Tagged with 'Pet Grooming '

Skunked!

Skunked

If you live in a climate that experiences winter weather, your phone may be starting to ring now that warmer weather is here with frantic pleas for help with pets that have met a skunk. In cold climates, skunks spend the winter in a sleepy state called torpor. In the spring, they awaken and search for food and a mate. 

Read more

Putting the “Smooth” in Smoothies

Putting the “Smooth” in Smoothies

Sometimes, dogs must be clipped smooth, also known as shaving. Occasionally, it is by owner request; often, it is because there is no other humane way to rid the pet of a matted, neglected coat. It is often not a groomer’s favorite thing to do, but sometimes shave we must. Here are some tips and tricks to accomplish the job as safely and attractively as possible.

Read more

Getting Colorful

Getting Colorful

Last week, a regular customer told me she'd been having some significant health issues and wanted to add a little happiness to her life. Could I please color her Bichon's tail pink? You bet I can; I will the next time she comes in.

Read more

Another Reason I Love Grooming

Another Reason I Love Grooming

Since I was old enough to grasp the idea that I needed a job in life, I’ve always wanted that job to involve animals. As a kid, I thought maybe I could be a Marine Biologist or live in Africa and work with lions and Elephants. My aspirations changed as I matured, formed other goals, and settled on pet grooming. My career choice has been a happy one in many ways. I have, indeed, worked with animals. I have also met wonderful people at the other end of the leash.

Read more

Ear Drying Tip

Ear Drying Tip

Grover is a completely adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He has the breeds typical silky coat, with thick, luxurious furnishings on his ears. So thick, in fact, they are a serious challenge to dry. Most dogs are not fans of the drying process to begin with, and when you work on their sensitive ears, they like it even less. Here are some tips for getting the hair on thickly coated ears dry while keeping the pet as comfortable as possible.

Read more

Reporting Suspected Medical Problems

Reporting Suspected Medical Problems

Pet groomers have their hands on every part of every pet they groom and, in most cases, see that pet on a more regular schedule than the animal’s doctor sees it. This being said it is no surprise that groomers often discover potential medical problems

Read more

Fifteen Ways to Fill Unexpected Downtime

Fifteen Ways to Fill Unexpected Downtime

Even talented groomers with well-established businesses sometimes find themselves having a slow day. Maybe you had a last-minute cancellation that you can't fill, or the weather is horrible, and a bunch of people rescheduled. Maybe (gasp) you made an error on the calendar. Here are fifteen ideas to wisely use that free time you hadn't planned on having.

Read more

Artificial Intelligence in the Groom Room

Artificial Intelligence in the Groom Room

No, AI can't dematt an Old English Sheepdog but believe it or not, artificial intelligence can come in handy for pet groomers. "How in the world could it be useful?" you say. I'm so glad you asked!

Read more

Using UV Light to Sanitize Grooming Tools

Using UV Light to Sanitize Grooming Tools

The one good thing about the COVID-19 pandemic is that most of us are a little more conscious of preventing the spread of germs. In the pet grooming environment, we are concerned with preventing the spread of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that might be transmittable between the pets we groom.

Read more

Using Photo Apps

Using Photo Apps

A new photography app on the market is a massive hit with pet groomers. It is called PhotoRoom. You can take it for a test drive for free for a week; after that, it costs around one hundred dollars a year. This app enables groomers to snap a photo of a freshly groomed dog on their table or wherever convenient. The app then removes all the background clutter, including the grooming post and loop, the brush and piles of fur you forgot to remove from the table, your cup of coffee and half-eaten donut from the shelf behind your workstation. From there you can choose from an enormous variety of backdrops.

Read more