Rio Gran Grooming
Styled with care. Loved like family.
About Millie
Millie has nearly five years of experience in the pet care industry, including three years at Rio Gran, where she previously served in a management role. After mentoring in a wellness-focused salon environment, she is excited to transition into professional grooming with a strong emphasis on compassionate, individualized care.
Her passion for grooming started when she learned to handstrip her Irish Terrier after he was diagnosed with a heart condition, an experience that reinforced the importance of patience, trust, and creating a low-stress experience for every pet.
Grooming Services
Basic care (bath, nails, ear cleaning, tooth brush), brush/blowout, de-shed and bright white treatments, plaque reduction treatment, ear plucking, anal gland expression, foot/face/and sanitary trims, full-body shave downs, full-body scissor work, breed specific haircuts, puppy-cuts, and hand stripping.
Call or email for grooming packages and pricing.
Scheduling
All grooming services performed by Millie are by appointment only. Drop off and pick-up hours are between 8 AM – 5 PM Monday – Friday, and the first and third Saturdays of every month.
Appointment times times are 8 AM, 10 AM, 12 PM, and 2 PM.
Questions? Please contact our office or send an email to millie@riogran.net
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Commonly-Asked Questions
How often should I groom my dog?
It depends on your dog’s coat type! Long hair and double-coated dogs should be groomed every 4-6 weeks, while short hair dogs can go 6-10 weeks! It is important to stay on top of brushing in between grooms.
How do I properly brush my dog?
For short and single coated dogs it is recommended to use rubber brushes or ‘Zoom Grooms’ to release loose fur. For long and curly coats, always start with a slicker brush. Once you have gone through the coat with the slicker, switch over to a comb to release the looser tangles. Certain double coated dogs such as shepherds may benefit from an undercoat rake. It is important to brush regularly, whether that be daily or every few days.
Can I shave my double-coated dog?
It is generally recommended not to shave double coated dogs. It severely damages their coat, messes with their temperature regulation, and makes them more susceptible to sunburns and skin infections. Because of this, shaving double coated dogs is usually reserved as a last resort for extreme matting or health/age related problems.
How can I help to reduce my dog’s anxiety when it comes to grooming?
Grooming can sometimes be scary for dogs, especially the more anxious pups. Make sure to always let your groomer know about sensitivities your dog may have before their groom. Every groom is tailored to fit your dog’s needs- some dogs need extra breaks, some need happy hoodies or support from a helper. It may be recommended to try calming supplements or anxiety medications if it is obvious that your dog is consistently overwhelmed, but most of the time, they just need repetition. Having your dog groomed on a regular basis builds trust and stability.
Professional Dog Grooming Tips
Ear plucking
Benefits- Improved airflow, reduced moisture, early detection of infection. Risks- Inflammation and infection, not always necessary. When plucking ears, it is recommended to not fully pluck them bald. When a dog has a buildup of hair that is suddenly removed, there is an increased risk of irritation that can lead to ear infection as there is a sudden exposure to outside irritants. Because of this, plucking is mostly done when there is matting in the canal.
Anal gland expression
All dogs have anal glands- this is the way they communicate sex, age, and health to other dogs. Most dogs are able to express their glands themselves, but breeds under 30lbs and older dogs are more susceptible to losing the muscle function to do this. Because of this, manual expressions are imperative to prevent infection.
Once anal glands are expressed manually, most dogs lose the ability to do it again themselves. Because of this, it is only recommended to only express if you know your dog cannot do it themselves anymore. Keep in mind that this also means they will have to be expressed manually every 4-6 weeks.
Licking after haircuts
It is very important to monitor your dog after grooming. It is common for small areas of razor burn to occur after tight shavedowns and sanitary/paw trims. Once a dog begins to lick excessively they may develop sores and hotspots leading to skin infections. If you notice licking, utilize distractions, bitter spray, soft cones, or coconut butter.
Matting/Pelting
In severe cases of matting and pelting it is common to see bruising and sores once fully shaved. Tight matting restricts blood flow to the skin and once severe enough it can actually cause the skin to break open. Obviously, if matting is severe enough, the dog may have to be shaved shorter than anticipated. Once a dog is at this point their groom becomes more about their comfort rather than looks.