There are professionals in several fields that are working to understand, prevent and educate about this problem. One factor to consider is that pet groomers work in so many different venues: alone in a mobile unit, alone in a retail shop, as an employee in a big box store, in a small salon with a small staff, as a house-call groomer, out of our own homes, or affiliated with a similar business such as a boarding facility, daycare or veterinary hospital.

1. Examine yourself and be honest with yourself. Keep a journal, writing a few minutes each day about insights you have into yourself. A quick list of self-observations is helpful; you don’t have to write a novel.
2. No one of us is perfect. We have all lost our tempers from time to time and can all benefit from some daily self-examination. Don’t be afraid to see yourself for who you are.
3. Practice self-monitoring for rising symptoms of stress. Do you feel your temper rising with a certain dog or client? Do you ever feel stressed, overwhelmed, frustrated? Are there stresses in your non-work life that are affecting your ability to do your job in a healthy way? Just stop working for a minute and take deep breaths. Set limits every single day in your work life to protect your health and well-being for the long term.
4. Seek counseling and support for any issues that could potentially lead to trouble. And not just in this area of your ability to manage the dogs you groom, but in your overall health and stress levels. Everywhere in America there are low-cost and free community mental health services, sliding scale fees or free, not-for-profit counseling sources. Don’t try to tackle this alone—go talk to someone!
5. Connect with a Master Groomer or other experienced groomers either near you or through the many online groomer communities or organizations. Ask for mentoring! Lots of us will be happy to do that for groomers who work alone.

Remember, even if you groom by yourself all day long, no one of us is truly alone. We are in a very large grooming industry that is part of an even larger pet industry. Everywhere there are more experienced groomers willing to just talk or to help with advice, resources and ideas. Find out if your state has a grooming association, and if it does, join it. Reach out. Make connections.

1. Screen potential employees first with phone interviews before hiring. Always check references and do not hire without them.
2. When considering a hire, run background checks on anyone that will be working with live animals.
3. Ask directly during the interview process about temper control and anger management. Ask how they will handle a behavior issue with a dog and pay careful attention to vague answers. Take notes during the interview.
4. Require and create incentives for staff to learn more about animal behavior management. There are dog training classes everywhere. For an excellent podcast devoted to the topic of how to manage behavior and the dog for grooming, I highly recommend Chrissy Neumeyer Smith’s “Creating Great Grooming Dogs.”¹
5. Practice scenarios with the entire staff to identify warning signs of rising frustration and stress, and go over the steps to take when these feelings occur.
6. Post visual signs around the workplace positively stating safety rules and healthy reminders to take a break and ask for help when needed. Also verbally reinforce this often as you walk around supervising.
7. Managers and owners should be frequently seen throughout the workday, so be sure to walk around and talk to your staff every day; don’t just stay at the front desk or in your office.
8. Make this value central to your business culture. Write it near the very top of your employee handbook, model the loving care of the dogs that you expect of your staff and talk about it at regular staff meetings.
9. Have security cameras throughout the business. There should be a camera on any space where the dogs will be throughout their time with you.
10. For employees of a grooming business: If you SEE something, SAY something! Don’t worry that maybe you are misinterpreting what another employee is doing, and don’t worry about “getting a colleague in trouble.” Your reports to a manager are confidential, and all you must say is that you saw something that “may be of concern,” then leave it up to management. That is on them. Your job is first and foremost to be a voice for all the animals in your care.

Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis famously said in 1914 that “sunshine is the best disinfectant.” These wise words help us realize that keeping bad things hidden only makes them worse. Justice Brandeis was talking about how important transparency is to an organization to prevent corruption. This can similarly apply to the grooming industry, as groomer abuse of pets sadly does sometimes happen. Ignoring it or pretending it does not exist will not help it go away.

All the dogs who go home groomed and happily cared for deserve for us to prioritize this. There is no better “thank you” for grooming with gentleness and understanding than the wagging tail and slobbery kiss from a dog when we show them nothing but the love they deserve.

