March 13, 2025 • 8 mins
Meet The Groomers: Essential Tools for Professional Groomers
Ever wondered what separates professional pet groomers from amateurs? The answer lies in the tools of the trade. Shannon and Tanya pull back the curtain on the professional grooming world, revealing their arsenal of specialized equipment that keeps pets looking their absolute best.
From curved slicker brushes perfect for doodles and long-haired breeds to the underrated power of a quality metal comb, our experts break down exactly what tools you need at home between professional appointments. You'll discover why small Air Force dryers are considered a game-changer for large dogs, and why attempting to use your husband's clippers on your pet is a recipe for disaster. (Spoiler alert: human clippers and dog coats don't mix!)
Ready to elevate your at-home grooming game? Listen now and discover why professional groomers insist that humanity comes before vanity when caring for our beloved pets. Share your own grooming challenges or questions with us—we'd love to address them in an upcoming episode!
To learn more about Hound Therapy visit:
https://www.HoundTherapy.com
Hound Therapy
3509 E Park Blvd.
Plano, TX
469-367-0009
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
Welcome to Tail Talk Grooming Chronicles with Hound
Therapy, the podcast where wetalk all things pet grooming,
daycare academy and more.
Hosted by Shannon and Tanya ofHound Therapy serving pet owners
across North Texas, we're hereto share expert tips, hilarious
pet stories and the inside scoopon keeping your furry friends
(00:25):
happy and healthy.
Our motto humanity over vanity.
And don't worry, we don't bite.
Let's get started.
Who let the dogs out?
Who let the dogs out?
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Ever wondered what's inside a professional groomer's
toolkit?
Spoiler alert it's more thanjust clippers and a comb.
Shannon and Tanya break downthe must-have tools that keep
your pup looking fresh andfabulous.
Welcome back everyone.
I'm Sofia Yvette, co-host,flash producer, back in the
studio with Shannon and Tanya.
(01:02):
Shannon and Tanya how's itgoing today?
It's good, hi, sofia.
How's it going today?
It's good, hi Sophia.
How are you today?
I'm doing well.
So, shannon and Tanya, let'smeet the groomers.
What are the essential toolsfor professional groomers?
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Some must-haves for sure.
Yeah, definitely must-haves.
Dremel it's actually a rotarytool, home depot keep those
nails smooth and along.
Nail clippers, nail clippers,metal comb, metal comb and,
(01:37):
depending on the dog, some dogsthat have short hair.
Most people are concerned aboutshedding right, so to keep the
down, getting your dog groomedevery two, four and six weeks is
probably ideal.
Tools that you need to do inbetween grooming appointments
would be to brush and comb yourdog, but you want to keep their
nails down as well, because onceyour nails grow, the quicks
(01:58):
grow.
Once the quicks grow, then wecan only go so far.
So what we're looking for iseasy maintenance for when you
return here and less hair inyour house.
A curved, slicker brush isgreat for a doodle with long
bristles, or even goldenretrievers huskies yeah, those
are good for those breeds aswell.
The shorter breeds can use thesame kinds of tools that you
(02:18):
would use on a horse, like theLabs and the Vichla.
It's called a shedding bladeand those.
Those are really great,especially coming into spring,
right now where all of thatundercoat is just dumping out of
the dog.
So those are some must haves inyour toolbox at home for your
in between.
Professional groomingprofessional grooming is a lot
harder to do than in-homegrooming.
(02:39):
yeah what's one grooming tool,investment that's worth every
penny if you have a large dog,every penny for me would be a
small air force dryer.
I would buy a small air forcedryer so that I can get under
that coat.
It's a good microscope too, soyou can see your dog's skin if
(03:01):
they've got any moles or youknow god forbid, they got fleas
or something.
But it blows that out and it'sgoing to help uplift that under
hair as well.
I would agree with that.
I even have one at my house formy lab.
She sheds like crazy.
It's quick and easy.
If you have to wash the feet,you can turn it on.
It's nice.
It's a little bit of aninvestment, but it tucks away in
a closet pretty quickly.
(03:22):
It doesn't blow out breakers.
You can find them on Amazon.
You can do them on the floor.
For me that would be a musthave.
Yeah, I agree.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
So, shannon Tanya, have you ever seen a grooming
tool and thought this wasdefinitely designed by someone
who never met a dog?
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Oh yeah, yeah, we've seen several.
Unfortunately, and I, you know,I have somebody here today who
actually has a mobile van andyou know she she comes in here,
asks a lot of doggy daycareplaces.
They don't have a stand dryer.
I don't know how you're goingto brush out a dog without a
(04:09):
stand dryer.
They don't have brushes, theydon't have blades, they don't
provide a space that's quiet sothat you can talk.
Sound travels, just with thelittle things that count, like
having a wall.
If you're going to have an openspace, you still have to have a
noise barrier somewhere oryou're just going to be
screaming at your client like,hey.
So it's probably the majority,I would say, of the schools and
(04:34):
shops that I've seen, that youwalk in and they've got
something that they bought atPetco.
