Reasons To Appreciate Your Dog Groomer

Do you take your dog to the salon when he needs a makeover? Fido is undoubtedly in good company. According to Dogster, up to one-third of pet owners take their dogs to the groomer. In this article, a local Brooklyn, NY veterinarian discusses why dog groomers should be celebrated.

Dog Groomers Provide Convenience

Convenience is probably the main reason why consumers visit groomers. You’ll save the mess and hassle of cleaning up the bathroom, and you won’t get soaked in the process. You’ll also avoid having to rush your dog out the door for a dry-off stroll in the summer, and won’t have to worry about keeping a wet dog off your furniture in the winter. You’ll simply drop off your dirty dog and pick it up a few hours later, soft and clean and ready for snuggles and belly rubs. (With bacon, of course.)

Fashion-Forward Pooch

If your canine companion has short, smooth fur, you won’t have to worry too much about his fashion preferences. If your pet’s fur is thick and/or long, you may have more options.

Some dogs simply are more comfortable with a cute cut in hot weather. Professional cuts should only be performed by someone with sufficient training and experience. Groomers can help you select the ideal cut for your canine companion and ensure that it’s done properly.  

A word for the wise? If you want a particular style, bring a photo of it. That can significantly reduce miscommunications.

Pet Grooming Salons Are Safe

Taking Fido to the groomer may also be a safer option. If your dog is thin, old, sick, huge, or simply wiggly, he may get an injury while entering and exiting the bathtub. If your dog is huge or fragile, you may have difficulty getting him in and out, which raises the risk of slips and falls. Some dogs find it uncomfortable to be carried up and held.

This is a safety hazard for both humans and pets, especially with larger dogs. You could potentially slip and injure yourself. Dog groomers offer stations that are easy for even the largest dogs to enter and exit.

Groomers Have Practiced Eyes

We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to never view a groomer as a substitute for adequate veterinary treatment. Nonetheless, many groomers have extensive experience analyzing and handling animals. That means they have keen vision and may be able to detect skin disorders, lesions, tumors, or swelling before they become visible. This can be quite useful because it may alert you to an issue that needs to be addressed. The sooner an issue is identified and addressed, the better.

Medical Grooming

Some of our canine companions require more assistance in this area than others. For example, some puppies require ear hair removal. However, this could lead to conflicts with other canines. Medical grooming includes expressions of the anal glands.

Medical grooming includes procedures such as anal gland expression and ear hair trimming. These things are not necessary for all canines. However, they should always and exclusively be performed by professionals.

How Do You Select A Good Groomer?

Of course, you must first find a decent groomer in order to appreciate them. This could take some time! After all, you don’t want to leave your pet’s care to just anyone!

Here are some suggestions for discovering the ‘pawesome’ person:

Request For References

Word of mouth is still a wonderful way to identify high-quality service providers. No matter what technology, social media apps, or websites people use, it’s difficult to top a positive review, or, better still, a succession of them. Ask your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors for referrals.

Check The Facility Out

Before sending Fido to a new groomer, it’s a good idea to inspect the facilities. Ensure the area is clean, and that the cages and surfaces appear to be regularly disinfected.

Inquire About Services And Add-Ons

In recent years, dog grooming salons have seen a significant increase in business. Each works a little differently. One may provide exotic animal grooming services, while another may be affiliated with a dog daycare. Discover what extras are available.

Learn More About Training

Inquire about employees’ backgrounds and experience levels. There is no clear industry standard for diplomas here, thus specific courses and certifications may differ. Essentially, you want to search for someone who is genuinely engaged in this profession and is hence furthering their knowledge.

It’s also a good idea to ask if anyone at the facility has been trained in pet first aid. Hopefully, this will never come into play, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

Inspect The Facilities

Ask to see where Fido will stay before and after his appointment. We’d also recommend asking questions to get a sense of how the puppies are cared for. Are they walked? Do they get fresh water?

Ask About The Dog Groomer’s Requirements

You can also learn a lot about a kennel by inquiring what its requirements are. Any reputable kennel will require specific documentation, such as proof of registration for Fido. They should also request copies of his vaccination record. It’s a major red flag if a kennel does not need this.

Ask About Prices

This is generally one of the first questions people ask. Make sure you understand not only the basic price structure, but also any add-ons, cancellation fees, rescheduling policies, and so on.

Look At Turnaround Time

In some aspects, pet salons resemble human beauty salons. Some book months in advance, while others are routinely available for last-minute appointments. You’ll want to know how long in advance you should book.

Keep in mind that the initial visit may take longer than subsequent ones. This is because Fido’s hairdresser will be examining his coat and condition while also getting to know him.

Let Fido Have His Say

Finally, consider your pet’s perspective. Some dogs are naturally more outgoing than others, so it is not necessarily unusual if Fido appears uninterested at first. However, if your dog is frequently afraid of the groomer, you may want to look for a new salon.

Showing Your Groomer Appreciation

Groomer Appreciation Day is November 1st, but you may express your gratitude all year. You don’t have to go overboard; little gestures can be really effective. A good tip is, of course, always appreciated. However, this is more common practice than a token gesture of appreciation. You can also provide gift cards, certificates, and gift bags. Of course, a glowing review would be immensely appreciated!

Contact Our Brooklyn, NY Grooming Kennel

Do you want to learn about our grooming services? Is it time to give your dog or cat a new look? Please contact your nearest Brooklyn, NY pet hospital today!