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Most pet lovers already know of the dangers that Halloween brings to our pets. Eating chocolate and the colorful wrappers can be extremely harmful to pets, even causing death. There is an ingredient in chocolate called theobromine which causes heart palpitations. A dog that has ingested chocolate can die when its heart beats irregularly during exercise. Another ingredient in candy is the artificial sweetener xylitol. Ingesting even a small amount of this substance can cause a drop in blood sugar, which will result in seizures.

Pet owners should call a vet immediately if a problem arises. They can also contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

But there are other dangers that Halloween can present to our four-legged friends. Many of us in busy neighborhoods where trick-or-treaters will travel have the biggest challenges. Many pets escape at Halloween, frightened by the commotion and given the opportunity. I recommend that all pet lovers use a separate room for Scruffy or Fluffy, so they can be kept clear of the action and away from the front door. This is a great time to treat pets to a delicious bone or new squeaky toy that they can enjoy while the festivities take place. No one wants to lose their pet. Cat owners should keep a close eye on felines who may rush the door while candy is being given out. Dogs shouldn't be put in the backyard, where they may encounter curious kids who want to say hello to Fido.

Remind clients to make sure that their pets have current identification on their collars, in case they do escape. Proper ID tags or a microchip can help ensure that they will be safely returned home.

Next on the safety list are items that are often overlooked by pet owners. Some of these items are a hazard during any holiday, or even in day-to-day life. At the top of the list is the use of candles in pumpkins or as decorations around the house. Pets can knock these items over to cause a fire, or burn themselves on the open flame. Kittens are especially at risk for burns because of their curious nature. A better choice for pet owner would be to use lectronic flameless candles that flicker just like the real thing. These popular products can be found online, at Target, or in a local department store.

Electrical wires can be dangerous when chewed at Halloween or anytime. If chewed, the plastic and wire can be a choking hazard or, even worse, a pet can die from electrical shock.

By passing these tips on to your customers, you help them on the road to responsible pet care. Make yourself an expert on pets and you can become a valuable resource to your clients.

Chuck Simons, inventor of the Groomers Helper®, has more than 20 years of experience running a successful grooming business in addition to creating the leading pet safety system in the grooming industry. He has been sharing that experience with groomers around the world in an effort to help them learn how to be more successful in their profession. Call Chuck at 866-987-2426 or email chuck@petshots.com.

Two-leggeds never cease to amaze me.  In the past 48 hours I have had a woman berate one of my staff for  emptying her bichon’s anal glands without permission, and another customer upset because we gave her golden retriever a flea bath.  By the way, the golden had fleas, and the bichon frise had the dire need for this service, if you catch my drift.

I understand that people are stressed about money, and  I totally get that there may be some service providers in this world that are looking for ways to boost the bottom line; however, dealing with fleas and anal gland fluid would not be anybody’s first choice to make an extra buck!  Am I right?  I think I am.  Perhaps if I were to throw in an unexpected nail polish , hit a customer with an exorbitant  dematting fee or the like, but not fleas and anal glands! 

Really, there is no joy in performing these services, and we don’t charge enough for them in the first place.  Personally, I thing expressing glands is worth at least $50, but we’ll never see it.  Fleas, well, that is worth even more!  Now I’m itchy just thinking about the little beasts, I’m worried about the infestation of my store, which I will bomb at the end of the day at a cost of a few bucks, and I am spending more time on labor using more expensive shampoo!  All of this for an extra small surcharge, and clients think we may be doing it unnecessarily?  Think again, two-leggeds…  think again!

Here is the text of the sign on my front counter for the next eight weeks.  Feel free to use it!

Notice To Our Clients

We reserve the right to perform the following services without notifying our human customers:

·    Flea and tick treatments if pests are discovered on your pet

·    Anal Gland Expression if your pet ‘s glands are full or have been semi-emptied

·    Medicated baths if it is our honest belief that it will relieve itching or other skin-related discomfort.

