How do I get them to say O.K>?

[mustluvdogs1]

Recently, I wanted to have both dogs in van at same time...I never do thius but, in Calif. my award-winning pal did 2-3 Malteese together in tub. One drying other on table w/ blower. In some cases, I would like to do this, but owners prefer on at a time. It is essier to make sure they won't sneak by and run off....but I"d be careful I always lock my van door. I have a realtors' key box on my pass mirror..never locked out. I"ve been gratfdul mfor it many times. How can I get them to let me have both. If I say saves time...that may not sound good to owner. They all want to think I only have them for a client! haha. That would be fine if they want to pay me a months' pay each visit.These are little dogs...I only groom up to 40 lb. max....Most Yorkies etc...widdd dulll guys. Do you do multiples?Friend did two-zees a lot..Bichons etc.

[pamperedpups]

Edited.

[nuk]

haven't had this problem except with pets that don't get along well. when they ask who i want first i just say both or all or this one and that one and i'll come get the other when i'm done with... but i charge by the hour so they want me to hurry

[PoodlePal]

I always try to take all the dogs (3 small-med. dogs max.) in my van at the same time. (I have one customer with 2 Germ. Shepherds that I take both dogs in the van at once.) I find that the dogs are more relaxed with their pack. I explain this to the owners and they are more than happy for me to take all the dogs at the same time. I usually bath two dogs at the same time (unless one need a special shampoo). (One dog gets the water blown off him and then placed on a towel to air dry while I dry the other dog.) This really does save a lot of time. Not only am I saving bathing time but also saving water. I save the time it takes to run each dog back into the customers house and come out with another dog.

[Misty]

Hi mustluvdogs1,

I have a lot of multiples that I do. Most of them I take out to the van at the same time. I will put two small dogs in the tub at the same time, then on the table to be blow dried. Some times I just keep the two on the table together while I do haircuts, sometimes I put one on a pile of towels somewhere, or let them wander around the van. I have one family with 4 Shih Tzus. I have been grooming them all since they were pups. They drag me to the truck, I open the door and they run in and fight with each other to get on my box and lay in the towels. I bathe two, leave one wrapped in towels in the tub while I dry and groom the first one. While I am drying and grooming the second one I bathe the last two. They get a good soak in shampoo, then get wrapped in towels and get to hang out in the tub. By the time I get to them they are practically dry and just get a quick fluff out. People can't believe how good these dogs are and how happy they are to come hang out in the truck.
As to your question, sometimes I suggest that the dogs would be less stressed if they could stay together. Other times if I see that the people seem to be busier one day then I say "Do you want me to just take the two of them out together so that I don't have to keep bothering you?" There have also been times that I just asked if I could take them both out together because I had overbooked myself, and was in a hurry that day. I do have a couple of customers that prefer I only take one at a time, you just have to do what you can to keep your customer happy.

[Doug]

excuse #1

Just tell them your knees hurt you dont want to climb in and out more then needed.There will be times you'll be glad to take them one at a time.Rainy days they tend to not do their business outside as well as the owner might want to think. Your van will make a nice temperature controlled potty.lol You can only watch them with in reason,it's always the one on the floor who was not siting still on the table. I always use the groomers helper grooming loops to run multible dogs back and forth like a team of horses on a long leash.The lock clip holds really well and it is just long enough to give them each a little space between each other but not enough for any one to turn around when they are three or more across. Wont work on big dogs,they will drag you down the road.
Sometimes one gets road rash cause it could'nt keep up or could'nt figure how to tinkle on the move.lol So you you might have to stop them all to let one do it's business.Dont connect more then you can manage. The day after it snowed earlier this week I used two big pit bulls like sled dogs to pull me to the van.like in the movie tomb raider.It really works they can pull you so you can ski on your shoes.It was fun.

[azoci]

multi dogs in rig

Hi, I always do multiple dogs at the same time. Never had a client with a problem with that. In fact I don't ask, I just take them all. I have so many multiple pet clients, the dogs are happier together, they just take turns. I find I can bath most together, or they wait their turn. I have 2 standard Poodles, both in rig at same time, my table gets a little crowded if they both want up on it at the same time LOL, I have a family with 2 boxers and a Dal, yep, in the rig at the same time, we have a routine! Bichons, Poodles, a family of 3 Shcnauzers...and many more. You just have to project to the client that is is a do-able thing.

I have never had a problem. I just say.." I'll take them both"...doesn't mean they both get on the table together, but it saves me time running back and forth, water, and dryer time.

[workingchihuahua]

i tell the owners that the dogs are more comfortable during the groom when the other one is present.

[sim groomer]

tell the owner;

When they are together there is less stress for them, because they can see each other. This way they both know they are not missing something. sometimes when you seperate the will be upset.

[bitty]

I would let them know that they would probably be more comfortable together. Make it all about the pets needs. Good Luck!!

[diamienono]

IF the client prefers one at a time I don't argue, but I do try to tell them it is a comfort thing I I can heve them both at the same time.

[mustluvdogs1]

Next two I will try twozies

Thanks guys...I will tell client about this board and learned multiples arehappier together if..when I say I"LL take them both they object. I have been w/ Pam and have seen her in MY van do twozies. Two min poodles, the big Black poodles 1 @ time..maybe cuz I was there ..lessroom. I saw two, buddy & holly on lazy susan together! Pam does some amazing things in her rig..I say van...same thing. I know it csan be done..Hydro-suge cool dry it shouild save time and, yes Ivac Clipper vac ..everything to make it easy.

[Gracy Rose]

I always do multiple dogs as well. Comfort is a great reason, time saving and I tell them it helps me out. I have many clients who sweep, mop or vaccum on their groom day.

[toomuchfunbnme]

I would suggest to the owners that their dogs might be more comfortable being with eachother if you can find a way to suggest that without making it sound like the dogs are too uncomfortable the way you're doing things now. I've bathed a couple of small dogs at the same time and wouldn't really call it much of a time saver if you're efficient anyway. Obviously if you get too much going at once it can be more of a hassle to have multiple dogs needing attention. I definitely wouldn't leave one dog on a table while working on another in the tub or wherever... always have one dog kenneled or safely tethered and know that the drying dog may dry too much if you're not quick.

This is great advice. I totally agree about being sure to follow safe procedures when grooming multiple dogs at once while working alone. Good tips.

[Misty]

Those of you who aren't mobile need to remember that we are talking about grooming multiple dogs in a grooming van, not a shop. Our vans are small. Even my shuttle bus the table is only a couple of steps from the tub. Also my tub is deep so small dogs feel contained in the tub. We are not leaving dogs unattended.