[Groomer58]

Im a recently new groomer and I would love to hear some experienced groomers tips and tricks for just about anything. Info about making legs look smooth, cutting nails on a difficult dog, making a shaved cocker face look smooth (I've ran into this problem quite a few times), etc... Anything would be greatly appreciated!

[luvmydog]

As I just had a groomer injure my dog my tip would be to pay attention not only to what you are doing but how the dog reacts. If they yelp or bite there might be a reason.

[akismaster]

If you're going to snap some hair from the dog, desensitize the dog first. Make sure that he's used to the sound of the clipping scissors by clipping it slowly in front and behind him. It's like telling him that "This little thing that I'm holding won't hurt you."

Don't force the dog to be groomed against his/her will. He'll get traumatized. Make sure that the dog you're handling has complete vaccines. It's not to alienate owners or dogs but it's to be safe with the other dogs that you handle as well.

[piratekitty]

Make sure you have many clipper blades of the same No# to change out so you dont burn the skin of a dog your clipping. Check often the clipper blade on you wrist. If it is warm to your wrist it is too hot to use on the dog, and can burn skin. Remove till cool, replace with cool blade.
Use your fingers as a guide when doing ears and feet. so that you dont cut into skin.
Never leave a dog unattended on table at any time, dog can fall or jump off and get hurt.
Look into finding a good person who knows how to sharpen scissors and clpper blades, they can be ruinned or not sharp enough to have agood smooth cut.
As far as smooth clip on the nose, sharp clipper blades, and one complete forward motion, should help.

[dogs rule]

Wow piratekitty, you sound like you've had some experience here?! Yes??

[piratekitty]

Yes I have. With out trying to date my self, just out of high school, along time ago. LOL. My family owned a Garden/Pet store. I of course worked in the pet store. We sold mostly hobby fish, hamsters, pet mice, pet rats, a bunny or two, free kittys, and lots of pet supplies. This was in the 70s. A family friend was a Breeder/Groomer for years and couldnt do it anymore because of crippling arthritis. So she asked if I was interested in learning, she knew I loved dogs. I worked for her for the next year and learn so much from her before her hands gave out, she was in business for over 20 yrs. We built a parlor in the Garden/Pet store. I did this for another 3 years, till we sold our nursery. : ^ ( My Father moved his landscape company and based it out of our home, small farm. I didnt have a place to groom dogs any more. I did groom for another year, I had a portable table, dryer, and all the equipment, and I would go to my good customers homes. I did mix breeds, all kinds of terriers, poodles, schnauzers, golden retreivers, alot of different breeds. I loved it , I was biten only once, by a Scottie, he didnt draw blood, but he sure hung on. He didnt like the noise of the clipper, but when I finished his cut, he was so cute.
I have Gardening in my blood, so I went on to work in the Horticulture business. This is what I do today, design gardens, for a propery management company. I still have one real good scissors and clippers left, and if needed I could still groom most breeds.
It was a fun job.

[sandra0606]

I m listing few tips-
Check your dogs ears.Dogs with droop ears are especially susceptible to fungus, waxy ears, and ear mites. Infected dog ears can lead to further complications. Next is clipping dog nails.Start clipping dog nails in the puppyhood only so that they are used to it. For bathing a dog use a mild shampoo.