Keeping your pup healthy and happy at home.
Brush your dog regularly between grooming appointments to prevent matting and keep their coat healthy. Short-haired dogs need brushing once a week. Long-haired or double-coated dogs may need daily brushing. Always brush in the direction of hair growth and use the right brush for your dog's coat type.
Tip: If you find a mat, never try to cut it out with scissors — you can accidentally cut your dog's skin. Bring them in and we'll handle it safely.
Check your dog's ears weekly. Healthy ears should look clean and light pink inside with no odor. If you notice dark discharge, a bad smell, or your dog shaking their head a lot, those are signs of an ear infection — see your vet.
Tip: Never insert anything deep into the ear canal. We offer ear cleaning and plucking as an add-on service to keep ears healthy.
Long nails can cause discomfort and posture problems for your dog. If you hear clicking on hard floors, it's time for a trim. Most dogs need nails done every 4–6 weeks.
Tip: We offer nail trims and nail grinding as quick add-ons — no full bath required!
Between professional grooms, you can give your dog a bath at home every 4–6 weeks depending on their lifestyle. Use a dog-safe shampoo — human shampoo can irritate their skin. Make sure to rinse thoroughly to avoid residue that can cause itching.
Tip: Always dry your dog fully after a bath, especially in the ears, to prevent moisture buildup and infections.
Dental disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. Brushing your dog's teeth a few times a week (or daily) with a dog-safe toothpaste can make a huge difference. Dental chews and toys also help.
Tip: We offer teeth brushing and our full Clean Mouth treatment (brush + tongue clean + breath spray) as add-ons to any service.
Every dog is different, but here's a general guide:
Regular grooming keeps your dog comfortable and makes each appointment easier for them.
If you notice any of these, don't wait — book an appointment today.
We require all dogs to be current on their Rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccines before their appointment. This protects your dog and every other pet we see.
Tip: Vaccines should be administered at least 24 hours before the appointment. Bring a copy of records to your first visit.
The right tools · The right order · One happy, tangle-free pup
De-matting is an inherently uncomfortable process for your pet, and in cases of severe or widespread matting it can cause genuine distress. We encourage pet parents to attempt light at-home maintenance only — if you encounter resistance, pain responses, or matting that is dense and close to the skin, please stop and reach out to a licensed grooming professional. Forcing through tight mats risks skin trauma and can significantly harm your pet's trust and well-being.
Start at the surface of the coat and work with gentle, deliberate strokes. The goal at this stage is not to remove the mat entirely — it's to subdivide it into smaller, more approachable sections. Think of it as loosening, not solving. Work from the tips of the fur inward toward the skin, never the reverse.
💡 For long-coated or curly breeds (Doodles, Poodles, Shih Tzus, etc.), opt for a long-pronged slicker brush — the extended pins reach through the outer coat and engage the mat without the short pins catching and pulling at the surface.Once the slicker brush has loosened a section, bring in the dematting comb to break the mat apart at its core. Insert the comb at the outer edge of the mat and work inward with short, controlled strokes — allowing the serrated blades to do the work rather than applying force.
⚠️ Safety note: Always position the bumped (serrated) side facing away from your pet's skin and away from your own hand. The working edge is sharp by design — respect it.With the mat now broken into sections, the grooming rake sweeps through and removes the loosened debris — detached undercoat, separated tangle fragments, and shed fur that's been holding the mat together. This step dramatically lightens the coat and reveals whether any dense pockets remain that need another pass with the dematting comb.
Finish each section with a professional-grade metal comb, working first with the wide-toothed side to catch any remaining resistance, then following with the fine-toothed side for a smooth, thorough finish. If the fine side snags at any point, that area needs another cycle — return to the slicker brush and work through the steps again.
✅ A clean pass from root to tip on the fine side = that section is done. Trust the comb — it will tell you when the work is finished!Complete each area fully before moving to the next:
If your pup is vocalizing, trembling, or showing any signs of pain — please set the tools down. There is no hair style worth your dog's distress, and there's no judgment here — this is exactly what we're here for. At Pawlished Pups & Mutts, we handle severe matting cases with patience and expertise every single day. We'll be upfront with you about what's possible, what's best for your pet's coat health, and what we recommend — because we believe an informed pet parent is the best kind of partner a groomer can have. 💛