Grooming Home Remedies
© Chris Chamberlin
There is something to be said for home remedies and quick fixes. And your dog can take advantage of these too. As a home-groomer, you may not have all the commercial preparations that grooming shops would have available to them. Even if you were to purchase the necessary supplies, these quick fixes are for the occasions when you don't have such access.
Something is stuck in his coat!
Your beautiful longhaired cockapoo just had his bath. The first time outdoors, he returns with his hair a sticky mess full of pitch from rubbing too close to the trees in the backyard. Don't fret. You won't have to cut his gorgeous hair. Just like bubblegum in a child's hair, peanut butter works just as well on all kinds of sticky things from outdoors.
Well now you say that you have the pitch out, but what about the peanut butter. Oily substances such as peanut butter can be removed from a coat without bathing him all over again. Assuming you do not have spray-in dry shampoo just sitting on the shelf, go to your kitchen cupboard and pull out the cornstarch. Sprinkle a generous amount over the oily area. Don't worry if the dog has black hair all the white powder will be removed. Rub this spot lightly and brush out any excess powder. The cornstarch will absorb a lot of the oil. Using a damp paper towel, wipe off any remaining powder.
Granted, peanut butter does not have an unpleasant odor, but he could have rubbed up against or rolled in something with a horrible scent. Cornstarch will not remove strong stinkinesses. Baby powder has a pleasant scent and deodorizes as well. For really strong odors, mix a little baking soda into the baby powder, and let sit for a few minutes. You may find you have to dampen the hair to remove the excess powder.
The fact is that the baby powder is just the vehicle and the elbow grease that when applied to a brush has the power to remove grime without bathing.
And oh yes, tomato juice does work for skunk spraying accidents.
His nail is bleeding and it won't stop!
Trimming your dog's nails at home can be difficult. It is safest not to cut to the nail any further past than flush to the bottom of his foot. Accidents can happen, and when they do there's no need to rush of to the vet's. Run to the bathroom, dry off any excess bleeding with some toilet paper and grab a bar of soap that is fairly soft. With firm pressure on his toe, scrape his nail through the soft bar of soap. This should push the quick back and plug the nail, stopping the bleeding.
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