What makes a good pet groomer?
Dog grooming is an animal-related profession that is growing rapidly in popularity, and with the right skill set, you can be ready to achieve success in this field. You will find many qualities and grooming skills in the most successful dog groomer, including mobile dog groomer
Need to have Excellent customer service skills
Customer service skills are extremely important for those hoping to become successful dog groomer. While you spend most of the time with dogs, you need to be able to communicate clearly with each owner to determine what cuts they want for their dog. You have to make the client feel valued and appreciated every time they visit your salon, just like a human hairstylist does. By reassuring the owner and showing respect for your pet, it is important to demonstrate that their dog will be safe in your hands.
A large part of the job is negotiating with the dog owner and making sure they are satisfied. Happy customers will receive referrals and positive reviews, which can help the groomer expand his business into a more profitable venture.
Good eye-hand coordination during grooming
Many breed-specific reductions involve considerable technical skill, and they can be difficult to execute properly. A groomer needs to be able to safely and effectively run a variety of grooming devices to achieve the desired result. It requires a lot of dexterity and hand-to-hand coordination.
Patience is the key factor
Some cuts may take a long time to complete, and some time dogs may be not ready to cooperate on the grooming table. The groomer should be patient and persistent throughout the process, giving the dog a brief pause if necessary to do so. Being frustrated with the dog will not help the situation, and the dog may react even more negatively if the dog realizes groomer’s growing impatience.
Ability to Manage Dogs Temperament
The groomer should have a good knowledge of dog behavior and how to manage dogs with various behavioral issues. They should take care to work around dogs in as safe a manner as possible, as dogs may act in unfamiliar surroundings or at the grooming table after standing for long periods of time. Some dogs may be at risk of unexpectedly biting or sniffing, so the groom must have knowledge of body behavior to identify whether the dog is in pain, frightened, or abused.
Precision and Grooming Knowledge
Many cuts require extremely careful scissor work, layering and artistic talent. Groomer need to be able to cut accurately and according to the standards of each breed. Groomer can sharpen their skills by completing various professional certification programs, working with show dogs, or doing internships with experienced grooming professionals. It is important to understand the different techniques of cutting hair types of different breeds. There is no substitute for practical experience, and the more dogs a groom has the opportunity to work with, the better they will become.
Basic knowledge of canine health
As part of their grooming process, the groomer checks each dog for any readily visible signs of health problems (including parasites, skin irritation, or other obvious infections). A general knowledge of common health problems is necessary to perform this task well. The groom is responsible for reporting back to the owner if they discover any issues that may be best addressed by a visit to the vet. Knowledge of canine anatomy is also beneficial, as specific cuts must be made at specified physiological points so as to be properly performed.
Good business sense
Grooming is a business and groomer should have solid business skills. it is important if the groomer is working as an independent contractor or runs his own salon space. The groomer must have some skills with scheduling, expense management, purchasing supplies and basic accounting work. They should know how to promote their services through marketing.
Common grooming and bathing mistakes made by dog owners
For most humans, going for a bath or shower is a serene experience. But for our pets it can be anything but stress free. They always rotate in the other direction of the tub while listening to noise, cleanliness and interest. Grooming your pet is a requirement that not only keeps their coat healthy, but also reduces the possibility of allergies and infections and reduces the spread of dirt and germs throughout your home. While your furry friend may resist the idea of bathing, it is your job as a pet owner to make it as positive and easy as possible for your pet.
But never take bath mistakes while bathing your pet:
Wrong water temperature
Pet owners make the mistake of bathing their pets with very hot or very cold water. Instead, you should give your pet a bath with lukewarm water. Since too hot or too cold water can create a negative stimulus that may prevent them from taking a bath. So, how do you know that this is the right temperature? Just spray the nozzle on your forearm and if you are okay with the temperature of the water, bathe your fur baby. Remember, a pet’s skin is more sensitive to temperature than your hand.
Rough spray
Use a hand-held spray or nozzle in the tub or sink to bathe your dear friend. If you do not have one, spray the water jet directly onto its fur because the strong noise of the water flowing with the water pressure can scare and irritate your pet. First, allow the water to settle on the back of your hand and then turn the nozzle over the pet’s body. Once the pet is comfortable, wet the entire coat of the beloved companion.
Choose the wrong shampoo
Never use human shampoo on your pet, even if it is an all natural solution or a mild baby shampoo. Remember, a pet’s skin has a different pH balance than humans, which makes their skin dry. Therefore, ask for a recommendation from your vet and select brands that are specifically designed for dogs or cats. It has been observed that oatmeal-based shampoo is one of the smoother options. If your pet has a skin problem, a medicated shampoo is best. Ask your vet to help you choose the most suitable for your pet according to his needs. If your pet’s skin is sensitive, first test the shampoo on the back of the leg and then see if the pet feels irritated a few days before bathing.
Bad soap application
Apply soap on the pet’s fur and then allow it to soak for a few minutes. But it will not remove all the dirt and oil. You need to actively knead the soap on the pet’s fur with your hands and fingers for four minutes. Start with the pet’s feet and then go to their face. Clean their face with a cotton ball or wash-cloth, but take care not to spoil the eyes.
Clean the outer part of the ear with a little shampoo, bath linen, or cotton ball at your fingertips. Before washing, tilt the pet’s head down so that water does not enter their ear canal. It will also help prevent ear infections. In reverse the order in which you did the shampoo, wash the shampoo with the shower nozzle. This time start with the pet’s head and then move to your feet. That way, even if the soap goes into the pet’s eyes, it will be washed first. Make sure that the water gets cleaned from the studs before you finish.
Bathing very often
Dogs and cats naturally prepare themselves. Therefore, there is no need to bathe your dear friend more than once on a monthly basis. In fact, too many baths can actually snatch natural oils from the pet’s coat resulting in skin irritation. Consult your vet about the best grooming program for your pet. Also ask them about the best shampoo according to the breed and activity level of your pet.
Fast cutting while cutting nails.
Do not rush to finish your nails, even if your dog wants you to finish quickly. Take a baby clip using a sharp nail clipper (my choice is spring style or cat clipper for small dogs).
Do not use Dremel or other electronic / motorized equipment unless you have received some training to use it. It is very easy to overcut.
If your dog’s nails are white, a quick pink should appear. Stop the clipping before you get there.
If your dog’s nails are black, you should see a black circle in the severed part of the nail. Stop the clipping before you get there.
If you draw blood, apply pressure and styptic powder. A product called QuickStop can be purchased at most pet stores.
If you cannot control the bleeding, immediately go to a Veteran, Animal Hospital or groomer
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