Hints on Choosing the Right Groomer for your Dog
Pets need to be groomed just as people do. They need to be brushed, bathed and they need their nails trimmed. Basic grooming such as brushing is a simple process for most owners and it often helps develop a more solid living relationship between the owner and the dog. Many dogs enjoy the feel of being brushed and look forward to it on a regular basis. This is also a way for owners to keep abreast of the external elements of a dog’s health such as what the condition of their fur, skin, nails, ears and teeth are like. This is a way many owner discover lumps, bumps, cuts or other potential health concerns in their animals. Once discovered the owner can schedule an appointment with a vet to have the problem looked at.
The decision whether or not to take your dog to a professional groomer depends on the kind of dog you have and how comfortable you feel having someone else grooming your dog. Some people, for example those who have dog that has long hair, find that the dog’s hair mats together and requires the services of a professional to return it to its original state. Keep in mind that grooming is a hair trim or cut for your dog but it is so much more than that. Grooming may involve other aspects of pet care such as bathing, combing, clipping of nails, brushing, shaving or cutting clumps of matted hair, cleaning ears and ridding an animal of external parasites such as fleas or ticks.
Some dogs, such as poodles traditionally have their fur groomed a certain way and therefore a professional groomer would be most qualified to do the work. Other types of dogs need to be clipped seasonally and some more often that that. A professional groomer would also be proficient at giving medicated or flea baths, removing matted (and sometimes severely matted) fur, getting rid of the odor of skunk and also getting rid of harmful substances that have found their way onto a dog’s fur.
The choice of a groomer is important for your dog, as you are not willing to trust your beloved pet in the hands of just anybody. Grooming involves a certain degree of risk in regards to bathing your dog, and using such sharp items such as electric clippers and scissors.
The first thing you must do is talk to other people and get recommendations. Talk to family members, friends and neighbors who have dogs and find out who they take their dog to for grooming. As well your veterinarian would also be a good source of information.
Once you have a particular name in mind make a telephone call to the groomer and ask specific pointed questions such as, “Did you attend grooming school or did you do an apprenticeship with a qualified and experienced groomer?” Also ask the groomer how long they have been in business and how much experience they have with your specific breed of dog. In the United States there is a national organization known as the “National Dog Groomers of America Association” and many states have their own organizations for groomers in place. It might be a good idea to find out if the groomer in question belongs to any of these established organizations.
It is not true of all states but many make it mandatory for their groomers to be both licensed as well as certified in regards to the application of flea and tick medications. Find out before you commit to anything if the groomer is certified or not.
You should always go with your gut feeling about the groomer you are speaking with. If your intuition tells you that he or she is okay then more than likely you will be happy with the service you receive. However if the person is not upfront with you and seems reluctant to answer questions then it might be wise to keep looking. Keep in mind that groomers are as busy as everyone else and your call might have caught them at a bad time. If that is so then arrange another time to speak that will be convenient for you both. You might want to consider visiting the groomer’s office and speaking to him or her in person before you make a final decision. Taking another person with you for the appointment is a good idea as he or she might think of questions to ask that might slip your mind.
For more information about dog grooming, or to choose from related products, choose from one of the following links:
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