How to Groom Your Dog in Between Appointments with Jess Rona

WO(MAN)'S BEST FRIEND

Jess Rona

The Pagerie Pet is not only your son or daughter, but closest confidant. Introducing Wo(man) ’s Best Friend, a series that reveals our favorite Pagerie companions and the personality traits that make them one of a kind.

You may have seen Jess Rona’s incredibly popular and creative videos on Instagram that feature her clients getting a blowout in slow-mo. Those clients are our loveable canine companions.

Jess Rona Grooming, which is based in Los Angeles, is a curated daycare meets grooming salon, where pups roam cage-free. Jess is best known for her signature Asian fusion style blended with her signature twist of creating a specific expression and look dependent upon the dog.

WO(MAN)'S BEST FRIEND

Jess Rona

The Pagerie Pet is not only your son or daughter, but closest confidant. Introducing Wo(man) ’s Best Friend, a series that reveals our favorite Pagerie companions and the personality traits that make them one of a kind.

You may have seen Jess Rona’s incredibly popular and creative videos on Instagram that feature her clients getting a blowout in slow-mo. Those clients are our loveable canine companions.

Jess Rona Grooming, which is based in Los Angeles, is a curated daycare meets grooming salon, where pups roam cage-free. Jess is best known for her signature Asian fusion style blended with her signature twist of creating a specific expression and look dependent upon the dog.

Energy, too, is an important factor in Jess’ grooming style, so that all the pups that visit her space have a calm and soothing experience. And since she’s the expert on all things dog grooming, we spoke to Jess about how to trim your dog’s coat in between appointments.

What makes you unique when it comes to style and aesthetics?

I love the Asian style of grooming called Asian fusion. But I let the dog's ears and nose and shape dictate what I do. That's what sets me apart is my fun Asian spin on the traditional teddy bear and cute round haircuts. Asian fusion is very whimsical, it's very bell bottom-y with big ears and tight little muzzles. I dilute that style a little bit and put my twist on it.

Also, I do everything in my power to communicate with dogs through gentle touch and energy. If they have a panic moment or a calm moment, I react to those through my touch and energy. It's the same with humans. If you feel seen and heard and understood, you're not going to be as stressed out.

What makes you unique when it comes to style and aesthetics?

I love the Asian style of grooming called Asian fusion. But I let the dog's ears and nose and shape dictate what I do. That's what sets me apart is my fun Asian spin on the traditional teddy bear and cute round haircuts. Asian fusion is very whimsical, it's very bell bottom-y with big ears and tight little muzzles. I dilute that style a little bit and put my twist on it.

Also, I do everything in my power to communicate with dogs through gentle touch and energy. If they have a panic moment or a calm moment, I react to those through my touch and energy. It's the same with humans. If you feel seen and heard and understood, you're not going to be as stressed out.

How often should you be bathing your dog?

There are so many factors. For long-coated dogs, before you bathe, I recommend getting a slicker brush and brushing through the coat, including the legs, ears, face, the tail, between the legs, the armpits, the and feet. This will open up the coat, so it can receive the shampoo. People will bathe their dog and not think about brushing and they create mats.

In terms of how often you should bathe, it really depends if your dog sleeps in bed with you or if your dog is super high activity. You can bathe as often as weekly or as often as monthly. I do recommend, especially if you live in a drier climate, to condition and don't just focus on conditioning the back.

Once your dog is completely bone dry, whether it's hours later or a day later, run a brush through it again everywhere.

How often should you be bathing your dog?

There are so many factors. For long-coated dogs, before you bathe, I recommend getting a slicker brush and brushing through the coat, including the legs, ears, face, the tail, between the legs, the armpits, the and feet. This will open up the coat, so it can receive the shampoo. People will bathe their dog and not think about brushing and they create mats.

In terms of how often you should bathe, it really depends if your dog sleeps in bed with you or if your dog is super high activity. You can bathe as often as weekly or as often as monthly. I do recommend, especially if you live in a drier climate, to condition and don't just focus on conditioning the back.

Once your dog is completely bone dry, whether it's hours later or a day later, run a brush through it again everywhere.

Do you recommend any specific products?

