Dog grooming is an important part of keeping your pet happy and healthy. It helps keep their coats clean and shiny and keeps their nails trimmed.
A professional dog groomer is a very skilled person who knows how to groom a dog. This can be done at home with some time and effort, but a pro dog groomer can offer a more tailored and better service. An expert dog groomer is able to groom any dog and knows how to work with dogs that may have physical and behavioral problems.
Groomers Offer Many Services
A visit to the groomer usually includes brushing, bathing and drying of the dog. The dog is then groomed, including its ears, nails, and coat. The dog groomer cleans the dog before bathing and checks for signs of infection. The dog is then groomed and clipped if needed. A dog groomer can trim your dog’s nails and can also use a dog-specific toothpaste to brush your dog’s teeth.
Your Dog Groomer is Professionally Equipped
A dog groomer will use different types of clippers and scissors to groom your dog, including grooming tables and shampoos to help make sure your dog is comfortable.
Basic Grooming Services
Bathing
Since dogs need to run around and exercise to release energy and prevent build-up, bathing is a common service offered by groomers. Groomers often use anti-flea and anti-tick shampoo to eliminate or prevent fleas or ticks from festering your dog’s coat. At times, the bathing option will include hair brushing or trimming.
Brushing
If you’re looking for a professional dog grooming service, then you’ll need to find one that offers both bathing and brushing. Bathing your dog involves washing its body with soap and water. It also includes removing any mats or tangles from their fur. Brushing your dog’s hair is done using a special brush designed specifically for dogs.
Hair Trimming
Many people will enjoy having their pets bathed. However, for some pet owners, it may be just a trimming of their pet’s fur. This will help them receive better air circulation, which will decrease the chances of your dog getting overheated during warmer weather.
Grooming a puppy is not the same for every dog groomer, so you may have to shop around to find the right groomer for your puppy.
Eye and Ear Cleaning
Dog groomers offer a service to clean your dog’s eyes and ears. The eyes and ears are two sensitive spots and a dog groomer will wipe away the gunk and tear stains gathered around the eyes. They use a cotton ball or wipes to clean the gunk and tear stains away and make sure your dog is comfortable.
Ear cleaning is one of the most common procedures in dog grooming. The ears are very sensitive areas and as such, they will need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Your dog groomer is best equipped to handle this sensitive area.
Nail Trimming
Trimming your dog’s nails is crucial to its overall health. Trimming your dog’s nails too short can cause them pain as they can get irritated. Cutting too long of a nail can be even more painful for your dog as the nail can get irritated. When grooming your dog, remember to use a nail clipper that is designed for dogs, not human nails.
Not every dog groomer offers this service. It’s important to ask them if this is on their service list before booking.
Expressing Anal Glands
This is another service that not all groomers provide but most do.
The anal glands produce a smelly substance that dogs use in marking territory and identifying each other. These glands can get irritated, and even blocked, causing your dog to be in pain and have problems completing its bodily functions.
When the anal sacs are full, it is possible that the dog will have a range of behaviors in an attempt to alleviate its discomfort. These include, but are not limited to, tail chasing, chewing the anal area, and bottom dragging. While this behavior can be a sign of an underlying issue, it is very common in a dog with anal sac problems.
If your dog is suffering from discomfort, you should be able to alleviate that by expressing the dog’s anal glands. Most dog owners prefer to have this unpleasant and smelly business done by a dog groomer or in severe situations a veterinarian.
De-shedding Treatments
De-shedding can be used to remove much of a dog’s undercoat, but it is best used to prevent mats. It can be used to draw out natural oils released by a dog’s skin and fur.
Breed Specific Cuts
Some groomers offer breed-specific cuts. These vary depending on the dog’s breed, size, and industry standards for size and breed. These groomers may also offer owner requests for artistic cuts. It’s best to be as clear as possible when asking for particular dog haircuts. Don’t hesitate to bring in pictures if you have a certain vision.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should My Dog Be Groomed?
Dog grooming can be a complicated process. The frequency of grooming will depend on the type of dog. Short-haired dogs can be groomed every 3-6 months while long-haired dogs may require a monthly service. Ask your local groomer how best to maintain your dog’s coat.
While you may go to the dog groomer on a monthly basis, you can also do some grooming at home. Trimming nails, cleaning teeth, and brushing the coat are good practices. You can also make sure that your dog is comfortable by checking ears, grooming private parts, and de-matting.
How Long Will My Dog Need to Be at the Groomer?
Dog grooming can take anywhere from three to four hours depending on the services you are getting. This includes, but is not limited to, a nail trim, a quick bath, a full haircut, and style.
Learn Valuable Tips from Your Groomer
A top dog groomer will have a lot of knowledge when it comes to dog grooming. They can provide invaluable tips and recommendations on the best ways to groom your dog.
If you are unsure about anything regarding your dog, you should ask your groomer for advice. They will have the knowledge and experience to help you out.
