Do You Love Dogs?

Are you thinking about a career as a professional dog groomer? It's not enough that you love dogs, although there are some schools that will take your tuition and enroll you on that basis alone. If you decide to become a groomer, you'll be better prepared if the school makes you aware of the drawbacks as well as the rewards of the profession.

Some Negative Aspects

1. Grooming can be very physically demanding, yet it requires mental alertness at all times.

2. Some dogs may try to bite when they don't want you doing some thing that is necessary.

3. Odors, such as infections in the ears or mouth, or from impacted anal glands, can be very unpleasant.

4. Because some dogs are nervous, you may have to deal with a sud- den, unexpected release of feces or a case of diarrhea. Throwing up is not unheard of, either.

5. Coping with dog owners who do not understand how to care for their pets, even after you or their veteri- narian give advice, can be trying.

6. You cannot expect all dogs to turn out looking as you would wish. There may be limitations to how much you can do because of a dog's physical condition or temperament. If you happen to be a perfectionist, you will have to learn to compro- mise in order to do what is best for the dog. A person's ego has no place in grooming if the welfare of the dog does not come first.

Some Positive Aspects

1. You'll not only make the dog look better, you'll make the dog feel better by removing bothersome mats, clip- ping toenails (which can prevent foot problems), cleaning ears (which can reduce chances of ear infections), giv- ing baths with various shampoos (which can give relief for skin prob- lems), and using shampoos that kill parasites, if necessary. Emptying anal glands can also be very helpful to the dog's physical well being.

2. Teaching dogs how to successfully deal with stress will give them confi- dence. Dogs will be proud of them- selves, and your own self-esteem will increase, too.

3. Educating owners about the care of their pets can be very rewarding, especially when you see the condi- tion of dogs improve over time, thanks to your recommendations.

4. You're often the first person to spot problems the dog may be having that require veterinary care.

Safety
Safety is of paramount importance to the dog and the groomer, and a school should address the issue thoroughly. In order to make money, groomers need to have some speed because they usually work on commission. But speed comes with experience and time. A reputable school will teach you to slow down when cutting around the dog's eyes, rectal area, underside, or when dealing with an especially nervous dog. Speeding up is usually done when brushing, combing, shampooing, rinsing, and drying, except when working around the eyes.

Feeling for Dogs
Dogs need more than your sympathy. You might see a matted or flea-infested dog and feel like sobbing. Instead, a professional groomer must do what needs to be done. A parent or babysitter will have to do the unenviable tasks of changing diapers and giving medication, even if the baby fusses. In the same way, groomers have to be able to see that the well being of the dog is what drives their actions. A good school will help instill that professional attitude.

As you can now see, there's more to dog grooming than meets the eye. The psychological rewards for the groomer have to outweigh all the drawbacks in order for a person to enjoy working in the profession. Doing what is best for the dog is the greatest incentive of all and gives real meaning to the words, "I love dogs." If you love dogs, you might very well have what it takes to become a great groomer.

Provided by Tim Wray, Director, Maryland School of Dog Grooming.