grooming

HydroDog Teska’s competitive advantage

April 13, 2018 by Anthony Amos

The HydroDog Teska franchise is the first HydroDog franchise of its kind in the United States and we’re eager to begin serving pups in the Southwick, Westfield, West Springfield, Russell, Montgomery, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, and Agawam areas in Massachusetts. We have a competitive advantage of superior grooming, convenience, and social awareness that sets us leagues apart. Let us explain.

When you choose HydroDog Teska, your dog will benefit from the superior grooming that is a direct result of our extensive training by Academy out of Lexington, Kentucky. We send each and every Franchise owner to an extensive five-week long HydroDog Master Grooming training where they clock over 200 hours of training associated with dog bathing, grooming, and pet care. The value of this experience is irreplaceable when it comes to the health and well-being of your dog.

You’ll see the immediate benefit of convenience when Jody Maple’s Big Blue Dog named Teska comes right to you. We offer our complete pet grooming services in this unique, self-contained unit right at your home. We know you lead a busy life and at the same time like to save on stress for your pup.

HydroDog is socially conscious and demonstrates this with our direct involvement with the Bathe To Save movement on a local level. As a local owner and operator, Jody works with local shelters several times a month to host dog bathing events where 100 percent of the proceeds go to the shelter to benefit dogs in need. Jody also washes shelter dogs to make them more approachable and more adoptable and sees great results!

It’s easy to conclude that choosing Jody and HydroDog Teska for your dog’s grooming needs is a no-brainer! Our services and our beliefs just make sense. Call 413-327-7400 for dog grooming services that come to you in Southwick, Westfield, West Springfield, Russell, Montgomery, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, and Agawam areas in Massachusetts.

Advantages of mobile grooming

April 12, 2018 by Anthony Amos

No separation anxiety or cages

Some pets experience separation anxiety when you leave them at the groomer. A groomer can often keep your pet away from home for several hours for the appointment. This means your dog is alone in a cage while waiting and that can put stress on them.

By the end of a standard appointment, they’ll really be missing you; all the more reason to schedule a visit from HydroDog! We’ll pull up in your drive and you bring your dog right out to us. You don’t have to leave their side and that will make them know they’re at home with HydroDog.

No physical stress and no tranquilizers necessary

When stressed out, dogs can exhibit odd or disruptive behaviors. This can include excessive panting, tucked tail, bristled coat, darting, running, and more. These stress symptoms can be so serious that you may have opted for tranquilizers during your last standard grooming appointment.

When you’re at home though, your dog will be much more calm and happy. They will likely wag their way right into our hydrobath with you at their side.

No exposure to other animals

Does your dog get all riled up when they are around other animals? Do they try to smell them, chase them, or even attack them? This can be a serious liability issue for you and the groomer.

Ditch the waiting room drama for a visit from HydroDog. We pull up to your door and you can walk your dog right inside our mobile grooming unit with no animal distractions.

No car sickness, keep your car clean

There is nothing worse than a sick dog in the car. You do not need to deal with throw up. For that matter, you shouldn’t have to deal with a dirty dog in your clean car either. Save yourself the mess and just call HydroDog!

A bonding experience

We individually bond with your dog and build trust that will be there for many grooming appointments to come. Your dog will love the personalized attention and expert care provided by our groomers. We get to know them by name and quirks. We even bring treats if it’s ok with you, the owner.

Hiring a professional

Mobile pet grooming services provide a convenient and easy way to get your pet groomed. Trust your dog’s grooming needs to HydroDog’s expert groomers. The convenience and affordability of our services will be the perfect solution for you and your pup!

Battling fleas and ticks

March 30, 2018 by Anthony Amos

Have you noticed your dog scratching or licking itself more frequently, especially in the armpits or around the groin? Fleas and ticks could be the cause.

As temperatures outside rise during the spring, fleas and ticks become more active. They burrow through a dog’s fur down to the skin, where they hide while biting and feeding off a dog’s blood. The bites can cause severe itching and inflammation. If you notice your dog scratching, licking or chewing on certain body parts — the areas that are warmest on a dog’s body are typically the most fertile areas for fleas — you need to check for a flea infestation. Hair loss from excessive scratching can be a sign of flea infestation as well.

To check for fleas or ticks, you need to brush through the fur and inspect the skincoat. Fleas are easier to spot because they tend to jump around. Ticks are more difficult to see because they latch onto the skin and dig in more fervently. Look for signs of redness and bumpy skin. Check your dog’s ears for redness, blood or dirt. Take a flea comb, which is specially made with a close set of teeth, and brush through the fur on your dog’s back and legs. You have to get the comb close to the skin to pull fleas and ticks from the areas they have been hiding.

To combat fleas and ticks, you should keep your dog on a year-round prevention schedule. Chewable tablets contain medicine that travels through the bloodstream and gets to the skin, killing most fleas. Most chewable tablets are given monthly throughout the year. Topical flea solutions also get into the skin. These are administered monthly with drops placed on the dog’s back between the shoulder blades. Flea collars can last for several months and are coated with a chemical meant to repel fleas.

Shampooing and grooming your dog regularly is a big factor in deterring fleas and ticks as well. HydroDog can wash your dog with a special shampoo treatment that rids them of the fleas ticks and helps to prevent them from coming back if their coat stays clean. We also suggest follow-up visits to ensure your dog is itch-free and happy!

How frequently should you groom your dog?

March 23, 2018 by Anthony Amos

Adding a furry friend to your family can create a lot of increased responsibility to your everyday schedule, along with a lot more love and companionship. Some of your additional responsibilities when adopting a dog is regular walks to keep your dog happy and healthy, vet visits, and making sure your dog is groomed as frequently as their breed requires. Grooming your dog is an imperative task to make sure your dog’s skin and fur are healthy and clean.

