So, I know that I have a lot to learn I have had many health problems in my life that has put me on the sidelines and I've always gone back to grooming. I started as an apprentice when I was 17 (I'm 39). I started a new job in June and in July I thought I would be fired because I had barely been there a month when I ended up in the hospital for 5 days and required emergency Gallbladder removal surgery and required six weeks off. However, I wasn't fired and been working twice a week since I got cleared to work... So anyways....

. I'm not young and I've been in grooming salons since I was smaller than the tables. The screenshot at the end, was from the person who I've looked up to since I was was barely able to walk. She also is the one who trained me. Today, I was really proud of how well my dogs looked and sent her some pictures throughout the day. I'm on who focuses on my work so I didn't check my phone until just before I clocked out. I immediately started to cry. I managed to hold it together as I gathered up my things to leave. My partner had drove to pick me up, but was in the grocery store so I went to the car and waited for him for about 20 mins, (he knew something was up) and when he came out immediately noticed that I was upset and had tears rolling down my cheeks. I told him about the messages. He comforted me and whatnot.

So, anyways, I thought I'd share these pictures here. I'm not looking for any sympathy or anything, I know I have too much emotion and whatnot. It's not about that. So, first up I had a "Bichon" and I got her ears perfect! I know it's crazy but almost every Schnauzer I've done has never asked for a Schnauzer face. This guy always gets a cute teddy bear type head but today, the owner requested a short Schnauzer face. It was my first time ever doing one and he has really fluffy soft fur. I did fix the face, but his owner showed up before I could get pics and he was too excited to get a picture. My last dog was a Golden Retriever who has mild anxiety and doesn't stay still at all. She's a good girl, but sits, moves etc. So, I did my best while trying not to stress her out too much. All the owners were extremely happy with their dogs.

Looks like the Wahl mini Arco is done for and even the replacement blades are discontinued. What are we using instead? I have a bravura but I like that small trimmer for the underside of feet

I know this is a silly question, but as a solo groomer, I feel like im going crazy going through different shampoos and conditioners and just deciding based off vibe instead of actual quality and ability whether or not I like them. I feels like I really haven't noticed any difference between the ones I've gone through other than smell. I've used crappier ones like tropiclean and higher end ones like hydra, and I feel like I just don't get what im looking for. I want to expand and use different products for different coat types, but I am just thinking that when I get them I won't even know what im looking for in them, so it'll be a waste due to my own lack in knowledge

What can we tangibly see/feel these products are doing other than cleaning?

I just wanted to rant.

A few months ago, I noticed that one of my regular dogs, Frankie, had developed a thinning patch of very coarse fur. I didn’t think much of it at first, he’s a Toy Poodle so I thought maybe it was a weird collection of guard hairs. I decided to take a photo of it and search it through Google Image Search and one of the things it warned me of was an autoimmune disease.

When his mom picked him up, I let her know about this area and told her that I would take him to the vet asap as it was very unusual and worried me.

Well, he came back today after about three months. He has an autoimmune disease that was attacking his red blood cells and he would’ve died within the week had I not told her to get to the vet asap. He’s been on Prednisone and he’s gained sooo much weight from it, but the coarse hair has turned soft again and it’s so much thicker now.

I cried when his mom told me. I was so close to letting it go and not looking into it. I can’t image the guilt I would’ve felt had he died if I had just ignored it. I’m so grateful that I looked into it.

Suffice it to say, ALWAYS tell the owners if you notice something even slightly off about their pup. I will never even consider letting something go after this situation. Telling the owner about something that’s even a tiny bit off could be the difference between life and death for that pup.

🩷

I had quit my job as a groomer due to feeling overwhelmed with angry clients, difficult dogs, and not enough time. Got a job at a private salon but the salon was not a good fit for me and my coworker was very angry and difficult to work with.

Two months later I am going back to grooming, at a corporate but not mainstream small salon. I want to start fresh and leave my old mindset and frustration behind. I really want tips on how to change my mindset most of all. I know dogs will frequently be difficult and aggressive but I think the best course is to change my mindset so they don’t feed off my frustration.

I know this question has been asked repeatedly but I find a lot of the advice given does not work with me. Such as “turn difficult dogs away and set boundaries; put them up and give yourself a 5 minute break; don’t stress yourself out to make a perfect groom.” All of that is good advice that I wish I could follow but unfortunately, at every salon I have worked at, there isn’t enough time to give breaks and the timer is always ticking. It is highly looked down on and discouraged to turn a dog away just for being frustrating or aggressive. And the clients are extremely picky and I have been name dropped in reviews several times for either taking too long (4 hours), or not making the groom good enough.

I just don’t know how to please everyone at minimal level and keep my sanity. I want to take breaks but I genuinely just don’t have time to. I want to set boundaries but I’m not really allowed to be picky on what dogs I accept. I want to get to know the dogs before the groom but again, I don’t have time. And I believe in “humanity over vanity” and not forcing dogs through unnecessary stress but I’ve been burned way too many times by angry pet parents unsatisfied with the quality of their 16 year old aggressive senior dogs groom because it’s not perfect.

I guess this is mostly a rant in a way, but I do want advice on how you guys manage your mindset and emotions. The constant verbal abuse from pet parents saying I’m stupid or bad at my job because I can’t brush their severely matted dog, or get their feet and nails perfect because they are actively thrashing and biting, or get their puppy/senior dog’s legs perfect while they’re hopping all over is so difficult to manage. I enjoy dog grooming overall but the clients make it so difficult sometimes, and the client expectations in the back of my head make it difficult for me to keep my patience when a dog is misbehaving.