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Hey everyone,
I've been grooming for nearly four years now and I thought I'd share some tips for owners for when they take their dog(s) for their hair cuts
Number 1). DO always look for reviews on the internet, Google, Facebook, Yell etc. Before choosing a groomer. Dog groomers are shockingly not actually legally required to take any sort of course before they start, meaning anyone can pick up a pair of scissors and clippers and call themselves a dog groomer! So look for someone preferably with qualifications and/or training in dog grooming.
Number 2). DO always take your puppy for one or two introductory visits first without being groomed, just to get them familiar with the environment, different smells and of course the groomer themselves. Most groomers will allow this (any excuse for puppy cuddles)
Number 3). DO always always always tell the groomer exactly what you want in your dog's cut, especially with cross breeds. And this doesn't mean just saying ''oh you know just a trim"...not good enough, there are different types of cuts for different breeds and of course some people like a variation on those styles, so not the standard cut. For example, with a Westie you can either have short all over with hair left on the face and tail or short on the back with the skirts (hair on the belly) and feathers (hair on the legs) left on. Some people like having the feathers left but not the skirts. Some people even bring a picture of how the dog was cut at their previous groomers to show exactly how they want them or show a picture on Google if it's the dogs first cut.
Number 4). DO make sure the groomer tells you what they're going to do. Similarly the groomer should tell you what needs to be done if the dog is matted. Most of the time when a groomer is bad mouthed, it's because they've clipped the dog short all over and haven't explained to the owner before doing it. Or they've misunderstood what the owner wants, it's a two way street, communication is key! If a dog is too matted to brush, most groomers will clip them off all over and start again to make it fairer for the dog.
Number 5). DO make sure the groomer has your number, especially if you're leaving them there, just in case there's an emergency or even if they just have a question.
Number 6). DO take your own shampoo if your dog has specific needs such as allergies and maybe has a shampoo from the vet or one you've bought for their condition.
Number 7). DO make sure the groomer gives you at least a price estimate before your appointment.
Number 8). DO brush your dog between visits! Groomers are not a replacement for brushing at home, they're as well as. Particularly with high maintenance coats such as poodle/poodle crosses. These coats need ideally daily brushing.
Number 9). DO make your groomer aware of any medical issues your dog has. Also any previous injuries such as broken legs, particularly if they have metal work inside keeping the bones together, the groomer will take extra care to be careful. Also any lumps and bumps on the skin.
Number 10). DO tell your groomer if your dog is nervous around strangers and/or gets mouthy while being groomed, if your dog tries to bite, the safest thing is for the groomer to use a muzzle on them.
Number 11). DO ask if you can stay while your dog is being groomed, some groomers are flexible and allow owners to watch/wait in a waiting area.
Number 12). DON'T - if you do stay don't stand right by the table where your dog is being groomed, more often than not the owner being there makes the dog more stressed, particularly if you are stressed, it can be passed onto the dog and the more you restrain a dog the more it'll struggle. So even if your dog is being a nightmare and you feel you have to hold them, ask the groomer what they want you to do. Having the owner right there standing over them can be off-putting for the groomer. Ideally there should be a waiting area a good distance away, preferably even out of your dog's sight.
Number 13). DON'T - bath your dog the night before your appointment (believe me it happens), you're going to the groomer to have your dog bathed and trimmed, they understand that they're going to be dirty so don't be embarrassed that your dog stinks, we've seen (and smelt) it all!
Number 14). DON'T - take your female dog to the groomers when they're in season (ewww! I've learned this the hard way, nothing worse than putting your fingers back there and finding blood) plus it's not ideal if it's a groomer that has cages and there could be male dogs there, that would be stressful for all), in the late stages of pregnancy (for obvious reasons, they need as little stress as possible and you need to be careful with the pups inside), or when they're nursing puppies, wait until the puppies have been weaned or better yet after they've gone to new homes because the products used can change the mother's smell.
Number 15). DON'T - this might be an obvious one but don't take your dog to the groomers if they have a cut/injury or they've just had surgery, wait until the stitches have been taken out and they've had the all clear from the vet (I know you can't wait to get the awful vet smell off but it unfortunately has to wait).
