Your pet is part of the family. You don’t intend to trust your baby to just anyone and we respect that! Not all groomers are created equal and building a relationship with a groomer over time is essential for a successful long-term relationship.
Your dog or cat trusts that you are looking out for their best interest so it is natural that you would take this decision seriously. You should build a friendly relationship with a groomer who loves what they do, is willing to work with you and your pet’s needs and who will spend the time to answer any and all of your questions.
If a groomer is not willing to sit and chat about your needs, give you a tour of their workspace or make you feel comfortable then they are not the groomer for you. He or she should understand your love for your pet and respect your need for reassurance.
What Do Pet Groomers Do?
Pet groomers serve a wide variety of roles and they do all sorts of things related to the cleanliness and hygiene of your pet.
Some of the responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- brushing and cutting the fur
- clipping nails
- cleaning ears
- bathing the animals
- anal expression
- drying the fur
- styling the fur
- sanitizing combs and shears and other tools
- scheduling appointments and customer service duties
- reporting issues to pet owners
- guiding pet owners about proper pet hygiene
Good pet groomers are generally patient animal lovers who don’t mind getting their hands a little “dirty”. They are almost always pet owners themselves.
Summary: Pet groomers have a wide array of duties and the job requires many skills, but the most important qualification is usually loving animals.
How Are Pet Groomers Trained?
There are no strict formal education requirements for becoming a pet groomer and most groomers acquire training through apprenticeship programs. These are usually about 6-10 weeks long and they learn all about bathing, drying, cutting, nail clipping, dog and cat handling and more. This hands-on training under the supervision of experienced groomers prepares them for working in a grooming facility.
Summary: Pet groomers go through different types of training depending on their employer but generally apprentice before going to work on their own.
What Services Does Your Pet Need?
Different groomers provide different services. Possible services you may need include:
- Bath
- Anal gland expression
- Undercoat removal
- De-skunking
- Flea relief
- Teeth-brushing
- De-matting hair
- Ear cleaning
- Hair style or trim
- Specific standards for breeds
Summary: Choosing a groomer will depend to some degree on yours and your pets’ needs.
Questions To Ask A Groomer
Ask the groomer to sit and chat with you. Tell them about your needs and expectations. Ask if they will give you a tour of their workplace. They should work hard to earn your trust and make you feel comfortable. If not, move on.
Here are some good questions to get you started:
- Can I stay with my pet and watch?
- Can I see your tools and shampoos, etc?
- How long have you been doing this?
- Have you ever been bitten?
- How do you ensure the safety of the animals in your care?
- How will my pet be dried?
- Have you ever worked with a pet like mine?
- What types of animals do you groom?
- Will my pet have the same groomer every time?
- How long can my pet stay after his or her services are complete?
- Can you groom a dog or cat to breed standards?
- Do you use any tranquilizers or any kinds of medications?
- How long will a session take?
- Do you have references?
Summary: Ask your pet groomer lots of questions.
Are They Passionate About Pet Grooming?
There are a couple of key signs that a groomer is a passionate provider and not just there to collect your check. For one thing, pet groomers who care are interested in looking out for your pet. A good groomer will look out for health issues, rashes, a scab, signs of gum bleeding, etc.
In addition, passionate and caring groomers have probably been doing this for a while or have worked in other fields with animals in the past. They may have certifications that go above and beyond what is required, and they should definitely have a reputation for great service. Which brings us to the next point.
Summary: Passionate pet groomers will go above and beyond. Go with your instincts when you meet the prospective groomer.
Ask Around
Talk to people in your area and ask them who they use or who they recommend. Then, take their advice to heart. Be sure to ask people who feel the same way that you do about your pet, of course. Ask them about how the services were, whether they thought the prices were reasonable, whether their pet seemed anxious after leaving, etc.
Summary: A great groomer will have a solid reputation in the community.
Is A Mobile Pet Groomer Right For You?
Mobile pet grooming is a new trend and the innovative grooming setup allows for maximum comfort and less stress for everyone… especially your pets. Dogs and cats are often much less nervous if they are not forced to leave their homes and owners can relax knowing that they are right there with their pet. Mobile groomers are ideal for people who have limited time, whose pets are anxious when brought to the groomer or for pet owners who have limited mobility.
Summary: Mobile grooming facilities like Lucky Dawg’s van are a great way to save time and reduce stress.
Your pet is part of the family and you should build a connection with a groomer who is willing to work with you and your pet’s specific wants and needs. Remember: Not all groomers are created equal. We respect and understand your love for your pet and are eager to talk with you and set up an appointment. Give Lucky Dawg’s groomers a call at (310) 784-0775.
2923 Rolling Hills Rd
Torrance, CA 90505
Salon Grooming Phone: 310-784-0775
Mobile Grooming Phone: 310-784-0566