1. Creating Great Grooming Dogs Podcast: https://www.creatinggreatgroomingdogs.com/
2. AKC S.A.F.E (Safety, Assurance, Fundamentals, Education) Grooming Program: https://www.akc.org/products-services/akc-safe-grooming-program/
3. PPGSA Standards Of Safety, Care & Sanitation: https://petgroomersandstylists.org/standards
4. Master Groomers Council on Best Practices (MGCBP): https://mgcbp.com/

Humane Society Of The United States: What you can do to help stop animal abuse: https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/report-animal-cruelty

American Humane Association: Animal Abuse Fact Sheet: https://www.americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/animal-abuse/

Four Paws USA: Ten Tips To Prevent Animal Cruelty And Abuse: https://www.fourpawsusa.org/campaigns-topics/topics/companion-animals/preventcrueltytoanimals/ways-to-prevent-cruelty-to-animals

Mayo Clinic: Ten Tips To Tame Your Temper: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/anger-management/art-20045434

Psych Central: Seven Proven Ways To Avoid Losing Your Temper At Work: https://psychcentral.com/health/avoid-losing-temper-at-work

ight years ago, groomer Amanda Madtes discovered she had Reynaud’s Disease. She describes the symptoms as “burning hot on the fingertips, blue or white fingers, and loss of grip and strength in the hand.” Amanda continued to groom professionally until two years ago when she could no longer hold a clipper for extended periods or grip a comb when working through large dogs.

Now, she only grooms her own five dogs and occasionally competes with her miniature Poodle. At most shows though, she sells her dog collars and other accessories through her company, Celtic K9 Dubhlinn.

The native Dubliner originally came to the U.S. to pursue a career in costume design. “I moved to NYC in 1996 to work for Calvin Klein,” Amanda shares. “I discovered and fell in love with dog grooming after getting a Golden Retriever named Dubhlinn (Gaelic for Dublin).”

When Dubhlinn started blowing his puppy coat around seven months old, she panicked and took him to the veterinarian. They kindly laughed and referred her to a local groomer, which is where Amanda was first turned on to world of dog grooming.

“I found a fascinating correlation between my two passions of dogs and art,” she says. “I realized that I could have a career working with dogs, and promptly enrolled in an accredited Dog Grooming School in Manhattan, NYC.

“After my first day of training,” Amanda continues. “I was hooked. Making dogs feel and look their best while sculpting their hair was incredible and addictive.”

By 2018, Amanda and her husband moved to a house on four acres of land in Pennsylvania. Then, Amanda started competing in grooming shows with five dogs and one tolerant cat. But she also set her heart on a Poodle.

“After a lot of searching and reference checks, my very good friend found me a retired show Poodle. We named him Gazpacho or ‘Spachie,’” she shares.

Amanda says that Spachie changed her life. “Spachie came with some clothing items I’d never seen before. A Snood, leg protectors, and a satin-lined and padded collar. I already (thought) I knew how to maintain his coat being a groomer, but was stumped when I saw his clothes,” she says.

Photo by Amanda Madtes

Amanda researched Snoods and found they protect Poodle ears from trailing in food and water during mealtime. “The Leg Protectors,” she adds, “were to be put on during rain/snow or hiking to protect his leg hair from burrs and getting soaked, which leads to hair matting. Also, because sometimes he’s very lazy and doesn’t lift up his leg, he used to pee on the back of his front legs. The Leg Protectors help keep him clean.”

She discovered the padded, satin-lined collar protected delicate neck hair from breakage. “Everything was starting to make sense!” she shares.

As Spachie’s original collar started looking dingy, Amanda pulled out her sewing machine and made something similar from curtain fabric and satin from her wedding dress (which she had made.) However, it turns out that even former fashion designers have a hard time covering stainless steel martingale collars with fabric. So, Amanda created a collar pattern and headed to the fabric store.

“I missed the magical smell of uncut fabric and went a little wild buying all the colors that caught my eye,” Amanda says. “Next, I spent all of my free time making my boy a whole new wardrobe of collars, getting a little more creative with each one.”

Amanda then tapped into a new market when she photographed the collection and posted the pictures on social media. “I was bombarded by fellow groomer friends to make one for their Poodles,” she shares. “Sizing was trial and error; I can’t thank my wonderful friends enough for their patience in working that kink out with me.”

