Learn to Groom your pet at The Pet Spa

As a team of award winning dog grooming stylists who are constantly progressing in our career, we are more than happy to groom your dog for you. However, sometimes, we understand that it's nice to know how to do it yourself for a number of reasons.
One might be that you want to know the correct way to maintain your pet between salon visits. This is important as it helps to keep your pet clean, tidy and knot free which makes the stylist's job much easier when your next appointment for a full haircut rolls around.
Another reason may be that you'd like to know how to style your own dog as an additional way to bond with your pet. Your pet loves you as much as you love them and enjoys when you make contact with them. Why not extend this to the point where you can groom your dog yourself and build your relationship with them? Physical contact is important to make your pet feel appreciated and if you can do this as well as help to keep their coat clean, shiny and maintained, you're extending your relationship to a new level.

This is why we have created the 'Learn to Groom Your Pet Experience' at The Pet Spa at Harrods and today, we had a student take part in the experience. She was happy for us to photograph the day and post it to the blog.

During the Learn to Groom Your Pet Experience Day, you will learn to maintain your pet's coat in our state-of-the art luxury grooming salon under the expert tuition of one of our qualified and award winning groomers and trainers.

Today we had Rahna and her Shih Tzu, Lola. Rahna has two Shih Tzu's and she was keen to have a lesson in keeping them in pristine condition at home. She likes to keep their coats relatively short and their faces compact and round.
Our Pet Spa tutor today, was Dione. Dione has over ten years grooming experience as well as winning 2010 English Groomers Challenge. She competes regularly and her award shelf is becoming a little on the heavy side. Dione has an abundance of knowledge to ensure that the Rahna gets every top tip she needs for grooming Lola at home.

Tutor Dione with one of her many awards

Once Dione has spoken to Rahna about what she hopes to achieve with Lola today, Dione moves onto the first part of training, which is general health and safety around the salon. This includes protective clothing whilst grooming and pointing out any hazards Rahna may need to be aware of.

From here they move to the bathing area where Dione shows Rahna the expert way to wash a dog. There is a specific shampoo and rinse technique that any groomer worth their salt will know and passing this information onto any student will serve them well when they come to wash their pet at home. 

After a demonstration, Rahna then takes over and gives Lola her bath with careful guidance from Dione. As Lola is a Shih Tzu, she has a short nose and Dione explains the best way to wash the face of a short nosed breed. Rahna takes all the advice on board and Lola sits happily in the bath while her mum pampers her.

Once Lola has been washed, Dione demonstrates towelling Lola down and using a blaster to remove the excess water before Rahna takes over and completes the task. They then move to the grooming table where they use finishing dryers and Dione teaches Rahna the correct brushing technique so she can create her own Pet Spa at Harrods quality Fluff Dry. Lola has no objections to this. 

Once the drying is complete, Dione explains the basic preparations such as how to cut nails, as well as clean and pluck excess hair out of Lola's ears. Good preparation is the only way to ensure a top quality groom and The Pet Spa at Harrods are all about top quality, so no part of your dog is overlooked.

Now that Lola is clean, dry and prepared, Dione can begin to teach Rahna how to style Lola. They use a combination of clippers, blades, attachment combs and scissors to create the look Rahna wishes to achieve. Dione will first show Rahna how to do a specific technique and then hand over to Rahna to allow her to try under Dione's supervision. This way Rahna gets a first hand demonstration from our expert before also getting the hands-on experience with encouragement and guidance. 

Under Dione's expert guidance, Rahna learns to trim Lola to the custom style she wishes to maintain at home. 

 Each dog will have a different style depending on their breed, coat type and what the owner wishes for their pet. Rahna wanted a short but stylish and easy to maintain cut for Lola. This is a good style both to teach and to learn because it's something you can learn with relative ease, it doesn't ask too much of your pet and you can continue from home without too much difficulty.

Now time for the face!
Dione explains everything they are about to do before  demonstrating and handing the reins over to Rahna.

Once Lola is styled and Rahna is confident and happy with her work, Lola gets the once over to check for any stray bits of hair before being allowed onto the floor for a shake and to model her new look to the impressed passers-by at The Pet Spa viewing window. 

Dione then spends time speaking to Rahna in more depth about the equipment she has used and gives Rahna the opportunity to ask any questions or to re-cap anything. Together they make a list of the tools Rahna will need to allow her to replicate the style at home in the future. To finish off she is presented with a summary of all the techniques she has been taught from shampooing and drying, to preparing and finally the styling of Lola as well as a goody bag for Lola to enjoy at home. 

Rahna and Lola enjoyed their Learn to Groom Your Pet Day immensely and Rahna was surprised how much detail is involved in the grooming of a pet. I think both she and Lola will be happy to go home and put their respective feet and paws up tonight. 

Rahna and Lola show off the stylish look they have created together

If you would like to find out more about the Learn to Groom Your Pet Experience Day at The Pet Spa at Harrods, and how it can be tailored for your individual needs, please call us on 0203 036 6222 and ask to speak to one of our managers. We would be delighted to welcome you and your pet into The Pet Spa in the near future.