Shih Tzu dangers at the grooming salon -Complete Guide

Written By: Ethan Anderson

Team My Angel Shih Tzu

Shih Tzus are adorable Chinese breeds with long hair, cute faces, and prominent eyes. These cuddling puppies are masterpieces of nature. Pet owners who are busy in their daily lives find it very difficult to groom these dogs daily, so they prefer dog grooming salons like mine. But before you take your dog to the grooming salon, you should definitely know about Shih Tzu Dangers at the Grooming Salon.

Grooming salons are not always a safe option, as the 2023 incident in Florida in which a dog lost control during nail trimming and lost his life brought tears to my eyes. So, of course, we must take specific tips and precautions whenever we take our beloved toy breed dog inside the grooming salon.

During grooming, be with him at every step and everywhere. If he shows more discomfort or there are more scratches on his body after cleaning, then he does not prefer such a salon. Stay with me throughout the article to learn more about how you can choose a good shih tzu grooming salon.

Alarming Information:

  • The heartbreaking dog grooming salon incident occurred in 2015 with a Golden Retriever dog named Colby, who died of heat stroke.
  • Then, the second most significant incident occurred in 2017 when a shih tzu mix, Daisy dog, died after falling from a choke collar table at a grooming salon located in Rhode Island.
  • Another heartbreaking incident happened in 2017 with an eight-year-old dog whose reason for death is still unknown.

Why Choose a Shih Tzu dog grooming salon instead of grooming at home?

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If you have adopted a Shih Tzu for the first time, it may not be easy to groom it at home because you do not know the exact technique or tool. In this situation, dog grooming salons are definitely the best option. They have specialist expert groomers who know your dog’s coat type, fur breed, and grooming tips. Moreover, they save you time. 

  • Moreover, a grooming salon is a better option for dogs who are afraid of socialization, as it increases their socialization activity.
  •  Professional groomers are always recruited in the grooming center. They take special care of your dog and groom it to avoid accidents, while all these things are not possible at home.
  • Also, the equipment and tools used in the grooming center are too expensive to buy for your dog at home.

Grooming salons are the best option, but the condition is that they are authentic and that professional people work there.

What are Common Dangers to Shih Tzu at the salon?

Shih Tzus have susceptible skin that can be easily affected by any microorganism at tools and heat treatments at the salon, causing dog skin burns. Also, a loved canine would have other dangers if you chose a local grooming center. Let’s have a look!

Physical injuries:

The biggest problem is the physical injuries dogs face inside the salon because sharp-pointed scissor clippers and cutters will likely cause cuts and scratches to dogs.

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Heat stress:

The skin of Shih Tzu dogs is so sensitive that it immediately reacts with a drying machine, hair dryer, or hot water and causes allergic reactions and redness.

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Chemical Exposure:

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Many pet parents like to dye their dogs’ hair. However, each dog’s skin reacts differently to chemical exposure. Some dogs’ skin is so sensitive that it reacts negatively with bleaching, hair-drying, or cleaning agents.

Handling Stress & Anxiety:

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Some dogs behave calmly during grooming in the grooming center, but handling the dogs is also a technique that can only be done by a professional groomer. Some dogs become so stressed and anxious that they need treatment. Because of this, they become uncontrollable and may suffer an accident.

Contagious Diseases:

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If the trimming cleaners and hair-cutting tools are not adequately sterilized, then old germs will remain on them. Contagious skin rash and skin allergies can affect different dogs. Of course, it is essential to clean the equipment properly.

Improper Restraint Techniques:

In some grooming centers, equipment-using techniques are not considered, which means the groomers need to learn how to use the equipment, which can lead to injuries or severe physical damage to the dogs.

Dehydration or Overhydration:

Some grooming procedures are so protracted that dogs become dehydrated between procedures, causing them to exhibit conditions such as anxiety, depression, and dry mouth.

Miscommunication:

These small-breed dogs need love. They get exhausted if not loved or spoken to badly, so some groomers at grooming centers need to treat the dogs better. Miscommunication causes dogs to feel uncomfortable and not show affection between grooming sessions.

