Choosing a dog groomer

If you’ve never taken your dog to a professional groomer before, you might be wondering what a dog groomer actually does. As with many things, what a groomer does for your dog will depend on the level of service you request, a bit like when you take your car to a garage for a service. With a car you have minor, major and full services, and it’s more or less the same with dogs.

If you opt for a full-service, a dog groomer will wash and shampoo your dog, then dry your dog before cutting or trimming fur according to your requests. The grooming will also include the trimming of claws, cleaning eyes, ears and teeth, along with cleaning your dog’s anal glands. Of course, this is a general guide and individual groomers will usually have their own menu of services to choose from.

Choosing a dog groomer

If you’re speaking to a new groomer for the first time, don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions about what and how they do things. Groomers will have routines they work to and will be more than happy to explain what they do. If you see or hear something that you know your dog won’t be happy with, now is the time to say so. A good groomer will always be ready and able to deal with individual dog’s needs.

As with so many things, it’s worth asking friends for personal recommendations and, if you can’t do that, making a decision based on what you see and hear, and how comfortable both you and your dog are when you visit the groomer. If your dog and any others present at the time seem comfortable and relaxed, it’s always a good sign.