Magazine Fall 2022

April / June 2022 Vol. 12, Ed.
2
eGroomer Journal January / March 2014 1 PetGroomer.com Publications
M A G A Z I N E
eGroomer Journal www.egroomer.com Subscribe Free © 2014 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved
PetGroomer.com Magazine 2 October / December 2022
INSIDE THE FALL 2022 ISSUE

Calendar of Events 13
The Most Common Grooming Myths in the Business Side 15
50/50 Commission—Employer vs Employee Shocker 20
How to Succeed This Holiday Season 23
How to Easily Set Your Grooming Time Standards 33
Accurate Time Range Grooming Prices 41
5 Star Holiday Service 51
Leashing Back at Hip Pain 57
Free Comb-Outs Added $15,235 to My Annual Gross Sales 67
Psychological Problems When Paying by Commission 72
Teamwork Made Real 79
Pet Dryers 85
Keeping Your Clippers Running Their Best 92
About PetGroomer.com and Surveys

PetGroomer.com founder Madeline B. Ogle, entered the grooming industry in 1961 as a groom-
ing salon owner along with her husband, an experienced pet groomer. When she retired she
wrote From Problems to Profits: The Madson Management System for Pet Grooming Business in
1989. PetGroomer.com was founded in 1997 and GroomingBusinessinaBox.com thereafter. The
opinions expressed in the surveys are those of groomers anonymously surveyed and do not nec-
essarily represent the opinions of PetGroomer.com management and staff, nor advertisers. Pet-
Groomer.com welcomes thousands of groomers and career seekers daily.
2 Copyright © 2013 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved Subscribe www.egroomer.com
eGroomer Journal Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved 11
INDUSTRY CALENDAR
FEBRUARY 2023 JUNE 2023
GROOM EXPO WEST PETQUEST
February 16 - 19, 2023 June 22 - 25, 2023
Pasadena, California Wilmington, Ohio
See www.groomexpowest.com See www.pqgroom.com
MARCH—APRIL 2023 AUGUST 2023

GROOM’D All American Grooming Show
March 10 - 12, 2023 August 10 - 13, 2023
Atlanta, Georgia Schaumburg, Illinois
See www.groomd.org See www.aagroom.com
NORTHWEST GROOMING SHOW

SEPTEMBER 2023
March 16 - 19, 2023 GROOM EXPO
Tacoma, Washington State September 7 - 10, 2023
See www.nwgroom.com Hershey, Pennsylvania
See www.groomexpo.com
The Most Common Grooming

