Training is an often over looked aspect of grooming, but it can make a world of difference in your pets experience. Loud dryers, barking dogs, clipper sounds and voices are noises your pet must learn to tolerate and ignore while the groomer is working on them. Additionally, they have to stand still for the grooming, learn turning commands, etc. So for your pet to get to the point that they can tolerate grooming well, they have to have gone through the proceedure several times within a time period that they can relate each grooming experience to the others. That is when they will learn what proceedure is coming next, and remember, that they did live through it last time!
All dogs have different and specific grooming needs. Ask your groomer, or if you don’t have one, stop into a shop with your dog and talk to a groomer about their recommendations. Stop into a few shops and compare, not only prices, but how knowledgeable the staff is, and whether their rapport with you and your pet is comfortable. Don’t be shy about asking questions.
So how often should you groom your pet? The standard answer is every 4-6 weeks. For example, a german shepherd should have their nails trimmed and undercoat brushed out, while a Bichon would need a full trim. You can do much of the grooming at home, but surprisingly, some home grooming can actually make your pets coat mat up into a ball. Curly, wavy and even straight hair can form mats right up against the skin if you bathe your dog at home improperly (such as scrubbing mats into the coat), or improperly drying and brushing the coat.
Groomers are a partner in your pets wellness. Regular grooming whether done by you or someone else can prevent many health problems all together. Find a groomer you can trust and stick with them. If your pet doesn’t begin to feel more comfortable with them after a few sessions, you may want to try someone else whose personality and techniques are more comfortable for them.