Module 1: Introduction

Topics to be covered in Module 1:

Introduction to pet grooming and why it is necessary
Why we need to be calm and assertive when dealing with
dogs
Who can become a pet groomer
What equipment is required for pet grooming
Safety in the workplace
Diseases associated with pet grooming

1.1 Introduction
Pets are an essential part of many people’s
lives.

When treated with love and affection, they respond by being

constant companions who are always ready to return the
affection they are shown.

Owning a pet, particularly a dog, has many proven

psychological and physical health benefits. One of the main
reasons for these therapeutic benefits is that humans have an
ingrained need for communication through touch; snuggling up
to a pet fulfills a fundamental need in us which many people
may otherwise be denied.

While many people appreciate their pets and the benefits they
bring, not as many realize that routine grooming is as
important for pets as it is for us humans. How many people do
you know would go for a day without at least washing their
faces, combing their hair, and brushing their teeth? Many
people don’t give a second thought to regular pet care and
even more do not realize when their pets need to be brushed
and bathed.

Some people think that washing and grooming a dog on a regular

basis interferes with the dog’s natural condition by upsetting
the natural balance of oils in their skin and coat. As we will
see, if we use the correct equipment and products, dogs
benefit from regular care and grooming. Not only do their
coats and skin benefit, their overall hygiene also benefits.

The perceived wisdom around pet grooming is that dogs hate

bath time and will, in some cases, go to comical lengths to
avoid the dreaded bath tub. However, if done correctly, dogs
can learn to love bath time. They can be trained into
realizing that grooming is a time for petting and close
attention from their owners. The grooming process can have
great benefits for your relationship with your dog.

1.2 A Working Definition of

‘Grooming’
Many people think that grooming their pet
means giving them the occasional brushing
and a bath.

Pet grooming is far more than that. It is about making sure

that your pet has a healthy coat, well-maintained claws, clean
ears and teeth. Certain breeds of dog need their eyes cleaned
on a regular basis as well.
1.3 Why is Pet Grooming Necessary?
We need to keep our pets clean and well-
groomed for many reasons.

The primary reason is health; both the dog’s health and the
owner’s health. Germs are a part of our existence, and our
immune systems are kept strong and healthy because we have to
continually build resistance to germs as they change and
mutate. Having a pet in the house exposes us to a greater
variety of germs than people who don’t have pets. It has been
shown that people with pets have healthier immune systems than
people who don’t have pets.

But there are limits. We need to keep our pets healthy so that
they don’t bring disease into the house that would threaten
either the pets or the pet owners. On a larger scale, pets
that are not regularly groomed will develop unpleasant smells
as their coats build up oils and dirt. Regular brushing and
bathing ensures that this is prevented.

A dog that has not been brushed or bathed regularly could well
be hosting ticks and fleas in their coat and mite infestations
in their ears. It must be remembered that a proper grooming
regimen that includes brushing, trimming, bathing, nail
inspection, clipping, eye and ear checking, and cleaning when
required, is essential for a pet to stay healthy.

1.4 Are You Suited for Pet

Grooming?
As with all career choices, people often set
their sights on a career or vocation without
knowing much about what people in that field
actually do on a day to day basis.

It is important to know if you have the attributes needed to

become a dog groomer.

To handle dogs, it is not necessary to be physically powerful.

Much of dealing with dogs depends on your attitude and having

the right psychological approach.
When dogs are handled roughly, they become fearful and far
more difficult to manage. However, there may be times when you
have to lift a large dog onto a table or into a cage. If you
are a small person, you will need help with this, both for
your own safety and for the safety of the dog.

Dogs are very good at sensing what people are feeling and what
frame of mind they are in. To handle dogs well, you have to be
a calm and assertive person. If you are inclined to be nervous
and are afraid of animals in any way, you should rethink your
decision to become a pet groomer.

Dealing with dogs and other animals sometimes requires dealing

with medical conditions and injuries. If you are sensitive to
things like: blood, pus, or other symptoms of illness; there
is a chance that dealing with animals is not for you. However,
in the grooming field, you are far more likely to be dealing
with animals that are well cared for and in good condition.

As you advance in dog grooming, you will be required to style

dogs as opposed to just giving them basic clips to keep their
coats neat and clean. Owners of pedigree dogs want their pets
to look their best either for their own satisfaction or for
competition purposes. This means having them in show condition
with coats clipped in ways that are specific for each breed.

As a qualified pet groomer, you will need a sharp eye for

detail and very high standards when it comes to the quality
and consistency of your work.

1.5 From the Dog’s Point of View

Whether you want to learn about pet grooming
to better look after your own pet or to open
a pet salon, you need to see the process
through the eyes of the pet or pets that you
will be grooming.

This will make it easier to understand why they may not be

happy about the grooming process and what can be done to
change the experience for them.

Because grooming needs to be a regular feature of a dog’s

life, it needs to be as non-threatening and as enjoyable as
possible.
If your dog loves bath time and regular grooming, then you are
doing something right. Learning about the grooming process in
greater detail will ensure that everything is being done as
well as it can be.

