Dog Grooming Hints

by Dog Groom UK

There has been an explosion of interest in dog grooming courses. This is because grooming is an in demand occupation. However, it involves much more schooling than many people would be inclined to believe. This career path involves the proper training, experience, and drive to succeed. Dogs are not simply animals; they are beloved family members to many, and the care given to them cannot be substandard.

Dog grooming courses are the first step toward becoming a successful, professional dog groomer. There are many different programs that vary area by area. Some of these programs are more hands-on and are in a traditional classroom setting while others can be taken online. All of the programs, however, have been established to teach potential groomers all of the necessary knowledge. Each dog has a set of unique grooming techniques that work best for their breed. Owners also have their own opinions, and it is important to learn how to balance the two to provide an excellent end result.

Experience in this field is a must, and dog grooming courses are the best way to begin gaining that experience. Many schools provide dogs to begin learning on. This is not a task to be taken lightly, as their owners are still expecting a presentable result. These classes are just as important as cosmetology classes are for a hair dresser. Groomers need to have confidence, professionalism, and produce great grooming results.

A sample curriculum of dog grooming courses includes the following:
Tool Usage
Bathing
Anal Glands
Nail trimming
Skin Issues
Scissor and Clipper Technique
Breed Profiles
Dental Care
Business Procedures
Proper Animal Control and Handling

This list of dog grooming courses is not all inclusive and could vary from school to school. The above class samples do provide a basic outline to prepare anyone interested in these dog grooming courses, but a specific list can be acquired from the program chosen.

It is important to be prepared for this type of school. Grooming tools such as clippers, scissors, nail trimmers, and gloves are vital to grooming. Some dog grooming courses will include these tools in their tuition. However, each participant must ask if their specific program will provide these necessities in order to come to class prepared. Dog grooming courses will go over the use of each specific tool, and potential groomers need to have those tools present to achieve proficiency in their use.

There are many venues which provide dog grooming, and business classes are available in some programs so that participants can learn how to properly manage a business if they branch off into their own operation. This can be a profitable career path, but dog grooming courses are vital to success. Gaining the proper knowledge from professionals who are or have been in the business will provide a good basis for becoming a successful groomer. In a competitive job market, these courses will give participants a “leg up” on the competition, making them “a cut above the rest”!

There is a difference between the smell of a dog and a “smelly” dog. Here we will examine the smelly dog syndrome and a few reasons(and cures)for this odorous effect.

All animals have distinctive odors. Animals lovers recognize those particular smells. Horse people love the smell of horses; as do dog people, know the smell of dogs.

Have you ever been sitting in your living room and wafting through the air comes a smell? “What the heck?” And there at our feet is Fido looking up at you, wagging his tail, so innocent. Right!

It may not be his fault. But what is causing this smell?

Digestive problems: A dogs digestive system works differently from humans and when given human food may react in a gaseous manner, here are a few foods that cause gas.

-Dairy products may cause gas in dogs, milk in particular: Lactose, or milk sugars do not set well with our canine pals.

-Bread products: The yeast can expand in the stomach and cause digestive distress.

-Table scraps: Feeding your dog table scraps can lead to digestive problems. Cooked meats, potatoes and gravy all sound good, smell good, but may not be a great idea as dog food. Too much fat and seasonings could distress your dog.

Problem: Glands on your dog. All dogs have anal glands that can be drained if there is an odor. Your dog groomer should be doing this as part of the monthly grooming routine. But you can do it too. It is a gland that is located close to the anus of your dog. Ask your groomer or your veterinarian to show you where it is located. After you know where this gland is then, its a simple matter to drain it.

Method: Using a paper towel (or two!) gently squeeze this gland, a cloudy substance will ooze out and you simply wipe it away with your trusty paper toweling! Repeat this until no more comes out. Gently clean the area with a soft cloth and dry, no more anal gland odors!

Ear problems: Your dogs ears may need attention. Sometimes odor comes from your dogs ears if they have been wet or there is moisture trapped inide them. This is especially true in long eared dogs such as Cocker Spaniels, and Bassett Hounds, however it can happen to all dogs.

