PetEdge

PetEdge Grooming Question of the Week: What Are Your Five Go-To Grooming Tools?

Everyone who works a trade, an art or a craft has their go-to tools. A carpenter has a hammer, a tape measure and some nails. An architect has a drafting board, a t-square and a pencil.

For pet groomers, these five tools are crucial to have on hand for tackling everyday grooming challenges. 

 
1. Slicker Brush: The "workhorse" of grooming tools, this brush is your main undercoat remover and detangler.

 

2. Greyhound Comb: Don't be confused by the name—this comb isn't designed for use on greyhounds. In fact, thin-coated greyhounds are one breed that you might want to avoid using this comb on. However, greyhound combs are great for fluffing, detangling and finishing work on medium and long-coated breeds like collies, setters, and retrievers.

 

3. Dematting Rake or Comb: Dematting tools are equipped with serrated blades that you can use to saw through mats. Work the blade into the coat underneath the mat, then saw in an upwards motion to split one big mat into smaller, more manageable pieces.

 

4. Rubber Curry Brush: A bathtime favorite! This brush is perfect for scrubbing pets down to the skin to ensure maximum effectiveness of shampoos, treatments and conditioners. It also works well on dry coats.

 

5. Carding/Stripping Tools: Carding and stripping tools can take several different forms (stripper knives, shedding blades, or FURminator-style deshedding tools), but each is essentially a straight blade with teeth. The teeth can be jagged or curved with a sharpened edge. Run the blade across the top of the coat, and the blade will catch loose hair and pull it out of the coat. Hair that is dead or dying is rougher and more jagged than healthy hair, so a carding/stripping tool is more likely to grab it and clear it out of the coat. 

Your Turn to Check In

Did we miss something? What are the must-have tools that you have in your grooming shop? Send us your feedback at blog@petedge.com, or post a comment on our facebook wall.

Thanks and happy grooming :)

PetEdge Grooming Question of the Week: When To Break Up with A Client

It's a tried and true saying in any business that the customer is always right.

But what if a customer is wrong for you?

Some problem customers end up costing you more in time, money, aggravation and potential liability than they're worth. When that happens, it might be time to go your separate ways.

So what are some signs that a groomer-customer relationship is on the rocks?

If They Keep Coming Back for More (Re-Cuts, That Is)

Every customer has different expectations for how their pet should look after grooming, so there's always going to be some give and take with your work.

This is especially true with a new client, when your idea of a puppy cut might not be the same as theirs, or they might not understand the difference between a round and a bell-shaped bichon head. It's important to be flexible and to work with your clients to achieve the look they want for their pet.

But re-cuts become a problem if you start to suspect that a client is just complaining for the sake of complaining. Or worse, the customer is complaining just to get a discount on your work.

If you're giving the pet the same cut every time and the customer is always finding new ways to complain about it, it might be time to suggest another groomer.

If Appointments Become an Issue

Scheduling is a crucial component of a successful grooming business. It's important to block out your days so that you can get your work done efficiently and profitably.

Clients who are constantly missing appointments, showing up late to drop off their pets, arriving late to pick their pets up, or "dropping in" to get a grooming job without calling first may not be worth the time and the hassle.

Sure, you can be flexible with the client who misses the occasional appointment, and you might be able to work around a schedule snafu or two. You can even charge repeat offenders for the missed appointments.

But if there's a habitual no-show client who is interrupting the flow of your workday by missing appointments, or leaving their pet in a cage that's reserved for the next client, or occupying your time by insisting you groom their pet on a moment's notice, then it might be time to go your separate ways.

There are few things more aggravating then having to turn away the pet of a responsible customer because a the pet of a problem customer is taking up space in your shop.

If The Dog Is Too Dangerous, Too Difficult or Too Old

A difficult or dangerous dog can be another compelling reason to end a customer relationship. It's up to each groomer to figure out their comfort level working with difficult and dangerous animals.

• Do you feel safe grooming the dog?
• Do you feel that you can keep the dog safe while you're grooming?
• Is the dog disruptive or dangerous in the shop?
• Does the dog pose a threat to other dogs in your shop?

Since your hands (and back, wrists, arms and legs) are your livelihood, you may decide against grooming a dog if you think it will lead to a serious injury or a long-term disability. You can hurt your back trying to control a hyperactive big dog on a table, or get a nasty bite on your hand from an aggressive dog.

You may also decide that a dog is too old for you to safely continue grooming it. Senior dogs may be too feeble, too decripit, or too ill to be groomed. It may be hard to tell a long time customer that you can no longer groom their pet, but it could be the best thing for you and the animal. 

When They Don't Pay

And last—but certainly not least—on our list of reasons to break up with a client: If the customer doesn't pay you. If you're always chasing a customer down for payment, or if a customer bounces a check or multiple checks, then it's time to go your separate ways.

Do you have a groomer-client breakup story you'd like to share with us? Send us an email at blog@petedge.com or post your story on our Facebook wall.

Thanks and happy grooming :)

PetEdge Grooming Question of the Week: Why Should I Use A Finishing Spray?

Finishing sprays are more than just pleasant-smelling coat sprays. They're a useful tool for keeping pet coats clean, shiny and static free.

The "Shocking" Truth About Static Electricity

Pet hair shafts (like human hair) are naturally filled with positive and negative energy. Running a brush through the coat mixes the positive and negative charges and creates a lot of static electricity. This is especially true when you're brushing through a dry coat, or brushing a coat in a dry environment.

