This ongoing debate reflects a broader shift in the pet care landscape, where the focus is increasingly moving towards responsible and informed pet ownership. At the heart of the discussion lies the dynamic between groomers and their clients. Groomers often find themselves torn between accommodating client demands and upholding professional standards. While it’s essential to listen to clients and address their concerns, it’s equally crucial for groomers to assert their expertise and advocate for the wellbeing of pets. However, navigating this balance can be challenging, particularly when faced with clients who may not fully understand the intricacies of pet care.

Central to the debate is the issue of education. Many pet owners may lack the knowledge and experience necessary to make informed decisions about their pet’s care. Unlike groomers, who undergo training and gain expertise in pet grooming, clients may not fully grasp the consequences of their actions. This underscores the importance of education in the grooming industry, both for groomers and their clients.

Groomers play a vital role in educating clients about proper grooming techniques, product usage and preventive care measures. By sharing their knowledge and expertise, groomers empower clients to become more proactive in caring for their pet’s health and wellbeing. This not only strengthens the client-groomer relationship, but also ensures better outcomes for pets in the long run.

Moreover, educated clients are more likely to recognize potential issues early on and seek professional help when needed. They understand the value of preventive care and are willing to invest in products and services that promote their pet’s health and happiness. As a result, groomers can focus on providing quality care rather than remedying preventable problems caused by misinformation or lack of awareness.

As professionals, groomers have a responsibility to advocate for animal welfare and uphold ethical standards in their practice. This means prioritizing the wellbeing of pets above all else and taking proactive steps to ensure their safety and comfort. While it’s essential to respect client preferences, groomers must also recognize when certain requests may compromise the health or safety of the pet.

In some cases, groomers may feel pressured to comply with client demands, even when they know it’s not in the pet’s best interest. However, it’s crucial for groomers to assert their expertise and communicate openly with clients about the potential risks involved. This requires courage and conviction but, ultimately, it’s the only way to uphold professional integrity and ensure the welfare of the animals under their care.

In conclusion, the grooming industry is undergoing significant changes, prompting discussions about its role and responsibilities in pet care. Groomers face a delicate balance between accommodating client preferences and upholding professional standards. However, by prioritizing education, advocating for animal welfare and fostering open communication with clients, groomers can navigate these challenges with confidence and integrity.

Ultimately, the wellbeing of pets should always remain at the forefront of the grooming profession, guiding every decision and interaction between groomers and their clients. As the industry continues to evolve, it’s essential for groomers to embrace their role as educators and advocates, shaping a future where pets receive the care and attention they deserve.

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.

Kimberly says Fluffology’s two core pillars are grooming and health & wellness. In addition to offering a well-curated selection of accessories in their retail area, they also make in-house, single-ingredient, organic treats and chews. “We now make them and package them under our own brand to give folks options when they come in for a groom or to provide a treat for their pet while they’re here,” she adds.

“I do a lot of education, and I was a competition groomer for many years and have been a part of many pet-related associations,” Liz shares. “For me, being a part of Fluffology was important because Kimberly wanted to make sure that it was an all-inclusive experience for the customer, and I take grooming very seriously.”

Liz spends her days in hands-on training with the four stylists as the “quality check” for every dog. “This is my life. I love it so much and want Fluffology to be the best it can be,” she exclaims. “All pet parents deserve educated, knowledgeable, safe, and CPR-certified stylists. We want our stylists to feel proud of their work.”

Aside from investing in quality, Fluffology invests in beauty, too. And this means top-of-the-line equipment, including human tubs made of soft quartz. “The aesthetic is absolutely beautiful; it’s definitely elevated as far as traditional grooming,” Liz says.

“But one of the biggest differences is the low stress level because all grooming is done quietly, one-on-one,” she continues. “Additionally, the fact that the owners can watch the entire process and see everything is resonating very, very well.”

Nearing their one-year anniversary, Fluffology only just opened in June of 2023, and Kimberly and Liz said it’s been much harder to change people’s perceptions of dog grooming and build a brand than they anticipated. “I was a little naive, you know. I thought, build it and they’ll come. Not necessarily…” Kimberly says emphatically.

However, things are definitely moving in the right direction, as they’ve already had customers pre-pay for the year. In addition, they will soon be expanding their menu of services when they welcome their resident behaviorist on board. “We are thrilled to be fortunate enough to have found Erik Hall, a recent graduate of the most innovative, cutting-edge training program created out of the UK,” Kimberly shares. “Our pet parents can rest assured that their pets will be on their way to behaving like little angels.”

This determination combined with a commitment to quality and whole-pet health is what sets Fluffology “a breed apart” from grooming salons everywhere.

As the pet industry grows and changes, brand loyalty can make or break a business. And the way to build brand loyalty is by creating personal relationships with your staff and treating them well so they will reciprocate that with customers. The more personalized an experience you can provide to pets and their owners, the more likely you are to have repeat business as well. By focusing on team members as people first, having compassion and emphasizing industry education, you are sure to see a high return on team investment through customer retention and positive word-of-mouth.

