@kate22 I get hooligans like yhis all the time at my shop. I have some health issues that cause me to take breaks if my heart rate gets too fast. The last thing anyone needs is for me to pass out with a dog on the table or in the tub. You have to do what it best for you and the dogs. Health and safety for everyone above all else. If they owners have issues with that golden rule, it's their perspective that's off. Never feel bad for taking the time that's needed to do the work safely. It also helps to find little things you can do to help calm yourself during work. I chew lots of sugar-free gum while working. Helps me relieve the extra energy.
I feel bad putting dogs up that frustrate me
- Thread starter kate22
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- dog grooming
@keepimguy See I went through my entire yeti bottle of water because I thought I was going to pass out.
@kate22 I've been there! Make sure you add electrolytes to your water. You don't need to flush your system on top of everything else. If you are really worried about passing out, get a fit bit or something to help alert you to higher heart rates. You've got enough to worry about with this job. Whatever you can do to make it better for yourself makes it better for the dogs too.
caldwelobert
New member
@kate22 Oh man I just had a horrendous experience with a doodle and had to send him home half finished because he kept getting more and more aggressive as I tried to do his paws. Turns out the owner knew one of his nails was broken but still half attached and I couldnt get to it because of all the mats. They’re coming back in two weeks for me to finish and I am dreading it!
sydneysteve
New member
@caldwelobert So don't take him back. There is absolutely nothing that says we have to groom aggressive dogs, difficult dogs, or dogs we just don't like.
caldwelobert
New member
@sydneysteve I wish I could but I’m just starting out. I can use any customer that can help me pay the bills! And also, I want to finish him for myself, to prove to myself I can do this. But in a few months I definitely hope I can heef your advice and refuse aggressive dogs, thank you!
sydneysteve
New member
@caldwelobert I get where you're coming from. But if a dog gets a hold of you, you can be out of work for weeks or months, and there's a possibility of losing your career altogether. Ask yourself, Is taking an aggressive dog worth the money? If it is, charge a hefty behavioral fee and make it worth your time.
@sydneysteve For me personally, the salon I work at is where those “difficult” dogs do. Can be anywhere from health issues to behavioral issues. Because we have the time and charge our worth.
@caldwelobert Just like the last commenter. If you take theses types of dogs CHARGE YOUR WORTH. I used to be corporate and I had the mindset of I’m still getting paid so… BUT now where I work I can actually charge for my work and it’s made a huge difference for me.
caldwelobert
New member
@rachelr15 I’ve always been told this. And k think I only ever had one other dog I had to put up and give myself a break
greenviolets
New member
@kate22 I’d just do a clip off, a coat care consult and tell them they need to rebook or they can’t come back. Not in a nasty way but if they rebook they understand what the dog needs, if they don’t rebook it’s clear they don’t care and they can find another groomer!
Also, where are you based? I’m UK and we never take dogs in and groom them whenever, we have one dog after the other, no dog is at the salon more than the recommended groom time and we don’t have dogs to groom inbetween other dogs either. It makes no sense to me! It must be so stressful for dogs to be at the salon for hours and hours crated then groomed them crated again… not sure why this system is so common
Also, where are you based? I’m UK and we never take dogs in and groom them whenever, we have one dog after the other, no dog is at the salon more than the recommended groom time and we don’t have dogs to groom inbetween other dogs either. It makes no sense to me! It must be so stressful for dogs to be at the salon for hours and hours crated then groomed them crated again… not sure why this system is so common
@kate22 For serious cases like this, i would highly recommend talking to your boss and the client and try to get them to do this in sessions/day.
Monday could be the rear, Tuesday the front, wednesday the paws, etc etc. whatever is most efficient and comfortable for the dog.
Is the owner going to throw a fit about having to come to the salon multiple times?
Yes.
Will the owner realize how much work and time this takes and possibly keep their dog brushed?
I sure hope so.
Should you charge more for this service?
Yes. Our salon charges extra for dematting. I like to explain that this is a SKILL and it takes TIME. Some groomers will be happy to shave your dog down due to matts, and some will willingly take the time to demat them, i would most definitely charge more.
I absolutely love doodles, almost 90% of my clientele is full of doodle mixes and poodles, but i don’t understand why people WONT brush them out at the very least for 5min/day.
Monday could be the rear, Tuesday the front, wednesday the paws, etc etc. whatever is most efficient and comfortable for the dog.
Is the owner going to throw a fit about having to come to the salon multiple times?
Yes.
Will the owner realize how much work and time this takes and possibly keep their dog brushed?
I sure hope so.
Should you charge more for this service?
Yes. Our salon charges extra for dematting. I like to explain that this is a SKILL and it takes TIME. Some groomers will be happy to shave your dog down due to matts, and some will willingly take the time to demat them, i would most definitely charge more.
I absolutely love doodles, almost 90% of my clientele is full of doodle mixes and poodles, but i don’t understand why people WONT brush them out at the very least for 5min/day.
@kate22 Girl this IS NOT ON YOU. Give me two minutes with that effin owner who doesn’t deserve a dog at ALL,
Let alone a dog that has to be groomed regularly. She needs to be charged by the hour and told if she doesn’t bring him in regularly, he won’t be groomed. That is neglect and abuse as far as I am concerned. When I see matting creating bruising,that’s abuse. Especially, when you’ve taken the time to explain to customer what they may not be aware of. Then they yes you to death and come in the same way. I was a veterinary technician before I was a groomer because I love dogs and no one will ever make me hurt them. Yes, I have spent hours and hours dematting dogs because I knew no one else would do it without hurting them.. I have no problem embarrassing someone publicly. They should be ashamed of themselves. Can you imagine how painful it would be to just walk when your armpits are matted together? And your groin? And your ears and face…I could tear my hair out. The longer I do this the less tolerant I’ve become with people. Just think how grateful that dog really is and even if he isn’t, you set him free from that straight jacket he was forced to wear.
Let alone a dog that has to be groomed regularly. She needs to be charged by the hour and told if she doesn’t bring him in regularly, he won’t be groomed. That is neglect and abuse as far as I am concerned. When I see matting creating bruising,that’s abuse. Especially, when you’ve taken the time to explain to customer what they may not be aware of. Then they yes you to death and come in the same way. I was a veterinary technician before I was a groomer because I love dogs and no one will ever make me hurt them. Yes, I have spent hours and hours dematting dogs because I knew no one else would do it without hurting them.. I have no problem embarrassing someone publicly. They should be ashamed of themselves. Can you imagine how painful it would be to just walk when your armpits are matted together? And your groin? And your ears and face…I could tear my hair out. The longer I do this the less tolerant I’ve become with people. Just think how grateful that dog really is and even if he isn’t, you set him free from that straight jacket he was forced to wear.
@stonney66 This dog wasn’t entirely matted. He was just naughty as crap on top of the little matting he had.
@kate22 LMAO hey OP I think your innocent little post became a venting session for everyone who’s had to sit and try and get a blade under the matted coat of a dog whose owner is willfully ignorant or doesn’t gaf. It stopped being about the subject when I initially went off. My bad, my bad. BUT! It’s good to vent to people who have been and are in the same situation. We relate where ordinary people just can’t. 
BUT! It’s good to vent to people who have been and are in the same situation. We relate where ordinary people just can’t. @stonney66 I welcome the* venting ! As groomers we need to sometimes ! Haha edit:autocorrect