Posted on August 11, 2018July 23, 2021Categories Entertainment, Pet, Service

How to Groom Your Pet at Home

There are two basic reasons to have your dog or cat groomed. First for the overall health of your pet and second is for the aesthetics of your pet. A dog that has long, thick, curly or a double coat can matt so badly that air will not circulate through the coat.

This can result in skin infections and contain dirt, “stickers”, twigs, etc. It is also healthier for the pet owner as they are not subject to breathing in dander, being in contact with saliva in the coat, etc.

The aesthetic reasons are that your pet will just look better and feel better. Depending on the type of dog you have you may or may not be limited in the amount of grooming you are able to perform.

There are 7 basic coat types. Smooth-coated breeds like a Beagle. Short-coated breeds like an Austrailan Cattle Dog. Double-coated breeds like a Siberian Husky. Long silky coated breeds a Cocker Spaniel. Harsh, wiry coated breeds like a Standard Schnauzer. Curly-coated breeds like a Bichon Frise. The last are Corded Coated breeds such as the Komondor and Puli.

If you have a smooth coated dog or a short coated dog you can probably do most of the grooming yourself. If you have a long silky coated breed a curly or wiry coated breed clipping and or scissoring may be necessary.

If you have the time, money to invest you can probably groom right at home. If you get into clipping you will need to purchase professional clippers, shears, a grooming table, and instructional videos. This is another matter entirely. This article will cover basic grooming.

I would like to mention that keeping a dog or cat, playing with them, sleeping with them is entirely different than trying to groom them. Put yourself in the animals position. They may not want to be there. You may be putting them into positions that they are not accustomed to. You have to educate yourself on how a dog or cat moves. When grooming it is not enough to be an animal lover but you need to have a great deal of patience as well.

Basic tools and products would include but are not limited to a soft slicker brush, a combination pin/bristle brush, a stainless steel comb, dog rake, a rubber curry brush, nail clippers and a flea comb. a quality shampoo, conditioner, ear wash, nail anti-coagulant.

If your dog is matted and if you are not familiar with wielding a pair of clippers leave this to a professional groomer to clip or de-matt you dog or cat. I have seen many an accident where the pet owner mistook a matt for the skin and cut an ear.

Brushing and combing your dog are very basic steps but may possibly be the most important. The reason being is that certain breeds in particular are prone to matting and you dog must be thoroughly brushed and combed out so as not to tangle the coat. A good practice is that if you are conditioning your dog. Brush the conditioner through its coat. Rinse carefully.

Always use lukewarm water never hot and never cold. Cold water will bring out the oils in some breeds and as we all know water and oil do not mix. Make sure your pet is thoroughly wet before applying shampoo. Some shampoos can be diluted. This way you can use a mixing bottle and attain better coverage over the animal. Another tip is to lightly place a couple of cotton balls in your pets ears to keep water from entering the ear canal.

A slicker brush can be used in two ways. As a straight brush as well as removing light matts and tangles using a rolling motion along the curve of the brush. The rubber curry brush is great when bathing your dog especially with a smooth coated breed. A stainless steel comb which usually comes with coarse teeth on one end and fine on the other. Use the coarse side first then moving on to the fine side for combing drop coats, ears and the tail.

An ear wash should be used after the bath. Put a few drops in each ear. Let your pet give a shake. This will help loosen any dirt. Use cotton balls or makeup remover pads to light wipe out the ear. Never push a cue tip or cotton ball always wipe out and away from the ear.

Nail clipping takes some practice. If you are nervous or uncomfortable clipping your pets nails they will sense it and usually pull away. When clipping your pets nail hold the animal close to your body and hold its paw firmly. Use a finger or your thumb to mark where you want to clip. A good rule of thumb so to speak is to cut just inside the curl of the nail. When you see a black dot emerge in the middle of the nail. This is the quick. Stop here. If you do cut the quick. Do not panic. There may be a quite a lot of blood. Be prepared with an anti-coagulant powder/liquid. If you do not have this on hand you can scrape a little bar soap on the nail and pack it in to stop the blood. Cornstarch will usually work as well.

So, there you have it. Learning how to properly groom your pet is vital to both its health and appearance. It is good practice to keep your dog or cat properly brushed out and bathed. this should also be performed between grooming appointments. This will be easier on your pet so as to keep them matt free and easier on your groomer. Which will usually be easier on your pocketbook.

Always use professional tools. Go to a reputable pet store in person or online with your list and talk with a salesperson. Cheap pet tools and clippers will be a waste of time and your hard earned money and could potentially harm your pet.

Always use lukewarm water and shield your pets eyes from shampoos and conditioners. Especially, medicated shampoos. An ear wash should be used after the bath. Do not attempt to use a human blow dryer. These can get too hot and burn your dog. Just use a good an absorbent towel. A little tip to prevent your dog from shaking water all over. Hold his/her muzzle. The shake starts with the head.