I love Chris Christensen brushes. They’re accessible. They’re slicker brushes, but gentle. There’s a wooden one that I love called the Mark.

I also went to Tokyo and I got these amazing tiny brushes, which I sell. They’re incredible. I cannot find anything like it in the States, but they’re really gentle and effective. You can brush a foot, an armpit, the face, everywhere.

I also really like iGroom. They make really nice, accessible shampoos and conditioners, which we use at my shop. If your dog tends to be on the drier side, I would avoid their charcoal shampoo. But I love their Deshedding + Detangling Shampoo and Conditioner. They also have an Oh, So Gentle Shampoo. Just make sure to pick up a conditioner. And if your dog hates the bath, get a nice leave-in conditioning spray.

Do you recommend any specific products?

I love Chris Christensen brushes. They’re accessible. They’re slicker brushes, but gentle. There’s a wooden one that I love called the Mark.

I also went to Tokyo and I got these amazing tiny brushes, which I sell. They’re incredible. I cannot find anything like it in the States, but they’re really gentle and effective. You can brush a foot, an armpit, the face, everywhere.

I also really like iGroom. They make really nice, accessible shampoos and conditioners, which we use at my shop. If your dog tends to be on the drier side, I would avoid their charcoal shampoo. But I love their Deshedding + Detangling Shampoo and Conditioner. They also have an Oh, So Gentle Shampoo. Just make sure to pick up a conditioner. And if your dog hates the bath, get a nice leave-in conditioning spray.

What’s the best strategy for trimming your dog’s coat in between grooming sessions?

It depends on the coat type. I love the little cordless clippers by Wahl called Vravura. They come with a five and one blade, so there are five lengths in one. It’s versatile and I love that for detail work to trim around the pads, sanitary area, or around the eyes.

They also have clip-on combs. For all-over trimming, just snap on one of those clip-on combs and play with different lengths. But the key is the comb. If your dog has any tangles, the comb will snag. So you have to learn how to do really nice prep work. It’s not for some who is maintaining; it would be for someone who wants to groom their dog completely.

Also, get a pair of thinning shears. Thinning shears are really forgiving, so you’re not going to chop the dog’s coat. And when it comes to thinning shears, look at the way the coat grows. It’s sort of like grains in wood.

I have a ton of tutorials on YouTube and my pet parent course. It’s a digital course that anybody can buy and it’s all about maintaining your dog between grooming. I go through techniques, products, and tools.

What are the tricks of the trade if your dog is really stressed out by the grooming process at-home?

If a dog is stressed out when you're bathing, I would involve treats and have a no big deal energy. Sometimes dogs do well with baby talk and some don't, so try to keep a calm and confident energy when you're with them.

If your dog is fully freaked out, there's this really cool product called the Alpha Grooming Suction Cup. It only sticks to a completely flat surface. Have a pitcher of warm water and mix the shampoo in with it and gently pour it over your dog, give a treat, and make it sort of like a spa experience where you can bond with your dog versus something that you're doing to your dog.

If you have a large dog that panics, try a mobile groomer that can come to the house. Make sure to stay consistent with the groomer and check the vibe. If the vibe seems off, then try a couple of places.

Energy is so important when you own a dog. I also have a video on my website of tips on how to drop off your dog because the drop-off and pick-up is really important when you're taking a dog to the groomer.

What’s the best strategy for trimming your dog’s coat in between grooming sessions?

It depends on the coat type. I love the little cordless clippers by Wahl called Vravura. They come with a five and one blade, so there are five lengths in one. It’s versatile and I love that for detail work to trim around the pads, sanitary area, or around the eyes.

They also have clip-on combs. For all-over trimming, just snap on one of those clip-on combs and play with different lengths. But the key is the comb. If your dog has any tangles, the comb will snag. So you have to learn how to do really nice prep work. It’s not for some who is maintaining; it would be for someone who wants to groom their dog completely.

Also, get a pair of thinning shears. Thinning shears are really forgiving, so you’re not going to chop the dog’s coat. And when it comes to thinning shears, look at the way the coat grows. It’s sort of like grains in wood.

I have a ton of tutorials on YouTube and my pet parent course. It’s a digital course that anybody can buy and it’s all about maintaining your dog between grooming. I go through techniques, products, and tools.