One of the main reasons that dogs dislike bathing is that they
see the process as threatening. Because the process was not
done correctly the first time, the dog registered the process
as distinctly unpleasant. The next time they were bathed, they
tried to avoid it and a tussle ensued, which served to cement
the idea that bath time was a thing to be avoided at all
costs.

Look at the process from the dog’s point of view: I’m lying
quietly in the sun and my owner comes up to me, full of
tension, and I know it’s bath time again. I am now totally
tense and needing to be out of here as fast as possible. My
owner wrestles me to a standstill and then drags me to the
bath tub. Now I’m required to get into cold water and be
soaked. Towards the end of the process, I will have water and
soap running into my eyes and ears and getting up my nose.
Then rinsed with the cold hose pipe – a jet of freezing water
all over my body and face. After that, I will be left outside
until I’m dry enough not to wet the furniture.

FACT

In 2015, over $60 billion was spent on the pet industry in the
US.

Source: www.americanpetproducts.org

1.6 Making Grooming Easier

There are many things that make grooming a
pet easier.

If you are planning to be a good pet groomer for your own pets
or plan to make pet grooming a career choice, then the first
and best place to start is with yourself.

Some people are known as being ‘good with dogs’. This usually
means that dogs seem to like them and are relaxed in their
presence. This is clearly an essential attribute to have if
you plan on becoming a dog groomer on any level. There is no
mystery to this; it is a state of mind and attitude that
anyone can develop. Understanding how dogs respond to humans
is the key.

Dogs are essentially pack animals that look to a leader. Dogs

we have as pets are no different; they need to have a person
they can look to for direction. If they don’t have this, they
tend to become stressed and anxious. They feel that if there
is no leader to look to, they have to make the decisions and
assume the role of pack leader.

For people to take up the role of pack leader, they need to

present a strong yet calm front. They need to be composed and
assertive in everything they do. The dogs they come into
contact with will respond by being cooperative and submissive.
This approach is crucial.
Scientists think that the domestic dog started evolving from
wolf species over 40,000 years ago. In this time, they have
become attuned to human behavior and emotions to a remarkable
degree. They understand our body language, can read our moods
and emotional changes with remarkable accuracy, and are
sensitive to the most subtle changes and inflections in our
speech.

The one area where they tend to misunderstand is in knowing

when our behavior is not directed at them.

If a dog owner is in a bad mood, their pet will immediately

think that they have done something to cause the anger.
Because of this, it is essential that you remain even tempered
at all times when dealing with dogs – especially if the dog
belongs to someone else and you are grooming it for them.
Part of displaying a calm and assertive attitude is patience.
You have to be patient at all times to ensure that you don’t
react to something the dog does and break your calm and
controlled demeanor. Part of maintaining a calm exterior is to
anticipate that the dog you are handling will behave in a way
that you don’t want it to. If you are patient, you will be
able to correct the dog without displaying displeasure. An
uncontrolled reaction on your part could set back your
relationship with the dog. If you move too quickly, or if you
make a sudden impatient movement, the dog will probably see
this as an act of aggression. Their reaction might be one of
fear or aggressive self-defense. In some cases, it can take a
long time to re-establish trust.

1.7 Being Calm and Assertive is

Vital
When we deal with dogs in a calm, assertive
manner, they will respond in a similar way.

When we first meet a dog, there will be an initial period of

mistrust and uncertainty. We have to take the initiative
immediately. This lets the dog know that we are above it in
the social structure and that it can look to us for
leadership.

If you are involved in pet grooming on any level, you need to

have the full trust of the dog. This will ensure that the dog
will relax when it is under your care. A dog that is tense and
anxious will tend to become aggressive.
1.8 What a Professional Pet Groomer
Does
As a professional pet groomer, you will need
to have a broad knowledge of dogs and the
different breeds that there are.

While you cannot be expected to have worked with every breed

there is, you must be able to at least identify the more
popular breeds and know what temperaments they are likely to
have.

When you deal with a customer for the first time, you need to
examine their dog thoroughly. You must also discuss the animal
with the owner to find out the dog’s history, if it has had
all its required vaccinations and inoculations, what sort of
temperament it has, and how old it is. You must also find out
if it is afraid of anything, like loud noises. You need to
know as much as possible about the dog so that you can
anticipate and prevent any problems while the dog is in your
care.

1.9 Client Relations

Handling the dog is one thing, but handling the owner may be a
greater challenge.

Assuming that the dog has an appointment booked for grooming,

you will have established what level of grooming is expected,
but it is always essential to check. The client may have
changed their mind and have forgotten to tell you.

Double checking details and having the essentials recorded on

a booking form are vital.
Don’t be shy to ask the client to sign off on the booking form
before you proceed with the grooming. If you don’t have a
record of what is expected from the appointment and what the
charges will be, the client may be making all manner of
assumptions.

When they ask for their dog to be washed and clipped, are they
expecting a general freshening up, or are they expecting their
dog to come out looking like a prize winning champion?

Establish exactly what the client is expecting from you and

have it in writing.

1.10 The Grooming Process

The pet grooming process follows a set
pattern for every dog.