Nail clipping does take practice. A good practice to start is when watching T.V or just sitting with your dog. Rub their paws. If they pull away. Rub another paw and so on. This will get them comfortable with you handling them. Then you can introduce the clippers.

Posted on August 11, 2018August 11, 2018Categories Entertainment, Pet, Service

The Benefits of Dog Grooming Services

The advantages that you can from dog grooming go far beyond making your dog look nice. Grooming really improves the mind state of the dog and improves the behavior of the beloved dog, is key when it comes to its health, and importantly, grooming is a protection the dog owner as well as the family members. If you are not sure about how this service is really a benefit, below are some of the benefits.

Have you ever wondered different grooming salons are at all times fully during the spring times? This is the owners bringing the dogs in for the very first time after the long winter. The dogs are very dirty, they are greasy, matted hair, and other dogs will get in not waking a better way because the nails are long and is what makes it painful for the dogs to put their weight on the paws. They have very dirty covered eyes and then the insides of the ears are black as well as clogged. This is because the owner has neglected them during winter. Also, the dogs will as well know that have been neglected.

An astonishing transition at most times happens after the dogs are groomed and spruced up and cleaned. Not merely do they look just like new dogs, but they as well can act like very new dogs. The life comes back in to the dogs and they get really so happy. This is a mental boost and a great benefit to the dogs. The dogs get a very warm bath that is rich, clean foam to take away all of the harmful bugs as well as germs that the dogs may have. This is a big relief for the dogs as they are offered a day to dry, itchy, and then do away with the bad skin that results from being just neglected. A better mental state of the dog for sure leads to a good behavior.

Dogs that really feel better and are happier, generally act friendly, predictable, as well as energetic. For just an example, a dog that has an hair has grown long all over eyes and then the hair is really impairing his vision can make the dog to be acting more aggressive or afraid because of not being able to see well. Therefore, this makes the dog to feel easily feels in danger and defensive. Groomers are experts who have been equipped with the best tools and experience to easily groom any kind of dog. Set up a good schedule with your local expert and make sure you stick with it for a healthy and happy dog.

Posted on August 11, 2018August 10, 2023Categories Entertainment, Pet, Service

Pet Grooming Business

Do you like animals? Would you like to work for yourself? Pet grooming could be the career for you.

This business is more than just washing dogs. It can include cleaning ears, trimming nails, brushing teeth, and shaving the animal’s coat in stylish ways. The animal can be a dog, cat, pig or other type of animal.

With an animal grooming business, the choice is yours. You can have the clients drop their animals at our house or you can start a mobile business. The options are limitless.

Starting this business does not require that you become certified. Research different dog grooming schools in your area, and choose one that fits your needs. Try to find one that offers pet grooming business management classes with the actual pet grooming classes.

Once you are trained, or while you are in training, you should start to create a pet grooming business plan. Since you will incur some start up costs for your training, licenses, insurance, and equipment, having a business plan can help you obtain a loan to get started.

It is estimated that the industry will grow over 10% in the next five years. This means that your grooming business will likely grow quickly as long as you are professional at all times. This also means that you will have to complete some office work daily as well. Owning an animal grooming business is not just animal grooming.

Pricing can be difficult to determine, but a few phone calls to local grooming salons, or individuals who perform grooming, will give you and idea regarding what services you should be providing and an estimation of the fees. You will need also to decide if you business will be just for dogs or if you will groom other pets too.

Because your business is client oriented, you will need to build a clientele list. The best way to do this is to get your name into your community. You can place flyers at pet stores and veterinarian offices, and animal shelters. You can create a press release for local newspapers and radio stations. You can even offer your services to the local animal shelter. If they like your work, they will refer people to you.

To keep on top of trends you should plan to attend local dog and cat shows, and go to pet grooming industry expos, and conventions. You should subscribe to industry magazines as well, and check the internet frequently. It is a font of knowledge and there are web sites, such as PetGroomer.com that are there to help people start their business, obtain training, and calendars of events.

Since you are working for yourself, you have to rely on your ability to keep customers happy. This means always being available for set appointments, maintaining a clean work area, and being professional at all times. Even though you work from home, or out of a van, professionalism keeps your clients coming to you and not another pet grooming business.

There are many ways to get into this industry. You can purchase a franchise, which give you the credibility of an established name. You can purchase a local pet grooming business that is currently for sale. Of course, you can start your own grooming business.

You should check with your local government for any zoning, licensure, and insurance requirements for your business. This is very important and could be the difference of your grooming business succeeding or failing. A dog grooming business is still a business no mater how much fun you have doing it.

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

Randy currently has a website dealing with Reviews of Coffee Related Products such as coffee makers, espresso makers, coffee, k-cups, and more plus articles on coffee enemas and other coffee and health related topics. He also has a website of Reviews of Small Appliances such as ice cream makers, vacuum cleaners, mixers, irons, toasters, food processors, and many other appliances.