Grooming is a skilled trade that takes years of practice. There are the five basic clips - body contour, hand scissoring; the bladed body/fuller leg; short-legged terrier; long-legged terrier; and sporting clip. There are also myriad variations that make up both the extreme end (show clips), and the casual end (pet and "puppy" clips).
The groomer must be skilled with both shear and clipper blade, dog handling, nail trimming, dematting tools, washing, and blowdrying techniques. She must be able to quickly analyze a pet's skin and coat condition to select the proper shampoo and conditioner.
There are as many treatments for dogs as there are for your own hair - from hypoallergenic oatmeal brands, to medicated dandruff shampoos, to those designed to brighten white fur or deodorize strong odors. Groomers must be able to assess the condition of mats in the fur and recommend a proper cut.
How Groomers Help Your Pet Stay Healthy
Groomers can help an owner with questions about proper canine nutrition (a poor diet shows up on the skin first), show how to properly brush out the coat, and even help the owner with a dog's dental hygeine.
Since the groomer works intimately with each dog, they can alert the owners to changes in the dog's behaviours and body. Groomers might be the first to notice an sore that might require a vet's attention, cut a dew claw before it can grow into the footpad, note changes in warts and old wounds, and pull out thorns from toes that could have caused staph infections.
A great groomer will also try to ensure that your dog has a nice day at the salon. Being away from their owners can be stressful, and not every dog enjoys a bath and blowout. They might be foot-shy, which makes clipping nails problematic. Head-shy dogs don't like clippers or shears near their faces. It's the groomer's job to help the dog feel comfortable through the process.
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