All articles

Grooming Tips

31 articles from our groomers in East Northport and Ronkonkoma.

A groomer drying a long-coated dog on a grooming table at the East Northport salon
Grooming Tips

How Long Does a Dog Groom Take? Why the Time Varies

Why an appointment is quoted as a range rather than a number: what always takes time, what size and coat add, and why condition matters more than breed.

Lillian Ruff Pet Spa
A groomer parting a doodle's coat with one hand and brushing the exposed row down to the skin with a slicker brush
Grooming Tips

Brushed Every Day and Still Matted? Line Brushing Explained

If the top coat looks perfect and the mats are still there, you are brushing the surface. Here is line brushing, and the comb test that tells you the truth.

Lillian Ruff Pet Spa
A goldendoodle standing on a grooming table at the Lillian Ruff salon in East Northport while a groomer combs through its coat
Grooming Tips

Matted Dog: When a Coat Brushes Out and When It Gets Clipped

The honest version: how to tell a tangle from a mat, when a matted coat can still be brushed out, and when clipping short is the kinder call.

Lillian Ruff Pet Spa
A goldendoodle after a full groom, body clipped to one even length with a rounded, hand-scissored face.
Grooming Tips

Puppy Cut vs Teddy Bear Cut vs Breed Trim: What to Ask For

Three haircut names that get used interchangeably, and what each one actually changes — plus how to describe the dog you want back without using any of them.

Lillian Ruff Pet Spa
A dog standing calmly on a grooming table while a groomer checks its coat before starting
Grooming Tips

10 Questions Worth Asking a Dog Groomer Before You Book

A buyer's checklist for handing your dog to someone new: handling, drying, matting policy, pricing structure, records, and how to read a vague answer.

Lillian Ruff Pet Spa
A small white dog having its front legs and paws checked by a groomer before a trim
Grooming Tips

Rust Stains on a White Coat: Saliva, Urine and Wet Fur

Why licked, chewed and constantly damp fur turns rust-colored on legs, feet, belly and the sanitary area, and what helps versus what only looks brighter.

Lillian Ruff Pet Spa
A short-coated Beagle standing on a grooming table after a bath and blow-out
Grooming Tips

Short-Coated Dog: Do You Even Need a Groomer?

An honest answer for owners of Labs, Beagles, Bulldogs and every other no-haircut dog — including the ones who genuinely do not need us.

Lillian Ruff Pet Spa
A thick-coated dog being lathered and rinsed in a grooming salon bathing tub
Grooming Tips

Skunked Dog: Why the Smell Keeps Coming Back

Skunk oil hides in the undercoat, so the smell returns whenever the coat gets damp. What to do in the first ten minutes, and when a home bath will not finish it.

Lillian Ruff Pet Spa
An adult dog being combed through on a grooming table before a first appointment at a new salon
Grooming Tips

Switching Groomers: Prepping an Adult Dog for a New Salon

The first groom at a new salon is a baseline, not a showcase. What to gather before you book, what to say about the last groom, and what to expect from visits one and two.

Lillian Ruff Pet Spa

Page 2 of 4 • 31 articles

CALL BOOK Buy Membership