Getting Your Own Dog Grooming Mobile Trailer
Tired of packing your big, hairy dog into the car for a ride across town with a panting, barking animal for his weekly groom, only to find your car needs one too afterward? Mobile dog grooming has become a necessity for many of us who don�t have time to get the pooch and the car washed in the same day. The demand for this service is ever growing, causing many dog-loving entrepreneurs to consider taking up this business.
When looking to start a mobile dog grooming business, the most important asset will be your mobile trailer. What kind will you start with?
First of all, size does matter. Even if environmental considerations are not primary on your list (and they should be) an overly large trailer is a poor choice. The larger your trailer is the more gas you will consume, thus eating into your profit margin. A large trailer will put more strain your vehicle�s suspension and brakes. You may think it looks grand but in reality anything over a 5 foot by 8 foot trailer will be very difficult to maneuver in traffic and hard to see around in your rear view mirror. Remember, you will be spending almost as much time driving as brushing and bathing, so look for a trailer that is easy to tow and inexpensive to maintain.
Price is always and issue and depends upon your individual budget, in the final analysis. Should be able to purchase a trailer with all you need for between 15, and 25,000. It will be your decision to personalize it and make your mobile dog-grooming trailer a good advertisement as well as a rolling pet care salon.
Your other major choice is whether to buy a bare trailer and outfit it yourself or buy one fully equipped. I would personally opt for the other every time for the convenience and time saving aspects. But if you choose the other direction, you will need a good-sized water tank, grooming station and bathing areas, a floor drain, air-conditioning and several sources of natural light. These are not just things to enhance your work environment; they are essentials to performing the work professionally.
The material of choice for your trailer is easy to clean aluminium or stainless steel. After purchasing a trailer with these basics, you may want to choose from many useful add ons. Look thoroughly at the various types of equipment offered and choose those that will come in handy and really make your work go more smoothly. Avoid impulse buying when viewing extra equipment.
A wise "extra is a special paint job that will make your van a good source of advertising. Decorate your moving billboard in an eye catching manner, with your telephone numbers and website plainly visible. You may include your hours of operation or the breeds of dogs that you like to handle. Do not include price information or too much wording that could get in the way of your important contact information. Of course, you will also want to advertise in conventional ways, such as the yellow pages, on the Internet, in the local newspaper and, occasionally, handouts and flyers posted around the neighbourhood.
Armed with the proper equipment and advertising, you are off to a good start with your new career keeping spaniels shiny and poodles pouffed!
How Important is Proper Dog Grooming?
Grooming your dog is a pleasant bonding experience that goes beyond making he or she look good - it is essential to good health. Your dog cannot tell you when things don�t feel right or beginning to go wrong. Grooming is a preventative medicine technique that will pay off with a healthy and happy pet. The essentials are regular brushing, bathing, dental and ear care, and toenail clipping.
What makes Brushing Essential?
Your dog has an eventful life full of poking into bushes, digging up things, hopefully not the roses, and rolling in whatever! Brushing with a soft brush distributes lanolin through the fur and pinpoints any problem areas of matting. These mats need to be cut off with a clipper, then your pet should be rebrushed with a wire brush. This will remove ticks and any loose fur. A dog regulates body heat by perspiring just like a human an excess fur gets in the way of this necessary process.
Why is weekly bathing good?
Aside from the obvious, a smelly dog, redolent of the compost heap he has just rolled in, bathing removes build up perspiration, loose hair and excess skin oils, all of which keep your pup's coat healthy and prevent mange, an ugly and costly doggie affliction.
Why is dental care more than just chewing bones?
Dogs can get cavities just like humans and are also subject to Gingivitis. They need yearly professional dental assessments and teeth cleaning. In-between, you should brush the teeth with a canine dentifrice and give bones, and chlorophyll chews to promote healthy gums and better breath.
Is it a good idea to clip a dog's nails?
In a word, yes. It is essential.�Regular clipping protects your floors as well as the pet's feet and prevents nail splitting.�Long toenails can actually get in the way when a dog walks and distort its balance.�And while you are clipping with a quality clipper, check out the footpads and look for any cracking. If you find this, apply Vaseline and a sock to help keep the treatment on the foot, not your couch.
Is Pantene good for dogs?
NO, NO. Your favorite shampoo is probably far too drying for a dogs skin. Please find a good dog shampoo formulated for the correct breed and use it weekly. Supplements such as olive oil, fish oil and brewers yeast added to the dog food will also help make the coat shiny and fresh.
Is it necessary to clean a dog's ears?
Most definitely, yes. Many breeds are susceptible to ear infections and can have hair grow into their ear canals. Gently pull any hair growing in the ear to the outside and clip away, if necessary. Clean your dog's ears with a cotton swab and alcohol several times a month. Be on the lookout for an odor from the ear or excessive head shaking. If you notice either, head straight for the veterinarian.
Establishing a regular grooming routine will ward off many health problems and can become a fun time for you and your pet.
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November 7, 2007 -
Beware of Dog Groomers
The dog grooming industry is booming, but also increasing are complaints of pet injuries and sometimes death.
If you have a pair of scissors, you can call yourself a dog groomer. In Illinois, or any other state for that matter, the people who bathe and trim our pets are not required by law to have any training, a permit or even any skill. And as more people spend more money on their pets, there are more accidents.
