The One Thing Dog Groomers Are Begging Pet Parents Not To Do

You probably treat your pup to several grooming sessions each year, but did you know that between appointments there are some pet care no-nos that dog groomers strongly advise against? While it might be tempting to jump in and fix something yourself, there are certain practices that pet parents should never attempt, because even though pros can make grooming your furbaby look easy, it’s actually trickier than it appears.

To find out what some of those things are, we spoke with professional pet groomers Susan Hatch and Jilly Mucciarone. They not only reveal what the number one thing is that most pet groomers are begging dog owners not to do themselves, but they also let Parade in on a few other at-home grooming don’ts that dog moms and dads should always leave to specialists.

To find out everything they told us, keep reading! That way, the next time you’re thinking about taking matters into your own hands between grooming appointments, you’ll reconsider it and remember that some things are best left to experts to work their magic on. When you do that, you won’t have to worry about making a mistake or accidentally harming your pet. Instead, you’ll know your furry family member will always look and feel their very best!

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The One Thing Dog Groomers Are Begging Pet Parents Not To Do

When it comes to grooming your pet at home, both Hatch and Mucciarone say pet parents should never attempt to cut their pup’s fur in any way.

“The number one thing pet groomers don’t want dog owners to do between grooming appointments is to give them an at-home haircut!” Hatch tells Parade. “It can be stressful and even at times dangerous for pet parents to do trim-ups at home, especially when there is matting. Matting can be dangerous to remove and using scissors increases the risk of you accidentally hurting your dog.”

Mucciarone agrees, adding that when pet owners come across matting, they can get overwhelmed and think the only solution is to shave their dog.

“There are some grooming practices you should never attempt and the most important thing you should never do is try to shave your dog,” she says. “If your dog is matted and you try to shave it, the possibility of your dog ending up at an emergency vet is extremely high. While severe matting can cause skin issues, such as hidden wounds and infections, it can also pull the skin up inside the tangled hair, and without knowing how to safely handle the compromised skin and coat, pet owners can cause severe injuries when they try to cut out or shave off mats.”

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Hatch explains that there are a number of reasons why pet parents attempt to take grooming matters like cutting or shaving their dog’s coat into their own hands. “Sometimes they are embarrassed that they waited too long between appointments and don’t want to bring in a matted dog,” she explains. “And sometimes owners, like ones who have been on vacation, just think it would be easier to do it themselves than to take the time to bring their dog in.”

However, as pet groomers, Hatch and Mucciarone say they never want a dog owner to feel embarrassed or judged to bring their pets in no matter what the situation is. “Just bring them in!” Hatch smiles.

Mucciarone adds, “All too often we hear dog owners say, ‘How hard can it be?’ But believe me, it’s an extremely difficult job. Dog grooming is a skilled trade which requires in-depth training and experience. As dog groomers, we deeply respect that you’ve chosen to trust us with your beloved dog’s well-being.”

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4 Other Things Dog Owners Should Avoid Doing, According to Professional Groomers

1. Don’t Try To Trim Your Dog’s Face

“Don’t try to use scissors between the eyes of your dog,” Hatch warns.

She says it’s not only dangerous, but it can result in you giving your pet a really bad haircut too.

“It’s hard for pet groomers to fix DIY bang trims,” she laughs.

2. Don’t Hold Off Bringing Your New Puppy to the Groomer

Some pet parents think they can tend to their puppy’s grooming needs when they first bring them home and hold off taking them to a professional until they are older and larger. However, Mucciarone tells Parade that’s a mistake.

“It’s crucial to bring your puppy to a groomer as soon as they’ve had their first full round of vaccinations because dogs need training for grooming,” she explains. “Their relationship with their groomer should be the second most important bond they’ll form (after their bond with you). Whoever their groomer is should be part of your dog’s pack. The sooner you get them used to going to a groomer, they'll not only learn to enjoy all the sights, sounds, touches, and smells of being groomed, but they’ll also know how to behave during grooming sessions, which will keep them safe around the sharp tools we have to use!”

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3. Don’t Express Anal Glands Yourself

Some things should never be attempted by unprofessionals and Hatch says this is one of them.

“If this is done wrong, it can lead to a ruptured anal gland,” she warns. “Internal expression should only be done by vets and groomers only express externally when asked.”

4. Don’t Try To Bathe and Detangle Matted Dogs

If a pet owner notices their dog’s fur is matted, sometimes they think a bath will magically fix that. However, Mucciarone points out why that’s a misconception.

“Matted hair pulls tightly on your dog’s skin, so if you try to bathe and dry a matted or impacted dog’s coat, it only dries tighter, causing them more pain,” she reveals. “If you then let your dog air dry, bacteria and fungus can grow under the matting and impacted dogs can get hot spots. That’s why it’s important to take them to the groomer as soon as possible!”

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