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If your dog constantly scratches or ends up with red, irritated skin after a bath, you’ve probably looked into hypoallergenic dog grooming to see what needs to change. The word "hypoallergenic" gets printed on plenty of bottle labels, but in a real salon, it’s a lot more than just a marketing claim. It comes down to using low-irritant formulas, gentle handling, and thorough rinsing techniques that clean sensitive skin without stripping away protective natural oils. Having gro

When Florida heat picks up, watching a thick-coated Golden Retriever or Husky panting makes almost every dog owner wonder if they should just shave all that fur. It feels like common sense–we wear shorts in humid weather, so removing a heavy layer of fur should make a dog feel cooler. Having groomed dogs here in Fort Myers since 2008, we get asked about shaving thick coats all the time. The reality is that shaving double-coated dogs doesn't cool them down. In fact, it disrupt

Washing your dog at home seems straightforward enough. A bucket, some dog shampoo, and a garden hose or bathtub will get the surface dirt off after a muddy run outside. It keeps your house cleaner for a few days, but a quick home bath rarely reaches deep enough to maintain long-term skin and coat health. While washing your dog at home works fine for quick maintenance, it covers only a fraction of what happens during professional dog grooming. Understanding the difference betw

If you've ever looked over and seen your dog dragging their bottom across the rug like a low-riding lawnmower, you know the feeling. It's half amusing, half concerning, and usually happens right when company comes over. While it's easy to chuckle, scooting is rarely a personality quirk. Scooting often points to full or irritated anal glands, though parasites, allergies, and skin irritation can also be behind the behavior. Either way, it's your dog's way of dealing with naggin

Every single day on our grooming table, dogs talk to us. They do not use words, but their ears, eyes, tails, and posture tell us exactly how they feel. Understanding dog body language is the most important tool we have as professional groomers. It keeps our team safe, keeps your pet comfortable, and helps us catch small stress signals before they turn into anxiety or biting. Here's what decades of working hands-on with dogs has taught us about reading the body language of dog

Watching your dog grow old is tough. The spring in their step gets a little slower, their muzzle turns gray, and their favorite spot on the couch becomes sacred. But one thing that often catches pet parents off guard is how drastically their dog's grooming routine needs to change as they age. Grooming a senior dog isn't about chasing pristine, picture-perfect haircuts anymore. It's about mobility and pain relief. When arthritis, fragile skin, or loss of balance set in, a stan

Bathing a dog seems simple enough until you find yourself staring at a dirty pup, wondering if another bath this month will dry out their skin. As professional groomers at Plain and Fancy since 2008, one of the most common questions we get from pet parents is figuring out the right bathing frequency. The short answer? There is no single rule for every dog. Bathing too often can strip away natural oils and cause itchy, flaky skin. On the other hand, waiting too long lets dirt,

Those rusty red stains under your dog's eyes can be stubborn. You clean their face, and a day or two later, the reddish-brown tracks are back. At Plain & Fancy Pet Salon, we get asked about this every week. Owners want to know how to remove dog tear stains without hurting their dog's eyes or buying products that do nothing. Getting rid of those marks comes down to a few basic things: understanding what causes the stain, keeping the hair dry, and using a safe daily cleanup rou

Keeping up with dog shedding can feel like a constant effort. No matter how often you sweep or vacuum, loose hair always seems to find its way onto your floors and furniture. Fortunately, controlling loose hair comes down to a few simple habits and the right routine. We've been grooming dogs at Plain and Fancy Pet Salon since 2008. Working one-on-one with dogs every day shows us what helps control shedding at home – and what just wastes your time. Here is what you need to kn

If you've leaned in to give your pup a scratch behind the ears and caught a sudden sour, yeasty, or musty odor, you aren't the only pet parent sniffing around for answers. A faint doggy smell is normal, but a strong, unpleasant funk coming from the ear canal usually means something is out of balance. Between Florida's persistent humidity, frequent weekend beach trips, and regular outdoor play, dogs are especially prone to moisture buildup and ear issues. We've been grooming d

