Happy Friday Daily Groomers!

We’re going to keep this week’s issue light and fun since we’ve all been there…

Your favorite pooch comes in for their regular grooming, but this time, Fluffy seems, well... fluffier than usual.

No, it’s not the hair. Underneath all that fur is a dog who's been indulging in one too many treats.

So how do you tell your client that their beloved fur baby could stand to lose a few pounds without offending them?

Don't worry, we've got you covered! Here's how you can walk the tightrope of diplomacy, humor, and honesty.

1. The "Let’s Blame the Fur" Approach

Client: "Wow, Fluffy looks like a cloud!"

You: "Yes, and under that cloud is... well, let's just say the weather has been a bit heavy lately. Maybe it’s time we put Fluffy on a light trim and... light kibble?"

Sometimes, easing into the conversation with a joke can help lighten the mood. Plus, it's not your fault—it's that poof making everything look bigger, right?

2. The Health Angle

You: "So, I noticed Fluffy’s harness has been a little snug recently. Have you talked to your vet about his weight? It might be a good idea just to keep an eye on it—excess weight can cause joint issues or make them less mobile!"

Position it as concern for their dog’s health. People are much more open to advice when it comes from a place of care. After all, you want their dog to be around for as many grooming appointments as possible!

3. The “Fluff-Free Zone” Comment

You: “Once we got all that fluff off, I noticed a little extra Fluff under here! It’s easy to miss with all that fur, but there’s definitely more of him to love.”

This method is all about the classic surprise reveal. "Oh, Fluffy wasn’t just fluffy, huh?" It softens the blow by making it feel like it was hiding all along!

4. Blame the Breed

Some breeds just tend to look heftier, and that’s where you can casually drop some knowledge. "You know, [insert dog breed] can have a tendency to gain weight, especially after they’re fixed. Maybe a little more running around will help balance that out."

Dog parents love talking about their breed’s quirks. They’re probably already blaming their dog’s DNA for everything else, so why not this?

5. Direct, But With Love

If the subtle hints don’t seem to be working, sometimes you just have to come out with it—gently, of course.

You: “I know it’s hard to tell because of all that adorable fluff, but Fluffy’s carrying a little extra weight. Maybe we can look at adjusting his treats a bit?”

You’re not saying, “Hey, your dog is chunky.” You’re saying, “Let’s cut back on the treatos—for Fluffy’s sake!”

6. Bring in the Vet

If you're really unsure how to approach it, defer to the vet. "I noticed some weight gain on Fluffy and thought you might want to check with your vet to see if they recommend any dietary changes."

This way, you're simply passing the buck, er, responsibility. And hey, what vet wouldn't back you up?

7. The “No F**ks Given” Method

Alright you’ve tried it all but now it’s time to be that constant reminder that it’s time to drop some lbs. The convo may go something like how this dog groomer so eloquently put it…

Here at the Daily Groomer if this newsletter stuff doesn’t work out, we’ll just have to start a doggy fat camp. It will be like a 1-2 month camp where the owners leave their dogs with us and we exercise them and feed them the right amount.

The owners can come visit and we’ll just get paid to stop overfeeding their dogs essentially.

Who’s in?!?

Alex

✋The Groomer’s Toolkit

📚 Read - Danielle tell her story about building a grooming business out of a shed on her property in The Daily Groomer Facebook Community! Join in on the support from fellow groomers in our private Facebook group. ❤️

📺 Watch - This husband and wife duo share how they’re successful in business (& life) on our most recent YouTube episode.

🎧 Listen - To the “International Influencer of the Year” talk about her mindset on the latest episode of The Daily Groomer After Hours Podcast.

That’s all folks! Keep calm and groom on 🐶🤘