Client Showed Up At The Door With Dog -

[Greytmate]

I think if you are running a business from home you really have to make an effort to separate work and family life so that neither has a negative effect on each other.

Let your husband know what hours you are prepared to work and ask him to turn away anyone coming out of hours or who doesn't have an appointment. If he can't do that, it might be better if he doesn't answer the door to strangers while you are not at home.

Have a work phone number and a personal one, and keep your work phone switched to message bank if you are not accepting calls.

If you are the sort of person who just can't say "no" to pushy people, people will take advantage of that. Maybe you could practice saying "Yes I can do your dog but work done after hours is a $70 surcharge, is that ok with you?" Otherwise you will just have to learn to think on your feet when people are pressuring you and say "No, you are going to have to make an appointment."

[Andisa]

Yes - we have spoken about it last night, he knows what to say next time. I will be putting up signage in the shed and with the sign in the front window as well as telling people about the changes. It is long overdue. I have tried it before but some times it is just easier to do the dog, not any more. I need to do something about my shoulder so will be out of action for a while anyway when that happens. They will have to get used to the changes sooner or later - or go some place else if they won't wait.

Working from home has many advantages but it in reality it has more disadvantages. It is too easy for some people to just show up with the dog and say they have a party or family coming over and say but since your here anyway why can't you just do it this once.

I have been at my parents in Euroa and had calls, when I explain where I am and I can't do the dog they ask me how long will it take for me to get home . Um - I can't do it today, I won't be home for along time, I am about 3 hrs away - some will say sorry and book the dog in, great. But there are always those who will work out if I leave NOW I would be home by ... and still have plenty of time to do their dog. Sometimes it is very hard to be nice.

[Dogsfevr]

You can't tell clients how there dog will be handled when most clients don't tell the truth to start off with .

Generally the matted dogs area warning sign of no training although often these dogs end up so grateful for getting shaved they stand there .

As for sedating no way ,that should be done under vet supervision with a vet check prior too & lavendergirl if you feel this is a best option then sorry you have no clue,sedated dogs are often far worse as they panic on the table due to being wobbly & experiencing things in an unknown state & yes as already mentioned temp control & the likes plays an important part .

We have sent people to the vet to have there dogs groomed as they where so dangerous we wouldn't refer them to any groomer no one deserves to have there body abused by a feral dog or be placed in such danger that they become injured & unable to work & yes these people never warned us prior too .

We don't use the noose or frame never have

You also get the serial clients who go to every groomer & never be happy because they expect miracles to happen to there ungroomed,matted mess or untrained dog but most groomers talk amongst themselves & pass on names of such clients .

We are lucky & have a wonderful clientele with great dogs,the occasional monster & they nearly all book 12 months in advance.

I feel for many groomers who will now start getting the winter mess & the owners who abuse you as the weather warms up because there dog needs doing now ,they presume its such a simple task to clip off & forget that sometimes you can't tell what is skin,matt ^ the likes

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[lovemymutts]

Hey, Lavendergirl, I'd guess you aren't a groomer? I did it for years and some dogs are absolute little shites and some are big shites!

That's often why the groomers get the job 'cause the owner cant be bothered to teach the dog to be handled and groomed. My big mistake when I started was letting one owner stay while I did her 'precious', snappy, snarling little dear. One day the owner had to go to the loo up the street, dog got a good shaking, plonked back on the table, roared at and it was 'nearly' an angel after that lol.

In other words you traumatised the dog. You are exactly the type of person I would not want within a mile of my dog and there are plenty of groomers like you. If you could not handle the dog tell the owner you are unable to take the dog for grooming and why. You have no right to abuse the dog.

Think about this in perspective for a minute.... if dogs in the wild are carrying on or missbehaving do you think their pack members put up with it?! NO, they would deal with it the only way they know how, by a good old fashioned doggy telling off, a few teeth & snarls & then dog gets put back in it's place.

Similar concept really, little spoilt dog is being a nasty pasty on the grooming table or carrying on ridiculously, sometimes they need to realise who's boss & once they're told, most come to the realisation that all their nonsense isn't going to get them anywhere & behaving better is far less stressful. I've seen this with my own eyes.

Yes, sometimes there are dogs who find it far too stressful & need to have it done under sedation, but that's a different kettle of fish all together.

I realise domesticated dogs have different behaviours but... let's stop cotton wooling everything. Not everybodys dog is 'a little darling'

[Atanquin]

Like when I closed my sitting business as I was I'll had one lady ring up asking to look after her Goldie I said no my business is closed as I'm ill and gave her a number to call but she would not stop asking why I couldn't just look after her dog she said oh I will pay cash in hand don't worry about getting in trouble blah blah I had to spell it out for her NO I AM ILL I cannot look after your dog and just hung up you get some really bad customers with no manners and it is so annoying because you have to be polite

[Cat]

Sorry to go a bit OT, but I thought nooses and frames were standard procedure. Why are they so bad? Is it the risk if the dog jumps off the table or is there more to it?