Once she realized people wanted her collars, she expanded, and in May of 2020, Celtic K9 Dubhlinn was officially born. “Bless my Husband and his patience as I took over an entire room of our house with sewing machines, fabrics, and every trim I could get my hands on,” Amanda says.

As soon as she felt comfortable with the patterns for her collars, Amanda started working on patterns for other products to protect the coat. For example, she created Snoods, adjustable for a growing dog. “I also realized they could be water resistant for inclement weather,” Amanda adds.

“Then, leg protectors were a three-week project to get a design that worked for my hyper Poodle,” she shares. “Finding water-resistant fabric that was lightweight enough to let my dog move easily was also a top priority.”

Her full line also includes Cooling Coats, Drying/Sacking jackets for grooming or showing, padded cases for grooming tools, and Quick Release Sets for those who work their dogs in agility and other sports.

Amanda finds inspiration for her designs everywhere, and says that some are mood-based. “I go through phases,” she says. “When I’m feeling sad, that’s when I make collars with the most brilliant and brightest trims that sparkle. When I’m feeling happy, I go off on a tangent, which could be anything from a color theory to an inspiration like moths or dragons. It never feels like work, and I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to work with the most beautiful dogs in the world.”

By May 2021, Amanda had moved Celtic K9 into a newly renovated barn on their property. “Now I have the perfect work studio,” she shares. “I want people to know a groomer makes these. I also want them to know that we try to put every effort into attention and detail, and that we stand by our products. If they ever have a problem, they can come straight back to us and we will make it right. We don’t have a warehouse or manufacturer. Everything is made by hand.”

Amanda’s hard work and commitment to her craft is paying off, too. Celtic K9 Dubhlinn was nominated for the Barkleigh Honors “Vendor of the Year” award in both 2022 and 2023. “This was out of left field for us, as we were trying to nominate our friends and fellow industry people,” she shares. “When we got the email, we were on the floor (literally on the floor, crying and laughing and terrified.) Fast forward to the night of the Awards Ceremony, and seeing our name up there with some of the amazing companies that have been established for many years was one of the biggest moments we will never forget.”

In addition to the nominations, Amanda said that being a vendor at Groom Expo was also one of the highlights of her life concerning the grooming industry. “It’s been an amazing journey from attendee to competitor to vendor,” she adds.

Amanda shares some parting words for groomers: “Protect your body. Your hands and back are your livelihood. If it’s time to leave the grooming table, find your passion. You can work within the industry without grooming!”

Oral health is one example of where groomers can have significant positive impact. Pet owners do not always equate oral malodor or halitosis with periodontal disease. Thus, it is imperative that the veterinary care team, including pet groomers, work together to remind pet owners that a pet cannot truly be healthy if they have periodontal disease. The oral cavity is constantly inundated by bacteria and provides the perfect environment for microbial growth. Animals require dental care to maintain overall health, just as humans. Dental disease causes pain and discomfort; and the associated disease processes may lead to systemic issues.⁵

The veterinary care team members know that animals require dental care to maintain oral and systemic health. However, dental health is seldom top of mind for pet owners. Additionally, many animals hide pain and obviously cannot tell the caregiver where it hurts. Oral malodor, changes in eating behavior and drooling are often accepted as “normal behavior” in pets by their owners. These changes may be seen during a grooming appointment, or the owner may mention that the chest area of the dog has been damp and dingy—a result of the dog drooling. To aid in oral health care even further, there is now a tool that is extremely beneficial in identifying infection in the oral cavity, which can be used by groomers.

A thiol test is a tool that can be used on awake animals that provides a fast, objective assessment of the pet’s periodontal health, allowing for a team approach to oral health. Simply slide the strip along the upper gumline of every canine or feline pet presenting for their grooming appointment, and if the strip changes color to any shade of yellow, infection is present. This color-changed strip should then be brought to the attention of the pet’s veterinarian. If there is no color change, the veterinary team should still be notified the test was performed, the negative result should be recorded in the pet’s medical record, and the pet owner can be celebrated and encouraged to maintain the great work done to keep their pet’s mouth healthy, and to continue to follow up with their veterinarian.

