1. Dogs don’t like being groomed very much, so the earlier you start the better to help get your dog used to it. If you find that your dog hates being groomed to start with, try using a few treats to distract him and show that grooming is something to look forward to. It’s not surprising that dogs generally don’t like being groomed so do your best to make your dog feel relaxed and safe. Establishing a grooming routine can help.

2. All dogs need their coat brushed, even ones with short hair. This will help the coat to stay clean and shiny. Dogs with longer hair will require more brushing time, but don’t neglect your dogs coat if it is short. Be gentle when brushing otherwise your dog may start to fear it.

3. Dogs need a bath sometimes too. How often depends on the type of dog and whether it gets very dirty on walks. Make sure you brush him well before putting him in the bath, and use a specially made dog shampoo.

4. Take care of your dogs toenails. Most dogs don’t spend a lot of time on hard ground and because of that their toenails get long. If that’s the case, you need to keep them trimmed so they are even with the bottom of the paws. You shouldn’t have to trim toenails too much, once every few weeks at most.

5. While grooming look out for anything unusual. Dog grooming is a great way to keep an eye on your dog to make sure it’s healthy. Look out for rashes, bumps or anything that seems unusual. If you do find something you should always visit a vet straight away.

Cutting or clipping a dogs hair can be one of the more daunting aspects of dog grooming. Not all breeds need to be clipped of course, but if your dog has a single coat then the hair won’t shed and hence will end up looking a complete mess if left unattended.

If you don’t feel comfortable with learning how to cut dog hair, then it is nearly always best to visit your local professional groomer who’ll be able to do a high quality dog. It is possible to learn though.

First of all, when using clippers you need to make sure you’re properly prepared. You can be fairly sure that your dog isn’t going to leap at the chance of having its hair cut, so try to start clipping it from as young age as possible. It isn’t impossible to start later on, but you’ll find it much harder.

Next, you need to find out information about your dogs coat and what it should look like. There are plenty of websites for specific breeds that will give great tips and advice for your specific breed. It’s often a good idea to watch a professional do it before you have a go, just so you know what the dog should look like. Don’t expect the dogs coat to look as good as the pros made it look first time, but at least you’ll have something to aim at!

Safety is so important when you’re cutting your dogs hair. You want the experience of being clipped to at least be bearable for your dog. If it’s painful, you’ll have even more difficult next time! Here are a few things to think about when it comes to clipper safety:

1. Choose the right clipped blade for your breed. There are different blades for different breeds, so do some research into the one that is right for your dog.

2. Make sure the blades are nice and sharp so that the hair isn’t pulled too much,

3. Use clipper coolant to keep the blades from getting too hot. Make sure you keep checking the temperature, you don’t want your pooch burnt!

Now you’ve prepared properly and you’re as safe as can be, you’re ready for your first clip!

The first stage is to go round the bits that are the least neat and tidy them up. It’s probably not a good idea to go for a full clip to start with, but by tidying messy areas up both you and the dog can get used to the clippers.

Make sure that there are no mats in the dogs hair before you start clipping. You can brush or comb these out before starting.

As you move through your first cut, keep checking to see how it’s going. Watch for any signs up stress from your dog, and make sure you’re not taking too much off.

The first clip is always the hardest, but doing is definitely the best way to learn how to cut dog hair!

The reality, of course, isn’t quite as rosy. But for a dedicated individual becoming a dog groomer can be a sensible career choice. You should always ask yourself the following questions before becoming a dog groomer though:

1. What skills do you have with regards to grooming and looking after dogs? If you don’t have any, you’ll need to get some sort of training.

2. How much time can you dedicate to starting a grooming business? Like any business venture, you’ll get out what you put in.

3. How much competition is there in your area? In some places – especially rural areas – you’ll find that there is literally no competition. This is perfect if you are thinking of becoming a dog groomer. If you are in areas where there is competition, do you think there is enough business to accommodate another groomer? (i.e. you) If not, can you offer a different service that people might be interested in?

There are plenty of other things to consider. For example, the amount of hair that you’ll find deposited around your working area will be incredible. Because of this, working from home might not be such a good idea. Having a store or rented work room also has the benefits of appearing more professional.

Anyone can learn to become a good dog groomer, and make a healthy business out of it. The best groomers will be able to handle the dogs, owners and their business effectively as well as giving a top quality service. Some people will find it easier to become groomers than others though, and it is a good idea to try it out to see whether you enjoy it and how quickly the skills come to you. If you feel confident around dogs and know that you can do a high quality job, you can almost be certain that there will be people in your area who’ll pay for your services. Of course, whether there is enough demand to sustain you and your competition is something you’ll have to look into in your particular area.

For more information on dog grooming, I highly recommend “Dog Grooming For Dummies“. You can get it fairly cheap at Amazon I believe, try this link.

What’s Involved in Dog Grooming?

While dog grooming can be performed at home, the best results can be achieved via a professional dog groomer. A thorough dog grooming session takes care of all the hygienic needs of your dog. The grooming process generally takes a hour or two to accomplish, but the results are well worth the time spent. A typical dog grooming session consists of the following treatments for your dog:

* A thorough bath including flea dip (if applicable)
* A complete coat brushing to eliminate tangles and matted hair
* Styling as requested (can include accessories such as bows, rhinestones and bandannas)
* Nail trimming
* Ear cleaning and examination for parasites
* Teeth cleaning

How Often Should Dog Grooming Take Place?

The frequency with which your should groom your dog is dependent on the breed and coat quality of your dog. Some breeds are considered high maintenance in terms of dog grooming, while others need only periodic care. Before you purchase or adopt a dog, it’s a good idea to find out how much grooming it will require. A basic guide to dog grooming by coat type is as follows:

* Curly-Coated – Dogs such as Poodles have a dense and curly coat that is fairly resistant to water. These dogs will require dog grooming at least once every two months, or six times a year.

* Short-Coated – Dogs with short dense coats, such as Corgis and Boxers need a weekly brushing, but do not need to be bathed more than once or twice a year unless a problem arises.

* Long-Coated – Long coated dogs, such as Collies and Sheepdogs, require a daily brushing to keep their coats in good condition. Additional dog grooming including regular bathing, should be administered once every other month.

* Silky-Coated – Afghans, Cocker Spaniels and Pekinese dogs belong to the silky coated dog group. These dogs require daily brushing and a thorough dog grooming session four times a year.

* Wire-Coated – Wire coated dogs require considerable dog grooming. Dogs such as Terriers and Schnauzers should be bathed every three months and have their coat clipped every six to eight weeks.

* Smooth-Coated – The smooth-coated class of dogs includes Labrador Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers and Dachshunds. These are very low maintenance dogs and require only weekly brushing and bathing as necessary.

Whatever type of dog you own, it’s important to see that proper grooming is maintained for the health and happiness of your canine companion.

By: Paolo Basauri

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Paolo Parodi is an expert author who writes for www.dog-grooming-supply.com