An adorable Pug came to see you for grooming. She snorts and wiggles, and you pop her into the bathtub and get to work. Like most smooth-coated breeds, it can feel like grooming this breed is a walk in the park. But wait! There's more to it than a simple wash and dry.
Silicone is an ingredient found in many pet care products that is wildly effective and useful but is often misunderstood. Some brands advertise that they contain "no silicone" as if that were a bonus. Rumor has it that silicone builds up on hair and damages it by causing yellowing andbreakage. This may have been true of early silicone-based products, but times have changed. Grooming educator Barbara Bird has written extensively on the subject (see references below for more information) and often talks about the usefulness of silicone on the award-winning GroomPod podcast she hosts with Suzy Scott.
If you live in a climate that experiences winter weather, your phone may be starting to ring now that warmer weather is here with frantic pleas for help with pets that have met a skunk. In cold climates, skunks spend the winter in a sleepy state called torpor. In the spring, they awaken and search for food and a mate.
Sometimes, dogs must be clipped smooth, also known as shaving. Occasionally, it is by owner request; often, it is because there is no other humane way to rid the pet of a matted, neglected coat. It is often not a groomer’s favorite thing to do, but sometimes shave we must. Here are some tips and tricks to accomplish the job as safely and attractively as possible.
Last week, a regular customer told me she'd been having some significant health issues and wanted to add a little happiness to her life. Could I please color her Bichon's tail pink? You bet I can; I will the next time she comes in.
Since I was old enough to grasp the idea that I needed a job in life, I’ve always wanted that job to involve animals. As a kid, I thought maybe I could be a Marine Biologist or live in Africa and work with lions and Elephants. My aspirations changed as I matured, formed other goals, and settled on pet grooming. My career choice has been a happy one in many ways. I have, indeed, worked with animals. I have also met wonderful people at the other end of the leash.
Grover is a completely adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He has the breeds typical silky coat, with thick, luxurious furnishings on his ears. So thick, in fact, they are a serious challenge to dry. Most dogs are not fans of the drying process to begin with, and when you work on their sensitive ears, they like it even less. Here are some tips for getting the hair on thickly coated ears dry while keeping the pet as comfortable as possible.
Pet groomers have their hands on every part of every pet they groom and, in most cases, see that pet on a more regular schedule than the animal’s doctor sees it. This being said it is no surprise that groomers often discover potential medical problems
Even talented groomers with well-established businesses sometimes find themselves having a slow day. Maybe you had a last-minute cancellation that you can't fill, or the weather is horrible, and a bunch of people rescheduled. Maybe (gasp) you made an error on the calendar. Here are fifteen ideas to wisely use that free time you hadn't planned on having.
No, AI can't dematt an Old English Sheepdog but believe it or not, artificial intelligence can come in handy for pet groomers. "How in the world could it be useful?" you say. I'm so glad you asked!
