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 are many different breeds of dogs out there. The choices are too numerous to count. With each breed of dog you also have different colors of coat they will have, and the texture of their coat. Some dogs have short hair while others have long. Some breeds have a straight coat, while others are wavy or curly.

Tamming the Curls

No matter which dog you choose, you will need to know how to properly groom them. If you have a dog that has a wavy or curly coat, you will want to know how to take care of their coat properly. A dog with a curly or wavy coat will take more time and attention to keep looking good than a dog with straight hair.

When caring for a dog with curly hair you will want to make sure you keep the coat a good length. If you let the coat get too long it will get tangled easily, and twigs and debris will get stuck in it. This is especially important to people who show their dog, or use their dog for hunting. It is easier for your dog to be helpful while hunting if he has a coat that is well maintained.

Cutting the Curls

Most curly haired dogs will need to have their coat cut. Two inches is the best length for the dogs coat. It does take time and practice to master cutting your dogs hair. Some people choose just to use a buzzer, this is an easy fast way of cutting your dogs coat. Others choose to use a scissor, which takes more practice. If your dog is going to be in dog shows you may want to take them to a place that specializes in dog grooming.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when grooming your dogs coat yourself, or between visits to the dog groomer. First you will want to make sure you brush the dogs entire coat to get rid of as dead coat as you can, this also gets rid of the tangles. A pin brush and or slicker brush usually work the best for this. Next you will want to use a comb to make sure you get every tangle. To ensure that you do not rip any hair out you will want to take your time.

After you are sure you have removed all the dead hair, and the tangles you are ready to proceed with the cutting. The first thing you will want to do is remove any extra hair. Remember you should leave the hair about two inches long, and it should be a pretty even cut. Now you will want to proceed to the foot, and the foot pads. You will want to cut any excess hair from between the paws, the make the paw blend in with the leg hair.

After you have finished with the legs and paws you are ready to continue towards the torso. You will want to make sure you cut off excess fuzz, and shape the hair in a way that flatters your breed of dog. You will want to make sure you take your time and do a good job. Stop periodically to look at you work. Having a picture of your breed of dog will be a big help. This way you have an idea of what you are going for.

After cutting your dogs hair you will want to give your dog a bath. After the bath all you need to do is towel dry your dog. By towel drying you are allowing the dogs natural curls to show. This will look much better than if you try and blow dry it.