Professional Dog Grooming Tips

You may already know the basics of dog grooming, but you're ready to take your dog's appearance one step further. Professional grooming means targeting the techniques to fit the breed standard for each individual dog. In addition, some supplies are necessary to achieve a professional look. If you're tired of shelling out big bucks for a groomer and you think you can do just as well, some professional dog grooming tips will get you started.

  1. Breed Standard

    • The American Kennel Club (AKC) determines the breed standard for every purebred dog in the United States. Professional groomers use these standards in deciding how short or long to clip a dog's coat and whether they will apply straighteners, curling agents, whiteners or color enhancers to the dog's fur. Learn your dog's standard thoroughly before grooming (see Resources).

    The Tools

    • Use an elevated table with an arm to control your dog as you groom. Your dog's leash hooks to a point on the arm, just above its head, encouraging it to hold still. You may purchase an arm and hook it on any sturdy table.

      A dog dryer is imperative for getting a professional look. These dryers blow a high volume of cool air through a long hose so you can direct the airflow where you need it most. Avoid using a human hair dryer that may burn your dog.

      Hand tools and supplies include metal combs for use with the dryer, brushes and slickers to groom the coat and thinning shears, mat strippers and nail clippers. A Dremel, a small motorized sanding disc, is imperative for smoothing the dog's nails.

    Coat

    • You should groom your dog's coat to match its breed standard as closely as possible. For instance, a dog with a thin coat should be dried with the hair brushed backward to add the appearance of a fuller coat, but a dog with a coat that is too thick might benefit from the careful use of thinning shears to remove excess fur before brushing with the fur's natural growth to reduce fullness.

      Professional dog grooming shampoos are available that contain specific remedies for each dog problem. Some shampoos whiten while others enhance a black coat. Some add volume and still others impart a scent to your dog's coat. Choose coat-enhancing supplies, such as leave-in detanglers and conditioners, and use finishing sprays to tame your dog's fur or to help it hold its shape.

      Specialty "correction" products help hide dog features that deflect from the breed standard. Try nose black on a dog who plays outside; rub the dark pigment from the end of its nose. Use powdered chalk to whiten unsightly stains and brighten white fur. Drops are available to remove tear stains from white fur.

    Paws

    • Trim your dog's nails with a professional dog nail clipper and use a Dremel to smooth any jagged spots. While the general technique is to make a dog's paw look like a "cat's paw," meaning there is no excess shaggy fur and the nails do not click on the floor, some breeds have a different standard, so check before trimming the nails and the paw fur.