Interview With a Pet Groomer in Lacombe
When you hear “pet grooming,” what do you think of? Poodles with shaped hair and shih tzu’s with little ponytails atop their heads, tied with cute ribbons? Extravagant haircuts and extra pampering that only wealthy people can afford? Maybe you think of a job where people just bathe and play with dogs all day. There are many different conceptions of pet grooming, so we decided to go straight to the source and do an interview with a pet groomer in Lacombe to see what it’s really all about. Our interviewee Heather Lones has 14 years of experience and owns her own grooming salon, Bow Wow Pet Grooming.
The Interview
The first thing to know is what exactly pet grooming is. There are probably definitions you can search on Google, but Heather explained it from the perspective of what she does as a pet groomer. “Grooming can be more than a bath and haircut,” she said. “I make sure nails are short, there are no matts, anal glands are empty, teeth are clean and look healthy. I have the opportunity to look over the whole animal for bumps, lumps, skin irritations, ear infections, among other things.”
So there’s more to pet grooming than meets the eye. Although, even if grooming was just baths and haircuts, that’s still no easy task. When asked to tell us something most people don’t know about pet grooming, she said, “We go through a lot of training to learn all the different haircuts and breed standards.”
Groomers certainly put that training to good use, too. A common misconception (even mentioned in the introduction paragraph) is that pet grooming is a job where you get to just play with animals. But what does an average day actually look like as a pet groomer? According to Heather, “Many say we are ‘playing with dogs all day,’ and while this is very true, we are also bathing them, clipping their nails, plucking/cleaning their ears, brushing their teeth, and giving them haircuts… plus lots and lots of kisses.”
It’s not always kisses and playtime, though. Heather says the hardest part of the job in her opinion is, “extreme shave downs because of matting. It’s hard on my equipment, it’s very time consuming, and it can be painful for the pups. It’s honestly heartbreaking and rewarding at the same time.” This is part of the reason why it’s so important to take proper care of your pet. Pet owners should groom their pets before it reaches a state of emergency. Make sure to stay on top of the grooming!
Speaking of which, you need to know which grooming tasks are safe for you to do at home. “Bathing and brushing can and should be done at home on a regular basis. Clipping nails can also be done at home if you have the knowledge and know-how not to go too short. Anal glands, ear plucking, and any short of hair cutting should be left to the professionals,” Heather said. Another task you can do at home is brush your dog’s teeth, which may sound intimidating but can easily be learned and has lots of benefits.
If you want to leave all your pet’s grooming needs to a professional, though, find a pet grooming business near you and set up regular appointments to keep your pet in prime condition. According to Heather, short hair dogs only need to go in every 6 to 12 weeks. Long-haired breeds or any dog that needs haircuts need grooming every 4 to 8 weeks.
Whenever you take your pet to the groomer, Heather recommends leaving a tip! “Some people don’t know to tip their groomer, while it’s not a must, every groomer feels more appreciated when they receive a tip from the pet owner.” Grooming is just like any other trade service. Groomers use their training to keep your pet clean and healthy, so consider tipping them for a job well done when you can!
Conclusion
A lot of work goes into grooming. As trained professionals, pet groomers do more than simple hair cutting and bathing and nail trimming. Although it’s certain breeds require more grooming regularly, all pet owners should concern themselves with their pets grooming. It’s part of your pet’s health, and a healthy pet is a happy pet!
Thank you to Heather Lones for taking the time to shine some light on the field of pet grooming! If you’re looking for a pet groomer in Lacombe area or just interested in photos of cute dogs, check out Heather’s Facebook page.
BONUS
Some of the questions asked didn’t fit with the flow of the main interview. I think it’s all interesting information, though. So if you’re still curious, here’s a few more answers from our favorite pet groomer in Lacombe!
What is your favorite part of your job?
“Puppies, I love to have a first-time puppy and then I get to watch them grow!”
Which breeds are the hardest to groom?
“Chow Chows tend to have an attitude problem and Cocker spaniels.”
Any advice someone interested in becoming a pet groomer?
“Only pursue grooming if you have the patience to work with wiggly, anxious animals that don’t understand. Patience is the number one thing every good groomer has.”
When you hear “pet grooming,” what do you think of? Poodles with shaped hair and shih tzu’s with little ponytails atop their heads, tied with cute ribbons? Extravagant haircuts and extra pampering that only wealthy people can afford? Maybe you think of a job where people just bathe and play with dogs all day. There…