I know groomers tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to dogs who haven't been desensitized to grooming. So considering the following few facts about my dog, how realistic is it that I could get him in to see a reputable groomer?

• Pit mix rescued at around 1 year old, roughly 5 years now. Neutered
• Has had baths and endured the loud dryer at a do-it-yourself dog wash station. Didn't love it but didn't make a fuss.
• He tolerates his nails trimmed, doesn't try to run away or bite (I have done it and the vet has done it multiple times. They always tell me he was super chill with it the whole time)
• Nails have only been trimmed with clippers and not those buzzy tools (but I think that would be better for him)
• He has no bite history but he's muzzle trained anyway
• Short coat but sheds A LOT
• Not dog friendly, if that matters here

I feel a little goofy bringing a short coated pit to a groomer because I feel like I can do a bath and nail trim at home but I would love to take him in to get a real good de-shedding and a proper nail trim. I trim his nails but not as well as a professional could (terrified of getting the quick)

Hi yall, are there any other pro groomers in here working through anxiety/panic attacks at work? In the last 6 months or so I’ve started experiencing panic attacks after handling certain difficult dogs, where there is a risk of being bit or any situations that could potentially turn into dog fights.

I’m just wondering how yall handle it, I’d be open to anxiety medication but I really don’t have anxiety outside of these situations, and there’s no way to tell what will set me off in a day so I’m not sure if the more “situational” anxiety meds would make a difference for me.

I can usually get through the situation initially but then I start shaking uncontrollably, crying, and need to go sit outside in the fetal position for 10-15 minutes before I can regulate myself again. I’m fortunate that this is my family’s business that I partially own so my job isn’t in jeopardy, but I’m not educated in anything else and the job market is horrendous so I’d be nervous to find a new career.

our store just opened a month ago and business has been incredibly slow for the most part. get paid 10 and hour or 50% commission whichever is higher. they make us stay our full shift which means i have days with ZERO dogs and nothing to do when i could at least be out doordashing… my paycheck today was about $400 short of what i was expecting. i do really like the people here and i love my clients that i’ve had but if business stays the way it is im going to have to declare literal bankruptcy… but its only 10 minutes from my apartment and they’ve been really good about any time i’ve needed to take time off or anything. i don’t know. and then im so new to this i second guess if my work is even good enough to go somewhere else… i just need advice i think. any thoughts from more experienced groomers would be appreciated!

Hi, I'm very eager to leave my current job and have been applying to salons and mobile grooming places but I'm not getting any responses at all, not even rejections. I have about 10 years of professional dog experience (2 as a groomer and 8 in dog daycare/boarding) and I include all of it on my resume along with bullet points, a portfolio, contact info etc., but I'm just not hearing anything back. I've never had this happen when applying for daycare/boarding jobs so I'm getting pretty nervous!

Should I not include non grooming experience? Would you be wanting a cover letter? Are there any red flags that mean an immediate no?

I've never applied or been hired for a grooming job, current job unexpectedly turned into an opportunity to start grooming. It's possible I'm just going about this the wrong way? I'm applying through both Indeed and directly through the career section of the salons websites.

I’ve been grooming for about 2 years but still struggle to find a comfortable position when I’m clipping nails. How do you guys typically hold a dogs paw/leg when clipping nails? I’ve defaulting to bending over and breaking my back, but would love to avoid doing that 😂

For back feet I’ve tried putting their left side against my left side and wrapping my left arm around their belly to hold the left foot. This sometimes works, but I usually can’t get the foot in a comfortable position for the dog or for me to see the nails. For bigger dogs I’ve done the elbow between the back legs so they can kinda sit on my arm.

For the front I’ve tried doing the same kinda thing that i do for the back, but either the dog doesn’t like it bc im standing over them or i can’t get a comfortable angle for my hands.

Any tips or tricks would be heavily appreciated!!

Hello, I just need to vent to strangers who have no stake in the game. Thank you

My boss called me a maintenance groomer and I took offense to that but I’m not sure why? It just felt like a jab while she was praising the other groomer for having talent because he can demat dogs. I don’t demat once a dog shows they are uncomfortable or it’s too close to the skin- I am not in the business to hurt animals. Whereas his comb is bent and broken because he pulls so much. I have had to step out of the salon when he demats because these poor pups are in pain and scream out but I am not allowed to do anything about it. I’ve mentioned this to management and the owner but neither care and labeled me as the problem. I can’t say too much in case my manager, boss, or coworkers see this post and guess it’s me and I need this job.

I’ve been a groomer for 2 years and he claims to have close to 10 years of experience but I hate the way he grooms and how his grooms turn out.

TLDR: What are some good questions to ask potential bathers, apprentices, groomers, and receptionists? Any advice on what information I should offer up?

Context: My two amazing groomers and helpers are leaving me here soon to pursue other avenues in life. Fair enough. I have two people I’m interviewing for a job position tomorrow. It’s my first time hiring anyone new in almost a year. Both the gals I’m interviewing are for apprenticeship and bather positions. Both of the gals I’m interviewing are in their very early 20s.

