There are many potential ways to find a reputable, reliable and high-quality dog groomer in your local area. In this short article we consider a few of those options; and hope to provide some guidance of where to search “fur” inspiration (!).
Table of contents
Word of mouth
Perhaps arguably one of the best ways to find a good groomer for your pet is through word of mouth and by personal recommendation. This is likely to lead you to a local provider with a loyal client base and following. You might choose to approach the owner of a dog in the park for example, if you notice and appreciate that their pooch has a particularly striking and elegant cut! For many of the popular medium to long haired breeds, such as the Cockerpoo, Miniature Schnauzer and Border Terrier types of dogs, a dog groomer may well have specialist staff within their team and have built up a good reputation for stripping or clipping of certain breeds. Certainly, the word-of-mouth avenue is one to be recommended.
Search Engines
It seems as though, as a nation, we increasingly turn to internet search engines when we have questions for which we do not have an obvious or immediate answer for. Certainly, there is no harm in this. And the internet can indeed be expected to provide a wealth of different options. It should also enable a dog owner to look at reviews that have been left by pre-existing customers. And perhaps get a feel for the anticipated costs. 3 or 4 groomers could easily be compared side by side so to speak, in this manner. Direct, yet remote, enquiries could also be made.
Other sources of information
You may still keep in touch with either the breeder from whom you obtained your dog, or any rescue centre or charity from where they originated. Such organisations may also have their own personal favourite groomers and or could point you in a suitable direction.
You may, if you have a young dog, be attending dog obedience or training classes. These might also provide you with an opportunity to ask other owners of their experiences.
These days as well, some of the larger veterinary centres, pet stores and even garden centres may have or host an associated groomers on their premises. These may allow an owner to multitask and combine some retail therapy with their dog’s grooming experience.
If you use doggy day care or a dog walking service, then the staff working at such establishments are likely to have contacts at local dog grooming centres too. The staff will hear the experiences of many local dog owners. And, as such, may be another very useful resource to tap up and enquire directly with.
Local notice boards and community fetes or fairs may also occasionally be showcasing local providers of grooming services. And it may be that you happen to stumble across such facilities quite unintentionally.
What to look for?
Once you have researched and found a groomer, sometimes it is just a case of taking your dog along and seeing what your own personal experience is! A bit like us as humans often find that one particular hairdresser understands our needs and preferences best; this may also be the same case for our pets!
Your pet may possibly have had a negative experience in the past; or may be a nervous dog in new situations. In such circumstances, finding a calm, sympathetic groomer who is willing to take their time to get to know your dog can be essential. If your pet is particularly anxious in such settings, it may also be worth talking to your veterinary surgeon about some calming medication or a mild-sedative. This is in order to make the whole experience less stressful for your pet.
And finally…
Some of our pet dogs are sensitive souls and have certain skin allergies or sensitivities to different shampoos or topical products. It may be worth considering this ahead of any potential appointment. And even going so far as to taking a medicated (or previously used “safe” shampoo) with you for your appointment. Your vet will hopefully be able to advise you on the suitability of any medicated shampoo where applicable in such circumstances.
Groomers may also be able to provide additional services whilst your dog is with them; such as nail clipping and, if confident enough, the emptying of anal glands.
It is worth remembering that some flea and ectoparasite preventative treatments are topically applied directly to your dog’s skin. So, vigorous washing of your pet’s coat within a certain time frame after application may render these products useless, by means of washing the product out. Information on any topical veterinary parasite product, should be easily found within the datasheet that accompanies the product. Or you may wish to discuss this with the vets or nurses at your practice.
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