It is not our intention to boost the bottom line, but rather care for the health and hygiene of our four-legged clients.  By entrusting the care of your baby to us, we hope you understand our intentions.

Last week, we had a beautiful red poodle come to the shop for grooming.  On the larger side of mini, Lily is a deep, rich red and has an incredible coat.  She is a sweet, mild-mannered girl and it was her third visit to our salon.  On her first visit, she was very matted.  She was at that 10-12 month point when she was shedding puppy coat and we gave her a short haircut.  I believe it was a 4f strip, round face, full muzzle.  She looked adorable, even that short.

Second visit, which was well past the time frame we suggested to the owner, she was quite matted again, but not as badly, so we used a 4f on the body and dematted and posted the legs.  She was gorgeous again, but required more time, due to the dematting.

Third visit, which was 3 1/2 months from her last appoinment, she was in decent shape, but her coat was extremely long, and the owner was adamant that we scissor her whole body and leave her as full as possible.  Who knows what her fourth visit will require.  Oh, wait...  There won't be a fourth visit.  Why, you ask?
 
First thing in the morning, before we even had the dog in our care, the young woman that brought her in spoke to me very disrespectfully.  It honestly took me aback a bit, as I'm used to having a pretty loving groove with my clientele.  I took a deep breath, let her know what time to come and when she said "Thank you" with a rigid tone, I simply remained quiet.  It was just too early to handle bad energy.
 
The groomer did an exquisite job on Lily.  She could've taken a prize at any grooming contest ( I know, I'm biased).   I left work around 4:00 to hit the Lowe's down the street for supplies and a few odds and ends.  What ensued after I left is a fine example of human beings at their worst, I believe.  When the owner returned, she brought along her very imposing father and as soon as they walked through the door, my assistant could feel the bad mojo. 

When  she was told the price for the grooming, the scene got very ugly, very quickly, to the point that she used very hurtful expletives directed at my grooming manager, who did hold it together for quite some time; however, when the father began yelling, that was it.  "If you're going to yell at me, I'm gonna yell right back,"  she said. Surprisingly, he got very quiet after that, I'm guessing never had a woman stand up to him quite to this degree.  Well, needless to say, they've been fired as customers.  Good luck to the next groomer.  I wish I could give them fair warning.
 
This situation has left me feeling very grateful, in some ways.  I once read that 97 percent of customers are fairly easy transactions in the service industry–'non-event' customers, if you will.  They come in, do business, and go on their merry way.  I think my percentage may even be just a little higher, believe it or not.  I think we're pushing 98-99 percent in my store.  It is a great place to be, with great energy all around most of the time.  So, from this unfortunate incident, I feel so blessed to know that it is the exception and not even close to the rule.
 
Another thing this got me thinking about is the importance of quotes and how to approach them when it comes to grooming.  We won't give any exact quotes over the phone.  When we meet a dog, certainly we can size up the job and share that with the owner, but not until we see and feel a dog's coat will we get specific.  In this case, I assumed, silly me, that an owner would know a hand-scissored dog would be more than a clippered dog.  That was a big mistake, and one I rarely make, but I did not explain the cost difference in the morning.  I think I was too taken aback by the poor behavior at 8:00 am.  It seems common sense to me, but apparently not. 

Let's think about human hair services for a moment.  If you go in and get a shampoo and cut, no blow dry, it will be one charge.  If you return in six weeks and add in a highlight and blow dry, the price will go up.  If you decide to add extensions on the follwing visit and hit the wax room, it's going to be subtantially more, correct?  Why then, as groomers, do people expect us to do more work for the same price, or even less money for more work, like when a customer wants a multi-dog discount.  So, we get to groom three dogs, but they pay less for each added pet? 

I've never understood discounting labor, and I'll never do it.  We simply work too hard. 

Back to the issue of pricing...  The first time this dog came in, we shaved her.  The second visit was a shave on the body, some dematting and scissoring the legs.  The third visit was a hand-scissored haircut.  I suppose I will have to be more clear about quotes and explaining to owners why different services have varying charges.  I guess I did that 'assume' thing that you're never suppose to do.
 
