Dog grooming

[FIRE Artist]

My dog is 7 years old, and I have had her since she was 12 weeks old.  She is an American Cocker Spaniel, which means seriously thick, fast growing coat.  She has only been groomed by anyone besides me once, and that was because I had broken the wrist on my dominant hand and couldn’t pick her up, or hold the clippers for that matter.  It cost CND 90 to have her groomed, after adding in all the add ons like nail clipping, ear flushing etc.  By grooming her myself, I have saved CND 90 every 6 weeks over her life to date , and will continue to save it for the rest of her life.

I spent about $400 to get set up with the grooming table, professional dryer, clippers and blades, scissors, nail clippers etc. 

By my estimate, I have already saved $4600 by grooming my dog myself.  It takes me about an hour to do it each time, and I can do it when the fancy strikes me, no grooming reservations, drop off or pick up times etc. 

[ThatGuy]

I've always thought that dog grooming would be a good side hustle or post FIRE business.

[TheWifeHalf]

Before I got basenjis, I consulted a breeder/handler and asked him what grooming was needed - I did NOT want a breed that would require extensive grooming. One thing he told me was to use a Dremel for their nails and since the ones here are taught from an early age that I can do whatever I want to them, they let me do it.
Back when I was showing, I trimmed their tails with a moustashe trimmer, Dremeled their nails, and trimmed off their whiskers, but now all I do is their nails. I remember asking him about their ears and as he described, they are basically care free.

Funny story (funny now, it was years ago)
My first show dog, my heart dog, my foundation bitch went to shows with me all year, maybe twice a month. We always started prepping on the grooming table the day before but when she got her American and Canadian champion titles, we didn't do that so much. She stayed home while I took others (except for Basenji nationals) and she was pxxssxd!  On my kitchen table - right in front of me, in a circle!  When I figured out what she was trying to tell me, I did a little grooming when I did the others, and took her along for the ride when I was showing another dog.
It worked, she was fine with the 'pretending.'

I respect any dog owner that does what their particular dog needs grooming-wise

[FIRE Artist]

Well done!
May I ask what you use for ear flushing? I've used hydrogen peroxide (for myself and the dog), but I've also heard that apple cider vinegar is good as well.

I started out using this recipe. http://www.zimfamilycockers.com/EarCleaner.html

But now I just use Malecetic Otic that I get from the vet, a bottle can last a couple of years.   I don’t have to clean my dog’s ears more often than when I groom her because she just doesn’t get infections, which I credit to feeding her grain free her entire life. There is quite a bit of evidence that it is corn in the dog food that causes the ear infections.

[FIRE Artist]

I've always thought that dog grooming would be a good side hustle or post FIRE business.

Yeah, I have thought of that too.  You would need to go to a grooming school to learn all the different breeds, I was able to teach myself how to groom cocker spaniels by DVD, and then later on YouTube, but that really isn’t a solution for a professional.  It is also a very physical job, even my 27 lb dog can put up a good fight when not in the mood. 

[Bendigirl]

My friend grooms dogs from her home. Works morning only, no weekends.  She makes a killing and has loyal customers!  She loves dogs and I think you would need to.  She has patience too...takes it in stride when the dogs do their business on her table and bite her.  I would not be a good groomer.
Small dogs only and she is always booked
Told my son he should learn this trade, people seem to have lots of money for their pets.

My lab HATES the Dremel for nails, may as well be sawing her legs off.

[RetiredAt63]

I bribed my dogs with cheese (real cheese) when they were puppies and they all had no problems with me clipping their nails.  They all had super ticklish feet.  I did all the bathing (not often, they were very clean) and brushing (lots, double coats).  A groomer would have charged me over $100 just for a bath/brushing back in 2010.

