Dog Grooming Near Me: Tips to Search Locally

If you’ve taken a look at your precious pup and realised that they need a bit of pampering, you might have also frantically searched for “dog grooming near me”. And, we’d guess that your search yielded hundreds of local results for dog groomers near you offering a variety of services. Now, the question is, “Which one do I choose?”

Depending on your dog’s breed, age, and personality, you might find that you’ll need to search for a specific type of groomer. And just as you likely prefer visiting a hairdresser or salon because of the way they treat you, your dog will probably develop a preference for a specific groomer as well.

Continue reading for our top tips on how to search for a local dog groomer, including which types of groomers are suitable for each breed and what to ask the groomer before taking your dog in for a visit.

Do Dogs Really Need to Visit the Groomer?

Yes, they do! When you think of a dog’s overall health, you’re likely thinking of food, exercise, and regular visits to the vet. However, routine grooming is also a part of ensuring that your dog is as healthy as it can be.

Dog groomers do more than cut and wash your dog’s fur. They also help increase the quality of your dog’s life and overall health through other services such as teeth cleaning, nail trimming, and ear cleaning.

How often should they be going to the groomer?

It ultimately depends on the breed of your dog and their coat (along with other factors, like whether they require more frequent teeth and ear cleaning, for example). However, it’s generally recommended that you take your dog to the groomer at least once a month.

If it’s not time to go to the groomer’s yet, continue to brush them at home to get rid of excess fur. If they’re puppies, you’ll want to do this more often to get them accustomed to being held, handled, and washed.

Which Dogs Require More Grooming?

Certain breeds require more grooming, and they’re not simply the breeds with more hair in general. Overall, you can expect any long-haired dog to require a bit more grooming than a short-haired dog (but that doesn’t mean short-haired dogs won’t shed just as much).

If you have any one of the following dog breeds, you might find that they require grooming more often, or that you need to find a breed-specific groomer who knows how to clean, cut, and manage their fur:

● Poodles
● Afghan hound
● Portuguese water dog
● Bichon Frise
● Puli
● Maltese
● Labrador retrievers

Besides looking for a breed-specific groomer, we also recommend taking a look at your dog’s type of coat. This will affect the kind of brushes you use both at home and while at the groomer. If you’re unsure of what kinds of dog grooming supplies you may need to have at home as well, check out our guide on the 7 Grooming Items you cannot do without.

As a general rule of thumb, bristle brushes are suitable for all types of fur, whereas pin brushes are better for dogs with medium to long hair. Try a slicker brush if you need to remove tangles or tough mats that won’t come out with other brushes.

What Questions to Ask a Dog Groomer?

Now that you know how often your dog needs to visit the groomer and whether they need a breed-specific groomer, it’s time to think about the types of questions you’ll ask your local groomer before scheduling an appointment.

Before you decide if the groomer is suitable for your fur baby, call them up or visit them first and consider asking the following 8 questions:

#1: Can I see your facilities?

First and foremost, you want to check to see that the facilities are clean. Take a walk around the grooming stations and check that they clean fur off the ground, that their utensils are clean, and to get a general feel for how they treat the other dogs. Also, be sure to note the ventilation, overall smell, and the types of tubs and products they use.

#2: What kind of training have you had?

Dog grooming training varies from country to country and even region to region. It shouldn’t be mandatory for the groomer to have official training because quite a few groomers learn through apprenticeships and on-the-job training.

However, when asking about their training, a high-quality groomer should be able to give you a list of their formal or informal training and experience. Beware of anyone who may seem to avoid the question as they are likely not equipped to do the job.

#3: What dog grooming services do you provide?

Does your dog need a particular type of cut? Or, do they need proper ear and teeth cleaning? Some dog groomers near you might only offer the standard bath and blow-dry, whereas others might offer more specific services. Depending on you and your dog’s needs, ask the groomer what other kinds of services they offer.

#4: What are your rules and regulations like for other dogs in the facilities?

This is one of the most important questions to ask a dog groomer! It’s even more important if you’re the owner of an anxious or aggressive dog. Be sure to ask the groomer what their protocols are for housing other dogs.

Do they bathe dogs next to each other? Where do they house dogs while they’re waiting for their owner to pick them up? What is the protocol like for aggressive dogs? Have they had issues with aggressive dogs in the past? If your puppy tends to bite, how will they handle the situation? You do not want your pup to get bitten by them.

If you have concerns about how your dog will behave, be sure to bring this up with them.

#5: Do you allow owners to be present while grooming?

If you are concerned about how your dog might behave at the groomers, or if it’s their first time there, ask whether or not they allow owners to be present. Some groomers don’t allow this as it’s a bit of a distraction and crowd the room. However, if you know that your dog will be calmer if you’re there, be sure to tell them that (at least for their first visit!).

#6: What kinds of breeds have you groomed before?

This question is critical if your dog is from one of the breeds mentioned above that require breed-specific grooming or any kind of special attention. If you have a pretty high-maintenance poodle, for example, you’ll want to be sure that the groomer has experience with poodles!

#7: Does your grooming business carry insurance?

In the case of an accident, such as a cut, bite, or any other medical issue, it’ll be necessary that the groomer has insurance for their business. If your dog moves and they accidentally cut their skin or if another dog bites yours while at the groomer, you’ll want them to cover the medical expenses.

#8: What products do you use?

And, last but not least, ask about the kinds of products they use. If your dog has sensitive skin, it’s crucial that the groomer use products that won’t irritate your pup. Likewise, if you’re raising your dog only to consume organic food, looking for a groomer that only uses organic products can help ensure they’re able to stick to that lifestyle.

Dog Grooming Near Me: How to Perform a Local Search

Whew, we just threw a lot at you! Now, it’s time to find a local groomer near you. It’s easy to perform a Google search of “dog grooming near me,” but where do you go from there?

We suggest:

● Performing a local search by entering “dog grooming near me” in Google
● Taking a look at the local searches that pop up in the menu (these searches will have rankings, reviews, and services listed)
● Click the “Maps” tab at the top of the page and search groomers near you by distance
● Sift through the first page or two of results; often, if there is a local directory in your area, you will be able to find reputable dog groomers through there.

Remember to read through reviews and comments left by other dog owners. If you’re able to, visit the groomer before scheduling an appointment to ask them the questions we laid out above.

Final Thoughts

Finding a dog groomer near you is just one of the many things you need to consider when raising a young pup or even an adult dog. Find a groomer with whom they feel comfortable and stick to a strict grooming routine.

As mentioned above, grooming your dog is a way to keep him happy and healthy. There are many ways to make your dog happy too. Check out our guide here on 40 things you can do to make your dog happy. You’ll definitely find some new things that you can do together with your doggie friend that will make your furball very happy.