Tips for getting the dogs to like my shop...

[diemonster]

At school the dogs came in, were groomed, and were picked up.. we didn't give treats or play with them or anything.

But, I'd love it if the dogs who come to my salon are actually excited to be here! I'm never rough or loud with the furry clients, but the procedures are bound to cause some fear or discomfort (how fun is getting tickled everywhere with buzzing things, or have a loud air-blower being used on you for 30 minutes.. gonna be?)..

Right now I've only been scheduling up to 3 dogs a day since I'm newly out of school and can't do more than that comfortably (plus I don't have that many calling for appointments lol). So I've been taking my time with each pet, letting them have a little break every now and then, and give them a treat when we're all done (with owner approval).

Anything else I can do to make them happy to be here?

[k2p1e]

I have a new shop and I am also new out of school. I started doing 3 a say right out of school (today was my best 6, started at 9am and done at 4pm)

I have blankets I bought second hand and at the dollar stores I put in every kennel, so they are comfy, people love that some dogs LOVE IT! It is nice to go get a dog who was waiitng for their owner snuggled and sleeping and don't want to come out.
I give fresh bottled water to those there longer then 3 hours. A few are there all day (and get charged extra for it), they get a 'mini' power walk (I use MY harnesses and leashes plus their own I double up just in case) and go potty in the middle of the appt.
My puppies get a toy to chew in their kennel (plastic washed at the end of the day)
I fuss over them, cuddle them, and soem STILL ahte coming. But I know I gave it my all. Some don't mind, some are happy to see me.

[PetsRus]

Please share when you find out! So many people say oh my dog gets so nervous goign to be groomed. Yea so would I if I were a him, how would you like the hair in your ears plucked!!!!

[scullysmom]

Arby's (just joking) I don't do it anymore, but when I first started I used to sneak food to the ones who you could tell had it at home!! Really, say their name in a very friendly way. For the dogs who really hate the drier, use a less powerful one, and give most dogs a little break. Grooming is hard work, even for the one getting a hair cut.

[CMGMayra]

Well we get told by clients how nice it is to see dogs walk out with tails waggin and odbously happy.

We bath all dogs first thing in the morning and dry them right away(killing all fleas and ticks that might spread to other dogs) then they get a break, on the floor, in kennels, depending on how they behave. then all get nails, pads and ears done all getting a break between procedures... they enjoy getting the breather rather then worked on straight through... I start with the ones ready for me as my mom works on those needing a bit more work(dematting usually) Once a dog is done they are usually let loose in the play area or kenneled depending on the dog.

Meanwhile if a dog is uneasy mom will give back rubs while I do something to them. We have one basett that will not allow his nails to be done is mom is not giving him a rub in a certain spot of his back.

we give treats and lots of parise... and plent of time after the groom for a bit of play either with us or in group... the dogs we get in are usually gret... for those that have had bad experiences I will do a little a time, say I tell the owner to bring the dog weekly and one week I will do pads and nails, the next week I'll do the body/legs, next week the face and so on untill the dog is done in a lessstressfull manner and they usually beggin to enjoy seeing me.

I notice those that come in weekly for baths and brushouts or the weekly one thing done to them are usually the happiest ones to see me.

I also let dogs walk out to there owners and that usually means tails are waggin and I stimulate owners to stick around t least 10 minuts to give dogs time to walk around sniff he shop and decide my cats make interesting playmates

[baddog]

I do not suggest "playing" with the dogs , it makes them too excited. The best way to get the dogs to feel comfortable is to get the owners comfortable. I always get annoyed when a client comes in with their dog clutched to their chest and says "oh Fifi is so scared to come in here" ...I calmly explain to them the dog picks up their fear or anxiety, so next time march right in the door with "Fifi" on a leash rather than in the death grip. Give them an example of dropping kids off at kindergarten, if you cry at the window looking at little Johnny, he's not going to want to stay in class.

[Dawn125]

I do not suggest "playing" with the dogs , it makes them too excited. The best way to get the dogs to feel comfortable is to get the owners comfortable. I always get annoyed when a client comes in with their dog clutched to their chest and says "oh Fifi is so scared to come in here" ...I calmly explain to them the dog picks up their fear or anxiety, so next time march right in the door with "Fifi" on a leash rather than in the death grip. Give them an example of dropping kids off at kindergarten, if you cry at the window looking at little Johnny, he's not going to want to stay in class.