Myths in the Business Side
Here are some of the more popular The myth arises when we accept wage
grooming industry myths presented but reductions as the only way to cut payroll
not backed with evidence in business costs. This user guide shows you how the
plans. Opinions only weakens the plan. organization of staff and grooming as-
signments reduces payroll costs up to
You have to reduce wage levels to cut
30 percent without loss of quality or hu-
payroll costs.
mane pet care. In fact, you may be able
Obviously if you reduce wage levels to increase wage levels for full-charge
thereeGroomer
will be savings for the
Journal
employer.
Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved (Continued on page 16)
15
PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free © 2022 Find A Groomer Inc All rights reserved
groomers and still cut payroll costs by Some special care pets benefit from
10 percent. complete grooming by the same
groomer. For the vast majority of pets,
Medium or large grooming businesses
what is more important is the quality of
favor quantity over quality.
the training and supervision of the
It is naïve to imply the size of a busi- groomers, assistants and bathers. Com-
ness indicates determines quality, or passionate, well-trained staff can make
implies less concern for quality. Consid- pets feel equally accommodated re-
er this predicament. There are small gardless of them being groomed by two
one person businesses where the groomers. Many of the world’s best sa-
groomers do 12 to 18 pets in an aver- lons for people have separate shampoo
age work day without assistance includ- staff. The critical issue is the attitude
ing intake and outtake customer ser- and training of the staff providing pet
vice. They are more common than you services, not their numbers.
may think. They bathe several and then
Commission wages originated from em-
cage dry several at once. Rarely are any
ployee demand for them.
pets stretch-dried where it would best
support the styles. HV drying does not Commission wages originated from
replace stretch-drying requirements. business owners, not their employees.
That’s about 30 minutes per pet includ- Today many groomers think it is just
ing big and hairy pets. The same pets in the opposite. It was the financial inse-
a large pet salon may average 60 to 90 curity of business owners that led to
minutes of hands-on, no cage drying commission wages. The same is true
grooming. So why do some groomers today of thousands of business owners
put down medium and large business- with staff. In the mid-20th century most
es? Are they on the defensive? Quality groomers worked in grooming depart-
is determined by the owner and man- ments within a pet care business, often
agement of any grooming business re- kennels. In the 1960’s standalone
gardless of its size. grooming businesses started to popu-
late Main Streets across the United
One groomer must groom pets start-to-
States. They hired staff. Owners real-
finish or quality and humane pet care
ized that piecemeal compensation was
suffers.
(Continued on page 17)
PetGroomer.comMagazine
PetGroomer.com Magazine 18
17 July / September
October / December2022
2022
not going to last long except for bath- nothing extra for carrying the burden of
ers, and even that faded away. They that risk.
were uncertain if they could guarantee
Anyone paid by commission is an inde-
salaries. It actually increases the pres-
pendent contractor.
sure on owners to take marketing far
more seriously in order to be confident Commission is simply a formula for cal-
there will be adequate work to support culating wages. It is not a determinant
guaranteed salaries. Commission was for either employment or independent
the solution for the insecurity of owners contractor status.
unwilling to create and maintain ade- A 60 percent commission groomer
quate pet owner demand keeping their earns more than a 50 percent commis-
salaried staff busy. As a result they sion groomer.
transferred risk to their employees
working on commission. Sometimes this is true, and sometimes
it is false. When a business paying 50
We hired many of the best groomers in percent commission charges pet own-
our area because they wanted steady ers adequately higher grooming fees
paychecks guaranteed in the form of compared to a 60 percent commission
salaries. Today’s pet groomers are unin- wages business, the groomers paid 50
formed on the benefits of salary posi- percent commission actually earn high-
tions where the salaries are fair, even er wages. In the chapters ahead we will
equivalent or more than commission provide examples of this often over-
wages. Every job offer must be exam- looked factor.
ined. Salary or commission is no guar-
antee of earning higher wages. Yet An employed groomer owns the clien-
thousands of groomers today believe tele they groom for their employer.
that commission wages pay better. The Employees do not own the clients of
salary basis does indeed offer the ad- their employers. The financial liability
vantage of a steady income to meet lies with the employer and therein due
regular household expenses. When pet to the risk they are exposed to retain
groomers accept commission based ownership of the clientele. If an employ-
wages they free their employers of risk ee brings established clients to an em-
meeting what would otherwise be sala- ployer when hired, an exception may ex-
ry requirements.
eGroomer Journal
Groomers get paid
Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved 17
PetGroomer.com
Magazine 19
18 October
July / September
/ December2022
2022
ist for those clients. An independent ber of pets they grooming because they
contractor generally owns their clientele are self-employed. However, a contract
list since they are self-employed. If the covering the arrangement between a
business contracting them provides business owner and an independent
them with leads the parties may decide contractor may be able to state that the
among themselves who owns the cli- independent contractor groomer is ex-
ents originating in this manner. In all pected to be on-site working “x” amount
cases, employment contracts whether of hours or days of the week, or the
employed or independent contractor business owner can terminate their
should state how ownership of clientele contract.
is determined, including what happens
Commission paid groomers don’t have
when employment ends. Employers
an equivalent hourly wage.
should have confidentiality agreements
signed by all employees making it clear Absolutely false, and we are going to
who owns the clientele and their rec- show you how to calculate the average
ords, and access arrangements to the hourly wage of a commission groomer.
records during employment and after Imagine that. Almost no commission
termination of employment. paid groomers today know how much
they are earning hourly. Once you know
Groomers paid by commission control
that average hourly wage you can make
how many pets they groom.
a salary offer knowing that no matter if
This statement is possible. However, an they are paid hourly or by commission,
employment contract should be in their paycheck would be identical if
place stating the expectations of the they groom the same pets in the same
owner providing employment. Commis- time. Amazing, but true, this is a revela-
sion is not a determining factor. It is tion for use in employment negotiations
simply a formula to calculate wages. A and converting commission groomers
job offer and agreement signed by em- to salaries. They earn the same, what is
ployees is the determining factor and the problem?
should state descriptions of the produc-
Pet Grooming Business Owners That
tivity expected of hired employees. In-
Don’t Groom Can Make Lots of Money
dependent contractors generally have
in Grooming.
more
18
freedom in controlling the num-
Subscribe www.egroomer.com
Rarely is this true. When a business on- a multiple department pet business
ly sells grooming services it must be a draws regular foot traffic from pet own-
large, efficient operation in order to of- ers patronizing the groomers, and then
fer the managing non-grooming owner spending more in other departments.
a moderate return. It is more possible Non-grooming owners going ahead to
when the owner establishes a profes- buy grooming-only businesses do best
sional pet bathing department and sub- when they buy existing grooming busi-
stantial bath-only grooming demand, nesses employing three or more groom-
and all of the bath-only services are ers with positive bottom lines backed
done by experienced pet bathers. by solid financials and tax returns.
These businesses should also demon-
As you will see in the chapters ahead,
strate the ability to support expansion
the gross profit of bath-only pets
in the future.
groomed entirely by pet bathers or as-
sistants is typically double the gross Independent contractors boost profits.
profit of pet groomers grooming bath-
Many states have limited or even elimi-
only pets start-to-finish. Many of our
nated 1099 basis for on-site pet groom-
consultation clients described as non-
ers. We wish there was a way to send a
grooming business owners changed
shout out to every grooming business
their financial fate by developing major
owner still employing independent con-
bath-only pet demand and assigning
tractors.
the demand entirely to professional ex-
perienced pet bathers and assistants. Our message would be simple, “Do you
realize that independent contractors
We regularly recommend non-grooming
can drain your profits?” These owners
business owners to forgo opening new
enjoy the savings of not having to pay
grooming-only businesses. We guide
employer taxes, worker’s compensation
them to consider multiple department
and other employer related costs. How
formats, such as pet boutique with a
can they possibly drain profits? We had
grooming department. They should ex-
to write an entire book on that subject
pect most of their personal income
available from Grooming Business in a
from the business to be derived from
Box®. It is titled, Pet Groomer Wage
supplementary non-grooming depart-
Systems. It provides eighty pages of
ment(s). Offering grooming services in
eGroomer Journal proof,
Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer not
Inc. All rightsopinions.
reserved ◄ 19
50/50 Commission Formula

