Understanding what the dog was bred for is essential to proper grooming. Grooming doesn’t have to be just for aesthetic reasons. Every part of the dog’s hairstyle, even the headfluff, has a specific purpose. Poodles, for example, were bred as sporting and hunting canines. Do you know the pom-poms that are on their hips. These are to keep their joints from freezing in cold water.
Our dogs get a bath that is even more luxurious than our own. Then we give them a blueberry face wash, which is concentrated. On dogs with skin problems, I apply a clay face mask. I then choose the shampoo and conditioner that match the coat type of the dog, and give our dogs all an argan oil facial mask. Next, blow-drying, fluffing, and Cat dog tips and guides. I love finishing with dry argan oils to keep my follicles detangled and hydrated.
You can learn more by working as a groomer than in a dog-grooming class. There is no certification required to become a groomer. However, there are schools and programs that teach the basics. I met a woman who was taking an online class in grooming, and thought it was crazy. After a year of working as a dog bather, I was able to progress to grooming in a few short years. It was difficult to learn how to use scissors at first but with practice you will get better.
I spend about $400 per shear, and have 10 pairs (two of each type that I use in case I need to send one for sharpening). I buy about 400 dollars worth of shears and have 10 pairs. I keep two of each type in case one needs to be sharpened. The clippers cost about $200, and the blades for clippers are $30. These need to be changed every year, or more often depending on how they are used.
Grooming is harder and more time-consuming than hairstyling, but it pays less. An average dog’s haircut costs about $65, a small amount considering the effort involved. Groomers earn less than hairstylists and it takes twice as long to cut a dog’s hair. Hairstylists don’t need to trim their clients’ feet and butts.
When you are calm, your dog will feel it. I keep my studio zen by using a diffuser to spray essential oils like sandalwood and chamomile. No dogs or phones will bark. To keep my energy under control, I meditate twice daily. If I notice a dog acting nervously, I will bring my dog in to relax and sleep. They feel safer when they see a sleeping, mellow dog. When dealing with dogs who are particularly nervous, I show them that I am a person that understands them. Instead of just picking up the paw, I will give them a head’s-up and slide my arm down their arm. It may take a few visits for the pup to become relaxed, but I hope that over time they will gain my trust.
Groomers must understand how different coats look. They can be long like the Yorkie, or short like the pit bull. You can tell the type of coat on a mutt by feeling and looking at it. It’s important to take care of them properly because they regulate the temperature of the dog and protect its skin from the external world. You’ll also need to use different tools and oils for each coat type.
When this happens, I take a deep breath and try to get through it. Then I take a deep breath and get through the situation. I then ask the owner to go on a long hike with their dog before the next appointment. I ask owners to refrain from “baby-talking” their dogs as this will only rile them. I have suggested that clients hire a mobile dog groomer if their dog is reallypanicked or crazy. I don’t want to be in an environment where my dog is battling me at every turn.
Accidentally cutting a dog is not unusual. It can happen with scissors or nail trimmers. It hasn’t happened in many years but it was when I started. Water can get into the ears of dogs accidentally by groomers, causing an infection. Take your time when you are first starting out. Groomers should take CPR classes and learn first aid to be prepared for an emergency. If a dog gets a nick, I will call the owner to ask if the dog needs to go to the veterinarian. In the 17 years that I have worked with dogs, this has only happened a handful of times.
You don’t need to agree to everything people ask. It’s not possible to dye a dog black, as it would be necessary to bleach the dog. I did a “sunset dye” on a Pomeranian with a yellow face, orange middle and hot pink tail. This was a very unusual request but I think it was the most beautiful dye job I’ve ever done.
It’s more fun than expected to work with adorable dogs. My grooming business has an Instagram account to showcase my adorable dogs. I love spending my entire day with dogs. It’s gotten even better since I began working for myself. I have my space, no one is rushing me and the room feels cozy. It’s rewarding to pamper my dogs, Dog food. They bring their dirty dog in and get a beautiful, clean fluffy ball back.
You don’t need to be perfect. I used to feel like I needed to groom each dog perfectly. I felt like I had to groom every dog perfectly. After a while, when I started working in this shop, one of the groomers quit and I suddenly had to handle twice as many clients, I outgrew that. It was insane that I used to groom 22 dogs a day. I realized I couldn’t hand-scissor cylinder legs for every dog. So I learned how to groom my dogs better. Although they still looked great, I had to accept that they were not “perfect.” The truth is that clients don’t really care if their dog’s “perfect” or can’t even tell if it’s perfect. They want their dog to be clean, healthy, happy and cute. I can deliver on that promise every time.
