Being a dog parent is the best feeling in the world. But it also comes with its sets of challenges. For instance, if you have a pooch that sheds a lot, grooming will certainly be your topmost concern. In such cases, finding the right dog grooming near me is crucial.
Numerous factors come into play when it comes to finding the right groomer. In this post, you’ll learn about how you can find the best dog groomer for your dog in a few easy steps. Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Understand Your Dog Breed Really Well
Before you do anything, understand your dog breed and its grooming requirements properly. This will help you determine two things – do you really need to go to a groomer and how often you need to go.
For instance, if you own a breed like Chow Chow or Newfoundland, you certainly want to find a good groomer. On the other hand, if you own a breed like the Vizsla, you can get things done at home. More about self-grooming is discussed in the next sections.
Do You Really Need Dog Grooming Near Me?
Dogs come in three categories: low shedders, medium shedders, and heavy shedders. Heavy shedders. Breeds like the Afghan Hound, Alaskan Malamute, Golden Retriever, and Bearded Collie are heavy shedders. Most of the Terriers, along with the Basenji and Standard Schnauzer, are medium shedders. And, breeds like the Vizsla, Great Dane, and Bulldog are low shedders.
Please note that ideally, dogs shed twice a year. But that doesn’t mean you won’t find fur lying around your house. In case of heavy shedders, expect fur to be everywhere from your bed to your dinner plates.
Frequency of Grooming Required
Based on your breed’s shedding requirements, you’ll have to determine whether you need to find dog grooming near me or not. If your dog is a heavy shedder, you definitely need to take it to a groomer at least once a month. It’s better to bathe your dog at the grooming station so that the groomer takes care of both bathing and grooming requirements.
If your dog is a medium shedder, you can take it to the grooming station once in two to three months. Remember that you’ll need to groom them once every one or two weeks by yourself. In the case of low shedders, you might not need to find a groomer at all, especially if you’re an experienced dog owner and know how to groom your pooch. If not, you can visit a groomer every six months.
How to Find the Right Dog Grooming Near Me?
Now that you have determined whether you need a dog groomer or not, let’s talk about whether you can find the right groomer as per your requirements.
1. Get in Touch with Fellow Dog Owners
The easiest way to get started with finding a groomer is to talk to other dog owners, preferably those who have dogs that shed a lot. Ask them if they can recommend a dog grooming station for your pooch. Be sure to discuss other essential elements, such as pricing, timings, etc.
2. Search Online for Dog Grooming Near Me
Thanks to the internet, you can find anything you want within seconds. Head to Google and type “dog grooming near me.” You’ll come across a list of local grooming stations. You can find the ones that are the closest to your home and pay them a visit.
3. Visit Dog Grooming Stations
Once you have a few dog grooming stations on the list, start visiting them one by one. Review the facilities, such as space, equipment, and amenities. This will give you a clear idea of what you’ll be signing up form.
Also, don’t forget to talk to the manager of the grooming station. Discuss with them your requirements and tell them what you’re looking for. Based on your needs, the manager will tell you how they can help you out.
4. Visit Multiple Stations
The groomer you choose will play a vital role in determining whether your pooch looks average or stunning. So, don’t settle for less. Visit multiple grooming stations and repeat the steps performed in the previous section. Once you have visited multiple stations, you’ll have a clear idea of what different stations offer. Now, you can draw a head-to-head comparison and finalize a groomer for your dog.
5. Book the First Session
A dog groomer may look great on paper but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the right choice for your dog. So, it’s essential to keep testing things out. Once you decide on a groomer, book the first grooming session and see how it goes.
You can examine the groomer on various aspects, such as:
- Price
- Quality of service
- Dog’s experience
- Hygiene
- Dog owner’s experience
- Friendliness towards dogs
- And more
If you feel things aren’t going as well as expected, feel free to try other groomers. Keep in mind that dog grooming is an ongoing process, so you should keep looking for ways to improve your dog’s grooming experience.
Combine Grooming with Bathing
We all live busy lives, and no doubt you love your pooch very much, you may not get enough time to take care of its grooming requirements. You can make your life easier by combining your dog’s bathing and grooming. Usually, grooming stations have bathing facilities, so you can get your dog bathed there.
If you prefer taking care of your dog’s requirements at home, it’s best to groom it right after you bathe it. When you bathe your dog, any loose hair in the coat gets separated, and removing them using a brush becomes much easier.
Wrap Up: Dog Grooming Near Me
Dog Grooming has never been easier, especially if you’re a new dog owner. It’s always recommended that new dog owners should opt for low-shedding dog breeds to make things easier. But if you have a dog that sheds a lot, don’t worry. Follow the tips discussed above to get your grooming requirements in order.