This dental health example shows the importance of pet groomers working together with veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Companion animals’ grooming needs are an important aspect of their health-related care and an important aspect of basic hygiene essential to maintaining their health and well-being. All members of the healthcare team are passionate about the needs of the pet, and all want what is best for the pet. Thus, working together to address potential health issues is a win for the hospital team, a win for the groomer and, most importantly, a win for the pet.

1. Muvhali M, Singh T. (2021, June). Pet groomers’ occupational exposures: an under-researched group of workers in a growing pet-care industry. Current Allergy & Clinical Immunology. Vol 34, No 2, 87-95.
2. McDonald SE, Doherty C, Sweeney J, et. al. (2022) Barriers to and facilitators of pet grooming among clients served by a subsidized grooming service program. Front. Vet. Sci. 9:1021707.
3. McDonald SE, Sweeney J, Niestat L, et al. (2022). Grooming-related concerns among companion animals: preliminary data on an overlooked topic and considerations for animals’ access to health-related services. Front. Vet. Sci. 9:827348.
4. American Pet Products Association. 2021-2022 APPA National Pet Owners Survey. Greenwich, CT: American Pet Products Association (2021).
5. Burns, KM. (2019/2020, December/January). The Importance of Dental Homecare in the Management of Periodontal Disease. The NAVTA Journal. Pp. 9-16.

Kara Burns MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition), VTS-H (Internal Medicine, Dentistry) is Editor in Chief of Today’s Veterinary Nurse. Kara is founder and president of the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians and is past president of NAVTA, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America. She has authored numerous articles and textbook chapters and is an internationally invited speaker, presenting on topics including leadership and technician utilization. Kara currently serves as clinical advisor and key opinion leader for PDX BIOTECH, makers of the OraStripdx thiol test (orastripdx.com).

More than 6,000 attendees from all over the world met at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania to experience the 35th annual Groom Expo. They came to celebrate 35 years of progress, technology and education…but mostly they came to celebrate people. It’s the people who have made Groom Expo what it is today.

It started with Sally Liddick and Gwen Shelly, who believed that groomers needed a place to come together and an opportunity to network and socialize with each other. Add to them the people who invented new tools and equipment and showcased it at the trade show, helping to shape the industry and make groomers’ lives easier, and the people who share their knowledge through the seminars and breed demos that have given groomers the opportunity to build successful, happy careers. And, just as important, are all the attendees who come year after year to be with each other and experience everything this wonderful event has to offer.

“Thirty-five years is a long time, and our industry has changed tremendously,” says Gwen Shelly, CEO of Barkleigh Productions. “When Sally and I held the first Groom Expo in 1988, about 500 groomers attended.

“It’s absolutely incredible what Groom Expo has become!” exclaims beaming attendee Theresa Wells. “I was at the first Groom Expo held in 1988. When I started grooming, I had a pair of Oster A-2 clippers and a couple pair of Double Duck scissors. My grooming table was a cut-off kitchen table with a cabinet on top of it.”

“This incredible industry has become my second family, and Hershey is where we all come together to support each other,” says attendee Jilly Mucciarone. “Every year we come to Hershey and pick up right where we left off. It’s like no time has passed at all, yet we all continue to grow and chase our own dreams in between. I’ve found support and learned that I’m never really alone. I look forward to Hershey more than any other show.”

It’s true. You are never alone when you are at Groom Expo! At events like the Internet Mingle, the Opening Night Party and the meal functions, you can begin talking to a complete stranger and soon find you have a connection and a lot in common.

“I went to the Internet Mingle and sat at a table where I didn’t know anyone,” says Mindy Hammond. “Soon, we were all chatting and having a wonderful time. Lots of the gals were winning the raffle prizes. I was thrilled for them, but my numbers were never called.”

Near the end of the event, Mindy Hammond’s number was called and she won a spectacular Shernbao stand dryer. “I never win anything,” gasped an astonished Mindy. “This dryer is fabulous! It has changed the way I groom.”

Thanks to the generosity of vendors and others who donate items, the Internet Mingle, hosted by Jameson and Melina Kon, has grown every year.

