These tools can be confusing. When you read their descriptions in catalogs, they’re so similar…They do the same thing, don’t they? No, they don’t. Let me explain. Both remove undercoat on thick coated dogs. It’s the METHOD of removal that varies. One pulls out dead and shedding coat without cutting the fur. The other has sharp, curved teeth which remove the undercoat but will also cut the coat. One is used primarily on dry coats, both before and after the bath. The other is effective prior to shampooing, during the bathing process, and after the dog is clean and dried.
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.
Nothing is worse than reaching for a gallon of your favorite shampoo or conditioner to replace the one you just finished and realizing you are out of it. Except for going for the de-matting spray that never lets you down and finding the bottle is putting out nothing but fumes, and the backupyou were sure you had stashed is missing in action.
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!
The one good thing about the COVID-19 pandemic is that most of us are a little more conscious of preventing the spread of germs. In the pet grooming environment, we are concerned with preventing the spread of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that might be transmittable between the pets we groom.
It can sometimes feel a little confusing when you are perusing a grooming supply catalog for clipper blades. For instance, some blades from size 7 to 3 ¾ have teeth that, instead of all being the same length, alternate every other tooth from long to shorter. These are known as "skip tooth"blades, and I don't mean to date myself, but those were all that were available when I was a new groomer. I had been grooming for a while before being introduced to "F" or "FC," or finish-cut blades.
The dog on your grooming table is excited to be there, wagging, dancing, and panting. In your face. And it's breath? Strong enough to peel paint. Many dogs have the beginnings of dental disease as early as age three. This seems to be more typical in small breeds, but dental disease can be found in all breeds and sizes of dogs. Early signs are a buildup of plaque on the teeth and unpleasant-smelling breath. Left untreated, the dog can experience pain, and the bacteria in the mouth can circulate through the pet's body, causing damage to vital organs.
One way to maintain an upbeat, excited attitude about choosing grooming as a career is to dream up and work towards achieving new goals. Doing so can cancel out the drudgery of day-to-day work patterns and habits and give us something to look forward to with happy anticipation. Here are some examples of things groomers set their sights on and pursue that make life more exciting and have career-building payoffs.
