ot long ago my dog, Lil Abner, started limping. Not a little hitch in his step; not a “he probably just stepped on something and it will be better in the morning”—this was one of those heart-dropping, stomach-sinking limps that makes you know that it’s more than just a minor sprain.
A trip to his veterinarian confirmed what I already suspected: Abner had a cruciate ligament injury to his back leg. Suddenly, I was faced with decisions—surgery, a brace, pain medication, conservative management. It wasn’t a decision I took lightly, but I also didn’t feel alone in it. I have complete trust in my veterinarian.
We talked through the options, discussed Abner’s age, activity level and overall health, and together we decided to try conservative treatment with a brace first. And I’m happy to say that Abner is healing well and is almost completely back to being his happy, bouncy, waggy self.
Somewhere in the middle of all the research, the appointments and the careful monitoring, I realized something very important: I never once questioned whether my veterinarian had my dog’s best interest at heart. I began thinking about the entire experience and about the total trust I had in her to guide me every step of the way in Abner’s treatment and recovery. That also made me think about the kind of trust our grooming clients place in us every single day.
They ask us questions such as, “How often should I brush my dog?” “What shampoo should I use at home?” “Do you know a good daycare?” and “Can you recommend a veterinarian?” because they believe that we know what we’re talking about. And the truth is, we should.
Whether we planned on it or not, professional groomers become educators by default. In many cases, we are the professional that pet owners see most frequently. We notice subtle changes over time, such as skin issues, ear problems, parasites, lumps and bumps. Sometimes we’re the first ones to say, “You might want to have your veterinarian take a look at this.” And that carries weight.
Just like I trusted my veterinarian to guide me toward the best decision for Lil Abner, our clients trust us to guide them toward what’s best for their pets. However, that doesn’t mean we diagnose, prescribe or step outside our scope, but it does mean we owe it to them to be informed and responsible with the advice we give.
Our industry is changing every day, and to keep up with it we need to continue learning. Attend educational seminars, trade shows, webinars and certification programs, subscribe to grooming publications and listen to podcasts.
Joining groomer organizations and building relationships with fellow groomers are also invaluable. And just as important is building relationships with veterinarians, trainers, daycare and boarding facility owners, and other pet professionals in your area. Those connections strengthen your knowledge base and your credibility.
Recommending a brush, shampoo or deshedding service might seem rather insignificant, but those recommendations directly affect a pet’s comfort and health and bolster the owner’s confidence in your expertise. Our credibility as groomers is built one interaction at a time. Clients remember when your advice helps their dog, and they also remember if it doesn’t.
Lil Abner’s limp reminded me just how vulnerable we feel when the well-being of someone we love is at stake. And that’s exactly how our clients feel when they hand us their pets.
Being a professional groomer isn’t just about skill with tools—it’s about being worthy of the trust that’s placed in us, respecting that trust enough to keep learning and to never stop caring.