You come home after a hard day at the office in desperate need of the unconditional love and friendship that comes from your dog or cat. But a dirty, unkempt impostor has replaced your furry friend while you were away. You know it's time for a cleaning that only a professional groomer can manage.
See these profiles of pet groomers. Then follow these four easy steps to find the best grooming experience for your animal:
Conduct visits and interviews
Before you drop off your pet at the groomer, it's worth your while to stop in and confirm a few details. Is the facility tidy? How long has the groomer been in business? Is the groomer a member of a professional organization like International Pet Groomers? Is the groomer a National Certified Master Groomer? And how much will the grooming cost?
Trust your groomer before your pet goes
If you're leaving your pet for the day, make sure you tour the facility and ensure that your pet will have adequate water and potty breaks while at the groomer. Also, find out whether the groomer has a plan in place should it be necessary to make an emergency visit to a local veterinarian.
Consult the groomer with your pet during your first visit
The groomer should be able to articulate what your pet needs and why. Many grooming techniques are done for the animal's health and comfort. Make sure that what you want and what the groomer plans to do are the same, and most importantly, are in line with keeping your pet happy and healthy.
Get advice, but know whom to ask
If your pet has special needs or is a purebred, seek out the advice of your veterinarian or breeder for recommendations. They are likely to know the kind of groomer who will have the skills to suit your needs.
Also make sure your groomer understands what you want done. I have a purebred miniature schnauzer which has a very specific breed cut. However, we prefer her to have a less dramatic beard and fringe cut. We have had some groomers return her looking ready for a dog-show, but what we wanted was just a clean-cut, no frills family dog.
I would also like to add that a good groomer should first and foremost be at your service. This means your groomer should be a good listener so he or she absorbs and understands your directions. The groomer should provide guidance when asked, but if you have a clear direction in mind and it is consistent with your dog's health and comfort, then the groomer should follow you directions. These qualities are as important, if not more so, than grooming skills. When hiring a new groomer for Kelsey's Dog House, we do extensive practical testing to see if a prospective groomer can listen and follow directions well.
Jeff K.
Manager
Kelsey's Dog House, Buckhead, Atlanta
www.kelseysdoghouse.com
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