Employer vs. Employee Shocker
Employees understand payroll deduc- owner would get less than their
tions stated on their paychecks. Before $253.26, but most thought 20% to
their employer gets a paycheck likewise 30% less. Realistically, the owner gets
subject to personal payroll deductions around 80% less.
the business must pay employer taxes
Don’t misunderstand. The employee is
and contributions, and operational over-
not overpaid! The frustration of groom-
head.
ing employers often sources to this
In the example on the next page, a part- seeming distortion that employees
time employee knows they groomed don’t understand.
pets totaling $720.00 gross sales, and
Grooming Business in a Box® can show
their 50% commission share is
employers ways to use The Madson
$360.00. The employee knows their
Management System to improve this
employer retained $360.00.
disparity without lowering wages, even
The hidden story is that after payroll de- raising wages. Quality of pet care will
ductions the employee received a never suffer, in fact, we can improve it.
paycheck in the net amount of
We cannot expect employees to under-
$253.26, but the owner’s $360.00
stand this disparity without explaining
equal share was whittled down to a
it. For this reason we create the illustra-
paycheck in the net amount of $53.04.
tion on the next page. Some employers
Very few employees understand this have displayed it to staff at meetings to
dramatic difference. We asked groom- mixed results. Some employees got it
ers in surveys to project just how much and saw why expecting 55% to 60%
lower the owner’s share would be in can simply be unrealistic to some oper-
such as case. ations, especially if the business is pay-
ing even higher rents than we account-
Not one groomer surveyed estimated
20 © 2013 Find A Groomered
Inc. for here. ◄ Subscribe www.egroomer.com
less than $100.00. TheyCopyright
did think the All rights reserved
PetGroomer.com
Magazine 21
17 October / December2022
July / September 2022
50/50 Commission Formula