Recently, a puppy died at a facility in Glenview, which is why you may want to beware of groomers. Dogs are getting the spa treatment at canine salons across metro Chicago but in the wrong hands Your dog could be in danger.
"Before we brought him in there he was healthy. He came out dead," said Alyce Taxe.
Now, chewed up table corners and family photos are all that Taxe has to remember her beloved Wheaton terrier, Bob. Last May, Taxe took her 11-month-old puppy to the Carriage Hill Kennels in Glenview for grooming.
"Somehow Bob fell, broke his neck, and he's dead. I just couldn't believe it," said Taxe.
Taxe accepted a settlement from Carriage Hill. The grooming facility would not talk but sent a letter stating: "...we assume full responsibility for this unfortunate and unusual accident."
The letter - also sent to customers after ABC7's inquiry - says that there have been no other deaths at the facility since it started business in 1961.
"We don't have children, so he was like our little guy," said Taxe.
Taxe was also shocked to find out that individual dog groomers don't hold state licenses, as do hairstylists, barbers and manicurists. Currently, there are only voluntary training programs, although New York and Massachusetts are considering adding state licensing.
Near Seattle- a groomer recently cut off a dog's ear and tried to cover up the blunder by super gluing it back on the dog's head. After the dog arrived home, the ear flap fell off. The grooming facility where that happened is now shut down.
"Anybody can basically pick up scissors or clippers and call themselves a groomer," said Butch Singson, International Professional Groomers.
The International Professional Groomers Association and the Better Business Bureau are pushing for state licensing. Even though some grooming shops are members of the business bureau, here and across the country groomer complaints are up almost 50 percent.
"The majority of complaints filed with the organization locally or nationally have been where dogs have been injured or hurt," said Steve Bernas, Chicago Area BBB.
But other industry experts caution that many groomers have successfully learned their craft from on-the-job experience and that they shouldn't be required to get a state license.
"A lot of groomers that have been doing this a long time will be opposed to it," said Singson.
Some suburbs and the city of Chicago require a business license for grooming facilities, but there are no standards for each individual groomer nor individual permits required.
"We are out there protecting these animals and these pets," said Anne Kent, Animal Care and Control.
Chicago's Animal Care and Control annually inspects about 300 groomers. Recently, inspectors have found cases of moldy tubs and cluttered cages. Inspectors say they average a consumer complaint a day.
"We'll get complaints of the groomers shop not smelling right, or they have seen some types of rodents or insects crawling around," said Allen Holcomb, Animal Care and Control inspector.
You should ask your groomer if they have any certificates of training. If not, ask about their on-the job experience. Ask to take a tour of the facility and try to choose a groomer based on referrals, advice that Taxe wishes she had known.
"Not only was he a cute and pretty pet, he was just joyful," she said.
Experts say there are other things to remember when choosing a dog stylist Make sure they don't use hot blow driers on your dog. And ask how many groomers are in the facility watching the dogs. Most groomers have policies that require them to stand by the grooming table at all times so the dog does not jump or fall off while the pet is harnessed.
Four Tips For Selecting Natural Dog Food
There has been a lot of concern over different kinds of dog food. Various recalls and consumer complaints have shown that not all commercially sold dog food are good for dogs. This has led a lot of people to consider giving their pets natural dog food. There are however, a couple of things to keep in mind when choosing natural food for your dog.
Know Your Pet and His Food
The first thing you have to remember is that natural dog food comes in many forms. Natural may mean feeding your dog raw meat and vegetables, cooked meat and vegetables or commercially sold natural food. You have to find out which one is best for your dog.
The best way to find out is to get to know your dog personally. You have to know his nutritional requirements based on his breed and special health conditions. You can do a little research on your own. Supplement your knowledge with your veterinarian's advice.
Prepare Your Dog's Food
Many dog owners feel that they should be the ones preparing natural dog food for their pets. Again, this is only a good idea if you are fully aware of what exactly your dog needs and in what quantity. Some may serve raw meat while others feel that cooking meat and vegetables is a better idea. Heating and cooking can help destroy harmful bacteria that may have found their way into food.
You should also take note that not all human foods are good for dogs. Chocolates, raisins, mushrooms, onions and raisins, for example, may be dangerous or toxic to dogs. List what foods are toxic to dogs and avoid them. If you are not prepared to cook for your pet, then it is safest to go for commercial brands of natural dog food.
Read Labels
Most of us read labels when we shop for new human food. You should do the same for your dog. Natural dog food should never contain fillers like wheat and corn. There should also be no artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, animal and plant by products and artificial preservatives. Many of these synthetic ingredients can cause gastrointestinal problems, malnutrition and behavioral changes in dogs.
Look for Proteins and Nutrients
Dogs were built to be carnivorous so the bulk of their diet should remain protein-rich. The protein sources however should never be low-grade meat by-products. Your dog should be fed high quality lean meat and poultry.
Aside from protein, natural dog food should also contain vitamins and minerals. You can get foods fortified with nutrients. You can also serve dishes with squash, beans and peas.
If you are serious about keeping your dog happy and healthy, make sure you read more about natural dog food from our online guide on dog food. You will also discover a lot of valuable information on all dog-related topics from our complete online dog guide.
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