Pet Circle

    Last Updated: 07/05/2025

    Pet Circle Q & A with Melanie Newman

    Discover Top Dog Grooming Tips with Pet Circle's Q & A session with world renowned professional dog groomer and creator of the Melanie Newman Salon Essentials range, Melanie Newman.

    Author: Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)

    Reading Time: 16 minutes - medium read

    Recently Dr Teagan had the chance to chat with world renowned professional dog groomer and creator of the Melanie Newman Salon Essentials range, Melanie Newman, about some of your top pet grooming questions.

    Question 1:

    Do you have any tips on dealing with my dog's matted hair? Even with frequent brushing it seems to get matted overnight!

    Mel's top 5 tips for dogs with matted hair

    1. Most dogs require brushing at least every 1 to 2 days
    2. When brushing get right down to the skin
    3. Use a coat conditioning spray to make brushing easier
    4. When you hit a knot with your comb, go over the area with your slicker brush
    5. Don't wash your dog with knots still in their coat

    Question 2:

    What products or tips would you recommend for removing staining from licking paws or around the mouth?

    Mel's tips to reduce coat staining

    1. Try and keep the area dry all the time, this includes dry your dog's mouth after they have a drink if possible
    2. Feed your dog a high quality diet
    3. Keep the coat conditioned, healthy and clean

    Did you know?

    Reddish brown saliva and tear staining on your pet's coat is caused by naturally ocurring pigments. Conditions which cause increased tear or saliva production, such as blocked tear ducts or dental disease can result in more noticable staining, so check with your vet to rule out medical issues first. For more information, take a look at What causes tear stains?

    Question 3:

    I can spend up to 2 hours or more blow drying my Bernese Mountain Dog and they feel dry but later when laying on the floor they leave damp spots. Is this a technique issue? Am I just not drying long enough?

    Mel's tips for blowdrying your dog

    1. Dry your dog's coat from the inside out
    2. Ensure you rinse your dog well after washing to remove residue and oil
    3. Always place a towel underneath or behind your dog to absorb water as you dry

    Question 4:

    My Maltese has red skin that is itchy all the time, how do I groom him without making it worse?

    Dr Teagan's tips for grooming dogs with sensitive skin

    1. Always use lukewarm water as heat can make itching worse
    2. Use a gentle pet shampoo suitable for sensitive skin
    3. Feeding a diet which supports skin and coat health
    4. Talk to your vet about investigating any underlying skin allergies

    Did you know?

    Feeding a diet high in omega fatty acids supports the skin's natural barrier function and can help to reduce flaking, dryness and itching. For more information, take a look at Dogs with sensitive and itchy skin.

    Question 5:

    My dog keeps licking his feet even after being washed and groomed. He is a bundle of nerves at times so I'm sure it's self soothing. What do you think?

    Dogs may lick their for a number of reasons, including injury and irritation from infections, allergies or foreign bodies such as grass seeds or burrs, so it is important to rule these out first. Aside from medical issues, dogs may develop behaviour changes in response to stress or boredom where they obsessively lick themselves, other pets or people and even surfaces.

    If your dog is obsessively licking, it may help to reduce their overall stress levels through the use of pheremones, diet or supplements. In some cases medication from your veterinarian may also be required. You may also need to work with your vet, or a dog trainer to help redirect the behaviour towards a more appropriate alternative, such as a chew toy or toy such as a KONG with treats inside.

    Question 6:

    My dog has hairy ear canals and gets infections a lot, should I have them plucked?

    If your dog has a predisposition to ear infections and has very hairy ears, it may be beneficial to pluck the hair from the ears. By plucking the hair and removing build up of wax, it can make it easier for medicated treatments and cleaners to penetrate the ear canal and get where they need to go.

    It's important to note that ear plucking does itself cause inflammation and can be painful, so I don't tend to recommend it for dogs with no history of ear problems. In each individual case the benefits and potential drawbacks must be weighed up, so I would always be guided by your vet's advice.

    Did you know?

    Having hairy ear canals may increase a dog's predispostion to ear infections, however there will always be an underlying cause such as flea allergies, atopic dermatitis or food allergies. For more information, check out Why is my dog getting ear infections?

    Read More

    Boredom busters for dogs

    Managing separation anxiety in dogs

    How to stop your dog scratching once and for all

    Signs your pet could have a food allergy

    Your guide to fleas, ticks and worms

    Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips on keeping your pets happy and healthy.