Think about it: How much of your day is spent brushing, combing and working through mats? And do you know the physical toll that it takes on your body? What if there was a piece of equipment to help you cut your brushing workload?

Well, there is. And it’s already walking through your salon doors and handing you money! Pet owners can become one of your most powerful grooming aids.

Getting pet owners to brush and comb at home is a resource that many groomers are not taking advantage of. But with a little creative education, you can enlist them to take on basic grooming duties so their pets arrive in far better condition for their regularly scheduled appointments with you.

Unfortunately, though, many pet owners are clueless when it comes to caring for their pet’s grooming needs at home. Here’s a real-world example:

When Ashlee came to pick up her freshly groomed doodle, Dudley, the salon owner, Claire, greeted her: “Hi, Ashlee. Here’s your sweet Dudley, all ready to go,” Claire said. “Did you realize that Dudley’s ears and tail were badly matted? That’s why he took more time than usual today.

“He was such a good boy,” Claire continued, “but getting those mats out was not easy for us or pleasant for him. Because of all the extra time we had to take to carefully and humanely remove the matting, the cost of his groom will be higher today.”

“Oh no,” Ashlee gasped. “I didn’t know he had knots in his hair.”

“Yes, unfortunately he did,” Claire replied. “Do you ever brush him at home?”

“Well, no,” Ashlee stammered. “I thought that’s why I bring him to you.”

Ashlee nodded thoughtfully, then said, “Yes, I do, but I never really thought about my Dudley’s hair like that.”

“Brushing him between visits with us isn’t just about looks; it’s about keeping Dudley comfortable, happy, and mat-free,” Claire added.

“I feel like such a bad dog mom!” Ashlee confessed. “I’m embarrassed to tell you, but I don’t even have a brush for Dudley.”

“Oh, that’s no problem,” Claire reassured her. “I have exactly the right tools that Dudley needs. And, I will gladly show you how to brush and care for him between his grooming appointments.”

Ashlee’s face lit up as she said enthusiastically, “I’m in! I will do whatever my boy needs.”

Of course, not all owners will be as agreeable as Ashlee and some will not want (or be able) to care for their pet’s grooming needs between professional visits. But it’s important to use the right approach, as you seldom see positive results by just telling an owner that they need to brush their pet regularly at home. Explaining it in a way that makes sense to the owner really improves the chances of them taking an active role in the at-home care of their pet.

Even better, don’t just tell them—show them. Spend a few minutes demonstrating on their pet and show them the tools they should be using and how to use each one correctly. Then hand them the tools and let them try while you watch and guide them. Offer encouragement as they follow your instructions.

If retail is an option, you can stock and sell the brushes, combs, and other tools and products you recommend. You can even assemble and sell “home-care kits” for different coat types—curly coats, double coats, shedding coats, etc. This can make it easier for the owners to succeed and also adds retail revenue for you.

If you have owners that tell you they don’t have the time or the ability to care for their pet’s grooming needs at home, you can offer “maintenance” grooming packages with options that are tailored for their pet’s individualized needs, such as weekly brush-outs for high-maintenance coats, bi-weekly bath-and-tidies and seasonal de-shedding sessions for heavy shedders. Maintenance programs provide peace of mind for the owners while ensuring their pet’s grooming needs are not neglected between their regularly scheduled full grooming appointments.

By spending a little time to educate owners about the tools and products they need for at-home care and how to properly use them, and by offering maintenance programs, owners will have the resources to care for their pet’s brushing and combing needs on a regular basis.

When you learn how to utilize owner participation effectively, you will be able to turn pet owners into admirable grooming assistants (without putting them on your payroll), therefore transforming one of your biggest frustrations and time-consumers into a win-win-win outcome. The pets are happier and more comfortable, the owners feel empowered and like they are part of “the team,” and you save time, protect your body and increase your income.

Understanding the training process can also help groomers determine whether they should give a dog another chance at their salon after completing training. Since every approach is different, it’s always best to communicate directly with the trainer whenever possible.

