people in your grooming shop

[diamienono]

My shop is my trailer, yours may be your van whatever. Do you guys allow people to stay inside if the dog behaves. I had a lady last night that was really nice, but she kept getting in my way. I was glad however that she did all the lifting. I made her lift the wet dog out of the tub. This dog is 15 and has two paws in the ground sadly. My back is so screwed up I only have 2 scheduled for next week and I will not be adding either. I need to heal. I just feel that it took me longer because I she was in my way.

[azoci]

clients in the rig

Actually I had a client just a few weeks ago, request to be in the rig. I allowed her to sit up front as long as the dog behaved. He did wonderful, and she was very impressed.

She did make an unusual comment when she first entered the rig..."Oh my , it's smells so nice..." Now that was a bit unusual I thought at the time. But you know, having stepped into my friends rig just the other day...it did have kind of a "funkie" odor... and that's not the first time I've stepped into someone's shop and had an "odor' reaction...

[Misty]

I have a few clients that always stay in the van with me. I just unfasten my table so they can stand on the other side of it. Since I do all of my work from one side anyway it doesn't make any difference to me. I just have to make sure that I remember to refasten the table before I drive away.

[Caitie]

I don't usually mind the company

I will let ONE owner in at a time and I ask that they just sit and don't coddle the pet. I have a couple of clients that I require assistance from in restraint and I wouldn't be able to groom these guys otherwise.

A few people have asked if they can stay and watch (I think so that they know I am not hurting their pet) and I do allow them to come in and I offer them a smock and let them know it gets louds, wet and very hairy and can get warm. Most will hang out for the bath but then leave for the remainder of the groom.

To keep the owner out of the way I offer them a stool to sit on and I place it at the other end of the trailer that is out of the way. I work out of a 7x14 trailer that is very spacious and open so having another person or two is not a problem.

[plushpuppy]

If I have an owner request to stay and the dog behaves when the owner is there I say no Problem. It also makes clients happy to see how the grooming process takes place. I find that when I get a new client that has a little puppy they are very grateful if I say yes
Nancy

[diamienono]

I think I will just tell the lady to sit down next time. She was oh, my baby waby. It will be ok. The dog was fine and deaf, so all she did was get in my way. I have a chair. My trailer is 7 x 12, but she stood at the tub and then at the table. She was afraid the dog would jump off the table our out of the tub. That is why I had a noose on her. She was so old she did not even want to move.

[furrybestjob]

I know that insurance "frowns" upon having people in the van, but if someone really wants to be there, I'll let them come in the van. As already mentioned, most people won't stay the whole groom, because its a lot more wet and hairier than they would imagine. The HV also sends them running.

I do have one owner that actually helps me during the groom. The dog is a briard, that's nice, but a little hyper. I actually appreciate having her in the van to help.

[diamienono]

HMM. You gave me an idea. If I don't want them in there. I will tell them my insurance does not allow, but they can gladly watch through the window. Or my insurance will only allow you to sit, stay good dog. hehe

[TAILSRWAGON]

I'm fine with them in the van

I have a few clients that like to stay in the van. I have a stool that they can sit on and watch. Sometimes it's the only time I have any company throughout the day. (It can get lonely sometimes) If they get in the way I usually tell them where the best place to stay is.
If I want them to move without actually asking them too, I get really wild with the water and the HV dryer. They'll move if your getting them wet. lol..

[barknpurr]

I used to let clients come into the van to watch. It really did slow me down. Now, I want to get the dog done and then we can chat later.

Yes Lisa, use the old "My insurance only covers me in the van" trick. It works everytime! :P

[toomuchfunbnme]

Grooming Insurance Question

Hello, I am just switching careers to learn grooming from owning a totally unrelated business. I think that the insurance excuse is a great way to control clients who want to watch you groom without insulting them or causing them concern. I was wondering if anyone knows if mobile grooming insurance would actually, typically cover anyone who might get injured in the grooming van/trailer? Thanks, just curious for future reference.

[Chicken]

I don't know how mobile would differ from a salon, but for our shop, our agent specifically told us they would likely not cover an incident if a customer was in the "employee only" area, as it could be construed as negligent that we allowed them back there in the first place where there is equipment, wet floors, hair, animals, etc. So be careful!

[diamienono]

I don't know how mobile would differ from a salon, but for our shop, our agent specifically told us they would likely not cover an incident if a customer was in the "employee only" area, as it could be construed as negligent that we allowed them back there in the first place where there is equipment, wet floors, hair, animals, etc. So be careful!

That is one scary looking chicken for your avatar.

[Crystal]

no clients in the van for me. I dont' want them getting in my way. I had tried it before, and then found out that my insurance would likely not cover any accident that happened when I allowed the client to assist.

If I can't lift or handle a dog, I certainly would not allow my clients to do the lifting and hurt themself either. They would need to find a groomer that has an assistant. That's all I need is someone trying to hold me liable for their injury while in my van. I know have a weight limit of 60# because that is all that I could physically handle and I find out up front what the dog weight is before I will accept them as a new client.

If the client was lifting their dog from the table to the tub and then slipped and hit their head on your wet floor, who do you think is liable? Even if your insurance did cover it, would you really want to allow a risk like that? I look at it like this, I am the professional and I must make decisions and think ahead of the consequences that could occur due to my allowing them to lift their own dog. It might be their dog, but they are not professionals and may not know the first thing about lifting and handling animals.

[Chicken]

That is one scary looking chicken for your avatar.

LOL - that's actually my rooster & he is kinda scary! (Yes, I have chickens & 1 roo.)