When choosing a grooming salon for your pet, the question always arises: did I choose that master for a faithful friend, or was I wrong? These are completely natural fears, because you want to be sure that during grooming, when you cannot be there, everything happens according to standards, that the groomer gets along perfectly with your pet and that he is comfortable. The advantage of salons is that the staff of masters is quite large, and you can change the groomer at your own discretion until you find the same one. Regardless of the professional skills of the master, it is important that the “match” with the pet takes place, which will allow all procedures to be carried out in the most comfortable environment for both parties. All people are different: someone is energetic and loud, and someone is calm and quiet, and when choosing a groomer, this should also be taken into account. As you have already understood, today we will talk about the groomers of the “V.O.G. DOG” chain of salons, their work and standards. We hope this information will be useful for you, and the number of unanswered questions will decrease significantly.
Preparation for grooming
Any visit to the grooming salon begins with the reception of your pet by the master you chose during the appointment. Our groomers carefully approach this process to take into account all the peculiarities and wishes.
Advice. Before starting the grooming itself, the master conducts a consultation with you, which allows him to collect the necessary information about the pet and its characteristics. In particular, the breed and age of the animal affect the care of the fur that the groomer will choose during this visit. It is important to know how your loyal friend reacted to previous grooming procedures, whether there was a negative experience. Be sure to talk to the technician about any known allergic reactions to cosmetics and sensitive areas, especially after injuries and surgeries. Information about the pet’s aggressiveness should not be withheld, because the groomer must properly inform you about the use of the muzzle, the need for your presence and the possibility of refusing the procedures. It is important to note that the groomer takes care of the beauty and health of the animal, but the upbringing and development of behavior is the responsibility of you and the dog trainer/zoopsychologist you choose.
Review. After receiving preliminary information from you, the groomer proceeds to a detailed examination of the pet. This will allow us to assess its condition and determine what procedures will be necessary. Attention is paid to the condition of the coat and the presence of folds, the skin is checked for inflammation, sores or other problems that may affect grooming. The master also assesses the condition of the teeth and gums to further recommend routine cleaning or the need for an ultrasound procedure.
Assessment of the animal’s condition. The consultation and examination allow the groomer to draw conclusions about the general condition of your pet and understand which procedures will be most useful and necessary. For example, if the wool is very tangled and has knots, the master may recommend combing it or, conversely, cutting it. If the skin is dry or irritated, special cosmetics (shampoos, conditioners, masks) will be offered to moisturize and soothe the skin, and recommendations for home care will be provided. If there are problems with the teeth, ears, eyes, the groomer can immediately advise you to contact the veterinarian for the necessary tests and treatment. In the case of dark tear ducts, it may be suggested to cut the hair in this area, use special bleaching pastes, and consult a veterinarian and nutritionist to rule out possible causes of this problem.
Discussion of the wishes and needs of the owner. The last, but no less important stage is the discussion of your wishes and needs. You may have specific requests regarding the style of haircut, the list of necessary procedures for your pet or the use of certain care products. After receiving all the necessary information and clarifying the details, the groomer can offer options for haircuts, procedures that will be the most optimal in a particular case, including the frequency of their implementation.
Acquaintance with an animal
Above, we were talking about your acquaintance with the groomer, the importance of obtaining the necessary information. However, the master will spend most of his time not with you, but with your pet, so ensuring comfort and minimizing stress is more important than ever for him. For this, various methods of establishing contact, reassurance and an individual approach are used.
Establishing contact. The first step is to establish contact with your pet. The groomer understands that the first impression is invaluable, so he will approach it slowly and carefully, without sudden movements, so as not to cause fear or anxiety. To show his benevolence, the eye contact master can sit at the pet’s level and try to build trust through light stroking and touching. Scratching the animal behind the ears or under the chin will be effective for calming.
Calming methods. After establishing contact, the animal must be calmed down before starting the procedures. Talking to the animal in a soft, calm tone and hugging technique, which gives a feeling of safety and security, will help in this. Calling him by name and praising him for good behavior reinforces the bond, and distracting him with toys or treats helps create positive associations with grooming.
Individual approach. Each animal has its own peculiarities of character and behavior, which is why the groomer spends so much time consulting and receiving the animal. An individual approach is not an empty sound, but a responsible attitude of the master to his work. No matter how much he and you would like to complete the entire list of selected services, your favorite will always come first. This can be manifested in stopping the procedures and, accordingly, increasing the time for grooming to calm the animal in case of stress. Or in dividing the procedures into several stages, with a gap in time, to gradually get used to all the necessary procedures without unnecessary stress. This can also include your involvement in grooming, if it will help to significantly calm the pet and not provoke aggression.
