Should You Home Groom or Professionally Groom Your Dogs?

Above photo courtesy of Cathy Tucker from KTW Wraps and Knotless Hair Wraps

Many dog owners choose to groom their dogs at home for the simple reason that is less expensive and also for the unique bonding time you create during the grooming process. However, there are many positive points to consider about at least every now and then getting a professional groom. If you have the time, stay and watch your dog be groomed. If you choose a real professional groomer, you will notice how much your dog actually enjoys the "beauty treatment" in his dog salon. 

Here are some of things a professional dog groomer does during sessions:

• typically the dog is thoroughly brushed, bathed and dried
• groomers trim or clip dog hair with sanitized brushes and clipper blades
• they brush or comb out all mats before the bath making it easier to lather up the dog with a nice smelling shampoo specifically for your dog's type of hair (if you have found a true professional dog groomer)
• they clean the dogs ears and check for signs of ear infections
• they trim most dogs over or around the eyes, at the tips of the ears and bottoms of feet, which are all places a dog owner often finds difficult to reach
• they can also brush your dog's teeth if requested
• professional groomers have all the right tools to make your dog look its best; I have often been totally taken back and amazed when my dogs come out of professional grooming sessions
• many groomers know how to groom for breed show cuts, which is important if you show your dog or dogs; this requires precise grooming skills as different dog coats require different brushes and other tools
• a good groomer removes all dead hair leaving less dead hairs to fall on your carpets and floors
• a good professional groomer knows how to handle old, anxious or aggressive dogs gently and with confidence; you will be surprised
• professional grooming really helps out when you have back pain or other health problems which prevent you from having to lift and handle your dog appropriately for grooming sessions

There are also health benefits for your dog including:

• regular baths wash out all the dirt which helps to prevent skin irritations; on the other hand if you bath too frequently you can stir up skin problems as well; finding the happy medium of how often to bath your particular breed is key to helping eliminate skin problems
• using the correct brushes and other tools for coat type removes damaged and dead hair and allows new growth of healthy hair
• careful professional brushing distributes natural oils to help keep the coat shiny and well lubricated

Of course you can learn which are the right tools to use for home dog grooming while you watch your professional groomer and perform at home with similar results, however, a regular visit to a professional groomer is still a great way to keep your dog looking gorgeous as well as to learn yourself how to groom your dog. You will be stunned to see how beautiful he or she looks when they are all done. Your dog should enjoy his or her day at his dog beauty salon. It is just an extra kind of a treat for you and the dog to get a professional groom at least every now and then. Show them off after they get all prettied up!