GroomingTails, Llc

14/08/2023

01/07/2022

Normally it's all memes and jokes here at the Foolery but I want to talk about something close to my heart.

Senior Pets and Comfort Cuts

If you own a senior pet, please LISTEN to your groomer and take what they say to heart. No one wants to send home a pet looking unfinished. Senior pets, and even younger ones who may have serious health and behavior issues, we can't always make them look show ready. And that's nobody's fault.
It's not your fault, your pet's fault or your groomer's fault.

Yes, I know Max has always been good for grooming for all his life, but now he's 16. He has arthritis. He may be going blind and/or deaf. His skin is more sensitive to tangles being pulled. His mouth is sore from bad teeth and gums. He may have the beginning stages of dementia. He may not be able to stand for long periods. So we are going to do the best we can to make him comfortable without putting him through anything unnecessary. I understand you always loved his long beard or fluffy tail, but he cannot tolerate the time it takes to get those areas dry and combed out completely. Let's tighten it up for him.
I know his coat is curly today. I had to kennel dry him because the other dryers were just too much for him to handle and he was panicking and at risk of seizure.
I am sorry I cut his eyelashes too short. Because of his deteriorating eyesight, he isn't tolerating things near his face much anymore and moves a lot.

And if your groomer says they can no longer groom your dog and suggest a vet groomer, listen to them. Even if your vet gives you a letter saying your dog is safe to groom. No disrespect to vets, but most don't know what it's like to actually groom a dog. And your letter doesn't erase liability for the groomer in the event your dog has a medical crash or injury. At a vet office, if your dog goes into cardiac arrest, they can get immediate attention.

Having been in this business for a couple of decades, I have had several dogs die at salons I worked at. The business paid for necropsies and every one returned with preexisting health conditions the owners either knew about or didn't. If your groomer is telling you to take it to a vet, they are doing it because they care more about your pet's safety than your money. Just think about that. And don't assume cause the cut isn't perfect, you deserve to pay less for the work. Your groomer probably put more work into that cut now than they ever did with the perfect cut.

When you dog has serious health and behavior issues, you don't get the privilege to be nitpicky about every facet of the groom. I know it's a hard pill to swallow, but put your pets needs above vanity. Your pet will not care if they eyelashes are short or the entire underside is shaved.

And when your senior pet gets home they are going to be tired and maybe even sore. This doesn't mean they were mishandled. Place your older self into their paws for a moment. Imagine you were very old and unable to stand for long periods, while someone is running brushes, combs and clippers all over you, picking up your foot so you have to balance on one leg to clip your toe nails. Look how many elderly people choose shorter, easier to manage hairstyles. Because it's too hard to manage their other styles and longer hair.

Your groomer puts your pet first, respect them for it.

24/02/2022

The way I love to work!
I do understand many shops do not run this way, you do you. If it works for you than by all means. That being said I do believe it helps the dogs keep the grooming process less stressful and positive if they are at the shop for the shortest amount of time necessary. This is why.
1. Kennel time in a place outside the home can be stressful for your dog. The same way being at a shelter is stressful. Listening to other dogs barking loudly, hearing the big scary dragon of a dryer going and the uncertainty of waiting.
2. Technically a dog should have access to potty breaks on average every 3 hours or so, this cannot be given at most shops.
3. Do dogs who are at the shop for extended periods have access to clean drinking water?
4. Possible potty accidents the longer they are there and on a freshly bathed coat this can result in an entire or partial bath needed again.

I get my dogs in and out in 2 hours (mostly) and I love it.
1. This gives me one on one time with them, to truly be there for them and give them my full undivided attention.
2. Pet parents love that they get their best friend back as soon as possible. Sometimes it’s even harder on the parents than the dogs to be separated.
3. This helps set boundaries and expectations so pet parent won’t try to use your grooming service as a boarding service.
4. A less chaotic, more stress free experience for the dogs.

21/02/2022

Why pet parents are not allowed into the groom room.

1. Insurance policy. It is not covered in the policy if a pet parent slips, knocks their head on an open kennel door, gets injured in any way past the lobby threshold. The possibility of a high dollar lawsuit is not worth it. Groomers could lose their job, their salon and more.
2. Dogs behave differently when their parent is around. Excitable behavior is not safe to groom. Movements to try to get their parents attention can result in serious injury. Our tools are razor sharp.
3. The energy from pet parents (and groomer) are picked up by the dog. So if the pet parent is anxious the dog is anxious. If the groomer is anxious (someone hovering over you while you work can do that) than again the dog is anxious.
4. Other dogs. We never know exactly how another dog in the shop will react to someone else’s presence. The liability a pet parent in the groom room presents is to high.

13/02/2022

Groomingtails is looking to add to our crew. We are looking for a full time groomer who can groom at least 6 days a day, Know breed specific patterns, Have at least 4 years experience. Work Tuesday thru Friday 9-3 and Saturday 8:30-3:30 . Commission Based Plus tips. O'Fallon, Missouri

13/02/2022

GroomingTails is looking to add to our crew. We are looking for a full time groomer who can groom at least 6 dogs a day, know breed specific patterns and has at least 4 years experience. Schedule is Tuesday thru Friday 9-3 and Saturday 8:30-3:30 . Commission Based, Plus tips!

26/01/2022

I’m sure you’ve heard… there’s a worker shortage and in America. And there is an unprecedented shortage of groomers especially since people are adopting and buying dogs more than ever. (About 1 million a month!)

What does this mean?
1. Groomers are busy and booked out, they get to pick and choose who their clientele will be. Ways to get chosen or kept as a client are to brush your dog at home in between appointments, be kind to your groomer and don’t no call no show for your appointments.
2. More pet parents may opt out of this luxury service (dog grooming) and choose to groom their pets at home. Which is great, please do some research, stay safe and ask your local groomer questions to help you on this journey.
3. Prices are going up, which is not unusual. Supply and demand. Shops must be able to pay for their overhead and with inflation across America it is only reasonable that your dogs groom will cost more as well.
4. As it becomes prudent to create more groomers you will see an influx of people joining this career. Make sure they have experience and/or are certified to groom your dog. You want a nice haircut yes, but you also want your dog to be treated appropriately and safe.