Dog Grooming Basics 101 for Pet Groomers

GROOMING BASICS 101 ARTICLE

Madson's Special Handling Guidelines for Aged, Ill or Disabled Dogs

The following article is for general information only and not intended to serve as professional training nor replace professional training. We strongly advise professional training for every new groomer before they offer grooming services to pet owners. Based on our experience your charging fees for grooming services is legally interpreted that you are the expert in grooming, and not the pet owners you serve. Thereby you accept the risk of being responsible for the services you provide. You are responsible to interview every pet owner you serve to ensure that your services are not only aesthetic, but safe and appropriate for their pet. You are also responsible to disclose to each pet owner any and all risks your procedures may involve to their pet. Professional grooming requires professional training. Click for training opportunities. We wrote the Pet Care Services Brochure and Pet Groomer's Report & Health Alert in the book From Problems to Profits to exemplify one example of the disclosure process for a professional groomer. Remember, every pet owner you serve is putting their faith and trust in you. Get the professional training required of a professional groomer.

Lady Photo In 1961, then salon owner Madeline Bright Ogle was already developing the early progenitor of what today is known as "Madson's Handling Aged, Ill or Disabled Pets Procedure." At the time there were no published resources on this topic for professional groomers in the public domain and as well as the grooming industry domain. It was up to those with the initiative to take the time to professionally document their grooming procedures.

Even today experienced groomers and business owners taking the time to produce written how-to grooming materials and standards of operation are rare.

"Lady" - a Special Handling Pet at 17 Years Old

Madeline B. Ogle In 1989, Madeline wrote the award-winning grooming business manual, From Problems to Profits - The Madson Management System for Pet Grooming Businesses, and it is now available in a revised and updated 1997 edition. She did not include her proprietary "Madson's Special Handling Aged, Ill or Disabled Pets Procedure" in the business manual. Instead PetGroomer.com is the first public domain outlet for an excerpt of the complete procedure. See below.

Madeline Bright Ogle, President, Find A Groomer, Inc.

Madson's Special Handling Aged, Ill or Disabled Pets Procedure
Excerpt Only

Aged, ill (non-contagious) and disabled pets require individual consideration. Review the pet's filecard (or other form in which you take grooming and pet information from each pet owner customer) for special care warnings and descriptions of any special handling requirements. Never handle a pet until you review and understand all warnings and requirements. Consult your supervisor if you have any questions. Risk must be eliminated.

1. Never hurry any grooming procedures for aged, ill and disabled pets. Whenever possible, book appointments for these pets on a "Special Care Pets Only" day, or book a special care appointment when grooming can proceed at a careful pace, and with less noise and distraction.

2. Aged, ill and disabled pets with matted coats cannot endure excessive comb outs. Discuss the situation with your supervisor. In most cases the Manager will contact the client to request permission to remove the coat. After a pet's coat has been removed, keep them warm. Advise the client to keep the pet warm also.

3. Many aged and ill pets have sore gums so don't squeeze their muzzle (stock).

4. Pets with heart ailments as well as many other aged, ill and disabled pets should only be blow-dried on a warm setting. No cage drying. Do not stand pets with heart ailments on their hind legs. Lift their legs and groom them from the inside. Provide similar consideration for pets with hip disabling problems, and handle legs very carefully. Never pull on any pet's legs.

5. Talk softly and frequently to blind pets to alleviate their fear. Provide pet massage frequently to diminish their feeling of vulnerability.

6. Aged, ill and disabled pets should be kept warm at all times. If a shampoo or bathing treatment is required to stay on the pet for more than a minute, wrap the pet with two dry towels until ready to rinse. When handling the pet, lift its legs slowly and do not pull them outward. Support the pet by placing your hand underneath them.

7. Some aged, ill and disabled pets should not have flea solutions used on them unless the pet's veterinarian has first given written or verbal approval, and the approval is noted on the pet's filecard. Your supervisor is responsible to determine the appropriateness of using a flea solution on any aged, ill or disabled pet.

8. If the pet becomes anxious, provide light pet massage, and talk to the pet very softly until it is at ease. Use the pet's name to increase ease from familiarity.

9. If a pet shows signs of disruptive breathing, such as gasping for air, or fainting, call for immediate assistance from your supervisor. Do not leave the pet unattended. Do not panic, get the immediate assistance you require to properly care for the pet in distress. If you are drying a pet when this happens, turn off the dryer immediately. Calm the pet with your soft voice and light massage to prevent its anxieties from exacerbating the pet's condition. Medical attention may be required immediately.

Madeline and her supervisor employees trained every groomer and client relations staff to follow Madson's Special Handling Guidelines for Aged, Ill & Disabled Pets, and even suggest improvements. Your supervisors should be responsible to oversee that all of the staff conforms to the procedure at all times. In this way, Madeline's Pet Grooming Salon never had a single accident handling these special pets. You can use this system if you like in your grooming business and perhaps adapt it to meet your standards of operation.