And if you're wondering if they paid... you betcha'!

We had six new dogs come in today.  As usual, I asked each of them how they heard about The Village Groomer & Pet Supply.  Not one of them came through an advertisement or the phone book.  Not even one of them came through our website.  Every single one of them came from a referral, either by an existing customer or another pet care professional in the community.  And so it goes.  My deepest belief in the importance of networking rings true.  I spend a lot of time talking to the vet techs, dropping in on the veterinarians, doing little favors for the trainers, etc.  Some of the animal control officers in my community call on me for a favor with a matted or neglected animal they’ve rescued, and I am there for them, baby!  All of the advertising money in the world cannot take the place of exceptional goodwill.  Networking is like karma.  What goes around comes around. 

A few thoughts on networking...  If you live in an area where there are several vets, pet sitters, etc…, spread the networking wealth.  Refer as many fellow pros as possible, not just one.  I realize you may have your favorites, but unless you genuinely dislike a fellow business person or their practice, keep those referrals bouncing from one biz to the next.  Speak their praises and make sure you say, “Tell ‘em The Village Groomer  sent ya’! ( Fill in your business name, of course.)  And one more thing to remember,  like many of our mamas have said, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”  It all comes back one way or another.  It can be positive or negative.  That’s up to you.  People will talk, but it’s up to you what they will say in your actions and energies regarding your business!  By the way, do you know a good animal communicator?

     
Hey all.  Bad Dog here to blog some thoughts on easy summer sales for your grooming shop.  As many of you know, I believe retailing is an incredible opportunity for the grooming salon.  Our clients love us and trust us and listen when we suggest a product.  Too often, however, the professional groomer offers up a suggestion and then sends the customer down the road to the full line pet store, essentially handing the dough right over to the competition.  Whether or not you carry a full line of pet products or a small offering of impulse items by the cash register, here’s what’s moving in my shop (www.villagegroomer.net,  www.dogdazecamp.com).

The warm weather and spring season always boost collar sales.  I’m not talking about plain nylon collars, but rather patterned and whimsical collars.  I am a big fan of Elmo’s Closet (elmoscloset.com), where Rachelle offers up really reasonably priced and unique patterns.  The ‘Tiki Hut’ is one of the new patterns I really like a lot, and Rachelle is kind enough to handle clients like me that call and say, “I’m really busy.  Can you send me a few dozen patterns that are hot right now?”  These collars have a friendly price point and I find many of my customers collecting them for different times of the year.  There’s a wonderful selection of holiday collars!

A big shout out to Juno’s Garden (www.paldog.com), where proprietor Julianne concocts natural botanical blends for pet health, including the hot-selling ‘Outdoor Formula.’  A blend of essential oils (citronella, cedarwood, eucalyptus and lavender) in a pet-friendly water base, this spritz is a fantastic natural pest repellant, and I can’t keep it on the shelves.  For customers with concerns about topical pesticides, this has been an easy sell.  It even keeps the black flies off of my goats’ ears!

Each region of the country demands its own summer checklist of must-have products, so think locally when deciding what to add to your retail area.  Don’t forget your local sports teams (www.huntermfg.com) like our beloved Bruins and Celtics!  As a proud member of Red Sox Nation, our collars, toys and bandanas are well-stocked! 

Do you have a freezer?  Check out Yoghund organic frozen yogurt treats for dogs.  Sell them by the four pack or split the case for your grooming patrons on their way out the door as a little treat.

A little warm-weather retailing can go a long way in extra summer profits.  Until the next time, this is the Bad Dog Bloggin’ out…

At this year's Intergroom (held April 16-18 in Secaucus, N.J.) Grooming Business had the pleasure of meeting veteran groomer Nikki Rickett, the owner of Custom Clips Grooming in De Peyster, N.Y., established in 1994. Here, Rickett shares some thoughts on the state of the grooming industry, the impact of natural products, and staying at the top of your game.