Procedures and skills for their implementation
Our network of grooming salons offers a wide range of services that help maintain the health and beauty of your pet. All procedures must be performed by a groomer who has the necessary skills and experience. Let’s consider the main procedures offered in our network and the features of their implementation.
- Trimming the claws is a basic procedure that allows you to prevent delamination of the claws, injuries and discomfort of the animal. Groomers have claw cutters of various sizes that allow you to perform procedures for both small and large breeds, as well as grinders for filing and shaping claws. The groomer is knowledgeable about the structure of the claw, the location of the blood vessels and the correct 45 degree clipping technique.
- Cleaning the ears helps prevent the development of otitis and other inflammations. Groomers have cotton pads, cotton buds, special lotions for cleaning ears, tweezers and powders for plucking wool. The purpose of the groomer is to clean the outer part of the ear from dirt and hair. Only a veterinarian is competent to penetrate deep into the ear hole, as it is possible to damage the eardrum. The master pays attention to the smell, discharge, change in the color of the ears, increase in temperature in order to refer you and your pet to the veterinarian if necessary.
- Wiping the area around the eyes removes mucus, removes dirt from the fur and reduces the risk of inflammation. Groomers have cotton pads and special lotions for the eyes. The groomer may recommend that you see a veterinarian if tear ducts are present to rule out possible causes of an allergic reaction.
- Teeth cleaning is performed to prevent dental problems. Groomers have toothbrushes, special pastes for dogs and ultrasonic cleaning machines. Groomers have basic knowledge of veterinary dentistry, as part of their advanced training, they take courses from veterinary dentists. It is important to note that hygienic teeth brushing with a brush and paste can be performed by any groomer, while ultrasonic cleaning is performed by a limited number of masters who have the relevant knowledge. In salons, cleaning is carried out exclusively without sedatives and tranquilizers for animals that normally tolerate this procedure. In the case of strong excitement, respectable age, the presence of inflammatory processes in the gums, the groomer does not perform ultrasonic cleaning and recommends contacting a veterinary clinic.
- Cleaning the paraanal glands is no less important procedure than all of the above, although it is done less often. The goal of the groomer is to examine the anus, check the consistency of secretions from the glands and then either clean them or recommend that you go to the veterinarian for internal cleaning and local treatment. The doctor can prescribe drugs that will help to relieve inflammation faster or perform additional manipulations to relieve the condition of the dog . The procedure is performed by a groomer while bathing in order to completely get rid of unpleasant odors and clean the fur from dirt. You can learn more about the glands and the need to care for them in our blog at the link: https://vogdog.com/en/paraanal-glands-and-the-need-to-care-for-them
- Combing the coat helps to prepare the coat for bathing, remove mats and prevent them from forming. Grooming shops have combs, combs, fluffers, silicone brushes, coat-kings, coat cutters, etc. Masters learn how to properly comb wool, untangle coats with the help of various tools, techniques and auxiliary cosmetics. It should be noted that not all cases can be combed out, sometimes the only solution is to cut them, so in addition to visits to the salon, it is necessary to systematically comb the fur at home in order to preserve its beauty and integrity. At the end of the visit, the groomer must draw your attention to the condition of the skin and coat after combing the dogs, because usually the skin can be pink, a little inflamed, and you need to explain why this happens.
- Bathing and drying wool are necessary procedures of every complex in the salon. Groomers have shampoos, conditioners, masks, sprays, towels, hair dryers, boosters, and drying boxes. Masters learn to choose cosmetics depending on many factors, including existing allergic reactions, skin diseases. It helps to improve the condition of fur and skin, will eliminate unpleasant odor and, in some cases, will have a therapeutic effect. According to the standards, bathing takes place in three stages: the use of a deep cleansing shampoo, a wool-type shampoo and a conditioner. In some cases, after everything, a moisturizing mask is applied and kept on the wool. All this must be washed off well with plenty of warm water to prevent allergic reactions and itching. After bathing, the wool must be dried with a towel, and then with a hair dryer or booster, depending on the type of wool. The groomer must control the heating temperature so as not to overdry the coat or overheat the skin, use an arsenal of combing tools to lay the coat correctly and read the animal’s reaction in time to give a short rest.