[littlesquashyguys]

Wow, some people have really gone OFF in this thread. Not sure why. OP is obviously just expressing her concerns about handling an unreasonable client. What's the biggie?

Perhaps you could tell the client you are booked out (like forever) and you aren't taking on any new clients? It's your life, your business. Tell him to go get stuffed. You don't have to have people in your life who make you feel intimidated or uncomfortable.

By the way, Andisa used to wash my Labrador Star, and she was wonderful with her.

Hi Lisa, I didn't realise you bred Pugs. How is your lovely Rottie Piper?

ETA: Andisa introduced me to the Dremel, and for that I will be forever grateful!

Hello littlesquashyguys, thanks for the lovely complement :D

Going out on a limb here but is your name Andrea, your Grandfather lived in Knox and you lived over the other side of the City and did Star have lots of skin problems when she was younger? (I hope I have the right person )?

Piper is going strong, she will be 7yo in Jan, surprised you remembered her name. I have 2 of her kids with me now, if your over this way again give me a call, it would be nice to see you again. I have had Pugs for a while now, Charli is the only one I have atm.

Hi, yes it's me...I will PM you soon. I'm about to pick up my Pug from the specialist. He had Brachy-related surgery yesterday (he stayed overnight). Seeya

Edited September 7, 2011 by littlesquashyguys

[poodlefan]

Sorry to go a bit OT, but I thought nooses and frames were standard procedure. Why are they so bad? Is it the risk if the dog jumps off the table or is there more to it?

The hanging risk is one issue but the other reason I don't like them is the dog is forced to hold the position for a long time. In grooming there's lots of mini breaks while you change blades, scissors or angles. The dog gets to move around and rest while you do. There's no "down time" for a dog in noose and/or harness IMO.

They look like a pain in the arse to work around and fit too IMO.

Edited September 7, 2011 by poodlefan

[WreckitWhippet]

Sorry to go a bit OT, but I thought nooses and frames were standard procedure. Why are they so bad? Is it the risk if the dog jumps off the table or is there more to it?

The hanging risk is one issue but the other reason I don't like them is the dog is forced to hold the position for a long time. In grooming there's lots of mini breaks while you change blades, scissors or angles. The dog gets to move around and rest while you do. There's no "down time" for a dog in noose and/or harness IMO.

They look like a pain in the arse to work around and fit too IMO.

I don't use them either. I place a lead around the dogs neck , which is connected to the frame but only if it's a dog that I can't trust not to jump off the table, the second I take my hands off it.

I have a couple of older dogs that I prop up from below, so that I can scissor legs etc.

[Andisa]

Sorry to go a bit OT, but I thought nooses and frames were standard procedure. Why are they so bad? Is it the risk if the dog jumps off the table or is there more to it?

They are fine if the dog has manners, it saves the groomer having to hold the dog up taking full weight of the dog in the shoulders and back which is why so many of us are physically buggered.

They are no good if the dogs are feral and resist being tied up in one. They will do serious harm to themselves trying to get away. I had a grooming frame fitted in the trailer I had built but never used it. Much preferred to use the tie up bar they fitted instead. I use a grooming arm on the tables but if the dogs fight sometimes it is safer to hold the dog instead of risking them getting hurt. Well behaved dogs don't need anything but I usually use the grooming arm as back up or sometimes push it out of the way.

[Guest DBT]

I think its foolish not to have some sort of safety net on most dogs. Of course there are those few rock solid dogs that are pretty safe un tethered. All dogs need to be assessed and tethered or not on their individual situation. number one rule of course is to NEVER leave a tethered dog un attended, not even for 30 seconds.

I LOVE the Groomers Helper device. It is one of the safest tethers IMO . The front attach means that if/when dog struggles against it, it actually pulls away from the trachea instead of choking like an overhead noose. The tether is not a loop style either rather a slide type. Also the neck tether is fabric with a quick release snap lock. Meaning that you can quickly unsnap a dog that hits the panic button, and worse case scenario, can quickly be cut with scissors. I will not go back to a noose type restraint, especially one with a wire in it, as it cannot be cut in an extreme situation.

[SwaY]

I think if you are running a business from home you really have to make an effort to separate work and family life so that neither has a negative effect on each other.

I agree, at the same time 'clients' don't help you to do that as they expect more.

Be it after hours service, emails responded to within 12 hours over a weekend, pick ups on a public holiday etc.

[Dogsfevr]

I think if you are running a business from home you really have to make an effort to separate work and family life so that neither has a negative effect on each other.

I agree, at the same time 'clients' don't help you to do that as they expect more.