Basic Symptoms and Signs of Physical Injury at Grooming Salon

After getting your dog groomed from a grooming center, pet parents can undoubtedly sit back knowing that your dog has been groomed perfectly, but there are some signs and symptoms that make you realize that your dog may have some injuries between grooming sessions.

  • As a physical sign, his skin will have cuts and bruises.
  •  Your dog will show behavioral changes due to pain in a particular area, such as not eating, not performing activities correctly, or not cuddling with you how he wants to.
  •  More excessive panting and drooling will do because the heat treatment causes the dog’s body to dehydrate excessively, making him feel thirsty repeatedly.
  •  Hyperreactivity means your dog’s skin will develop small red pimples or bumps that indicate that his skin reacted badly to the heat or chemicals during the heat treatment. 
  • A particular symptom is an unusual vocalization. This happens when your dog howls because of pain, meaning he got a nasty cut in a specific place. 

Remember! If symptoms are evident, you should go to a good vet and get a cold pack or cream recommended for your dog to soothe it.

Try Choosing a Safe Salon For Toy Breed Grooming

Picture Credit: Dailymail – Yandex

After reading about so many dog salon dangers, you must be as scared as I am about how to choose a safe and secure salon for your dog’s grooming. So worry no more—here are some tips to help you choose the perfect salon for your dog so that it can be groomed in a safe and secure environment.

Research and reviewsThe first step is to research well and read people’s reviews about different grooming centers. This will give you a good idea of whether this grooming center is good.
Visiting the salonIt would be best to visit the grooming center you searched for and examine all the tools and equipment.
Groomer’s experience and qualificationsThe main point is that the experience of the Shih Tzu groomer is significant, so of course, you should know how much expertise the groomer has and whether his qualifications are within the veterinary field.
The salon’s cleanliness and hygiene practicesEnsure that the salon where you take your dog meets all the grooming requirements, including cleanliness and hygiene.
The grooming process and tools usedSome grooming centers use hazardous tools in the rush cycle, so carefully review all these processes and tools and assess whether your dog will pass through these processes efficiently.
DecisionThe last step is to decide after checking all these things. It depends on whether you want to take your dog to this grooming center.

 

Note: BOW WOW London is an ideal grooming center.

Necessary Precautions that Shih Tzu groomers must follow

Of course, grooming this small dog breed is essential, but we must recognize the dangers of grooming salons.

  • Discussing grooming needs and concerns with the grooming center’s groomer is essential.
  • Understanding Shih  Tzu’s temperament is essential for the groomer to avoid using techniques that will cause your dog to become distressed.
  • Discuss the detailed grooming instructions with the groomer so that you know whether your dog will handle the process.
  • Some grooming procedures are specific to particular dogs, so checking the pet’s condition is essential before treatment.

Veterinary contact information should always be with you so you can quickly call your vet in case of any problems.

Inspection or Post-Grooming Care of Shih Tzu

Picture Credit: Pupvine – Yandex

After safe grooming at the salon, pet parents must make the canine comfortable.

  • First, apply ointment or oil after inspecting for signs of injury or stress.
  • Try to keep Monitoring the behavior of Shih Tzu for 5 hours.
  • Its pet owner’s priority is to provide comfort to groomed canines.

If you notice any severe injury, try Seeking veterinary care immediately.

Conclusion:

Finally, while the shih tzu grooming salon has many advantages, it also has some disadvantages, but those cons are not such that you should stop taking your dog to the grooming center. It is better to research a good grooming center, collect information about the groomers there, take your dog for grooming, and, in case of any injury, get the medicine recommended by the veterinary doctor. 

A safe, secure, and hygienic grooming environment can better affect your dog’s mind so that he can groom easily. Visit our website for more information.

Reviewed By: Jason Reynolds

Team My Angel Shih Tzu

References

Research By: Brian Mitchell

Team My Angel Shih Tzu

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