I am worried about keeping my job

[Reader]

I work at a corporate place but not a petsomething. It's a good job with good commission, benefits, and I get to leave when I'm done grooming. I am worried that I am making too many mistakes grooming. Yesterday I cut a dog with a seven blade on the neck. I didn't even realize the neck was a trouble area. I knew about the loins, and armpits for cats, but now I know better. Someone in corporate called me today and said that upper management is trying to smooth it over with the dog's owner. I am intimidated that upper management is even involved.

The same day a lady called back and said I didn't get the matts out of her golden's ears. I guess I looked at them a lot but never felt them or combed them. Sunday the other groomer had to redo two long haired matted dogs that I brushed out because I didn't get all the mats. I guess I was holding my comb vertically instead of horizontally so I missed some mats.

There's been other things, some because I'm new and some because I'm absentminded. They haven't mentioned putting me on probation yet. The senior groomer was on probation for a while but worked through it. I am hoping they'll give me that chance instead of just firing me, but I don't want to ask about my status and give them any ideas. Maybe I am just being paranoid because I had performance problems in my previous career. I had a good day grooming today and the store manger hasn't yet called me into her office.

[minkyboodle]

If you feel you aren't doing as well because of mistakes why don't you cut down on how many pets you do and make a list of everything you need to do for each pet and go over that list on every pet checking off everything as you do it.

The neck cut, I wouldn't be too worried about as now you know that it can be a problem area and sometimes mistakes happen. But maybe you should try to focus alot more on each pet to make sure you throughly get it done right.

Another thing you can do is maybe ask someone to go over your work with you when you feel you are done, then you can see your mistakes before they actually go out. The things your coworkers find, maybe mark them down so you can remember to check those things on the next dogs.

Dont give up yet!

[Fur Elite]

Reader...here is my advice to you. I offer this not through my grooming experience, but through my experience in HR management. I think it would be in your best interest to be proactive for your own behalf. Go to your grooming manager/supervisor...whoever has authority and influence, and (prepare what you will say ahead of time) tell him/her that you feel like you are learning a lot and that your job means a lot to you. Also that you admire the skills of (your manager if he/she grooms or someone else if she doesn't) and you realize that you have a lot to learn....that although you know you are still learning, you are not satisfied with where you are currently and that you would like to solicit their help in assisting you become a better groomer and employee. Perhaps suggest something like getting someone to informally go over your dogs and make suggestions....kind of like a mentor. Write down some specific areas that you would like to improve in and ask them to help you. For one thing, it makes them feel important which always smooths thing over. For another thing, it shows you are serious about your job and you want to improve. Also, being proactive usually impresses management. Finally, for your own sake it puts you back in control and not skulking around waiting for the shoe to drop. You will feel better once you retake control. it sounds like your attention to detail needs some work. I remember my first corporate job i was almost fired for my lack of attention to detail. In jobs after that, my bosses could not believe I ever had a problem in attention to detail as they saw me to be almost compulsive in my checking and rechecking data. All it takes is focus, and realizing you have a shortcoming is the first step. Sometimes to improve in this area if you aren't naturally detail oriented means you have to go way overboard the other way until you incorporate this into your skills profile....then it will be natural to you. Good luck. You can learn how to do almost anything that you really want to learn.

[diamienono]

take a deep breath

relax. We all make mistakes. It sounds like you are just nervous when you are working. take your time with each dog. If you have to, make a checklist to keep at your grooming station. That way you can't forget something. Be more careful and thorough. Go in with the attitude that you are a good groomer and are going to be the best groomer. Ask for help when you need it. Don't be ashamed, you are new. You can't learn everything in school. Some people here have been grooming for years and still have question. I am new. I ask questions all the time.

[greymom]

I was taught to do everything in the same order so you have a set routine and don't forget. It helped out a lot. Like diamie said we all make mistakes. Take your time and don't hesitate to ask questions.

[toomuchfunbnme]

Hi Reader

I agree with Fur Elite. I also have corporate management experience and it is much more cost effective for a business to retrain an employee than it is to hire a new one. A good employer should be pleased to see an employee take an active role in striving to comply with their company standards. If I were you, I would follow Fur Elites advice. I hope that this works out for you. You are obviously motivated to do well in your career. Also, remember that if it doesn't work out, you did your best and oftentimes working at a different company with different types of management and people can make a world of difference. In my oppinion, a good manager would be able to "groom" a willing employee into a prize employee without problems or making the employee feel scared or concerned about their job security. Best of luck to you!

[milhasavilla]

Everyone has such great advice for you! I agree that it sounds like you're moving too fast thru the grooms. Take your time. Speed will come with practice, but a good groom is better than speed any day! Reading up or asking questions on proper ways to comb, brush, clip, etc. would definitely benefit you as well. There are so many good books out there on grooming with lots of great tips!

Also, never just trust what you can see - like with the Golden and the matted ears. Get your hands and fingers in there. Always run a comb thru every section of hair too - if there's a matt there, the comb will find it.

The nick on the neck isn't the end of the world - it has happened to all of us. And like you said, now you know. You're learning and mistakes will be made, a great step you've taken to better your technique is by coming to this board. Keep at it - you'll be learning as we all are, for a long time. There seems to always be something to learn no matter where in your grooming carreer you're at. Good luck!

[misscatahoula]

I was taught to do everything in the same order so you have a set routine and don't forget. It helped out a lot. Like diamie said we all make mistakes. Take your time and don't hesitate to ask questions.

I was taught the same way and still( for the most part ) continue to do it that way. Like the other posters have said, be proactive and let the managers know that doing a good job is very important to you and you'd like to have one of the more experienced groomers go over your dogs with you for some of the areas you've had some difficulty in, and maybe help you learn some better tecniques. Everyone makes mistakes, and it can be hard to remember everything when you're starting out. Don't beat yourself up over it.

[lovessharpening]

Here is my view as an outsider that has been in many shops. Many of the top groomers started out just like you are. I have been in shops where new groomers were ready to quit because they were not fast enough, something happened with a customer, etc., then when they took control of the situation they learned from it and moved on to be great groomers themselves. There is lots of good suggestions posted here and take it from someone that has been in 100's of shops over the years, you are more in the norm than you think

Tim

[diamienono]

When I first started it would take me 2 1/2 hours to do a shih-tzu. That was megga slow. Now I can get them done in under an hour. You just have to be more thorough. Again, make a check list. I too forgot things.

[Chihuahuafan]

The thing that helped me the most is to always do things in the same order on every dog. Such as trim nails, then pads, sanitary, body trim, then face last. I always clean ears while dog is in the tub, just something I learned from a previous groomer that works for me I guess. When jumping all over it's easier to forget things and also will slow ya down. Hang in there it will get easier with time and experience.

[pamperedpups]

I agree with toomuchfun that it's easier for a biz. to hold on to rather than replace employees, so you're probably safe if you KEEP TRYING. I also agree with those who said doing everything in a set order helps a lot!

[toomuchfunbnme]

How's it going?

How is everything going with your job Reader? I hope that everything is going good for you at work!

[diamienono]

I agree with toomuchfun that it's easier for a biz. to hold on to rather than replace employees, so you're probably safe if you KEEP TRYING. I also agree with those who said doing everything in a set order helps a lot!

For a smaller business that is true, but in big corp world they don't care.

[Mary1980]

My heart goes out to you. You got alot of great infromation from eveyone. I would talk to your supervisor also, to show that your trying, and that you do care about your position. It takes time, and you should ask a coworker or supervisor to go over your work.

Good Luck!