Advanced K9 Knowledge Academy LLC

Let's welcome Arnold to the program. His mom signed him up for a 6 week course. We are going to work on some slight aggressive behaviors and his obedience. He is a very spunky and sweet boy that is just eager to please his new mom. He's got quite the personality.
Thank you to the Lancaster Animal Control and the Lancaster SPCA of South Carolina for helping find him the perfect home.

Zoey and I would like to wish everyone old and new clients a Merry Christmas. Please stay safe out there!

This trainer was in class with me when I went to school at National K9 Learning Center. This is just some friendly information about grooming a double coated dog. It's worth the read.
, , , , , , , , , , .

With summer in full force, I want to put out some information regarding grooming and your double coated dogs. I’ve gotten many requests to shave them or cut them down fairly far and I think it is important to understand why groomers will either deny that request or talk owners out of it.

Double coated breeds include:
Husky, Chow Chow, Pomeranians, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Newfoundland, Great Pyrenees, Corgi, Border Collies, Collies, And German Shepherd.

After being shaved, there is only a 50% chance your dogs double coat will recover over a significant amount of time

Myth: Shaving a double coated dog keeps them cooler

Truth: Shaving them destroys the natural airflow circulation created between the space between the undercoat and the guard coat

Instead: Get a de-shedding treatment! This helps get a lot of the downey undercoat; cooling and flattening the coat. A slight trim to shape up the coat ( mane, tail, feet, feathering) along with a deshed will lighten the coat and help manage the amount of fur while keeping the coat healthy

More reasons to not shave your double coated dog:

1. It can lead to a kind of alopecia (patchy hair loss), which may lead to permanent bald spots or a change in hair texture.

2. They still shed! Only the hairs are tiny now

3. Your dog is now at risk of sunburn.

4. It destroys the coat’s natural ability to regulate dogs body temperature.

5. Your dogs double coat is more likely to mat as it regrows.

The only reason to shave a double coated dog is if the coat is pelted. This is severe matting that is close to the skin that cannot be brushed out (this is painful to the dog) and is restricting airflow to the skin. Pelted fur leads to yeast infections, hematomas, f***l matting, urine burns, fleas, and irritated skin.