Employer vs. Employee Shocker
How to Succeed This Holiday Season

The past few years have been a retail chatbox feature to your online presence
roller coaster! Thank goodness we’re in and dedicate a staff member to be re-
the pet industry where we’ve been able sponsible for a timely response. This
to not only fair but succeed better than would include messages, dm’s emails,
most industries! Going forward for the phone calls, and more. Making your
2022 Holiday season, you may have to team available for the needs of your cli-
adjust your retail engagement in order ents wherever they find you is the key to
to satisfy the state of the economy and amazing customer service!
Holiday shopping for 2022. Below are
Ecommerce for the Win
some tips to help you succeed in the
2022 Holiday Season! According to Adobe, internet sales will
be up 2.5% between November 1st and
Amazing Customer Service
December 31st. The rise in online shop-
After years of remote work from home, ping has catapulted internet sales 10
job loss, and minimal travel… clients years ahead of normal projections due
are hungry for the “human experience.” to the Pandemic. Many stores are
Adding additional customer service afraid to make the online jump. Since
staff members and salespeople are most research is done on a handheld
quick ways to improve customer service pocket supercomputer (smart phone)
for your clients. Ecommerce shopping it’s important to get your store and in-
has had huge increases in the past cou- ventory online. Even if you have not allo-
ple of years. In order to reach your (Continued on page 24)
online clients;
eGroomer we recommend
Journal adding
Copyright aA Groomer Inc. All rights reserved
© 2011 Find 23
cated capital and time for an online

shopping experience, post as much in-
formation online about your service and
retail offerings. This will let potential
shoppers know where to get the prod-
ucts they’re searching.
Services are Up
The last couple of years people shopped
a great deal from home to fill their
homes with items that kept them busy
and brought them comfort. Now that we
can exit our homes once again; we want
to “experience” as many quality services
as possible. In the pet industry this may
mean adding themed photo experiences
such as “photo with Santa” or “fill your
own stocking.”
Already established pet service busi-
nesses like pet grooming must find
ways to add on to your existing services.
In my past pet boutique and salon; we
offered a premium “Puppy & Pinup '' ex-
perience where clients get glammed up,
made up, and photographed pin up
style with their pup (embarrassing photo
attached.)
The price of entry also included compli-
mentary cocktails, hair, and make-up by
(Continued from page 24) Holidays could extend your Holiday sales
even further. This is especially im-
professionals. This was an “experience” portant this year because consumers
with photos to last a lifetime. Many are not banking on previously issued
grooming salons add a monthly themed government checks to get them through
photo experience upsell for their freshly the Holidays which means even less ex-
coiffed pup clients every time they com- pendable income to spend in your store.
plete their grooming appointment. Dedi-
Deliver the Competition
cating a photography corner with
themed backgrounds, props, and cos- Many small businesses can look much
tumes is not only a great way to upsell larger by offering competitive delivery
the “before & after” photos you’re al- strategies. Consumers are used to the
ready taking in your salon; these photos free shipping model offered by Amazon
will up your social media game as well! and many other corporate online retail-
ers.
A freshly groomed pup in costume with
a fun backdrop or “selfie-wall” will look Smaller businesses can offer a price
far better than the typical “pup on a matching policy or even set up delivery
grooming table” photo that is prevalent services for their clients. A smaller store
on social media today. There are many can set up their own delivery system or
ways you can add services and experi- employ one of the several delivery apps
ences. Have a meeting with your staff to that have become prevalent with young-
come up with even more ideas. er shoppers. Our younger, tech savvy
shoppers have convenience in mind
The Early Sales Bird Gets the Worm
when shopping.
According to The National Retail Federa-
Allowing your clients to order ahead
tion or (NRF) consumers will spend an
online for quick and convenient
average of $1050 this Holiday season
curbside pick up is another way you can
with 40% of shoppers starting the last
make shopping in your store far more
week of October. This means that put-
convenient. If you can list your retail
ting your efforts into sales marketing
slowly then ramping up closer to the (Continued on page 26)
(Continued from page 25)

copy, sales coupon graphics, and prod-
uct photography will make your Holiday
items available on delivery apps such as marketing snap so you can focus on
DoorDash or Uber Eats then you can sales, customer service, and your hard
compete with big box stores by literally working staff.
delivering the competition.
Don’t Forget January
Online Marketing Must
Many businesses are so focused on Holi-
Strategize your day sales they of-
online marketing ten forget how im-
as early as possi- portant it is to start
ble. Many small the new year off on
businesses wear the right foot! The
so many hats that added Holiday traf-
having your Holi- fic gives you an op-
day marketing portunity to share
strategy complet- your business with
ed as early as new clients and of-
possible will allow fer them an “after
a business to fo- Holiday” promo-
cus on more im- tion.
portant things
You can either of-
such as customer
fer an actual cou-
service and sales.
pon pre-stuffed in their shopping bag,
Your online marketing should include
advertise an after Holiday sale or in
social media posting, search engine op-
store experience to get them back to
timization (SEO) newsletters, sales pro-
your business after the Holidays when
mos to name a few. Even location based
there is less marketing competition.
marketing such as Radar can deliver a
coupon for in store shoppers via a store January is a great time to run after Holi-
app. Setting up a calendar and
“scheduling”
26
your marketing promos, ad
Copyright © 2013 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved Subscribe www.egroomer.com
(Continued from page 26)
day promos especially with an elongated