Be it after hours service, emails responded to within 12 hours over a weekend, pick ups on a public holiday etc.

If only we run our business from home ,people ring any old time ,more common these days sunday mornings at 7/8 am to make grooming appointments for a few weeks down the track.

Alot ring 7-8 pm week nights

We don't have sep numbers nor plan to but we stick to our guns regarding our times but reality is many joe public are very selfish & have the attitude you work from home what is the big deal .

Our private & work life is very structured to be separate but people don't care.

Lets face it how often do you see people walking into shops at closing time & expect to do there shopping,some people simply believe things don't apply to them & the people who are demanding & pushy we do turn away now & they are told why,there not special & we have plenty of other clients who are wonderful people who ring & do things at appropriate times & are a joy to deal with

[Greytmate]

Hey, Lavendergirl, I'd guess you aren't a groomer? I did it for years and some dogs are absolute little shites and some are big shites!

That's often why the groomers get the job 'cause the owner cant be bothered to teach the dog to be handled and groomed. My big mistake when I started was letting one owner stay while I did her 'precious', snappy, snarling little dear. One day the owner had to go to the loo up the street, dog got a good shaking, plonked back on the table, roared at and it was 'nearly' an angel after that lol.

In other words you traumatised the dog. You are exactly the type of person I would not want within a mile of my dog and there are plenty of groomers like you. If you could not handle the dog tell the owner you are unable to take the dog for grooming and why. You have no right to abuse the dog.

Think about this in perspective for a minute.... if dogs in the wild are carrying on or missbehaving do you think their pack members put up with it?! NO, they would deal with it the only way they know how, by a good old fashioned doggy telling off, a few teeth & snarls & then dog gets put back in it's place.

Similar concept really, little spoilt dog is being a nasty pasty on the grooming table or carrying on ridiculously, sometimes they need to realise who's boss & once they're told, most come to the realisation that all their nonsense isn't going to get them anywhere & behaving better is far less stressful. I've seen this with my own eyes.

Yes, sometimes there are dogs who find it far too stressful & need to have it done under sedation, but that's a different kettle of fish all together.

I realise domesticated dogs have different behaviours but... let's stop cotton wooling everything. Not everybodys dog is 'a little darling'

I agree with using negative as well as positive methods to modify a dog's behaviour, but what you have said isn't really applicable to the situation in a grooming salon.

At home there are many ways that the pack can behave and this will affect how the dog interacts with each member. But a groomer may be somebody from outside the pack. Much of the aggression groomers would experience with a new dog would be clearly defined as a challenge. The dog is anxious and doesn't want to be groomed because it knows it hurts. It also knows that the way to avoid being groomed is to behave aggressively. The groomer needs to be calm and assertive. There is a place for stern growls and gruff voices from the groomer. There is no place for yelling as increasing the volume will increase the dog's anxiety and aggression. There is a place for grabbing a dog and physically holding it into certain postures, either to change the dog's demeanour or to allow the safe grooming of the dog. There is no place for shaking a dog as that sort of frenzied action will increase the dog's anxiety.

No dog is more dangerous than a dog owned by people that have allowed it to become aggressive. An unknown person handling the dog is in danger of being bitten, and so they need to be assertive and try to assess the nature of the dog and gain its respect before the grooming starts. I don't think that can always be achieved with purely positive methods, but if we use negatives for training, they need to be used in a fair way that won't heighten the dog's anxiety. And I don't blame some groomers for sending some clients away. There is a role for vet nurses to sedate and clip off neglected, aggressive dogs. If a dog has these problems, a bad haircut is the least of its worries.

[lovemymutts]

Hey, Lavendergirl, I'd guess you aren't a groomer? I did it for years and some dogs are absolute little shites and some are big shites!

That's often why the groomers get the job 'cause the owner cant be bothered to teach the dog to be handled and groomed. My big mistake when I started was letting one owner stay while I did her 'precious', snappy, snarling little dear. One day the owner had to go to the loo up the street, dog got a good shaking, plonked back on the table, roared at and it was 'nearly' an angel after that lol.

In other words you traumatised the dog. You are exactly the type of person I would not want within a mile of my dog and there are plenty of groomers like you. If you could not handle the dog tell the owner you are unable to take the dog for grooming and why. You have no right to abuse the dog.

Think about this in perspective for a minute.... if dogs in the wild are carrying on or missbehaving do you think their pack members put up with it?! NO, they would deal with it the only way they know how, by a good old fashioned doggy telling off, a few teeth & snarls & then dog gets put back in it's place.

Similar concept really, little spoilt dog is being a nasty pasty on the grooming table or carrying on ridiculously, sometimes they need to realise who's boss & once they're told, most come to the realisation that all their nonsense isn't going to get them anywhere & behaving better is far less stressful. I've seen this with my own eyes.

