The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

dog grooming

Pleasant Grooming: Where Every Dog is Family

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As man’s best friend, dogs have a special place in our hearts and always will. They’re not just pets, but cherished family members. There isn’t much in the world that we won’t do for our canine companions, and nobody understands that better than Tyler Zuckerman and his team at Pleasant Grooming. For nearly thirty years, they have been the local go-to resource for any/all dog-care needs including training, grooming, bathing, daycare and overnight kenneling. Through genuine care and attention to detail, they’ve also become a beloved and trustworthy pillar of the community.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Zuckerman about some of his values and philosophies when it comes to dog care and also the history of Pleasant Grooming. His father originally started the business back in 1997 and brought Tyler in as much as possible for assistance. By 2017, the duo had successfully transitioned to their current, larger space in Armonk and Tyler had taken over as manager/CEO. He claims that throughout that time he’s watched the business grow and evolve to the point where, “The number of dogs coming into the old place versus the new place has to be at least 5 to 6 times the amount.” While this type of growth is always impressive, it’s not necessarily a surprise in this case.

The facilities are top of the line with high-end bedding and equipment, kept extremely clean, attentively supervised 24/7, and temperature controlled. It’s very clear from speaking to Zuckerman and seeing the space in person that their top priority is to keep all of the dogs as happy and comfortable as possible – he even requires that dogs come in and experience the daycare facilities at least three times before any overnight stays. It’s abundantly clear that this level of care and attention to detail has helped this business thrive.

Dog training provides essential communication and strengthens the bond between a dog and their owner. It also prevents behavioral problems and makes for a safer environment and happier companion. Pleasant Grooming has a comprehensive obedience training program designed to build a strong foundation of discipline, socialization, and confidence. They tailor each program to meet the specific needs of each dog.

When asked about specific approaches to training, Zuckerman quickly emphasized the value of repetition and consistency, especially when it comes to younger puppies. “A lot of people think that they’re getting training done when someone comes to their house once a week and that’s not really addressing the issue,” he explained, “They’re more training the owner on how to train the dog.” One focused session per week is not enough to establish a foundation of desired behaviors, and definitely not enough to eliminate undesired ones.

Zuckerman believes that in addition to constant reinforcement, that socialization is also extremely valuable for young dogs. He added, “It’s important that dogs are around other dogs and day care is a phenomenal place for that, just like for kids – exposure is huge.”

Between the good weather and fewer distractions, summer into fall can be the perfect time for long playdates and outdoor training. As kids head back to school and families settle into a more structured routine it’s easier to carve out consistent training time – key for progress.

Pleasant Grooming of Armonk
info@pleasantgrooming.com
914 273-3939

Christine Meyer Knows: “Everybody Likes a Cute Dog.”

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PHOTO BY JOSEPH FLEISHER

Growing up, many children dream of becoming astronauts, actresses or even the President. One woman, however, spent her childhood dreaming of becoming a dog. But when her father explained that puppies, not people, become dogs, she realized that her dream may not be possible, though she never gave up on pursuing a life with animals.

Christine Meyer, owner of Wags and Whiskers on Upper King Street, was driven by her passion for dogs to open the business more than 20 years ago. She started her career as a groomer at another shop in 1986, but was fired when the economy began to decline. On one rainy afternoon soon after being laid off, Meyer was driving through Chappaqua when she spotted a “For Rent” sign in the window of a King Street flower shop, sparking her epiphany that she was ready to start her own business. Shortly thereafter, on May 1, 1991, she opened the doors of Wags and Whiskers, and has been in that same King Street location ever since.

When she first opened the shop, Meyer accepted both dogs and cats, but according to her website “cats don’t like water and dogs don’t like cats, so that quickly changed to the current dogs only policy.” Her approach to dog grooming is to keep the entire process as low-stress as possible, benefitting both the dogs and the owners alike. Services include shampooing and bathing, trims and cuts, treatment for fleas and ticks, ear cleaning, dremel nail trimming and even de-skunking treatments. Meyer, although not a veterinarian, also deals with skin conditions and will even do minor dental cleanings in order to keep her furry clients in tiptop shape.

