It isn’t as easy as one might think to find a dog groomer who will satisfy the needs of you and your dog. You should choose your dog groomer with the same thought and care you would give to choosing his veterinarian.
Unfortunately, dog groomers aren’t required to be licensed as are people who style human hair, so there are no guarantees of expertise or experience. Should you simply make an appointment with a local groomer and hope for the best? Never! You wouldn’t choose a baby-sitter for your child without knowing anything about the person, would you? So, how do you decide if a groomer is right for you and your dog?
Every serious pet grooming shop will have a professional website today, so the easiest route would be to go online and type “pet grooming near me“. Browse the website, check out the testimonials from previous clients, learn more about their services. Call the grooming shop and ask questions. The main thing people want to know is the cost of grooming. This isn’t the time to comparison shop. As in most situations, a higher price doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be getting a better job, nor does a lower price mean an inferior job. Generally, the higher the rent is for the grooming shop, the higher their fees will be.
The questions you’ll want to ask will be questions which help to determine how your dog will be treated. Will your dog be ready in an hour or two after dropping her off, or will she be sitting in a cage all day? Will the groomer blow-dry your dog by hand, or will she use a cage dryer on the dog? If the dog will be partially cage dried, does the dryer have a timer so the dog won’t get overheated? Does the groomer check to see if all her doggie clients are up to date on vaccinations? What precautions does the groomer take so that your dog won’t catch fleas and ticks from other pets at the shop? Will one person be grooming your dog or will various people be performing each separate stage of the grooming? Will the groomer tranquilize your dog if she gives the groomer a difficult time? If the groomer does not respond to your questions in a friendly, patient manner, she’s not the right groomer for your dog.
Take notice of how the groomer interacts with your dog when you arrive for your first visit. Is she welcoming and confident, or is she cold? It’s tough to discern much from the dog’s behavior because most canines find entering the odd surroundings of a grooming facility uncomfortable. (By the way, if YOU are scared about leaving your dog, he will sense it and become much more nervous.) However, if your dog gets along well with the groomer, that’s a positive indicator.
Take a look at the grooming facility for the dogs. Is the equipment new and modern? Is everything nice and well-organized? Is the floor clean? Is the trash can covered? Is the environment peaceful? Many states require grooming establishments to obtain a Department of Health permit, which must be conspicuously displayed. Is it up to date? Do the cages appear to be clean? Are they large enough to accommodate dogs comfortably? Is the shop’s temperature comfortable? All of these elements should be taken into account.
