Dog Grooming Secrets

Insight From a Show Grooming Veteran

By Melissa Fidge
Owner of Maizu LLC
a dog-centric company
creating stylized dog jewelry.

I sat back and took a deep breath, knowing that the next several hours were going to be trying. Buffy was about to be dropped off at the salon for her biannual haircut. But this was no ordinary haircut... it was an ordeal that was guaranteed to suck the life out of me. Why? Because she would most certainly be a shaggy mess with mats all over her body and a really bad attitude. You see, Buffy was a Cocker Spaniel who belonged to the worst kind of owner: one who demands perfection and a full coat but refuses to do any work at home. You guessed it... not only do I sculpt " jewelry dogs ," I also sculpt the real thing. I'm a dog groomer.

These owners infuriate groomers. Generally their dogs are terrors on the grooming table. They constantly fight against us or worse, bite us. They are dogs that are matted and overgrown and get groomed much less frequently than they should. And, of course, the owners expect their dogs to come back to them beautiful and mat free in a full length hairstyle.

Just because you choose to hire a groomer does NOT mean you're off scott-free. All dogs need grooming at home. Whether it's a weekly curry brushing and nail trim for a Boxer or intensive scissoring for a Bichon Frise and regardless of whether you hire a professional or not, you, as the dog's owner, must take responsibility for your dog's grooming health.

I'm not here to chastise dog owners for grooming mistakes. I'm here to bring to light the often overlooked aspect of dog care - grooming - and share with the novice some simple tips to make this "chore" a way to have fun and engage in bonding time with your dog.

Teach good grooming manners:

Grooming manners are paramount whether you decide to do your own grooming or hire a groomer. Your dog should be able to stand still on the table and have her feet, body, mouth and ears handled by strangers. Bonus behaviors include jumping onto the table on command (for large dogs) and laying the head down for dogs who have topknots (full coated Shih Tzus, Maltese and Yorkshire Terriers, etc). Training should start immediately, whether you have a puppy or a grown dog, and should always be approached in a gentle, loving manner. There are many resources to help you train your dog, including the internet, books and local trainers. With a trained dog, you will become your groomer's best friend!

Invest in a grooming table:

I know it may sound like an extravagance, but for anyone who has a dog that needs brushing and haircuts, a grooming table is sure to make life a lot easier. If you plan on doing any haircutting yourself, it is a must. There are several places to buy a table... the easiest are vendors at dog shows and online pet supply warehouses (like Pet Edge). You don't necessarily need an expensive table. Just make sure it is the right size for your dog and has collapsable legs (a folding table is MUCH easier to store!) and you purchase a grooming arm to go with it. Some whistles and bells that are available are adjustable legs, hydraulics or built-in lighting.

Use a restraint:

Unless you are an experienced groomer with a VERY well behaved dog, you should always have your dog restrained when on a table. This keeps her under control and safe. Use a grooming noose with the arm you bought with your table. Also available, and highly recommended, are quick release connectors that allow you to release the noose should your dog jump of the table.

Invest in proper tools:

You don't necessarily need to spend a fortune to get what you need. But if you plan on doing your own haircutting, and want it to look professional, you should probably invest in better quality supplies. Before buying anything, decide what kind of grooming you will be doing. Will you just be doing maintenance on a smooth coated dog like a Doberman Pinscher or Great Dane? You probably only need a slicker brush or curry brush, ear cleaner, nail clippers and styptic powder. Do you have a dog with undercoat like a Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd? Make sure to get a shedding blade or undercoat rake along with the basics. Do you need to do light trimming like Golden Retriever ears or Australian Shepherd feet? Find shears that feel good in your hand and cut well. If there is ANY place to splurge, it is on your shears! Also make sure to pick up a comb to help with your scissoring. Do you have a Cocker or Poodle (etc) that needs a full body haircut? Make sure to get a good set of clippers - preferable with interchangeable blades. My favorites are Andis (they are light and feel great in the hand), but Oster and Wahls work wonderfully as well. There is quite a bit of difference in how each brand feels and weighs, so you might want to talk to groomers to get several opinions or get a feel with theirs.

Learn how to use your tools:

Improper use of tools could hurt you... or worse, your dog. The proper way to hold shears is with the tip of your thumb pad in the thumb hole and the pad of your ring finger resting on the other hole. Keeping your ring finger stationary, move your thumb up and down to cut. Whenever you are trimming a dog, BE CAREFUL. It is extremely easy to cut a foot pad or ear and those cuts very often need gluing or sutures. Clippers can also cut or clipper burn when used incorrectly. Always keep the blades parallel to the skin and keep the blade cool with coolant. Any place you choose to purchase your clippers should offer coolant as well.

Brush, brush, brush!:

Again, if you want to become your groomer's best friend, BRUSH YOUR DOG! Obviously if you don't use a groomer and have a dog with anything but a short coat, it is your complete responsibility to keep your dog mat free. Brushing has many benefits. It keeps the undercoat to a minimum, keeping the skin healthy, the dog cool and the coat free of matting. Brushing should be a weekly (for Goldens and Aussies) to a daily (for full coated Maltese, etc) occurrence and therefore cannot be left to the groomer. If left too long, mats will form and believe me, keeping up with brushing is much easier and more humane than de-matting. When brushing a dog with medium to long hair, brush with a slicker or pin brush and then follow with a comb. Make sure all the hair is tangle free to the skin.

Don't fear the nails:

I was a professional pet groomer for ten years before I moved on to dog jewelry ... and in that 10 years, it was painfully clear that the majority of pet owners are terrified of trimming nails. Believe me, it's not as hard as everyone makes it out to be! Learning how to trim nails is a hands-on experience but I'm going to share what makes the job a bit easier for me. There are several ways to hold the foot, but I definitely have a favorite: holding the foot like you would a horse. Facing the opposite direction of the dog, lift up the foot and turn it back so the pad is facing up. There are several benefits to doing it this way. First, it maintains a level of control greater than other foot positions. If they try to fight you, they are thrown off balance and therefore they tend to behave a little better. Second, it decreases the chance of "quicking" the dog because you have a better, unobstructed view of the nail. You must also have confidence. Confidence makes all the difference. And remember, if you quick the dog, use styptic powder to stop the bleeding!

By following these tips you will surely be on your way to a happy, well groomed pup!