“It’s all fun and games when we get together for the event, but the money that is raised at the Internet Mingle goes to help groomers that fall into hardship or unforeseen circumstances,” says Jameson.

The generosity of the grooming industry knows no bounds at Groom Expo. The Silent Auction raised an astounding $25,810.50. Those proceeds were divided among the rescue groups that provided dogs for the Rescue Roundup. The Show Close Auction proceeds were divided between GroomTeam USA and the rescue groups.

With over 170 booths, Groom Expo hosts the largest professional pet care product trade show on the planet. Not only can you see all the newest innovations and products and try on scissors for a perfect fit, product demos and mini grooming sessions are presented all throughout the weekend.

“I have been going for nearly a decade,” shares Elli Bultemeier. “I started as an attendee, then competitor, and then a vendor rep. Now we have our own booth and I am a speaker. Seeing all sides is truly amazing!”

“As a speaker and working the booth, my favorite part is getting to talk to the other groomers,” says Anjie Coates. “I love seeing things through their eyes and seeing them get excited about a topic I’m teaching.

“The thrill of excitement and the thrum of it is palpable—more so at Hershey than any other show. I love all the shows, and will continue to go to as many as I can every year, but Hershey is my favorite,” Anjie continues. “The number of vendors is also just amazing. If you want a particular something, and it exists, someone there will have it. There are limitless options. All in all, Hershey is consistently an 11/10.”

Groom Expo has always been known as “the learning show,” with dozens of educational seminars, certificate courses and workshops presented by industry experts. Every seminar allows you to step into its specialized segment of the grooming industry. The topics run the gamut of pet grooming trends and techniques, business management, self-care and more.

“My favorite class was Marketing Your Grooming Salon with Community Events presented by Amanda McGrath,” says attendee Lindsey Bronson. “I love the demo classes, but this class was SO informational, and Amanda was really engaging and fun to listen to. There was so much value in that hour I spent with her!”

The grooming competitions are also a tremendously important part of Groom Expo. From the spectacular two-day Groom Olympics Tournaments with its $25,000 in prize money to the Abstract Creative Runway Competition, the Creative Styling Competition and the Rescue Round-Up Invitational—every competition showcases the talents, skills and creativity of the participants.

“I attended Groom Expo for the first time last year,” says competitor Monica King. “I remember sitting in the audience during Creative with my best friend, Michelle, and she said, ‘You are going to be up on that stage next year, making your dreams come true.’ I laughed at the time, but this year, I got up on that stage next to my creative friends who have become family.

“I laughed, I cried, but I did it!” Monica continues. “I had the support of the entire grooming community with me as I did my groom and presentation of ‘Nina’s Garden.’”

During the presentation of her “Nina’s Garden” Creative entry, flowers were handed out to audience members in tribute and memory of Monica’s mother who passed away during COVID.

“Not only do your fellow competitors understand, but so do the judges,” continues Holly. “The judges do such a fantastic job providing critiques that build your confidence and provide direction of where to expand your skills. I left the show, not with a placement, but with lifelong friends, the inspiration to groom for another 20 years, and experiences that I will never ever forget.”

Saturday evening at Groom Expo is reserved for the Barkleigh Honors Banquet, the Best in Show Awards, the Abstract Creative Runway Competition and the prestigious Barkleigh Honors Awards.

“The goal of the Barkleigh Honors Awards is to recognize the people that go above and beyond in their contributions to our industry,” says Barkleigh President, Todd Shelly.

The awards cover all segments of the industry, from blogs, videos and websites to speakers, competitors and new products. Every category is filled with qualified and deserving nominees.

This year, Ren and Lynn Netherland won the Barkleigh Honors Award for “Contribution to the Industry.” They have been a staple at Groom Expo and many other shows, along with their business, Animal Photography. Their work and dedication to the industry is evident in many issues of Groomer To Groomer Magazine and through the countless amount of behind-the-scenes work they do for the industry.

Even though it is held in Hershey, PA, Groom Expo has become a meeting place for groomers from all over the globe…

“I am a cat-exclusive groomer in Brisbane, Australia and travel more than 10,000 miles to attend Groom Expo,” shares Sarah Warner. “I thoroughly enjoy the seminars, the trade show, the competitions, and putting so many faces to names.

