Dog Grooming Hints

Dog grooming was all the rave during the 19th Century and the Poodle was the most popular breed of dog pampered and groomed. The first recorded grooming parlors were founded in France and the Poodle became the national dog of France under the First Republic. Due to its popularity, the breed soon became known as the French Poodle and not very long after, became the most popular breed in North America.

Pet grooming has faced many changes throughout the years as many more individuals “humanize” their four-legged companions. There are five fundamentals of dog grooming for any breed that make up the basic procedure. These are only the basics of grooming.

-Brushing/Combing

-Bathing

-Blow Drying

-Ear Cleaning

-Nail Trimming

To groom the Poodle, the groomer will need some basic tools before starting. A groomer should have all tools available before starting the grooming process.

-Brush

-Dog shampoo

-Sponge

-Heavy Towel

-Pet Dryer

-Cotton Balls

-Nail Trimmers

-Clippers (only needed if clipping of the hair will be done)

-Scissors

A universal brush is normally the only brush a groomer will need. This brush can be used on tangled or matted coats or a slicker brush can be used for delicate coats. A mat comb can be utilized if the coat is badly matted. For extreme matting, the coat may need to be fully shaven before bathing. After the coat is thoroughly tamed, the poodle is ready for a professional bath.

The ideal water temperature is approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit. A spray hose connected to a faucet will make this task much simpler. Start with the hindquarters and completely wet the Poodle. The excess water should not be left in the tub and should flow down the drain. The Poodle is actually getting a “shower” rather than a bath. In case the dog decides to do the “shake”, a plastic apron will be very handy in keeping the groomer from being soaked during this process.

After the Poodle is soaked, place shampoo on the sponge and on the Poodle, from rear to front. Keep shampoo clear of the eyes even if the shampoo claims to be tearless. Work the shampoo into the coat not forgetting any areas including the bottoms of the feet. Rinse the shampoo thoroughly, letting the water rinse until it runs clear from the coat. If the Poodle was heavily soiled, the dog may need two washings. The coat of the Poodle has a naturally harsh, dense texture. A cream rinse is not recommended for this type of coat.

Squeeze excess water

If your dog’s nails are making a typical tip-tap noise on your hard wood floor as he walks this may mean he needs a good nail trimming. If you are brushing your dog’s fur and the comb gets entangled in hair mats very likely the dog needs a good hair clipping. If your dog encountered a skunk and you cannot tolerate his horrible smell very likely he will need a good special bath.

If you feel overwhelmed over these procedures your dog may desperately need, take a deep breath and exhale because thankfully there are professional dog groomers out there to give you a helping hand. Whether your dog needs a good flea bath, a nail trim or your Poodle needs a nice “French Poodle style grooming” a groomer will always be there for you.

Choosing a good dog groomer however should invest more time than just taking a peek at your local yellow pages and picking the groomer just half mile away from your home. A dog groomer will be working directly on your dog in a very close and physical matter. And because basically anybody could claim to be a groomer, you want to deal with a dog groomer that has experience in handling dogs carefully and adheres to high hygienic standards.

A good starting point in finding the ideal groomer is asking around friends other dog owners or calling veterinarian practices around. To be even pickier try to contact the National Dog Groomers Association of America and then do a search on the Better Business Bureau website and look for any complaints. It may astounding how many complaints you can find about dog groomers mistreating pets or caring less about hygiene.

Once you find a groomer that you may think is worthy of a visit, drive by and take a peek at the grooming facility. You should look for a well lit area that smells fresh and clean. Doggie smells should be kept at a minimum and pets being groomed should look relaxed since the staff handles them with particular care. Staff should appear in a good mood and no frustration should be showing as they work on the pets. The general atmosphere should look relaxed and not rushed. Rushing is what most likely will cause injuries and mistreatment’s. As you evaluate the facility think to yourself: “Would I feel comfortable bringing my dog in this facility and to be groomed by this staff”? Trust you instincts, if something does not seem right, go to your second choice facility.

Ask the groomer if he/she is licensed or if he/she has some sort of certification from a grooming practice. Many times