During the current lockdown we're only offering grooming services where it is in the interest of the dog's welfare.
WHAT HAS CHANGED?
Based on new government guidance in January 2021, Love My Hound have introduced a number of rules, checks and balances to make sure your dog's welfare does not suffer while we all play our part in helping to reduce the spread of the covid-19 virus.
It is imperative we all make less journeys and limit our contact with each other. Our highly trained and experienced staff will assess the time between grooms and the condition of your dog's coat and skin before we offer you an appointment. This way we can help maintain your dog’s welfare and at the same time do our part by limiting the journeys you make through lockdown.
DO YOU NEED A WELFARE GROOM ?
Long Haired Breeds
The matting of your dogs coat is both dangerous and uncomfortable. As matting intensifies, the risk of injury from cuts and even hematoma during a groom increases. It is therefore vital that regular professional grooming of your dogs coat is carried out. This includes the deep cleaning of your dog’s coat which is essential for the prevention of skin conditions and removes faeces from the sanitary area, followed by a professional brush through and clipping of the coat to reduces the risk of matting. If your dog shows any signs of matting that you are unable to brush out, seek the advice of a professional dog groomer.
Short Haired Breeds
Bathing and deep cleaning of your dog’s coat helps prevent and sooth skin conditions. The build-up of bacteria on your dog’s skin can lead to infection and sores, it is vital that a routine of bathing is introduced in order to improve your dog’s comfort and welfare. If you are unsure as to the time scales of when and how often this should be carried out, please call for advice.
Puppy Grooming
Like children, puppy's behaviours are learned through good or bad experiences. It is therefore critical for a dog's psychological welfare that they learn to enjoy positive experiences of the groomers at an early age. A puppy should be introduced to grooming 3 times before the age of six months in order to prepare them for years of routine visits to a professional groomer. Long haired breeds in particular will need their first full hair cut around the age of six months as this is when the full adult coat is forming, matting is almost certain at this point if left unattended. Please call our experienced staff for advice on Puppy Grooms through lockdown.
Nail Clipping
Long nails on a dog can become dangerous. Longer nails not only cause discomfort when walking but are prone to breaking, this can lead to injury or infection. If left unattended dogs nails may also curl round into the dogs pads, this is particularly common in smaller breeds. Regular nail clipping is an essential part of your dog’s welfare. During the current virus peak, we will only be able to carry out nail clips with our wash or grooming services.
WE HAVE STRICT COVID POLICIES
Our grooming is by appointment only and we ask that dogs are dropped off by one person. We practice a safe, contactless handover with social distancing measures in place. We will ask you to take your leads, collars and harnesses home with you to minimise the risk of contamination. All of our clients are washed first before all services are carried out to limit the risk to our staff. At the end of your dog’s groom we will call in advance to give you an accurate pick up time so that we can manage the flow of customers in the salon.
Where possible, why not make your dogs pick up or drop off part of your daily dog walk.