How to choose a groomer

It's not always easy finding the perfect groomer for your furbaby. Unlike hairstylists for people, groomers are so much more than just people who make your dog look pretty. Groomers often are the first to discover developing health issues. They do things like clean out ears and anal glands, remove mats and dirt to prevent health problems. It's often said that groomers are closer to their clients and are rated of higher importance to them than their veterinarian! Wow, that's an honor!

So what should you look for when selecting this very important person for your furbaby?

First of all, you should know that their is no official licensing for groomers. I tend to not see this as an issue because human hairstylists ARE heavily licensed, yet I have been cut and burned by different stylists and received many a poor haircut! To me the licensing does very little. However, there are many ways to help ensure you find a good groomer.

Here are some questions to ask:

1. Is your business insured?

Whether the groomer works from their home or a store front they should carry insurance. The last thing you want is something to happen to your furbaby and be stuck holding the bill for the incident. As a professional I pride myself on being able to cover anything that could possibly happen to a dog in my care. Even though I'm cautious, we do work with sharp objects and live animals so the possibility of an accident is always there.

2. Are you or your staff CPR & first aid certified?

Again, your pet's health is of utmost importance. Knowing your groomer has been trained to handle medical emergencies is vital. It's especially important if your dog is elderly or has known medical conditions. I feel every groomer should have this training.

3. Do you have an emergency preparedness plan?

It might seem overkill, but if a natural disaster hit what would happen to your dog? Would it be relocated? Where to? How would you contact them? Are you comfortable with this plan?

4. How do you deal with behavioral issues?

This is a personal preference question. But even if your dog has always been good you should ask. Dogs have bad days too, they may have injured a foot or developing arthritis. Some people are comfortable with their dog being muzzled or restrained certain ways and others are not. Know ahead of time what will be done if your dog decides to be a little ornery. Then you can decide if that is the type of groomer you want to use.

5. How soon can they get you in?

This may seem a strange thing to ask for an interview. But I prefer to do business with people that are booked up! It shows they have lots of steady clients. If every time you call they can get you in now or tomorrow, I hesitate. Why do they have so much room? Do customers try once and never return? Are they squeezing too many in? My exception is new businesses and an occasional quick opening that could be a last minute cancellation.

6. What do you do for continuing education?

Grooming and pet care is an ever changing thing, just like the rest of the world. And no one can know everything. If a groomer ever makes it sound like they don't need to learn, don't walk but RUN away! There are many types of continued education including books, videos, seminars, conventions, private lessons with top groomers, Master certification and competing. These are all important especially seminars and conventions because they teach all of the above that I have mentioned. They cover cpr, first aid, insurance, emergency preparedness, skin and coat conditions, signs & symptoms of medical conditions and so much more!

7. Do you have experience with my breed and do you have photos of the work you've done on said breed or similar?

Your dog doesn't need to be a show dog to have the breed look. If you're unsure of what your breed should look like then Google it. The best reference is show dogs, keeping in mind that unless your dog came from a show kennel the look won't be exact. But a good groomer can get close if you're willing to brush the hair and maintain it. If they cannot get close they should be able to explain why, such as your dogs coat lays differently, etc. Asking to see photos of other dogs of your breed they've groomed can also give you an idea of what they can do. This also goes for Asian fusion or creative if that's what you're looking for.

8. Is not a question but rather a warning. As with most things, you get what you pay for. If you choose a groomer solely based on price you probably won't get a very good service(there are exceptions but they are rare). A cheap groomer is rarely able to afford insurance, cpr & first aid lessons, seminars and educational material, good quality products and many other things a good groomer should have. None of these things come cheap  (just look up the price of grooming shears!), so groomers should be charging a price to make sure they can provide the quality you and your pet deserve.

So tell me, what questions do you ask your groomer?