The Duties Of A Dog Groomer.

On my blog called Fighting Dog Abuse, I had a person, anonymously, asked just what does a dog groomer do. Well, I will tell you, as I was a groomer for over 25 yrs. I am a graduate of Nash Academy of Animal Arts in Lexington, KY, and am certified by National Dog Groomers Association of America, and International Dog Groomers, Inc. This means that I have met the strict standards of the elite certification of both the United States and the United Kingdom. Our duties include: When a dog comes into a grooming salon, I would look at the dog, ask the owner what they would like done.

If the owner says I want my dog to look like it should, i.e. a Scottish Terrier, and the dog is not matted, I would cut that dog in the standard as required in the A.K.C. This means it will look like the picture in the A.K.C. dog book. First, I "rough in" the dog. This means I do a rough cut of the coat, cut the head coat, scissor the eyebrows, clean out the stop (between the eyes), scissor any stray hair at the inside corner of the eyes, shave the private area, scissor around the anal area, clean out the pads of the feet, clean the inside of the ears, and cut the toenails.

Then the dog goes to the bath. The anal glands are expressed in the bath for easier clean up. After the bath, it is blown dry, known as fluff drying. Then the dog comes back to me, and I do what is called "the finish." I go back over the coat with the clippers. (Clippers are used for pet dogs, show dogs are hand stripped) I touch up the eyebrows, and the tuffs on the ears, scissor the skirt for evenness.

If the owner wants the dog stripped down, then I take the clippers and use a 5 F or 7F blade, and go over the entire dog. This is called a Kennel Clip. I clean the pads, shave the belly, scissor the anal area, clean ears and cut the nails. We call this "Pads, ears, nails and belly or PENB. In the bath, the anal glands are expressed, too. Most of your pet dogs are done in the Kennel Clip for easy maintenance at home. On pet Lhasa's and Shih Tzu's, Havenese, or any dog that has a long coat, I try to get the owner to let me do a 1/2" clip for summer, or a 1" clip for winter. This leaves some coat and the dog does not look so skinny and bare.

On smooth coated dogs, they usually just get a bath, nails and ears cleaned. The pads of the feet are cleaned, too. On some long-coated breeds that the owner does not want a cut, we just do a bath and brush out, along with the PENB (Pads, ears, nails and belly, including the anal area.)

Westminster

Well, the 2007 Westminster Kennel Club show has come and gone. A beautiful English Springer named James, was named Best in Show. He was really quite handsome, and well handled. When I was grooming, I groomed many Springers. I was so surprised how many of them that came to me from another groomer, had the wrong pattern set on them if they still had a full coat. Most pet English Springer's are done in what is called a Kennel Clip, which is one length all over. Usually done with an 5F or 7F Oster blade. The head done as the standard states.

Hello

Hey everyone, my name is Tamara and I love dogs. This blog will be open to all dog talk, but will be reviewed before posting. I am a retired Certified Master Groomer and am still Nationally and Internationally certified. I am a graduate of Nash Academy of Animal Arts in Lexington, KY. I have competed and was a member of Groom Team USA in 1995, earning medals for my creative grooming and hand-scissoring. I can answer most grooming questions, but I am not a vet. If I can't answer your questions, I will try to steer you toward a person(s) who can. I am currently working a 2 yr. old yellow lab named Major B Chance. He is getting ready to certify for his Therapy Dog Certification, with Therapy Dogs International, and has completed his basic obedience and is in advanced now. He trains at Timbral Pet Services,Barboursville, WV, with Tim Childers, the owner and Certified Master Trainer. He is spoiled and loved beyond belief. Hope to hear from you dog lovers soon.
Tamara