24/03/2024
The Relationship between the Dog Groomer and the Dog 🐾❤️
The bond shared between a dog groomer and their furry clients is one of trust, care, and affection. The groomer is responsible for the dog's appearance and hygiene, and in turn, the dog offers love and loyalty to the groomer. It can be a lovely connection that goes beyond just a professional service.
The grooming studio can be a daunting experience if the dog hasn't been professionally groomed before; dogs can be stressed by noise and movement, and within the grooming process, you have the sound and sensation of the shower in the bath, the noise and movement of the dryers, vibration and feeling of clippers and scissors.
Our job as groomers is to make the grooming experience calm and happy. As I groom at home, I always start by giving the dog a little sniff around the garden; most dogs arrive by car, which can be stressful for the dog, as both noise and movement, but with a little sniff and a p*e up or under the lavender and all is forgotten and they happily trot into the studio.
Grooming should be a lovely experience for dogs; they are massaged in the bath, brushing carried out correctly is good for their coat, and dogs generally love the attention. Groomers talk to the dogs and make a fuss of them; it's all about them!
Many groomers will offer a puppy package; this is a great grooming introduction for your pup! Once the pup has had its vaccinations, they can sign up; the first groom is usually a meet-and-treat, a sniff around the studio, training on standing on the grooming table and a brush through, a warm bubble bath, gently dry and dependant on the breed a face and sanitary tidy. At 12-16 weeks, it's also an excellent opportunity for their first nail clip; they are like, what doing, what doing with my nails... clip clip clip and done!
An older dog may have never had a professional groom, or the owner is changing groomers. I love a meet-and-treat; it's an excellent opportunity to speak to the owner about the grooming requirements, the dog's behaviours, and any anxiety or previous bad experiences. The more information the groomer can obtain, the better the grooming process.
Groomers also have to manage and understand separation anxiety, and this has been especially prevalent since COVID-19 times; with many dog owners still working from home, their dogs are rarely alone and can often find it difficult being away from their owners. However, once the relationship between the groomer and dog has grown, this fades, and dogs settle quickly into the grooming process.
We always start with a basic health check and get to know your dogs and all their lumps and bumps, and we notice changes such as skin issues, stinky ears, runny eyes, stiff joints, and bad teeth. We are not vets, but we can highlight anything that has changed.
One of the hardest parts of being a groomer is when the dogs you have groomed and cared for over the years pass over the rainbow bridge; we are genuinely sad and heartbroken.
But the happiest part is the dog arriving, being excited to see you, then leaving all floofed, looking lovely, and so excited to see their owners and show off their new haircut!
Sue Allan
Buddy & Beau Dog Grooming
07527 476352