"Hot dog, diggedy dog!" is a way of saying something looks good. Dog owners seem increasingly keen to make their pets look good. Dogs today often get a lot of attention and pampering. Many owners spend a lot of money to make their dog look its best. Good grooming is important. Some owners pay a groomer or stylist to give their dog a top look.

You need stamina to groom a dog. Dogs are hard to catch and hold while washing their fur. Most dogs bark and jump about when they see a grooming coming their way. Despite this, dog groomers say there is no job on earth that gives so much satisfaction as making a dog look great. Dog groomers need to know every symptom a dog can show. They need to be able to look at a dog’s teeth, skin, eyes, paws, fur and behaviour for signs of poor health. Dog groomers also need to be good at handling animals. The best groomers are also "dog whisperers". A dog whisperer is someone who can talk to a dog in a way that the dog understands and obeys.

Grooming a dog well usually takes about two hours. A good session starts with clipping the animal’s fur and nails, followed by a shampoo wash. Most groomers dry the animal’s coat with a special hair dryer for dogs. This helps a dog’s coat to really shine and stay in place. The bit the dog loves most comes at the very end. A good dog always gets a food treat!

Dogs of every kind can benefit from grooming. Dog grooming salons cater for every breed and type of dog. However, many owners now prefer groomers to visit their dogs at home. Although this is more expensive, many owners feel it is less stressful on their pet. Dog groomers are busiest in the hottest months of the year. Dog owners worry that their pets will overheat. But they also want their animals to look their best when people see them out walking!