The Grooming Round Up

Here is the best advice shared in the grooming communities this week...

Happy Friday Daily Groomers!

It’s Labor Day Weekend and I hope some of you are taking a BREAK. For those of you that don’t know what that means, I’ll define it for you:

Break (noun)

a pause in work to rest your body recharge your mind

"I need a break from rude clients and matted doodles"

I’m having fun this Friday 😂 so we’re going to keep things light!

As a daily groomer, it’s hard to keep up with everything going on in the industry.

Whether it’s a new poodle face trend that’s going viral or some clever de-matting advice that’s shared on Facebook, it might feel impossible to see it all.

So for today’s email, I want to try something new.

I scoured facebook, reddit, and all the niche grooming forums I’m in to bring you the best of the best advice shared this week.

Let’s jump right in 👇

#1

Tons of groomers emphasized the importance of proper bathing and blow-drying, noting that a clean and well-prepped coat makes the actual grooming much easier and more effective. Plus, a few folks acknowledged the pressures of working in a corporate salon but advised that taking even just a few extra minutes in prep can save time in the long run

Top Advice:

  • Invest in a high-velocity dryer

  • Use quality shampoos and conditioners

  • Practice different drying techniques to find what works best

#2

The upper lip, a far too sticky and tricky situation that haunts groomer’s new and old! Obviously with practice this becomes easier, but for now let’s look at some of the top shared advice…

Top Advice:

  • Use a comb to lift the hairs away from the mouth before trimming

  • Use small, precise scissors to minimize the risk of cutting the dog’s tongue

  • Offer the dog a treat or toy to distract them during the trimming process

#3

Calling all dog whisperers on this one. We all have that one dog that always flinches - no matter how careful we are! Consistency and patience are crucial, but sometimes nothing seems to work. Let’s look at some secrets shared…

Top Advice:

  • Take a softer approach with small, gentle clippers around sensitive areas instead of scissors

  • Gradually desensitize dogs by touching their faces gently and frequently to get them more accustomed to being handled

  • Watch our discussion on “how to make your salon fear free” with Marty Becker, America’s Veterinarian and New York Times best selling author.

The Groomer’s Toolkit

📚 Read - “Anal Glands: yes or no?” was a spicey debate in the private Facebook group this week! Join the group to view the replies.

📺 Watch - Mary Kathryn Kent’s story on how she survived cancer as a teenager to building a thriving dog grooming business is most popular video of the week on The Daily Groomer’s YouTube channel. Check it out!

🎧 Listen - What’s your niche? His is cats 🐱… We host the Michigan Mobile Cat Groomer on the most recent podcast!

That’s all folks! Until next time, let’s rock ‘n roll 🐶🤘