Dog Groomer Recommendations and Tips

Found some great tips on what to look for in a dog groomer and where to find a good local dog groomer and thought to share this information.

What to Look for in a Dog Groomer
Investigate and visit several dog groomers to determine which will be best for your pet. Professional dog grooming is demanding work, but it’s a labor of love for the vast majority of its practitioners. Finding a dog groomer is not much different from choosing a preschool teacher. You want someone who is kind, knowledgeable, trustworthy, and easy to communicate with. But in the groomer’s case, you also want someone who has the artistic skill to make your dog look awesome.

· Groomers work in a variety of places: salons, kennels, pet supply stores, veterinary clinics, mobile vans, and in home-based businesses. If yours is a breed that requires expert styling – a Poodle, Bichon Frisé, or terrier – get a recommendation from your breeder. Word of mouth is a groomer’s best advertisement, but before you make that first appointment, investigate some more.
· Visit several groomers to determine which is best for your pet.
· It’s a good idea to call ahead because skilled dog groomers are in demand and on a tight schedule.
· The prospective groomer should welcome your visit, answer your questions courteously, and assure you that if your dog has special needs he or she will do their best to accommodate them.
· If your dog is a puppy or senior, a good groomer will work to get him finished quickly. He or she will go over your dog’s coat and discuss styling.
· The groomer may have a portfolio or website available to see his or her work.
· The shop should look and smell clean, and you should be able to observe the staff caring for their canine clients in a kind and respectful way.
· For your pet’s protection, a conscientious groomer will request you provide vaccination records.
· Is the groomer certified? Three national organizations offer this credential: the National Dog Groomers Association of America, the International Society of Canine Cosmetologists, and the International Professional Groomers Inc. Certification is earned through a series of hands-on and written tests, and judged by accredited professionals. The pet-grooming profession does not require licensing, so you’ll need to verify a groomer’s credentials.
· Does the groomer participate in grooming competitions? These rigorous contests take place nationwide and dedicated groomers vie for trophies, cash prizes, and grooming equipment, and most important, respect and recognition from their peers.
· A groomer needs many skills: animal handling, brushing, de-matting, clippering, bathing, blow-drying, scissoring, and hand-stripping. He or she must be able to visualize the way a dog should look to execute the required trim.
· If the groomer is unfamiliar with your dog’s breed, he or she should have reference books to help properly style your dog in a show or pet trim, depending upon your preference. If yours is a mixed breed, the “standard” is a piece of cake: The groomer should make him look adorable!


RECOMMENDATIONS:
Where to find a groomer? Check your local yellow pages, yelp.com, sandiego.kudzu.com or check the following listings. Trust your judgment, ask lots of questions, do not just trust the rating only but read reviews for the feedback others have provided and verify credentials. Decide if self serve is needed or you want a groomer to do the work. There are many options for getting your pet pampered. Here’s a few I’d recommend locally based on reading Yelp reviews:

A Pets Best Friend - San Diego, CA 92123 www.apetsbestfriend.biz
Aussie Pet Mobile of San Diego - (858) 560-5007, yourlocalaussiepetmobile.com/
Barkindales – San Diego, CA 92115, www.barkindales.com
Bow Wow Beauty Shoppe - San Diego, CA 92103, www.bowwowbeautyshoppe.com
Canine Coiffures - 5155 La Jolla Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92109, (858) 459-2888
City Dog – Downtown, SD, www.citydogsd.com/
Dirty Dog Pet Wash & Boutique, San Diego, CA 92116 - www.dirtydogsandiego.com
Dog Beach Dog Wash – Ocean Beach, www.dogwash.com
Dog In Suds - 382 N El Camino Real (between Crest Dr & La Gran Ave) Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 943-0653
Grateful Dog - 802 N Coast Hwy 101 Leucadia, CA 92024 (760) 943-9663
Shear Delight - 818 Fort Stockton Dr, San Diego, CA 92103, (619) 297-3470
Simbah's Dog House - Vista, CA 92084, (760) 758-7387 simbahsdoghouse.com/
South Bark Dog Wash – South Park, www.southbark.com
Spa 4 Paws - Poway, CA 92064 (858) 414-5848
The Pink Poodle Pet Salon - 6134 El Cajon Blvd, (between 62nd St & College Ave), San Diego, CA 92115, (619) 583-2261
World Famous Dog Wash – Ocean Beach, www.worldfamousdogwash.com
Yuko's Dog Grooming - 2979 Upas Sty, (between 30th St & Dale St), San Diego, CA 92104, (619) 280-6040


RESOURCES:
National Dog Groomers Association of America - www.nationaldoggroomers.com/
International Society of Canine Cosmetologists - http://www.petstylist.com/
International Professional Groomers Inc - http://ipgcmg.org/