Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique truly appreciates our clients. To continue to show that appreciation we are launching our VIP customer cards. This VIP card entitles you and your pup to a free spa treatment. Getting one is super easy!

After taking your loved one for dog grooming we automatically send you an email with a one-click survey to ensure we’re continuing to give you excellent service. All customers who are able to leave a 4-5 star rating and comment automatically get a free spa treatment of their choice! If you feel your dog’s grooming is not up to your standards, please fill out the survey to help us merit your service. This is part of our 100% cute cut guarantee!

The free spa treatment is our way of striving to give you the best service and give a token of our appreciation!

Free Spa Treatments Include:

• Any choice of Aromatherapy
• Facial
• Pawdicure
• Teeth Brushing
• Nourish Conditioning

As summer is approaching, it is important that you start getting ready for the changes in the weather and planning for the many activities you have planned. Whether you plan to lounge by the pool or take a trip, it is important to know some of the summer pet safety tips to help keep your dog happy and safe this summer.

Be Wary of Water

One of the biggest misconceptions about dogs and water is that all dogs know how to swim. The truth is that this is not always true. You should make sure your dog knows how to swim before you just toss them in. More than this you need to make sure they want to swim. Do not force a dog to swim that clearly has no interest in swimming.

It is also a good idea to make sure the water is suitable for swimming. This is why it is not a good idea to take your dog to swim, or swim yourself, in fresh water that may be potentially contaminated by bacteria or other sources. Finally you also want to make sure swimming is allowed for pets (and people) before you and Fido jump in the water.

Think About the Paws

Another thing many people forget about when it comes to summer pet safety is keeping their pets paws safe. The concrete can get extremely hot and this can be more than just painful to your pet. It can damage or even melt off their paw pad. A good rule of thumb is that if the concrete is too hot for you to walk on barefoot then it is too hot for your pup. Here are a few alternatives to beating the sidewalk heat:

• Walk in areas that have grass so your dog can walk in the grass which is significantly cooler
• Put shoes on your dog to help keep their feet  from being burned (though keep in mind that most dogs hate this)
• Take your walks early in the morning and later in the evening when the concrete is not as hot.

Protect Your Dog Outdoors

Many people want to keep their dogs outside with them for extended periods of time while they enjoy the weather in the summer. This is not a bad thing but you need to keep summer pet safety in mind while you do this. One of the things you need to do is ensure your dog has plenty of water to drink. In fact, having water they can play in, such as sprinklers, a kiddie pool or even a full size pool can be even better. Also, make sure there are plenty of covered  areas where your dog can go to escape the glaring heat of the sun. You should also watch for signs that your dog is getting overexerted and needs to come inside.

We all know that most dogs avoid the bath like the plague but that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy the pool. Who doesn’t enjoy cooling down after a long, hot summer day? In honor of the start of summer, we have created a compilation of videos of dogs enjoying the water in their own way.

Diving Boxer

You may associate the doggy paddle  with dogs but the truth is that this dog’s skills go way beyond that. He is great at holding his breath and fetching the toys from the bottom of the pool. This is one dog who would be great to have over for pool parties!

Chihuahua Kiddie Pool

OK sure this is a kiddie pool, but chihuahuas are tiny little things so a small pool doesn’t mean they aren’t swimming. This one looks like she’s trying to master her agility skills as she swims through these small tunnels. Whether she is or not, it’s still down right adorable.

The School of Golden Retrievers in the Lake

It’s no secret that golden retrievers love the water. This pack of goldies following this guy sure does prove this. These dogs are quick and as the video progresses, their numbers get larger as more and more want to join in on the aquatic fun.

The High Dive

This dog makes jumping off the high dive at the local pool look like cake work. Not only does he dive into the water, he dives at astounding heights. Either by himself or with his owner, this dog proves even if you are small you can still accomplish feats from great heights.

Pool Loungers

When buying pool equipment you may think that a pool lounger can be great for soaking up the sun, having a stiff drink and enjoying a dip when you get too warm. Well here are two golden retrievers who think the same thing about these pool loungers. At least they know how to enjoy the summer in style.

Typically when people think about getting their dog involved in a holiday it is a major one, such as Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving or the like. However, there are many other holidays out there that you and your dog can enjoy together. Since you and your dog are both citizens of the earth, what a better holiday to celebrate with than Earth Day? Here are a few ways you can do this.

Evaluate Your Dog’s Carbon Footprint

Sure most people are conscious of the ways they can reduce their carbon footprint and may even actively take roles to help with this. Have you ever stopped to think about the carbon footprint your dog is leaving? A huge issue with this is poop bags. Many of these are just plain plastic which as we know will not decompose in landfills. There are however versions out there that will. Or if these are not available to you, at least consider buying ones that are made of recycled materials. Along with this you want to look at aspects such as your pet’s toys to see if they are made of recycled materials.

Join in on Celebrations

There are many Earth Day celebrations that happen in parks around the country. You can find one near you that is dog friendly and take your pup with you. This can be a great way to get involved in something and meet some new people (and dogs for possible play dates).

Do a Project with Your Pup

Is your neighborhood loaded with dog poop or other garbage? Know a place that is? Then you and your dog can take an active role in doing something positive for Earth Day and spend some time cleaning it up. If you want to take it a step further you can even separate out the garbage from items that can be recycled.

Another great project you can take up with your dog is planting trees or other (dog safe) plants in your yard. This is an excellent way to cut down on carbon as the plants use the carbon in the process of photosynthesis. While your dog may not be able to help you plant the tree in the ground, if your dog is a digger then you may just have one less task to do with this project.

These are just some of the many ways you can get involved in Earth day this year. If you have any other suggestions on how to spend this holiday with your pet feel free to let us know on social media.  

Spring is one of the most common times of year for people to bring their pet to the vet for vaccines. Usually the cost of vaccines, checkups and other vet costs can add up enough to take a good chunk out of your bank account. It’s during vet visits that pet parents tend to think about pet insurance. But the real question is whether this is worth the cost or not. The truth is that this is not a cut and dry answer, but rather has many different things to consider.

The Type of Insurance

As with any other insurance, you need to think about the amount of coverage you will receive. There are some plans that simply cover emergency visits while others will cover every little thing you may need for your pet. Generally the more coverage you have, the higher the cost will be. To get the best coverage for your money you need to take the time to look at what the policy covers as well as the cost and reviews of the insurance companies. Some may make you jump through hoops for them to cover a simple procedure.

The Health of Your Pet

Another important thing to consider with this is the overall health of your pet. If you have a pet that ends up going to the vet several times a year then this may be a good idea. However, if your pet is overall healthy and you find yourself just going in for the basics like wellness checks and vaccines then this may not be right for you. Keep in mind that as your pet ages they will generally need more care so it can be beneficial for older dogs, though the premiums may be higher.

Alternatives to Pet Insurance

There are a few alternatives you can go with if you don’t think pet insurance is right for your pet right now. Here are the things you can consider:

• Savings Account- Think of this like a health savings account for your dog. Put aside the $40 to $50 you would generally spend each month on insurance and put it in a savings account for the event your dog needs medical care.
• Use Care Credit- Most vets will accept Care Credit which is essentially a loan. This is ideal for emergency situations when you do not have the full amount to pay for the medical expenses of your pet.
• Vet Wellness  Plan- There are some vets that offer a wellness plan. Depending on the plan this can cover office visits, yearly dental work, X-rays, vaccines and more. Talk with your vet to find out if they offer this and compare it to the pet insurance options available to you.