In my view, a sharp blade or pair of scissors and a wriggly dog or cat doesn't make for the safest combination and it certainly isn't something that a chartered surveyor, bored of his/her career, can do with no proper practical training. Unfortunately, this seems to be happening all over the country. Many potential groomers are opening shops having come from other industries with very little or no professional training at all. I personally find this very worrying. I know how tricky this profession can be for a trained professional, I think there are very few groomers in the world that have been trained professionally that can say that they have never accidentally cut a dog. If it can happen the experienced, imagine how easily it can happen to the inexperienced.
A petition went to the government recently for hairdressers to become a regulated industry, surprisingly, they are unregulated too. Unfortunately it was denied due to a lack of incidences. I think dog grooming would have the same answer if the government was petitioned, God knows how many 'incidences' they need.
What's the answer???
Well, in my view, I think we need to put the onus back in the lap of the consumer. We need to make the importance of an experienced or qualified groomer paramount to them. I think in all the years that I have run my salon, I have only been asked if I am qualified twice. Pretty surprising...mind you, my certificates are all over the walls but to be fair I could quite easily have printed them or made them myself. #showoff #proud
The question is, how do we go about doing this?
Well, social media could well have a part to play, there are very few people I know that aren't members of Twitter or Facebook. The problem with these mediums is that posts tend to be hot news one minute and forgotten the next and this issue needs to be at the forefront of pet owners minds at all times. A good groomer is as important to your dog as a good dentist is to you.
PIF (The Pet Industry Federation) do their best to protect its members and the consumers by having a code of conduct so that's is a positive start. I would like to see all groomers to have a minimum experience or a qualification to be a member but I'm not entirely sure how workable that would be. (Something to think about).
It seems to me that grooming is largely ignored in many TV shows and media outlets in the Uk. The Paul O'Grady show does amazing work to help rehome Battersea's dogs and that is fantastic but you never see the new owner get any advice regarding the type of coat and the amount of work that the coat would need to keep the dog healthy. What a sad state of affairs!!!!
Grooming is probably the most expensive part of owning a dog. We, as groomers, see the pets on our books much more than a vet would for a healthy dog. So why is it ignored as a profession???
Rescue shows should be looking at an owners lifestyle and suggesting the best dogs for their surroundings and lifestyle. It is the only fair thing for the dog and the prospective owner. In my view, a severely matted dog has been abused!
Well, you may not agree with all of my points in this blog but I hope that it made you think about your groomer and made you think twice about popping to the chemist to get a pair of hair scissors and chopping your dog yourself. It's not worth the risk. Find a lovely professionally trained or qualified groomer in your area to advise you on your beloved pets skin and coat issues. They are a lovely lot and want what is best for your pooch. :)))
