Interview with a Dog Groomer
This month we ask Charlotte Taylor of Hair & Hounds in Dunmow all about what it’s like to be a professional pet groomer.
Ever wondered what makes a dog groomer tick, or what goes on behind those hallowed doors when you drop off your pooch for a haircut or a bit of TLC? My dog is always so relaxed, happy and looking smart when I collect him from Hair & Hounds, so Charlotte was the natural choice for me to ask all those burning questions…
DC: Hi Charlotte! So what made you decide to be a dog groomer?
CT: I have worked with animals all my life, coming from a farming family and surrounded by animals of all shapes and sizes. Dogs were the next step for me to get into.
What would you say are the most important character traits for someone in this business?
You need a keen interest in animals, a sense of humour, to be calm and patient and have a strong spirit.
Do you have a favourite type of dog to work with, and why?
I don’t have a favourite breed. They are all so lovely in their own right. But I do have a soft spot for the older dogs, “OAPs” – they are so calm and love the attention they receive and they run around like puppies again because they feel fantastic!
What’s the most challenging or unusual request you have had?
The most unusual request I’ve had was a teacup micro pig called Penny. She came in twice a year for a deep clean and ear wash. Unfortunately she is no longer with us due to old age. To be honest every groom is a challenge, you have a living, breathing animal on the table that could do anything and I have to be ready for anything or any situation that could arise.
And how do you go about handling a dog that doesn’t like being groomed or has anxiety issues or is just simply afraid?
My answer is PATIENCE. I never go bounding in with any animal nervous, anxious, afraid or even happy to see me, because they can turn just like that without any kind of warning. An animal that is put into a new situation can either like it or hate it. Dog/animal groomers have to learn to read a dog’s body language to determine if they are okay or not. I could touch one paw and it would be okay but touching a different paw could not be okay. So when I get a dog that doesn’t keep still and doesn’t like the dryer I slow everything down, talking to the dog, reassuring it, having lots of breaks and having lots of tasty treats helps! Sometimes I have to work on the dogs for several weeks so they learn to trust and tolerate the process.
Are other pets like cats or rabbits generally more or less challenging?
Rabbits and Guinea pigs are a lot less challenging as I find that they love the whole process form bathing to clipping the nails. Cats on the other hand are a different kettle of fish! Most of my cats have been coming since they were kittens so they are completely comfortable with water, drying, brushing, clipping and cutting nails. And then you get the cats that only come when it’s necessary i.e. matting of the coat, nails are too long and they are feeling uncomfortable in the first place. These grooms can become difficult to do!
The good people of Dunmow love you. But what do you enjoy most about your job?
Yes I love my job, I love making all the animals look and smell amazing but I love that I can make an animal feel good about itself and be happy. This job has its ups and downs – it’s a physical job and can sometimes be very emotional, not very glamorous and can be quite smelly! Some animals don’t always get the best start in life and I have unfortunately seen animals in a bad way from nails curling back on themselves to matting to the coat that causes skin sores and haematomas….
I can imagine. So the health aspect is really crucial?
Yes exactly, this is why it is important to get your dog groomed on a regular basis. A good dog groomer will check your dog over and if he/she sees something that isn’t right, they will advise to get it checked. We groomers see everything on an animal, we look at every inch of the body.
A really important link in dog care generally, then. So what would be your advice for someone looking to start a career in dog grooming?
My advice to anyone that wants to become a dog groomer would be:
1. Get as much experience as possible with all animals, not just one type.
2. It’s not all fun and games you will have to get your hands dirty.
3. Be prepared for any situation. Every animal is different, every groom is different.
Oh, and have the patience of a saint and enjoy your work. You can change the way an animal feels by doing simple or big things and they will love you for it.
Sound advice! Finally, as a dog trainer I have to ask this! In your opinion what percentage of dogs do you see that could definitely benefit from some form of training?
Puppies!!!! Puppies need training from the day they are brought home. Every day that pup needs to learn something new or old. Also socialisation is a huge factor, I don’t just mean meeting other dogs, I mean socialising in every aspect in a dog’s life, travelling in a car, meeting different people and animals, traffic noise. I have meet so many “lock down” pups and they have no experience of the outside world and what it can offer.