Grooming Business: How has the grooming industry changed in the last few years?
 
Niki Rickett: I've seen tremendous changes in the grooming industry in the last few years.  Grooming businesses are moving to the forefront of the pet industry and are moving from "Shops" to "Salons" and "Spas."

Groomers are improving their image and public perception.  Grooming is moving from a "hobby" to a bona fide business and is being recognized as such by the banking and insurance industries, making it easier to grow and protect our businesses.

In the past year, through the recession, grooming has maintained a steady growth despite the lacking economy, which proves its worth in the business world.


GB:  What impact have natural and holistic products had on your salon?
 
Rickett: I've had clients ask about what ingredients are in the products that I use in the shop.  Thankfully, I've educated myself about the ingredients in the products I use and am able to properly discuss the safety of these products. I haven't had a client demand natural/holistic products but I do recommend natural/holistic remedies and/or supplements (like apple cider vinegar) if they have a specific problem.  I also ask that they check with their veterinarian before using these items to avoid an unseen problem or conflict.


GB: What tip would you give to other groomers?
 
Rickett: Seminars, seminars, seminars!  It is the best way to continue your education and stay on top of the latest trends and equipment.
Always keep your eye open for new business opportunities in the industry and diversify your business to help maintain your income.

Greetings from the Blogosphere, my friends.  Missi Salzberg here to bring you the first edition of Bad Dog Bloggin,' my blog here at groomingbusiness.com.  A few times a month, I will be sitting down to talk about issues, ideas, and stories from the grooming and professional pet care world.  These blogs will be based on whatever is going on in my head, in my shop, in the industry, or in the world and will be a mix of amusing, insightful and informative.  Hopefully, it will bring a new idea for your business, a new way of looking at an old issue, or at the very least, a smile to you face.

Just a few moments ago, I walked outside my grooming salon here in Massachusetts, where the weather today is beautiful.  It is in the low 80s and the humidity is minimal.  Walking down the sidewalk to my friend's bird and reptile shop, I noticed an American Bulldog poking his big, fat shiny schnoz out the window, which was cracked about three inches. He was panting and obviously uncomfortable. As I prepared to whip out my megaphone and demand all visitors to the plaza report immediately to the parking lot, the owner came strolling out of the adjoining business and merrily made her way back to her vehicle.  Another disaster averted, but it got me to thinking...

People love their pets, but they are not aware of how quickly heat can hurt, or even kill a dog left in a car.  As a professional pet pro, I consider it our duty to inform and educate the pet-loving masses.  By putting together a 'Summer Safety Checklist' with your businesses letter head, you can offer up some great information for your customers and maybe even save a life.  I have done these checklists before and kept them on my counter by the cash register.  On one side, they feature the safety tips for your customers, and on the other side, your business information.  Tell your customers to take few and share them with other pet owners.  Drop some off at the local veterinarians and kennels.  It's easy public relations and it's for the safety of the pets we love.

One year, I put a sign on the rear side of the fact sheet listing, "If it's 80 degrees outside, it can be over 100 degrees in this car!"  This was an invation to my customers to take a few sheets and keep them handy in their own automobiles just in case.  If a little guerilla education is what it takes, then so be it, but heat stroke can occur in a matter of minutes in an closed car.

Other quick tips for your summer safety checklist:

• Be certain your pets have access to plenty of fresh water

• During summer travels, have a seperate tag made with your vacation information and cell phone number, just in case

• Be certain that any lawn services you use are pet safe and don't use toxic chemicals on your lawn

• Be aware of short-coated dogs and the sun!  Yes, they get sun burned!

These are just a few tips.  There are many summer safety ideas on the internet brought to you by humane societies and kennel clubs  Take a few minutes and make your list.  Your customers will thank you for it. 

Until next time, this is the Bad Dog, Bloggin' out!

