Puptown Girls Dog Lounge & Spa Blog

When I decided that my next blog topic would be on grooming, I consulted with our groomer and co-owner Juanita on what seems to be the most difficult breed to groom or maintain. Juanita didn’t even have to think about it, she just answered with a very firm: “Doodles!”

It seems these days that the current breed du jour is the Doodle. It is our most booked breed for grooming and it isn’t hard to understand why people are opting for doodles over other breeds. Depending on what the mix of the Doodle is, it is most commonly comprised of a Retriever and a Poodle which would end up being a Goldendoodle or a Labradoodle. Each of these breed types brings something different to the table. Retrievers, both Labrador and Golden, are considered to be intelligent, people-pleasing dogs and Poodles are considered to be one of the most intelligent dog breeds. Generally speaking, the Doodle temperament blend is unique, and you’ll find the best traits of both Retrievers and Poodles. Ideally, the Doodle is a smart, easily trained dog with good social graces, and for many families, it can make for the ideal canine companion.

This all sounds too perfect doesn’t it? What we haven’t mentioned yet and what most people don’t know before purchasing a doodle is the amount of time, energy and money that will go into maintaining their coats. Doodles have three coat types: wavy, curly and straight. There’s no way of predicting what kind of coat your doodle will have. Most commonly a doodle will be wavy or curly and this is where the trouble starts… These coat types are quite demanding to maintain and require brushing daily to prevent matting.

If you are unfamiliar with matting, it is densely tangled clumps of fur in a pet's coat. If a coat is not properly and frequently brushed, loose hair becomes embedded in large masses. Sometimes “mats” can be combed out, but if left too long, it is impossible without seriously harming the animal. Although mats may seem like minor annoyances, they can actually become serious problems for dogs. If they aren't brushed out or removed, mats can tangle fur to the skin, causing sores. These sores can be hidden by the mats and become infected, spreading across the body. The best way to prevent matting and its complications is through regular grooming and daily brushing of your dog's coat. Sometimes if the mats are too large or close to the skin, then the only option is to shave the dog to relieve their pain.

When discussing with Juanita why doodles are so difficult to groom, she says it is because of matting issues. Doodle owners are completely unaware of how matted their pups are when they drop them off to be groomed. When the groomer gets started and finds they have dozens of mats to deal with and the dog is in pain it makes the grooming process nearly impossible. The groomer is then faced with the difficult call to the owner advising them that their doodle needs to be shaved, and no doodle owner wants a shaved doodle! They are meant to be fluffy! So before opting for this breed, be aware that doodles will require daily brushing- yes I said DAILY. They will also require regular professional grooming, preferably every 6 weeks.

So how can you current doodle owners step up your game and prevent matting?

Here are some tips from our groomer:

-          Brush your doodle DAILY using a slicker brush.

-          Remove any tangles with a detangling comb.

-          Use a detangling shampoo and a pet conditioning spray to prevent tangles.

-          Get professional grooming every 4-6 weeks.

-          Pay attention to areas that are susceptible to matting like armpits and legs.

-          Always remove collars or harnesses when not in use to avoid mats from forming.

-          Do not try and remove mats yourself- leave that to the professionals!

In conclusion, Doodles are a truly wonderful breed and if you can commit to the maintenance of their coat then they will be a great addition to any family.

This is a very strange time to be alive. There is a worldwide pandemic and we are being told to “social distance” ourselves from our family and friends. We are being instructed not to leave our homes unless absolutely necessary. Most of us are being told to work from our homes and our favorite restaurants, bars and even our beloved Starbucks are closed unless you want to order in for delivery.

For a society that is highly susceptible to mental health issues such as stress, depression and anxiety, a situation like the COVID-19 pandemic and mandatory social distancing can only escalate these issues especially when we sit at home alone or perhaps only with our spouses and children. Being cooped up can cause additional stress and fighting between spouses due to the constant close quarters and lack of separate time and those with children at home will find they get no breaks especially if you are also trying to work from home.

So how does my dog help this situation and not cause me even more work? Here are a few suggestions:

Cuddle, cuddle & more cuddles

This is a great time to rely on your dog for companionship and cuddles. A little touch increases dopamine and serotonin, both of which help relieve stress and stabilize your mood. Curl up on the couch and watch a movie while snuggling your pup, read a book in bed while your pup lies next to you. Your dog will love this time with you and you will find their energy soothing and reassuring during these complicated times.

Go for long walks

Walking outdoors is allowed during social distancing as long as you keep at least 6 feet away from other people. This will be beneficial to both you and your pup as you will both get fresh air and exercise which will improve mood and again increase serotonin and dopamine. One important thing to remember is to not pet another person’s dog while out on a walk. Even though dogs cannot carry or transmit COVID-19 the person that is petting them can still have the virus on their hands and by petting the dog and touching their fur, this can then leave it on the dog for their owner to pick up. 

Working on training

You finally have some spare time to spend training your dog. Maybe they already know their basic commands, and maybe they don’t. Regardless, the possibilities are endless! As we know, training a dog takes time, patience and repetition. So grab some treats and hop online to learn how to teach a dog some new tricks!

Cook homemade dog food & treats!

Now is this time to get your Martha Stewart on… Restaurants are closed so you can cook your heart out and if you don’t know how to cook- you can practice on your dog before you subject any humans to it! Many dog owners believe in making their own homemade dog food. This a great option especially for dogs that have food allergies as you can customize what goes into their food. There are many options and combinations to choose from but you should always include a protein, healthy carbohydrate, healthy fat and some veggies. Homemade treats are also an economical and healthier option for your pup. Ever look at some of the labels on treat bags and see a bunch of words you can’t pronounce? Those are definitely things we don’t want to feed our dogs… only wholesome and natural ingredients are the way to go!

