Some dog owners may be uncomfortable performing grooming tasks on their own. Luckily, there are dog groomers available who can provide these services. Responsibilities of a groomer cover everything from basic shampooing to nail care.
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Bathing
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Make dog bathing an enjoyable family activity. Bathing the dog is a critical responsibility of a dog groomer. The dog's fur should be completely clean before attempting to groom, trim, cut, shape or shave any of it. Clean fur is much easier to work with and has a pleasant scent as well. Groomers can use a variety of shampoo and conditioning products made specifically for dogs, which include different scents.
After bathing, the dog should be dried by vigorously rubbing the fur with a warm, dry towel in an area that is room temperature to avoid drafts. Some groomers may also use blow dryers with an attached diffuser to protect the animal's skin against burns from the hot air.
Combing and Brushing
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Most dogs enjoy being brushed. After the dog is completely washed and dried, it is important to thoroughly comb and brush the animal to remove any matted spots, tangles or snarls. Once the fur is smooth and tangle-free, the groomer will be able to tell what length it is before beginning the process of cutting, trimming or shaping the fur.
Cutting
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Shaping the dog's fur is one responsibility of a groomer. Cutting of fur is another responsibility of a dog groomer. Many dog owners who have breeds such as poodles will take their dog to a groomer on a regular basis due to the animal's curly hair and the tendency for it to snarl easily. Some breeds have especially thick fur that needs to be trimmed or shaved every year when the weather begins to get warm. Examples of these are the Old English sheepdog and the Bohemian shepherd.
Other people may bring their dog to a groomer just to have their fur or hair shaped or trimmed. Long fur around the eyes and ears can sometimes cause ear infections or interfere with the dog's vision.
Cutting Nails
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Cutting a dog's nails is often done by a professional groomer. Just as with humans, a dog's nails need to be trimmed on a regular basis. Although, dog nail clippers can be purchased at your local pet store, some pet owners prefer this task be done by a professional dog groomer instead. Groomers have more experience; they know how far up to cut the nail without cutting into the hyponychium, also known as the nail "quick." Cutting too far into the quick will cause pain and bleeding to the animal.
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