Sometimes, when I am grooming a dog, I think, "Oh, it would look so pretty if I left the coat longer." Then I must remind myself that this particular dog walks in the woods often, swims sometimes, and never, ever gets brushed at home. That means that if I leave the coat longer, there is a good chance that it will come riddled with mats and tangles when I see it six weeks later.
Think briefly about something you don't know much about, for example, the inner workings of automotive engines. If a mechanic starts telling you about something to do with a complex engine repair, chances are you will not be able to understand much of what they are telling you. For many pet owners, talking to a groomer is a similar experience.
Sometimes, customers arrive for their grooming appointment with a bottle of shampoo in hand. It is often a medicated product prescribed by their veterinarian, but sometimes it is an off-the-shelf pet shampoo or even something not intended for animal use. What is a groomer to do?
It may happen with a dog you have safely handled many times before, or it may be a new-to-you grooming client on the table, but suddenly, the pet tries to bite. I believe that most dog-to-groomer bites happen because the dog is uncomfortable. It may be that the dog is frightened by some part of the process or (more likely) because some area of its body is painful
We work with moving animals and sharp tools, so ensuring we have great lighting at our grooming table is a must. Unfortunately, not all workplaces are equipped with optimal lighting options, leaving us grooming with parts of the animal poorly lit. The inability to clearly see what we are working on can lead to a poor finish at best and injuries to the pet at worst. Inadequate light also contributes to eye strain on the stylist's part, and who has time for that?
As pet groomers, most have experienced lifting a dog to put it on the grooming table or in the tub and feeling a twinge in their back. Many dogs are less than excited about being lifted and show their displeasure by twisting and squirming, which makes that lift much more challenging. There are steps groomers can take to help keep their backs healthy.
Currently trending in the industry are some tools that keep pets safer and make our jobs easier.
In the last few weeks, during late autumn 2023, the news has been filled with reports of an unusual infectious respiratory disease affecting dogs in many states nationwide. The symptoms are typical of respiratory infection, including coughing, fever, and discharge from the nose and eyes.
If you work in a grooming business with other people, chances are that there will be some conflict between coworkers at some point. Conflict situations can affect people's productivity in the workplace and, if left unresolved, can cause permanent ill-will that may make one or more employees leave the business. It is difficult to find accomplished pet care professionals, so keeping harmony in the workplace is important.
You work hard and do your best, so finding that a customer has left a bad review of your business can be terribly disheartening. What is the best way to handle a review that poorly reflects your business?