One is a recent cosmetology school grad and currently has a HUGE English bull dog. That’s about all I know about her.

The second is the granddaughter of one of my clients who recently went through a VERY difficult situation that I will not elaborate on. She’s in enrolled in online classes and wants to pursue a career with animals. Her grandparents told me that she is very shy and wouldn’t do well in a highly customer interaction driven field.

I need to potentially bring on 2 people. I won’t have more than 5-10 minutes per interview. Should I record the interviews? Obviously I’d ask them if that was ok.

I’m a young dog groomer and relatively new business owner so I’d really love any and all advice. Thanks!

I made this post yesterday but I deleted it because I was scared of my boss seeing it but I really need advice:

Original post:

I started as a bather at this company in south florida (corporate- not petsmart/petco) for less than minimum wage + pooled tips. They had me bathing 15-22 dogs a day (not all dogs get fully blow dried which is how they can squeeze in so many appointments). Every bath is given 15 minutes and blow dries are 15 to 45 minutes depending on the size. The 15 minute bath also includes a nail trim/grind, ear cleaning, teeth brushing, a towel dry, and 3 minute blow dry. It was so hard on me physically and mentally because i'm chronically ill so it was hard on my body and the amount of stress from doing so many dogs in so little time and the getting in trouble with the groomers if they're not perfectly clean or completely dry in time.

They started training me to groom which took about 6 months but their priority is always speed over a good groom and they only do one length haircuts all over so when I tried to improve or get feedback they would say "thats fine it just has to be good enough not perfect, we're not a fancy salon." Now i've been officially a groomer for a month (making $1 above minimum wage + pooled tips) and I've had some issues with choppy haircuts and they have another groomer fix it without explaining to me how to improve or letting me watch and they've deemed me as a bad groomer and have been booking me as a bather again.

The only other two groomers are also so rude (one of them called me stupid multiple times and rolls her eyes at me when I ask for help) and the other one straight up laughs in my face and is so condescending. These are the only people I have to help me because the owners aren't groomers.

I want to find a new salon but I'm scared that I'll have to restart as a bather (because its so hard on my body) since they didn't train me properly as a groomer and I have so little experience. I've posted my haircuts here before and have gotten great responses on the good ones but l've also had some terrible haircuts and I'm scared that I'm not good enough to start as a groomer for another salon.

Update:

After I made that post everyone told me I should apply to private salons so I can really learn and improve on my haircuts so I started applying on indeed and I made a post on a groomers for hire facebook group. My boss saw my post within 5 hours of me posting it (on an account she doesn’t follow me on) and had a talk with me. She said I’m not ready to work at a private salon and don’t have enough experience. Also that another groomer left with the same goals and now she makes no money and regrets it because shes always the last one booked. I said I want to go somewhere that I can really be trained and learn more because none of the groomers at my salon help me or offer advice (the one that trained me was the one that left) and she said that they hired a new groomer and maybe she can help me. I also expressed concerns about being overworked (22 baths in a day) and she said thats why we’re hiring more people. But the bathing room is small and only has one drying table and its already fully packed when theres 4 people so I cant even imagine how hot and overcrowded it’ll be with even more bathers. At the end she said “you know I’m a mom and you’re young so I just want to make sure you don’t regret your decision and ruin your life” and gave me a hug. Is she just trying to scare me out of leaving or would it really be that bad?

The cherry on top: She said if I do quit and don’t give a two weeks notice she can take the tips from my last paycheck.

Also slightly unrelated note: is it normal for your boss to constantly watch you on the cameras from their house? And probably listen as well (one of the rooms cameras has sound, and thats the room she wanted to have this talk in). She will randomly text me stuff like “floor still dirty pls clean” from her house. She also mentioned something i said once when she wasnt around and said “I hear everything around here 😊”

Im on 8 possibly going on 9. Dont even want to talk about it anymore tbh. Just wondering if theres any hope in this industry 😮‍💨😞

Feel free to share your horror stories too. Makes me feel more sane.

Forgive me if this post isn’t allowed just not sure who else to ask. To preface, I’m the only dog groomer at a doggy daycare

So my main problem is that the front of house staff does not care or seemingly doesn’t care about my job. Whether it’s asking clients what type of cut they want, rebooking, collecting deposits, etc. As well as just putting my stuff wherever instead of back in the grooming area.

I’ve complained to management and she’s talked to them and everything but the same thing continues to happen and I feel annoying when I’m having to repeat myself or make a million notes plastered at the front desk which STILL get ignored.

For baths I just ask if they want their dogs back in group or to stay out, and what time they plan on picking up. Full grooms have the same questions in addition to what length/cut they want. I don’t think this is asking too much? I’ve been grooming here almost 2 years now and I’m getting fed up with it. We have a meeting next week where I will also be addressing my grievances.

My main question I guess is how to get them to actually take my job seriously/care. I feel bad complaining all the time but I shouldn’t have to keep holding people’s hands and plastering notes everywhere when it’s been almost 2 years now.

(Please try not to mention finding another job, I’ve been looking and there’s not much around me. I love my job otherwise it’s just my coworkers)

How long does drying take?

