grooming

Five ways to help shelter dogs right now

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You may have heard that helping shelter dogs is a passion of both HydroDog and Bathe To Save. If you share in this passion and can’t adopt them all, we just want to let you know that there are things you can do to help these dogs live better lives and strengthen their chance of adoption.

Donate money.

Shelters need money to run and more often than not, they are solely funded by donations. Every little bit counts. A simple donation of $15 could fund a flea treatment or $150 could fund a spay or neuter surgery. Funds are necessary for food and medical care and daily operations would cease if the money stopped coming in.

Donate supplies.

Shelters need more than dog food, treats, and toys to continue providing their services. The facilities need things like laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, office supplies, crates, blankets, and much more. If you have items like these lying around your house, or have the money to pick some up, they will be just as appreciated as a monetary donation.

Help with training.

If you can’t adopt, but still want to spend time with dogs at the shelter, offer to help with training needs. Often shelters will train you to help in these cases. Giving dogs the basic skills such as sit, stay, and roll over can really help with adoptability. The dogs will develop better behavior and people looking to adopt will certainly see that the dog has a good foundation for a successful adoption.

Help with grooming.

Shelter dogs need to be washed, too. They often come in off the streets looking dingy and matted and grooming can take time. Shelters are always looking for volunteers to help with grooming to ensure the pet is ready to be adopted. Dogs need to be brushed for a couple hours every week, too, so there is always a way to help.

Donate your services.

If you are a lawyer, a metal worker, a graphic designer, or another type of professional, consider donating your services to the shelter. Speak with the shelter organizers or the board of directors about your talents. Shelter organizations often need legal help, welding, artistic design services, and more from members of the community.  Think about your unique skill set and how it might be of use.

Unfortunately, as individuals, we cannot personally adopt every shelter dog. There are other ways we can lend a hand. Above all, it is important to communicate with a shelter organization near you to see what their actual needs are and see how you can help. Best wishes to you and your big heart!

5 reasons dog grooming is important

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HydroDog knows that grooming your dog is essential for their health, but do you know why? Regular dog grooming has numerous benefits and isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity. Choosing to adopt a dog and make them a part of your family comes with a lot of responsibility, regular grooming being one of them.

  1. Your dog will look better

Making sure our furry friends have an appearance that is clean and well groomed is good for everyone. Just like us, animals feel better when they get look good. Knowing when your dog needs to be groomed next can be as easy as just paying attention to them every day. Ensuring that your dog’s fur is regularly brushed can also help in their next grooming visit. Take time every day to watch out for their health, how they look and making sure they’re loved.

  1. Shedding

Some dogs shed more than others, but HydroDog offers a deshedding service to help get rid of colder season’s coats. Taking time every day to brush your dog can also help them be more adjusted for a stranger grooming them.

  1. Socialization

It’s not uncommon for dogs to not see many other people besides their owners and immediate family. Having your dog groomed can not only introduce them to other people, but also other dogs getting groomed at the same time.

  1. Preventative Medical Care

Grooming your dog allows you to get a full look at their body and you can potentially find a medical issue early on. An abnormality could be anything from a sore to lumps under their skin.

  1. Overall health

If your dog’s fur has any knots in them, the feeling can be similar to keeping in a ponytail for too long. We love our dogs and want to make sure they’re as comfortable in their skin and fur as possible. Regular grooming lets your groomer know your dog and will also allow them to find any abnormalities, whether that’s from injuries, ticks, or lumps.

HydroDog wants to make sure your furry friends are taken care of year-round; we can come right to your front door and give your dog the grooming session they need to stay healthy and happy. If it’s time for your dog’s next grooming, call your local HydroDog, and we’ll come to you!

Grooming tips for new owners

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Let us be one of the first to congratulate you on your new dog! Whether your new dog is a puppy or an older pup, you’re going to need to invest in grooming and groomers to keep them looking their best. That’s where HydroDog Teska comes in handy! We can help you with your dog bath, dog haircuts, dog trimming, and flea and tick treatment … and we come right to your door.

The best love you can show your pet is daily brushing. A daily brushing is perfect for keeping hair tangle-free, clearing the coat of dirt and debris, and controlling shedding. De-shedding tools and brushes work wonders for your pet and your home. In as little as 3-5 minutes a day, you’ll cut back on time spent sweeping and vacuuming your home.

Your next step should be scheduling regular baths for your pup. One bath a month is a good starting point. If they get into something messy, you might need to schedule an emergency bath. HydroDog Teska is available to travel to your home and bathe your dog right in your front yard. It’s convenient for you, the owner, and it is sure to set your dog at ease. You don’t have to travel with your dog and there are no distractions like other dogs or people around. We perform the task quickly and with consideration for your dog’s needs and personality. We’re careful around sensitive areas like eyes and ears, but we give them a vigorous scrub to make sure your dog is squeaky-clean by the end of the 30-minute appointment!

