How to choose a groomer?

A good groomer – what is he?

A groomer is a specialist who works with the appearance of a pet and provides comprehensive care for it. Grooming includes washing, combing, haircut, ear cleaning, nail trimming, paw care. Every happy dog ​​or cat owner should have grooming tools at home so that the need to trim their pet’s claws does not confuse you. However, complex care and exhibition haircuts are best left to a professional.

Groomers trim nails, cut, comb out, unravel tangles, wash dogs and cats, conduct spa treatments, restore skin and coat health, and help to comprehensively cope with dermatological problems.

A special art lies in a beautiful haircut. Cats and cats are sheared only for medical reasons, in the event of the formation of tangles, or if the owner wishes to give the ward a special fashionable haircut. But for many dogs, regular grooming is more of a necessity. And the groomer knows how to make this process enjoyable for the pet!

What should a professional groomer be able to do if you are going to take your dog to him? The list of basic services includes cutting nails, cleaning ears and eyes, washing with a special shampoo, taking into account the type of pet’s coat, applying balms to improve the quality of wool, and, if necessary, applying medical masks. The list of services also includes a hygienic haircut, hair drying and blow-drying.

Even before the first visit to the groomer, check that the master is really ready to carry out all these manipulations for your pet. If the groomer says that he cannot do any of the above, you are either a beginner or a person who does not take his job too seriously and, for example, does not have all the necessary tools in his arsenal.

To complete the job, a professional requires grooming tools, a well-lit, clean work area, and special cosmetics for pets. The decisive moment for you should be the experience of the master, examples of his work, examples of haircuts for dogs of various breeds, reviews of the work of this master. Equally important is a good attitude towards pets and the ability to find a common language with them.

Looking for my master

The most reliable method of finding a good groomer is to ask friends whose pet always looks great to advise the master. But do not rush to grab the treasured piece of paper with the phone number or address of the salon. Ask in detail what exactly this specialist liked. Nothing prevents you from keeping your friends company at the next grooming trip. You will have the opportunity to observe the work of the master, personally get acquainted, ask about important details.

What details should interest you?

• Specialist education. If a groomer has a diploma, it is very good, but without many years of practice, a diploma alone is not worth much.

• Has the groomer worked with your dog breed?

• How exactly do you sterilize instruments?

• Portfolio. Ask to send you photos of the work by e-mail. Each master has a selection of pictures of pets before and after care.

• Representation in social networks, reviews. Many professionals today have social media accounts or even personal websites. Look at the photo gallery, read what reviews about the work of the groomer are written in the comments, how the specialist communicates with potential clients. Surely in the profile header there will be some basic information about the specialist that will help you navigate.

You can ask breeders for advice when choosing a groomer. Anyone who has been breeding for many years knows all the experienced groomers in your area. The advice of the kennel club may be valuable. If you visit pet shows, there is a chance to meet there either the groomer himself, or someone who constantly goes with his four-legged friend to a first-class specialist.

If you prefer going to a grooming salon close to home, look on the Internet for reviews not only about the salon itself, but also about the work of specific masters. No reviews? Create a topic for discussion in the thematic community on the social network, ask to share experiences and give you advice.

How to avoid mistakes

First, sign up for a trial grooming, that is, say that your pet just needs to trim the haircut, clean the ears, and trim the claws.

Watch how the groomer works, how he gets along with his new furry client. The groomer has the right to rein in a too capricious and fidgety pet with a strict command, but should not punish, scream, such behavior is unacceptable. If you are not allowed to attend a grooming session, this is highly suspicious. Yes, it happens that pets behave worse if the owner is nearby. But no one can forbid you to be around (and not interfere with the work of the groomer).

Often, dog and cat owners wonder what is better – to trust a grooming salon or a private master. Make a choice in favor of professionalism and craftsmanship. And think about which aspect is more important to you. In a large salon, you can make an appointment for a convenient time, there is always a master who can make even a difficult exhibition haircut. But if your pet is sensitive, it would be better to find one master who works nearby or is ready to come to your home, and contact this specialist all the time so that the grooming trip is not so much stress for your four-legged friend.

Owner’s responsibility

We have already said enough about what a groomer should do when caring for four-legged clients, but after all, the owner always bears the main responsibility for a pet. From childhood, teach your pet to easy home care, even a small puppy can be combed out so that he gets used to and is not afraid of such manipulations. Even a high-class groomer is unlikely to cope with a pet who, in his late teens, saw scissors and a nail cutter for the first time and was very scared.

Raise your pet so that he can more or less sit quietly in one place. It will be difficult for the master to work if your ward constantly jumps off the table and shows character.

The groomer will definitely ask you about your vaccinations and ask you to present the relevant document. When all dog and cat owners follow the rules and bring only healthy pets, you have nothing to fear even when visiting a very large grooming salon.

Immediately before the visit to the groomer, the pet needs to be fed and walked. Take a bottle of water and your ward’s favorite treats with you, because good boys and girls should definitely be rewarded for their excellent behavior during haircuts and blow-drying.

We sincerely hope that our recommendations will help you find the groomer of your dreams, who will sincerely take care of your wards and make them even more beautiful.