22 November 2017

Blogs

10 Great Benefits of Enrolling in Dog Grooming Classes

Do you have little to no experience in dog grooming and want to start a career in the field? Here are 10 great benefits of enrolling in dog grooming classes.

Taking care of a dog’s coat plays a vital role in their health. That’s why inexperienced people should consider enrolling in dog grooming classes.

Grooming involves full body washes, coat drying, pest control baths and dematting. There is also eye and ear cleaning, nail trimming, de-skunking, teeth brushing, and coat styling.

Doing these things keeps diseases and infections away from your dog. Problems caused by a lack of grooming include:

skin irritations from fleas and ticks
dandruff and dry skin patches
eye and ear infection
dull fur coat from the insufficient flow of natural skin oils
hidden abnormalities and untreated wounds
stress on ankle joints due to long nails

Dog grooming classes give you the tools to deal with these and other problems. Read on to learn more.

Benefits Of Dog Grooming Classes

Though dog grooming classes are voluntary, they give students important information. One institution offering certification is the National Dog Grooming Association of America (NDGAA).

Taking such courses provides the following benefits:

1. Teaches You The Proper Grooming Techniques

Grooming dogs well requires having the right tools, products, and proper technique. You’ll learn how to handle, restrain, and care for them. You’ll know how to brush teeth, clip nails, and use scissors or clippers.

Many dogs don’t like being groomed and may cause trouble when the process begins. Chasing a loose dog within your premises could be dangerous. It increases the risk of injury or damage to property.

2. Show You How To Deal With Dog Stress

Visits to grooming salons can be stressful for a dog. Signs of stress show up when they get their or when they get home. Notable signs of dog stress include digestive problems, diarrhea, isolation, lethargy, and aggression.

Dog grooming classes show you how to create a less stressful environment for the dog. You’ll learn how to deal with a stressed animal. You’ll also know what to tell the dog owner. Having the right skill helps in planning and preparing the grooming process. It ensures the visit ends in a positive way for both the dog and its owner. As you know, a stressed dog owner may agitate the dog further.

3. Learn Safety And Health Lessons

Grooming the dogs involves delicate procedures. These must uphold safety and health standards. You’ll learn how to handle the animals safely. You’ll learn to use the right equipment to prevent the spread of disease.

You’ll learn to use shampoos and flea killing products that don’t harm the animal. You’ll take care when brushing the animal to avoid hurting them when pulling tangled hair. Lastly, you’ll know how to fumigate your shop after cleaning an infested dog. This keeps the area flea and tick free.

4. Get De-Skunking Training

No matter how much you train a dog, they still approach any foreign animal in the yard. Sometimes, this curiosity makes them fall victim to skunk spray. Skunks shoot this strong smelling mixture to scare potential predators.

Unfortunately, this spray affects the dog. It causes eye irritation, nausea, vomiting, Heinz body anemia, and a lingering smell. In training, you’ll learn how to give ocular washes. Make sure you wear gloves to prevent the spray from getting on your skin.

5. Understand Breed Profiles

Each type of dog breed needs specialized care. A dog groomer has to know the many different types. Examples include Retrievers, German Shepherds, Beagles, Bulldogs, and Rottweilers. Others include Yorkshire Terriers, Jack Russell Terrier, Sheepdogs, and Chihuahuas.

Knowing the breed profiles and their bone structure makes it easier to handle the dogs.

6. Receive Excellent Apprenticeship

Dog grooming classes offer the right opportunity for apprenticeship. Learning from books is not on the same level as hands-on training. An experienced groomer will guide and advise you.

These masters know little secrets they can pass on to you. For example, how to calm a distressed dog. They are able to spot your mistakes. Moreover, they will give you confidence and encouragement in your work.

7. Gain Career-Building Tools

Nowadays, it is important to have certification of your skills for any job. Dog owners won’t want to hire you if you don’t have dog-grooming qualifications. Taking courses differentiates you as a professional. It shows you are not just doing your hobby.

It also opens up opportunities for higher positions like grooming manager. Having certification puts dog owners at ease because their dogs are in safe hands. Dogs are part of the family and no one wants an unprofessional person dealing with them.

8. Acquire Dog Grooming Wisdom

Many people only know how to do things. They don’t know why they need to do them. It is important for the groomer to know why they are doing something with the dog.

For instance, dematting can be painful for the dog. Should you still go ahead or leave it? What will be the effect of leaving it? In some cases, people avoid dematting puppies as they wait for them to grow. Should they start now and why?

A trained groomer will know why they need to provide services like dematting. Mats irritate the skin. This leaves the dog in pain and it starts biting at the problem. Grooming prevents this pain. It also shows the quality of nutrition needs improving to make the coat look healthier.

9. Use Dog Grooming Software

Dog grooming classes will show you how grooming software makes your job easier. It cuts administrative tasks that take much of your time. The right software manages your appointments, automates your reminders, and organizes customer records. It maintains client profiles, which is crucial for personalizing gifts and promotions. It helps in up-selling and cross-selling. Using software also looks professional. Clients can register online and show up to your shop for service.

10. Offers Professional Development Expertise

Enrolling for courses not only gives you dog advice but also business advice. You’ll get legal and financial advice as well. You’ll also learn industry standards and insurance options for dog businesses. These prepare you for running your own place.

Get Your Pet Grooming Software

Taking dog grooming classes sets you up for success before you start your job. They prepare you to care for dogs, which is your passion. Remember to use software to ensure the smooth running of your business. It will help with scheduling, booking, maintaining records, and marketing. With the technical side taken care of, you can focus on your most important clients: the dogs.