Ever wondered what it’s really like to be a professional dog groomer? At The Dog Dazzlers, we get asked this question all the time. Is it all clippers and cuddles with some of Melbourne’s most adorable pups? Sometimes but not entirely. The reality is much more rewarding and complex than that.
The hours can be long, the work is physically demanding, and every single day brings new challenges that test our technical and dog handling skills. But there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of trimming a Poodle perfectly or making a nervous pup shine with a relaxing bath.
As part of our new dog grooming course, we’re giving you an insight into what a day in the life of a Melbourne dog groomer really looks like. From early starts to new pup consultations, we pack in a lot at The Dog Dazzlers!
Every morning starts with an essential cup of coffee. We tend to always wake up a little earlier to ensure we can enjoy some sleepy cuddles with our furry friends before the day’s rush begins. We then heard Barney the Schnoodle and Stewie the Brussels Griffon into the car and make the short drive to The Dog Dazzlers.
A big advantage of working at a purpose-built facility is that the dogs can enjoy a fun-filled day at dog daycare, whilst I work transforming Melbourne’s scruffy doggos into elegant pups. They get to socialise with friends, relax in different areas of the daycare and learn new tricks and skills from other dogs.
Before we open our doors, I always check the water bowls to make sure thirsty pups can have a drink. Not only does this help to keep them hydrated, but it can also help to calm nervous dogs if they can distract themselves with a cooling drink.
We then prepare all the equipment, ensuring that everything was put away in the correct place the night before. It’s important that clippers are to hand and shampoos and bathing lotions are full and where they should be.
As a team, we then look through the doggies booked in for a groom that day and allocate them evenly to make sure workloads are balanced. This is a really important part of being a Melbourne dog groomer, as some breeds take much longer to groom than others. Breed-specific grooming is an important aspect of our dog grooming course, as we see everything from mini Yorkshire Terriers to impressive Huskies walk through our doors!
We also cover dog temperament during this morning meeting. We love getting to know all the pups that attend The Dog Dazzlers, and we understand that new or different experiences, such as coming to the dog groomer’s, can be overwhelming for some dogs. If we think a pooch might need a little extra time and TLC, we’ll factor this in when we divide up the pups.
Once the pups start arriving, our first port of call is to speak with the owner. This ensures that they choose the perfect dog grooming package for their pup’s breed and allows them to update us on any illness or preferences since their last visit. It’s also at this point that we let owners know whether their requested style is achievable or whether we’d recommend something different based on their dog’s unique coat type.
If it’s your furry friend’s first time visiting our salon, we’ll take you through the ropes so you know what to expect and how you can best prepare them for their first dog grooming. You might also want to check them in for doggy daycare afterwards, so you can make the most of your pup-free day!
When we’ve confirmed the grooming style with the owner, we generally do an initial assessment of the dog. If needed, we brush out any knots and check for potential skin problems, allergies, infestations or lumps and bumps.
We usually give dogs a first clip to remove any excess hair before bathing. Whilst not all Melbourne dog groomers do this, we find it makes the washing and drying process much easier. We then take the pup to the bathing area, where we use professional-grade shampoos and conditioners suited to each dog’s coat type and skin condition. We thoroughly wash each pup to remove dirt, oils and odours which home baths simply can’t tackle.
It’s then really important to dry each dog correctly so that there’s no chance of skin irritation and to ensure they have a smooth and matt-free coat. We then re-clip the body so the pooch has an even finish and then style the head, feet, ears and tail to complete the look. Additional grooming services, such as anal glands, ear plucking, teeth polishing or flea rinse can be discussed in the initial consultation.
Once the pup’s nails are trimmed, we fill out a special The Dog Dazzlers report card explaining the grooming services that were carried out and how your pooch enjoyed it. It’s then time for pick up and scheduling their next appointment!
After lunch and attending to all the other wonderful dogs that come to The Dog Dazzlers, it’s time to clean up before heading home. As you might imagine, there’s a lot to clean up after a busy day full of pups having haircuts and washes! Hygiene is of the utmost importance, and all surfaces and equipment are thoroughly cleaned in between appointments, but we give the salon a big clean in the evening to ensure everything is in its place and ready to do it all again in the morning.
If you have great people skills, patience and a big love for doggos, then a career in dog grooming could be perfect for you. Days can be long, but licks and cuddles from some of Melbourne’s most amazing dogs certainly make it worthwhile.
If you’d like to know more about becoming a dog groomer (or just want to book your pup in for a trim), get in touch with the team at The Dog Dazzlers. We’ll be happy to give you more information about our courses and answer any questions you might have!
Based in Burwood, our purpose built facility provides pups with all their daycare and grooming needs – find out more now:
If you’d like to book your furbaby in for a groom, please give us a call on 03 9808 3289, or complete the form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!
All existing clients can book in below, and new clients can register their dogs for daycare.
If you have any questions, please call us on 03 9808 3289.