Yes, sometimes there are dogs who find it far too stressful & need to have it done under sedation, but that's a different kettle of fish all together.

I realise domesticated dogs have different behaviours but... let's stop cotton wooling everything. Not everybodys dog is 'a little darling'

I agree with using negative as well as positive methods to modify a dog's behaviour, but what you have said isn't really applicable to the situation in a grooming salon.

At home there are many ways that the pack can behave and this will affect how the dog interacts with each member. But a groomer may be somebody from outside the pack. Much of the aggression groomers would experience with a new dog would be clearly defined as a challenge. The dog is anxious and doesn't want to be groomed because it knows it hurts. It also knows that the way to avoid being groomed is to behave aggressively. The groomer needs to be calm and assertive. There is a place for stern growls and gruff voices from the groomer. There is no place for yelling as increasing the volume will increase the dog's anxiety and aggression. There is a place for grabbing a dog and physically holding it into certain postures, either to change the dog's demeanour or to allow the safe grooming of the dog. There is no place for shaking a dog as that sort of frenzied action will increase the dog's anxiety.

No dog is more dangerous than a dog owned by people that have allowed it to become aggressive. An unknown person handling the dog is in danger of being bitten, and so they need to be assertive and try to assess the nature of the dog and gain its respect before the grooming starts. I don't think that can always be achieved with purely positive methods, but if we use negatives for training, they need to be used in a fair way that won't heighten the dog's anxiety. And I don't blame some groomers for sending some clients away. There is a role for vet nurses to sedate and clip off neglected, aggressive dogs. If a dog has these problems, a bad haircut is the least of its worries.

The bolded section is what I was referring to, not shaking etc.

[german_shep_fan]

Hey, Lavendergirl, I'd guess you aren't a groomer? I did it for years and some dogs are absolute little shites and some are big shites!

That's often why the groomers get the job 'cause the owner cant be bothered to teach the dog to be handled and groomed. My big mistake when I started was letting one owner stay while I did her 'precious', snappy, snarling little dear. One day the owner had to go to the loo up the street, dog got a good shaking, plonked back on the table, roared at and it was 'nearly' an angel after that lol.

& what would you have done if the dog was not an angel after that ? The next step ?

I have been a groomer & would not have my dog groomed by many people I have seen doing this job. I have let people watch while I have done their dogs & there is absolutely nothing I would do behind their back that I would not do if they were there.

Christina, you are exactly the kind of groomer that I would confidently take my dogs to.

While I understand the need for disciplining dogs if they are not cooperating with grooming, I would be really annoyed if a groomer treated my dogs like angels while I was there and waited for me to leave to discipline them.

There is a groomer in my suburb that is like that. I don't take my dog for grooming as he doesn't need clipping ect but this groomers beahiour towards dogs in public that i have seen leaves alot to be desired, so i would hate to see her behind closed doors. mate took her dog to be clipped last wk and he came back "rather groggy" according to my pal, so god knows what she gave him without my friends consent!

Edited September 7, 2011 by german_shep_fan

[Purdie]

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Edited September 17, 2011 by Purdie

[Odin-Genie]

Or better still if it is acceptable to use these methods tell every client their dog may be physically "corrected" if the groomer deems it necessary. Then the client can decide if that groomer suits them.

While I do agree with others that your comment was harsh, I agree that clients should be told that their dogs may need to be disciplined if they misbehave. And let the owners of the dog decide if they want to give their business under those conditions.

And should I inform them that I will use a muzzle , clamp their jaws with their hair and my fingers, restrain the dog or use a correction if necessary ?

If you were grooming my dogs, I would prefer that you do inform me about all that. I would want to exactly how my dogs might be treated and thus make an informed decision about using a particular grooming service.

If a dog owner is horrified that their pooches might be muzzled etc if they misbehave, then they should at least have the option of taking their business elsewhere or groom them at home.

[Andisa]

Here is an offer for anyone who has a badly behaved dog for grooming.

Bring it to my place and do it yourself, I will offer free use of all equipment just so I can sit back and watch you do it .

ETA: - Offer extended to everyone in this thread who commented or agreed that groomers are using unnecessary force on dogs to groom them. Don't worry if you don't have a dog suitable - I will arrange them at short notice for you :D . Pretty sure I could sell tickets for this one ;) .

Edited September 7, 2011 by Andisa

[lovemymutts]

Here is an offer for anyone who has a badly behaved dog for grooming.

Bring it to my place and do it yourself, I will offer free use of all equipment just so I can sit back and watch you do it .

ETA: - Offer extended to everyone in this thread who commented or agreed that groomers are using unnecessary force on dogs to groom them. Don't worry if you don't have a dog suitable - I will arrange them at short notice for you :D . Pretty sure I could sell tickets for this one ;) .