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The first thing we wanted to know was how one becomes a dog groomer, and Augustė has kindly explained the whole process to us. “Though there are various courses for groomers - in groomer schools and salons - getting through a course is not enough to work as one. Loving dogs and trimming them nicely is just a part of the job - you also have to have knowledge of animal anatomy, zoo psychology, physical endurance (especially when working with large dogs), and most importantly, have unwavering patience.” And, if you do have those qualities and wish to pursue this career, Augustė told us that, “You can always find a grooming course to attend, either at a groomer’s school or even in grooming salons. Finishing basic training takes around five weeks at the very least, but there are always seminars where you can learn how to do a specific trimming or expand your knowledge on creative grooming. All of this helps you to become a real professional!” She also added that “There’s always a small percentile of self-taught groomers, but even they end up attending seminars to learn something they couldn’t by themselves.”

It’s always interesting to see how working as a dog groomer actually looks in real life, so we’ve asked Augustė to elaborate on that. “As with many professions, your day starts by preparing and ends with cleaning up. A vital part of a groomer’s job is greeting the owner and their dog, getting to know each other, helping the dog to adapt to this new situation they’re in, and making the puppy feel relaxed and at ease.” Then the grooming routine starts. “First it’s combing, then bathing, drying out the fur, combing again, and then finally trimming. Groomers use plenty of specific tools, equipment, different kinds of scissors, and, of course, cosmetics. To tell you the truth - after finishing with the procedures, you’re all covered in hair - it’s in your ears, mouth, eyes, and even under your clothes” - laughed Augustė. According to her, it can sometimes take up to five hours to finish grooming a large dog! Now that’s a real test of endurance and patience if you’d ask us. 

“We have a short one-day course here at my grooming salon Lumis - it was created so that dog owners could learn to take care of their dogs, and also for people who are thinking about becoming a groomer. And the truth is, a lot of people expect this to be a quick and easy job, but after trying it out, they often decide that it isn’t the right career path for them. And so only a third of all of the apprentices that we get decide to stay.”  

We’ve also asked Augustė to share her advice on choosing your first puppy - what to look for and how to make the right decision. “First of all - be sure that none of your family members are allergic to dogs before taking one home. Next, it is vital to choose a breed that’s exactly right for your lifestyle and be sure the dog’s size is neither too big nor too small for you. Once you are settled on the breed, pick a trustworthy breeder who’ll supply you with the information on your puppy’s pedigree so you can double-check on health issues and genetics. You might have to wait for the perfect puppy anywhere from a couple of months to a couple of years, but it’s all worth it for the ideal four-legged family member.”

And what if you’d like to take home a puppy from a dog shelter? It turns out that spending as much time as you can before bringing them home is vital - “Go and visit the dog that you’ve picked many times before you take them home. Go there with your family, go there alone, see how the dog acts in various situations, and whether your characters are compatible.”

In the last couple of years, dog grooming has seen a huge growth in popularity, with new salons popping up everywhere. So, naturally, we wanted to ask if dog grooming is really necessary for every puppy. “Grooming is undoubtedly a must if you own a dog with constantly growing fur. To keep your puppy happy and looking great, you have to either trim or pluck the coat and adhere to special maintenance procedures, like daily brushing.” And what if it’s a breed that does not require scheduled trimming? “Well, then our services aren’t necessary, but we can help with molting by doing a de-shedding procedure. That really helps to keep the unwanted hair out of your home,” - said Augustė. Of course, you can also do some basic grooming by yourself, but even then, you’ll need specific combs, brushes, and other tools. So, better trust it to professionals!