Holiday shopping season. Many consum-
ers look forward to after holiday sales
and have to shop stores to exchange or
return Holiday gifts.
The added after holiday foot traffic is a
great way to get rid of older inventory by
running clearance sales. Whatever your
after holiday strategy is; planning these
promotions in advance is a great way to
build loyalty with return customers.
Have a jolly Holiday season & happy pet
retailing!
Leel Michelle
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

An Entrepreneur in the Pet Industry since 2006; Leél Michelle previously owned
an award winning brick & mortar pet boutique (1st Place "America's Coolest
Store; Pets+ Magazine,) grooming salon, and pet bakery. Leel sold her grooming
salon & boutique to former employee and "Pooch Perfect" semi-finalist; Gabriel
Feitosa to scale her commercial dog bakery business. Dog Cake Bakery was cre-
ated to provide the pet industry & pet parents a collection of premium, Instagram-
mable dog treats, and dog birthday cakes. Leél was inspired by her own pets to
create brands that utilized her skills, creativity, and passion to build memorable
businesses catering to pets, pet parents, & retailers nationwide. Leél enjoys giving
back to the pet industry with trade show speaking engagements such as Super-
Zoo, Barkleigh Productions, and Global Pet Expo. Leél also consults with pet
stores and grooming salons to improve their pet retail merchandising & grooming
salon operations. Leél Michelle loves sharing her passion for animals in the pet
industry and looks forward
eGroomer Journal
to sharing her passion with you!
Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved 27
PetGroomer.com Magazine 15 January / March 2016
How to Easily Set Your

Grooming Time Standards
Our goal as employers should be to pay
Grooming is all about hands-
the best wages in return for the best
grooming labor we are fortunate to hire. on labor. We sell pet owners
“Best” includes productivity, quality, hu- our labor based on time spent
mane pet care, teamwork, steady at-
tendance and good adherence to poli-
and a share of our operating
cies, procedures and performance costs. If we hire groomers we
standards. pay them for their time. Time
There are tens of thousands of groom- is a huge factor in grooming!
ing businesses yet few have written
grooming performance standards for So why do most grooming
their employees (or independent con- businesses lack written
tractors). Fairness requires grooming
employers to set and apply perfor- grooming time standards to
mance standards to avoid the risk of bi- ensure fair and accurate
as and confusion when judging the per-
grooming prices and wages?
formances of their employees.
There are several types of standards to
set for grooming performances. In this Once documented, you can use the
article the focus is productivity and its Time Range Grooming Prices system to
standards based on the fairness of ex- ensure profitability on all grooming
pected grooming times. dogs, tall and small and cats too. Here
(Continued from page 33) training with small to moderate sized

dogs.
is how to easily document your time Some job candidates want to work on a
standards. basis of productivity to which they feel
We expect high grooming quality and comfortable. If it matches their employ-
humane pet care from all grooming er’s expectations, it can work. Use com-
staff. Faster, meaning shorter grooming mon sense.
times, is never acceptable where there Productive employees delivering quality
is a loss of quality or humane pet care. grooming and humane pet care deserve
Don’t be fooled by those who feel they the recognition and compensation that
must defend their significantly extended matches their standards. They deserve
grooming times as better quality. Ex- the best wage levels.
tended grooming time alone is no guar- New groomers require more time to
antee of better quality grooming or hu- groom pets while they safely raise their
mane pet care. In fact, the longer the productivity levels with hands-on experi-
groom the more time the pet is separat- ence and supervision. They should ex-
ed from its owner. Well-being declines. pect to earn less during this phase until
Very slow grooming opens the door to they reach milestones you set for time
more separation anxiety. productivity.
Setting reasonable grooming times and When done properly all employees are
productivity levels requires a common classified according to fair time perfor-
sense approach. 1) Well-trained, mance standards. They earn fair and
healthy, and experienced groomers balanced wages based on their groom-
should have the highest productivity. 2) ing productivity. As a result none of the
New groomers have the lowest. 3) employees should feel rushed or ex-
Groomers with temporary or permanent pected to groom more than the produc-
disabilities require adjusted productivity tivity basis for their compensation.
expectations.
Employer expectations should be docu-
For the benefit of pets, it is better for mented in personnel job descriptions
new groomers naturally taking more and agreements (see From Problems to
time to complete grooms to start their Profits book for samples). Changes will
(Continued from page 34) can accurately determine average

