Happy Friday Daily Groomers!

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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:

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Break (noun)

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a pause in work to rest your body recharge your mind

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

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

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

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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.

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

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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.

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Let’s jump right in 👇

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#1

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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

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Top Advice:

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• Invest in a high-velocity dryer

• Use quality shampoos and conditioners

• Practice different drying techniques to find what works best

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#2

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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…

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Top Advice:

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• 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

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#3

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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…

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Top Advice:

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• 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.

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✋The Groomer’s Toolkit

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

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📺 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!

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