Want to attempt making your own food during the self- isolation period? Here are a couple recipes for you to try:

Easy Crockpot Beef & Rice Stew

·         2.5 pounds ground beef ( if your dog has a beef allergy feel free to use turkey, chicken, lamb ect)

·         1.5 cups uncooked brown rice

·         1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

·         1.5 cups chopped butternut squash

·         1.5 cups diced carrots

·         ½ cup frozen peas

·         1 tablespoon of olive oil or coconut oil

·         4 cups of water

Combine all ingredients in a crockpot and cook on low heat for 5 hours. Makes 12- one cup servings.

Apple & Pumpkin Dog Treat Recipe

·         2.5 cups of gluten free flour

·         ½ cup of oats

·         1 cup of pure Pumpkin puree

·         1 apple, cored and grated

·         ½ cup carrots, peeled and grated

·         ½ cup peanut butter

·         1 egg, beaten

·         1/3 cup of coconut oil

·         ½ cup of water

·         Dash of sea salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Combine all ingredients together and once fully mixed use a TBSP measuring spoon to portion out each dog biscuit and press into the pan. Bake 32-37 minutes or until firm and golden brown. Store in an airtight container.

Please check out our Spring Newsletter by clicking on the three images below...

Falkor's Walks with Friends is written by Laara B.  In this series we visit dog friendly parks and trails to bring our recommendations to you! Come along with us to discover new places for you and your pup!

Here at Puptown Girls we are constantly snapping pics.  We always get questions like "How do you keep them still?" or "How on earth do you keep those hats on?" Well, here are 10 tips from our dedicated staff and owners on how to make your own photos puptacular!

Is raw food a good choice for my dog?

My dog was THE pickiest eater. Emphasis on the WAS. I would buy him a type of kibble, he would like it for a couple of days and then like clockwork on day three, I would fill his bowl, he would walk up, take a sniff and walk away. So, off I would go to the pet store to try my next brand only to start the same cycle over and over. I tried wet food, dry food and even freeze dried food with crunchy toppers. Then there was the small batch stuff from New Zealand that cost more than my food! He also enjoyed that for a couple days...and of course history repeated itself. Nothing worked. So then I decided to start cooking him food. That went well for a few days and then I was back to square one again.

 I wondered how everyone else had dogs that gobbled up their entire bowls of kibble in 30 seconds and I ended up with the one dog that probably needed truffle oil drizzled over sous vide liver in order for him to eat.

I started to research a raw food diet and the many benefits. At first I was hesitant because let’s face it- raw meat is disgusting and the thought of having to deal with it especially first thing in the morning made me not want to go that route. However at this point, I was willing to try anything. I started him out with a complete Chicken raw formula which contained fruit, veggies, organ meat, bones and more. It is everything your pup needs without all the processed ingredients that is in commercially sold kibble. Lo and behold… he gobbled it up in 30 seconds flat! I on the other hand did gag into my morning coffee a little bit, but after a couple of days was totally used to it and having my dog love the food that much outweighed any of the grossness. I am pleased to say he has never gotten sick of it, or sniffed it and walked away. He gobbles it and licks the bowl clean every single time.

So let’s talk benefits... well number one- the poops! They are so tiny and almost dry and chalky. Simply because, they are only consuming what they need to- no filler. So this means smaller poops for us to pick up!

Other advantages include better oral health, Shinier coat, Healthier skin, improved joint health, Natural flea repellence, Boosted immunity, Decreased allergic reactions, higher energy and weight control.

There are of course disadvantages as well. The cost of raw food will always be more than feeding your dog a kibble based diet. Owners also have to be careful while handling raw meat by ensuring they wash their hands after handling and clean all surfaces. If your dog kisses or licks you, be sure to wash the area immediately with antibacterial soap to avoid contamination. Transitioning your dog from kibble to raw should also be done slowly and the two should never be mixed in order to avoid stomach upset.  In my situation with a picky eater, the benefits outweighed the bad by a landslide.

Raw diets are not just for picky eaters. Even if your dog enjoys kibble, the advantages they may gain from a raw diet opposed to kibble can make it worth the switch. Research shows it can also help prevent diseases and lengthen lives.

Raw food comes in a variety of different forms such as freeze dried, frozen tubes, patties or bricks. For the convenience of serving, I personally prefer the frozen ¼ lb bricks. The size of your dog and the amount you need to feed them will play a role in the way you serve yours- cost wise.

 I highly recommend the brand Rocky Mountain Raw as it contains wholesome ingredients and doesn’t contain any chemicals, preservatives, fillers, sugar or salt. It comes in pre-portioned ¼ lb frozen bricks. Their “formula” contains a protein source of your choice such as Chicken, Beef or Turkey, organ meat, bones, eggs, vegetables, fruit, minerals & more.

We carry this brand at Puptown Girls Dog Lounge simply because after testing many other brands in our search for the best raw food, this is the one we prefer and stand behind.

Always consult with your vet if a raw diet is a good option for your pup.

Have you heard the term Kennel cough and never understood what it was? Here is what it is, how your dog can contract it and how to avoid it!

Have you ever found yourself wondering if doggie daycare is a good option for your pup? All of us dog owners seem to hate the idea of our furbabies sitting at home alone all day or locked in a crate for hours on end. It seems like a great solution to recommend doggy day care to the average dog owner. Many dogs lack stimulation, sufficient outlets for their energy, or opportunities to socialize with other dogs.