While a trainer shouldn’t design a plan based solely on assumptions—such as assuming the dog finds grooming aversive due to a painful association with being groomed—it’s essential to consider all available information. Even partial details can help to shape a custom plan.

From there, trainers can recreate the grooming process by breaking it into micro steps. Since it’s essential to observe the dog’s responses to establish a customized plan, working on each aspect of grooming individually makes the most sense. The goal is to make every stage predictable and tolerable in order to reduce stress before moving on.

For example, if a dog shows any signs of stress when the trainer picks up their paw, the trainer may stop instead of continuing to push forward. This technique builds trust and gradually extends the dog’s tolerance.

Instead of stopping when the dog’s behavior becomes too challenging to continue, this approach means the handler stops when the dog gives a quiet signal, before pulling away or attempting to bite. In the salon, however, groomers might find it impossible to use this technique since stress signals are frequent.

A helpful exercise pairs one groomer as the handler and another as the observer, noting lip licks, yawns, changes in body posture or other signs of stress during a short session. Switching roles helps sharpen awareness of canine body language in the salon.

Some trainers will also work on transition points that naturally occur, such as moving dogs from a tub to a table or a table to a crate, and use pattern exercises to build confidence in each step. Over time, “stand on the table” expands into “stand, be brushed” or “stand, be clipped,” preparing the dog for the flow of a real session.

Groomers can then incorporate clear communication and micro breaks into their routines. Giving the dog a cue before a sudden change, such as turning on the water or the dryer, can help. Also, allowing the dog to move away from the grooming table briefly and shake off can reduce stress and help the dog reset.

When owners are grooming their own dogs, even basics such as brushing, trainers might introduce skills the owner can use by giving the dog the corresponding cue. In cases where groomers and trainers collaborate or work within the same business, trained behaviors can also be effective.

Examples of trained behaviors include:

• Focus Target: Looking at a set point on cue.
• Side Settle: Relaxing on a mat placed on the table.
• Chin Rest: Holding still with the chin on a grooming pillow.
• Stand: Stand squarely on cue.
• Paw Lifts: Lifting paws on cue.

These trained behaviors require practice, but can result in a smoother grooming process.

Training is a lifelong process, and not all dogs respond in the same way. Some will quickly return to regular appointments after a few training sessions, while others require ongoing breaks and patience. Also keep in mind that if a dog starts to improve, and then has a stressful grooming visit, everything can be undone.

Recognizing when a dog is experiencing stress before they become too difficult to groom is a valuable skill that benefits everyone involved if the problem is addressed early.

Organization goes beyond simply knowing where your supplies and forms are stored for easy access. It encompasses the automation tools and software systems that streamline your operations, like accounting, client management, scheduling and payroll. It means regularly re-evaluating your schedules, policies and procedures to ensure they still serve your business effectively. And it involves developing strong leadership skills, including the wisdom to know when to stand firm and when it’s time to compromise.

What truly brings a business joy? At its core, financial success plays a vital role. But it’s not just about generating profit—it’s about ensuring employees are fairly compensated and the business owner enjoys a sustainable, comfortable livelihood.

Equally important is the growth trajectory. Is your business expanding in a way that honors its core values and mission? Striking the right balance between profitability and integrity is key to fostering a workplace culture that inspires both dedication and innovation. In the end, true joy in business comes from the harmony of financial stability, engaged team members and ethical, value-driven growth.

One of the most encouraging developments in our industry has been the growing availability of specialized coaches. Today, there’s a coach for nearly every aspect of your business—no matter the challenge you’re facing. A skilled coach can help you navigate around obstacles and cut through the tangle of your business with clarity and objectivity—something that’s often difficult for emotionally invested owners. Simply put, a great coach is worth their weight in gold.

A business doesn’t happen by accident. It’s cultivated through intention, compassion and a shared commitment to excellence. When happiness is part of your business model, it shows in every interaction, every tail wag and every satisfied smile. The real success isn’t just in the numbers; it’s in the atmosphere you create and the lives you touch, both human and animal alike.

