7 Things Your Dog Groomer Wish You Knew
When was the last time you took your dog to a groomer to get it cleaned? Do you wish to get a groomer’s advice to maintain your pet’s overall health? A professional grooming service will help detect issues with the dog’s teeth, skin, and ears.
Your dog groomer will thank you for getting involved in your pet’s grooming and will expect you to stick to various practices before visiting them.
So, what practical tips does your dog groomer wish you knew before visiting?
1. Proper Brushing
Brushing helps remove dead hair from your pet’s coat. This activity also distributes natural oils across the skin to keep the coat healthy. Brushing also helps remove parasites that may have hidden inside the coat.
Train your pooch using “the stand command” to make brushing comfortable and safe. Instruct the pet to stay still for some minutes before releasing it. Then, find a place that’s convenient for brushing to keep the pet comfortable.
Your brushing supplies may include a bristle brush, comb, and mat/tangle remover. You can also use a curry brush, a pin brush, a shedding blade, and a pair of scissors.
Shave down the coat if it is covered in matted hair. Dog’s find this painful and uncomfortable. If you try brushing a matt out, it will only cause more pain. A bristle brush works well on small to medium coats, while a pair of scissors is ideal for long coats.
2. Trimming the Dog's Toenails
A pair of scissor-style clippers will help trim your tiny puppies or small dogs. Use a large nail clipper if you have a medium and large dog. You should also stock styptic powder to prevent the nails from bleeding if an accident happens.
Only trim the toenails when they touch the ground. A dog’s toenails grow curling outwards and may restrict movement. Long nails also increase the likelihood of slips and falls and change the way their pads naturally touch the ground by lifting them up too high. This can cause arthritis in the toes and wrists if left unchecked.
Start slowly while working your way up when clipping the nails. Then, carefully observe the trimmed nails to ensure that they’re level. Only cut a small portion of the dog’s back nails for balance since dogs carry a lot of their weight in the back toes.
3. Bathing the Pet
Bathe your canine at least once a month to minimize odours and parasites. You may bathe the pet once a week if it has a greasy coat. Frequent baths may also work on breeds with short, smooth coats.
Bathe breeds such as Great Pyrenees and Golden Retrievers once a month. This measure will help preserve their essential oils. Breeds with thick, double coats need extra brushing and a few baths to promote a healthy coat.
You may use a laundry tub or sink to wash your small pooch. A portable doggy tub would be ideal for medium-sized dogs. Use a garden hose to flush water over your pet’s coat if on a sunny day outside.
Thoroughly brush the pet before bathing it in lukewarm water. Use a calm, reassuring voice to sweet-talk it into taking a bath. Specialized dog shampoo will remove germs on the coat, while an air-dryer will help dry up the coat.
4. Massaging the Dog
A full-body massage will help relax your dog and prepare it for pet grooming. First, try petting the canine from head to toe while playing with its paws. Then, gently scratch its back and play with its ears to make it get used to the massage.
Place your pet on a raised table to simulate the experiences of an expert grooming session. First, choose a serene place to do the massage to help calm the dog. Then, slowly use long, sweeping motions to glide through the dog’s coat.
Look out for any increased sensitivity and swelling on the skin. Halt the massage if it seems painful to the dog.
5. Training the Dog to Accept Handling
Use the” face hold” exercise to get your pup used to its face being touched. Start the training by asking the pet to sit and showing them a reward (treat). Then, with your hand gently placed under their chin, hold the fur for several seconds.
Reward the canine with a treat once it completes this exercise successfully. Repeat this exercise on other body parts and reward the canine if it cooperates. Your pet will gradually accept other people (including groomers) to handle it.
6. Reviewing a Dog Groomer's Qualifications
A good dog groomer can expertly assess your pet’s skin condition and choose an appropriate shampoo. They’ll also keep the pet’s teeth brushed, ears cleaned, and nails cut. Then, when asked for grooming advice, they readily share it with the pet owners.
In Canada, pet groomers don’t need a license or degree to start doing business. However, one can enroll in a voluntary course offered by the National Groomer Association of Canada.
7. Choosing the Right Dog Grooming Package
Most pet groomers curate their dog grooming package to suit different breeds. The package may include a bath, ear cleaning, nail trim, and haircut. It may also include a brush out and blow out.
Hire a groomer who bundles different services together to create a luxurious experience for your canine. Grooming experts should also know how to deal with specific issues (such as sensitive skin).
You should also look for a pet groomer nearby with a special package for small dogs if you have one. Do they offer special packages for clients who like to book ahead? Are there spe
Hire a Professional Dog Groomer Today
You now know how to prepare your dog for a groom. With the right dog groomer by your side, you can save unnecessary visits to the veterinary clinic. It’ll also be easier for a groomer to spot any infections or conditions before they can potentially hurt your pet.
Are you looking for pet spa services to keep your dog healthy, clean, and comfortable? Our grooming services cater to all pet needs.
We pride ourselves as the first dog spa in Toronto operating a membership-based model. We invite you to Try Us for Just $35 today for your dog.
Fluff Spa
We love keeping dogs healthy! Like you we are a team of devoted pet parents and we understand how important your dog’s health is to you. We wanted to help dog parents provide monthly routine upkeep of their dogs so we created our dog wellness checks