grooming times for their pet clientele.
occur. For example, new groomers will
Using average grooming time standards
reach milestone increases in their
employers can more accurately set
productivity and overall performance.
standards for the job positions they of-
Their personnel files should note evi-
fer. For example, here are some time-
dence of the progress and the adjust-
based standards set by Madeline Ogle,
ments made in compensation and
author of From Problems to Profits, in
sometimes job titles.
her business during the years 1961-
Unfortunately almost everything dis- 1986. Please consider that during this
cussed thus far does not exist in many period high-velocity dryers were not
independent grooming businesses. common or available yet, as well as the
Where it may exist in practice, it may benefits of quick dry products.
not be in documented form. It must be
Experienced Pet Bather
both or employers are needlessly at risk
of employment-related problems. Let’s Average of 12 pets a day in 8 working
move on the setting fair and variable hours.
standards for grooming times. Pet bathers prep pets including ears,
Setting Standards for Grooming Time nails and de-matting when necessary.
They bathe pets and hand-dry them, no
Time plays a major role in both groomer
cage drying. Experienced bathers do
wage and customer pricing systems.
Poodle feet clipping where required.
Grooming is all about hands-on labor.
They can finish bath-only pets as need-
Time is something the effective groomed with “bun and bows,” scissor neaten
ing business manager can easily docu- round feet and between pads as re-
ment daily. The operations forms and quired. They note physical and some-
computer software used by employees times behavioral observations of pets
should document time spent on every on their respective Madson Pet Groom-
grooming. er’s Report and Health Alert forms.
Using actual figures, instead of esti- For every service, groomers and bathers
mates or guesses, owners of businesses are identified in permanent written or
computer records. They also contact the
eGroomer Journal Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved (Continued on35
page 36)
(Continued from page 35) Entry-level pet bathers do not do Poodle

