Crates are necessary for these reasons;
Safety 😊
We know that clients want to feel that their precious dog or dogs are safe with us. Because there are natural breaks during the grooming process it is very important that there is a place of safety for dogs to be.
Our crates are large, disinfected and have a deep, comfortable, washable pad for dogs to lie on, and they are thoroughly cleaned after each dog goes home.
Even though we have double door security inside the salon, and no dogs are ever left unattended, we have a duty of care to ensure that no dogs can get out of the salon and potentially get lost, or injured on the road.
Also, dogs running free around our salon could cause trips and slips with the potential to injure both themselves and us.
Prevention of parasite or disease cross-infection 😢
Sometimes a dog can come into the the salon who is affected with fleas, or, rarely, mange or ringworm.
We carry out a full health check on every dog in our care and we take immediate action if we find fleas, ticks or any condition that can be passed to other dogs or humans.. We don’t keep dogs in the salon if they have fleas or anything else that could possibly be contagious.
So imagine what could happen if the dogs in a grooming salon were all running around together and how would clients feel if they brought their perfectly healthy pet in and it leaves carrying fleas or a disease?
The health check is the first thing that happens when a dog comes in for grooming, so being properly trained to look for parasites and the signs of zoonotic diseases is an essential part of any dog grooming course here at Abbfabb Academy.
Rest breaks 😴
Being groomed should be a pleasant experience for all dogs. Our grooming process isn’t run like a conveyor belt and all dogs have toilet breaks, water breaks and a rest during the time they are with us. Our clean and comfortable crates offer a place to lie down and relax, especially while being dried.
Some dogs are anxious, or are suffering from conditions like arthritis, which means that a break is necessary to make their grooming appointment as stress-free and pleasant as possible.
Modern life can mean that sometimes clients are late picking their dogs up….traffic hold-ups or generally running late, so our crates offer a safe and comfortable place for them to wait.
Many dogs appreciate a place of rest and a feeling of safety both at home and in a grooming salon and we believe that clean and comfortable crates offer this.
Fighting and mating 😳
If dogs are allowed to run around the salon together, there is a possibility that two or more of them could fight. Although everyone thinks that their dog is good and well-adjusted, we must remember that they are still canines and will, if the scenario allows, potentially try to dominate other dogs. And the girls can do this as easily as the boys !! Our first duty towards the dogs in our care and their owners, is to ensure the safety and well-being of all pets in our salon.
Accidental matings are very unlikely because we take great care not to have bitches in the salon who are at the point in their season when they would be receptive to being mated. But it is still something that potentially could occur if dogs are allowed to run around the salon together.
The dog or dogs in our grooming salon will never be in a crate with a dog which belongs to someone else, unless they live together,
It makes my hair stand on end when I see salons who allow the dogs in their care run round together. Mostly these dogs are strangers to each other and the risks can only be imagined…
Crates are not cruel… They are a safe and sensible necessity in any scenario where more than one dog is present.