Let’s face it—bathing your dog might not always be the most glamorous part of pet parenting, but it’s so important! ???? Whether your dog loves to roll around in the mud, chase after sprinklers, or simply loves a good snuggle, regular baths are essential for maintaining their health, hygiene, and overall happiness. And no, it’s not just about making your pup smell fresh and fluffy (though that’s definitely a bonus!).
Mixed-breed Millie trots in for her every six-week grooming appointment, and her owner hands you a bottle of shampoo from their veterinarian's office. "Millie is having an allergic reaction to something, and her skin is a mess. The vet told me to ask you to please use this." Here are some things you need to know when you use the prescribed product.
You are grooming a dog when you hear a sound in the area where your holding cages or runs are. You look and find a dog lying on the floor, having a seizure.
Using a 7F blade, you are clipping through the very matted coat of a senior citizen Maltese, being as careful as possible. You see a drop of blood and find that you have nicked the back of the dog's leg.
A customer leaves two pets to be groomed. You put them together while they wait to be bathed, and they suddenly get into a vicious fight. You manage to separate them, but one has a deep wound on its ear.
A large, old dog slips on the damp floor of the bathing room and falls. When it gets up, it limps.
As you take the last tiny snip of the one teeny hair you saw sticking out on a dog's muzzle, it flicks its tongue out, and you accidentally cut the edge of the tongue with your scissors.
A struggling dog slips out of the safety loop, falls off the table (or out of the tub), and is injured.
These are all scary examples of things that can easily happen in any grooming environment, even under the watchful eye of the most caring, careful, professional groomer. Accidents and emergencies are always a possibility when working with live animals. How we react when a situation like any of the above happens is paramount.
For this reason, taking a pet first aid course is crucial for groomers. There are a variety of courses available; some can be taken hands-on, which is great because you can try resuscitating and bandaging techniques on model animals, and others can be taken via the internet from the comfort of home, which has its own benefits.
Becoming educated in basic first aid for animals will help you understand what first aid supplies you need to keep on hand and how to respond quickly and efficiently to any medical emergency. It will demonstrate that you are committed to the well-being of the pets in your care while grooming them. Pet owners will be reassured knowing they are entrusting their pet to a groomer who will know how to respond appropriately in case of an accident or illness.
Prices for classes vary widely. You can search online for courses in your area or offered online. Some well-respected classes are Pet Tech and those provided by the American Red Cross
Grooming is an essential part of maintaining your dog’s overall health and well-being. It goes far beyond simply keeping your dog looking good—it plays a vital role in their physical comfort, cleanliness, and even emotional health. For professional pet stylists, understanding the breed's temperament, coat type, and the breeds function is crucial. This knowledge not only enhances your grooming skills but also sets the foundation for a successful career in the industry.
As a professional groomer, I get asked a lot of questions about dog grooming, and I’m always happy to help! Grooming is about more than just a clean dog; it’s about keeping your pet’s coat and skin healthy and looking its best. Here are some of the most common questions I get asked, along with my expert answers!
Brushing your dog is more than just a grooming ritual—it’s an essential part of maintaining their health and well-being. Whether your dog has a fluffy curly coat, a long, luxurious drop coat or a short, shiny coat regular brushing offers numerous benefits for both you and your furry friend. Here are five key reasons why you should make brushing a regular part of your dog's care routine.
Bosco is a spaniel mix with a dense coat and thick, squishy lips. He’s a fun dog to groom, happy and tail wagging from when he arrives until he struts out the door. But today, when you gently hold his face so you can clip his head, he violently jerks away from you. You give him a pat and tell him you are sorry, then try again. He makes it very clear that he does not want you to touch his muzzle. This behavior is unusual for Bosco, so now what?
One of my groomer friends recently told me, "I lost a customer today. I told her that I had noticed her dog had gained a lot of weight and was concerned about its health. She got all upset, told me to cancel her future appointments, and stormed out."
Although not a common diagnosis, post-grooming furunculosis is a severe skin infection that has been widely publicized recently and frequently discussed in online grooming forums. Many groomers have never heard about it before or don't understand what it is.
As the temperature drops, the days get shorter, and the autumn leaves hit the ground, mycustomers frequently ask me, "Why is my dog shedding so much? Isn't it the wrong season?" If your customers are wondering the same thing, consider this an excellent opportunity to educate pet owners.
