Thread by @servicepupbasil

Hi friends! We’re doing a mini thread for #SundayServiceDogFacts! Having public access rights comes w a lot of responsibilities & 1 of those is GROOMING! #ServiceDogs have to be very clean to go to hospitals, restaurants (pre-Covid), grocery stores, etc w our humans! #DogTwitter

I get a bath at least once a month (if not more) to keep me smelling nice and to wash off any icky stuff. Between baths I get cleaned daily w waterless bath stuff & pet wipes! I even get blow dried after every bath so momma can brush out all the loose hair 😊

Video description: a very wet red golden retriever lays on a grey elevated dog cot. A white woman uses a hair dryer to blow dry the pup, who mostly lays relaxed but occasionally licks at the air doming from the hair dryer

Whether it’s a bath week or not - once a week I get a full groom! That includes being brushed with 2 types of brushes (for under coat & for regular brushing), getting my nails trimmed, & getting my ears cleaned!

My momma likes using a nail grinder instead of clips. This is easier for her & less likely for her to cut my nails too short. Service dog nails have to be kept tidy & short so that our boots fit properly! And so that I don’t accidentally scratch momma if I use a paw alert 🙃

Momma also trims up my foot fur! No grinch feet for this Goldie 😊 This is also to keep my boots fitting well but also to keep snow/ice from snowballing in between my toesies! Momma brushes the fur between my toes up w a special comb & trims it w scissors ✂️

I also get DAILY grooming (sheesh momma) 🛁 Every day momma wipes me down, sprays me with between-bath spray, & brushes my coat to remove tangles. She wipes my paws & cleans them up before & after working. And she brushes my teeth! Tooth brushing is my FAVORITE!! I love it 🪥

Thanks for reading our mini thread about my grooming routine!

Have questions about grooming or about why service dogs need to be so clean? Ask below!

SD handlers - what’s your grooming routine like? #ServiceDogChat #ServiceDog #DogTwitter #DogsOfTwitter #SundayServiceDogFacts

Momma is making me update this to say I actually probably get 3-4 baths a month because I have a tendency to jump in the shower when she is in there! I can’t help it, I just love my bath time 😂 🛁 🧼 🪥

@threadreaderapp unroll please

Some folks are concerned that momma is hurting me w too many baths - don’t worry! We don’t use shampoos often (to preserve my coats oils) & we talk thru our grooming, training, & lab safety plan w experts (& our vet!) I’m well cared for, safe, & very happy 🥰