ets can be considered the cornerstone of our profession. After all, what would our businesses be without them? As part of grooming holistically, the pets need balancing like any other part of your operation.
When this layer is unbalanced, its impact often goes unnoticed until problems arise. Symptoms of imbalance include dissatisfied clients, burned-out groomers, toxic work environments, high employee turnover and uncooperative pets.
First let’s get consent grooming out of the way. This term is one of the many misinterpreted phrases that are the bane of our existence—along with “puppy cut” and “short but not shaved.” These undefined terms not only mean different things to different people based on their lived experiences, but definitive definitions have also been hard to get the grooming industry behind.
Instead, refer to these terms as what you want to accomplish, changing vague phrasing into clear communications. Consent becomes cooperation. Pets cooperating for grooming creates happier pets, clients, groomers and businesses. Safe and gentle handling is a learned skill.
When a pet checks in, it’s crucial to conduct a thorough assessment. This intake will help determine if you can safely groom this pet and when to stop. Observe the pet’s gait as they enter your business. Are their eyes clear and focused? Can you run a comb through their coat?
The most important part of the check-in process is twofold. First, pay attention to their body language. They know where it hurts, and there will be a behavioral cue when you approach a painful area. Pets in pain are a bite risk. Second, examine their gum color. If their gums are not a healthy pink, this pet is not healthy enough to groom. Check their gums throughout the groom, especially if it’s an older pet.
Skin and coat issues also require specialized skills, and we should all have a basic understanding of skin and coat science.
Skin and coat issues also require specialized skills, and we should all have a basic understanding of skin and coat science. Then there are unusual allergies. Some products that are normally safe for most pets may not be for a particular pet. This is why it’s important to know what is in the bottles of shampoo and conditioner you are using on the pets in your care.
Various intake forms provide the information we need to make safe decisions for the pets we groom. These are the questions included on my New Client Questionnaire, which is signed and dated by the client:
- Date of last grooming:
- Do you brush and comb your pet at home?
- Has your pet ever bitten anyone?
- If so, under what circumstances?
- Has your pet ever bitten a groomer?
- Has your pet ever tried to bite a groomer?
- What medications is your pet on?
- Acknowledge all first grooms are audio and video recorded.
This particular form tells me:
- How often this pet is groomed, and whether or not they are used to grooming.
- Whether the owner maintains this pet at home or uses cheap tools that hurt the pet. (This is a good opportunity to demonstrate proper technique and the importance of quality tools.)
- How much of a bite risk this pet is.
- If there extenuating circumstances, such as a child waking a sleeping pet.
- You might be surprised to find out how many owners think it’s part of our job description to get bit and answer “no” to question #3.
- Just because the pet’s teeth didn’t connect with a groomer doesn’t mean they won’t the next time they try to bite.
- What medical concerns I need to know before accepting this pet for grooming.
- If the pet owner knows you are recording all interactions, they are less likely to play games.