If there are any topics you'd like Missi to discuss, fell free to contact us at mkalaygian@petbusiness.com and we'll let her know.

A recent study done by Insurance.com has named the most dangerous drivers according to their profession, and dog groomers have come in at number six! The study’s findings were based on the number of accident claims people declared when receiving a quote from Insurance.com. This study begs the question: Why are so many dog groomers getting into accidents?

One reason might be the tight schedules that mobile groomers try to keep. The more appointments a groomer can make in a day, the more money they will come away with, and showing up late for an appointment can really damage a groomer’s reputation. But is one extra client per day really worth the safety and financial risk of an accident? If you find yourself rushing around (speeding from client to client to make it on time), try booking one less appointment per day and leaving yourself more time between appointments. If that is not an option for you financially, try mapping out your route the night before to save time.

Another reason people get into accidents is that they become distracted behind the wheel. While it may be tempting to book future appointments when you have a few moments to spare, listening to messages and making calls while driving is extremely dangerous. Insurance.com’s vice president Sam Belden says, “Professions that demand multi-tasking – being on the phone, moving fast on a tight schedule – are prone to more distractions and, from there, more accidents.” To avoid this hazard, set aside an hour at the beginning or end of the day to listen to your messages, return calls and book appointments.

One more tip is to try to avoid scheduling appointments that will have you driving during rush hour. Start your day a little later to avoid traffic jams, or groom a dog during rush hour and then hit the road when the traffic has subsided.

Not only will these tips make you a much safer driver, they should also help you relax during a busy day of grooming. If you’re not as stressed out, you will be able to greet each client with a genuine smile and a great attitude – and you wont have high insurance rates or claims to worry about either.

Welcome to the new GroomingBusiness.com, a comprehensive online business resource for grooming salon owners/operators and pet stylists.

Admittedly, the first incarnation of our website, which was introduced in early 2007 (to coincide with the launch of Grooming Business magazine), was a bit rough around the edges--it was little more than a text-based site that simply housed each issue's editorial content. And while this online platform served its purposed admirably for our fledgling enterprise during its first three years, it was clearly time for an upgrade.

With this in mind, we've given the website a complete facelift. As you can see, the new GroomingBusiness.com has a much more polished look, but that's not where the changes end. Of course, the site still houses all of the articles from each issue of Grooming Business magazine, but we've added (and will continue to add) a bunch of exciting new features...

Breaking News

On the new GroomingBusiness.com, you will find the latest breaking news from all over the grooming world. From news about about popular vendors to grooming competition results to legislative and regulatory updates, if it’s happening in the industry, you’ll be able to read about it on this site.

Blogs

Another exciting new element of our website is the blog section, where visitors will find a wealth of insight from Grooming Business’ editors and regular columnists. These blogs will not only expand on many of the themes that can be found in our magazine—marketing strategies, operational issues, equipment selection and maintenance, etc.—they will offer our readers an opportunity to interact with our editorial team by submitting questions and receiving timely responses.

Videos

While we’re not quite on the level of YouTube (at least not yet), visitors to the new Grooming Business website will find an ever-growing selection of videos that cover everything from valuable how-to information to the sights and sounds of industry trade shows to useful product demonstrations.

Photo Gallery

See the sights from a wide range of grooming industry events, including all of the major trade shows and educational conferences.

Reader Poll

See how other members of the grooming industry respond to timely and topical questions, and offer your own opinion on this new interactive feature.

Interactive Advertiser Index

Want to get more information about a product you saw advertised in the monthly print edition of Grooming Business magazine? Check our interactive advertiser index, which links visitors directly to suppliers.

Even with all of the upgrades we’ve made to GroomingBusiness.com, we still very much consider the site a work in progress. Keep an eye out for the additional features we will introduce as the year progresses (for example, we plan on introducing a comprehensive, interactive online buyers guide in the near future). In addition, we invite you to take a look around and let us know what you think. Send your questions and/or comments about the new GroomingBusiness.com website to mkalaygian@macfad.com.