- Animal haircut is the main purpose of turning to a groomer for many owners. In our network, groomers perform hygienic haircuts and full haircuts in any option that takes into account all your wishes and current fashion trends. When choosing a hygienic haircut, the master cuts the fur near the eyes, trims the pads of the paws, trims the edging of the paws and removes excess fur in the area of the tummy, bottom and genitals. When choosing a full haircut, a haircut of the head, trunk, paws, tail is added to the above list. The groomers have MOSER, WAHL machines, various knives and attachments for them, trimmers, scissors, so that the master can perform a haircut of the desired length. The main number of master classes are held precisely to improve haircut techniques and familiarize with new trends in this direction. Every groomer in the network knows the breed standards, what haircuts can be offered to a particular animal, what length is safe for its health, and has the skills to explain to you why this or that haircut can be dangerous. Although your wishes are extremely important to the groomer, they may refuse to comply with your wishes if it could harm your pet.
- Creative grooming goes beyond traditional grooming, adding elements of creativity and individuality to your pet’s appearance. Dyeing wool is one of the most popular methods of creative grooming. Special paints are used for this process, which are safe for animals. The groomers of our network systematically take part in various creative competitions, where they gain new impressions and experience. You can read more about creativity and its types in our blog at the link: https://vogdog.com/en/the-art-of-creative-grooming-beyond-the-ordinary
After completing all procedures, the groomer can provide recommendations for caring for your pet at home. He will explain how to keep the coat in good condition, what products to use and how to prevent the formation of mangles.
Safety and hygiene
Safety and hygiene are the basic principles of work of our groomers. We pay special attention to cleanliness, compliance with sanitary standards and the use of safe means for animal care. At “V.O.G DOG” we use only premium-class cosmetics, such as “DAVIS”, “ISLE OF DOGS”, “IV SAN BERNARD”, “HYDRA”. For animals with sensitive skin or allergies, special hypoallergenic products are used that minimize the risk of irritation. All tools used in grooming are regularly checked for condition and sharpness to avoid injury. Special tables with straps for safe fixation prevent sudden movements of the animal, which can also lead to injuries. In case of unforeseen situations, groomers have the necessary skills and tools to provide first aid to the animal.
Our grooming salons follow sanitary standards to ensure the cleanliness and health of the animals. The premises are regularly cleaned and disinfected, including with the use of a quartz lamp. Special attention is paid to work surfaces, grooming tables and floors. At the end of each working day, tools such as scissors, combs, and nail clippers are sterilized. Special disinfectants and ultraviolet sterilizers are used. Groomer’s hands should always be clean, so washing them and using disposable protective gloves is mandatory. Also, each master works in special clean clothes and can use masks to protect the respiratory tract from wool.
In order to guarantee the safe stay of animals in the premises, we also check veterinary passports for the presence of necessary vaccinations, because we serve many animals and one sick animal can infect others. Remember: even if your pet is healthy, it can be a carrier of the virus and infect other animals. Vaccination reduces this risk. We value our reputation and care about the safety of all customers, because we are responsible for preventing the spread of diseases.
The importance of good treatment of animals
When creating an appointment for grooming, all owners are primarily interested in how well the groomer is able to treat the animal and establish contact with it. We can assure you that our masters are not only groomers, but also partly canine experts, zoopsychologists, veterinarians and friends for your pet. Some of them actually have a veterinary education or have completed the courses of the Kennel Union of Ukraine.
Knowledge and experience of working with different breeds of dogs allows the groomer to better understand the needs and characteristics of each animal, and canine knowledge helps to effectively cope with different types of behavior, ensuring safety and comfort during procedures.
As you know, animal psychologists study the behavior of animals and their interaction with people, so a groomer with skills in animal psychology can better understand and calm the animal during grooming, recognize signs of stress and use techniques to reduce it. In this regard, the master also knows when it is necessary to stop the procedures altogether and try to divide all the procedures into several days.
Our groomers also have knowledge in the field of veterinary medicine, which allows them to take care of the health of animals during grooming. They can detect early signs of disease such as skin problems, ear infections or oral problems and recommend that you see your vet for further advice and topical treatment
The groomer must also have a high level of communication skills and empathy to work successfully with you and your pet. The groomer listens carefully to your wishes and provides recommendations for the care of your loyal friend. He explains how to properly care for fur, skin and claws at home, answers questions that arise during the conversation. In addition, these same skills help to find an approach and strengthen the connection with your pet. Rest assured that every employee treats every animal with love and care, as if it were their own pet.
So now you know a little more about how a groomer works with an animal, what services they can provide, why sometimes grooming takes longer or is divided into several visits, why this is the price for grooming and not another, and what information you need to tell the groomer before at the beginning of procedures. Entrusting your pet to the master of the “V.O.G DOG” chain of grooming salons, you can be sure that he will receive the best care and attention, and you will receive answers to all your questions and recommendations regarding his health. Your joint work together with the groomer, dog trainer and veterinarian forms a healthy and happy life of a faithful friend!