feet, special care pets, scissoring pet
manager when observations indicate a feet or intensive de-matting unless they
potential health condition which may re- are in training and under active supervi-
quire veterinary care. The manager sion.
signs the Madson Pet Groomer’s Report
Today business owners tell us Made-
and Health Alert form when conditions
line’s performance expectations in
warrant a medical advisory recommen-
terms of pets groomed are relatively
dation advising pet owners to seek vet-
moderate. Why? Madeline’s business
erinary care.
operated before the advent of high ve-
Bathing Department Supervisor locity dryers and improved bathing prod-
ucts. In the end you as the owner will
Average of 10 pets a day in 8 working
have to evaluate and set your standards
hours.
for grooming time.
The supervisor does fewer bathing ser-
Breed Based Grooming Time Averages
vices in order to closely supervise the
bathing operation. New pet bathers re- We suggest you compile a chart of
ceive instruction and supervision from grooming time averages for your opera-
the supervisor. Other supervisory duties tion. A completed sample is provided is
included restocking bathing supplies, here (page 38), and a blank you can
mixing shampoos and conditioners and copy on page 40.
ensuring the department was thorough-
Keep in mind in the next article of this
ly cleaned and in order for the next
two-part series we use your completed
working day.
chart to set your Time Range Grooming
The position provides assurance for Prices system in place.
business owners that all people and
Every business should have a list of pri-
pets in the bathing department are safe
mary breeds and their expected average
at all times, and quality control guaran-
grooming times by an experienced pet
teed.
groomer, or pet bather as applicable.
Entry-Level Pet Bather State a range of time not spread by
more than 15 minutes. For example,
Average of 4 to 6 pets day in 8 working
hours.
37
Bath-Only Grooming Time Standards Full Groom Grooming Time Standards
Breed Mins N/A N/A Breed Mins N/A N/A
Afghan 60 / 75 Afghan 90 / 120
Airedale 35 / 45 Airedale 90 / 105
Beagle 30 / 40 Beagle 40 / 50
Bichon Frise 35 / 45 Bichon Frise 60 / 75
Chow Chow 60 / 75 Chow Chow 75 / 90
Cocker Spaniel 45 / 60 Cocker Spaniel 90 / 105
Collie 60 / 75 Collie 90 / 105
Dachshund, Long Hair 30 / 40 Dachshund, Long Hair 50 / 60
Dachshund, Short Hair 20 / 25 Dachshund, Short Hair 30 / 35
Dachshund, Wire Hair 20 / 25 Dachshund, Wire Hair 45 / 60
German Shepherd 45 / 60 German Shepherd 70 / 90
Golden Retriever 40 / 50 Golden Retriever 60 / 75
Great Dane 40 / 50 Great Dane 60 / 70
Great Pyrenees 75 / 90 Great Pyrenees 120/135
Husky 45 / 60 Husky 70 / 90
Irish Setter 40 / 50 Irish Setter 60 / 75
Irish Terrier 30 / 40 Irish Terrier 60 / 75
Kerry Blue Terrier 45 / 55 Kerry Blue Terrier 90 / 120
Labrador 30 / 40 Labrador 60 / 75
Lhasa Apso 40 / 55 Lhasa Apso 60 / 75
Malamute 55 / 70 Malamute 70 / 90
Miniature Schnauzer 25 / 35 Miniature Schnauzer 60 / 75
Newfoundland 75 / 90 Newfoundland 120/135
Old English Sheepdog 60 / 75 Old English Sheepdog 100/120
Pekingese 25 / 35 Pekingese 45 / 55
Poodle, Toy 25 / 35 Poodle, Toy 45 / 60
Poodle, Miniature 35 / 45 Poodle, Miniature 45 / 60
Poodle, Standard 60 / 75 Poodle, Standard 90 / 105
Portuguese Water Dog 55 / 65 Portuguese Water Dog 90 / 105
Samoyed 60 / 70 Samoyed 90 / 105
Scottish Terrier 25 / 40 Scottish Terrier 60 / 75
Sheltie 45 / 60 Sheltie 60 / 75
Shih Tzu 40 / 55 Shih Tzu 60 / 75
Soft Coated Wheaten 55 / 70 Soft Coated Wheaten 60 / 75
Springer Spaniel 40 / 55 Springer Spaniel 60 / 75
Welsh Terrier 30 / 45 Welsh Terrier 60 / 75
West Highland White 25 / 40 West Highland White 60 / 40
Wire Fox Terrier 30 / 40 Wire Fox Terrier 60 / 75
Yorkshire Terrier 25 / 40 Yorkshire Terrier 55 / 65
MIXED BREED Mins N/A N/A. MIXED BREED Mins N/A N/A
Cockapoo 25 / 40 Cockapoo 55 / 65
Goldendoodle 45 / 60 Goldendoodle 75 / 105
CATS Mins N/A N/A CATS Mins N/A N/A
Cat, Long Hair 30 / 45 Cat, Long Hair 55 / 65
Cat, Short Hair 25 / 30 Cat, Short Hair 45 / 55
state the time in this format, 45 to 60 book. Have job candidates review cop-
minutes. ies too. Refer to the chart when you
state expectations for the number of
Ranges account for variables in the siz-
pets to be bathed or groomed on per-
es of pets. There are small Shelties and
sonnel documentation.
large Shelties. Ranges are not only re-
quired due to pet sizes. If you state 12 bath and dry services in
8 hours (480 minutes) your expectation
• How modern is your equipment?
is an average of 40 minutes per service.
• Are you using high-velocity dryers?
Refer to your chart.
• Are you using products that speed up
the drying process? How possible is that goal on a regular
• Are you using low quality scissors in- basis when many of your bath and dry
stead of high grade scissors? We times are well over 40 minutes? Be rea-
know excellent groomers including sonable.
ourselves that found scissoring time
Time Range Grooming Prices
was cut by up to one-third when they
used better quality precision shears. Once you set your grooming time stand-
These are but a few reasons why ards it’s time to look at your pricing sys-
grooming times must be stated in tem. Remember you are selling groom-
ranges. ing and we have to cover our operating
• Are you distracting your groomers by costs too.
having them answer phone calls or Using the Time Range Grooming Prices
do front reception duties too? many groomers discover costly errors in
• If groomers or bathers are allowed their original pricing systems of which
unlimited access to personal use of they had no idea.
their cell phones doesn’t that affect
your grooming time standards? Many find prices do not fairly match the
time spent by groomers on groomers. It
can be an eye-opener.
Don’t use another business’ chart of
grooming times without updating the In the next article just ahead in this is-
times specific to your state of operation sue learn more about the Time Range
and expectations. Grooming Pricing System. ▲
We suggest putting a copy of your com-

