Over 63 million people own dogs in the United States.
And if you’re in one of those groups, you may have wondered how to choose the best dog groomer for your best friend. You’ll want to find a groomer with a good reputation and experienced handling dogs like yours. But what else do you need to do know before you choose a groomer?
In this blog post, we’ll discuss exactly what you need to ensure your dog gets the best care possible.
Read on for more information on how to select the best groomer for your fur baby.
Choosing a Dog Groomer: Do They Handle Your Dog’s Breed Often?
If you have a specific dog breed that needs a special haircut or has a specific temperament, you may need to find a groomer with experience with your dog’s breed. Ask the groomer if they have handled your dog’s breed before. If you’re in a group of people who have a specific breed of dog, you may wish to ask them if they know of any groomers who specialize in the breed.
Can They Accommodate Specific Hair Cuts?
If your dog is a show dog, you may need their coat cut in a certain style or fashion. You’ll need to ask beforehand if the groomer can cut the dog’s fur to the standard you need to compete in a dog show. You may even want to ask for pictures of their previous work on the specific hair cut to ensure that your dog’s fur won’t be cut incorrectly.
It’s a good idea to build a relationship with a groomer over time, especially when a dog needs a particular type of cut. This way, you’re sure of the outcome every time.
Unless you’re in a pinch, you may ask a prospective groomer to give your dog a practice haircut far in advance of a dog show, so you don’t have to worry about it coming out wrong close to the event.
Ask Other Dog Owners
You may wish to ask your vet or other dog owners which grooming service they recommend. Some vets may not give information about dog groomers, while others may be willing to recommend those they feel will fit your dog. You may wish to ask groups online, or if your puppy is in behavior classes, other dog owners in the area.
If your puppy is going into the groomer for the first time, you can read more info here to help you and your best friend get ready.
Research Their Certifications
Does the groomer you’re interested in actually have a certification in grooming? Have they taken the appropriate courses? Do they have the appropriate licensure? These are all questions you’ll need to ask and research before you decide to have your dog’s hair cut.
A dog groomer should have taken the courses necessary to become a dog groomer in your city, state, or country. You may need to do a bit of research to determine what exactly a dog groomer needs in your area, but this is typically some certification.
You will also need to ensure they have a business license and are legally allowed to operate in your area.
Read Reviews
If you don’t know any other people with dogs, or in addition to asking for recommendations, you may wish to read reviews on dog groomers in your area. Do they have good reviews? If they have a negative review, have they responded to it in a way that seems positive and constructive? Does reading their reviews make you feel good about leaving your dog there?
Online reviews are not necessarily the be-all and end-all, as people often only leave reviews if they’ve had an exceptionally good or bad experience. However, they can give you some idea as to what customers think of the business.
How Do They Handle Dogs While They’re Waiting For Pick Up?
This is a great question, especially if your dog is reactive or doesn’t get along well with other dogs. Usually, you’ll leave your dog at the groomer and then pick them up later. In larger operations, you may have several dogs being worked on at once, and the dogs may be placed in cages or another location once they’re finished and wait for pick up. Are the dogs kept separated? Are they put in cages? If the latter is true, can you bring your dog’s crate to make them feel more comfortable?
It’s also important that you know if they’re insured and what will happen if there is an incident between dogs. Or, you may wish to ask how they mitigate incidents and prevent them from happening in the first place to avoid future problems or accidents.
Finding the Perfect Dog Groomer for Your Best Friend
Finding the best dog groomer for your best friend can take a bit of research. It may even involve trial and error. If your dog has special needs or a specific temperament, it may take a bit more time to find the perfect groomer as you’ll need one both you and your dog feel comfortable with. We recommend that if your dog needs a specific haircut, always run a test run with a new groomer before well before a big event, so there are no nasty surprises.
For more information on rescuing dogs and tips for raising your fur kid, please browse the rest of our site.
