Canine Anatomy

Canine Anatomy

Since a young age I have always been curious about finding out how things work – not just “Do this and that happens” but “Why, when I do this does that happen?”

With a passion for all things pet, my interest has driven me to learn and keep on learning. School was not easy for me, I found most teaching styles difficult to follow and have always had to put in extra work to cement knowledge in my head. Those of you that follow my social media will know that I am a book lover and use my (mainly second hand) book collection in very much a hands-on way – Postit notes, underlining, high-lighter pens – whatever it takes to get the information into my head. I am also a great believer in the silly rhyme or phrase to help me remember complicated instructions.

Canine Anatomy holds a particular fascination for me. I remain in wonder that dog breeds originate from humans needing dogs to do things they can’t do themselves,  whether it was as a companion, herder, water dog or many others. Dogs were evolved over time to work with us and contribute to a particular way of life. With over 200 establish breeds we can trace a dog’s anatomy back to its original role and see just how. Some hounds for example have developed skin folds and long ears to trap scents better for tracking and others have developed curved spines and elegant legs for speed in the chase. Working breeds are generally smart, brave and fiercely loyal with the ability to follow instructions and most Toy breeds are great as companions and lots more besides.

Today our knowledge of canine anatomy helps us to understand why a dog might behave in a certain way, the difficulties in manoeuvring they may have and what weaknesses they may develop over time. If we understand this then we are better able to assess a dog when it comes to our salon to be groomed. We can handle them sympathetically and adjust our techniques to make sure a dog remains comfortable on the table. Being confident with our handling, relaxes the dog and ultimately will help form a bond, which in turn enables a more comfortable grooming experience for both you and the dog.

Once you have that understanding we can start to consider how our grooming can make the most of a dog’s anatomy.

I am a firm believer in sharing my knowledge in an easy to understand way so if this is a subject you struggle with or would like to understand more about give it a go. We are an inclusive provider and try hard to keep our prices affordable for all. The webinars are £20 each and about 80 minutes long, the e-workbook £5.95. Please give us your feedback on our resources either on our website www.julieharrisgroomer.com or on our social media @julieharriseducation

Take a look at our education materials and get stuck in to learning.