Dog Grooming Hints

The Appointment Book

A Shih Tzu beauty parlor should operate much the same as a human beauty parlor. The most essential record is the appointment book. The Shih Tzu dog grooming business relies on a regular schedule. The appointment book will prove to be one of the most important records you have for maintaining an efficient business. The type of appointment book you choose is entirely a personal decision. However, you might start out with one called Week at a Glance.

In the Week at a Glance appointment book, each week is laid out in day-by-day columns. Each day is broken down hour by hour. Notate your Shih Tzu groom appointments immediately in the appointment book. Do not rely on your memory. You do not want the faintest possibility of forgetting an appointment.

Your Shih Tzu groom customers should be informed and encouraged to call in advance for appointments. This may take a little time to develop. You might post a sign just over your reception counter or desk informing customers of this policy. Appointment only Shih Tzu grooming enables you to know what to expect each day or any given day. You can plan your time accordingly. Appointment only Shih Tzu grooming will also help you to not overbook on one day and under book the next day. You want your Shih Tzu grooming shop to look busy, but not hectic and overwhelming.

Perfecting an ideal Shih Tzu grooming schedule can present a number of complicating factors. With time and experience you will succeed. A wise Shih Tzu groomer will anticipate at least one cancellation on any given day, or a customer may not show up. Over time you should develop a continuous rhythm and system that works best for you.

A well established Shih Tzu beauty parlor should be able to successfully operate with a limited number of Shih Tzu handled each day. Try to establish regular customers that come every four to six weeks.

For the Shih Tzu beauty parlor just starting out, however, you might want to have a definite appointment system but with some flexibility. The worst system of all is not keeping any appointment record and just taking anyone at anytime. If you sell your business, well-kept records and a good customer base list would make a difference in the selling price.

Master List

Another important record is your Shih Tzu grooming master card. It is wise to keep a card for every Shih Tzu. The front of the card should record special instructions or comments (style of hair-do or clip customer prefers), two telephone numbers if available. In case of emergency or you just need more information you should be able to reach the Shih Tzu customer either at home or an alternate number. The back of the card should contain a chronological listing of the dates the dog came in and the prices charged.

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How to Bathe Your Dog in Three Not So Easy Steps

I have owned and operated a dog grooming shop for the past 15 years. And of all the services I provide, do-it-yourself is one of the most popular. Do-it-yourself means just that. Our customers bathe their own dogs, using our facilities and equipment. My tubs are elevated so the job is much gentler to the back and the customers have access to professional strength grooming products and tools. In short, they do all the work and I clean up the mess. This service has opened the eyes of virtually every customer who uses my facility. After the first visit, I get the same reply from every customer, “I never dreamed that I could make my dog look this good!” They learn that there is a technique to bathing a dog and just because their dog is wet, does not mean that it’s clean. They also learn that having the proper tools and knowledge makes all the difference in the world.

Tools of the Trade

Any profession has its own tools that make the job easier, and pet grooming is no different. Some of the basic tools groomers use are:

– a slicker brush

– a metal Greyhound comb

– an undercoat rake

– a rubber curry brush

– a dematting comb

– access to warm water

– professional size blow dryer or a hand held dryer

– a good, quality shampoo

– creme rinse

Don’t be afraid to invest in good quality tools because most likely the tools will outlast several pets. You may possibly have a tool that you like to use. If so, go right ahead. Any tool will do as long as it gets the job done. The point is, these tools, and others like them, are only effective if the person using them knows the proper way to use them. So learn how to use them correctly. Ask your groomer to show you. He or she probably won’t mind. In fact, your groomer will probably be tickled that you are taking an interest in keeping your pet’s coat in mint condition. I know I’m always thrilled when my customers ask me to show them how to use certain tools.

Things You Need to Know Before You Start

Mats and Tangles: They cause more problems than just a difficult brush out. If not dealt with, they can result in serious skin problems and expensive vet bills. Tangles are easy to deal with. Most of them brush and comb right out. But mats are different.

Grooming your Pomeranian

The Pomeranian is a high spirited little dog that a great companion. I have enjoyed each and every one that ever came into my grooming shop over the last 15 years. They have such great personalities that easy to care for and great for people with little experience of dog ownership. They can be a bit bossy, but they are very friendly and bright. They love to be pampered and don’t require much grooming to feel top dollar.

They are dainty and can have a fragile build. Their coats are long, straight and have a bit of a coarse texture with a dense and fluffy undercoat. This double coat is great protection from the elements and will shed during the spring and autumn months.

This dense coat requires that you brush them at least twice a week, with more needed during the months of shedding. Use a slicker and pin brush and then an undercoat rake. If matts have formed use a splitter comb to break them up and brush out the matt. Brush from the back to the neck away from the body to achieve the lion like mane around the head.

Hold the matt from the skin and work the splitter from your fingers moving forward keeping pressure in the back. It will be less painful. After breaking up the matt, use the comb to loosen the cut pieces until the matt is gone.

Debris can gather between the pads of their feet, about once a month clip the hair between the pads and around the paw. If they are not kept clean it can lead to health problems with lameness being a result. It is best if you can use clippers with a #10 blade between the pads for a more even result.

You will need to trim his coat about once a month all over the body. Just scissors will do follow the contour of the body to give an even appearance all over. Comb the fluff along the legs away from the body and trim evenly down the leg the length you desire.

