Taking care of your dog’s appearance is an essential part of caring for him. But many dog owners mistakenly think that grooming is an option, not a necessity.
Experts will tell you that it’s not just about puppy grooming. While brushing your dog is important and counts as grooming, the reality is that your dog needs professional grooming.
Why is dog grooming important?
Professional groomers can provide the expertise that you can’t, no matter how hard you try. They have access to dog grooming equipment that you may not have, and they have experience and perhaps even training that gives them essential skills to keep your dog’s coat healthy and attractive.
Plus, they can often provide your dog with a true grooming experience that goes beyond what most of us can do in our backyard or bathroom.
Good dog groomers can ensure that your dog is clean and that his or her fur is in good condition. But because a dog groomer will likely spend more time caring for your dog’s fur than you would yourself, he or she may also notice skin problems or other issues that need attention.
In addition, dog groomers have equipment that you don’t have at home, including special dog washes and the know-how to use them. They can also use better quality dog clippers than you can buy for home use.
How to find a dog grooming service
Dog groomers can be found in a variety of places. Here are some ideas:
- Ask for a referral at the vet’s office; sometimes a good quality dog grooming service is available on-site at the vet’s office.
- Buy an e-book, DVD, or CD and learn to do at least some of the grooming yourself (this will save you money and strengthen your relationship with your dog).
- Dog groomers can often rent space in the pet store and provide grooming while the dog’s owners shop.
- Look for independent dog-washing facilities; they are sometimes located in suburban neighborhoods. You can help wash the dog, or the groomer can do all the work.
You can drop your dog off at any groomer, but it is best to ask the groomer a few questions first. These questions may include:
- Has the groomer taken any dog grooming classes? This can guarantee a high-quality wash and groom session.
- If the groomer has taken a dog grooming course, did it cover the detection of skin problems and what to do about them?
- Does the groomer groom puppies? If you have a young dog, this question may be relevant, as the grooming needs of a puppy may be different from those of an adult dog.
Grooming your dog at home
If you need to save money or simply don’t want to take your dog to a groomer, you may find that you can replicate a professional grooming session at home.
It’s a little difficult to do at first, but you can give your dog a good grooming session at home. Here are some ideas:
- Buy an e-book, DVD, or CD and learn to do at least some of the grooming yourself (this will save you money and strengthen your relationship with your dog).
- First, make sure you have the right equipment. This goes beyond a good dog brush, although that is important. Also, have a quality dog shampoo (not your shower shampoo) and flea medicine on hand if necessary. Also have clean, fresh towels and dog clippers.
- Be patient with your dog. Many don’t like baths or being brushed and groomed. One of the benefits of taking your dog to a dog grooming center is that he or she can be leashed to the table, which makes the job much easier.
- Groom your dog regularly. The frequency of grooming depends on the breed of dog, but find out what the breed’s grooming needs are and try to stick to that schedule. If you don’t, your dog’s coat may get out of control and you’ll have no choice but to take him to a dog groomer.
Your dog’s grooming needs are usually not excessive unless it is a breed that requires a lot of attention. Be prepared to do whatever is necessary to groom your dog, whether it’s a professional groomer or grooming at home.
