A The Grooming Process
At Groom and Grow Pet Salon, we prioritize transparency and education, ensuring every pet caregiver understands the steps involved in their dog’s grooming. While the process may vary slightly between groomers, below is Matti’s preferred grooming process, outlined step by step.
1.
Bath
Gently squeeze excess water from the coat before towel drying thoroughly.
Guide or assist the dog into the tub. For larger dogs, the groomer encourages them to jump in on their own, promoting independence and reducing manual effort.
Wet the coat with lukewarm water.
Apply Tropiclean’s Spa™ Facial Cleanser to the face, avoiding the eyes.
Lather the coat with owner’s preferred shampoo from head to tail.
Rinse the shampoo thoroughly and follow with conditioner, applying it from head to tail.
Reapply shampoo while the conditioner works to moisturize the skin and coat.
Rinse both shampoo and conditioner completely, taking extra care around the eyes and ears.
2.
Blowout
If the dog is sensitive to the dryer on the face, a stand dryer may be used to dry the face at a lower speed while the groomer continues other tasks.
Spray the coat with Bio-Groom’s So Quick™ Dog Drying Aid and use a Happy Hoodie to muffle the dryer noise and protect the ears.
While the drying spray works, trim the nails, as wet hair makes the nails easier to see and the coat easier to move.
Dry the coat with a high-velocity dryer, starting by removing excess water and then drying each section to about 90%. Dryer speed is adjusted based on the dog’s coat and tolerance.
Once the body is dry, lower the speed, remove the Happy Hoodie, and dry the head and face. Afterward, go over the body again to ensure the coat is completely dry.
3.
Brush Out
Spray the coat with a conditioning spray to ease brushing and prevent damage.
Starting from the tail to the face, the coat is brushed section by section with the appropriate brush for the dog’s coat type.
The groomer will comb through to ensure the coat is tangle-free and remove loose hair.
Slicker Brush: Ideal for long, thick, or curly coats (e.g., Poodles, Bichons), removing tangles, mats, and loose hair.
Metal Comb (Greyhound Comb): Perfect for checking for tangles, smoothing, and removing loose hair.
Pin Brush: Gentle, ideal for daily use on medium to long coats, removing loose hair and detangling. Use a slicker brush for tough tangles.
Deshedding Brush: Removes loose undercoat and minimizes shedding, great for thick double coats (e.g., Labs, German Shepherds, Huskies).
Rubber Brush: Soft ridges for gentle massaging and hair removal, ideal for short-haired breeds like Dobermans and Pit Bulls.
4.
Nail Trim and File and Ear Cleaning
While dremeling reduces the risk of quicking, it can still happen. If the nail is clipped too short, the groomer will use styptic powder to stop any bleeding and ensure comfort.
Each leg is gently lifted to clearly see the nails. The groomer clips each nail a little at a time, stopping once the quick is visible. The quick contains blood vessels and nerves inside the dog’s nail.
After clipping, the groomer will use an electric dremel to smooth and round the edges, reducing sharpness.
Some dogs tolerate both clipping and dremeling, while others may only tolerate one. The groomer will assess what method works best to keep the dog calm, as nail trimming is an important grooming task.
5.
Hygienic Trimming
Ear Canal Trim and Cleaning: Excess hair around the ear canal is carefully trimmed with small clippers to prevent matting and blockages that could restrict airflow and trap earwax. Once the hair is removed, the ears are cleaned with Bio-Groom’s Ear-Care™ for optimal hygiene.
Before clipping the body, legs, and head, the groomer completes essential hygienic prep work:
Paw Pad Trim: Each leg is lifted to trim the hair between the paw pads, preventing moisture, matting, and improving grip.
Sanitary Trim: The groin area and tail are shaved to prevent moisture and waste buildup.
6.
Haircut and Styling
Finally, the groomer checks the work, letting the dog shake and walk around the salon to check for any stray hairs.
The body, legs, and head are clipped section by section, tailored to the caregiver’s preference, the dog’s coat condition, and lifestyle.
Next, the groomer combs through the legs and body, using scissors to tidy stray hairs, sharpen lines, and clean up the feet.
The tail is lifted and trimmed based on the caregiver’s preference and the dog’s coat condition.
The head, face, and ears are carefully styled with clippers and scissors, requiring extra patience due to the delicate areas near the eyes, ears, and mouth. While most dogs handle this well, some may need additional patience due to wiggling or unexpected movements.
Groom and Grow Pet Salon 