Every groomer’s best friend is her tool kit! Without it, you can basically kiss your career goodbye. Whether you work as a freelance dog groomer or in an established salon, having a quality grooming kit will make for easier and quicker appointments.
Don’t underestimate the power of an organized and prepped kit – read on for the top 7 must-haves for your professional dog grooming kit!
Clippers
A good, professional pair of dog hair clippers is the first thing to look for! You need to find a strong pair of clippers from a credible brand, and ensure that they fit your business budget. You may need to invest in a good pair now, in order to keep clients coming back in the future.
You can get corded or cordless clippers, ones with protection and comfortable grips, and ones that are a lot quieter than your standard pair of clippers. Your choice will ultimately depend on your workspace, and what you prefer to work with.
Make sure you have an assortment of blade lengths and types to cater to each pup that comes through your door!
Clipper Maintenance
Stock up on products that will help protect your furry clients, as well as your grooming tools. When you’re building your set of clippers, be sure to pick up some wash, oil, and coolant to keep them running smoothly!
Scissors
Apart from clippers, your set of scissors is how you’re going to get each grooming job done. Having comfortable and sharp scissors will allow you to easily work with different coats and areas. Think about it: you’re going to be using scissors for a while on some days, so you want to invest in a set that are comfortable!
Sizes and Shapes
You’ll need to make a list of the types of scissors you should add to your kit. Different styles do different things for different dogs – it would be a bad idea to attempt every technique with one pair of scissors!
Here are a few key players to add to your grooming kit:
- Blending
- Thinning
- Texturizing
- Curved Blade
- Round-tipped
Nail Clippers
Depending on your personal preference, you can choose a variety of nail trimmers! Some groomers would rather use guillotine style clippers instead of plier-style ones. Test out each type during your dog groomer training to get a feel for what you prefer!
And don’t forget about nail grinders – they can be an easy solution if trimming a dog’s nails is a bit scary for you!
Brushes & Combs
You definitely don’t want to skimp on this part of your dog grooming kit. Your brush set will be your best friend when it comes to working through a tough coat and removing mats. Investing in a few good brushes will give both you and your canine clients a great grooming experience!
Consider adding these brushes to your kit:
- Slicker Brush – helps to detangle knots in a dog’s coat
- Pin Brush – help make the coat fluffy
- Bristle Brush – help keep the coat looking shiny
Your combs will also be a key part of getting through a dog’s coat. They give you more precision than a brush, and can find any hidden tangles!
Check out a few of these comb styles:
- Undercoat rake
- Mat breaker
- Greyhound bomb
Cleaning Products
If you’re going to invest a good amount of money in your dog grooming kit, you’ll want to take extremely good care of your tools . Maintaining your kit will make every appointment quicker and easier, and a good cleaning after every dog ensures there’s no contamination in your salon.
Keep antibacterial soap and rubbing alcohol in your kit so you can wash and sterilize each tool. It’s just like going to the hairdresser – would you want them to use a dirty comb in your hair? We think not.
Grooming Restraints
Grooming dogs can get hectic, especially for furry friends who are anxious or excitable! To keep them safe, you’ll want to have a couple of restraints to keep the dogs in place as you groom. Having a few options will make it easier on each dog, because you can change the type of restraint if they seem uncomfortable.
Some pups don’t like the grooming loop, so you can test out a pet sling to see if it works for them. There will be some trial and error for what both you and your canine clients prefer!
Safety Equipment
Safety is your number one concern as a dog groomer, so be sure to stock up your first aid kit and keep it with your during all appointments. Keep a clean stock of gloves, aprons, face masks, and any other safety items to protect both you and the dogs you groom.
Don’t start grooming without your protective gear!
Ready to learn more? Don’t miss the top 5 dog styling products to stock your grooming salon with!
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