Why does it take SO long to groom my Dog?
Why does it take so long to Groom My Dog?
You have a 9AM appointment at the pet salon, but noon is your pick up time.
Why?
Many clients believe grooming a dog is just popping the dog in the bath and running a clipper over them and that’s the complete grooming procedure.
This could not be further from the truth, your groomer is a very valuable addition to your dog’s life. Your groomer, from the
moment your dog enters the salon with you is being assessed but you are probably not even aware of it happening. Many health problems and issues can be brought to an owner’s attention by your dogs groomer, living with your dog day in and
day out can be difficult to notice small changes. While your pet is being groomed we handle every square inch of their body.
We can be an added early warning system by bringing to your attention lumps, bumps, sores, old wounds, torn nails, skin
problems, restricted movement in joints and limbs which can be early indications of conditions that vets can help provide
relief for.
So your little pooch is being groomed today, did you know that while he is being worked on your groomer does not groom one
dog at a time? Dogs are bathed before they are groomed, even if they’ll be clipped short. While one dog is drying under a soft
dryer another is being washed, his ears will be checked and any excess hair, which can lead to problems, will be removed.
His teeth and gums will be looked at and cleaned, his nails will be trimmed and can be filed down if requested.
Large hard plugs which can form from hair and dirt between the pads which feel like walking with stones in your shoes will be
removed for your dogs comfort. All around his privates will be clipped and cleaned for ongoing hygiene at home.
His skin and coat will be assessed for the most suitable shampoo. His coat will be attended to whether he is being brushed out
or put into a clipped style. Your groomer has base their decision on how to best maintain his coat in a style that suits you,
and your pet, and his lifestyle keeping him comfortable until his next grooming session.
Blow dryers are great, but dogs are not particularly fond of the noise and will only take so much before they object and need a
break, by the time two or three dogs are washed the first dog bathed is dry and ready to be clipped and styled.
Another roadblock in the time factor is the unexpected pet with parasites. It’s absolutely imperative to treat for fleas and ticks
immediately, another reason why dogs are bathed before they are groomed. Pet owners are often unaware their little pooch
has parasites and of course horrified. If ticks are the problem, after treatment is applied, a groomer won’t send a dog home
until all the ticks are handpicked one by one from the dog. This may not be your dog with the problem, but it does indeed
compromise the time schedule. Some dogs have never been groomed before and need extra time to overcome their fear of the
unknown and there’s no doubt going to be more than a few poopy messes to clean up.
Even grooming a dog that has been kept on a regular schedule of every 4-6 weeks it takes just a few hours, depending on the
style of cut. Your dog will be walked several times for potty breaks and always provided with fresh bowls of water and a soft
blanket to take a break and rest on.
Grooming Senior Pets
Geriatric dogs (seniors) have their own set of problems. Groomers work to help them in their elderly years due to mental
impairment, blindness or hearing difficulties, the geriatric pet may be confused, so moving slowly and speaking to them as their
touched and brushed calms them. Old dogs produce feeble barks when they are confused or startled. Blind dogs are spoken to at
all times so they can locate their groomers, and to reassure them.
Arthritis is a roughening of the joint ends, which cause pain on movement. Some older animals may have suffered from Hip
Dysplasia from their youth, which may now cause more problems in old age. When grooming this type of animal, it may cry out
in pain or bite when the joint is handled; therefore handling of all geriatric pets is time consuming.
If at anytime your pooch becomes stressed, the groomer immediately stops to give them a break. Sometimes it does take two
grooming sessions to complete safely and to keep your pet from getting too stressed. Even senior pets still need grooming on a
regular basis and it’s understandable how difficult it is to leave your pet for hours and hope that they are doing okay, your
senior pet can be groomed on a day where there are no other animals in the salon as well, just inquire with your groomer all you
have to do is let them know the situation and they can work it out with you.
This is only a brief summary of a dogs day out at the groomers. So next time you collect your pooch and wonder about his day
and the price you paid bear in mind your hairdresser does not give you a pedicure/manicure or any of the extras that your
pooch gets as standard grooming.
20 Reasons why it takes so long to groom your dog?
Your hairdresser doesn't give you a bath
Your hairdresser doesn't have to de-matt your hair
Your hairdresser doesn't wipe boogies from your eyes
Your hairdresser doesn't pluck and clean your ears
Your hairdresser doesn't brush your teeth
Your hairdresser doesn't give you a manicure and pedicure
Your hairdresser would never wash your butt
Your hair dresser doesn't give you a "sanitary trim"
Your hairdresser doesn't squeeze your anal glands
Your hairdresser does not remove fleas or ticks
Your hairdresser only cuts the top of your head, not your whole body
You don't try to bite or scratch your hairdresser
You don't try to hump the hairdresser
You don't poop or pee while you are getting your hair cut
You don't go 6 months without brushing or washing your hair
You don't try to bite the clippers, scissors, brush, nail clippers or dryer
You don't wiggle, spin or try to jump out of the hairdresser' s chair
Drying your hair doesn't blow hair all around and gets on everything
It doesn't take 3 people to trim your nails
You don't howl or bark while having all this done