Every dog breed is different, they all require different grooming techniques and different grooming schedules. If you rescued your dog, you might not know exactly what breed your dog is, but the shelter you get them from, or your local vet should be able to tell you how quickly their fur will grow for any haircut needs. HydroDog professionally trained groomers are knowledgeable about the grooming techniques varied breeds require.

Keeping your dog clean and bathed not only helps you because you won’t be around a stinky dog, but your dog will thank you because, just like humans, when you look good, you feel good. Choosing a mobile dog grooming company may be the best choice for you if you have a senior dog, have a busy lifestyle, or just want the most convenient way to get your dogs groomed.

The time of year makes a significant impact on how often you should groom your dog. For example, in the spring and summer time you should bathe your dog more frequently. This is because your dog will be spending a lot more time outside and will pick up irritating allergens in their fur that could be tracked around your house. Outside playtime is the best, but it also comes with more frequent baths to ensure your dog is clean and ready for the next outdoor adventure.

If you are questionable about how frequently your dog should be groomed, you can call your local HydroDog Mobile Dog Groomer, talk to your vet, or even contact your local shelter for their opinion. HydroDog Mobile Dog Grooming can get your dog looking their best with a breed specific haircut, dog wash, and attentive care from our dog-enthusiast groomers.

HydroDog Teska’s training sets them apart

March 16, 2018 by Anthony Amos

Your beloved pet is in good hands with the HydroDog Teska franchise. We understand that your pet is a real live animal and that our bathing and grooming skills directly impact the quality of their lives.

Becoming a professional groomer is an exciting decision as a HydroDog franchise owner. It was important to Jody Maple, HydroDog franchise owner out of West Springfield, Massachusetts, to start with proper and credible training in the industry. He recognized that there was a lot to learn and it was incredibly important to take part in a training program attentive to safety, sanitation, and health of the animals.

As a part of the HydroDog preparation, Jody completed an intensive five-week master grooming program at the prestigious Academy in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Academy Bathing and Grooming Certificate Program included classes titled “Understanding Man’s Best Friend,” “Form and Function of Man’s Best Friend,” “Taking Care of Man’s Best Friend,” “First Aid & CPR for Man’s Best Friend,” “Salon for Man’s Best Friend,” “Grooming For Man’s Best Friend,” and “Styling Man’s Best Friend.”

Upon completion of the Certificate Program, Jody was able to bathe and groom pets encountered in a mobile pet grooming unit in a compassionate, safe, and gentle manner. He learned the history of the dog, temperament, and behavior while taking in the basic training methods used to train dogs. He also learned the anatomy of the dog, nutrition, disease and vaccinations, medical conditions, internal and external parasites, and first aid including CPR. Jody was able to identify the different American Kennel Club breeds, recognize the characteristics of each breed, and the country of origin and original task for which they were bred following this training.

Jody also learned about basic salon design, salon organization, proper salon procedures, salon operations, and client relations. Technical procedures learned included:

Nail trimming
Ear cleaning
Teeth brushing
Expressing anal glands
Dematting
Bathing
Drying
Combing
Brushing
Carding
Hand Stripping

Last but not least, Jody learned safe and gentle handling of the pet during all technical procedures. Salon organization and sanitation are a top priority as well as mobile pet grooming unit procedures.

Tired of fighting Fido at bath time? Bring your furry companion to HydroDog for a gentle and caring grooming session so they look, smell, and feel their best! To make a dog grooming appointment in the West Springfield area, call HydroDog Teska at 413-327-7400.

Ins and outs of spring grooming

March 16, 2018 by Anthony Amos

Spring grooming is great for any dog. Over the winter months, many dogs grow a heavier coat to protect them during the colder temperatures and less than desirable weather. That means that when the weather changes, dog hair will be everywhere as your dog begins to shed this extra layer. Thick coats can become matted as that hair loosens and tangles into the remaining layer. Undercoat can become almost felted together if it’s not brushed out as the shedding begins.

The first step in the spring grooming routine should be brushing. Brushing is good for dogs with short, medium, or long hair … undercoat or not. It might require several brushing sessions to get the process started on the right foot. Plus, you don’t want to upset your dog or bore them with a very, very long brushing session, so split it up a bit. Pick a brush that is gentle on the skin. If you can drag it across your own hand comfortably it should work just fine. The type of brush needed will vary on the breed of dog and the type of coat, so see your professional dog grooming partners at HydroDog for suggestions on the appropriate brush, slicker brush, rakes, or combs.

Bath time should follow the diligent brushing. During the shampoo, we look for lumps, cuts, scratches, ticks, or other issues hidden by the heavy winter coat. We take the time to massage the dog and feel their skin, looking for tangles or troubles. After the shampoo, a conditioner is used to counter wintry dryness. When we’re done, we wrapped your dog up in towels to be sure they are warm as they dry and then some dogs are comfortable with the blow dryer. We set that temperature to warm.

Consider spring grooming a time to take a closer look at your dog. We look at their ears and eyes to be sure they are clean and not causing any comfort issues. A dog’s eyes should be bright and not red or irritated or cloudy. We also take a look at their nails and ensure that they are trimmed to the appropriate and safe length.

As winter turns to spring, wet weather can bring with it mud and muck. The grass hasn’t quite come back yet and your dog may take to the muddy yard creating a big mess. That’s when you can call HydroDog to come to your doorstep and save your sanity! We can keep that mud out of your home. Click here to find a HydroDog franchise near you.

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