How to Groom a Dog
By Karen – Animal Courses Direct Canine Tutor
So, get your dog, choose a brush and…. well, no, it’s not quite as simple as that! However, a lot of owners do approach grooming in this basic way (mainly as a means of lessening the dog hair around the house) but dog grooming is actually a very important part of owning a dog and provides so many benefits.
Why bother grooming your dog?
Even if you have no plans to be a professional dog groomer, all dogs need grooming on a regular basis as it’s essential for their welfare in so many ways. The act of brushing stimulates the natural oils in the skin and fur to give a healthy, glossy coat. Brushing also removes dead fur, dirt and dandruff and prevents matts.
Matted fur is very uncomfortable for a dog and can actually cause major problems; severe matts can pull tightly on the skin and restrict blood flow, making any touch painful.
Grooming also gives you the opportunity to check for parasites such as fleas, ticks and mites, preventing them from becoming a troublesome problem. Touching your dog all over also lets you check for lumps, bumps and wounds; as soon as you notice anything you can get it looked at by the vet and so minimise the chance of major health issues developing.
It’s also a chance to search for grass seeds, as these can cause abscesses and infection if they are not noticed and removed. And of course, you can look for overgrown nails, dirty ears and any signs of dental disease as well.
Make it a pleasurable experience for your dog.
Grooming is also a great way of building a bond between you and your dog, although obviously, the dog needs to enjoy being groomed! Make sure you teach your puppy all about handling and brushing as soon as possible, making it fun and pleasurable. Anything new must be introduced slowly, at the dog’s pace, and it’s really important that you learn how to read your dog’s body language so that you can tell how he is coping with the new experiences. Older dogs, or dogs who have had negative experiences with grooming, maybe scared of the whole process, but given time and patience they can be desensitised to it. Again, this needs to be done very slowly, ideally using a structured training plan.
Some dogs, especially those that end up in rescue centres, have such bad matts that the only option is to sedate and then shave them; but that at least then gives the dog time to get used to being groomed before the fur starts to grow again, and you know it isn’t going hurt them while they are getting used to it
What does dog grooming involve?
Dog grooming covers a whole range of things – bathing, brushing, fur trimming, nail clipping, ear cleaning, checking eyes and teeth and anal glands; in fact, ‘grooming’ is defined as ‘the things you do to make your appearance clean and neat’. At home, most dog owners tend to stick to brushing, with the occasional bath if their dog gets dirty or smelly and if you are brushing your own dog, it doesn’t matter how frequently you do it; you will know how often it needs to be done to keep the fur from creating tumbleweed around the house or clogging up the hoover and if your dog enjoys it there is no reason why it can’t be done daily.
You will be overwhelmed with the choice of brushes and combs available, but you will find one (at least) that suits your dog, and you will both be happy. Of course, some breeds of dog are fine just being brushed at home, but other breeds require intensive maintenance to stay looking good and these usually go to a dog groomer.
What does a Professional Dog Groomer do?
Professional dog groomers cover everything required to ensure your dog is healthy and comfortable. All professional dog groomers need to know how to use a whole range of grooming tools. They need to know how to read a dog’s body language so that they can tell how the dog feels about what is happening to them, which keeps them and the dog safe. They need to understand about anatomy and health, canine psychology and animal first aid, as they are responsible for the dogs in their care. In fact, groomers are often the first people to highlight potential health issues in dogs.
All dog groomers love their career, and find it fulfils their need to work with dogs in a way that benefits both dog and owner in an immediate, obvious way. (Who could not notice the newly groomed poodle, leaving the salon and walking through town…?) Some dog groomers also offer additional services, such as doggy spas, hydrotherapy, massage, teeth cleaning and even hosting dog parties.
So, how do I become a dog groomer?
In this unpredictable economic climate, many people are looking to acquire alternative skills, just in case something unforeseen happens, but also, we are finding that the demand for dog groomers is increasing. If you are thinking of changing careers and working with dogs, then this could be the job for you. It’s a job that can be done full-time or part-time, you can work for someone else or you can run your own business. If you choose to run your own business, then you could have a salon or work from home or be mobile and go to owners’ homes - as jobs go it is very flexible and very rewarding.
Some dog groomers also occasionally volunteer at rescue centres, offering their time to bathe and clip neglected, matted, unwanted dogs, helping them feel better, look more presentable and giving them some important bonding time with a person.
Dog Grooming as a Career
The dog grooming industry is currently unregulated, but most owners want to choose a well-qualified and reputable groomer, who belongs to a professional body or who comes well recommended by friends or family. If you think this is the perfect career for you, then our Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming course will teach you everything you need to know, including business skills so that you can set up and run your own dog grooming business. Our online dog grooming course can be done at your own pace, and involves an optional two-week practical session, working with a professional groomer to gain hands-on experience. Practical training is important, especially if you have not had that much experience with dogs before.
Even if you don’t want to change careers (maybe you just want to earn a bit of extra income or learn how to groom your own dog properly) then the dog grooming course can help you achieve your ambition. It’s enlightening, interesting, fun and very beneficial for any dog, regardless of your reason for doing it. We’re looking forward to a lot of very well-groomed dogs in the future!
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