Dogs are often regarded as integral members of the family. Families who share their life with a dog do not hesitate to surround it with the attention and care that will keep it in good health, both physically and emotionally.
One of the best ways to do this is to visit a groomer. Why call on such a professional? What can it do for your dog? These are just some of the questions we’ll try to answer satisfactorily.
Why take my dog to a groomer?
Some people think it’s unnecessary to have their dog groomed by a professional, especially as we often love sharing this moment with our companion. However, there are many advantages to entrusting your pet to the care of a groomer from time to time.
For one thing, most professional groomers have the right equipment and experience to spot any problems your dog may be suffering from. These can range from small parasites such as ticks and fleas, to more serious health problems such as cancerous tumors.
So which groomer should you entrust your dog to for a service you can trust 100%? Sites like salonbichon.com help you find groomers near you. You can make a selection and even look at the reviews to find a trusted address for your beloved pooch.
And if you want to enter your dog in a dog show, a visit to the groomer is a must. It’s during this visit that your pet will receive the standard care specific to its breed.
What kind of care will my dog receive at the groomer’s?
There are no set rules for the care your dog will receive. It’s up to the groomer to define the care your pet will receive and the order in which it will be carried out, unless you have specific requests.
Be as specific as possible about the care you wish to give your dog, and let the professional guide you.
How to care for the coat
It’s important to prepare your dog’s coat before grooming. This is where dead hairs and knots are removed. This step is optional for certain breeds of dog, such as Beagles and Dalmatians. These breeds have short coats that are unlikely to tangle.
On the other hand, if your dog is a Collie, Samoyed or any other long-haired breed, roughing becomes an indispensable step.
To rough up your dog’s coat, the groomer may also use trimming, pre-combing or pre-cutting. The technique used will depend above all on the quality of the hair or the type of coat.
Washing the dog
Does it make sense to give your dog quality kibble? Well, the same applies to the shampoo used for grooming, which must be adapted to his hair and skin. Don’t hesitate to check that the professional has the right shampoo for your dog’s coat.
In many cases, the shampoo used has an anti-parasite action. In addition to making your dog’s coat shine, it can also rid him of fleas, ticks and other lice that may be bothering him.
Trimming your dog’s nails
If you find that your dog’s claws are too long and may be bothering him, ask the groomer to trim them. This is not necessary for hunting dogs. The natural erosion that takes place is sufficient to keep the nails at the right length.
On the other hand, the nails of domestic dogs should be systematically trimmed when they touch the ground once the animal stands up on its feet.
Trimming your dog’s hair
The groomer has several options when it comes to trimming a dog’s hair. These include :
- Trimming with scissors;
- Depilation;
- Partial or total clipping with dog clippers.
Depending on your dog’s breed and hair type, the groomer can choose which method to use. It’s also important to remember that you have a say in the choice of the appropriate method. In fact, you can guide the professional according to certain events (your dog’s participation in a dog show, refreshment cut, etc.).
Cleaning the pads
Dogs’ pads are often damaged by contact with elements such as road salt in winter, gravel or asphalt. Residues of all kinds can also lead to infections that seriously damage the pads.
That’s why it’s so important to have your dog’s paw pads cleaned by a groomer from time to time. His role will be to rid your pet of debris and impurities that are trapped in this area.
After removing all the debris between your dog’s paws, hair and fingers, most groomers apply a lotion to the pads. This protects and moisturizes them until the next cleaning.
Other grooming services
The range of services offered by groomers is vast, and varies from one professional to another. In addition to the services listed above, we can mention the following:
- Cleaning the dog’s private parts;
- Ear cleaning ;
- Eye cleaning;
- Brushing;
- Teeth brushing;
- massage.
This list is not exhaustive. In any case, a good groomer will be able to cover all these needs, and provide your pet with care, comfort and relaxation.
