10 Essential Dog Grooming Tips Every Owner Should Know - Petful (2024)

Dog Grooming Tips to Make Your Groomer’s Job Easier

When you drop off your dog at the groomer, they will be bathed and pampered. However, there are ways you can help make the day smoother for both your pet and the groomer. Here are 10 essential dog grooming tips:

1. Prepare Your Dog Early

• Get them used to touch: Start touching your dog’s paws early on to avoid issues during nail trimming. Learn more about trimming dog nails.
• Start as a puppy: Begin when your dog is young for easier acclimation.
• Comfort with touch: Make sure your pet is comfortable with being handled.

2. Start Grooming Early

• Early grooming: Begin grooming when your dog is a puppy for better adaptability.
• Avoid matting: Early grooming helps prevent matting. More on preventing matting.
• Introductory appointments: Take your puppy for a simple grooming session to get them used to the process.

3. Brush Regularly

• Frequent brushing: Brush your dog’s fur at least every few days.
• Prevent knots: Regular brushing prevents knots and makes grooming easier.
• Healthy fur: Keeps your dog’s fur healthy and manageable.

4. Check Feet and Ears

• Regular checks: Look at your dog’s feet and ears often. Treating ear infections.
• Remove debris: Ensure no debris is causing discomfort.
• Healthy ears: Keep ears clean to prevent infections.

5. Groom Regularly

• Consistent grooming: Schedule regular grooming sessions to maintain your dog’s coat and nails.
• Healthy coat: Regular grooming keeps your dog’s coat healthy.
• Professional help: Use a professional groomer for the best results.

6. Keep Calm and Carry On

• Stay calm: Your dog senses your anxiety, which can make them nervous.
• Avoid disruptions: Don’t check in frequently, as it excites your dog and makes grooming harder.

7. Be Specific

• Clear instructions: Tell your groomer exactly what you want.
• Use pictures: Bring photos to show the groomer your preferred style.
• Consistent communication: Ensure you and the groomer are on the same page.

The video below, from Petful, shows groomers hard at work at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show:

8. Listen to Your Groomer

• Trust their expertise: Groomers are trained and have experience with various cuts.
• Consider advice: Be open to their suggestions for the best results.

9. Don’t Be Afraid to Wash

• Regular washing: Washing your dog often is fine with the right shampoo.
• Ask for recommendations: Get shampoo advice from your groomer.
• Prevent skin issues: Proper washing helps avoid skin problems and matting.

10. Avoid Matting

• Serious issue: Matting is uncomfortable and can lead to skin problems.
• Regular brushing: Prevent matting by keeping your dog’s fur well-brushed.
• Professional advice: Follow your groomer’s advice on de-matting for safety.

These tips will make the grooming experience better for both your dog and the groomer, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable process for everyone involved.

Now that we’ve talked about 10 things your groomer wants to tell you — let’s talk about 5 things your groomer won’t tell you

5 Things Your Dog Groomer Won’t Tell You

Dog groomers are generally hardworking, patient and dedicated people. They put up with a lot of shenanigans on those tables, and most won’t hesitate to tell you when your dog has been cutting up instead of standing still for their cut.

But there are some things dog groomers won’t tell you, perhapsbecause they’re too polite.

Lucky for you, I’m not too polite. Here are some things your groomer may not mention but that you should know.

Tipping

Tipping for services is a way of life here in the United States. You tip your bartender, your delivery person, your hair stylist, and just about anyone else who performs a service for you. The same applies to your dog groomer.

• Tip your groomer: Your dog isn’t always an angel on the table, and although they look fresh and renewed, the groomer may have had a tough time.
  • More on tipping.
• Consider extra tips if:
  • Your dog bites, claws, or injures the groomer.
  • Your dog is badly matted.
  • Learn about matting.
  • Your dog has fecal matter or debris stuck to their fur.
  • Your dog is difficult to manage or control.

Accidents Happen

While working with your pooch, groomers use sharp instruments like scissors and clippers. Despite their utmost attention, accidents can happen, especially if your dog is overly active or covered in mats.

• Accidents: Groomers may feel worse about accidentally harming your dog than you can imagine.
• Prevent injuries: Keep your dog brushed and free of mats between professional grooming sessions.
• Example: Jan Nieman, in her book Going to the Dogs: Confessions of a Dog Mobile Pet Groomer, describes an incident where she accidentally injured a heavily matted dog, emphasizing the importance of regular grooming.

Be Realistic

Your dog has certain physical characteristics determined by their breed. Some dogs have short coats, some long, some curly, and some straight.

• Understand limitations: Don’t ask your groomer for a cut that isn’t feasible for your dog’s coat type.
  • Learn more about Rottweilers.
• Breed-specific grooming: Each breed has grooming styles that suit their fur type and physical traits.

Please Stop Calling So Much

Groomers understand that schedules are busy, but many grooming salons don’t have a dedicated phone person.

• Minimize calls: Limit yourself to one phone call. Frequent calls interrupt the grooming process.
  • Top-notch groomer tips.
• Appointment updates: Groomers will inform you when your dog is ready for pickup or if more time is needed.

Grooming Is Stressful

Grooming is a labor of love, but it can be stressful for both groomers and dogs.

• Stress factors: Dogs often don’t like being left with strangers in a new environment with unfamiliar smells and sounds.
• Safety measures: Despite precautions like muzzling, accidents can happen if a dog gets loose.
  • Starting a dog grooming business.
• Be a good client: Be punctual, understanding, and appreciative. A small gesture like bringing a cookie can go a long way.

By following these guidelines, you can help make the grooming experience smoother and less stressful for everyone involved.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)