This ear cleaning can and should be done by a dog groomer, however you can clean your dogs ears quite easily.

Method: Again using paper towels or a soft cloth, put a small amount on hydrogen peroxide on the towel over your fingertip. Gently fold back the dogs ear and then place that finger tip over

Think grooming a dog involves washing it in the bathtub? Think you don’t need a groomer?

Dog groomers do far more than just fluff and dry; they address several vital health practices regarding your dog’s eyes, ears, and anal glands. Of course, it’s not impossible to take care of these grooming concerns yourself, but in many instances it’s safer and more practical to let a professional handle these sensitive areas.

Proper ear car requires periodic ear cleanings. Veterinarians and professional dog groomers use an agent that dissolves earwax, or saline solution to clean dogs’ ears. These cleaning agents are usually put into the ear before bathing. It is crucial for the groomer to keep the dog’s ears dry. If water runs into a dog’s ear during the bath, a drying agent containing isopropyl alcohol, acetic acid, or boric acid must be put into the ear. Professional dog groomers recommend using a wash rag instead of Q-tips to help dry out the ears. Using Q-tips increases the chance of injuring the dog’s eardrum. If the cleaning requires reaching places that are out of a wash-rag’s reach you should seek professional help.

Dog groomers usually apply an ointment to the dog’s eyes before bathing in order to protect the cornea. However, the trend is to move away from these practices because some professionals believe the ointment may trap irritants that run into the eyes during the bath. Closing, redness, squinting, and excessive tearing are good indicators of eye problems.

Another part of proper dog grooming that the professionals see to is expressing the anal glands. Have you ever noticed your dog dragging its bottom across the carpet? If you have, you know how important it is to take it to the dog groomer. What it is trying to do is release the fluid that has built up in tiny sacs located under the base of his tail. If he is successful, you will know it by the rank smell. Since the sacs are fragile (and discoloration of the fluid could indicate infection), this part of grooming should be left to a professional or a veterinarian.

Adequate grooming is absolutely necessary to maintain your dog’s health. If it’s something you want to do personally, educate yourself on the finer points. But using a professional dog groomer will be the most beneficial to you in the long run.

One of the fastest growing trades in North America is dog grooming. There is a very important reason for this. It is vital to the health and well being of domestic dog breeds.

Dog grooming started as an industry with the standard poodle in the 17th century. Poodles were bred to hunt and it was imperative that they be groomed in such a manner as to enable them to retrieve birds from water. The pompoms that are symbolic of poodle cuts served a purpose and it was not aesthetic. The poodle cut was developed to protect the animals’ joints and vital organs when they were in cold water. But people seeing these dogs with their fancy pompoms began to adopt them as pets. As soon as poodles became pets, groomers started offering their services to keep the dogs looking like the regal hunters they were bred to be.

Over the past five centuries, dozens of different specialized breeds have been developed, all with unique coat care needs. The result is that dogs of today no longer have the natural ability to take care of their own hygienic needs. They need to be bathed, brushed and clipped. They need to have their ears plucked and their anal glands purged. They need their nails cut. A wolf or a dingo in the wild can forego this pampering because their grooming needs are vastly different from domesticated breeds of dogs. No matter what kind of dog you have, it will require some degree of grooming on a regular basis to keep it healthy and happy.

It pays to know your breed’s needs. Before you go out and adopt a dog, find out what kind of grooming the breed requires and be prepared to follow through with it. If you are going to groom your dog yourself, you will need to know the correct way of doing it. Colleges often offer weekend grooming courses for the do-it-yourselfer that will show you exactly how to correctly bathe, brush and clip your dog’s coat, cut its nails, clean and pluck (if necessary) its ears and properly clean its anal glands. You will learn de-matting techniques as well. There are books available that can guide you through the process, too.

You will need to start grooming your dog early. Professional groomers recommend that a puppy gets its first groom at around four months of age. This first groom can be a frightening experience for a young puppy. Lots of patience and praise is the key to a successful first groom. Often professional groomers will not use clippers on a puppy the first time it is groomed. They will brush it and