Choosing a Professional Dog GroomerYou should choose a professional dog groomer to groom your dog if you lack the time, physical ability or experience to groom your dog. The best way to choose a groomer is to go by recommendations from friends, animal welfare organizations or dog trainers.Once you have found a few to choose from, it is advisable to request references or ask for the names of recent clients and contact them. Some Veterinarians run grooming clinics and it is worth enquiring if your vet offers this. You can help to make this easier and more pleasant for your dog - ensure your dog meets strangers and that he is used to having all parts of his body touched. Try to keep his coat free of mats and ensure he has a good diet as this will mean a healthy coat which is easier to groom. It is important that you feel confident with the groomer and that you feel re-assured that your dog will be treated kindly, gently and without the use of tranquilisers. Visit the facility and check that the salon is clean, well lit and that the cages contain bedding and are of adequate size. Watch the staff handling dogs and check that they handle them gently and with respect. The dog’s shouldn’t look nervous or fearful and should be kept in an entirely separate area to any cats. A well run grooming salon should ask for information about your pet such as any medical problems, vaccination records and emergency contact information. It is a good idea to give your dog a good walk before taking him to the groomer as this will help him burn off some energy and ensure that he is more co-operative and less likely to become stressed during the grooming. Ensure that your dog’s vaccination records are up to date and that he is neutered as neutered dogs are generally calmer. UK GROOMING LINKS
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