“While in the U.S., my daughter had a medical emergency and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance,” Sarah adds. “The people within the grooming industry were immediate in their offers of genuine, practical assistance and showed so much love and compassion for both of us in what was an incredibly worrying time. This is, in my opinion, the greatest gift a show like Groom Expo can give. The connection to our peers and colleagues and the appreciation that no one is in this industry alone. The people I’ve met at in-person events is genuinely and truly the biggest incentive for me to make the monstrous financial and time investment to continue to attend.”

Groomers like Sarah Warner, Theresa Wells, who attended the first Groom Expo in 1988, and many others who come every year will tell you there are many things that make Groom Expo the most unique and popular show on the planet. But one of the things that is on the top of everyone’s list is the people…the people at Groom Expo.

There are different philosophies as to how we can use add-ons to our advantage. Some believe you advertise a very cheap base price, and everything else is an add-on. For example, the base price may be $35, but they will include nail trim, styling, brush-out, bow and cologne as add-ons, making the actual out-the-door price $85.

Years ago, a veterinarian in my area advertised dog spays at $99 and, in fine print, it said “anesthesia extra.” No one was going to have a spay done without anesthesia! So when clients picked up, he handed them a bill for $700+ for that cheap spay. This method often ends in irate clients if you are not upfront about the additional charges.

Another approach is to include everything in an all-in-one package. The issue we commonly fight with this is that we often price ourselves out of the market with the local competition. This is also true with the salons that only offer luxury products and charge a premium. Neither one allows the client a choice either. It sounds like a good plan, but it limits your clientele very quickly and does not allow for any upsells.

If we look at the average clientele from local neighborhoods around the grooming salon, it is usually very diverse. And the best way to succeed is to meet people where they are (within reason). Figuring out how to help Mrs. Jones with Fifi and Cowboy Bill with Butch in the same salon strengthens your business. Does it mean we must cut Cowboy Bill’s prices to make it work? No, it simply means they have different needs and you need to meet them with a price point that works for you. Both can be good clients, they just have different needs.

One solution is to offer choices to your clients. I always did three. Why? Well, let’s look at it from the client’s perspective: First, if they call in and ask for prices, we can say that the groom ranges from $65-$105 (just an example), depending on which packages you want. That addresses pricing yourself out of the market with the person who doesn’t understand the differences between the salons and gives you a chance to win them over. Secondly, when they come in, most clients will look at the packages to decide their comfort zone. And unless money is a huge issue (which isn’t as much as most clients say), the average client will commonly pick the middle option. They don’t want to look cheap, so they don’t want the cheapest one, yet they want to try you out before making the jump to the highest price package. Then you will have the Mrs. Joneses out there who only want the best, and they will pick the most expensive, no matter the cost. Cowboy Bill wants the no-frills option just to get the manure smell off his dog, and you can accommodate him also. All levels can be great clients, so we shouldn’t judge them on what level they picked.

So how do we offer different levels? We can provide different services at each level and different qualities of products. This doesn’t mean we compromise the health and well-being of the pet’s skin by using harsh products or skipping conditioners for the economy services, we just don’t use luxury products. Most shampoo lines have economy, routine, and luxury in the lines they offer, and the products should be the basis of our packages. The difference in price from economy to luxury may only be a couple of dollars difference (your cost per bath price) but can amount to a $10-20 difference in price to the client. Remember, you are giving them the option to choose. You should get very little pushback as long as they can see a difference.

Once clients have picked the level of service they want, they rarely upgrade independently. Why? Well, if they are happy, they don’t see the advantage of making a change. The way to overcome that is to show them the advantage. Here is one way to do that:

“Mrs. Smith, in honor of Valentine’s day I want to do something special for Tiffany. The next package up is normally $20 more, but I will give it to you at your normal $85 fee today. All I ask is for you to give me feedback about the upgraded products and services.” Do not be surprised when Mrs. Smith calls back and tells you she wants you to do to the higher-priced package every time!

So what does that mean for the salon? You just increased your bathing price by $20 with a minimum cost upgrade (just $1-2 for you), and you get no complaints from the client because it was their choice. I have seen salons convert as much as 25-30% of their clientele to higher packages. Just think of what that would do to help your profit margin!