Most of our supplies andproducts that we have.
Our combs are they range at $40to $75 per comb.
Our brushes are, you know, $30and $40.
Our scissors are $200 and $300.
Some words, you know more.
We're not buying scissors offAmazon to cut a dog.
(04:56):
It wouldn't work.
Human clippers, by the way, donot work for your dogs.
So if you're shaving yourbeards at home and you think, oh
, my husband has a clipper I cangive the dog a haircut.
The answer is it's a verydifferent clipper and it will
not work.
It will ruin your husband'sclippers and it's going to more
(05:19):
than likely scalp your dog downto a 10.
And I see that in a lot ofshops, a whole lot of places,
and it's really hard for yourgroomer to fix it.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
So what's the most underrated grooming tool that
deserves an award?
And no, duct tape is not ananswer.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
Yes, no, duct tape is not.
I have two for me I don't knowabout for you, tanya Two for me.
One the underrated is just areally good de-shedder and I
like a good de-shedder gettingthe undercoat out and having a
really good comb.
The comb and the de-shedder forme people, you know everybody
buys a brush.
There are brushes everywhere.
(05:52):
Having a good comb that has gotgood teeth, that doesn't rust,
it's not coming apart, and thenhaving a good something that'll
grab that undercoat.
I use all of those things on mydogs.
So I would say 100%.
Those are my two top underratedpeople.
Just they come in here, I callmy dog yesterday with what, and
(06:12):
it's like oh I, you know, use myhairbrush at home.
Yeah, and they don't have a comb.
Well, they've never seen ametal comb, or I'm afraid that's
going to keeping that out,keeping that flow.
The hair has got to have adirection to exit out.
So if you keep those open inyour dogs then the air and
everything can get into the skin, let your dog's hair breathe.
And for me would be a Dremelrotary tool.
(06:33):
I like my dog's nails short,like short, short, short.
So I would just rather, youknow, tap them down every couple
of days to keep their quick,short and have short nails and
not get me and the babies allscratched up with dog nails.
Yeah, it keeps them smooth too,so it does help with scratching
.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Now, if you could take only three grooming tools
to a desert island with a veryfluffy dog, what would they be?
Speaker 3 (07:01):
Ooh, flickerbrush comb, and we're in a desert
island.
You say I'm going to bring yousome snacks.
I'm going to bring you someshampoo Flicker brush comb
shampoo.
I'm going to want a clean dog.
(07:23):
I don't want all the sand in mytent or shelter.
Definitely add some treats inthere, yeah love it.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Shannon and tanya, we'll catch you in the next
episode.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
Have a fantastic rest of your day you do the same
that's a wrap for this episodeof tail talk with hound therapy.
Ready to book your pets nextgroom daycare stay or grooming
academy tour?
Call us at 469-367-0009 that's469-367-0009.
(08:00):
To schedule an appointment orvisit us online at
wwwhoundtherapycom.
Serving north texas with expertpet care.
Until next time, keep thosetails wagging.
Welcome to Tail Talk Grooming Chronicles with Hound
Therapy, the podcast where wetalk all things pet grooming,
daycare academy and more.
Hosted by Shannon and Tanya ofHound Therapy serving pet owners
across North Texas, we're hereto share expert tips, hilarious
pet stories and the inside scoopon keeping your furry friends
(00:25):
happy and healthy.
Our motto humanity over vanity.
And don't worry, we don't bite.
Let's get started.
Who let the dogs out?
Who let the dogs out?
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Ever wondered what's inside a professional groomer's
toolkit?
Spoiler alert it's more thanjust clippers and a comb.
Shannon and Tanya break downthe must-have tools that keep
your pup looking fresh andfabulous.
Welcome back everyone.
I'm Sofia Yvette, co-host,flash producer, back in the
studio with Shannon and Tanya.
(01:02):
Shannon and Tanya how's itgoing today?
It's good, hi, sofia.
How's it going today?
It's good, hi Sophia.
How are you today?
I'm doing well.
So, shannon and Tanya, let'smeet the groomers.
What are the essential toolsfor professional groomers?
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Some must-haves for sure.
Yeah, definitely must-haves.
Dremel it's actually a rotarytool, home depot keep those
nails smooth and along.
Nail clippers, nail clippers,metal comb, metal comb and,
(01:37):
depending on the dog, some dogsthat have short hair.
Most people are concerned aboutshedding right, so to keep the
down, getting your dog groomedevery two, four and six weeks is
probably ideal.
Tools that you need to do inbetween grooming appointments
would be to brush and comb yourdog, but you want to keep their
nails down as well, because onceyour nails grow, the quicks
(01:58):
grow.
Once the quicks grow, then wecan only go so far.
So what we're looking for iseasy maintenance for when you
return here and less hair inyour house.
A curved, slicker brush isgreat for a doodle with long
bristles, or even goldenretrievers huskies yeah, those
are good for those breeds aswell.
