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It’s time to have your dog groomed, but do you know what you should look for when choosing your groomer? Price is only one of the things you should be concerned with. This list by Deborah Bell of Patch.com explains some other qualities you should take into consideration.
What to Look for in a Dog Groomer
- Experience. I have a relationship with my customers from the first time they come in. the first grooming, you have to develop a bond between the dog and groomer. if you don’t stick with the same person, and you go from shop to shop. if you can go back to that groomer, and they’re there that month.
- Establish a relationship. A groomer knows your dog. He’ll know if your dog has a lump you might not have noticed. He can alert you to problems before they get bad, such as an ear infection or a bladder infection. A groomer who works with your dog over the dog’s lifetime knows your dog well.
- Stick with a groomer who works well with your dog. “Shop hopping” doesn’t do your dog any favors.
- Ask for your vet for a recommendation. The best response is word of mouth. If you like and trust your vet, chances are he’ll be able to make a good groomer recommendation.
- Beware if you can’t see where your dog is being put. Some shops keep the dogs out of sight, and that’s not a good sign. People should be able to see what’s going on with their pet’s care.
- The shop should seem clean. There shouldn’t be any odors, ever. Trust your senses. If it doesn’t seem clean, don’t leave your dog there.
- Pet illnesses can be communicated in a grooming shop, such as kennel cough, which is airborne. There’s a vaccine for it, but that isn’t even 100 percent effective. Bleach is the answer: the crates, the floors should also be disinfected.
- The attitude of the groomer. He should be friendly to you, but also friendly to your pet. The groomer should seem as if he likes animals.
- If the dog looks good after being groomed, tell your groomer. Everyone likes to hear that they’re doing a good job.
- Avoid cage drying at all costs. Dogs who are caged dried can suffer. Blowing hot air into a cage vents and heats up the dog. if you don’t watch the dog, the dog can become dehydrated from forced air heat. A dog should be throughly dried and brushed on a table. Cage drying can make a dog lame, especially an older dog.
- Take everything into consideration. Are you getting a total price for grooming, or is it piecemeal? Small costs can add up. Don’t be nickeled and dimed.
Now you know what to look for in a dog groomer! You can read the original list here. Do you have your dog groomed regularly? Let us know in the comments below.
Greta James
Apr 21, 2020 at 1:50 pm
Thank you so much for pointing out how important cleanliness is for odors and the transmission of pet sicknesses such as kennel cough. About a week ago, I was talking to my sister, and she mentioned that she is buying a poodle! I am so excited for her, but I want to make sure that she keeps it well-groomed. I will have to help her look for pet groomers that fit your tips!
Dean Phillips
Feb 7, 2019 at 10:54 pm
I have a dog that likes to run out into our yard and get as dirty as possible, which means he needs regular cleanings. My favorite part about the article is when you said the groomer should be friendly not only to you but also to your pet. My dog would be much more receptive to someone who was friendly to him.
Dog Groom Arena
Aug 8, 2017 at 5:28 pm
I really love this for it is very important to all who want to get a good dog groomer
Ernest London
Jun 29, 2017 at 11:02 am
I like your idea to ask a vet if they have recommendations for dog groomers. It would make sense that a vet would have insight into which groomers treat animals the best. I have been trying to find a dog groomer for my dog since we moved here, but I have been having trouble. I will definitely take these things into account.
Dog grooming forum
Jan 7, 2014 at 11:53 pm
If you have been told often enough to capitalize on your love for animals and have decided to do just that – well done! There is a huge market for dog grooming services and your affinity with animals will make you imminently suitable for this work.
You can open a salon or get yourself a mobile trailer fitted out to groom dogs; these trailers are prefabricated and fitted. You just have to hook it up to your car and off you go. Before you take off you have to first get trained; there are professional standards for
doggroomingforum.co.uk that should be adhered to. Know what you want and do some research to find a training school that will satisfy your needs.
The success of your business depends on the quality of the service you provide. You have to constantly be aware that there are numerous dog grooming businesses out there, which have an edge over you; they are already in business and you are just starting out.
Get stuck into working out a business plan which will provide you with a clear road map of where you want to take your business. Find out about prices, competition, insurance, advertising, licenses, equipment, location, space and more. Find out as much as you can while you are under training, then you will be ready to hit the ground running when the training is over and you are a certified dog groomer.
Pricing can be a bit of struggle to start out with. If you go too low your profits will suffer and people will mistakenly think you are no good. Too high and your potential clients will run for the hills. The internet is the best resource you have to find out about prevalent prices in the market. In actual fact you need to work out the costing for the business and then fix your prices and as this is something you learn at training school, you can work with the pricing information you have.
Once you establish the business and it is on its feet so to speak, you need to take a diversion in terms of going on a journey of knowledge gathering. Start making time to attend dog shows, trade shows focused on grooming, exhibitions and seminars. Subscribe to dog grooming publications and trawl internet sites for information. Join dog grooming forums and keep abreast of new product launches. This is one of the most valuable services you can provide your clients.
Dog Groomer
Apr 9, 2013 at 4:28 am
Proper dog grooming requires the proper knowledge, preparation, and equipment. It is extremely important to groom your dog as frequently as is recommended. Proper grooming is important for dogs for most of the same reasons that it is important for people.