Ultimately, Meyer aims to make each dog look as adorable as possible because, as she explains, “everybody likes a cute dog!” Her trick? Understanding what each owner wants his or her dog to look like, although she is not afraid to make recommendations, especially after years of successfully grooming and showing her own dogs. Meyer’s experience includes competing in both dog shows and performance competitions for obedience, agility, scent work and sheep herding.

Although the cosmetic side of grooming is critical, she takes an overall approach to each individual dog in order to make it look as good as possible. This all starts with nutrition because “a healthy dog always looks better than a sickly dog,” Meyer explained. To supplement her grooming services, Meyer sells food products, most of which are produced locally in the U.S., along with one food line from Canada and one from New Zealand. Of the many parallels between humans and dogs, Meyer insists that dogs should eat fresh, locally sourced food products. Furthermore, most of the other products that she keeps in stock, including shampoos, conditioners, etc. are holistic, organic and “top of the line, only.”

As a longtime dog lover and owner, Meyer is a true believer in the value that a dog can bring to a family. A dog becomes a common goal for a family, something that everyone wants to take care of and spend time with, especially if it is a clean dog. This is why Meyer recommends that dogs get groomed on average monthly, contingent of course on what type of dog it is. Ultimately, Meyer believes that “having a dog become part of your family strengthens the entire bond,” thus adding unparalleled love and unity to a household.

With the holidays coming up, Meyer mentions a few pet-related things that families should keep in mind. First, book appointments early! The holidays are always a busy time for groomers as people scramble to get their dogs camera-ready for holiday card photo shoots. Also, when looking into gifts for your furry friends, consider interactive toys. Meyer explains that “people underestimate the value of a ball. A ball on a rope can be the absolute best thing a dog has ever seen,” and it can give you the perfect way to bond with your dog.

One misconception that Meyer warns about as the winter weather approaches is the idea that your dog will benefit from long hair in order to keep it warm. Long hair during the winter can be especially problematic for dogs that enjoy spending a lot of time outside playing in the snow. Although this seems counterintuitive, the issue comes when the dog re-enters the house and cannot be properly dried, which leaves the fur soggy and cold and can also leave a mess around the house.

Meyer, though not a Chappaqua resident herself, has been an important presence in Chappaqua ever since she opened Wags and Whiskers. After spending 26 years on King Street, she is now working with a second generation, as her client’s children are grown and bringing their own dogs in for her services. She has also made an immense impact on local rescue societies, working with Jenny’s Hope Rescue in Mount Kisco, A New Chance Animal Rescue in Bedford and running the East Coast Giant Schnauzer Rescue Network across the entire Northeast.

Health Reasons to Groom your Dog

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Inside Wags and Whiskers on King Street: Chappaqua's Tracey Appel with Charlie, a Kerry Blue Terrier
Inside Wags and Whiskers on King Street: Chappaqua’s Tracey Appel with Charlie, a Kerry Blue Terrier

Editor’s Note: Christine Meyer, owner of Wags and Whiskers in Chappaqua since May 1991, says her shop now grooms approximately 100 dogs weekly. We asked Christine to explain the different health benefits of grooming your dog. Here is some advice that Christine shared!

“A good groomer will always check for skin issues, ear infections, and toenails (long nails can impede the dogs ability to walk properly) and are often the first people to let a dog owner know that a trip to the vet is a must. Dogs not groomed regularly can end up with “hot spots,”–shaved dogs can act out badly from sensory overload plus act traumatized (and be prone to biting) because they aren’t accustomed to it. All pups should start a grooming routing at around 16 weeks of age to get used to all aspects: brushing, bathing, teeth brushed, blow dryers…all of which can be scary, so getting acclimated early is critical.

The average non shedding dog should be groomed every 4-8 weeks depending on the length of coat and how much maintenance is done at home. To make an appointment for your pet, call Wags and Whiskers at 238-0244 or visit http://www.wagsnwhiskersdoggrooming.com/.