Don’t get overwhelmed with your new pet and its care routine. Let HydroDog Teska take away the guesswork. Our mobile grooming services are available in the Southwick, Westfield, West Springfield, Russell, Montgomery, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, and Agawam areas of Massachusetts.

Where to check your dog for ticks

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Spring is here and that means so are ticks. Ticks can be a nuisance to your pets, but occasionally they can cause bigger issues and that’s why you need to be diligent in checking for them.

Adult ticks lay eggs that fall to the ground and soon hatch into a larva or seed tick. They latch onto smaller rodents and grow into a nymph before it finally becoming an adult tick on the lookout for larger prey. They upgrade to larger animals like your dog by clinging to tall grass and waiting for them to pass by. Once the tick bites, they can hang onto the dog for over two days while they become engorged with blood.

Get yourself some latex gloves and arm yourself with tweezers or a tick remover tool. You want to avoid contact with ticks because they can transmit disease to human victims, too.

Ticks are very small and before they become engorged, they can be really difficult to find in your dog’s fur. For that reason, we recommend that you check their common hiding places regularly. Ticks are going to look for the warmest places to latch on, so start by looking inside your dog’s ears and near the eyes. Next, take a look under the collar which is a clever hiding place. Look deep between your dog’s toe pads and then finally check your dog’s private areas.

Use your removal tool to grasp the tick by the head, as close to the dog’s skin as possible without pinching. Pull the tick straight away from the skin with a firm tug. Try to avoid squeezing the tick and leaking fluids back onto your dog. Follow up any removal with antiseptic wipes or isopropyl alcohol.

The last thing you should do is monitor your dog for tick-borne illness. Look for symptoms of fever, loss of appetite, joint pain, or reluctance to move. If your dog develops any of these symptoms, they need an immediate visit to the vet’s office.

HydroDog is prepared to help you screen for ticks. During your dog’s bath, we massage the skin and look closely in all these possibly affected areas and others for ticks. If you’re at all shy of handling ticks, see us for a mobile grooming appointment where we’ll come to your home and take care of the issue. We’ll also step in with preventative actions by using flea and tick repellent products. Click here to see more about our services.

HydroDog Teska is ready to bathe dogs

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Spring is here and HydroDog Teska is ready to bathe your dogs! Our mobile grooming services are in the Southwick, Westfield, West Springfield, Russell, Montgomery, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, and Agawam areas in Massachusetts. If it’s time for spring grooming at your home we can help.

Over the winter most dogs grow a heavier coat for cold-weather protection. Now that the weather is changing and growing warmer they will begin to shed and possibly become matted and tangled. If you don’t brush it out promptly, an undercoat can become almost felted together in quite a mess.

HydroDog Teska’s mobile grooming unit will travel to your home in Southwick, Westfield, West Springfield, Russell, Montgomery, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, or Agawam and make the task go smoothly. We start with a good brushing to remove shedding hair. Then we’ll move on to bathing. Your dog will love the hydrobath in our climate controlled mobile grooming station. The water is gentle and we really get in there to ensure a complete clean. We massage for tangles or troubles and use a conditioner to counter any leftover winter dryness.

It’s important to take the time during spring grooming to assess the overall health of your dog. We look at ears and eyes to make sure they’re clean and not causing uncomfortable situations. We’ll also look closely at your dog’s nails to ensure they’re properly trimmed.

We’re so glad winter has turned to spring and allowed us to really get to work for our clients! If your pup is ready for us, call HydroDog Teska’s owner Jody Maple at 413-327-7400 to schedule your appointment. We’ll pull up in our big blue dog and show your dog the kindness and compassion you’ll come to expect. See you soon!

Taking extra precaution while grooming your dog

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With the recent news about dogs not being treated with the utmost care while getting groomed, everyone at HydroDog is trying to flip the script and show you the extra precaution we take to ensure your dog’s happiness and well-being. Keep reading to find out only 3 of the steps we take with every dog to return them happier than when they came.

We Ask Questions

Getting to know your dog is one of our biggest priorities. You know them best, so getting a headstart on their temperament is going to allow us to give them the care they need. Our groomers are knowledgeable on the different behaviors of dog breeds and are trained to pick up on anything to help make the dog’s experience more enjoyable. Every dog is different, they all have their personalities, we appreciate learning from their owner about any potential grooming specialty needs before starting.

Less Stimulus

Our groomers give your dog 100% of their attention. Getting groomed is a noisy process, we make sure to comfort your furry friends and always follow any specific requests you have for our grooming process. Our groomers went into this industry because they love dogs and want to help them look their best, while also joining in the cause of donating to local animal shelters through our Bathe to Save program.

High-Quality Tools

Using sharp blades and scissors that can quickly and efficiently groom your dog is vital. Using hair cutting tools around the eyes, mouth, and other sensitive areas take extra precaution, our groomers are highly trained and certified.

All of our HydroDog reps dedicate themselves to the well-being of all dogs while raising awareness on the benefits of adoption. If you have a concern about getting your dog groomed call your local HydroDog and we will treat your dog as if they were our own.

 

 

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