HV dryers require us, as well as the dogs, to wear hearing protection. Rapidly whipping the dryer around that is already far more powerful than any human hairdryer also makes it much noisier.

In addition, the “flippy” thing with the HV dryer has been linked to an increased risk of carpal tunnel syndrome in our wrists. Any repetitive motion can lead to this seriously debilitating pain and weakness in our wrists that ultimately requires surgery.

We also know that “white lung disease” can happen to groomers from breathing in the cast-off particles from blow-drying. Flipping the dryer around worsens the amount of these microscopic particles in the air that we breathe.

Unlike the waving around of a hand held human hairdryer on our own minimally haired heads, waving an HV dryer back and forth actually can reduce the air impact on many dogs’ coat types because you are pulling the air away and then back again from the area you are trying to dry.

And we aren’t just drying hair, we are drying skin! Holding the HV dryer still on an area allows the skin to dry before the hairs, which is important if we want the coat to be fluffed and straightened after we are finished drying. If we leave the skin a little damp while drying the hair, which flipping the dryer around constantly can do, then the coat can curl back up because of the still partially wet skin underneath. Drying from the skin out helps the coat stay straighter and fluffier.

The one exception to this rule is short double coats such as Labrador Retrievers with their very thick undercoats and loose skin on their chests, which can be very challenging to get completely dry. Using the HV dryer in a flipping motion on their chest, underside and rear-end areas, especially while they are still in the tub and before we take a towel to them, can remove a ton of excess water and can save significant time in the final drying process.

One always has to be very careful about HV drying any of these short-coated breeds, however, especially on their upper torso or “jacket” areas, as it could tear the delicate arrector pili muscles that give the tight grain of their coats. Holding the HV dryer at an angle that protects the lay of the coat, as well as that delicate microscopic hair follicle muscle that creates the direction of the growth of the coat, is very important for us to do to prevent causing the dogs any discomfort.

So the next time you find yourself doing the “flippy” thing, put yourself in their paws and hold the dryer more gently and move it slower. The dog will dry just as quickly, the hair will tangle less, de-shed better, stay dry from the skin out, look straighter and your beloved four-legged client will be much less stressed.

It is speculated that the infants of different animals pick up the mites from their mothers during nursing, as the most common areas affected tend to be the face and paws, although they can be found anywhere on the body. The mites actually live down in the follicles, and it is believed they live off the sebum located in the follicles and sebaceous glands.

The most common age we see demodectic mange is in puppies from about 3-18 months. The reason for this is that the immune system is just developing. As the pet ages, its immune system will eventually be able to control the overgrowth of these mites.

If demodex mites are seen in older dogs, we need to be concerned that the pet’s immune system may be compromised in some way. Commonly, we will see this in pets that are fighting off some other disease process that is not allowing the body to keep the mites in check or fight them off.

The mites are considered to have a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) relationship with the pets. They may play an essential role in cleaning up dead cells and debris since they live off the sebum of the follicle. They do not survive very long outside the follicle, but can thrive within the follicle.

The mites themselves have a cigar shape and have noticeable legs that are commonly active when looked at under a microscope (using oil prep and slide cover). Seeing any mites is significant, but more mites and activity indicate that there is an overgrowth scenario. It’s not uncommon to see 10-15 per high-powered field.

Some cases of demodectic mange, if localized and in young puppies, are self-limiting. As the immune system develops, the mites tend to decrease in numbers. Other times, we have a more generalized infection. Or, if it is with an immunocompromised (poor immune system) pet, they are more involved and need to be treated.

It is essential to know that when you use any of these products, as the mites die, it can cause an increased inflammatory process as the body breaks down the dead mites. In other words, they often get worse before they get better.

Many of these pets will have secondary infections, which will also need to be dealt with, along with rebuilding the skin barrier, especially if harsh topical products are used. Pyoben and benzoyl peroxide shampoos are commonly used in conjunction with topical treatments with the intention of helping to clean out the follicle. However, they are also very drying, which can hinder the healing and rebuilding of the skin barrier process.

