When I was training to be a pet groomer, my mentor used to tell me, "You don't have to be the best groomer in the world. If you send home clean dogs that are tangle-free, have a cute face, and a tidy potty area, your customers will be happy." While I strive always to do my best, I realize there is some truth to my mentor's words.
Pet owners want their dogs to return from the groomer clean, shedding less, and without tangles. On pets with fuzzy faces they like to see that face looking neat and be able to view their eyes. And most customers very much appreciate a well-done sanitary trim.
This trim involves clipping fur around the anus to prevent feces from clinging there, as well as having the fur trimmed around the vulva and in front of the penis to reduce the chance of urine clinging to the hair and leaving residue and odor. In some cases, female dogs have been reported to have an increased chance of developing urinary tract infections if long hair is allowed to lingeraround the vulva. This fur can become tangled and retain moisture, creating a place where bacteria can have a party and create serious health issues.
Long hair growing around the sanitary region is prone to matting, and I have yet to meet a dog that enjoyed having those delicate areas brushed, so keeping things short just makes sense.
Small cordless trimmers with adjustable blades lend themselves perfectly to this job because their small size makes it easier to reach tricky areas. Using the #10 blade setting is usually a safe bet, as shorter lengths may cause skin irritation. If you are working on a pet that you know is prone to having sensitive skin in this area, using a short attachment comb can be a safe choice. Trimming clean, dry fur will reduce the chances of irritation as well.
When clipping the anal area, use care to never actually let the clipper blade come in contact withthe delicate skin there. Instead, clip away from the anal opening, pushing the fur away from the area as you trim it. Some pet owners like to have an extensive area trimmed close (we jokingly refer to this as "baboon butt"). Others prefer for the bare minimum of fur to be removed. If the dog is an intact male, there is a good chance that the owner will have a firm opinion about whether they want the testicles to show or not. This is an excellent time to keep careful notes about preferences. Some owners will appreciate a bit of a "wick" of hair left at the tip of the male dog's sheath to direct the urine stream down and away from the pet's body coat.
When trimming the belly and inside the thighs, be careful not to clip too large of an area, or the close clip will show when the dog sits or moves in specific ways. The idea is to keep things tidy but not affect the overall outcome of how the grooming looks.
My mentor was right. Customers will notice and appreciate a neat, well-trimmed sanitary trim when the freshly groomed pet rolls on its back to get a well-deserved post-grooming tummy rub.
