Update on grooming apprentice!

[Lolli_lah]

Just wanted to let those interested know that I did start apprenticing, today in fact was my first day!

I decided those people from craigslist weren't the right choice and I kept looking. I stumbled upon some website, I can't remember exactly it might have been something like petgroomerads.com or something, and I was looking to see if anyone posted in my area and someone had, only it was posted in September.

I emailed her anyway asking if she could help and if not, if she knows anyone I might try calling. And she wanted to help, so I volunteer my time as she just hired an apprentice from that ad. But there are no strings (as in I don't have to work off any weird amounts of money) and the people are really nice!

She is even wanting me to bring my little girl in and we will groom her together so I can know how to do yorkie specifics, and on my own dog. Free of charge! That's pretty neato.

I go in again on Friday and then from there I think we will be discussing something more long term. These 2 days this week are kind of a trial to be sure it's something I 100% want to do and can handle (it is a lot of work and very hairy so no allergies).

I'm excited! I actually got to do grooming already though. I was clipping with electric clippers and brushing and bathing and drying. They shape the actual hair/fur cuts with scissors. It's pretty aweeeesome!

[Perrella]

Oh wow, that is great....I'm soooo excited for you!! Good Luck

[Crickettsmom]

that is wonderful!! Just remember to not rub your face during work, it will itch the rest of the day!!!LOL!! Yes it is a hairy job and hard work, but worth it!! Good luck!!

[Lolli_lah]

Haha, I was constantly pulling/rubbing at my nose because little fuzzies kept tickling it. That is so annoying! But I don't think I have any allergies thankfully.

I really loved it the first day so hopefully I'll love it the rest of the days, too!

[aqeuous18]

Oh I'm so happy for you! It's so exciting when you start! Yeah the itchiness is a killer. I keep a towel by my station to wipe my face with. Also baby power helps prevent the hair from sticking to your hands so much. If all else fails just blow dry your face The itch will last for a few weeks until you get used to it. Also be sure to check in between your fingers and pull out any hair splinters. They hurt so bad when they get infected >_<

[Lolli_lah]

Originally Posted by aqeuous18

Oh I'm so happy for you! It's so exciting when you start! Yeah the itchiness is a killer. I keep a towel by my station to wipe my face with. Also baby power helps prevent the hair from sticking to your hands so much. If all else fails just blow dry your face The itch will last for a few weeks until you get used to it. Also be sure to check in between your fingers and pull out any hair splinters. They hurt so bad when they get infected >_<

Aw I haven't had any of those yet but I'm sure I will soon! I have a question about what your salon does for nail clipping? Do they use the clippers/dremel? They nip the quicks so often at the salon I'm apprenticing from, and they have been doing nails/grooming for years. The owner for like 30+ years. I'm just wondering if thats a common occurance at all groomers?

[Jacksmom052709]

Lolli - I am so happy to hear you found someone to help you out! Good luck! I am looking for schools and I am thinking about doing one online. I found it through the petgroomer.com website. There are a couple of schools here in Ohio, but way too expensive! Anyway, just wanted to say good luck!

[Lolli_lah]

Originally Posted by Jacksmom052709

Lolli - I am so happy to hear you found someone to help you out! Good luck! I am looking for schools and I am thinking about doing one online. I found it through the petgroomer.com website. There are a couple of schools here in Ohio, but way too expensive! Anyway, just wanted to say good luck!

I never went to school. This is the alternative, well kinda as schooling isn't actually 'necessary'. None of the groomers that are there or that they know other places went to schools, either. Not to mention there are none in my area and the online ones are just as expensive as the ones 2+ hours away.

Apprenticing at a place gets you the same practice and experience. You learn from watching and hands-on, and the lady instructing me even has a book or two on grooming that we are going to be going through. Some places will pay you for any of the work you do but she had already hired an apprentice and couldn't take on another for pay, so I volunteered to do it for free in return for her teachings. And of course I don't get any tool kits out of the deal but it's ok they share there anyway.