Many of these dogs will go undiagnosed, however. If you are seeing puppies (6-18 months) that have an itchy skin condition, the two major rule-outs are dry skin and demodectic mange. Allergies usually don’t develop until a little later in age.

Using a very mild sulfur product can be particularly helpful because it serves multiple purposes: it is anti-parasitic, anti-fungal (and yeast) and offers benefits against bacteria. When in doubt, consult a veterinarian, or they will consult with you to help in the process.

Having the knowledge of what is involved in taking care of skin issues and recognizing them early makes a big difference. Treating pets with mites can be very rewarding and is reasonably straightforward when you know what is needed. Always remember, this is a process, not just a product.

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.

One way grooming ergonomics differs from office ergonomics is that it’s not just about getting our “stand hours” or steps/activity in, but rather movement with intent and purpose, specifically stretching.

Many of the movements we perform throughout the day fall under the repetitive movement category, which can contribute to repetitive motion injuries. Since our goal is to reduce these types of injuries, let’s look at some benefits of simple stretching.

Studies on the benefits of stretching and exercise performance are mixed, but they do agree on some things, such as increasing our range of motion, improving our flexibility, increasing blood flow and improving our posture.

Increasing our range of motion is essential because, as we age, our joints lose flexibility and range of motion. Improved flexibility may help improve overall physical performance and decrease the risk of injury. Increased blood flow to our muscles and joints means they’re getting more oxygen and nutrients.

While being super flexible is usually a good thing, it is not an excuse to do the “anti-yoga” of twisting sideways and upside down to access the harder-to-reach places on a dog. Increased flexibility can reduce the strain on our bodies when we do have to reach odd places on the dog and make our daily movements easier.

So, let’s play a little multiple-choice game and see how well you know how to take care of your precious, hardworking possessions…

You turn on your shop vacuum to suck up the bushel-basket of fur you just clipped off an 80-pound doodle (that somehow missed its last two scheduled appointments). The air is suddenly filled with a very unpleasant scent. It smells a bit like something crawled into the vacuum and died.

Finally, fill your tub up deep enough that you can soak the vacuum hose and wands in hot water and disinfectant. Let them soak for an hour or two, or even overnight, then flush with hot water and hang them somewhere to dry. Bonus points if you can manage to hang them somewhere in the sun. Doing this monthly will prevent that death smell from permeating your vacuum.

To keep your investment looking shiny and spot-free, B is the best answer. Choose mild products to keep the metal clean without damaging it. High-quality dish soap applied with a soft cloth or sponge can be used, as can white vinegar in a spray bottle, which is also effective.

The benefits of cleaning with vinegar are that, because it is mildly acidic, it effectively kills some bacteria and has a deodorizing effect, while also being perfectly safe around animals. Some people add a few drops of their favorite essential oil to the vinegar to give it a pleasant scent.

After spraying the metal with soap or vinegar, rinse well. Wipe the area with the metal’s grain to remove all moisture. Lint-free microfiber cloths do a beautiful job without scratching and will prevent spotting.

To make the stainless shine, try using a Magic Eraser. Some people also polish the metal with coconut or olive oil to give it a deep luster. To do this, apply a small amount of oil to a clean, dry cloth and wipe the surface with the grain.

If you chose C or D, you get a gold star. If the second blade also leaves an uneven finish, it’s time to replace your blade drive. This small plastic part on your clipper allows the cutting portion of your clipper blade to move back and forth, and as it wears, the movement of the blade is restricted and shortened, resulting in an uneven, ridged clipping pattern.

It requires changing more often than you’d think, and keeping spares on hand is a must. You can refer to the instructions that came with your clipper or check the internet for informative videos. Once you know how, keeping this vital part of your clipper in good working condition is not difficult.

If you discover that is not the problem, check the brushes (if your dryer has them) to make sure they are not worn. If you can’t find an obvious problem, it’s time to send the dryer to a professional for repair. Using a dryer that is not running correctly isn’t safe.

