✂️ The Guide to Puppy Grooming

Pet food costs are rising 📈, an interview with Anne Francis 🤓, and more

Author

Alex Martin
October 13, 2023

Welcome to The Daily Groomer, your best friend when it comes to professional grooming - or 2nd best friend if we’re counting dogs 😂.

My name’s Alex 👋

Here’s what we’ve got today:

  • 🐶 Puppy grooming 101

  • 📈 Pet food costs are up 11% since last year

  • 🤓 3 Key Lessons from our Interview with Anne Francis

📈 Pet food costs are rising, up 11% since last year

Owners are opting for cheaper dog food as inflation spikes

Inflation is affecting everything.

First gas prices, then rent prices, and now dog food?

With the cost of pet food up a reported 11% since last year, owners are reluctantly making changes to their furry friend’s diet.

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather eat ramen for the next 30 days straight, before I tell my Australian Shepherd she can no longer eat her organic food!

But this is getting serious.

Premium dry dog food saw purchases drop by 3% across all income levels. People are opting for kibble now more than ever.

So if your clients are beginning to feel the pain of inflation, know where they’re coming from. And remember - people need you, so just hang in there!

🤓 3 Key Lessons from our Interview with Anne Francis

We recently had the honor of sitting down with Anne Francis, an award winning competitive groomer, coach, and judge. She left us with some advice for new groomers that is worth shouting from the rooftops!

1. Embrace the Joy of Competing - Regardless of the size or level of the competition, participating and putting yourself out there is a fantastic way to grow and improve your grooming skills.

2. Seek and Give Feedback - Anne encourages competitors to actively seek feedback, even if they may feel hesitant or anxious about it. By embracing feedback, we can identify our own mistakes, learn from them, and continuously improve our skills as groomers.

3. Prioritize Pet Comfort and Safety- Grooming is no longer just about making pets look pretty, but rather about ensuring their well-being during the process. Every dog is now considered a grooming dog, rather than being categorized as bath dogs, or bread and butter dogs. This new approach not only enhances the pet's experience but also promotes a healthier and more ethical practice in the industry.

If you want to dive into the full conversation, click here to learn more about Anne’s story from kennel girl to Groom Team USA.

📰 This Week’s Top Cuts

📸 Before & After: This Week’s Featured Groom

Before

After

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Congratulations Shelly Kafka-Smith for winning this week’s featured groom! 🥳 

Make sure to join the Before & After Grooming group on Facebook for your chance to be featured next week!

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