Not only does static electricity make pet hair more likely to stick together and form mats, it can also create an uncomfortable situation for the dog. If you're using a brush with metal tips or pins, the static electricity can build up to the point where the dog gets small shocks when the brush contacts the skin. A telltale sign of this is if the pet flinches when the brush touches them.

If you have a pet that is particularly resistant to brushing, it could be that they're getting zapped with each brush stroke!

Spray the Static Away

You can avoid the buildup of static electricity by spraying the brush or comb with finishing spray before you start. This will help to smooth the path of the brush through the coat, and will coat the hair shafts and prevent them from tangling.

Continue to apply the finishing spray as you work your way through the coat. If you start to see strands of hair trailing after the brush (see example above), it's time to use more spray.

Smooth and Stylish

Finishing sprays can also be used to enhance the appearance of a pet's coat by encouraging the hair shafts to lie smooth and flat. A spray like our Top Performance GloCoat Finshing Spray or any of our ikaria Coat Mists will coat the hair shaft and smooth out some of the hair's naturally rough edges.

Smoothing out the hair shafts helps to prevent individual shafts from getting tangled together. The smoother surface is also more resistant to dirt, dust, and debris (there are less spots for dirt to grab onto). Plus, the pet will look and smell better because their coats are cleaner.

Finally, using a finishing spray can help to prevent coat breakage by making the hair shafts smoother and more flexible. A coat with breakage tends to look duller, messier and more unkempt. It's not the first impression that a groomer or a pet owner wants to make.

Do you have a question you'd like answered for the PetEdge grooming question of the week? Email us at blog@petedge.com. Thanks and happy grooming :)

PetEdge Grooming Question of the Week: How Do I Take Care of My Tub?

How Do I Take Care of My Stainless Steel Tub?

So you've just had a brand new stainless steel grooming tub delivered to your shop, and you're looking to get the most out of your investment.

Here are three keys to keeping stainless steel looking its best:

• Rinse out shampoo residue at the end of each workday
• Use only stainless steel-approved cleaners to clean the tub
• Keep the tub dry when it's not in use

We'll go into detail about each of those points in a moment.

But first, a few words about stainless steel in general, and stainless steel grooming tubs in particular.

What Makes Stainless Steel Shine:

According to the Specialty Steel Industry of North America, stainless steel is a low carbon steel that contains chromium at 10 percent or more by weight.

It is chromium that allows stainless steel to form a corrosion-resistant film (chromium oxide) on its surface when it is exposed to the oxygen in the air. This film is what protects the tub from rust and gives it that appealing shine.

The unique part about the chromium oxide film is that it will constantly recreate itself on a stainless steel surface so long as that surface is exposed to oxygen.

So keeping your tub clean, dry and exposed to air will help to keep the tub looking great.

What Stainless Steel Grooming Tubs are Made Of:

The stainless steel used in pet grooming tubs is a different type than what is typically found in stainless steel sinks, countertops or automobile parts.

Unlike culinary or automotive products, stainless steel tubs do not have added molybdenum to improve corrosion resistance. Thus they are more likely to rust or pit if exposed to corroding agents such as salts or harsh cleaners, and thus have to be treated with extra care.

The difference in quality between stainless steel tubs generally comes down to the gauge of the steel.

A lower gauge steel is thicker and more resistant to bending and warping, a higher gauge steel is thinner and more flexible.

Our new Everyday Pro and Everyday Pro Deluxe Tubs, for example, are made with thicker 16-gauge stainless steel and will stand up to bending and pressure better than thinner 18-gauge grooming tubs.  

So now that we know a little bit about how stainless steel tubs are made, let's discuss how to keep them looking their best.

Wash Out Shampoo Residue

All dog shampoos are mildly acidic, and acid-based cleansers can be damaging to stainless steel tubs if they're left on the surface for a long period of time.

It's OK to use dog shampoos in the tub when you're washing a dog, but it can be damaging to the tub if you leave the shampoo residue overnight or over the weekend. 

So before you close up shop each day, take some time to thoroughly rinse out your tub with clean water to remove any lingering residue. A hot water rinse is an excellent practice, as it helps to ensure that all corners dry faster. Make sure to lift tubs mats and racks to ensure that there's no shampoo or water trapped underneath.

You should also take care to remove any brushes or cloths that might hold water or soap to the tub surface.

Keep It Clean

If you'd like to give your tub a good cleaning, be sure to use a mild detergent or a cleaner that's specifically approved for stainless steel, and a soft cloth that won't scratch or damage the finish. 

We recommend washing the tub with a mild dish detergent such as Ivory, Palmolive or Sunlight.

Avoid grease-reducing detergents such as Dawn or Joy, as they are formulated with heavy surfactants that can damage the finish of your tub. You should also avoid citrus-based cleaners, as they tend to be more acidic. Save that Lemon Dawn for your dinner dishes!

Keep it Dry

While stainless steel tubs are resistant to rust, they aren't rust proof. Taking time to remove excess water at the end of each day can help to prolong the life of your tub.

Use a towel or a soft cloth to wipe the interior of the tub after you're done rinsing.

Don't forget that spray hose! We recommend tucking the spray hose into the drain before you leave for the night. This will prevent water from dripping out of the spray hose and splattering or pooling on the bottom of the tub.

Groomers who live in areas with hard water should take special care to prevent the spray hose from dripping into the tub. The softeners used to treat water often contain chloride, acids and salt that can damage stainless steel.

Do you have a question or suggestion for the PetEdge Grooming Question of the Week?

Email us at blog@petedge.com. Thanks and happy grooming!