September 4, 2010
Dog Groomers    Many people like dog groomers. But, as pet owners can attest, taking care of them is hard work. dog and pet care and service workers—who include dog groomers caretakers and dog  trainers—train, feed, water, groom, bathe, and exercise dogs and clean, disinfect, and repair their cages.They also play with the dogs , provide companionship, and observe behavioral changes that could indicate illness or injury. Boarding kennels, pet stores, dog shelters, veterinary hospitals and clinics, stables, laboratories, aquariums and natural aquatic habitats, and zoological parks all house dogs and employ dog groomer care and service workers. Job titles and duties vary by employment setting.    Kennel attendants care for pets while their owners are working or traveling out of town. Beginning attendants perform basic tasks, such as cleaning cages and dog runs, filling food and water dishes, and exercising dog groomers. Experienced attendants may provide basic dog groomer healthcare, as well as bathe dog s, trim nails, and attend to other grooming needs. Attendants who work in kennels also may sell pet food and supplies, assist in obedience training, help with breeding, or prepare dogs  for shipping.    Groomers are dog caretakers who specialize in grooming or maintaining a pet’s appearance. Most groom dogs and a few groom cats. Some groomers work in kennels, veterinary clinics, dog groomer shelters, or pet-supply stores. Others operate their own grooming business, typically at a salon, or increasingly, by making house calls. Such mobile services are growing rapidly as they offer convenience for pet owners, flexibility of schedules for groomers, and minimal trauma for pets resulting from their being in unfamiliar surroundings. Groomers clean and sanitize equipment to prevent the spread of disease, maintain grooming equipment, and maintain a clean and safe environment for the dog groomers. Groomers also schedule appointments, discuss pets’ grooming needs with clients, and collect information on the pet’s disposition and its veterinarian. Groomers often are the first to notice a medical problem, such as an ear or skin infection that requires veterinary care.