In the United States, over 38% of all homes have at least one dog in them, which is over 44 million dogs.
If you are one of the many who own and enjoy the companionship of a dog, getting the right dog grooming service is important. You want your best friend to be well taken care of and pampered. In order to select the right groomer, there are some things you should be looking out for.
Here is a list of what you should look for when it comes time for you to take your best friend to the groomer.
Get Started
It’s time to take your dog to the groomer, but you don’t know who to go to. The first thing to do is ask around, friends, family, and coworkers. The chances that one of them owns a dog and has taken it to a groomer are high, and they will be able to give you some suggestions.
Find out who they liked and who they didn’t, and then do some research on your own. Every dog that leaves the dog groomers is an advertisement on four legs. Dog grooming is as much an art as it is a science, you’ll want to use someone who grooms the way you want.
You should read the reviews left online in addition to getting word of mouth. Reviews will reveal a lot, not just if the place has skilled groomers, but also how they behave and what you can expect. Choosing a dog groomer that you can get along with and understands what you want is vital.
If you find a place online or in-person that seems to be a good fit, don’t rush in and make an appointment. Be patient and move on to the next step of making sure that they’ll be a good fit for you and your four-legged friend.
What Next?
Now that you have found a dog groomer that you want to use, give them a call. Before you make an appointment ask some questions, find out what they’re like. A dog groomer who is quick to be annoyed or doesn’t know how to answer your questions may not be a good choice.
Here are some sample questions you should ask, then we’ll break them down:
- Can I see your shop?
- What services do you offer?
- How long have you been grooming dogs?
- Do you have any training?
- Are you familiar with my dog’s breed?
- Can I watch you work?
The reason you want to see the shop is because professional dog groomers will keep their workspace clean and tidy. You won’t see dirt, grime, or excess hair all over the place if they take proper care.
You should expect any dog groomer to be able to wash, shampoo, and trim a dog. If they offer additional services, explore the options and see if something stands out to you. Here are some of the services you should expect to find at a dog groomer:
- Washing or bathing the dog
- Nail trimming and filing
- Ear cleaning
- Hair trimming
- Brush downs
- High-quality grooming products for home use
Dog groomers are like hairstylists, experience and training do count. Make sure they’re experienced and have training. You can also ask for certifications they may have and what they had to do to get those.
Dog breed plays an important role in the grooming of the dog. Not all dog breeds have the same kind of hair, and some have specific requirements. It is only natural to want a groomer to know about the breed of dog you’re bringing to them, so make sure to ask.
Depending on the type of dog you have and their personality, it may be better if you’re present. Make sure that the groomer is okay with you being there if that’s important to you. Of course, your presence could make the dog nervous or worse, so work with the groomer, not against them.
Narrow It Down
If you’ve been looking into more than one dog groomer, now is the chance to narrow it down. Look at which groomer provides you with the most services and who has the best price. Don’t sacrifice quality, and remember that professional dog grooming can be expensive.
If you find that there’s more than one dog grooming service that you want to try, make your appointment and one and then try the other one later. You may find the first service so good you don’t want to go anywhere else, but you won’t know until you try. Also, take note of how your dog acts after they get home, that can reveal a lot.
If your dog comes home and is excited and playful it probably had a positive experience. The last thing you want is your dog coming home being scared, nervous, or upset. Of course, if it’s the first time they’ve been to a groomer, they might be a little nervous, wouldn’t you be?
Benefits of Grooming
Pet grooming is an essential part of caring for our four-legged friends, it not only makes them look better, but it makes them feel better too. Did you know that brushing even helps to promote good circulation and blood flow in a dog?
It can also help a dog who is overheating if they have some of their hair removed. This isn’t appropriate for all breeds though, so make sure to do some research on that as well. You don’t want to make your friend miserable.
Dog Grooming Service
Now that you know what to look for in a dog grooming service and the questions to ask, get your dog the grooming it needs. You’ll be happier with a beautiful, clean dog to snuggle with, and they’ll be happy to do all the snuggling.
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