National Pet First Aid Awareness Month

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April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month! This is a great time to learn about how to provide emergency care to your furry friends.

Just like humans, pets can get injured or sick. In some cases, you may need to provide first aid until you can get your pet to the vet. Knowing how to do basic first aid can be a lifesaver.

There are many different things you can learn about pet first aid. You can take a class, read a book, or watch videos online. There are also many resources available to help you put your knowledge to use.

For example, the American Red Cross offers a free Pet First Aid App. This app provides information on how to handle common pet emergencies, such as choking, bleeding, and burns. Red Cross Pet First Aid

The American Veterinary Medical Association also offers a list that covers a wide range of topics. This guide is available on the AVMA website. Pet first aid – Basic procedures

No matter how you learn about pet first aid, it's important to remember that prevention is the best medicine. By keeping your pet safe and healthy, you can reduce the risk of accidents and emergencies.

Here are a few tips for keeping your pet safe:

  • Make sure your pet is always supervised when they are outdoors.

  • Keep your pet's vaccinations up to date.

  • Keep your pet's environment safe by removing any potential hazards, such as poisonous plants or sharp objects.

  • Teach your pet basic commands, such as "sit" and "stay." This will help you control your pet in an emergency situation.

By following these tips, you can help keep your pet safe and healthy. And if an accident does happen, you'll be prepared to provide first aid until your pet can get to the vet.

Happy National Pet First Aid Awareness Month!

April Is National Heartworm Awareness Month!

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Hey there, pet lovers! Did you know that April is National Heartworm Awareness Month? It's a time when we focus on spreading awareness about heartworm disease and how to prevent it in our furry friends.

Heartworm disease is a serious condition caused by a pesky parasite that's transmitted through mosquito bites. It can wreak havoc on your pet's heart, lungs, and other organs, and even lead to death if left untreated. But don't worry, prevention is easy peasy with monthly heartworm preventatives. These come in a variety of forms, like chewable tablets, topical treatments, or injections, and they work by killing off immature heartworm larvae before they can cause harm.

Now, the tricky part is that heartworm disease can be tough to spot in its early stages. Dogs may develop a cough, lose weight, or get tired easily, but it can take a while for these symptoms to show up. That's why it's super important to get your pet tested regularly, especially if you live in an area with lots of mosquitoes.

During National Heartworm Awareness Month, vets and animal welfare groups are extra vocal about the importance of heartworm prevention and testing. So, if you haven't checked in with your furry friend's doctor lately, now's a great time to make an appointment. You'll be doing your pet a huge favor by keeping them happy and healthy!

In a nutshell, National Heartworm Awareness Month is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about heartworm disease and how to keep our pets safe from it. So, let's spread the word and make sure our furry friends stay heartworm-free!

5 Cold Weather Tips for Keeping Your Dog Safe & Healthy

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Cold weather can be tough on dogs, especially if they are not used to it. Here are some tips to help keep your furry friend safe and comfortable during the winter months:

  1. Keep your dog warm and dry: Make sure your dog has access to a warm, dry place to sleep, and consider getting them a coat or sweater to wear outside. If your dog gets wet, be sure to dry them off thoroughly to prevent them from getting chilled.

  2. Limit time outside: Try to limit your dog's time outside in very cold weather, especially if it's windy or freezing. If you do need to take your dog outside, make sure it's just for a quick potty break or a short walk.

  3. Protect paws: Snow and ice can be tough on your dog's paws, so consider getting booties or paw wax to protect their paws from the cold. You should also check your dog's paws regularly for signs of frostbite or injury.

  4. Keep an eye on your dog: Pay attention to your dog's behavior when they are outside in cold weather. If they seem to be struggling or showing signs of discomfort, bring them inside immediately.

  5. Stay hydrated: Don't forget to provide your dog with plenty of fresh water, as they can easily become dehydrated in cold weather. Consider getting a heated water bowl to help prevent the water from freezing.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your dog stays happy and healthy during the cold winter months.

5 Holiday Safety Tips for Dogs

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As the holiday season approaches, it's important to keep our furry friends in mind and make sure they stay safe during all the excitement. Here are a few tips to keep your dog safe and happy during the holidays:

  1. Keep holiday decorations out of reach. Tinsel, ornaments, and other decorative items can be dangerous for dogs if ingested. Keep these items out of your dog's reach or consider using pet-friendly decorations instead.

