The Groomer's Blog

When grooming West Highland White terriers, creating the proper tail shape seems to be confusing to some groomers. Here are some tips to help you nail those tails. 

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.

Grooming your dog doesn’t have to be a battle—it can be a fun bonding experience for both of you! Whether you’ve got an adorable puppy or a seasoned adult dog, starting early (or with positive training) is the key to a stress-free grooming routine. Trust me, with a bit of patience, a lot of treats, and some positive vibes, you’ll both be enjoying grooming time together in no time!

If you ask ten pet owners, "Do cats need baths? " Most of them will say, "No, they keep themselves clean." It is commonly believed that cats can maintain healthy skin and coat because they self-groom. To some extent, this is true. Your average young, healthy, short-haired cat generally keeps themselves quite tidy. But not all cats are young, healthy, or short-haired.

Imagine the following scenarios. 

• 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 

Pet groomers are not required to hold any official certification in most states, and grooming is largely an unregulated industry. This means anyone can buy a set of clippers and scissors and call themselves a professional groomer.

Let's imagine a grooming scenario. A new customer brings you their dog for the first time. It's a young, medium-sized mixed breed. If you were going to guess, you'd suspect there is some Dachshund and a bit of terrier in there somewhere, along with other breeds, as well. It's a cute dog with a nice coat, and you and the owner come to an agreement about how the pet is to be groomed

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.

The dog on your grooming table is ready to be styled. Its coat has been washed, conditioned, dried, brushed, and combed. Its ears have been cleaned, and its claws trimmed and buffed. Now,you will clip and scissor to the best of your ability. Here is a question for you: have you applied coat spray? If this is a product you are not familiar with or currently using, maybe you should try some.