Amy Addington has been President of Woofie’s since January 2022, and was a Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer from Woofie’s inception until then. She has been the Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Woofie’s, LLC, which merged into Woofie’s Ashburn, LLC in January 2022, since its inception in March 2004. She was also the Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Woofie’s Mobile Pet Spa Services, LLC, a position held from its inception in January 2017.

Brachycephaly means “short head,” and a variety of purebred dog breeds fit this category. No one list labels them all because the variation of shortness can be significant and is not always agreed upon by all experts. Pugs are a typical example of what is referred to as a “flat-faced” breed, with their super-short muzzles, deep face wrinkles and large, front-facing eyes. On the other end of the spectrum are Cane Corso, which are also considered brachycephalic, although they have a much longer muzzle.

Between the two extremes are a variety of different breeds. Some sites suggest as many as 24 breeds that fall into this category, and there is an assortment of mixed breeds that could be classified as short-headed as well. A quick overview of some of the breeds commonly considered to be brachycephalic include, Boxers, Shih Tzus, Cavalier King Charles, Boston Terriers, French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Pekingese, Bullmastiff, Chow Chow, Japanese Chin and, of course, Pugs.

Brachycephalic dogs can be prone to various health concerns, including malformed teeth and jaws, spinal problems and occluded airways. However, what is of most concern to us as pet groomers is their proneness to overheating. One pet insurance provider article I read stated that brachycephalic pets are 2.9 times more likely to have submitted claims for heatstroke than dogs with more typical anatomy. And, if a short-headed pet is overweight, it is more likely to become overheated.

Some dogs in this category also have a condition called brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). This occurs when the soft tissue of the upper respiratory tract doesn’t have enough room due to the shorted skull.

Even brachycephalic pets that breathe without a struggle under normal conditions need special care while being dried to maintain proper body temperature. Using heated cage dryers on brachycephalic pets can be dangerous. Because their airways are not as efficient at cooling as those of their longer-snouted brethren, short-headed dogs are at a real disadvantage when they are placed into a cage that is soon filled with air that is not only warmer than the surrounding environment, but also has high humidity content from water evaporating off their bodies.

Here are some safe and appropriate drying techniques that should be practiced with short-headed dogs:

• Provide the pet with a bowl of cool water while it is being cage-dried. (Yes, the water may get spilled, but that is a small thing compared to the dog’s safety.)

• Never use a stand dryer as a cage dryer. Stand dryers are designed to reach far higher temperatures than cage dryers (some go as high as 130 degrees Fahrenheit) and should only be used in open spaces.

• Never cage-dry any animal wearing a muzzle. A muzzled dog cannot pant freely and is more likely to overheat.

Veterinary advice should be sought if any dog is panting excessively, flattening its tongue as it pants, has dark or bright red gums, blue or gray gums, dry or sticky mucous membranes in its mouth, is staggering, is weak, collapses, or shows any signs of respiratory distress. Be sure to keep a rectal thermometer in your first aid kit and know how to use it if you suspect a dog is overheated. The average, normal temperature for dogs is 101-102.5 Fahrenheit.

Brachycephalic dogs, with their enchanting, infantile faces, are irresistible to many people and are wildly popular as pets. Groomers need to be aware of potential health concerns associated with these dogs to keep them safe, comfortable and healthy when we care for them.

The Systems That Power Your Business

Most people think of sales as a one-time activity where the customer either buys or they don’t. However, selling is more sophisticated than that, because selling is actually a process—a series of selling steps, a bit like a well-choreographed dance routine, where each step contributes to the overall performance. Imagine how successful your salon would be if your selling system was as reliable as your service delivery system.

To increase the number of people who take part, I would also send them home with a postcard outlining the review instructions and send a reminder email the day after the groom. Remember, the fortune is in the follow up! In addition, you can add some urgency to this request by theming the free treatment as a seasonal special and do it over Christmas, Valentine’s Day or Easter.

So, there you go. Three simple sales systems that will increase profits and spread the word about your business.

Now, you may be thinking, I kind of do that already. But, do you really?

Do you have set-in-stone systems that ensure this sales process happens with every client who walks through the door? Have you trained staff members so they know the sales process steps as well as they know the grooming process? Have you documented the process and created sales scripts, presentation aids and a checklist so no opportunity is missed?

If not, you could be leaving a lot of money on the table.

Sarah transformed the profitability of her salon when she got serious about systemizing her sales process, and you can too. So what are you waiting for?

Dom Hodgson is known as the Pet Biz Wiz. His mission is to help pet service providers create superior customer service systems that enable them to build an impactful and profitable pet business. Dom has written over nine books including “How to Disnify Your Pet Business” which you can purchase at www.petbusinessmarketing.com/magicbook.