[Step37]

I’ve been grooming my two dogs (small, mixed-breed) for just over a year now, thanks to inspiration from this forum. I’m so happy I started. It’s a big money saver, and much more convenient than making appointments, dropping off and picking up. I still hate trimming their nails, but it’s getting better. I got a different style of trimmer (guillotine vs. scissor) and that has helped my comfort level. I’ve spent less on supplies than I used to spend on one grooming appointment for both dogs, so I am very far ahead.

[ketchup]

My GF worked at Petsmart for about a year as a groomer. 

Now she grooms our own dogs, but she'd never groom as a side gig.  It fucked up her skin and plenty of the dogs were nightmares.

[fuzzy math]

Groomed the Persian cat this morning because she was turning into 1 giant mat. Have done this before and boy is it a pain in the ass.

Decided to groom the dog for the first time and it turned out great! Dog is a small terrier mix who has hair instead of fur. So much easier than grooming a growling biting scratching cat. I had been going to pet smart somewhere between 3-6 times a year and I don't need to any more! I am going to need to buy some nail clippers.

[RetiredAt63]

Groomed the Persian cat this morning because she was turning into 1 giant mat. Have done this before and boy is it a pain in the ass.

Decided to groom the dog for the first time and it turned out great! Dog is a small terrier mix who has hair instead of fur. So much easier than grooming a growling biting scratching cat. I had been going to pet smart somewhere between 3-6 times a year and I don't need to any more! I am going to need to buy some nail clippers.

What colour are your dog's nails. Dark ones make the quick hard to see and you may cut too close. Add Quik-stop to your shopping list. Also have treats ready to reward good behaviour.  At first good behaviour is holding still for one nail. You want the dog to look forward to this, or at least not run away at the sight of the clippers.

[fuzzy math]

Groomed the Persian cat this morning because she was turning into 1 giant mat. Have done this before and boy is it a pain in the ass.

Decided to groom the dog for the first time and it turned out great! Dog is a small terrier mix who has hair instead of fur. So much easier than grooming a growling biting scratching cat. I had been going to pet smart somewhere between 3-6 times a year and I don't need to any more! I am going to need to buy some nail clippers.

Styptic powder!! I had actually already put that on my list.... I think his nails might not be too dark. Nicked his ear with the clippers earlier and wished I'd already had it
What colour are your dog's nails. Dark ones make the quick hard to see and you may cut too close. Add Quik-stop to your shopping list. Also have treats ready to reward good behaviour.  At first good behaviour is holding still for one nail. You want the dog to look forward to this, or at least not run away at the sight of the clippers.

[Basenji]

Can I get a recc on a Dremel? Any faves?

I've never used a Dremel myself, but our groomer does and says the dogs are fine with it. I'm ready to try. In the past I have used a regular nail file to smooth down a dog's nail that had a slight hangnail or split. Does anyone ever just use a (human) nail file or would it take too long?

[ketchup]

Can I get a recc on a Dremel? Any faves?

I've never used a Dremel myself, but our groomer does and says the dogs are fine with it. I'm ready to try. In the past I have used a regular nail file to smooth down a dog's nail that had a slight hangnail or split. Does anyone ever just use a (human) nail file or would it take too long?

My GF has the older version of this one: https://www.amazon.com/Dremel-3000-1-24-Attachment-Accessories/dp/B005JRJE56/ref=dp_ob_title_hi  It's been going strong for at least eight years.  Any should really do the job.  The main thing I'd recommend is not getting pet-specific ones or cordless ones.  And be sure to buy extra sanding bands and actually replace them when needed (they're cheap).

[Roadrunner53]

I have two dogs. One is a Poodle and does not shed. The other is a Pomeranian and sheds horribly. UGH!!! I have this rake the groomer recommended to pull out the second coat and it is not fun at all. Seems I can rake for a week and still never get it all. Anyone have any experience with Pom grooming? They both get groomed every six weeks and the Pom gets shaved down except his tail and has a 'lions mane' around his neck which makes him look like a little lion and everyone loves his doo! I would like an easier way to get this second coat off of him without spending the rest of my life trying to do it!