The Art of Dog Grooming
August 26, 2009 | By
Art, style, and glamour can take on many guises, but few people would think of dog grooming as being full of those qualities. Professional dog groomers wouldn’t argue that what they do requires a certain amount of artistry, but the average pet owner probably doesn’t think of grooming as anything other than a way to keep a pup smelling good.
Beyond a Basic Wash N’ Dry
Having been in the grooming trenches professionally for a few years in my mid-twenties, I can attest to the fact that grooming can actually be a wonderful creative outlet. Imagine you are faced with a small, smelly creature: dark, watery eyes peering at you from behind a veil of matted fur. The image is admittedly not an appealing one, but to a groomer this represents a blank canvas, waiting to be transformed into a beautiful creature, full of life and grace.
There are different levels of grooming. There are top-notch professionals who concentrate on working within the dog show circuit, creating veritable living works of art. There’s the corner shop groomer who works tirelessly to make companion animals look and feel their best, or the pet owner who, with guts and a steady hand, takes full responsibility for the care of their companion. Each of these groomer types has a chance to enhance canine beauty through simple things such as wiping out ears, trimming around toe pads and privates, and cutting nails. Some enthusiast take it a few steps further and introduce creative grooming. 
Add a Creative Touch of Color
Even without extensive training in scissoring techniques, crafty pet owners can express their individuality through some simple DIY techniques while pampering their furry friends. Two great tricks for dog makeovers use inexpensive “tools” found around your home and require no sharp objects, which is great for the jittery pup parent or the nervous pooch.
The first involves sugar free Kool-Aid and a bit of hair conditioner. If you have a light colored dog, this trick works really well. Combining the drink mix powder with conditioner creates a lovely hair dye that is non toxic that can be applied in spots, as highlights or all over for a dramatic effect (care should be taken to avoid eyes, inner ear, nostril and mouth.) Leave the mixture in for 10 minutes then rinse thoroughly with warm water. The color lasts for many washings, and should not rub off on furniture or carpets.
The second crafty dog grooming suggestion works well on just about any dog, so long as the fur around their toes isn’t too long. You’ve probably guessed it: non-toxic nail polish! This is a quick and fun way to give your dog a unique look to make all the other dogs at the park green with envy.
Some may think that creative grooming is a waste of time, or a cause of embarrassment to the dog. In my experience, it’s quite the contrary. No dog is happier than while being pampered and fawned over by its humans. For the crafty individual, non-toxic products offer a wonderful way to enhance the human/dog bond while opening up the door to a new creative outlet.
Further Reading:
Dogs in Need: How Handmade Can Help
Chiengora: Unraveling Dog Fur Yarn
Kato's Canine Cookies of Yummy Goodness
New Pathways to Inspiration - Your Pets
Posh Puppies
Pampered Pets: Handmade Beauties for Furry & Feathered Friends
Photos courtesy of Akaporn Bhothisuwan, he mumble and Levit Marcelo
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Sophie Routhier is inspired by the beauty of nature. Take a stroll through her French beaded flower garden at JardinDeSophie and see for yourself how beads come to life.
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