Will Your Dog Pass the Holiday Guest Test?

When holiday guests arrive, they look forward to being greeted by seasonal décor and tempting aromas from the kitchen. So, it's important that the family dog be company-ready too.

"Preparing for visits by family and friends takes a lot of effort," says Traci Simo, of at-home pet services provider Canine Company. "We want our homes to be festive and fresh. But a not-so-clean dog can detract from all our hard work."

That's why she recommends a thorough pre-holiday grooming to get the family pet guest-ready.

- Start with a thorough brushing to get rid of loose or shedding hair. For longer haired dogs, it's important to work out any knots. A steel-pinned comb will help with removal and an untangling spray can make the process more comfortable for the pet.

- Follow with a bath. Using pet shampoo, massage well to remove remaining loose hair. Rinse, then massage in a moisturizing treatment and rinse again. Towel dry. For safety, it's best to let the dog air-dry. You can comb or brush the coat to speed drying.

- Don't forget the nail trim. You don't want your pet scratching guests, so be sure to clip nails. To prevent bleeding, take off a small amount at a time and stay well away from the "quick." Be prepared with a styptic product in case you do clip into the blood vessel.

Simo suggests doing the grooming a week before guests are scheduled to arrive to reduce the stress of last-minute dog clean up. "A good grooming will last several weeks. If you like, give your dog quick touch up with scented pet grooming wipes on the big day for added freshness."

Grooming can be a big job in an already busy season, Simo acknowledges. "You can save time and reduce stress even more by putting it in the hands of a professional -- like the groomers with Canine Company's Mobile Pet Spa, which comes right to your driveway to groom your pet." For more information, visit www.caninecompany.com or call 800-818-DOGS (3647).