Add-ons can be a considerable tool to increase a salon’s profitability, but an add-on or upgrade must increase the value to the client. It must be something they can see, feel or smell. The one thing you do not want to do is compromise your services in the lower-end packages. Remember, every dog that walks out of your salon is a walking billboard.

The real goal is to offer the upper-level services and products that no one else does. You want the reputation with your clients that you are the best so all their like-minded friends also want to come to you!!

Dr. Cliff Faver graduated with a BS in Biology/BA in Chemistry before getting a Veterinary degree in 1987. He is the past owner of Animal Health Services in Cave Creek, Arizona and now the US distributor for Iv San Bernard products, teaches the ISB Pet Aesthetician Certification program, and speaks internationally on hair and skin. His passion is to merge groomers and veterinarians to aid in helping and healing pets. He is also a member of AVMA, AAHA, AZVMA, Board member with Burbank Kennel Club, and has served on Novartis Lead Committee, Hill’s International Global Veterinary Board, and a Veterinary Management Group.

Start by making a list of all the services and options you already provide for cat clients. Include the services that are part of every groom like nail trimming, as well as specialty products and services you offer like hypoallergenic shampoos, minimal trimming and your different options of haircuts. Organize your list to make it easy for you to mix and match to create some sample plans for reference.

• Breed and Coat Type. Understanding the cat’s breed, coat type and length will help you to determine its grooming needs. The cat’s current coat condition will also need to be assessed by touching the coat and feeling for any matting, skin issues, etc.
• Temperament and Behavior. During the physical assessment, observe the cat’s reactions and body language. Is the cat generally anxious or relaxed? How does it react to any new or louder background noises? Are there any areas of the cat’s body that show signs of pain when touched?
• Health Considerations. Inquire about any underlying health conditions, allergies or skin issues. Always keep the cat’s comfort and safety the top priority when choosing appropriate grooming products, services and techniques. Some health issues may limit what can be done, while others can make the cat more sensitive to stress or handling.
• Owner’s Preferences. While the cat’s needs will always come first, still make sure to listen to the owner’s preferences and expectations. Some may desire specific grooming styles, whereas others are primarily concerned with maintaining their cat’s health and hygiene. No matter what services you ultimately offer for each cat, be sure to include how the client’s questions and requests are addressed.

• Grooming Services. Select the specific grooming services that you recommend for each cat. These can range from basic services like bathing and brushing to more specialized treatments like flea control, de-shedding, color enhancing, hair styles, etc.
• Products & Tools. Shampoos, finishing products and grooming tools can be selected to best fit the cat’s coat, color and any skin sensitivities or needs. This can also include tools and product recommendations for the client to use at home as well.
• Frequency. Along with the recommended services, include the ideal grooming frequency for appointments. More hair typically means more frequent maintenance, so be sure to discuss how often grooms should be executed to meet the goals you’ve established with the owner.
• Options & Pricing. Some cats may have multiple options available to them. For example, a healthy adult cat that is compliant for handling and isn’t matted can either be maintained in full coat or a candidate for various haircut styles and lengths. Include what options are available for the cat, along with the price and frequency differences for each.
• Available Upgrades. Finally, include any optional add-on services that the client can choose to add to the regular grooming, such as temporary color, shaved or trimmed designs, specialized haircut styling, nail caps, accessories, etc.

A branded handout or template that can be customized for each client is a great way of providing more information about the services you’re offering and to reiterate the recommendations you’ve made for their cat. This can be stored for your records as well as shared with the client.

1. Tailored care ensures that each cat receives precisely what it needs, enhancing their overall well-being and building a positive grooming relationship between you and the cat.
2. Satisfied clients are more likely to become loyal customers, stay on regular grooming schedules, be willing to pay premium prices and recommend your services to others.
3. Offering custom packages sets your grooming business apart from competitors and positions you as an expert in feline care.
4. Spending the extra time initially can lead to increased revenue, especially when clients opt for premium services, add- ons and increased frequency of appointments.

