoid the amount of hoovering with a professional de-shedding treatment.

Book your Holiday appointment in advance!
Don’t forget as much as you would like to think your dog is the most important in the world, your dog groomer has hundreds of other clients on their books that think the same for their dog! Your dog groomer wants to pamper all the dogs ready for Santa Paws and will no doubt be working extra hours to fit everyone in.
Your groomer loves your dog but remember that they also deserve some time off during the holiday period so remember that once the appointments are booked they are booked! If you want your doggie all nice for family and friends, and the holidays, book well in advance!

Written by Louise Hamilton of 1066 Dog Grooming

Mats…the dreaded word a groomer uses to describe an area of coat that is so badly knotted and tangled it cannot be brushed out without causing your dog pain and discomfort. A matted coat often needs to be clipped off short and this can be a difficult process for your dog, as well as a shock for some owners to see!
However, regular and thorough brushing and combing of your pooches coat, no matter it’s length, can prevent mats from ever forming! Poodle and Bichon coat types are especially prone to matting if they are not kept regularly groomed.
I am always more than happy to give advice on coat care and the best equipment to use for individual coat types. So just ask 
In the meantime have a read of the article below which gives a few reasons why mats are so bad for your pooches health and wellbeing…

http://www.chetekvetclinic.com/matting.html
Here is a great article that gives practical tips for brushing poodle coats. This applies to any none shedding coat. It’s worth a read ?

http://www.shortbarkandsidesdoggrooming.net/cockapoo-grooming.html

I know it may seem a little early – but – the firework season is just around the corner. If this is going to be your pets first experience, or if you know they run for cover when a sparkler is lit – it is a good idea to start preparing them now. 
The use of sound CD’s for desensitisation is a great pro-active move to help your dog learn to relax. You can buy these on-line or even download whizzes and bangs from the internet.  
Start with the sound at a level that your dog can cope with, so they are aware but still paying attention to you and whilst the sounds are playing, teach your dog to do a simple down stay and reward the dog whilst they are in position.   

Gradually increase the volume of the noises so that your dog is still focusing on you. If they are focusing on you and not the noises then helping them stay calm will be so much easier. Don’t rush turning up the volume, move at the pace that your dog sets.
Create a ‘safe area’ – If your dog usually sleeps happily in a crate you should use this as their den, all you need to do is cover the crate with a blanket – but, don’t shut the door. 

If you haven’t got a crate, you could use a large cardboard box, turn it on its side for easy access in and out. 

Do they already have a hideaway? Some dogs will run behind a sofa, or under a table – if this is the case, on the day make it comfy for them – drape a blanket over the table and give them lots of blankets for them to dig into
Here are a few simple tips from Jo Crosby-Deakin ACFBA (S049) (MT)GoDT MIACE PAACT 112 from K9 Solutions to help them cope when the racket starts:-

 • Make sure your dog has been exercised and fed before the bangs start.

 • Keep your pets inside and keep the curtains or blinds closed so you can block out the flashes as much as possible.

 • Have the TV or radio on to mask some of the noise.

 • Don’t anticipate your fear. If you are cooing over them and waiting for them to be scared then you will only make matters worse. This doesn’t mean that you can’t talk to them or touch them, just be calm and at ease about it.

 • Play with your dog or do some little bits of training to keep their mind off of the noises.

 • Do not punish your dog for their fear, they can’t help it, but you should also avoid praising your dog for it as well. Remember our dogs do not understand what we are saying to them and will see any type of reassurance from us as reinforcement for their fear.

 • There are some herbal medications and products that you can get for your dog to help them cope. Dorwest Herbs Scullcap and Valarian or Valarian compound are my first choice when it comes to nerves and fear but if your dogs reaction is extreme then speak to your vet about something stronger.
http://bit.ly/1GpI6tz

A mystery substance linked to a spate of dog poisonings two years ago is thought to have returned to Cornwall’s beaches.Dog owners have been warned the white waxy material could pose a danger to their pets if large amounts are eaten.

Seasonal Advice – Keep your dogs away from Acorns (from the Oak Tree) & Conkers (from the Horse Chestnut Tree) 

Conkers: Signs of poisoning usually appear within one to six hours. Clinical signs are drooling, excessive drinking, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, difficulty breathing.

Seek immediate veterinary advice should you have any worries.

Acorns: Acorns are highly toxic for pets and can easily be eaten. They are most dangerous before they ripen, when they are still green. Signs include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and lethargy.

Seek immediate veterinary advice should you have any worries. 
  

Do you love pooches? Would you like to do something that is rewarding and fun? Do you love helping others? Do you have some spare time on your hands?

If you answered yes to any or all of the above why not consider volunteering to be part of the Cinnamon Trust? 

This time last year the Paws of Par salon was undergoing the final finishing touches prior to opening. Walls were being painted, shelves stocked and floors cleaned in preparation to pamper the very first pooch on 26th August 2014!

I remember feeling anxious and excited all at the same time. I couldn’t wait to finally open my doors and get started but wondered if I would be able to find any pooches to pamper!!! Well thankfully I need not have worried.

Wednesday 26th August marks 1 year since the salon doors first opened. It’s been a busy year, but it has also been a FANTASTIC year! I have met and pampered so many wonderful pooches, many of whom have gone on to become regular visitors. I have introduced several puppies to the groomjng world through the PUPPY PACKAGE, trimmed hundreds of nails, taught aspiring groomers how to fulfil their dreams and even won a grooming award!!! However, without the support of my family, friends, students at the college and all of you, I could never have achieved all I have.

So I would like to take the opportunity to use this weeks blog to say THANK YOU to you all. Thank you for choosing Paws of Par; thank you for giving me the opportunity to pamper your best friends; thank you for recommending me and my salon far and wide. From the bottom of my heart thank you to each and everyone of you for making this the best year by far. You are all amazing and I love every single pooch that’s passed through my doors. Also, to those who have sadly crossed over to Rainbow Bridge – George, Bullet, Amber and Blue – I will never forget you and I’m very thankful that I met you.

Here’s to another great year