You should try that rather than doing online school. You really won't get much hands-on experience via online school unless you did it alongside apprenticing somewhere or something, but then paying the thousands of dollars for schooling would be a waste as you'd learn the same things just by apprenticing.

[Jacksmom052709]

Thanks for letting me know. Hope you're liking it so far!

[aqeuous18]

Originally Posted by Lolli_lah

Aw I haven't had any of those yet but I'm sure I will soon! I have a question about what your salon does for nail clipping? Do they use the clippers/dremel? They nip the quicks so often at the salon I'm apprenticing from, and they have been doing nails/grooming for years. The owner for like 30+ years. I'm just wondering if thats a common occurance at all groomers?

We do both the nail trim and filing. I prefer filing because it almost completely erases the quicking unless you are completely not paying attention (in which case, it may not be a good job for you lol). It also gets the nail smooth and as short as possible.

As far as quicking, yes it is a fairly common occurrence depending on how many people work there. I try to get filing for most of my clients. However, I might quick a dog once maybe once or twice every couple of weeks. If someone is quicking a dog every single day than they are not paying attention or are rushing. In the beginning it can be tough, especially with black nails. My advice is to take a little off at a time until you can see that dark black spot.

An experienced Groomer once told me that if you never quick dogs than you are not cutting nails short enough.

[Lolli_lah]

Originally Posted by aqeuous18

We do both the nail trim and filing. I prefer filing because it almost completely erases the quicking unless you are completely not paying attention (in which case, it may not be a good job for you lol). It also gets the nail smooth and as short as possible.

As far as quicking, yes it is a fairly common occurrence depending on how many people work there. I try to get filing for most of my clients. However, I might quick a dog once maybe once or twice every couple of weeks. If someone is quicking a dog every single day than they are not paying attention or are rushing. In the beginning it can be tough, especially with black nails. My advice is to take a little off at a time until you can see that dark black spot.

An experienced Groomer once told me that if you never quick dogs than you are not cutting nails short enough.

Most of the dogs don't sit still long enough to be able to use clips and a file, I'm not sure if that's what you mean by filing. Because when they use the dremel that is all they use, and it works as a filer too.

But it's like they always at least on 1 toe every other dog one of the groomers hits a quick. One was bad but it was because the dew claw was cracked, and they used some kind of stick that looked like a long unlit match and just held it onto the nail. I'm not sure what that was. They usually just use that steptic powder.

I'm just apprehensive about that, and the anals. They do the anals on almost every dog unless the owner specifically asks not to, but I hear 50/50 on this that it's good for them, and it's bad for them. I hear lots of times about people saying that it's like once you start doing it regularly then they will always need it regularly. I haven't checked my dog because of the GROSS factor that I know I'll eventually need to get over, but I don't want to start something that I will have to keep doing because I started it. She doesn't seem to have any butt issues like itching or scooting on the floor so yeah.

But for the nails I mean majority of the time they get upset about it and start squealing, whatever that noise is called. But if you don't do it fast enough on most of these dogs, you'll never get it done. That's something I learned because most of the dogs hate it they don't want you holding their feet and clipping their nails.

[aqeuous18]

Originally Posted by Lolli_lah

Most of the dogs don't sit still long enough to be able to use clips and a file, I'm not sure if that's what you mean by filing. Because when they use the dremel that is all they use, and it works as a filer too.

But it's like they always at least on 1 toe every other dog one of the groomers hits a quick. One was bad but it was because the dew claw was cracked, and they used some kind of stick that looked like a long unlit match and just held it onto the nail. I'm not sure what that was. They usually just use that steptic powder.

I'm just apprehensive about that, and the anals. They do the anals on almost every dog unless the owner specifically asks not to, but I hear 50/50 on this that it's good for them, and it's bad for them. I hear lots of times about people saying that it's like once you start doing it regularly then they will always need it regularly. I haven't checked my dog because of the GROSS factor that I know I'll eventually need to get over, but I don't want to start something that I will have to keep doing because I started it. She doesn't seem to have any butt issues like itching or scooting on the floor so yeah.

