How to Choose a Dog Groomer

There are a whole lot of things to consider when selecting the right groomer for you and your pet.  Some questions are obvious (do you like the way your dog looks afterwards?) and some less obvious (is your groomer insured?).  

Here’s what to look for…

Purpose of Groom – Family Pet or Show Dog?

There are two basic forms of grooming; pet grooming and show grooming.  It is important to note that all groomers should be able to complete pet grooms – grooms that are primarily done for ease of maintenance - while only highly skilled and specifically trained groomers are competent in show grooms – which are grooms that conform to the breed standard.  A good show groomer will charge you more for their time (rightly so) and may be difficult to find.  A good way to locate a show groomer is by contacting local breeders for a referral. 

Salon Setup

One thing to take note of is your groomer's salon setup.

Where will your dog spend its down time?

Many groomers book several dogs in the same time slot in order to groom more dogs in one day and to allow time for breaks for your dog.  These “breaks” can become highly stressful on your dog if the crates are located in isolated, potentially noisy areas. For example, I’ve worked in a salon where the crates were located in the same place where multiple dogs were being bathed and dried at once.  It was an extremely loud and stressful area of the salon, even for the groomers, and highly unsuitable for nervous dogs.

Another consideration is whether or not your groomer can easily monitor your dog. When dogs are crated out of sight from customers, they are also away from the groomer’s line of vision. This prevents the groomer from monitoring your dog for signs of stress.

Products

Unlike human grade products, products used on dogs are not required to include a list of ingredients.  If your dog has sensitive skin or skin conditions, be sure to ask your groomer about the products they use so you can ensure that they are suitable to your dog's needs. 

Also, keep in mind, that many groomers do not use tearless shampoo on your dog's head and face.  It seems like a no-brainer that they would, but unfortunately it's not so.  I personally feel it’s more humane for groomers to only use tearless shampoos around your dog’s eyes.

Do you have a Bad Dog?

Some dogs HATE being groomed. They scratch, fuss, bite, and basically do anything they can to prevent the groomer from doing their work.  Many groomers will simply refuse to groom difficult dogs because it slows them down and keeps them from grooming as many dogs as possible in one day. Switching from groomer to groomer will only make the situation worse and increase your dog’s stress levels - familiarity is important for many dogs. If your dog is terrible at the groomer’s it is imperative that you find a groomer that is willing to take on  this challenge and work with your dog to improve over time.

What happens when things go wrong?

While groomers don’t like to talk about it, sometimes things do go wrong. Grooming is often more about animal handling than artistry, and animals can be unpredictable.  Combine their unpredictability with sharp scissors, and it’s clear why occasional injuries do happen.

One of the most important things to ask your groomer PRIOR to bringing your dog to them is what happens if your dog is injured?  Will you be responsible to pay for the groom? What about the vet bills?

As a side note, if your dog is ever injured in any way your groomer should inform you.  I have many customers who switched to me from other groomers because they were left to find an injury on their own.  Full disclosure in case of injury is 100% necessary as it allows the owner to monitor the injury and seek veterinary attention if necessary.

Insurance

This point goes along with the one above, but it’s important enough that I wanted to single it out.  I highly recommend only taking your dog to a groomer who has professional liability insurance SPECIFICALLY designed for groomers. For example, I have a very comprehensive policy which provides me coverage if your dog is injured or even lost while in my care.

Referrals

Unfortunately, the grooming industry in Ontario is totally unregulated. This means that formal training isn’t required to become a groomer, and there isn’t a governing body preventing “bad” groomers from continuing to groom.  Be leery of online reviews (both good and bad) and try to get references from someone that you know and trust.

Another option is to get in touch with a local rescue group for a recommendation. Rescue volunteers typically have a lot of contacts in the pet services industry and can send you somewhere reputable.

What does the groomer ask YOU?

When you bring your dog in for their first appointment with a groomer take note of what the groomer asks you about your dog.

A responsible groomer will take time to ensure the dog is up to date on vaccines, ask about your dog’s medical history, behavioural issues, for emergency contact numbers and for your dog’s veterinary information.

Communication

Your groomer should be someone who you can easily communicate with.  While we all get busy, you want to know that your groomer will take the time to learn about your grooming preferences and about your dog's unique needs.  Good communication will help to quickly develop trust between you, the groomer and your dog.

-Peter

Small Dogs for People who Like Big Dogs

How often do you hear people say "I'm a small dog person"? 

Likely not very often at all.

But for some reason it's common for people to announce that they are strictly a "big dog person"... 

Maybe it's because they had a big dog as a child growing up.

Or maybe it's because they think small dogs are annoying and yappy.

Or maybe they simply can't get this image out of their minds....

Whatever the reason, these "big dog only people" in my opinion, are missing out. To show you why,  I have matched 6 popular big dog breeds with 6 smaller dog breeds who share some of their best traits.



Here we go...

The Classic Family Dog

There are certain dogs that have broad appeal due to their classic good looks, ease of trainability, sweet disposition and gentleness with children. A perfect example of this type of breed is the Golden Retriever. 



While Golden Retrievers are wonderful family pets, they can be overwhelming if you live in a small space. They also require a lot of exercise to meet their health requirements.

Why not consider a Beagle instead?

 

The Beagle is also a wonderful family pet, often described as a "happy go lucky dog". Although this dog is smallish in size, they are up for big sized family fun due to their gregarious nature.  While the Beagle does not require nearly as much exercise as Golden Retrievers do, they will be delighted to keep you company if you're in the mood for a jog.

