Some of the things you should be looking for are:
- Recommendation from a friend or family
Even though you have a recommendation you should check out the groomer yourself first, because what is wonderful for one person may not be for another.
- Look at their work
Many Groomers have portfolios or some kind of pictures of the work that they do either for reference to a certain hair style for a client or to show what they are capable of doing. You should ask to see if they have one and if you can see it.
- See their handling techniques
You should go visit a groomer in the salon when they are not expecting you and just browse and see how they run things and how they treat animals.
- Notice your dog's behavior
Naturally, not every dog will like to be groomed and not all dogs like the idea of going somewhere where they will be groomed. Some dogs show they don't like it, but don't run backwards, hide and act like the world is coming to an end when the groomer comes out. They might act like a baby and whine and try to play the “Save me” routine and want the owner to hold them but they settle down and walk though the door with no problem. Don't misunderstand; I am not saying any sign of hesitation is a sign of something wrong. I am saying pay attention to your dog's behavior and if you see something that really isn't right, take note of it.
- Notice your dogs behavior when he leaves the groomer
Most dogs are naturally eager to leave the groomer when you come to pick them up, They usually jump around and dance and are very happy and act like you haven't seen them in years and most times they excitedly sit near the door and watch you while vibrating in anticipation to see when they are leaving. But most dogs will not tear down the door to get out of the facility and get away from the groomer.
- Are you comfortable talking to the groomer?
Most people are pretty good at first impressions, and most people will make their minds up to whether or not they feel that the groomer they are speaking to is truly genuine or is just one to smile to your face to appease you for that time. Normally, you will not be able to tie down a groomer to have a 20- 30 minute chat session due to a busy groomers schedule, you must keep in mind that there are other appointments that must be attended to and we are on a time limit. But a good groomer will, however, take a 5-10 minute break, depending on time allowing, to speak to you about your pet, give advice or just to simply get to know you.
- How will this groomer handle your pet in case of a emergency?
Clearly you must know that pet grooming is not the safest things in the world, for both the animal and the groomer. Let's face it, groomers are handling a lot of equipment that is sharp and could potentially be dangerous, and dogs are not like people. If you tell “Fido” to stay still he won't magically say “ok” and not move a muscle. No matter how obedient your pet is at home, their personalities are always different when their owner is away. Accidents shouldn't ALWAYS happen, but they DO happen. How your groomer handles the situation is what you should look at. Another emergency situation would be one of health, those are extremely important for your groomer to understand and to know how to handle. However they handle it would be up to you, to feel comfortable with or not.
To find “the perfect” groomer for you may take time. Don't stop trying to look just because you may have run into a not so good one. And please, just because you may have found the “not so good” groomer, don't talk down and treat all the other groomers you come into contact with like they are horrible too. Just because there are some bad eggs out there doesn't mean all groomers are!
Important things to look into:
About your Groomer-
Find A groomer who genuinely Likes Pets
Being skilled with clippers and scissors is nice, but nothing is more important than a caring attitude. A groomer who likes dogs and knows how to relate to them is going to put your pet at ease and make the whole grooming experience more enjoyable, or at least less stressful. Visit potential groomers, and notice how they interact with dogs. Do they seem to enjoy the company of canines? Or do they see grooming as just a job, and the pets around them as "work projects?"
Ask For Recommendations
Groomers should also be willing to give you the names of customers, especially ones who have pets the same size, breed or temperament as your dog. Ask these customers about their experience.
See Where Your Dog Will Be Kept When Waiting
Depending on the breed, some dogs will have to wait several hours at the groomer for their coats to dry. Check out where a groomer will make your dog wait. Is it spacious enough for a dog of your pet's size? Is it secure? Since your dog will be wet, is there a draft? Does the area get too hot in the summer?
Make Sure The Groomer Doesn't Overbook
You should be leery of a groomer who seems too eager to "squeeze in" your pet between two other dogs. A groomer who does this may be more interested in "turning out" the maximum number of pets than doing a good job.
Check Out The Groomers Style
There is an art, as well as a science, to pet grooming. Every groomer will bring her own distinctive style to process of clipping, brushing and prettying up your four-footed pride and joy. Some groomers will stick very closely to the "standard" breed cut, while others might be more prone to add a dramatic flair to their work. Make sure that a groomer's style is compatible with the look that you have in mind for your pet.
Find A Groomer Who Will Work With You
As a pet owner, you will want to be part of the grooming process. A groomer should be willing to work with you, answering questions and addressing your concerns. For example, if you're uncomfortable exposing your dog to certain chemicals in shampoos or dips, your groomer should be willing to work with a natural alternative. |
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