many political quarters is that dog grooming is purely a cosmetic service, and therefore "non-essential." So the debate revolves around the concept of a dog grooming being a "essential" service.  In the meantime, grooming professionals are having a difficult time understanding the point of being shut down, when they have such minimal contact with dog owners

No one in the grooming community wants to do anything that would endanger the health of themselves, employees or customers.  Most grooming business owners agree that a number of dog care services are vital to the health of these pets. In fact, a failure to groom dogs can cause pain and irreversible damage to the animal. These include nail trimming, pest prevention, fur care, and the expressing of anal glands.  Nails can grow out without regular care to where they are clacking on the sidewalk, causing a dog’s posture and can cause severe pain. Dog with overgrown nails can even lose traction, have difficulty walking or have their paws splayed by the excess growth. The longer the nails grow, the longer the "quick" portion of the interior of the nails grow.  This makes it easier to cut the quick and create a bad bleeding situation.  Each dog has its own nail growth rate -- which may not match other even those in its own breed.

A second set of eyes on a dog is also a great health benefit to pets.  A grooming professional can check for growths, lumps, hot spots, etc.  The can also see if a dog is suffering from a flea infestation or other pest issue.

Keeping fur trimmed is most important for long haired breeds (obviously).  Long hair can get matted or knotted in a painful and difficult way.  The matting can cause pain in dogs without owners realizing.  Dogs have a high tolerance for pain. They don't show us until the pain is so bad that the dog can't bear it.  Long hair for some breeds may interfere or prevent a dog from evacuating its bowels.  When owners and non-professionals try to cut out the tangle or that matted area, they often can't tell where the skin ends and the hair begins.  Many grooming professionals have seen the skin cuts done with kitchen shears.
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So, grooming services are more than the "cosmetic chore" portrayed by many of those in the public sector.  With mobile grooming specifically, groomers can service their clients in a way that is completely "no-contact." Customers don't have to come out to the mobile grooming unit. Mobile grooming professionals use all the latest health protocols and disinfecting methods.  Many professionals are using contactless payment methods as well.  Mobile groomers can do the whole grooming transaction without even seeing you!
Remember that all groomers really want is to keep pets happy and healthy, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.  While there is a real concern about  grooming professionals struggling to make a living, the groomers are also very concerned about the health and well being of the pets.

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services.  The feeling in many political quarters is that dog grooming is purely a cosmetic service, and therefore "non-essential." So the debate revolves around the concept of a dog grooming being a "essential" service.  In the meantime, grooming professionals are having a difficult time understanding the point of being shut down, when they have such minimal contact with dog owners.

 

No one in the grooming community wants to do anything that would endanger the health of themselves, employees or customers.  Most grooming business owners agree that a number of dog care services are vital to the health of these pets. In fact, a failure to groom dogs can cause pain and irreversible damage to the animal. These include nail trimming, pest prevention, fur care, and the expressing of anal glands.

Nails can grow out without regular care to where they are clacking on the sidewalk, causing a dog’s posture and can cause severe pain. Dog with overgrown nails can even lose traction, have difficulty walking or have their paws splayed by the excess growth. The longer the nails grow, the longer the "quick" portion of the interior of the nails grow.  This makes it easier to cut the quick and create a bad bleeding situation.  Each dog has its own nail growth rate -- which may not match other even those in its own breed.

A second set of eyes on a dog is also a great health benefit to pets.  A grooming professional can check for growths, lumps, hot spots, etc.  The can also see if a dog is suffering from a flea infestation or other pest issue.

Keeping fur trimmed is most important for long haired breeds (obviously).  Long hair can get matted or knotted in a painful and difficult way.  The matting can cause pain in dogs without owners realizing.  Dogs have a high tolerance for pain. They don't show us until the pain is so bad that the dog can't bear it.  Long hair for some breeds may interfere or prevent a dog from evacuating its bowels.  When owners and non-professionals try to cut out the tangle or that matted area, they often can't tell where the skin ends and the hair begins.  Many grooming professionals have seen the skin cuts done with kitchen shears.

Under normal circumstances, the anal gland sacs are emptied when dogs have a bowel movement. Without regular expressing of a dog's anal gland, the ducts of which are found on both sides of a dog’s anus, can develop an inflammation, a clog, or impaction.

So, grooming services are more than the "cosmetic chore" portrayed by many of those in the public sector.  With mobile grooming specifically, groomers can service their clients in a way that is completely "no-contact." Customers don't have to come out to the mobile grooming unit. Mobile grooming professionals use all the latest health protocols and disinfecting methods.  Many professionals are using contactless payment methods as well.  Mobile groomers can do the whole grooming transaction without even seeing you!
Remember that all groomers really want is to keep pets happy and healthy, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.  While there is a real concern about  grooming professionals struggling to make a living, the groomers are also very concerned about the health and well being of the pets.

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Even self sufficient dogs are going to need to have someone looking after them (including feeding and general care) during the time when you are away. The only other option is to bring the dog with you on your trip. Traveling with a pet can be easy and enjoyable if you’re driving up to your cabin in the woods or beach house. But how about when your travel plans require more of a long- haul trip? 

The challenge on long-distance trip with your dog, is ensuring that the trip is enjoyable, and trouble-free, for both dog and human. If you can master making the trip enjoyable, the next challenge is to make to trip fun for your dog.

TRY TO KEEP YOUR DOG ACTIVE
Most dogs will want and need to get some sort of exercise on the trip. Exercise is important for both you dog and yourself. Hyper dogs bouncing around a moving car can be dangerous. Mine likes to push buttons (literally and figuratively) and to try to sit with daddy as he is driving. If driving long distance, you will have to plan some stop-offs, complete with a short walk, during the trip. As with young children, bringing toys and treats on the trip can help with boredom and provide some activity. Even for humans, we like or need a chance to stretch our legs when driving long-distance.

ALLOW SPACE FOR YOUR DOG TO STRETCH OUT
Driving is often a cause of nervousness for a canine. They will frequently seek some comfort from their people while on the drive. Some dogs can be counted on to cuddle up to someone in the car. Whether snuggling or resting, a dog will want to have some space and environment to lie down, relax and even sleep to pass the time. Some drivers consider it worthwhile to take two cars to accommodate all the people, luggage, and pets. 

PLAN AHEAD AND FIND PET-FRIENDLY ATTRACTIONS, RESTAURANTS, AND ACCOMMODATIONS
Generally, the trip can be as exciting as the destination itself. When doing your research and planning, it is important to consider locations that will be pet-friendly. That can mean different things to different travelers, but generally means hitting our national parks or choosing an AirBnB home rental that explicitly allows dogs. With good advance research you can plan to enjoy your journey and avoid being forced to leave your dog in kennels for the duration of the trip. You can also look for places to make compromises  so at least some of your group can visit non-pet-friendly destinations with at least one traveler left to mind the dog.

Traveling with your canine buddy can be a fun time for all involved, as long as you make the itinerary adjustments and decisions ahead of time. If you take the opportunity to research where you’re going, and keep in mind who is coming along on the trip, having the dog along should only enhance the good times.

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