  2. Avoid giving your dog chocolate. Chocolate contains theobromine, which can be toxic to dogs and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even death. Stick to dog-safe treats and snacks, or consult with your veterinarian about what is safe for your dog to eat.

  3. Be cautious with holiday plants. Poinsettias, mistletoe, and holly are all toxic to dogs if ingested. Keep these plants out of reach or avoid them altogether.

  4. Keep an eye on your guests. The hustle and bustle of holiday gatherings can be overwhelming for some dogs. Make sure to introduce your dog to new guests slowly and supervise them at all times to prevent any potential problems.

  5. Don't leave your dog alone for long periods of time. The holidays can be a busy time, but it's important to make sure your dog doesn't get left alone for extended periods of time. Consider letting your pups come play with us for the day (or overnight!) and you’ll be free to enjoy your time knowing they’ll be having a blast with their buddies!

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your dog stays safe and happy during the holiday season. With a little planning and precaution, your dog can enjoy the holidays as much as you do.


world kindness day ❤️

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This Friday is World Kindness Day and because it’s 2020, it’s also Friday the 13th. That’s not going to stop us because we’ve never needed this day more than we do this year!

“World Kindness Day is a global day that promotes the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself, and to the world. This day, celebrated on November 13 of each year, has the purpose to help everyone understand that compassion for others is what binds us all together. This understanding has the power to bridge the gap between nations.” (from inspirekindness.com)

Here are some dog-centric ideas:

  • Have an elderly neighbor that has a dog? Offer to take their pup for a walk!

  • Find an adoptable dog online and share them with your friends and family and ask them to share with their circles, too! Who knows! Maybe you’ll be the reason they find their forever home. ( www.petharbor.com is a great place to start)

  • Make goody bags with treats for your neighbors’ dogs or for their BFFs at the dog park and, of course, sign the card from your dog

  • Call your favorite shelter or rescue group and ask if they need help with anything or if you can, make a small donation (Austin Animal Center, Austin Humane Society, Austin Pets Alive to name just a few)

  • Make your own pup a special dinner or some homemade treats. Here are 25 simple treat recipes: DOG TREAT RECIPES. They won’t know what’s going on, but their joy will bring you joy in return ❤️

The possibilities are truly endless……

And because seeing kindness in action always makes everyone smile, if you post a picture of your “intentional act of kindness”, tag us in it (@dirtydogaustin) and use the #worldkindnessday and #dirtydogaustin, we’ll repay your kindness with 10% off your self-serve bath Friday-Sunday at any of our locations. Just show your post at checkout and we’ll apply the discount.

Volunteers, snuggling puppies!

Volunteers, snuggling puppies!

















we fixed ONLINE APPOINTMENT REQUESTS!

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We heard you loud and clear:

You guys really didn’t like the online appointment portal.

So, we fixed it!

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Long story, short: The third party software we use really helps us stay organized on our side, but their “Customer Portal” leaves a LOT to be desired and offers virtually no customization.

We have figured out a “work-around” that we hope simplifies the process for you, our customers, and removes the frustration of making online appointments and reservations. Now, the only time you’ll ever need to actually “log in” is to update your information if something changes. (But, don’t worry, we’ll help you with that, too!)

As a thank you for your patience and as a nudge to get you to try it out, we’re giving everyone 5% off their next appointment if scheduled by 9/18/20.

  • Appointment must be scheduled online

  • Can not be combined with other discounts

  • Appointment must be before the end of September 2020

  • Discount will be automatically applied at check-out


Limited self-serve hours and a couple of temporary closings....

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Hi Friends~

We don’t need to tell you guys how crazy things are right now. When you start a business, you try to plan for any and all things that can happen so that you are prepared if they come to pass. Obviously, we didn’t plan for a global pandemic, yet here we are. As y’all know, we were able to partially re-open at the end of May and have just been holding our breath since then.

Unfortunately, Austin still has surging COVID numbers and our sales just aren’t where they need to be to make sure we can weather this storm, so we are making some big changes for the time being. However, as things seem to be changing daily, please always check our website for current information.

  • We will be closing the Self-Serve stations at our Downtown location temporarily, effective immediately. Full-Service Grooming & Bathing will continue as normal by appointment only.

  • Starting next week, the Self-Serve stations will be open Friday-Sunday, 12-6pm at our other 4 locations. (meaning they will be closed Monday-Thursday).

