How to Choose a Groomer

Often we treat our pets just like members of the family, so why give them less than the best when it comes to grooming services? You wouldn't go to just any old hairdresser without being sure they will be a good fit for you and your hair, and choosing a good groomer for your dog should be no different.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Basic knowledge of the grooming process

1. Ask for recommendations. Just like human hair, a dog becomes a walking advertisement for its groomer the moment it leaves the salon. If you see a dog that has an impressive cut, ask the owner who their groomer is--they'll probably love the opportunity to pass on that information. Ask your friends, family, and your veterinarian who they would recommend as well. Another good place to ask is your local ASPCA or animal shelter since many professionals will give their time and expertise to animals in need, and a knowing your groomer truly cares about the animals they work with is always valuable information.

2. Call and ask questions. Once you have narrowed your search down to two or three groomers, call them up and ask them questions. They may be quite busy when you call, so ask them to call you back when they have the time. If they feel they are too busy to even call you back then that's a good indication that they may be too busy to take proper care of your dog or cat as well, so take that into consideration. Some good questions to ask are:
   Did they attend grooming school or did they choose to apprentice with another professional groomer?
   How long have they been grooming?
   How much experience do they have with your particular animal?
   Do they have a problem with unconventional cuts?
   Are they a member of the national or your state's professional grooming organization?

3. Check your state's requirements for licensing groomers. Some states require that they meet certain training requirements for flea and tick applications. If your state has these requirements make sure the groomer is qualified and licensed in this area.

4. Visit the groomer without your dog before committing to a relationship with the groomer. Observing the overall condition and cleanliness of the shop and equipment will tell you whether the groomer takes pride in their work, and takes care of their equipment. This same care can be reflected in their care of your pet.

Tips & Warnings

• Trust your intuition. If you feel that the groomer would not be a good match for you or your dog then listen to that feeling.
• Trust your animal's intuition. If you are comfortable with the groomer, but your dog shows clear signs of not liking them, then pay attention to that as well. Though you are responsible for choosing the groomer and paying for the service, your pet is the one who has to spend hours with this person. If they don't like them, it could cause trouble, so look elsewhere.

[tambrady1]

on 3/17/2009 i also am a groomer and the pet is the most inportant in my shop. When some one comes in my shop for the 1st time i sit down with them and their pet to get to know them and get a good understanding of what they expect of me as a groomer. I always set on the flool with the pet it puts me down at their level and makes them feel better about being there

[shuffleupagus]

on 1/10/2009 Speaking as a professional groomer, another thing to keep in mind is the length of time it'll take to get your dog groomed. I like to be able to take my time with every pet and nurture their confidence and comfort them (plus playing with the happy ones is the best perk of the job!), so I usually estimate a longer time than some of my associates do. Some people like their pet and groomer to bond, others want them done ASAP, so ask the groomer what their style is!