THIS HAIR CUT IS NOT WHAT I WANTED!
Have you ever picked up your pet from the groomer and was just flat out unhappy with the way your dog looked? Or you couldn’t make the groomer understand what you wanted? Well you should look at both sides and think about how much harder it is for a dog groomer to give your pet the perfect haircut. "Muffin" can't let her groomer know if the length and style are what you had in mind!
Every pet owner has different needs, wants and expectations about dog grooming. Following these four rules for working with your groomer to get the best haircut for your pet
- Be specific about your expectations
The groomer can't read your mind, so it's important to be specific. "Short, but not too short" or "leave it longer" aren't adequate direction. Does short mean 2 inches of hair? Or a half-inch? If you have something specific in mind, say so. Remember we cannot see the images in your mind, we can only work off of what you said and what we are able to work with the hair. - Look at the book
Most groomers have a book of hairstyles on different breeds they have groomed. Ask if they have one and ask if you are able to see it. Take the time to look through the book and find one or two photos that are close to what you have in mind. Show them to the groomer and ask whether that style is possible for your pet. - Be realistic about the condition of your pet's coat.
Do you brush your pet regularly at home, or is his coat badly matted or tangled? Please realize that groomers deal with hair for a living and see all kinds and issues. If a groomer tells you that your pet is matted, you should pay attention. Even the skilled groomer can't save a tangled coat in one session. Sometimes, there's no choice but to clip underneath the matts and wait for the hair to grow back before trying that new style. Be sure to brush and Comb religiously as the coat grows back so the tangles don't return! - Finally, be honest about the results.
If you don't like the final haircut when you pick up your dog, tell the groomer - in person -- when you pick up your pet, Not after you have picked up your pet and 6 weeks have passed by. Discuss what you'd like done differently next time. A professional groomer keeps notes on each pet about what was done during the visit. If you are honest with the groomer about how you like the results, your comments can be added to the file. That way, the next time “Muffin” comes in, your Groomer will have a better idea of what you want. Over time, with good communication, you and your groomer will be able to find the perfect style for your pet.
One of the most common questions asked by many pet owners is, "Should my dog be clipped close for the hot summer?" The answer may be unexpected; it isn't the length of the dog's coat, but the pet owners' willingness to devote time to caring for it that determines whether a summer haircut is needed.
If your pet is healthy, even the longest-coated dog can be comfortable in hot climates. In fact, the hair on a well-groomed dog will actually keep him cool because it acts as insulation against the heat. A dog's coat also provides protection from sunburn. This is actually true even for heavy-coated breeds, because coat thickness is not the primary cause of susceptibility to heat stress. In fact, obesity plays a larger role.
Should I cut or not?
The key to answering the question of whether or not to cut, is the coat's condition, A matted coat will trap heat and moisture, causing redness, irritation and odors. It requires thorough and frequent brushing to prevent mats, skin problems and discomfort. When hair becomes severely matted, even a professional Groomer won't be able to brush out the mats and a drastic clip-down becomes a necessity. So in this case, if your dog is not properly and regularly groomed, absolutely, a short summer haircut will do him good and should be done.
The best strategy is to keep your pet's coat trimmed year round -- unless you are willing to spend time every day brushing and combing, most dogs need a haircut every four to eight weeks, and dogs with fluffy coats or long straight coats will need to be clipped even more often. Speaking with a professional Groomer about your pet and your expectation is the best way to determine your individual pet's grooming needs.
Hot weather advice
If you decide to proceed with a short clipping for summer comfort, it's important to remember that, without his coat, your pet will need extra protection from the sun, flies and other parasites. In fact, in hot weather, precautions should be taken for all breeds. Dogs don't have an efficient way to cool themselves down. It's important to refrain exercise in the hottest part of the day, and provide shade, access to a cool spot, or air conditioning to prevent heat stress related problems from developing.
