Giving your dog good grooming every now and then will help them look and feel their best. The frequency of these grooming sessions will mostly depend on your dog’s size, breed, coat type, and lifestyle.
No matter what kind of furry friend you may have, the purpose of grooming your dog is to ensure that its coat, nails, ears, and teeth are always as healthy as possible and do not show any signs of infection or problems.
If you’ve just gotten your hands on a new dog grooming table, then you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to show you how to use it.
Using Your Dog Grooming Table in 7 Simple Steps
The great thing about dog grooming tables is that they’re quite easy to use. Depending on the kind that you have – foldable or hydraulic – you are easily able to adapt to its features. Here are a few simple steps to getting the hang of your dog grooming table.
- Start by getting your dog up and onto the table. It helps to make the table as low as possible so that your pet doesn’t have a hard time climbing up.
- Use a grooming harness or a strong chain to help keep your dog in place. There are generally bands attached to these pet accessories that will help protect your dog’s throat while also preventing the collar or harness from becoming too tight.
- Adjust the table arm if necessary. You’ll want to make sure that the table is neither too high nor too low, and the same goes for the grooming loop. If it’s too high, your furry friend is not going to be able to stand in a comfortable position. If it’s too low, then they may fall right off the table. The table arm is generally placed in the middle at the table’s side to provide the best balance of support and stability.
- If your dog has any sort of special needs, such as a tracheal collapse condition, then you can allow them to face the direction opposite to that of the grooming arm. You can then move the loop to his chest, right under his arms. Furthermore, senior or brachycephalic dogs that have trouble breathing may find this setup to be much more comfortable.
- Remember that you should never, under any circumstances, use a slipknot. These can tighten quickly around your dog’s neck, which will become uncomfortable. What’s worse, if your pup begins to panic and fall off the table while there’s a slipknot around them, they could suffer some serious injuries.
- Now that you’ve set your grooming table up and have your furry friend situated comfortably on top of it, you can begin grooming them. During the grooming process, be sure to check that your dog is comfortable. If they are showing signs of discomfort, go back up this list and check to see if you have missed a step.
- Hydraulic tables work through manual operation and can be quite jolty when they are being raised. If you need to elevate or lower the grooming platform, try to make sure that your pup is always stable so that they do not fall off by mistake.
Quality Is Important
One thing that any professional pet groomer will tell you is just how important it is to have a quality pet grooming table. These tables offer a range of features that provide not just your dog with comfort while they’re getting the love they deserve but help make things more comfortable for you as well.
It usually takes about an hour for a dog to receive a full grooming treatment, though low-maintenance breeds can be as quick as 20 minutes. No matter how much time it takes for your pup to be pampered, having the wrong table can make things uncomfortable both for the dog and the groomer.
For instance, if you’re using a grooming table that is too low or short, you may start to feel fatigued in your back which can eventually develop into chronic pains. Meanwhile, if the table is too small for your dog, they may be forced to sit down as they cannot fit on the table while standing. Either of these things will cause your grooming session to take far longer than you or your dog want it to.
Choosing the Right Table
Dog breeds vary in physique, size, and coat types, which is why it is important that you pick the right grooming table for them. Here’s how you can make sure you’re using the right table for your dog.
Think about its features
At the very least, your grooming table should come with a harness or collar to secure your dog when they’re on the table. Large dogs will require a full harness, while smaller and medium breeds can be secured with just a leash.
Know the breed you’re grooming
This is one of the first things you should consider when you are purchasing a grooming table. A grooming table that works for a Great Dane is probably not going to work well for a Toy Poodle, and vice versa.
Examine the texture of the grooming surface
The best grooming tables will have a textured surface that prevents your dog from slipping while they’re being groomed, which is especially important when it comes time for them to be washed. Replaceable tops are generally a better use of your money than permanent ones since permanent tops can start to wear out. When that happens, you’ll have to replace the whole table rather than just the surface.
Consider hydraulics
If you have disposable income, getting your hands on a hydraulic grooming table will make your life ten times easier. They are durable, comfortable, and highly ergonomic for both you and your dog. They usually come with a range of features and are easy enough to operate even by amateur dog groomers.
Now you know how to safely use a dog grooming table to keep your pet in tip-top shape.