I NEED Help:-)

[Guest]

Ugh, I am becoming one of those bosses that overwork her employees. Okay, not yet but getting close. I have tried everything to find a groomer and a bather (been looking for weeks and weeks). I need a groomer (willing to do P/T or F/T) at one shop and a bather at the other but only a few have replied. What other avenues have y'all used to find new help? On of my AWESOME groomers says we should just "raise" one, meaning we teach the bather and then hire another bather).

My employees are fabulous and I love them all but I need to get them some help so that they aren't stressed (and YES, I groom as well).

[neanea]

I think your employee's have a GREAT idea!

Pick you most valued bather (if s/he is interested) and begin training. They could at least do the easier grooms. This is how I've been learning and it didn't take me to long to get the basics. I've still got A LOT to learn, but I feel like I do pretty good

It would probably be eaiser to hire a bather (and train them) than another groomer. Besides, on the slower days (if there's such a thing) your former bather could continue to help out with the bath's if necessary.

[SpikeyTheYorkie]

Make your most valued bather (as someone else mentioned) and turn him/her into a "trimmer." This person shaves the dog/s down and this person places the pattern in the dogs, etc. The groomers then only have to do faces/feet on these dogs, along with some tidying up.

Tammy in Utah

[hairdevil]

gosh this is a widespread problem!! its too bad we just can't all ban together and have one big wonderful grooming mall!!! LOL

[scullysmom]

we have that problem too!!! I have called the vets that don't have groomers and that are good and let them know that if another groomer happens to stroll in please send them our way!! Seen nothing of it yet. I have also sent emails to all of the schools I trust (no response). I know what really helps ours is when we hire someone to fluff only. It has not fixed it more of a crutch really. Let me know if you find a solution, sounds like we all need it!!!

[Chuck]

Any good groomer is working.

Dear GR,

Everyone has the same problem. If you can't find them you have to make them from your own staff. Good Luck.

Chuck

[PAWS]

I must agree with everyone here. Your bathers already know your shops and you already have them trained the way you like. If you find another groomer whilst training this one, hey, you'll probably be ready for another groomer anyways

[GriffonsMOM]

That's one of my fears

I guess in the facility I am planning to open I really do need to have at least three employees. I need a skilled and friendly desk person, a general laborer for the kennels and really should have another skilled groomer. My fear...I know what the other groomers in this area are like and I don't like any that I've so far had the dis pleasure of working with. I dont' even think there are many skilled groomers in this area that are looking for jobs......I saw one three years ago come into the vet clinic looking for a job but haven't seen any since. Do I just run an ad in the paper?

[Soap]

Gracy,
possibly the chains are being left too loose? LOL. I agree with the others- train someone up to your high standards!

[Doggone]

List w/the unemployment office,it's free and they do some pre-screening for you.The community college and of course grooming schools,you just never know.Rachel,call the base,they are always listing job openings on the base to help dependants find work and I don't think there is a fee to list either.You very well might find someone w/exp.that just got transfered here.Good luck ya all

[hairdevil]

Gracy!! I swear if things don't lighten up around here, Im coming to work for you!!! Just put me in the mobile! LOL!!!!

[scullysmom]

Thanks man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gracy Rose]

Hairdevil, you got it!

[HoundLover]

i agree with everyone else gracy...train your most valued bather to groom. if they arent intrested move on to the next bather. also id explain to them that until they are grooming FULL TIME that if need be they would be called upon to bathe in a pinch. just hiring another groomer might cause problems if you dont like how that groomer grooms dogs, handles dogs, etc. this way you already have someone loyal to your company and business, and then you'll only be looking for 2 new bathers instead of 1 new bather and a groomer...which a great groomer who fits into your shop is harder to come by. you already know the bather, what their personality is, what their work ethic is, and if they are reliable. i say RAISE FROM THE BOTTOM UP! and in the future if you are again in need of another groomer....wth! raise again! this will give you a great reputation (not that you need that your already very successful) but will give people great hopes in coming to work for you AND your clients will more than likely respect you even more for training teh bather to become a groomer and think oh my! what a very kind and decent person she is! plus they wont have any qualms about a *new groomer* because i should hope they already know your bather!
Good luck!!! *ps maybe i should relocate to florida just to work for you hehehe*
Hound

[Mary1980]

I'd love to work for Gracy. I wish I was in Florida, I'd be applying! You sound like you have a beautiful operation going.

If it weren't for the hurricans and tornado's I'd be there already! lol