Urine and feces being caught up in the fur is best handled by keeping the stomach and rear area cut with a #10 blade. Pomeranians are not shy, and should take to grooming well. They relish in the attention. If you do not feel confident with the clippers, find your local dog groomer saloon and set up an appointment. It helps with their general health and you will enjoy the sanitation.

Bathing should be done at least once a week or every two weeks; depending on their level of activity during walks. You will have to work the shampoo into that dense undercoat to reach the skin. Make sure that there is no leftover residue in that coat that can lead to skin irritation and infections. The breed usually has no problems with the use of a high powered hair dryer to reach the undercoat.

After all grooming is done you will now see your little joy shine. They usually parade around with head held high and each step exaggerated. It is like the royalty has arrived on the scene and they know they are special.

The dog grooming business is in a transitional state right now. With “big box” stores trying to take on most of the major markets, many groomers are taking their business to their basements or garages. Proper space and USDA licensing is still required, but a clean space does not have to be huge.

Location, location, location, cannot be said enough about the dog grooming business. A grooming shop must be easy to get in and out of from both directions. Many dogs do not enjoy car rides, so make it as easy on your potential customers as possible. Have ample off street parking, so customers loading/unloading more than one dog are not dealing with traffic. Busy streets are great for business, but remember collars are looser after a groom and puppies are excited. This is why many clients prefer residential groomers.

The tools needed to open your own grooming shop are the true investment. Do not skimp on equipment; it is usually more expensive to fix cheap equipment, and often times there is no fix. A new groom shop Must Have: a tall tub, Drying Kennels, Cage Dryer (more than 1), At least 1 table dryer, At least 2 working dog clippers, clipper blades from #10-#3 (several of EACH), clipper blade clip on combs, dog nail clippers, grooming shears, brushes and combs of every variety, matt breakers of all sizes, eye wash, ear cleanser, dog shampoo/conditioner of all varieties, and flea treatments.

Once the location has been picked, and a clientele established, there are many niche markets to expand into. Pet clothing and apparel have seen a surge, along with: pet carriers, pet jewelry, pet booties, dog hats, dog sunglasses. All of this merchandise is easy to display and relatively small.

Dog grooming has evolved by light years since the days of strict show cuts set forth by the American Kennel Club. The show dogs look gorgeous, prancing around with every hair on full poof! It is not, however, physically possible for the average pet owner to sustain hair styles meant for the show ring. If you are not a professional, you will need to employ a professional groomer to keep your pup in “show quality”.

The most recent trend in dog grooming is the “puppy cut”. This is usually slightly more affordable than a “style clip” (trimmed to the recommended breed style). A “puppy cut” involves clipping the entire pup (head/body/legs) to the same length; short, medium, or long. These types of clips are much easier and faster for the groomer because there is

Next to giving quality dog food to your pets, dog grooming is perhaps the next most important one in taking care of your dog. Aside from it will turn your pet into a responsible family member, dog grooming is also the perfect time to bond with your dog. It is essential that you start grooming your dog at an early age so that he will get used to it. Many dogs learn to see that routine brushing is an alternate source of affection and attention from you. Most dogs become restless at the start of the grooming but eventually they will enjoy it.

Since some dogs have particularly long hair, trimming might be needed from time to time. Dog grooming will keep your dog free from parasites, leaving his coat healthy and shiny. Regular brushing and combing will also help remove dead hair and dirt from your dogs coat. Remember that your dogs eyes, teeth, ears, and nails require regular attention, too. Dogs that lack dog grooming can really stink. If you have dogs in your homes, you would not want to be with stinky dogs right? That is why dog grooming is really important for dog owners who really care for their pets and their homes as well.

It is really a turn off receiving visitors in your house that smells with dog stink. The best place for dog grooming is really to go to a grooming shop where professionals handle dog grooming. This is an ideal set up for those dog owners who are willing to spend a few bucks on dog grooming. But for those who cannot afford professional dog grooming service, there are some grooming alternatives that you can do in your homes. Basically, a regular dog grooming session starts with bathing and drying the dogs thoroughly. If the dogs coat is long or thick, you may need to blow-dry his coat.

Just remember that the blow-dryer does not deliver heat but only strong air. It is a myth that you should rarely bathe your dogs. It will be ideal for the dog to have an antiseptic dip to remove parasites from the dogs coat. Then, the coat should be brushed to remove tangles. Additionally, nails are easier to trim after bathing since they are softened up. Other important aspects of dog grooming are the cleaning of ears and brushing of teeth. Ears are good hiding places for parasites, so this part should not be neglected in dog grooming. Brushing of teeth will prevent bad breath.

You may also ask for some tips on what grooming products are good for your dogs. Oftentimes, grooming professionals can give you tips based on their experience. You may also check web sites of different grooming products for dogs. You need to make a good choice of products that you will use for your dogs, otherwise, some products may cause problems if it is not suitable for your pet. The breed of your dog will determine how often your pet will need dog grooming. Dogs with silk coats, generally, need less grooming. Brushing their coat every other day will be good enough to release essential oils.

However, for dogs with thick coats, they might need a more frequent dog grooming. Dog grooming is a necessity for all dogs no matter what breed they are. Just make sure that you know their grooming needs and how frequent they need it.