Your dog's paws deal with hot pavement, winter salt, and rough ground every day. Below is a practical guide to protecting their feet at home, along with ways our pet salon in Fort Myers provides extra care for dry, cracked pads. Dog paw pads look tough, but they are surprisingly sensitive. Between hot asphalt, winter road salt, and rocky paths, your dog's feet take a beating. If you want to keep your pet comfortable on walks, basic dog paw care makes a huge difference. Here's

Finding patient, experienced pet grooming in Fort Myers can feel impossible if your pup reacts poorly to handling. While some salons turn away aggressive dogs, at Plain and Fancy, we take a different approach. It's a text message no pet parent ever wants to receive from their groomer: "We're sorry, but we can't finish your dog's haircut. They are too reactive to handle." Some pet salons simply don't have the time to handle aggressive dogs, and they will turn them away to keep

Thinking about trying some DIY dog hair trimming to clean up your pup's shaggy look? Before you grab the scissors, it helps to know what is safe to handle at home. As a pet salon in Fort Myers, we want to help you keep your dog looking sharp without the stress or accidental vet trips. It starts simply enough. You notice a stray clump of fur blocking your dog's eyes, or maybe their paws are starting to look like fluffy bedroom slippers. You grab a pair of household scissors, t

You give your dog a thorough bath, scrub them down, rinse them off, and spend an hour towel-drying them. You expect a fresh-smelling pup. Instead, just a day or two later, that distinct, heavy "doggy odor" is already creeping back into your living room. It is incredibly frustrating. If you are asking yourself, "why does my dog smell even after a bath," you are definitely not alone. In fact, it is one of the most common complaints we hear from pet parents right here in Fort My

If your pup is dealing with dry skin or a dull coat, what they eat makes a massive difference. At our pet salon in Fort Myers, we've been helping local pets stay healthy and clean since 2008, and we know that a great dog's coat requires both good nutrition at home and proper professional grooming. If you've noticed your pup scratching a bit more than usual, or if their fur is looking a little dull and coarse, the solution might not just be in the tub. It's often in the food b

Looking for a professional pet salon in Fort Myers that prioritizes your dog's comfort? While home baths often end in chaotic sprints and damp carpets, expert grooming keeps your dog calm and protects their skin health. Read on to find out why dogs go crazy after a bath and how you can prevent post-bath stress. If you have ever washed your dog at home, you know exactly how the story ends. The second you open the bathroom door, your dog just bolts out of the room. They tear th

Trimming a dog's nails doesn't have to be a battleground. This guide breaks down the reasons why dogs resist paw handling and explains why forcing it only makes it worse. Discover how a low-stress approach at our pet salon in Fort Myers can safely handle dog nail trimming for you. If your dog runs for cover the moment you pick up the clippers, you are definitely not alone. For many pet parents, dog nail trimming is the single most stressful chore on the calendar. You pull out

Grooming keeps your dog clean, but it also catches health issues early. Since 2008, our pet salon in Fort Myers has focused on regular maintenance to spot potential skin irritation and paw issues before they get worse. When you think of booking a session at a pet salon, you might just picture a clean, fluffy dog with a fresh haircut. While looking good is a great perk, regular dog grooming is actually a vital part of keeping your pet healthy and comfortable. Professional groo

Keeping your dog's coat fluffy and tangle-free can feel like a full-time job. As a pet salon in Fort Myers, we see pet parents every day who brush constantly but still battle stubborn knots. This quick guide breaks down exactly why those tangles happen and the simple, stress-free routine you can use at home. You know that moment when you're scratching your dog and your fingers catch on a tight knot? It happens to almost every pet parent. One minute the coat looks fine, and th

Bringing a new puppy home is an exciting milestone, but knowing when they are ready for their first salon visit can be confusing. As a pet salon in Fort Myers, we focus on gentle, slow-paced introductions to ensure your pup builds a lifetime of confidence. Here's how to tell when your dog is ready to meet a professional puppy groomer. Many pet parents struggle to figure out the exact timeline for readiness. Should you wait until they have their full adult coat, or is it bette