If you're having trouble choosing a groomer, read on. You'll learn about five questions that you can ask groomers to make certain they offer the highest quality services.
1. Can I See Your Grooming Space?
The best dog grooming services follow strict protocols to ensure that the pets who visit remain safe and comfortable. You can do some research to learn what these protocols should be. Then, if you're able to tour the facility, you can keep an eye out for any violations.
In a nutshell, though, there are two main details that you need to look out for. The first is that the facility must be clean. The second is that it has the proper equipment for keeping pet clients secure and comfortable when they're not being groomed.
If the facility is clean, you can be assured that your dog is unlikely to catch any diseases from the other clients there. The absence of any messes or spills also ensures that neither pets nor people will get injured from slipping or stepping on something dangerous and hidden.
Secure holding space for the pets will make sure that they don't run away. However, you want to make sure that your pet won't be too crowded or in danger of getting hurt by other animals. At best, your pet should have a large enough crate that he or she can have to himself or herself, but a secure play space is okay too.
As a final tip, remember that the groomer isn't obligated to show you the space. He or she may be concerned that you may distract the dogs while they're getting groomed. There are other ways to find out the quality of a grooming service as well.
2. How Do You Guarantee That My Dog Stays Safe?
There are unfortunately a lot of things that can go wrong when a groomer is cleaning a dog. Your dog may leap off a grooming table and injure himself or herself. The groomer can also accidentally nick your dog with a razor if he or she makes a sudden movement.
Your groomer should have the necessary equipment and methods to deal with such injuries should they occur. The best dog groomers will have a first aid kit filled with gauze, bandages, peroxide, and so on.
Your groomer should also ensure that each client that visits his or her facility is a healthy dog. He or she should have protocols in place where each owner will have to prove that their pet has had all the necessary vaccines and hasn't been sick recently. Groomers can also check for fleas, parasites, and other issues and refuse to serve pets who have these conditions.
Finally, you should also ask each groomer if they have liability insurance. Ones that do will be able to pay for any medical needs should the dogs get extremely injured in their care. Hopefully, this won't happen, but it's good to have the safety nets in place.
3. What Is Your Grooming Experience?
There are a wide variety of ways that a groomer can get trained in his or her profession. You might hear about mentorships, apprenticeships, and grooming schools. There are also certification programs that can teach groomers how to handle specific breeds or heighten the quality of their grooming services (the AKC S.A.F.E. certification is a good example of this).
What matters most, though, is the quality of these programs. You can ask groomers about the ways that they've received their training. Then you can research any of the schools or other programs that they've mentioned and even contact these places to make sure your groomer has worked with them.
If the methods of training they mention seem questionable, you may want to go with another groomer.
4. How Do You Structure Your Pricing?
Once you've learned about the most important details, you can start to pick between groomers based on their prices. This way, you can ensure that you get the best deal possible.
The ways groomers structure their prices vary. Some charge based on the size and breed of your pet, while others offer packages that include multiple services or charge a separate price for each service.
As you're considering prices, make sure that you're also thinking about the quality of the service and not just about which service is cheaper.
5. Can I Watch You Groom My Dog?
It can be difficult to trust another person to take care of your fur baby. One way you can deal with this anxiety is to watch the groomer as he or she grooms your dog. Some groomers will even have a security camera setup so you can watch from the waiting room.
If the groomer allows you to sit close by and watch, make sure that you're respectful. It can be difficult not to intervene, especially if your pet is panicking. However, any outside actions from you will just distract the groomer and make it harder for him or her to perform the job.
Looking for the Best Dog Groomer?
It will probably take a fair amount of time to search through all the different groomers in your area. However, if you love your dog, you should be able to bear taking the time to make certain that he or she is safe.
Also, while you're searching for the best dog groomer, consider checking out one of our salons. Our expert groomers will set your dog at ease with our laid-back and low-stress grooming environments. Contact us today for a free price estimate of grooming services for your dog.