And another question is, how long does a dog stay smelling fresh after a professional bathing. I want to have some theoretical discussion about dog odor. I don't wash often: Dog gets a heavy oxidized greasy odor. I wash often: Dog stays wet too often and gets a slightly yeasty odor after a few days. I've been using a dehumidifier, regular hair dryer on warm setting and air mover after bathing but obviously it takes a full hour to dry my dog like this. He turns yeasty after a few days already and I don't really have time to wash more than once a month. I've figured that investing in a HV dog dryer is potentially my savior. He gets washed very thoroughly with a shampoo diffuser and multiple shampoo rounds + scrubbing. With or without conditioner doesn't appear to make a big difference. I'm clearly doing something wrong because it only takes a few days for my dog to obtain an odor again and I feel like that's not normal. Like I will pet his head and need to wash my hands after because a yeasty smell lingers on my fingers and I don't really want to touch things. My theory is this must be because he stays damp too long and I'm not using professional tools to dry him. But I really wanna know, how many minutes does it take to fully dry a large dutch shepherd dog with a medium length coat using a HV dog blower? And which one would you guys recommend? Do you members agree that the dampness could be the problem here?

Hot (?) take: a lot of groomers chose their profession because they’re good with dogs and not good with humans.

Guys, please. We can only help dogs if we get through to the owners. I hope the title rage baited a lot of people because it turns out I have a lot to say.

I know we’re all angry and frustrated at people who let their dog’s fur get matted. It hurts to see dogs suffer through no fault of their own.

I do wish more groomers would try not to snap at the owners though, because if they feel offended, they’ll never change. With most owners, no one really taught them how to take care of a dog’s coat. You, as a responsible groomer, might be the first person to tell them just how bad it is. I think it’s the breeders’ responsibility to educate the new potential owners. However, a lot of breeders just don’t do that, and the reality is that people don’t do enough uhh research before getting a dog. I wish groomers would pick up that responsibility and educate their customers.

Some general tips that have worked for me over the years:

- Treat them like toddlers but take their concerns seriously, no matter how ridiculous.

- Lose the owner, lose the dog. Don’t let them get defensive or they’ll never come back and you won’t be able to help the dog long term.

- Always assume the best of intentions.

- People love their dogs and don’t want them to suffer, regardless of how it looks to us as professionals.

- The fact that they haven’t taken good care of their dogs is a hard pill to swallow. Be kind and patient.

- Owners will be shocked and in denial. Gently guide them through the stages of grief to reach acceptance.

- Take some guilt off of them. Tell them “of course you couldn’t do it any better because no one told you”

- Keep reminding them that the dog’s wellbeing should be the priority and that long fur is an awful lot of work and purely for the owner’s aesthetic in certain breeds.

- Yes, regular appointments are best, but acknowledge that some people can’t afford every 6 weeks. Please don’t abandon those customers. Figure out a haircut/routine that works for them.

- Encourage them to do what they can at home, even if it looks “ugly” it’s better than letting the dog suffer

- Show them how you brush out mats, wash and dry the dogs.

- Show them the bare essentials to keep eyes, paws, ears and bikini zone clean at home.

- Yes, most of your customers will still need you even if you taught them the basics. The ones who don’t need you anymore? Good for them and the dog.

- Enjoy the fact that customers who tried to groom their dog at home will have much deeper appreciation and understanding for your hard labor and skills

- Remember the learning curve isn’t straightforward. Over time you’ll see improvements but also worsening in different areas. Don’t give them a hard time for it.

- PRAISE! Dogs aren’t the only ones who thrive on it. Make sure to acknowledge and even praise every little improvement! Literally tell them how proud you are of them!

Bonus:

- Keep reminding yourself of long term goals and why you’re doing this job. I assume it’s to help dogs feel good in their bodies and, if possible, look cute.

- Never make fun of or talk badly about your customers, even behind their backs. It will only fuel a growing animosity for them deep inside of you, and it will get increasingly harder to build a connection. Remember: Lose the owner, lose the dog.

I realize most of these tips are hard to apply if you work in a corporate setting. I honestly don’t have any specific advice for you. Do your best but also don’t let them exploit you? Also things might differ depending on your region. I’m in Germany, if that’s of interest, and let me tell you, the standard here is 💩 and there’s a general (not unreasonable) distrust towards groomers.

This list is all over the place but it’s just the things that helped me and came to my mind. Sure I can’t get through to everyone, but over time I do see massive improvements in most owners! I encourage everyone here to do the same. It’s a lot of emotional labor but it’s so worth it. You, the owners, the dogs, everyone will benefit from it.

We all love dogs. Let’s extend our love to the humans as well.

I'm currently a groomer at PetSmart. Fairly junior. Been grooming about a year and a half, and a year of being a bather. The culture is just so horrendous. The DL is an a-hole all around, so transferring stores isnt really an option. But I dont want to regret my decision. Because at least at ive gotten some vacation time and I know to expect the worse. But the people and management is so bad. Anyone have any experience at both? Or even what Petco is like? What your pay is like at Petco? Idk what to do and i just want to quit.... :'(