If you are still undecided on whether to groom your dog by yourself or to pay a certified groomer, this is the blog for you.
In this blog, we highlight the major pros and cons of grooming your dog yourself.
Pros
1)Saves A LOT of money
Grooming sessions can cost you anywhere between INR 500-2000 depending on the breed and size of one’s dog. Let's consider an average of INR 1250/ month. You save about INR 15000/year if you choose to do the grooming yourself. Maybe give your dog additional treats from the savings. “Wuuf”. Look, she agrees!
2)Calmer experience for your dog
Dog grooming when done at home can be a less stressful experience for your dog, as opposed to leaving them at the groomers. Especially if your dog is not social enough, the loud jostling environment at a groomer’s can make it anxious.
3)Can be done at your dog’s convenience
A dog’s mood any particular day can be taken into consideration while grooming at home. If your dog doesn't feel like being groomed today, you can postpone the whole session, or choose how long you would want it to be.
4)Dog is more comfortable with you, its Paw-parent
It’s unlikely for your dog to gel in with just any groomer you choose. It’s important for it to be comfortable with the groomer because it’s going to visit the groomer often and get handled by them. Finding a groomer your dog is comfortable with is a long, arduous, trial and error process.
5)Bonding time galore
Grooming at home offers you a lot of quality time with your dog. You get to bond and know its preferences, temperament, and habits better.
1)Can’t spot malfunctioning
It is difficult to spot any irregularity or malfunctioning in your dog's sense organs or outer body. Especially if you are a first-time dog owner. A professional groomer’s experience dealing with a variety of dogs, and their eye for details can make it easier for them to spot any medical issues with your dog.
2)Time consuming
DIY grooming can be a lot time-consuming, especially in the early attempts due to lack of experience.
3)Lack of expertise
A professional groomer is more skilled at this task than a paw-parent is, especially a new one. The groomer can provide safe alternate techniques, and different grooming treatments depending on your dog’s needs. Say, shaving matted hair at home can be very hazardous to a dog if not done correctly and with proper care and expertise.
4)Starting from scratch
You will have to figure everything out from scratch about the products you will be using on your dog, and what suits it. Here you can take the vet’s help.
5)Juggle limited tools
For DIY you will need to buy basic tools needed for various aspects of dog grooming. Besides this, the tools you will buy will be lesser in number, and less functional than those at the professional groomer’s. You might not have tools for the finer tasks or will have to work things out with the tools you have at home.
There’s a grey area between sending your dog to professional groomers every single time and going totally DIY. It’s, as we call it, the middle path. (Zen vibes)
If you don't find yourself going ahead with any of the two broad options, this option is for you. You can send your dog to the groomer’s every 2-3 months (depending on the breed) for hair cuts, while you take care of the little - yet vital- aspects of grooming such as nails, paws, eyes, or hair trim by yourself in between the professional sessions. This will help you save a lot of money, plus you won't have to do something you aren’t totally confident about. A win-win.
Our Resources to-Your-Rescue (*Buzz lightyear zooming*)
In our Grooming Requirement Guide Series, we speak at length on the different grooming requirements of different dog breeds and provide you a DIY guide.
I hope we helped you make a choice! Watch this space for more info on dogs and dog parenting.