🐶 10 Commandments of Grooming

Aspiring groomers listen closely…

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You’re about to hear the Ten Commandments of Grooming, the pivotal things the grooming veterans have learned during their careers.

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Take notes if you about to em-bark on your new grooming career. If you’re years into grooming and now realizing how hard this job really is, you may find yourself nodding your head in agreement.

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Ready to dive in?

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Here are the 10 key things you need to know before becoming a pet groomer:‍

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1. You don’t have to groom every dog or accept every client

• So many new groomers get desperate to fill their books, that they end up accepting everyone.
• New mobile groomers will accept jobs out of range. New salon groomers will accept unruly clients.
• This will cause MUCH more pain than it’s worth!

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2. Mental health is just as important as physical health

• Don’t bring your work home from you - that includes your appointment book, equipment, and even groomer drama!!
• Instead, hire an admin or turn on online booking. Or plan an afternoon where you only handle “office” tasks.
• You need work life balance - no ifs ands or buts around it!

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3. Price high from the beginning

• I hate to make a generalization, but if you are new - you are probably not charging enough!
• Charge high out of the gate to show your worth and set expectations.
• And if it makes you feel better - you can always lower your prices but it is NOT FUN to tell your clients that you’re prices are going up.

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4. Invest in high quality equipment

• Poor equipment leads to poor service.
• The right set of equipment might be more expensive up front, but in the long run it can end up lasting 2 or 3x longer than the cheap stuff.
• Plus - the right set of scissors can end up saving your wrist! The right table can end up saving your back!

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5. You are not going to make every client happy

• Some clients will NEVER be happy. No matter how many pupcones, bandanas, or discounts you give them.
• So just accept this. It’s usually not a you problem.

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6. Take care of your back, it’ll catch up on you

• The best habit: always lift with your legs & keep your back straight.
• Electric tables help save you from bending over.
• And go to the gym, lift weights, stretch for an added benefit.

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7. Burnout is REAL

• As a new groomer, you might be eager to make a bunch of money right away. “4 big doodle’s a day? No problem!!”
• But I promise you - it’ll catch up with you!
• Set boundaries early, put limits on your days, and take vacations!

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8. Policies and procedures are in place for a reason

• No matter how cute a dog is or how long you’ve been working with a client, if they break the rules they must know.
• If a client no-shows, tell them about the policy and stand firm.
• If a client complains about a price increase, tell them you have to pay your bills at home too.

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9. Patience is a virtue

• You're going to be various pets all day - and then you're going to add scissors and blades to the mix!
• You're going to get rude and condescending clients.
• Know this now and just smile through it. I promise, you are stronger than you think 💪

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10. You’ll always wish you started sooner ❤️

• Despite the hurdles and effort involved, a career in dog grooming is deeply rewarding and satisfying for all animal lovers.
• You’ll find yourself loving the job and regretting not starting earlier.

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