The shorter breeds can use thesame kinds of tools that you
(02:18):
would use on a horse, like theLabs and the Vichla.
It's called a shedding bladeand those.
Those are really great,especially coming into spring,
right now where all of thatundercoat is just dumping out of
the dog.
So those are some must haves inyour toolbox at home for your
in between.
Professional groomingprofessional grooming is a lot
harder to do than in-homegrooming.
(02:39):
yeah what's one grooming tool,investment that's worth every
penny if you have a large dog,every penny for me would be a
small air force dryer.
I would buy a small air forcedryer so that I can get under
that coat.
It's a good microscope too, soyou can see your dog's skin if
(03:01):
they've got any moles or youknow god forbid, they got fleas
or something.
But it blows that out and it'sgoing to help uplift that under
hair as well.
I would agree with that.
I even have one at my house formy lab.
She sheds like crazy.
It's quick and easy.
If you have to wash the feet,you can turn it on.
It's nice.
It's a little bit of aninvestment, but it tucks away in
a closet pretty quickly.
(03:22):
It doesn't blow out breakers.
You can find them on Amazon.
You can do them on the floor.
For me that would be a musthave.
Yeah, I agree.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
So, shannon Tanya, have you ever seen a grooming
tool and thought this wasdefinitely designed by someone
who never met a dog?
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Oh yeah, yeah, we've seen several.
Unfortunately, and I, you know,I have somebody here today who
actually has a mobile van andyou know she she comes in here,
asks a lot of doggy daycareplaces.
They don't have a stand dryer.
I don't know how you're goingto brush out a dog without a
(04:09):
stand dryer.
They don't have brushes, theydon't have blades, they don't
provide a space that's quiet sothat you can talk.
Sound travels, just with thelittle things that count, like
having a wall.
If you're going to have an openspace, you still have to have a
noise barrier somewhere oryou're just going to be
screaming at your client like,hey.
So it's probably the majority,I would say, of the schools and
(04:34):
shops that I've seen, that youwalk in and they've got
something that they bought atPetco.
Most of our supplies andproducts that we have.
Our combs are they range at $40to $75 per comb.
Our brushes are, you know, $30and $40.
Our scissors are $200 and $300.
Some words, you know more.
We're not buying scissors offAmazon to cut a dog.
(04:56):
It wouldn't work.
Human clippers, by the way, donot work for your dogs.
So if you're shaving yourbeards at home and you think, oh
, my husband has a clipper I cangive the dog a haircut.
The answer is it's a verydifferent clipper and it will
not work.
It will ruin your husband'sclippers and it's going to more
(05:19):
than likely scalp your dog downto a 10.
And I see that in a lot ofshops, a whole lot of places,
and it's really hard for yourgroomer to fix it.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
So what's the most underrated grooming tool that
deserves an award?
And no, duct tape is not ananswer.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
Yes, no, duct tape is not.
I have two for me I don't knowabout for you, tanya Two for me.
One the underrated is just areally good de-shedder and I
like a good de-shedder gettingthe undercoat out and having a
really good comb.
The comb and the de-shedder forme people, you know everybody
buys a brush.
There are brushes everywhere.
(05:52):
Having a good comb that has gotgood teeth, that doesn't rust,
it's not coming apart, and thenhaving a good something that'll
grab that undercoat.
I use all of those things on mydogs.
So I would say 100%.
Those are my two top underratedpeople.
Just they come in here, I callmy dog yesterday with what, and
(06:12):
it's like oh I, you know, use myhairbrush at home.
Yeah, and they don't have a comb.
Well, they've never seen ametal comb, or I'm afraid that's
going to keeping that out,keeping that flow.
The hair has got to have adirection to exit out.
So if you keep those open inyour dogs then the air and
everything can get into the skin, let your dog's hair breathe.
And for me would be a Dremelrotary tool.
(06:33):
I like my dog's nails short,like short, short, short.
So I would just rather, youknow, tap them down every couple
of days to keep their quick,short and have short nails and
not get me and the babies allscratched up with dog nails.
Yeah, it keeps them smooth too,so it does help with scratching
.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Now, if you could take only three grooming tools
to a desert island with a veryfluffy dog, what would they be?
Speaker 3 (07:01):
Ooh, flickerbrush comb, and we're in a desert
island.
You say I'm going to bring yousome snacks.
I'm going to bring you someshampoo Flicker brush comb
shampoo.
I'm going to want a clean dog.
(07:23):
I don't want all the sand in mytent or shelter.
Definitely add some treats inthere, yeah love it.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Shannon and tanya, we'll catch you in the next
episode.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
Have a fantastic rest of your day you do the same
that's a wrap for this episodeof tail talk with hound therapy.
Ready to book your pets nextgroom daycare stay or grooming
academy tour?
Call us at 469-367-0009 that's469-367-0009.
(08:00):
To schedule an appointment orvisit us online at
wwwhoundtherapycom.
Serving north texas with expertpet care.
Until next time, keep thosetails wagging.
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