Just as humans like to be
showered, shaved and groomed, so do dogs. They need to be bathed,
have their nails trimmed and their coat brushed. The basics of
grooming, such as brushing is a simple process for most owners and
it certainly helps to strengthen the bond between a dog and his
owner. Many dogs derive a sense of pleasure from being brushed and
are inclined to look forward to it being done regularly. This is
also beneficial to the owner as it gives him or her, the
opportunity to keep a strict check on the physical aspects of
their pets health such as the condition of the skin, nails, ears
and teeth which is often a good indication of the dog’s state of
health. This also allows an owner to discover lumps, cuts and
other potential health problems. If a problem is encountered, the
owner can promptly arrange an appointment with the vet to have
their concern attended to.
Whether or not you decide to take your dog to a professional dog
groomer will in the end depend on a number of factors. One
important consideration will depend on the breed of the dog and
whether you feel at ease with the idea of someone else grooming
your dog. Some owners who have a long-haired dog find that the
dog’s hair mats together in a tangled mess and needs the attention
of a professional groomer to bring the coat to its original
condition. It must be understood that grooming a dog is much more
than just brushing and will also consist of a hair trim and many
other aspects of hygiene including bathing, clipping of nails,
brushing and shaving or cutting of matted hair. It also consists
of caring for the dog’s ears and clearing you pet of external
parasites such as fleas or ticks.
Some breeds, such as poodles need special attention as they
usually have their fur groomed in a particular way and a
professional groomer would probably be most qualified to do
justice to the dog’s coat. Other breeds of dogs should be clipped
seasonally and sometimes more often than that. A professional dog
groomer would be more capable at giving medicated baths and
removing severely matted hair, eradicating bad odors that somehow
dogs acquire, not to mention removing other harmful substances
that have become embedded in the dog’s fur.
The choice of a dog groomer is most important as you will not want
to trust your dog into the hands of just anyone. A certain degree
of risk is involved in grooming as the use of sharp instruments
such as scissors and clippers are employed.
It makes sense to talk to other dog owners before coming to a
final decision. Family members, friends and neighbors who have
dogs may be able to recommend a good professional dog groomer.
Your vet would most probably be the best source of finding a
reliable competent dog groomer.
If someone recommends a particular dog groomer don’t take the
recommendation at face value. Investigate it a little further and
telephone the dig groomer to ask some very pointed questions. Did
they undertake a diploma course at a school for groomers or did
they serve an apprenticeship with a qualified and experienced
groomer. Also determine how long they have been in business and
how much experience they have with your particular breed of dog.
In the United States there is a national organization called
National Dog Groomers of America Association and many states have
their own organizations for dog groomers incorporated. It would do
no harm to find out if the dog groomer in question belongs to any
of these associations.
Many states make it mandatory for groomers to be licensed as well
as certified in the use and application of flea and tick
medications. Before coming to a decision find out whether the dog
groomer is certified.
At the end of the day you should also rely on your intuition. If
after your initial conversation with the dog groomer you feel
comfortable with the information the dog groomer has supplied then
more than likely you will be happy with the service they will
provide. However, if you feel the person has not been honest or
reluctant in their answers then it might be a good idea to keep on
looking. It might also be considered a good idea to arrange a
visit to their office to asses their operation before making a
final decision..
