I have 2 Siberian Huskys so a breed that does not need any professional grooming. They are brushed regularly (especially at the moment as Zaks moulting) and are bathed occasionally although I try not to over do this. With all the bad weather we've been getting they are due a bath again and I was thinking about of taking them to be bathed at a dog groomers rather than do it myself at home like I usually would. Are there any advantages to doing this or should I just save my money and carry on bathing them how I usually would? Would a groomer be able to wash them more thoroughly then I would be able to at home? Not sure if this is relevant but neither of them are keen on baths so it takes 2 of us to do it. One to hold and one to wash. The dogs tolerate it but certainly don't enjoy it! I've never owned dogs who needed anytrhing other than a regular brush so the world of dog grooming is alien to me. Advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

I have a bichon, a breed that needs grooming every day by me and trimming every 5-6 weeks. I tried the grooming salons and then decided to get in touch with a person who shows and breeds. She comes to the house and this is less stressful for my dog and he is cut properly. If you are just having them bathed I would agree the groomer will have better facilities or try someone who specialises just in huskies (breeder or dog show handler). You may also think that with 2 dog it gets expensive on a regular basis.
Deb

Hi, Im a dog groomer and you may find that most groomers would have extra tools which will get out more coat etc when they are moulting. Its easy for us to bath them as they are secured while in the bath but im not sure if they would be any better bathed than how you do them yourself. They would be blasted dry which will loosen any hair thats stuck in the undercoat. On breeds like this i use a rake which gets out all the loose hair whilst im blasting so you get a lovely finish with no knotting and all dead undercoat gone. They do look a picture when all dry and finished but it depends on how willing you are to pay £30+ or so for each dog, depending on your area id expect prices to vary. May be worth doing it twice a year when they are losing  their coat and doing the general maintenance baths yourself. Not too pricey that way.
mel.

Whether you go to a groomers or have them to visit your house i would recommend it. To put it into perspective its like the difference between cutting your own hair & going to the hairdressers theres no comparison. I was very anxious the first time i took my dog to the groomers but im pleased i did it. She did a cracking job and had lots of sprays & equipment (only a profgessional would have). Why not try it once and see what you think of the results then go from there?
P.s. Would save the back breaking work of bathing them yourself aswell

Thanks Mel
I was only planning on having them done a couple of times a year so think I will give it a try but think I will wait until Missy starts moulting. Zaks moulting at the moment but missy hasn't started yet and I've youve mentioned I think they will get the full benefit if moulting so the undercoat can be removed.

Also can you recommend any good brushes to use a home? Zak has quite thin skin and I've found with him moulting and me keep having to go over the same area to try and get the dead hair out the brush is scratching his skin even though I'm being as gentle as I can. He's no been moulting for about 5 days and I can tell its beginning to hurt him now when I brush certain areas. Are their any brushes that will still be effective at removing the undercoat but be very gentle on his skin?

Most brushes designed to remove undercoat may be a bit harsh on him as they have to get through the top coat first. If you are using a slicker correctly with a rolling motion, placing the back of the brush on him first and rolling it with the shape of the brush, this shouldn't hurt. If you hear a scraping then thats the skin you are brushing. The best thing though is an undercoat rake, just be gentle when you first put it in to the coat and it will scrape out all the nuisance dead coat that gets stuck amongst the other coat. Just do it gently and if needs be, hold the dogs skin flat with the hair in your hand so you pull at the hair rather than the skin. hope that helps, if you need any more info pm me.
mel.

If they're awkward to handle you might find a professional groomer will have the tools and experience to get the job done firmly but gently. I've had a lot of owners amazed at how their dogs behave perfectly for me and won't let them groom them, but it's just because once they're on a table with a lead and a belly band they haven't got much option but to stand still and behave. Just make sure you try to find one through recommendations if possible and make sure they aren't likely to do anything stupid like clipping the coat - you'd be amazed at the horror stories I hear!!

My recommendation would be to put the money that you would have spent at the grooming salon towards buying yourself a blaster for use at home. It will repay you many times over - you'll be amazed at how much more hair it gets out than bathing alone, it can be used if they come back from a walk filthy, and you can also give them a go over when they're dry outside on a nice day just to get hair out.

I would imagine you'll be able to buy a decent one for around £100-£150 (some examples here) - it won't be grooming salon standard, but it will make a big difference to your home grooming.

M.

I had a groomer come out to assess my girls last week, with a query over hand-stripping, and I found that by watching her handle my girls, and noting what tools she used, I have now bought what I need and can do the basics myself, but I will also add that a trained groomer may get a better result!! One of my girls looked gorgeous after she had been groomed, and I jokingly said that I would take groomer to all my shows with me Luckily she loves the breed and thanked me for letting her come over and look at them, bless her....

Maybe you should see if a groomer will come out and show you what to do, give you some tips, and then decide if you want to stick at it yourself??

In Response to pinkbrady

I don't suppose a groomer could wash them better than you could at home, but certainly could dry them better, unless you have blasters/dryers.

I think your dogs may find a stranger bathing them more stressful though if they already hate baths, and if not used to blasters and dryers may find that scary.

I would expect a groomer to clean teeth and trim the nails too.