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How to Find a Pet Groomer

emmasbestinshow

Whether you have a 150 lb. Newfoundland or a 5 lb. Dachshund, grooming is a big part of your dog’s life.

Coat maintenance and skin care is such a huge part of animal husbandry but it so often gets overlooked. Groomers play a role not only in maintaining skin and coat, but also in the dog’s health and well-being. In my own career as a dog groomer, I’m often the first to find new tumors or recognize a leg that’s favored over the others.

We introduce new sights and sounds to puppies, we see their puppy coat change, we can find ear infections, we can find cracked nails, we notice when a dog starts to age, we see the grey hairs coming in, we cry when they pass…

Groomers play a major role in a dog’s life.

But how do you go about finding someone who you can trust? Someone who will notice when things are off, someone who will help a senior dog navigate a slippery floor, or someone who will just take the time to make things calmer for a dog?

It’s not easy to find good groomers. It is a totally unregulated industry which means anyone with a pair of scissors can claim to be a groomer.

The first step to finding someone is to think about what your dog needs.

Grooming is an inherently stressful process – we can minimize stress, but it’s difficult to eliminate entirely. Some dogs have a large threshold for stress, while others have a near zero tolerance.

As your dog’s owner, you are their best advocate. Setting them up for success with a good groomer is paramount to helping them look and feel their best.

There are usually several different types of grooming set ups depending on your area. Each type offers a unique quality and each has unique challenges.

Grooming Salons:

Grooming salons are the most common and hold the most variety – this could be a quiet, salon with one groomer or a busy, high volume salon with ten groomers, assistants, receptionists, etc.

Some salons are “cage free” or “free range” meaning the dogs are allowed to roam around. If done right, this can provide a relaxed atmosphere, but there is also inherent risk of fights when any dogs are put together. It’s also difficult to maintain a clean work area with dogs wandering around…

Some salons are attached to a boarding and daycare facility. This is convenient to get your dog groomed after a long vacation of playing. Boarding facilities can be very loud and high energy.

Veterinary Clinics:

Veterinary clinics provide a unique service – it allows for medical issues like ear infections to be caught and treated right away. Groomers at veterinary clinics can often work with sedated dogs and cats.

Veterinary clinics vary in terms of busyness – some clinics have one doctor, some have ten. Some veterinary clinics are certified in fear free handling to provide a safe and low stress environment.

A lot of dogs have a very negative association with veterinary clinics, so it can cloud grooming in a very bad light. Clinics, just like boarding facilities, are loud, high energy, and fast paced.

In Home Grooming:

In home groomers work from their own home. Often the salon is in a separate out building, in the basement, or in a designated room. This is usually very one-on-one and slow paced; dogs tend to have a very positive association with in-home grooming.

In home grooming should be taken just as seriously as a salon. Unfortunately many people abuse the flexibility to justify poor grooming practices. Always look for reviews and recommendations as this is grounds for groomers with lack of training in safe techniques or proper handling skills.

House Call and Mobile:

House call and mobile groomers will come to your house. The difference is that a mobile groomer will groom inside their van and a house call groomer will groom inside your home.

Mobile groomers are hard to find – at least in my area! They require a water and electric hookup for their van. Mobile tends to be catered to small dogs, as most things are miniaturized to fit inside a van. This unique service is convenient for owners and provides a one-on-one experience for the dog.

House call requires an area of your home in which to groom the dog – usually a basement, garage, or kitchen. House call is similar to mobile in that it is usually catered towards small dogs; equipment must be portable and light and often does not stand up to larger animals. House call provides an amazingly unique service that is in the comfort of the dog’s own home.

Self Serve Dog Wash/DIY Grooming:

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention self-serve dog washes and good old fashioned DIY grooming. There are a lot of benefits from learning how to groom your own dogs. Not only will it help you identify potential health concerns, but it also can be a good way to bond with your dog and train them to accept cooperative care. Self-serve dog washes are a great way to keep the mess out of your own home, while being able to maintain your dog.

There are many groomers out there that would love to teach owners how to groom their own dogs – just ask! There is obviously inherent risk as you are working with sharp tools and equipment on a moving target. It’s not an easy job and should not be done without training! But if you are willing to put the time into learning correct techniques, it is very rewarding.

So now that you’ve figured out what kind of environment your dog would be best suited for, it’s time to find the groomer themselves.

Find a groomer who matches your style.

Find a website, look at pictures, look at reviews. If you like what you see, things are looking good! Honestly, trust your gut. If you don’t connect with someone, it’s not worth anyone’s time trying to change who they are to suit your needs.

Then you want to assess the set up.

Does it look clean? And no I’m not talking about how much hair is on the floor – that’s part of the job. I’m talking about things like nasty air filters, scum or mold (yeah, I’ve seen it) on the tubs, or dirty kennels… All of those are some serious red flags…

Does it look safe? Are there double doors? Gates into and out of the grooming area? Are dogs being monitored while on the table?

Again, trust your gut. If you feel something looks off, just ask! A good groomer will explain how the equipment works and what safety measures are in place.

Transparency is a huge indicator that they practice safe handling. If you can’t see the work area and staff is not willing to show it, that can be a red flag indicating an unclean environment or unsafe handling.

Look for a groomer who pursues continued education or advanced certification.

While it is an unregulated industry, there are ways to pursue certification. National Dog Groomers Association of America has a rigorous testing process including a series of four written tests, four practical tests, and attendance to a seminar/workshop. Certification through this organization and others like it are a testament to a groomer’s dedication to their craft.

Continued education looks like attending trade shows, seminars, dog shows, grooming contests, and more! Groomers who are investing in high quality tools, products, books, and equipment will put that investment to good use to provide the best quality grooming for your pet.

Look for a groomer who will answer your questions and take your requests seriously.

The saying “the customer is always right” does not reign true for grooming. It’s a team effort where client and professional are equals on the side of the dog. Groomers can do what is possible with the canvas they are given and it is our job to communicate our limitations with a client. Not every request is possible, but every request should be taken seriously and met with the same amount of grace and understanding.

Groomers should be honest and up front about behavioral challenges, skin condition, coat condition, longevity of a haircut, and… everything! Clients should be honest and up front about previous history of the dog, medical issues the dog may be having, goals for the haircut, preferences, and so much more. Again, both groomer and client are on the side of the dog so the more information they each have, the better.

Consistency is HUGE for dogs.

Bouncing from groomer to groomer is a sure fire way to leave your dog anticipating the worst and causing undue stress. Everyone is different and has different routines, different equipment, and different handling techniques.

Once you find your person, it is best to stick with that person. We develop relationships with our clients and pets that are so unique and special. I’ve seen dogs go from wild maniacs on the grooming table to perfect statues just because they built a relationship of trust.

Groomers are in high demand – most groomers are booked out several months in advance. Plan ahead if you want to stick with someone and be respectful of their scheduling.

A good groomer is someone who cares. At the end of the day, all that matters is that your dog is safe, loved, and treated with respect.

Questions? Comment below!

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. This subject is near and dear to my heart as a dog groomer and dog trainer. My dream for pets everywhere is that they are cared for and treated well. Groomers across the world need to be held accountable to treat dogs as they would their own and, likewise, owners need to be held accountable to care for their dogs to the best of their ability.

Emma Tinklenberg NCMG

Want to learn more about me and my grooming salon? Visit: CanadaCornersPetGrooming.com

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