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How to Choose a Groomer

Choosing A Professional Groomer

Even if you plan to do the majority of your dog’s grooming at home, you might want to use a professional groomer from time to time.  It is important to find a groomer who understands your breed’s specific coat needs, as well as the correct styling.  This is especially important for non-shedding and long-haired breeds such as Poodles, Maltese, Lhasa Apsos, Afghan Hounds, Kerry Blue Terriers, Pekingese, Belgian Sheepdogs, Airedale Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Havanese, Bichons, Pekingese, and Bearded Collies.  You can ask your dog owning friends and family, and your veterinarian for recommendations.  Also, keep your eye out for well-groomed dogs, and when you see one, ask the owner for the groomer’s name.

Next, set an appointment to meet with one or more groomers and tour the facility (don’t drop in at the end of the day and expect to be shown around).  If a grooming shop will not allow you to visit the area where your dog will be confined, cross the business off your list!  The shop owner should be happy to show you the entire facility and answer all of your questions.

Take mental notes of the general enviroment, cleanliness, and noise-level of the shop, as well as the professionalism of the groomer.  Pay attention to how the groomer interacts with the dogs.  You want a gentle groomer who doesn’t speak harshly to the dogs and seems to genuinely enjoy grooming them.

Here are some questions that you need to ask during your visit to ensure that the groomer truly understands the special needs of your dog breed:

• Does the groomer have any type of certification?  Certifications can come from the National Dog Groomer’s Association (NDGA), the International Professional Groomers Association (IPGA), or the International Society of Canine Cosmetologists (ISCC).
• Has the groomer attended any dog shows in the past year?  The best groomers take the time to stay abreast of changes in styling from breed to breed.
• Do you leave the backdoor or windows open for ventilation?  NO!  You never want an open door or window in a grooming shop through which the dog could escape.  A window screen is not secure enough to prevent a potential tragedy.
• Can you give me references?  Good groomers should have a drawer full of references and be happy to share them with you.
• How long will my dog have to be here?  It’s important to find out the operation procedures to help you schedule your appointments.  Some salons ask that your pet be checked in early and then are released late in the afternoon when all the other clients are.  Other salons begin grooming a dog as soon as it arrives, and then releases it as soon as it is finished.
• What is the shop’s least busy day?  The less busy your groomer is, the more time he or she has to focus on your dog.
• How much experience do you have with the breed?  Not only does a groomer need to know the techniques and skills of cutting and clipping, it is also necessary to have some degree of artistic ability, and most importantly, a thorough knowledge of the breed standard.

Questions Specific to Non-Shedding and long-haired Breeds:

• How do you dry Poodles/Bichons (whatever your breed is)?  Poodles and Bichons must be “fluff dried” by hand and never put in a cage dryer!  If the groomer doesn’t say this explicitly, but instead says something along the lines of, “whichever way you want us to,” or “if you request a hand dry we’ll do that,” then cross the shop off your list!
• Do you have a weekly or monthly maintenance program?  Non-Shedding and Long-Haired breeds kept in full coat generally need a regular maintenance program so groomers can keep up with their difficult coats.  Many groomers are willing to put together a personalized maintenance program that will suit your pet, factoring in how much work you are willing to contribute and how much they will need to maintain.

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