I wish grooming was regulated, too.

When I started grooming I did work experience in a vets and it upset me very much. The nurses slapped and shouted at the dogs. Dogs that were bording were caged in small cages all day with only two breaks a day morning and evening. Dogs were sedated at a the nurses whim withoug getting owners permission, They left a husky in a cage dryer unsupervised, It was a nightmare and I was only there four hours. I walked out and never went back. I reported them to the local SPCA.

What I am trying to say is be careful who you trust with your pet. One tip I give owners is you should never be afraid to ask to see where your dog will be groomed and caged,. My grooming room is visible from the street and anyone is welcome to come in and see our grooming area and chat to me about any aspect of their dogs groom.
The vets is not always the best, you should ask to see there grooming area. Also is should have a standard of cleanliness.
I wish grooming was regulated.

I’m currently enrolled in dog grooming school at an academy in Massachusetts. The training I received at the school was top-notch, and we’ve spent just as much time learning how to properly handle nervous/elderly/feisty clients as we have learning proper patterns and techniques. Above all, the safety and well-being of each client is what’s most important, and at the school we value quality over quantity every time. I think that’s where most groomers get into trouble. They may have all of the best of intentions, but when they get overbooked and overwhelmed, they get careless, and that puts everyone at risk–themselves included.

One of my dearest friends and greatest role models is a groomer. I’ve known her since I was born, and I practically grew up at her shop. I worked as a bather for her during college, and it was a tremendous experience. I was a journalist for ten years before I burned out and enrolled in grooming school. I graduate in less than two weeks, and then I’ll head back to Ohio for a month to apprentice at my friend’s shop to help sharpen my skills and increase my speed. Then I’ll come back to Boston and try to find a job at a reputable shop. (Sadly, I’ve already checked out a lot of places, and they’re exactly how you described: dirty, disorganized, and unsafe. And I will NOT compromise my standards or my values when it comes to the safety of my clients.) Eventually, I hope to open my own shop. God knows there’s a market for it.

If you do end up finding a reputable groomer, it can actually be quite beneficial for you and Frankie. Dogs typically only visit the vet once or twice a year, but groomers have their hands on dogs from nose to tail about every four to eight weeks. We notice changes in dogs–from the start of an ear infection or hotspot to lumps that weren’t there during the previous visit. So in addition to maintaining good hygiene for your dog, a groomer can play a valuable intermediary role to alert you of concerns and recommend a visit to the vet.

If you’re interested in learning more about the grooming industry (or just reading about a former-writer-turned-groomer), you should check out my blog.

~Vicky

P.S. I’ve never heard of those automatic dog washers, but I have heard horror stories regarding the cage dryers. I’ve found that attaching miniature fans to the cages are just as effective, and a lot safer.
A Groom of One’s Own recently posted..Finding Nemo’s perfect haircut

If you haven’t read it already, I highly recommend taking a look at The Encyclopedia of the Dog Breeds by D. Caroline Coile. It provides excellent photos of every AKC registered breed (in show cuts, no less), in addition to a brief history behind every breed. As pet owners, we tend to look upon our dogs as only companions and beloved members of our family, but the truth is, nearly every breed of dog–with the exception of those in the toy group–were bred for a specific purpose other than companionship. In the case of the Portuguese water dog, it was bred to work on fishing boats. It herded fish into nets and retrieved lost nets and equipment. In ancient times, mastiffs were used as war dogs and gladiators. Saint Bernards were bred for draft and search and rescue. Cocker spaniels were bred for bird flushing and retrieving. Even the poodle–the breed that most exemplifies frou-frouness–was originally bred for water-hunting. Its coat was shorn close to facilitate swimming, but left longer on the chest for warmth in cold water. So you see, there really IS a reason why groomers do what they do!
A Groom of One’s Own recently posted..Finding Nemo’s perfect haircut