But for the nails I mean majority of the time they get upset about it and start squealing, whatever that noise is called. But if you don't do it fast enough on most of these dogs, you'll never get it done. That's something I learned because most of the dogs hate it they don't want you holding their feet and clipping their nails.

The reason I will clip before filing if is the nails are incredibly overgrown or very thick. Otherwise it will take twice as long to file them down if I don't cut them first. Filing is supposed to be a gradual take down .

The stick is a Styptic Powder stick. Makes it so you can just stick the nail in the slot that has powder in it.

As for the quicking...I think it's a little ridiculous . Yes the dogs don't like their nails done, but I'd rather give them little breaks and take my time then try to rush through it and hurt them. Yes the squeal, but you're not killing them. They are making a big fuss so you let them go. If you let them go, they know it will work everytime. If you stand your ground and grip them firmly, MOST will give up and let you do it. There are always those special cases (lol) that must be see by a vet for their safety. You can still be fast and not quick the dogs. You just have to be paying attention and be sure not to take so much off at once. With PetSmart they are very strict about safety, if you quick dogs like that you better believe you're getting written up and possibly fired if it continues.

As for the anal glands, I usually only do it on small dogs because they seem to have the most problems with expelling them. I only try 2 squeezes and thats it. I think it should only be done by a vet. I had a dog whose anal glands were so impacted they ruptured when the poor thing made poo on my table. Blood everywhere! Now imagine if I tried to expel those! Use your judgement. Your trainer will be able to explain to you what normal sacs feel like. This is why groomers should be thorough. You can alert owners to potential problems they may not have seen.

As a groomer you will see some terrible things. But I must say if you truly want to be a groomer you must get over the gross factor you're feeling. You're going to be dealing with dogs pooping, peeing, self-expressing anal glands and vomiting both on you and things around you. You have to squeeze butts, wipe boogers, and clean poo off of rectums. You're going to be bit and snapped at, and your arms will be covered in scratches.

It's most definitely not for the weak hearted. But despite that I still love my job. A lot of dogs are sweethearts (even though their owners may not be) and it's fun to spend all day with them. Turning a dirty nasty dog into a pretty poofball is very rewarding. Seeing dramatic results and happy faces of owners is awesome

[Lolli_lah]

Originally Posted by aqeuous18

As a groomer you will see some terrible things. But I must say if you truly want to be a groomer you must get over the gross factor you're feeling. You're going to be dealing with dogs pooping, peeing, self-expressing anal glands and vomiting both on you and things around you. You have to squeeze butts, wipe boogers, and clean poo off of rectums. You're going to be bit and snapped at, and your arms will be covered in scratches.

It's most definitely not for the weak hearted. But despite that I still love my job. A lot of dogs are sweethearts (even though their owners may not be) and it's fun to spend all day with them. Turning a dirty nasty dog into a pretty poofball is very rewarding. Seeing dramatic results and happy faces of owners is awesome

OMG I KNOW! Haha, I'm not entirely grossed out because they do it in the bath tub right before a bath so that you can just wash off you and the dog. I don't know if they squeeze if the sacs are not full, they told me where to feel on a dog that had full sacs and what it feels like so yeah. But if the sacs aren't full, I don't know if they try to squeeze still or not I'll have to ask.

I think the super bad breath thing gets me gaggin' more than anything else cuz I mean I have 3 cats and 1 dog, I am pretty used to pee and poo smells of various sorts. LOL

We are constantly cleaning up poop and pee and disinfecting at the groomers salon. This one huge labradoodle they had that was some kind of service dog got really scared and upset when they quicked his dew claw, but it was cracked thats why it even got quicked on accident. But he ended up pooping himself but luckily it fell to the floor and not on anyone or on the low table he was on.

Omggg though I really need to get me one of those groomer jackets. If it happened right now it'd be on my clothes! Ahhh! lol

[aqeuous18]

Oohh yeah, groomer jacket a necessity. Hair, water, and pee free! I have the pants too from PetEdge or Ryan's. They are a life saver. Head to toe in water and hair proof wear lol

[tryingcake]

I am so happy for you... it's exciting to get to do something you enjoy.