Life of a Dog at Pawsperity

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A DOG AT PAWSPERITY

BY EMMA TROUT

Violet, a black Doodle, is nervous. She is in a loud and unfamiliar environment, surrounded by strange people and dogs. Nervous dogs are common when brought to groomers. Still, at Pawsperity, students take the initiative to ensure dogs such as Violet are kept as comfortable as possible for the whole process.

To calm Violet, the student puts her in a kennel with her sister, Elle. The familiar face helps to keep Violet comfortable for the day. Dogs are kept in kennels when they are not being bathed or brushed and trimmed. Students and instructors keep a close eye on all dogs to ensure their kennels and blankets are clean, the dogs are still comfortable, and to make sure every dog is taken outside regularly for a potty break and to stretch their legs.

Violet is taken out just before her bath to stretch, sniff, and relax. Back inside, Violet is led up the doggie stairs into the bathtub. The bath starts with an ear cleaning to remove any buildup. Despite her nervousness in this unfamiliar place, Violet enjoys this part – it’s like an ear rub!

Then comes the bath. Violet sniffs each bottle and nozzle before it is used. This takes some of the mystery out of these unfamiliar tools and helps to ease anxiety.

Groomers learn to balance the dog’s anxiety with getting the job done. Some anxiety is normal, but at Pawsperity, students are taught to recognize signs of distress in dogs and when that anxiety is too much. The students and instructors do everything they can to reduce it and make each dog as comfortable as possible.

An example is The Happy Hoodie, a soft hoodie that covers the dog’s ears to protect their sensitive hearing from the blow dryers. It also has the added benefit of reducing anxiety in most dogs- and it’s adorable, to boot. Violet already knows this student is someone she can trust. Before her blow dry, she snuggles up for a hug and a few comforting words.

That’s not to say it isn’t difficult; students must learn to groom various dog breeds to industry standards, as well as recognize dog body language to keep both themselves and the dogs safe. They spend hundreds of hours at Pawsperity’s grooming school, learning how to become dog groomers through practice under the watchful eye of instructors. Many pet parents go to Pawsperity for their dog’s grooming needs because of the organization’s mission and the attentive care their dog receives.

Each pet parent who brings their dog can leave special grooming instructions with the instructors- do they want their dog’s fur a little longer? Shorter? Does their dog dislike their paws touched?

The instructors check the dog for mats or any areas that may need special attention. Dogs with longer or curly fur are more prone to matting, and the groomers are trained to recognize matting and pick up on it early. If left for too long, mats become itchy, extremely uncomfortable, and even pose a health risk to the dog.

Nail and hair trims are done in the afternoon after the dogs are bathed. Violet gets her nails trimmed first, and the student is careful with each nail, stopping when she can see the quick or sensitive edge of the blood vessels. Trimming too far and cutting into the quick will hurt the dog, but if nails are allowed to grow out too long, they can curl and cause the dog pain to walk, and even result in joint problems. some are longer and thicker, while others are curlier, and others are much shorter. There are different types of blades and sizes depending on the dog, the breed, and the coat, and the groomer must choose the right one for each trim.

If you think this is a lot of factors the groomer must juggle, you’re right! Each dog and client have their own needs, and part of the job of a pet groomer is responding to those needs and adjusting as they proceed. It’s a profession that requires adaptability and a mind present in the moment. Students learn this alongside the trade to be successful once they graduate from Pawsperity.

When it’s time for Violet’s trim, the student helps her onto the grooming table. Another dog is singing the song of his people, but Violet doesn’t seem to be enjoying the performance. She wants to be pampered in peace! Unfortunately, the other dog doesn’t seem keen on quieting down anytime soon. A few good ear scratches, though, and Violet decides she can put up with the noisy singer.

The student carefully trims the fur around her eyes and sanitary areas with a pair of scissors before brushing her face and ear fur. The student is gentle but firm with each dog when trimming their face to help the dog stay calm. Then, she carefully brushes Violet’s fur and tail. Using a finetoothed comb and scissors, the student trims up her legs and feet.

Violet isn’t a fan of her feet being touched, so she looks away while the student does her trimming. The numerous head scratches Violet gets after each paw trim comforts her. When Violet is done, the instructor comes over to double-check the student’s work and direct them to any areas that need more attention.

A spritz of doggy cologne and a fun new bandana to wear is the finishing touch for Violet. With new bows on her head to complete her fresh new haircut, she’s ready to go home!