By tailoring your services to meet the precise needs of each cat that walks through your door, you not only enhance their well-being, but also position your cat grooming business as a premium service that stands out from the rest. And while hosting private consultations and devising these individualized care plans may require some extra time initially, the dividends are substantial. Clients will deeply appreciate the personalized attention, place greater trust in your expertise and become more actively engaged in their cat’s care. This, in turn, fosters stronger client-groomer relationships, making clients more willing to invest in these specialized services, increases their respect for your time and policies, and reduces the likelihood of missed or canceled appointments.

That said, there are steps owners can take to enhance these businesses. One effective approach involves adding retail products to the grooming salon, which can help increase sales, attract more clientele and even boost customer loyalty. The process of adding retail to your grooming business does not need to be complex; the two areas of the business can actually complement one another.

Let’s dig into the four ways you can enhance your grooming business by adding a retail arm to the salon:

References:

1. Jaracz, J. (2023, August). Inflation for pet expenses grew at twice the rate of other consumer products last year. eTailPet. https://etailpet.io/blog/inflation-pet-expenses/
   

Brooke Jackson is the General Manager at eTailPet—the cloud-based POS platform created specifically for independent pet retail businesses. Leveraging her extensive background in customer experience and support management, she brings over a decade of valuable expertise to the role. With a successful five-year tenure as a Franchise Owner, Brooke adeptly integrates key performance indicators (KPIs) from her franchise experience to optimize operations at eTailPet. Her passion and commitment to customer satisfaction dri­ves her to deliver top-tier service through eTailPet’s comprehensive all-in-one POS platform.

• Working extended hours to accommodate the holiday rush. When you’re pushing yourself beyond a healthy amount of work, it takes its toll on your mind. You may start to feel overwhelmed, distracted and exhausted. Your stress levels may rise, along with frustration and anxiety. Not only do these negative emotions hurt your mental state, but they can also lead to physical symptoms such as headaches and digestive problems. We may not even notice problems because adrenaline starts to take over. Sleep quality becomes affected, along with poor dietary choices, thus compounding the problem.

• We still have our holiday preparation to deal with. It’s no fun working a 12-hour day and then dragging our tired bodies to stores for shopping and prepping. Between shopping for gifts, decorating the home, planning dinners and ensuring everything is running smoothly, the holidays can quickly become a source of stress instead of joy.

• Have realistic expectations. Groomers should not have to groom more dogs than they are physically able to or work 16-hour shifts. And no one should bear the brunt of abusive clients.
• Have healthy snacks available. Instead of a candy bar and soda for lunch, make sure you’re making healthy food choices. Unhealthy food can decrease your energy, making it harder to get through a busy day.
• Have a place to get away and chill. While a break room is excellent, it’s not feasible for all shops. You may have to mprovise. Maybe use a storage room or partition off a section of the shop by hanging curtains. Make it fun. Hang a “Do Not Disturb” sign and call it the “Holiday Season Anti-Stress Room.”
• Recognize when someone is at a breaking point and step in. Sometimes all someone needs is five-minute break.
• Replace fluorescent lighting with natural or LED. Fluorescent lighting is harsh and can cause glare, eye strain, headaches and fatigue, leading to decreased efficiency.

• Mood swings. We all have our ups and downs, but mood swings can get out of control. Increased irritability may be the first indication of mood swings. Minor things may get a reaction resulting in snapping at people or erupting into rage. Then there is the inability to concentrate. The slightest distraction can send a mind spinning, leaving someone unable to focus on any one thing for long. As a result, tasks that once took minimal effort now take longer than ever. Lastly, watch out for changes in sleeping habits. If you used to sleep like a log and now toss and turn every night, it could be due to fluctuations in your mood. Similarly, if you suddenly start sleeping far more than before, that could also be a sign that something isn’t quite right.
• Burnout. A lot of goomers experience burnout at some point in their career, and the stressful holiday season often brings it to the surface. Signs would include someone doing a less than adequate job or putting themselves or the pets in harm’s way due to rushing through their work or having a careless attitude. Other indicators would be threatening to quit or walking out on the job.

While this time of year can be physically and mentally draining for pet professionals, being aware of our limitations and those of the person standing next to us will go a long way in keeping the season joyful.