Sunday, August 10, 2008

How To Choose The Right Groomer

Writen by Connie Limon

There is nothing quite like having your dog professionally groomed. Even if you desire to groom your dog at home, a professional groom is always a treat. You end up with a fabulous-looking dog without all the work. Make it an outing you and your dog can enjoy together.

Your professional groomer should be chosen with care. Start looking before you purchase your dog. Most professional groomers are people who are devoted to dogs and will take very good care of your dog during the grooming process. However, there are always some groomers you want to avoid. So how can you know before you experience a grooming session with your dog?

Considerable experience is required to deal with the many ranges of coat textures and individual dog requirements. Even more important is the knowledge of varying temperaments of the numerous breeds of dogs. You might ask the groomers in your area which breeds they groom the most to get an idea of their experience with your particular breed. You might ask to visit the groom shop and witness the groomer or groomers on the job before you take your own dog for a groom. Ask the groomer how they been grooming as well as how long they have been involved with dogs in general. At least two or three years of working at a kennel or at a grooming parlor would prove a great asset in learning about dog breeds, their characters and the different handling they require.

Most dogs respond to kindness favorably, but some need a firmer hand than others or a sterner voice. If you have a dog that appears to want to snap during the grooming process, you might consider having the dog evaluated to distinguish between fear and bad temperament. Once you have determined the cause of the behavior proper treatment may alleviate the problems of snapping during the grooming process. Grooming is such an essential part of any dog's good health and good looks. It needs to be taken serious by the dog owner and made as enjoyable as possible for the dog as well as the groomer. Some groomers will refuse to groom a dog with behavior problems. It is important to start your dog out on the right track to avoid future problems.

You should ask the groomer if they have ever been bitten and how often. Be wary of the dog groomer who says they hate doing any certain breed of dog because of the nasty, snappy temperament. It could be the groomer and not the breed or the dog. However, most groomers do care and are passionately devoted to their job. Many groomers will grow to love the dogs they groom on a regular basis.

In the U.S. you should ask if the groomer is licensed or certified. Some states require on the shop to be licensed and not the groomer. Some states require that the groomer is licensed to handle pesticides.

Most professional groomers will record and maintain specific information from you. This should include your name, one or more telephone numbers, your pet's age, name and number of your vet and any specific health problems, moles or allergies.

Take your puppy for grooms at the earliest possible date, even if it is just for a brush. This will help the groomer and your dog become accustomed to the grooming session and to begin a successful relationship.

This article is FREE to publish with resource box.

Author: Connie Limon. I raise Shih Tzu puppies. Purchase online from Stain Glass Shih Tzu. Purchase unique hand made dog clothes and dog bows at: http://www.littleguysdogclothesshop.com

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