  • We are temporarily closing Daycare and Boarding at the Mesa location and consolidating all of those customers with our South Lamar location which will be open regular business hours. We can accommodate more dogs there, have a bigger back yard for playtime and TONS of baby pools for the summer. If the Mesa location is closer to you, and dropping off at the South Lamar location is not possible, please reach out to us to discuss transportation. We’d be happy to shuttle your pups down there while you are gone!

  • Grooming hours at ALL locations will continue as normal—by appointment only with curbside drop-off/pick-ups.

Also, we want to remind you about a new service we started when re-opened in May: EXPRESS BATHS. We are offering this to try to help people that aren’t comfortable coming inside the shops for self-serve (or if we have to totally shut self-serve down), but don’t need the full spa treatment. These baths are:

  • By appointment only

  • While-you-wait (We’ll have you wait outside or in your car, but on-site. Depending on size, should only take about 15-20 minutes)

  • Bath, ear-cleaning, towel dry and cologne (no brushing or blow drying)

    • Under 10 lbs- $15

    • 11-30 lbs- $20

    • 31-70 lbs- $25

    • 71+ lbs- $30

  • Available add-ons:

    • Nail trim- $16

    • Nail trim & file- $22

    • Specialty shampoo (flea & tick, oatmeal, medicated, whitening)- $5

Thank you so much for hanging in there with us. As has been the case since the day we opened—our Austin family has been AMAZING through this super-stressful time and we couldn’t be more grateful.

From the bottom of our furry hearts, thank you. ❤️

The Dirty Dog Crew

we're excited to see our friends!

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We’re excited to dip our toes back into the self-serve waters! Again, in an effort to keep our crew and our customers safe and healthy, we are making some temporary changes to hours and procedures.

No appointments required for Self-Serve

  1. When you arrive there will be a doorbell or a phone number listed outside.

  2. Ring the doorbell or call the number and we’ll come get you and/or let you know where you are on the list.

  3. We’ll have hand sanitizer at the door and ask that everyone uses it before coming in.

  4. We’ll only have 2-3 people bathing in the store at one time (depending on the size of the store). So that we can adhere to the occupancy restrictions, we ask that there is only one human per dog!

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After every bath we will disinfect each tub, all tools, brushes and floor around the tub with ProVetLogic.

We will have a small bottle of ProVetLogic at every tub so that everyone feels confident that everything is safe and clean.

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Repost: How to Brush Your Dog to Avoid Matting, Hotspots & Other Skin Issues

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So, one of the biggest misconceptions about dog grooming and dog groomers is that when a dog has to be shaved down, very short, it is because the groomer is “lazy”. At least at our shops, that is never the case. We do our best to give ever customer exactly what they want–or at least as close as possible. This post’s goal to to explain how to properly brush your dog so that they don’t become matted as well as the importance of brushing your dog.

(While Bob looks happy here, imagine what it would be like to brush this out and how painful it would be. Also, notice all the broken hair at the roots.)

First the why:

Brushing: It is important to brush your dog to get all that loose hair away and off the skin so that air can reach it. Hair that is trapped/matted/packed next to the skin also traps pollens, organisms, moisture, etc. You can imagine how bad this can be for a dog that has issues with allergies and if moisture gets trapped next to the skin, it can LITERALLY rot the skin away. I won’t post the gross pictures here, but believe me, it’s not pretty. This is a very common cause of “hotspots” too–not enough air getting to the skin. This goes for just about every breed except for dogs with VERY short hair (Boxers, Vislas, Staffies, etc). 

Avoiding matting:

Grab a chunk of your hair. Now twist it as much as you can. Ok, twist a bit more. Not great, huh? Now imagine that feeling all over your entire body. It HURTS. Also, when a dog gets matted, the hair can pull the first few layers of skin up into the mat making it MUCH easier to be cut while being groomed no matter how careful the groomer is. Depending on the severity of the matting, we may or may not be able to brush it out. At some point (generally about 15-30 minutes) dematting a dog simply becomes cruel. We have done some dogs in stages, having the owners come in multiple times during a period of time, but know, we charged those customers for a full groom on each visit.

