Find a Dog Groomer – Choosing a Reputable Dog Groomer May Be More Important Than You Think!
How To Choose A Dog Groomer
Trust the professional……or not! You might not think twice about bringing your dog to the nearest, or cheapest dog groomer, but considering the sharp tools needed to work on a not-so-happy-to-be-there, squirmy pooch, you might want to think twice! Did you know that dog groomers aren’t required by law to have any previous training, or certification? Of course, the grooming salon itself should be licensed to run its business, but the groomers may be learning the skills on the job.
There have been some unfortunate accidents within the dog grooming industry, from minor cuts and scratches, to more severe cuts, overheating from drying, and even death, so safety is a huge concern. Cage drying dogs by blowing in hot air can dehydrate a dog and do some real harm, so beware of how your dog is being dried, and ask questions if it doesn’t look right. Also, be sure they never leave their dogs unattended on the table.
Make sure the dog groomer you choose has experience! Also, make sure sure she truly seems to love animals and will be gentle and kind to your pet. Most dogs get very anxious when going to the groomer so finding someone who can alleviate the anxiety, and not elevate it is a must.
There are several professional grooming organizations that a groomer can belong to, and you may want to make sure your groomer belongs to one of them. Although it’s not a requirement, it does show that they are interested in keeping up with their occupation as far as safety, health standards, and styling trends.
A grooming salon can look dirty with all that pet hair flying around, however, making sure that the crates are clean, and the other areas are swept up and tidy can clue you in as to how they run their business. It should not smell like a zoo!
Know where they keep your dog prior to the grooming session as well as afterwards. They should be able to see them at all times, and not tuck them out of sight. In addition, cats and dogs should be caged in separate areas.
Once you find a great groomer, stick with her! A dog groomer that is familiar with your dog will be able to identify health issues such as ear infections, or any suspicious lumps or bumps that were not there before. In addition, your dog won’t be quite as anxious if he is familiar with the person and procedure.
Of course word of mouth is a great start, so ask friends, relatives, or your veterinarian for recommendations. And be sure to check online reviews!
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I like that you suggested making sure that the pet groomer that you will hire can alleviate the anxiety of dogs because most dogs get very anxious when being serviced by a pet groomer. This is something that I will share with my sister who’s looking to have her dog groomed. Her dog is not comfortable when being surrounded by unfamiliar people, so she only wants to choose a pet groomer that can make her dog feel that they can be trusted.
I like that you suggested choosing a pet groomer that’s experienced and has compassion and love for animals. My dog needs to have her ears cleaned, so I’m looking for a pet groomer. It’s important for me to make sure that my dog is going to be in good hands and won’t get hurt during the process. Thanks for sharing this.
I do agree that word-of-mouth is a great source of finding a pet groomer, so you must consider asking your friends, relatives, or your veterinarian for a recommendation. We’re looking to have our Tsi Zhu groomed by a highly recommended pet groomer because we want to make sure that she’ll be in good hands and to make sure that she’ll be groomed without getting hurt. We’ll make sure to get references from the people that we trust to find the best pet groomer.
The best part of your blog for me is when you suggested choosing a pet groomer that keeps their pet grooming office clean with no dirty areas. My son is looking for a pet groomer for his dog. His Labrador is prone to allergies, so it will make sense for my son to choose a pet groomer that keeps their facilities neat and tidy to ensure a good health for all the pets that they groom.
I simply love this web site. Thanks for all of the information on diseases and pets. This information will help me in training other
family members on these issues.
I find your comment on how you would want to find out how clean a dog groomer’s salon is before you choose them. Someone who keeps their salon really clean would probably be able to do a good job. My husband and I are looking for a groomer for our dog, so we’ll have to check out their salon first.
Thanks for the great advice, I didn’t know that there were actual pet grooming associations that groomers could become affiliated with. At least that’s a good way to determine whether or not your pet will be getting the right treatment from the groomer while they’re there. However, I also think it’s important to find a grooming salon that is not only clean, but provided a calm atmosphere that can help smooth a dog’s anxieties.
Thanks for recommending that you make sure that the groomer belongs to a professional association. I had no clue that there were no regulations about training and certification, so I’m definitely going to look for that! If someone takes the time to join a professional organization it definitely shows me that they are invested in their business – and by extension, my puppy!