What do you look for in a dog groomer??

[Jaffacakecake1234]

Inspired by another thread im a dog groomer soon to be opening a shop my life long dream. What do you look for in a dog groomer what makes you love your groomer???

[FuckTheFuckityOff]

Someone who speaks nicely to my dog (my last dog groomer was very brash and was quite rough with the dogs which is why I don't use her anymore)
They also need to listen to the customer, my groomer will cut my dog exacty as I want done, my last one used to do it the way she liked. I said 'you haven't done it how I asked' She said 'I know, but I like it like that. I said 'it's not your dog!'
And I didn't go back.

[TheFlyingFauxPas]

Someone who:
Loves dogs and treats them kindly
Handles them with confidence
Explains things to me
Works with me not against re styles etc
Not keep me waiting with appointments
Keep my dog safe
Charges fairly. I don't mind paying a decent amount for a good job
Able to give some advice to novices or point them in the right direction
Have some nice doggy pics styles on wall to chose from
Good treats so ddog likes to go and fresh water
Not mind widdly accidents
Decent parking or easy to get to with dog 🐶

If I think of any more will shout up

[TheFlyingFauxPas]

This list pretty much describes the groomer I took dog to when first got him. He was an overgrown, smelly, matty pickle. She took ages with him. Gave him a lovely bath and trimmed all his fur away as asked. He looked like a clean lamb. She didn't charge full price because he was a rescue and in dire need. She even fitted us in quickly as a bit of an emergency. I stayed. Start to finish and she was lovely with him and he was calm with her and let her do it.

Next time he was having none of it! He'd found his paws and his voice! Despite her being fabulous he wouldn't even let her brush him! So from now on I do him myself with the clippers! He lets me touch him but no one else - he's as friendly as anything unless they try to fiddle with him like at the vets.

[TheFlyingFauxPas]

We spent a while with her trying to persuade him but it was obvious he didn't like it.
She wouldn't take an money though I did try to pay her.

[Jaffacakecake1234]

Keep these coming guys thank youse x

[TweedAddict]

I wish there was a high class groomer by me. We have loads of only done the 10week type course ones, but I would love someone to set up a super duper high end one, I would happily pay over £100 to get my girls done.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

I don't want someone who rushed my dog through a relentless wash, dry, clip and brush.
I want my dog to love going there. My groomer has my boy for 3 hours, he has lots of playtime with the other dogs. Her place is not pretty as she spends all her time and energy on the dogs.

[fessmess]

Mine is lovely, a good mix of confidence and kindness. I also like the fact she comes to my house.

[Doubleaxel]

Obviously nice to dogs with treats! Dog ready when they say it will be. Gives the dog the groom I ask. Book of dog groom examples for different breeds would be a huge plus and not just the breed standard groom. When my dog is happy to go to the groomer I know I've found a winner.

[KingPrawnOkay]

As someone with a puppy who has only had one grooming session when he was 5 months, the thing I loved most was that she understood he'd be ridiculously excited. She didn't coddle him but also didn't get angry at him for jumping when he saw her. He was a bit wary of getting in the van (mobile services) but she gave him a little treat when he did and he looked very proud of himself . She's actually quit due to ill health but she was lovely with him, I hope the lady we're looking at now is just as good!

[Jaffacakecake1234]

Well ive been doing this job for six years i have alot off experience and i love dogs i love my job I litrally dream about cuts and styles haha. Im going to be doing it in ny back gardan shed for a few montha until i have a good clientell. I am doing a book of all the breeds i will do from clients and then when my shop is ready too be opened id pick a winner to be the face of my parlour and thwy would win half price groom for a year. Doea this sound okay to you guys would you bring your dog to me based on this??

[Jaffacakecake1234]

Any help?

[Thewolfsjustapuppy]

If you have been doing it for six years do you have a happy clientele list already or are you starting from scratch? Do you have specialities? For example I have an Irish Terrier and would love to find a local groomer who specialises in Terrier hand stripping (I know it's expensive and I'm happy to pay as it takes hours!) as it is our local groomer has only seen one Irish Terrier so I could risk it or learn to strip myself.
I would be very happy to go to someone's shed in the garden, I would see the sense in that.

[Jaffacakecake1234]

Hi ive been working in my local dog grooming parlour so i cant work in that area as i find it quite rude as the groomer has taught me everything i know i cant go taking her customers haha. So im starting in a diffrent are but close. So no clientel, hand stripping is something ive never been taught as we dont do this in the shop i work at

[FuckTheFuckityOff]

My current groomer has an annexe built on her house whereas my last one had an actual shop. The location doesn't matter to me, the groomer does so no, you working from a shed would not bother me at all of my dog liked you. Half price cuts for a year would be great!

[Jaffacakecake1234]

Sorry yeah my specialities are i am very experienced in aggressive dogs. I feel these dogs arnt given a fair chance they are just misunderstood. So yes i specialise in aggressive temperaments so to say. I now how to handle how to react and how to make them feel comfortable its a long process but they deserve it.

[Thewolfsjustapuppy]

That's the sort of thing you put in your promotion! Anything that makes you stand out from others.

[Noitsnotteatimeyet]

Please don't take this the wrong way but I'd make sure all your promotional leaflets, posters, price lists etc are proof read by somebody really good at grammar and spelling so that your business looks professional right from the start. The groomer we use has a 'Dog of the Month' - if your dog's chosen their photo is up in the window and they get a bandana (cheaper for you than free grooming for the winner!)

[TheFlyingFauxPas]

YY to pp. Whatever the business if there's dodgy spelling or grammar in a leaflet I lose confidence.

[Jaffacakecake1234]

I do all the spelling and grammer for my family and friends for their businesses and coursework ect ect.. If i diddng love grooming so much id do that as a job haha, so thats covered... I sound like a twerp on this because ive got a new phone\keyboard haha

[vaginasuprise]

I'd want to see certificates.
City and Guilds Levels
Canine first aid ( do you know how to resuscitate a dog, how to deal with fits, bleeding)

Photographic evidence of your work to ensure you don't do every breed along the same lines. ( see this all the time on friends fb)

I know you say you have 6 years experience but I'd want someone qualified who has the theory too.

To me a good groomer can handstrip and knows why clipping is a poor treatment of a terrier coat.

Also knowledge of conformation, zoonotic diseases etc.

The shed wouldn't bother me as long as it's heated.

Good luck, I hope it all goes really well but I would advise getting qualified.

[1nsanityscatching]

I want somebody who appears to actually like the dogs and who is happy to spend a few minutes saying hello and making a fuss of them.
Eric goes to a groomer who specialises in aggressive dogs because he snapped at his previous groomer and she wanted him sedating to groom him again.
His current groomer was more than happy to have slow introductions and make him feel comfortable before even attempting to bath him never mind clip him.
He has never so much as growled at his current groomer and she calls him a softie and thinks the last groomer might have been rough or hurt him which made him snap.
I also like that when I collect him he's loose and playing with the other dogs and the groomer often has something to tell me about what he's been up to.