ON THAT NOTE: NEVER, EVER use scissors to try to cut out a mat that is close to the skin. Even though you think you can feel your fingers under the mat, the top few layers of dog’s skin are tissue paper thin. You will not be able to tell, I promise you. And then you’ll cut your dog, and since the skin is so thin, it will tear. The wound can get infected, but worse, you’re going to feel really bad. Just come in to one of our shops (or any groomer) and ask them to cut it out for you. 

The number one cause of matting that we see is dogs not being FULLY brushed before they are bathed. We see this most commonly on little dogs that can be washed at home in the sink. Here’s the deal: any tiny tangle, when wet, will shrink up like cotton as it dries making it worse each time they are bathed without being brushed first. The second reason we see is itching/scratching/chewing. A dog that is continuously scratching their ears (chewing on their rear end, etc) for whatever reason, will at some point create a mat there. Then it just gets worse because now, in addition to the initial itching, they have a mat that is pulling on their skin.

I’m going to post a couple of pictures here. Please keep in mind both of these pups were found on the street in this condition, rescued and brought straight to us. However they are really good, albeit extreme, examples of what we are talking about.

Before. Obviously.

After. And was MUCH sweeter after all this, even though it was a very long and painful process. See how pink his skin is? Ouch. And luckily, there were no open wounds on this poor puppy :(

Looks kinda cute, right? Not so much.

This is what groomers refer to as a “cast mat” meaning that it comes off in one piece, like a sheep.

You can see in this one, the groomer was able to save a little hair on the top of the head and the ears.

The bottom line is that if you want your dog to have long hair, you have to commit to one of two things: 1) Brushing on a VERY regular basis (no less that a complete brush out once a week) and before EVERY bath or 2) Taking your dog to the groomer every 1-2 weeks and paying someone else to do it. Personally, I hate brushing, so I keep my chow mix shaved down year round-we’re BOTH much happier that way.

HOW TO BRUSH YOUR DOG:

1) Choose the right brush. There are specific brushes for different breeds/coats. If you don’t know which one to get, ask us or just look it up on the internet. If you are using the wrong brush, you might as well not even be brushing your dog. I’m not kidding here.

2) Brush your dog ALL THE WAY TO THE SKIN. I can’t tell you how many times we hear, “But I DO brush my dog!” Generally that means they are simply “top brushing”. Here’s an example of that:

Here is what we mean we we say all the way to the skin:

You need to actually part the hair back and brush section by section. If you’ll remember the matted dogs above, the outer hair wasn’t that matted, but you saw what was down next to the skin.

3) Before you get your dog wet, you should be able to run this comb through your dog’s hair, again, all the way to the skin: 

If you can do that, then any groomer should be able to leave your dog’s hair as long as you’d like it. Here’s Buddy who comes to see us every other week. He’s proof it can be done!

Let us know if you have any questions, and feel free to come by with your pup if you’d like…we’ll show you which brush you should be using and how to do it!

Response to COVID-19

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Dear Friends,

We wanted to send you a quick update on how we’re going to deal with the threat of Coronavirus (COVID-19) at Dirty Dog. The health and safety of our customers and employees is our top priority. 

The nature of our business means that we were already following most of the CDC recommendations on a daily basis:

  • In caring for dogs, we are already staying a safe distance from one another. 

  • We are also constantly disinfecting everything throughout the store, including door handles, front desk counters, tubs, sprayers, bottles, brushes, etc.

  • People using the self serve tubs are almost 6 feet from each other and are actively washing their dogs (and therefore their hands). 

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  • After each bath, we disinfect everything that is located in the bath station before the next use.

In an effort to further reduce contact, we will begin offering “curbside” drop off and pick up services for daycare, boarding, and grooming. Our staff will come out to your car to get instructions and your pups! 

To make this work, we will have to strictly enforce our scheduled drop-off times starting immediately. If you will be late, you will need to let us know and we will determine if we can still honor your appointment. Depending on how late you will be, we may have to reschedule. If you are used to “drop-in daycare” (i.e. not having an appointment), unfortunately, we are requiring appointments moving forward. We have to time things “just right” to make sure everyone stays safe! 

You should be receiving text reminders about your appointments, and when you arrive you can simply reply to the text saying “We’re here!”. 

Also, you can update your credit card on file (encrypted system), so that we can take care of payments without you having to leave your car. If you are not already receiving text reminders, you may request to sign up for text messages, or you can call to let us know you’re here!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call us at (512) 351-8001.

Thank you,

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