Before I answer some of the common questions people ask me...the top question is what experience do you have! I can tell you I first started as a bather 16 years ago and I want to say that it is not a simple task that people think! It is hard and you must have strength and stamina to do this kind of work! I bathed anywhere from 15 to 28 dogs a day! As I worked and learned my tasks were a little more. You learn to trim nails, empty anal glands (please this is very dangerous if you do not know what you are doing don't try it without learning how) I learned to trim-up a pet and how to do feet. Little by little I learned how to groom! It is not an overnite thing but a gradual step by step. I found I really loved being with certain dogs and found others who were biters or scared a friend to win over! It almost always works (but not always) and there is your gratification! Not only making a dog look and feel better but knowing you won the respect and kindness from a 4 legged friend who may take the person's hand off that is standing next to you if they reach for them! There is a certain proudness I feel about that...because I am not the owner of that dog and he/she does not fear me or need to respect me but tolerates and allows me to do what I have to do because their owner put them in my care! That also puts the owner in high asteem as far as I am concern because it means that their pet trusts them so much that even if they do not care for what is being done to them they tolerate it with dignity because they love and respect their guardians that much!
I also have graduated from JKL PROFESSIONAL PET GROOMING TRADE SCHOOL! I did that to learn specific things I thought I needed to learn. Plus in the future I would like to become certified.
1. How often should I brush my pet?
Long haired dogs can get very matted fast without weekly brushings. Dematting dogs are not only time consuming but also painful to your pets. Also it is painful for me to have to cut off a beautiful coat because of excessive matting! So pick up that brush once a week and do it! Now don't cheat! Get down to the skin, don't just brush the top. :) Lift the coat up and brush and work your way up. Short haired breeds should also be brushed so you get all that dead hair out. Plus frequent brushing will make your pets coat look and feel better.
2. How often do I cut my pets nails?
If your pet has excessively long toenails I suggest they get done every two weeks! The more they are cut the more you can get them down. Infrequent toenail clipping brings the quick right up to the tip of the nails so you are unable to cut much off. Also the longer they get the more endanger your pet is to suffering from splayed feet. It's painful and can be crippling to your pet. So get those nail clippers out or bring them in to have done.
3. Allergy's (always asked)
I also had a little one who suffered from this. I can tell you one thing that does help. After they are done outside run a baby wipe (uncented) over the pads of their feet. It helps believe it or not! Also you may do the same over their body if they have been out rolling in the leaves and having fun as our furry friends often do. Keep the hair clipped short on the bottom of their pads so dirt does not cling and stay there. You may want to bath them in medicated shampoo a little more often than usual because of their allergy.
4. How often should I have him/her groomed?
A typical grooming for long haired breeds is about every 4 to 8 weeks. Don't wait 8 weeks if you are not brushing them. Bring them at 4 weeks. I would hate to have to cut them down :(
5. This is flea and tick season! What do I do?
Don't wait until they have them. I use frontline plus on my outside cat, but there are many things on the market for you to choose from. If you haven't already done it, do it now! I am seeing a lot of fleas and ticks coming in. I personally don't like putting that stuff on my dogs. You can explore natural preventions if you feel the same as I do.
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Cynthia Geisler |
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