Mary’s Musings
Staying Safe in an Uncertain World: Personal Protection for Groomers
by Mary Oquendo
A s groomers, many of us work solo, especially those who are mobile and house-call. And while we are well-educated and experienced in handling the uncooperative or aggressive dog, we might not always take into consideration another danger we face…people.

We all have a horror story of sorts of an uncomfortable encounter with a client—some of us more than one. Here is one of mine: I was grooming a new Golden Retriever while the dog’s owners hosted a party. The male owner came into my grooming van, holding a beer, and obviously a little drunk. I then realized I didn’t know anyone at that party and wondered if anyone would even help if I called for assistance. Fortunately, he didn’t care for bumping into the sharp end of my scissors, which were pointed in his direction, and he left without incident. But that could have been a different story, and I instituted many changes from that day forward.

While I wish I could say that this behavior is uncommon, it’s been the topic of many of our industry podcasts. So, how can we reduce or eliminate these human horror stories?

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Listen to your gut. Hunch, instinct, deeper knowing…whatever you call it, these are just some of the many names for feelings or the ability to understand something is off without immediate conscious reasoning.
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  1. Listen to your gut. Hunch, instinct, deeper knowing…whatever you call it, these are just some of the many names for feelings or the ability to understand something is off without immediate conscious reasoning. Pay attention to those feelings. Your subconscious has picked up on behavioral cues that indicate danger.
  2. Secure the location. Close and lock doors. Door and window screens are not a deterrent, as someone can quickly push through. Think about installing a door-buzzer entry system, which you can get for under $200 on Amazon. Buzzer systems also have the added benefit of owners not distracting their dogs by entering your place of business early. If you’re mobile, lock all entry doors. And if you’re house-call, ensure there is always a clear line of sight to any exit.
  3. Carry a weapon. Know the laws in your state before deciding on any weapon. Before I retired in CT, I could get a Conceal Carry permit for a gun but couldn’t legally own pepper spray. Weapons are dangerous and can cause harm or death. Proper and continual training is a must.
  4. Do an internet search for sex offenders. Google sex offender/state/county. It will pull up a map in which you put in an address and set the radius, and it will list all registered sex offenders in that radius. Don’t assume you will be safe because of women in the household, sometimes they act as an accomplice.
  5. Install a panic button that links to the police department. A security company is your best option for installs, especially for remote use by mobile and house-call groomers. However, alarm companies such as Ring may have options as well. Call 911 when any client acts in a threatening manner and inform the 911 dispatcher that you are in physical danger.

You do not have to groom any pet just because someone has made an appointment and shown up at your business, or greets you at the door for mobile or house-call services.

  1. Say no. You do not have to groom any pet just because someone has made an appointment and shown up at your business, or greets you at the door for mobile or house-call services. On more than one occasion, I made up some excuse to leave after arriving at the client’s home simply because I didn’t feel comfortable.
  2. Take a self-defense class. Your local police department may have a listing of self-defense classes and weapons training programs. Often these are available through a community center or YMCA.
  3. Be aware of psychological abuse. This behavior includes threatening, belittling, blaming and making fun of, and it can come from a client, employer or another employee. Your best option as an employee is to talk to your employer if it regards another employee or client and keep documentation. If it’s your boss, the same advice holds: speak to them about it and document it, and maybe be prepared to find alternate employment. If it’s a client and you work alone, it’s best to tell them to find a new groomer.
  4. Protect your employees. If you’re a business owner, you are responsible for providing safe working environments for your employees. Discussing those responsibilities with a local business attorney is a good place to start.
Combining knowledge, sharp observational skills and confidence in your judgment, hopefully as an industry we will have less scary stories to share about unpleasant encounters with those at the other end of the leash.

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