Dog grooming

[AussieGirl]

Cats are NOT easy money! LOL...I have a shop in Portland. We charge $65-75 to groom a cat and it's not enough!

Good luck on your interview Aussiegirl. Be yourself and you will do great.

Yea Ive heard horror stories about cats.Thanks again for the vote of confidence I really cant wait to start learning.I know even if I get the job you dont just be a groomer overnight and it takes some artistic skill. Ive heard most people dont like grooming dogs with alot of matts.

I have to agree. Tho ive never groomed a cat, Ive tried to give my cat a bath. I wish i wouldve gotten paid, cause, NOTHING is as hard as trying to give a cat whoHATES water a bath (AT LEAST DOGS CLAWS ARENT SHARP!!!)

Yea I tried that once myself it didnt work out though I got her mostly wet but not really clean.

 

[Mattemma]

How the heck do you groom a cat ,and to boot in- a place full of other dogs and cats? I have bathe some of mine,and I have to hold then REAL tight in the water. I used to have long haired ones that I took to the vet for a lion strip shave,and they drugged them before getting down to business. I can not imagine doing a strangers cat.Lol, I would want $80- to $100!

 

[chickened]

How the heck do you groom a cat ,and to boot in- a place full of other dogs and cats? I have bathe some of mine,and I have to hold then REAL tight in the water. I used to have long haired ones that I took to the vet for a lion strip shave,and they drugged them before getting down to business. I can not imagine doing a strangers cat.Lol, I would want $80- to $100!

We developed a method for cats, a special harness that didn't hurt them. Some struggled but a good pair of gloves helped. We had enough business back then that if we had a real nasty cat we told them to come get it. Not worth getting bit. People that have a nasty cat and get it groomed frequently already know it. The nasty dogs and cats usually end up at the poorer shop because the shops with lots of business rejected them, or at least it used to be that way.

I will say this, people love their pets and you could sell them just about any product for their pet. I am not sure grooming is as profitable as it once was. There are now several shops in our area, back when we had a shop there was two and from what the prices posted here look like it looks as if the price of grooming a pet is cheaper than when we had a shop.

We flea dipped a white cat once and the thing had so many fleas it looked like you sprinkled pepper on it. It died from shock after it went home, thankfully not in the shop.

 

[DeannaOR]

How the heck do you groom a cat ,and to boot in- a place full of other dogs and cats? I have bathe some of mine,and I have to hold then REAL tight in the water. I used to have long haired ones that I took to the vet for a lion strip shave,and they drugged them before getting down to business. I can not imagine doing a strangers cat.Lol, I would want $80- to $100!

We won't do drugged cats. The drug they generally give them is called Acepromazine and it doesn't completely knock them out, and leaves them very unpredictable. At least with an awake cat I can read its body language. We clip nails first, and then use a slip lead to make a simple harness that we tie to a loop on the inside of the tub. We do not use bags or cages like some do...it's a great way to scare a cat. You just have to finesse a cat. If it is too upset I'll send it home, the last thing I want is a cat dying or hurting someone. My daughter nearly lost her hand last year after a cat had a seizure while she was holding it. Cat bites are dangerous.
We do a lot of kittys and most of them are fine. I probably send a cat home 2-3 times a year. As for dogs...discriminating by breed is a mistake. Everyone has a breed they are afraid of...but it's best to look at all dogs with the same eye that reads body language instead.
We do not demat dogs or cats at our shop..it's cruel and painful. If they are matted they get stripped down and the owner gets a brushing lesson.
Someone said they only pay $34-43 for their dogs groom....in our shop a Shih tzu is more along the lines of 60-65 depending on what is wanted. The area in which you live decides price greatly. Also the place you are going...Petco or Petsmart is much cheaper..but you get what you pay for both in experience and quality.
Aussiegirl, be willing to learn and be open to the fact that many groomers do things differently. You will probably work at one place that wants you to do something one way..and the next shop will want it another. Some will be gems of education..some will suck.

 

[speckledhen]

Just curious. Why is a shih-tzu the worst? I mean I really can't stand them, personally-my SIL had a bunch of them, and so did my FIL, but was wondering what you meant, as far as grooming?

 

[animallover505]

Someone said they only pay $34-43 for their dogs groom....

That was me. I have a cockapoo, a cocker spanial-poodle cross, and she has wavy and curly hair. She is also easy to work with, and that is why it is cheap for me.

Just curious. Why is a shih-tzu the worst? I mean I really can't stand them, personally-my SIL had a bunch of them, and so did my FIL, but was wondering what you meant, as far as grooming?

shih-tzus are difficult to groom because of the was their hair grows, especially around the face.

 

[DeannaOR]

I don't think they are difficult to groom.

 

[DeannaOR]

Ooooooo you do hand quilting.....

 

[chickened]

Just curious. Why is a shih-tzu the worst? I mean I really can't stand them, personally-my SIL had a bunch of them, and so did my FIL, but was wondering what you meant, as far as grooming?

When I said difficult I meant they have a unique set of chompers and for a nipper they can do damage. I have been bit by almost all the dogs out there and the shih-tzu is one of the worst. I have been bit by toy poodles and they cannot break my skin lol. The bigger dogs get a muzzle right away but you tend to neglect putting them on the little yappers.

I was the bouncer so to speak for my wife when she needed help on a crazy dog.

 

[AussieGirl]

Sorry I havent replied sooner though the interview got pushed back to Friday so itll be a couple of days till still. Although I did get to speak with the manager and she was super friendly along with the rest of the staff. Though it was kinda a small shop since they opend in April I believe. Though (and it may just be me)I kinda felt like I had a connection with the manager since I told her how ive been in a petstore for several years and learned many of the breeds that way. She said she had done the same thing so hopefully I get kudo points with the manager cause maybe shell understand where Im coming from.