There have been many new openings in the franchise family lately—boosting the company to be ranked 59th in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 500 list. Our newest member of the Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique family is Charles Edgar! Edgar’s shop is opening soon in the Westgate Equity apartment complex in Old Town Pasadena, CA.

The location of the new shop is appealing. “I think our service is going to be deeply welcomed by the local residents,” says Edgar referring to Westgate. “I think it’s going to be a perfect fit.”

The storefront will be below residential equity apartment buildings. The Westgate apartments offer a community with all the amenities. Residential conveniences include a theater room, heated outdoor swimming pool, a 24-hour fitness room, and soon a dog grooming spa open to everyone! Pasadena is an upscale but cordial area which is iconic for the Rose Bowl Game and parade.  “I’m hoping this is a going to be a huge success for me, but also for the neighborhood,” Edgar tells us.

Construction for the location’s build out began on the 8th of May and is scheduled to take between five and six weeks. The shop’s soft opening will be announced soon.

Promotion for the soft opening will take place at a Westgate ice cream social where select vendors have the unique opportunity for announcements and networking.

Until then, Play Dirty. Live Clean.

A new addition to the Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique family will be opening soon. We want to extend a warm welcome to mother-daughter duo, Vicki and Jayme Lesperance—our new shop owners!

This is Splash and Dash’s first shop in Michigan, located about 30 miles east of Lake Michigan, tucked conveniently in Grand Rapids. Construction has already begun, and the build-out is estimated to be completed as soon as June 25th. Our team will post ongoing updates and soon reveal the much anticipated opening date!

Splash and Dash will share Cascade East with a number of diverse businesses, which Vicki and Jayme are confident will provide a convenient and enjoyable experience for patrons.  “If clients have errands to run while their pets are being pampered,” Vicki says. “They can grocery shop, get their hair or nails done, grab a cup of coffee, pick up some cards and gifts or have a bite to eat all without ever leaving the plaza.”

As the heat of the summer approaches, Grand Rapids pet parents will be able to find the modern and award-winning accommodations for a cool summer cut at Splash and Dash.   “I think the local community will be pleased to see a new concept in pet grooming and will appreciate the personalized services that we offer,” Vicki tells us. Services like bathing, clip, nails, glands, brushing, bows, and more are offered at every Splash and Dash. 

Both Jayme and Vicki are thrilled to play a role in a pet-loving community and look forward to making connections with clients and a positive impact in Grand Rapids. Vicki adds, “The one thing that I want to resonate with new clients, is that the well-being of their pets is our top priority!” 

This is just one of many openings coming soon that have propelled Splash and Dash to rank 59th in Entrepreneur’s 500 Ranking. Stay tuned for more exciting news, and congratulations again to our newest member of the Splash and Dash family

As the temperature gauge goes up, it is important to think about ways to stay cool. This not only applies to people but pets as well. As a pet parent one of the things you need to think about is what the best summer cut is for your pet. Here are a few things you need to consider.

Shaving is Not Always the Best Solution

Some people think shaving their dog’s fur is the best way to keep them cool. In many breeds this can be a helpful way to keep tangles under control as well as help keep them cooler during the warm months. However, this is not always the case. For dogs with a double coat, shaving is a very bad idea. Not only can it cause their fur to grow back patchy, it can also cause them to overheat as the undercoat actually works as a cooling system for them. More than this, their skin is more sensitive and can burn easily.

Consider a Trim

Another option than going with a straight shave is to trim the dog up. This is beneficial for a number of reasons. For one, it can help keep your dog cooler. It can also help manage tangles and keep hair from getting unruly. It can also make it easier to see ticks or other issues on their skin. Depending on the type and length of the fur your dog has will determine what type of cut they need.

Talk with Your Groomer

Your groomer to find out what the best haircut is for your pet. They may ask you about their activity level and the types of activities they do. Since they understand the type of fur your dog has, they will be able to suggest the best possible haircut for your dog or at least give you some options so you can find the one that is right for your dog.

Keep in mind that even if you think the options for their summer cut are boring, there are many ways you can accessorize their look. A good outfit, hair bows, bowtie collar and other accessories can help make them look like a new dog. You may even want to talk with your groomer about dyeing their fur to help give them a more unique look.

We all get hot in the summer and dogs are no different. Sure they may be able to help cool themselves with panting but this can take  time, is exhaustive for them and depending on how hot they are, may not be enough. Here are some cool options for your pet when the weather is hot.

Add Ice Cubes to Their Bowl

If your dog has just come in from a walk and they need a drink, try dropping a few ice cubes in their bowl. Sure their natural reaction may be to play with them, but this is alright because it means they are getting the cooling effect of the ice. Along with this, it can be a good idea to give them chilled water along with the ice.

Make Sprinklers Fun

Sure this may not be the cooling treat you may be thinking, but it is cooling and a ton of fun for your pet. You can try turning on your sprinklers and seeing how your dog reacts. You can also buy one of the attachments for the sprinklers that can give greater arch and spread to the sprinklers so your dog can have loads of fun running through the water and maybe even trying to catch those pesky water spouts.

Make a Doggie Pop

Who doesn’t love ice pops on a hot day? Truth is your dog with love them too. Sure you may love the cherry flavored ones but in reality your dog does not need the artificial colors, flavorings and added sugar. You can make your own with broth. Some people even like to make it in a bundt pan so they can have a nice ring of broth for their dog to lick and enjoy. You can even try spicing things up by adding in treats to make it more interesting to your pet.

Make Frozen Treats for Your Dog

Yeah you can go to the store and pick up Frosty Paws for your pup but why do that when you can make them with items you have on hand? Simply whip up some mashed bananas, peanut butter and yogurt and fill them in ice cube trays. Let them freeze and then store them in the  freezer to give your dog when they are hot (or even to aid in training).

These are just some of the ways you can make cool treats for your dog this summer. Think about the things your dog loves and this will help you to get a better understanding of how you can accommodate your dogs.

Now that spring is here there are many things you may be thinking about. Chances are you are planning all the new fun things you will do with your dog this spring and may even get started on your spring cleaning. When thinking about all of this it is important that you are aware of these spring dog hazards that can pose a serious issue to your pet.

Seasonal Allergies

OK so this may not be completely one of the spring dog hazards, it is at least an annoyance that can become a hazard if your dog chews at themselves enough to cause damage such as sores. A common culprit in the spring is ragweed just as it is for people. If you notice the signs of allergies, call your vet to find out how you should treat this in your pet.

Beware of Sticks

Most pet parents think that sticks are no problem for their dog to munch on and in some cases this is true. However, sticks do have the potential to splinter which can be swallowed or poke their throat and mouth. This can cause many problems for your pet so instead make sure they have frisbees and other toys to play with instead.

Know the Plants You Have

Many dogs like to walk up to a plant and start eating the blossoms or the leafs. This is not bad all the time but the truth is that there are many plants out there that can be toxic to dogs. You can find the full list so make sure you know what your plants are and what the most common toxic plants are in your area so you can keep your dog away from them on walks.

Check Cleaning Labels

As you start your spring cleaning you will use a variety of different cleaners in your home. You should check the labels to find out which of these are pet safe and which are not. Even if you continue to use the ones that are not pet safe at least you will know they are not and can use and store them appropriately.

Be Mindful of Dog Park Bullying

Finally, it is important to remember that as you start going to the dog park that bullying is a real thing. It does not always present as a dog that attacks but rather a dog that tries to round other dogs up to do what they want or herd them. If you notice this in other dogs or even in your own then it is best to leave the park. If you notice this in your dog then the best thing you can do is talk with a trainer so you can work on the issue.