Maintaining the grooming tools and equipment that help us perform our job to the best of our ability, clean and in good repair, can be a challenge. Keeping backup tools and spare parts on hand, along with a toolkit, the ability to do some research online and a good sense of humor, can see us through.

We always think we’ll remember what to change for next year, but the details fade quickly. Having notes to reference when you start planning next season ensures you’ll refine and improve your systems year after year.

The holiday season will always be the busiest time of year, but busy doesn’t have to mean burned out. With preparation, communication and a focus on balance, you can turn the holiday hustle into an opportunity for growth instead of exhaustion.

Protect your schedule, fuel yourself and your team, and approach the season with intention. Don’t miss out on precious time spent with friends and family just to groom one more dog. Remember, we can always make more money, but we can never make more time.

Amanda McGrath is a Certified Feline Master Groomer and the owner of a successful home-based grooming salon. Amanda has a unique talent for time management and organization, and hosts “The Groomer’s Game Plan,” a two-day strategic planning event specifically for grooming businesses. She is the co-owner of Hause of Bones, a small business that creates humorous stickers for the witty side of grooming, and she serves on the board of the Pet Stylist Relief Fund. Currently, Amanda is developing a podcast focused on the unique aspects and advantages of home-based grooming salons.

• Loosens and removes dead coat before it mats.
• Helps manage seasonal shedding.
• Reduces dander and airborne allergens (for cats and their people).
• Prevents painful skin conditions under buildup or clumps.
• Improves coat texture, volume and cleanliness.
• Identifies changes in skin, coat and weight between appointments.

When you pair a thorough bath with a proper blow-dry and comb-out, you’re delivering more than a fluffy cat; you’re helping them stay healthier and more comfortable between visits.

One effective way to jumpstart the process is degreasing on a dry coat. Apply product directly to oily areas like the back and tail before turning on the water. It penetrates more easily and sets the stage for a cleaner, faster bath.

Skip the leave-in products for most cat grooms unless you’re prepping a show coat you plan to rewash later. Conditioners and sprays that stay in the coat often attract dirt, interfere with shedding and can make cats greasy faster between appointments.

Cats don’t need to be “manhandled” into compliance. With calm handling, minimal restraint and cat-specific techniques, most felines tolerate bathing just fine. A thoughtful, well-prepped groom in a quiet space with the right tools can make all the difference.

Towel wraps and lap grooming can be especially helpful for cats who panic when placed on a table. These cats often feel more secure with body contact and soft restraint, instead of loops or arms.

And yes, you must blow-dry. Air-drying or sending cats home damp almost always backfires. Blow-drying removes the remaining dead coat, prevents post-bath matting and finishes the coat to a smooth, polished state.

Start with no nozzle or use a flat/wide one for sensitive cats, and skip cone-style attachments that concentrate airflow too harshly. Dry the belly and legs first. Many cats have a built in “turkey timer,” and once it pops, you’re done. Focus your energy early on the high-friction areas that matter most: belly, armpits and thighs. Save the topcoat fluff for last.

Once the cat is fully dry, a soft boar-bristle brush can help sweep out any remaining dander or loose hair. Combine this with low-speed airflow and light pressure, and you’ll often reveal a flake-free, beautifully finished coat, even on your trickiest clients.

And while we’re at it, rebook before they leave. The best time to set the next appointment is when your client is standing at your counter holding their clean, fluffy cat. Waiting until matting starts again only increases stress (for everyone).

So yes, cats need baths. Not just the longhaired ones. Not just the dirty ones. Not just when things get out of control. Every cat deserves to feel clean, comfortable and cared for. And that starts with a good bath.

Fig. 12) For a pet-friendly trim, round up and blend in the beard from the clipper work on the cheek.

Fig. 13) Do the same for everything that reaches past the nose.

The soft roundness of the beard is just a bit lower maintenance for the pet parents, as well as keeps the house a lot cleaner around the water bowl. But the breed standard body pattern and underline still give the dog its strong Schnauzer presence!