I agree! I had an owner with a little maltese come in twice to see the shop and discuss grooming. The little dog is calmly resting in her arms. She wanted her dog done straight through with no crating and of course she wanted to stay and watch...blah, blah, blah...anyway both times we explained that we just don't do things that way and maybe she would be more comfortable with a mobile groomer. She had tried that route and couldn't get an appointment (I wonder why, LOL). Anyway, finally she makes an appointment. On the day of the appointment she shows up and stands outside the window looking terrified for 20 minutes crying to her husband. I can hear her through the glass saying "OMG, I just can't do it. I can not let them put her in a cage. She's terrified!" She finally comes in and tells me that her little darling is just too scared of the cages and cancels the appointment. The little maltese was, in fact, shaking at that point. Obviously the little dog wasn't sitting there thinking "I'm so scared because I am going to be put in a CAGE!". She was just sensing her owners fear.

[SpikeyTheYorkie]

Well we get told by clients how nice it is to see dogs walk out with tails waggin and odbously happy.

We bath all dogs first thing in the morning and dry them right away(killing all fleas and ticks that might spread to other dogs) then they get a break, on the floor, in kennels, depending on how they behave. then all get nails, pads and ears done all getting a break between procedures... they enjoy getting the breather rather then worked on straight through... I start with the ones ready for me as my mom works on those needing a bit more work(dematting usually) Once a dog is done they are usually let loose in the play area or kenneled depending on the dog.

Meanwhile if a dog is uneasy mom will give back rubs while I do something to them. We have one basett that will not allow his nails to be done is mom is not giving him a rub in a certain spot of his back.

we give treats and lots of parise... and plent of time after the groom for a bit of play either with us or in group... the dogs we get in are usually gret... for those that have had bad experiences I will do a little a time, say I tell the owner to bring the dog weekly and one week I will do pads and nails, the next week I'll do the body/legs, next week the face and so on untill the dog is done in a lessstressfull manner and they usually beggin to enjoy seeing me.

I notice those that come in weekly for baths and brushouts or the weekly one thing done to them are usually the happiest ones to see me.

I also let dogs walk out to there owners and that usually means tails are waggin and I stimulate owners to stick around t least 10 minuts to give dogs time to walk around sniff he shop and decide my cats make interesting playmates

MAYRA, welcome back!! Weren't you on the old petgroomer.com under "MayrainPR?" I didn't know you were a CMG, that is great. Welcome back, once again.

Tammy in Utah

[SpikeyTheYorkie]

HABITS.

Dogs like habit, and anything out of their usual habit causes them stress. Do things the same way each time, trying to get the dog in and out the same was as you did before. Start with the same foot as you did the last time, etc... The dogs are comfortable with habit and if you do it differenty it can throw them off a little.

A change in their daily habit is stressful to a dog that is why "once a years" are difficult to groom sometimes, because they are so freaked out being out of their own territory and daily "schedule" that they don't know what to do. And do you blame them?

Tammy in Utah

[CMGMayra]

MAYRA, welcome back!! Weren't you on the old petgroomer.com under "MayrainPR?" I didn't know you were a CMG, that is great. Welcome back, once again.

Tammy in Utah

Yep it's me I finally have a bit of time to be back

Yep I made CMG on April 21 when IPG came to PR for the first time... I was the first and ONLY person to pass ALL 8 exams.(over 2 days) Now I have my own shop(not just workign out of my home and my clients are loving it...

Before in my area clients had to deal with Vets with grooming services, petshops with grooming services, groomers working out of homes or mobile.... now for the first time they have an actual grooming salon to come to

[Dogmama]

I am so glad this issue was discussed as I am currently in grooming school and have also been wondereing how to make the grooming a more pleasant experience for the dogs. In my school there are 8 stations and lots of action throughout the day, I expect it is always this active. We do an average of 12-14 dogs per day. From a dog's persepective, the grooming experience can be very stressful. You're put in a kennel (I think the idea of blankets or something soft in the kennel is great) with other dogs around you who may be just as traumatized. You're handled by a stranger (in this case a newbie who is probably just as nervous), taken to a large room, bright lights, raised up on a platform, noisy blowers, clippers buzzing all around you, lots of movement. As I was working on a cute Eskimo yesterday who was hyper, hated the bath, whining, peeing on the table, I noticed how he looked longingly into my eyes; and I couldn't help myself and hugged him and held him close to me reassure him. We bonded! The rest of the groom was much easier. I think it's important to remember that, while this is a business, these are lsentient creatures who are capable of responding to a little TLC. DieMonster, I think you are on the right track: a little time taken to bond with the dog, make it feel at ease, provide some comfort,and gain its trust will pay off in the end with a dog happier to come to your shop, and easier to handle. Thanks for the tip.

[Kim in SD]

Fill it with cats? It's been a busy week,, by the time I got to reading this, everything was covered.