Enjoy the cuteness...

Tough-Guy Dog:
Do you like bad-ass dogs? I think they're pretty cool too!

Generally we think of dogs like Rottweilers and Pit Bulls as being in this category. While many people find these breeds to be loving, wonderful pets, they can also be harder to train than many novice owners anticipate.   Pit bull terriers (mixes and related breeds) only made up 3.3% of the total US dog population in 2012  but they also represented a whopping 29% of the total dog shelter population in the same year.  This is, in part,  due to breed specific legislation that discourages new owners from taking them in.  

If you like the look of the "tough guy dogs" but are not experienced with these breeds, the Boston Terrier could be a great match for you!

Originally bred as a fighting dog, the Boston Terrier has evolved into the ideal family pet - gentle and easy to train. With their shared bull and terrier breed lineage, the Boston has a similar look to its larger counterparts but at a more manageable size and temperament.  To learn more about how this fighter became a lover, check out this article.

The Stately Sentinel

I consider German Shepherds to be one of the most impressive breeds around. They are a versatile breed who are fiercely loyal to their humans. So much so, in fact, that the German Shepherd doesn't think twice before throwing itself into the line of fire to protect its family.  While the German Shepherd was initially bread for herding sheep (hence the inclusion of Shepherd in its name), its intelligence and loyalty also makes this breed ideal for police and military work.   

While German Shepherds are incredible dogs, their drive to work and attachment to their family means they are happiest in homes where they have constant companionship and plenty of space to run. The Shepherd's thick double coat is ideal for warmth while working for extended periods in freezing temperatures... It is also ideal for constant vacuuming and brushing.

It was pretty tough finding a small breed dog who could hold a candle to the Shepherd... In fact, I needed to go all the way up to the Queen of England to do it!  Queen Elizabeth II's preferred dog breed is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi...

...And who could blame her? As with the Shepherd, the Corgi was originally bread to herd, thus, it shares many of the same characteristics. Corgis are highly trainable, fiercely loyal to their families and are polite but reserved with strangers.  As well, their protective instincts are far stronger than their sense of self-preservation and they will sacrifice themselves for their humans.

Unlike the Shepherd, Corgis are manageable for novice owners and can do well living in small spaces.  They are not as dependent on their humans and can be left alone for reasonable periods of time without getting into trouble. Finally, the Corgi is a moderate shedder.  At an average of 30 lbs. compared to the average Shepherd's 80, there will be far less fur flying around your home.

Here's a video with these two awesome breeds side by side! (ignore the title, they're just play fighting)

Athletic Einstein
Do intelligent and active breeds like Border Collies appeal to you?  Border Collies are known for their intelligence, in fact they are the smartest of all breeds, making them highly trainable.  Originally bred to herd, these dogs can perform complex tasks with or without your supervision.

Border Collies can be great family pets when their mental and physical needs are met. However, that is easier said than done considering they were bred for extensive physical and mental activity. When left to their own devices these dogs can become unruly, expending their energy by ruining your home.

Not far behind the Border Collie in intelligence is the Shetland Sheepdog, ranking 6th of 132 breeds. This makes them highly trainable and great at tricks.  Shelties may look like miniature Collies (think Lassie), but they are actually their own distinct bread.

This breed is also an active dog but not quite as much as the Border Collie.  Their smallish size (15-35 pounds) makes them better suited to smaller spaces (but not apartments since they can be vocal at times) and you won't need acres of back yard space to wear them out.

Call of the Wild
Do you like wolf-like dogs such as the Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky?  While these dogs are majestic looking, in my opinion very few homes are well suited to these breeds (the Siberian Husky being the more reasonable of the two).  Even Husky rescue groups encourage prospective owners to seriously consider the immense responsibility of owning this breed prior to taking one in. Check out this video for more Husky info.

Malamute on left,  Husky on Right

A great smaller version of the Husky and Malamute is one of Japan's best kept secrets (and their most common dog), the Shiba Inu. Shiba Inus' smaller size (15-35 pounds) and independent temperament make them far better suited to city life.

However, like the Husky and Malamute, they shed quite a bit and novice owners may find them challenging to train.   This site provides a fantastic outline of the breed.

Here is a video of a husky and a Shiba Inu in action...

Mr. Popular
Last but not least, we have the super popular Labrador Retriever. This breed has been consistently AKC's top Canadian breed during over the last two decades. Their popularity isn't surprising given that they are easy to train and have a wonderful, cheerful temperament.

While it is the Lab who's dominated this century, did you know that the Cocker Spaniel was our country's most popular breed in the 1940s and again in the 1980s?

The Cocker Spaniel has two sub breeds with slightly different looks but comparable personalities; English and American:

English Cocker Spaniel

American Cocker Spaniel

Similar to Labs, both the English and American Cocker Spaniels have ideal temperaments; they're easy to train, excellent with children and are friendly with other dogs. However, Cocker Spaniels only require moderate exercise and will do best in a home with at least a small yard to play in.  

Here's a great video for more information on this breed...

Final thoughts...

A great way to see if you can really give that big dog the exercise it needs, or to make sure that the small dog isn't too vocal for your apartment, is by contacting your local rescue group and volunteering as a foster pet parent.  These groups typically pay for all the food and medical care for the dog, while you are responsible to provide a temporary loving home until a permanent home is found.  

Foster homes are tough for rescue groups to find, so not only will you have the opportunity to "test drive" various breeds and sizes of dogs, but you will also be helping to save the lives of homeless dogs in your community.

- Peter