When the dog arrives for its grooming session, it needs to be

assessed. This is essential for each and every dog, as it
avoids complications in case the dog has an injury or
condition that the owner is unaware of.

When assessing the animal, you need to examine its coat’s

level of cleanliness and its skin for any signs of skin
disease or conditions like eczema, mange, and any signs of
insect infestation such as fleas or ticks. If any conditions
are found, they must be brought to the attention of the owner,
as they might require extra attention from you, or it might be
necessary to take the dog to a veterinarian.

You will find that dogs remember places like vets’ rooms and
the grooming parlor. For the dog’s sake, you need to make the
dog’s experience as pleasant as possible. Everything you do
with the dog must be done in a calm, firm, and relaxed manner.
If you are patient and consistent, the dog will come to trust
and like you. The next time they come for grooming, they will
remember the place as being a nice place to be. This in turn
will make your job so much easier.

1.11 Safety in the Workplace

People don’t think of pet grooming as being
a particularly dangerous occupation.

This is incorrect. There are many aspects of pet grooming that

can be hazardous if not approached with caution.

Safety regulations differ from country to country and state to

state. You must be aware of what rules and regulations are in
effect in the area you are going to work in and ensure that
you comply fully with them. You would also be well advised to
look into what insurance cover you can get to cover injury to
pets, clients, and workers while they are on your premises.

The safety of people working in the pet grooming industry can

be compromised in several different ways. Precautions have to
be taken on these levels: physical environmental, chemical,
equipment, contact injuries, and disease transmission.

1.12 Physical Environment

Pet grooming involves bathing dogs of all
sizes.

In a professional operation, this must be done in a properly

appointed bath area that is tiled. You will be working with
soaps, shampoos, and conditioners. This makes for a very
slippery environment.

Dogs are not fond of being bathed and rinsed, and are likely
to try to escape at the slightest opportunity. Slipping and
falling is a very real hazard which can result in injuries to
both the groomer and the animal. Head injuries are a distinct
possibility and precautions must be taken.

The first line of defense is the right clothing. Waterproof

shoes or boots with non-slip soles are essential. The animal
being bathed must be adequately restrained – this will depend
on the dog’s size and his reaction to being bathed.

Once the bathing process is over, the groomer must work with
industrial level dryers and clippers. Electricity in a damp
environment always carries a high risk. The blowers and
clippers must be used in a totally different area to the bath
area and all equipment must be properly cleaned and
maintained. There must be correct storage places for the
equipment when it is not in use.

The use of all equipment must be done with caution. Cuts,

burns, and electrical shock are all very real dangers when
working with unpredictable animals and equipment like: dryers,
heaters, clippers, scissors, and metal combs. At all times,
caution must be taken when working with dogs that are on
leads. Tripping over leads, or being pulled off balance by a
lunging dog are distinct possibilities.

1.13 Physical Strain

When dealing with animals, even relatively small dogs can be
surprisingly strong, especially when they are faced with a
situation they are afraid of.

Care must be taken at all times to adopt correct lifting and

carrying procedures if it is necessary to lift animals or
maneuver them into pens and cages.

It is very easy to suffer back strain or to wrench joints and

muscles if proper precautions are not taken.

1.14 Chemical Environment

The shampoos and skin treatments used for
dogs are often hostile to human skin.

They may also pose a threat to humans when vapor or fumes are
breathed in. This is because they often contain insecticides
and chemicals to kill skin mites, lice, and other pests.

Gloves should be worn at all times, even when working with

shampoos and chemicals not considered to be toxic to humans.
This is to prevent continued exposure which could lead to
forms of dermatitis or threaten human health by absorption
through the skin. It is also advisable to wear a face mask
when dealing with shampoos and sprays, as continued exposure
to airborne chemicals, even if they are mild, is a grave
health risk.
1.15 Pet-related Injuries
No matter how calm and assertive the
handlers are, dogs are often stressed when
being groomed.

Caution must be taken to avoid accidental contact with the

animal. Injury can be caused by snapping, scratching, or
sudden movement, particularly by large dogs. Bumping heads
with a Great Dane could cause facial injury. Suitable clothing
must be worn to limit the effects of scratching and biting. If
the dog is particularly unsettled and unpredictable, it is
advisable to muzzle the animal.

1.16 Diseases and Zoonosis

Although rare, infection through contact
with dogs is possible.

People are susceptible to many diseases either carried by dogs

or passed on by them from other animals. People may contract
diseases from parasites carried by dogs, or be susceptible to
pathogens from parasites. They may also contract diseases that
are communicated from one species to another, known as
zoonosis.
Summary
Pet grooming is a viable career choice, particularly for
people who love animals and have an eye for detail. There is a
lot to learn about the handling and management of dogs. While
some dogs love the grooming experience, there are others that
see it as a highly stressful experience. These dogs can learn
that grooming is a good experience if the groomer has the
right skills. While it is associated with pet care, dog
grooming, on a professional level, involves the use of
industrial premises and equipment which are inherently
hazardous. If not properly equipped, managed, and maintained,
a pet grooming premises could become a highly dangerous
environment.

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