We are thrilled to welcome Michele Feris to the Sonny’s Spaw family. She starts April 1st and Sharon and I are verrry happy to have another groomer on board. Meet Michele: “I am from Everett, WA. I have a fiance and a sweet Blue pitty named Louis (pronounced lou-ee). I have been grooming dogs going on two years, I was a bather for several years before that. I was asked to come bathe for a friend’s shop and I fell in love with the environment and working with dogs all day. Becoming a groomer was the promotion I worked hard for, learning as much as I could to achieve my goal. […]
Continue readingUse your Manners!
This might sting a little. A dog’s nose can smell a Q-tip from across the room. You don’t have to force yourself on any dog, it’s actually rude. They are not obligated to be friends with every human or dog they meet. This is good information. The sniff test – Stop doing this! The sniff test is a badly engrained habit that society has been taught, without a clear understanding of what they’re actually doing. When you reach out towards a dog, you are using body pressure at them, giving them no time to assess whether you are safe and whether they require further investigation to pick up your information. […]
Continue readingWhy You Should Leave A Dog’s Anal Sacs Alone
by Carol Bryant Want a client for life? Start expressing their dog’s anal sacs. That’s the exact piece of advice a veterinary technician shared with me while having my first Cocker Spaniel’s anal glands expressed during a routine visit. There is definitely a time and a place for anal sacs to be expressed and have all that fishy-smelling material removed from a dog’s scent glands. The problem is there are: Too many people expressing a dog’s anal glands too often Too many unqualified people manipulating a dog’s anal glands Too many dogs experiencing too much discomfort and undue trauma from improper and sometimes needless emptying of anal glands It’s a […]
Continue readingWhy Your Dog Is Like A Mirror
From my new dog training friend, I love this. Nine times out of ten, if I’m having a behavioral issue with one of my dogs, it’s most likely because of something I have or haven’t done. I remember when Stella was about 7 months old, I considered re-homing her. I feared the salon life wasn’t enough for her. Her behavior was out of control. She ate my car. Had a hard time settling down. I got called out by an old boss, she asked how much time I had actually put into her training. It was hard to hear, but it snapped me out of whatever land I was in. […]
Continue readingHumanity Before Vanity
Sometimes I have to make a judgment call for your pets and their grooming. Sometimes it is in conflict with the information your vets give you. I see most of my clients every 4-6 weeks. I know every square inch of their bodies. I know every like, dislike. I see things on my grooming table you or the vet will never see. When I am determining the best course of action for your pets grooming I always consider, if it were one of my dogs, would I do the grooming? Quite often that means you, as the pet parent, don’t get what you want. While I want you to be […]
Continue readingWelcome Jessica
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Sonny’s Spaw’s newest employee. Jessica comes from a long line of crazy dog ladies, okay me, I’m the crazy dog lady! She is my daughter and has decided to learn the in and outs of grooming while she goes to college for her desired career. Please be patient while she picks up on how things work around here.
Continue reading50 Ways Dogs Communicate With You
Have you ever been around your dog and wondered what she is thinking or feeling? Surely you have caught your canine doing something bizarre that has made you question his mental status. Even the position that your dog sleeps in means something. Well, wonder no more! Inno Asuncion from Animal Channel explains 50 of the most common dog behaviors in human terms. Enjoy!
Continue readingWe have a Winner
The winner of our 2020 holiday raffle is Sadie Mae Kremkau, mom Karen. Thank you to Karen and to our fabulous community for all of your generous donations.
Continue readingHappy Anniversary Sharon
Hey guys, take a minute of your day to help me say Happy Anniversary to Sharon and Shimmy. I waited for about a year for their arrival to our community and she was worth the wait. Sharon brings a calm to the salon that cannot be taught. She has the patience of a saint and truly loves what she does. I am so blessed to work side-by-side with her. Happy ‘two years’ Sharon, we love you!! Here’s to another year of full books and doggy kisses, kitty hisses and growth. Thank you for all you do for our pet community, but mostly for helping to keep me grounded when it’s […]
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