SECTION 2
Cage drying

SECTION 3
fluff drying

SECTION 4
Dryer selection

SECTION 5  building your own

SECTION 6  Supplier contacts

There, I said it and I'm glad. 
Now that my dirty little secret is out, let me share with you some ways I've found to keep dog drying time at a minimum. 
    You must begin with a dog that is truly clean. You cannot achieve an excellent end product if you are working with a coat that still holds dirt.  After bathing, I use super absorbent towels to get as much water off the dog as possible.  There are various different brands of these towels, from the Moisture Magnets seen in grooming supply catalogs to other types found in the automotive section of stores such as Walmart. Look for "Absorber" or "Aquadry" towels.  (The names may change regionally.)  They suck the water out of the coat, and really do make a difference in how much time I spend at the drying table.
      Many groomers use the high velocity dryer on the dog while it is in the bathtub. I prefer to do this step on the grooming table, but its merely personal preference. I place a dry terry cloth towel on the table to absorb and hold any moisture that drips off the dog.
     If you are grooming in a shop, it is possible to use multiple drying methods all at once at this point.  You can set up a stand dryer blowing warm air on the animal, while you work the coat with a high velocity dryer.  Whatever you are doing, make sure you have some method of removing moisture from the air in the room. It is impossible to get dogs dry if the humidity is high in the air around you.  Air conditioning is great, as it literally takes moisture out of the air and deposits it outside, but if you don't have that luxury, make sure you have fans whisking the wet air out, and cross ventilation allowing fresh air to get in.  If you have moisture problems in your shop, consider buying a dehumidifier.
     Utilize products that reduce drying time!  Davis Manufacturing Company makes a spray called Quick Dry that really does work.  You must read and follow the instructions, but if you do, you will notice a reduction in drying time.  Invest in a good dryer!  Do your homework and learn what the different numbers on dryers will mean to you... how much air the dryer puts out relates to how fast you will get the drying job done. Most high velocity dryers are loud.  If this is an issue, shop for brands that advertise for less noise, (MDC Romani dryers are notoriously quiet!)  Some groomers install dryers behind some sort of sound barrier, so get creative and see what you can come up with!  You should always use hearing protection when drying dogs.  I also put cotton in the animals ears to reduce the sound intensity for them.
     I perform other necessary grooming tasks to the dog while it has a warm air dryer on it.  For instance, since I pre-bathe most dogs,  I use the time while I have the dryer on them to trim and buff their nails, check and  clean ears, and trim paw pads and potty patches. Meanwhile, the air is removing moisture from them while I am taking care of other things.
     When using a high velocity dryer the goal is to work methodically, not whipping the dryer around, which causes tangles to grow before your very eyes. Hold the hose close to the skin, drying from the skin outward.  Be certain to hold the dogs ears closed when working the H.V. dryer around the head.  Do not blow the dryer near the eyes, nose or in the mouth. You must also use care when drying around the anus and reproductive  area, and on tiny dogs you should support delicate leg joints with your hand when using a H.V. dryer.  Dry the coat in the direction you want it to lay.  If you are grooming a poodle type coat, fluff it against the grain to straighten the curl and encourage the coat to stand up.  On dogs such as spaniels, dry with the lay of the coat, so it will dry smoothly.
     Not every dog has to be fluff dried. On smooth coated dogs and many terriers I bath, remove some moisture with the H.V. dyer, brush the coat in the direction I wish it to lay when finished, and then let the dog rest in a cage, perhaps with a fan on it for a while. Much of the moisture will be gone by the time I get the pet back out, and a few moments fluffing and brushing puts a nice finish on my prep work. The use of heated cage dryers is a controversial topic.  Although many groomers routinely use heated cage dryers, they can cause dogs to overheat and die.  The trend is to use dryers with no heating elements, or box fans, to remove water from the coat in a completely safe manner while cage drying. If you do use heated dryers, maintain constant visual contact with the dog to ensure it is not in any distress.
     Drying time, though not pleasant to me, IS a necessary part of my job.  There is no way to put a nice trim on a poodle, bichon, or many other breeds, if the dogs coat has not been properly fluffed and dried by hand.  Excellent coat preparation is key to getting excellent results in the finished product.  That being said, there is no reason to spend and hour or more drying pet dogs.  Use your creativity and the good tools available to you to cut your drying time.
 

fans are GREAT!
not only do the dry fast, they are economical to purchase and to operate.

Stand up~
By utilizing two nooses hooked to avoid tangling a dog can be made to stand up and dry TWICE as fast.

Blowing air
from both the top and the end of cages through wire fencing allows for more efficient airflow and faster drying times.