I could have gone on and on forever but feel I should stop there
hope this is helpful for people and feel free to ask any questions/add any more tips
I've been grooming for nearly four years now and I thought I'd share some tips for owners for when they take their dog(s) for their hair cuts
Number 1). DO always look for reviews on the internet, Google, Facebook, Yell etc. Before choosing a groomer. Dog groomers are shockingly not actually legally required to take any sort of course before they start, meaning anyone can pick up a pair of scissors and clippers and call themselves a dog groomer! So look for someone preferably with qualifications and/or training in dog grooming.
Number 2). DO always take your puppy for one or two introductory visits first without being groomed, just to get them familiar with the environment, different smells and of course the groomer themselves. Most groomers will allow this (any excuse for puppy cuddles)
Number 3). DO always always always tell the groomer exactly what you want in your dog's cut, especially with cross breeds. And this doesn't mean just saying ''oh you know just a trim"...not good enough, there are different types of cuts for different breeds and of course some people like a variation on those styles, so not the standard cut. For example, with a Westie you can either have short all over with hair left on the face and tail or short on the back with the skirts (hair on the belly) and feathers (hair on the legs) left on. Some people like having the feathers left but not the skirts. Some people even bring a picture of how the dog was cut at their previous groomers to show exactly how they want them or show a picture on Google if it's the dogs first cut.
Number 4). DO make sure the groomer tells you what they're going to do. Similarly the groomer should tell you what needs to be done if the dog is matted. Most of the time when a groomer is bad mouthed, it's because they've clipped the dog short all over and haven't explained to the owner before doing it. Or they've misunderstood what the owner wants, it's a two way street, communication is key! If a dog is too matted to brush, most groomers will clip them off all over and start again to make it fairer for the dog.
Number 5). DO make sure the groomer has your number, especially if you're leaving them there, just in case there's an emergency or even if they just have a question.
Number 6). DO take your own shampoo if your dog has specific needs such as allergies and maybe has a shampoo from the vet or one you've bought for their condition.
Number 7). DO make sure the groomer gives you at least a price estimate before your appointment.
Number 8). DO brush your dog between visits! Groomers are not a replacement for brushing at home, they're as well as. Particularly with high maintenance coats such as poodle/poodle crosses. These coats need ideally daily brushing.
Number 9). DO make your groomer aware of any medical issues your dog has. Also any previous injuries such as broken legs, particularly if they have metal work inside keeping the bones together, the groomer will take extra care to be careful. Also any lumps and bumps on the skin.
Number 10). DO tell your groomer if your dog is nervous around strangers and/or gets mouthy while being groomed, if your dog tries to bite, the safest thing is for the groomer to use a muzzle on them.
Number 11). DO ask if you can stay while your dog is being groomed, some groomers are flexible and allow owners to watch/wait in a waiting area.
Number 12). DON'T - if you do stay don't stand right by the table where your dog is being groomed, more often than not the owner being there makes the dog more stressed, particularly if you are stressed, it can be passed onto the dog and the more you restrain a dog the more it'll struggle. So even if your dog is being a nightmare and you feel you have to hold them, ask the groomer what they want you to do. Having the owner right there standing over them can be off-putting for the groomer. Ideally there should be a waiting area a good distance away, preferably even out of your dog's sight.
Number 13). DON'T - bath your dog the night before your appointment (believe me it happens), you're going to the groomer to have your dog bathed and trimmed, they understand that they're going to be dirty so don't be embarrassed that your dog stinks, we've seen (and smelt) it all!
Number 14). DON'T - take your female dog to the groomers when they're in season (ewww! I've learned this the hard way, nothing worse than putting your fingers back there and finding blood) plus it's not ideal if it's a groomer that has cages and there could be male dogs there, that would be stressful for all), in the late stages of pregnancy (for obvious reasons, they need as little stress as possible and you need to be careful with the pups inside), or when they're nursing puppies, wait until the puppies have been weaned or better yet after they've gone to new homes because the products used can change the mother's smell.
Number 15). DON'T - this might be an obvious one but don't take your dog to the groomers if they have a cut/injury or they've just had surgery, wait until the stitches have been taken out and they've had the all clear from the vet (I know you can't wait to get the awful vet smell off but it unfortunately has to wait).
I could have gone on and on forever but feel I should stop there
hope this is helpful for people and feel free to ask any questions/add any more tips
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