Wednesday, June 16, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A·Page 5
Priming and pampering keep pets at best
By Marta Costello
Kansan staff writer
A woman in a black smock covered with clumps of fur huddles over a small table talking baby talk to a tiny, barking Shih Tzu trying to calm her down. She starts to massage the dog's ears and the animal becomes quiet almost instantly.
Pam Dunn is the owner of Accent-Doggy Mat Pet Grooming in the Riverfront Square in North Lawrence. She and her staff clean, clip and groom dogs and cats Tuesday through Saturday. Dunn said they groom about 30 to 40 animals a day. She has more than 5,000 clients in the area and takes animals that most other groomers won't.
"We're one of the few shops that do cats, chows and rottweilers," Dunn said. "I'm an all-breed groomer."
Not even badly behaved animals present a problem for Dunn, who has 12 years of experience grooming pets.
"I'm known in this town for working with badly behaved does," she said.
Working with temperamental dogs is not without risks. Three years ago, Dunn was bitten on the nose — three weeks before her wedding. In spite of these job hazards, Dunn does not use tranquilizers of any sort — just calm talking, massage techniques and, when necessary, muzzles.
Dunn began grooming animals 12 years ago in her parents' basement before opening her own store at 923 N. Lawrence in January of 1993. She now has 4,800 square feet for her full- and self-service doggy salon.
Accent-Doggy Mat Pet Grooming is divided into two sides. On one side of the building is Dunn's full-service side, Accent Grooming. Customers drop off their dogs and Dunn and her staff clean the animals. Dogs and cats are washed, dried, clipped and cut in just a couple hours depending on the breed.
Prices depend on the breed. A full-service grooming ranges from $24 to $50. Most small breeds like Yorkshire terriers, Pomeranians, and schnauzers are at the low end of the price scale. But some groomings can't be done at specified prices and are only quoted. For instance, Dunn once had a week-long project grooming a sheep-
dog that cost $185
On the other side of the store is the Doggy Mat, the self-service area of her store with four bathtub stations. Pet owners can bring their pets in and bathe them at one of the stations. At each station is a drawer full of supplies like shampoo, conditioner, brushes, combs, cotton balls, aprons, clippers, towels and cologne. Customer can use any or all of the supplies to clean their dog or cat.
"You get to make a big, hairy mess and don't have to clean an of it. "Dunn said.
The prices for the Doggy Mat are $8, $10 and $12 for small, medium and large dogs. Sizes are based on height.
Dunn offers lessons to clients who want to learn to groom their own animals. She charges $10 an hour for private lessons. She said she provides the lessons specifically for people who show their dogs and can't always wait for an appointment.
Louise Smith said she took lessons from Dunn because her schnauzer, T.J., was a show dog, and in a pinch, she needed to know how to keep him looking perfect.
Pam Dunn grooms a schnauzer at Accent-Doggy Mat Pet Grooming in the Riverfront Square in North Lawrence. Dunn has established a large client base during her six year ownership.
Photo by Melissa Thornton/KANSAN
In addition to the full and self-service centers and private grooming lessons, Dunn has a pick-up and delivery service. This service originated to assist her elderly and handicapped clients free-of-charge. However, Dunn said that the service was also available to other clients for $10 round trip.
All the products used in the salons, from shampoo to toothpaste, are natural and hypoallergenic. None of the products Dunn uses have harsh chemicals
"They're not good for us, and they're sure not good for the dogs. Even the flea dip I use is all-natural." Dunn said.
An all-natural oatmeal bath is available for those who want to pamper their pets. The oatmeal bath helps to slough off flaky skin and helps the fur stay healthy looking. Dunn compared the oatmeal bath for dogs to a Calgon bath for humans.
Dunn said she is most busy during the holidays such as Christmas and Fourth of July. She attributes the increased business to an
increase in house guests.
"People are having parties and guests, and the house looks good. The furniture looks good. The yard looks good. Why not have the dog look good?" she said.
Dunn said dogs are more difficult to groom in the summer. She said many people leave their dogs outside in the summer and they develop hot spots. Hot spots are infected parts of the dog's skin that Dunn compared to diaper rash. The hot spots make it hard for Dunn to groom the dog, and the fur doesn't cooperate well with the hot spots.
While hot spots are easily treated, they are just as persistent as diaper rash, and without daily attention they are difficult to heal. Durex spray is the recommended of designer.
ing a relationship with her clients. She said having a relationship with clients, both animal and human, was central to her business. If she finds something worrisome on an animal — from a flea problem to weight problem — Dunn advises her clients to take their animal to their veterinarian.
Dunn stressed the importance of develop
Dunn said she forms an attachment to each animal, regardless of disposition.
"They come in a variety of personalities, mean and nice," Dunn said. "Even so, your clients' dogs become like your dogs."
"She really cares about the animals," Smith said of Dunn. "She may not always know the human's name, but she always knows the doe by name."
— Edited by Derek Prater
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