pleted
38 chart in your employee
Copyright ©hand-
2013 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved Subscribe www.egroomer.com
39
Afghan Afghan
Airedale Airedale
Beagle Beagle
Bichon Frise Bichon Frise
Chow Chow Chow Chow
Cocker Spaniel Cocker Spaniel
Collie Collie
Dachshund, Long Hair Dachshund, Long Hair
Dachshund, Short Hair Dachshund, Short Hair
Dachshund, Wire Hair Dachshund, Wire Hair
German Shepherd German Shepherd
Golden Retriever Golden Retriever
Great Dane Great Dane
Great Pyrenees Great Pyrenees
Husky Husky
Irish Setter Irish Setter
Irish Terrier Irish Terrier
Kerry Blue Terrier Kerry Blue Terrier
Labrador Labrador
Lhasa Apso Lhasa Apso
Malamute Malamute
Miniature Schnauzer Miniature Schnauzer
Newfoundland Newfoundland
Old English Sheepdog Old English Sheepdog
Pekingese Pekingese
Poodle, Toy Poodle, Toy
Poodle, Miniature Poodle, Miniature
Poodle, Standard Poodle, Standard
Portuguese Water Dog Portuguese Water Dog
Samoyed Samoyed
Scottish Terrier Scottish Terrier
Sheltie Sheltie
Shih Tzu Shih Tzu
Soft Coated Wheaten Soft Coated Wheaten
Springer Spaniel Springer Spaniel
Welsh Terrier Welsh Terrier
West Highland White West Highland White
Wire Fox Terrier Wire Fox Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier Yorkshire Terrier
MIXED BREED Mins $ Rate Est. Price Range MIXED BREED Mins $ Rate Est. Price Range
Cockapoo Cockapoo
Goldendoodle Goldendoodle
CATS Journal
eGroomer Mins $ Rate Est. Price
Copyright Range
© 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. AllCATS
rights reserved Mins $ Rate Est. Price Range
39
Cat, Long Hair Cat, Long Hair
Cat, Short Hair Cat, Short Hair
Time-Range Grooming Prices

How Accurate is Your Profitability for Every Groom
This is the second article of a two-part series starting with Benefits of Setting Your
Grooming Time Standards, see page 33 of this issue.
Groomers primarily sell their grooming • Great Pyrenees, full groom (bath and
time to pet owners. Their prices also re- style). No dematting. Even length all
cover a share of their operating costs for over style. Time to complete: 115
every groom. Since time is the primary minutes. Fee: $100
commodity sold by groomers there
Compare time and fees. The Miniature
must be an accurate relationship be-
Poodle is easy to calculate. The price is
tween the amount charged for services
$1 a minute for the groom. The groomer
relative to the amount of grooming time
did not actually charge by the hour. The
sold for every groom.
pricelist simply says Miniature Poodles
Sometimes the accurate characteristic are $60 for a full groom.
of that relationship is not evident. It also
On the other hand, the price for the
tends to undercut the profitability of the
Great Pyrenees full groom is not $1 a
affected groomer.
minute. At $100 for a 115 minute full
Examples: groom the fee by minute is 87 cents.
• Miniature Poodle, full groom (bath Most pricing studies indicate that the
and style). No dematting. “Lamb” larger the dog some groomers simply
style. Time to complete: 60 minutes. don’t charge the same grooming rate if
Fee: $60 (Continued on page 42)
(Continued from page 41) showed you how to do that in a previous

article of this magazine, Benefits of Set-
you break the price down by minutes of ting Your Grooming Time Standards
grooming time required. (page 29).
Are these groomers shy to charge high- These standards are essential to per-
er fees based on equivalent time? Many sonnel management duties. Entry-level
of us think so. groomers you hire can see the reasona-
ble productivity levels you expect of
It could also be the pricing system didn’t
them as they gain experience. When
take into account accurate grooming
setting pay rates higher productivity
times. Even if this happens once a day
should be compensated more. In other
over a year period the groomer could
words you could prepare one of these
easily lose $2,000 or more.
charts for entry level personnel and one
Groomers working 5 days-a-week groom for experienced groomers.
260 days a year. If the groomer doesn’t
On the following page is a copy of a
adequately charge for large dogs and
completed Grooming Time Standards
loses $10 a day, that is $2,600 a year.
chart showing a range of time for
Providing hourly grooming services grooming services by breed and orga-
could the resolve the problem. However, nized by bath-only or full-groom ser-
most pet owners don’t want to pay by vices. Keep in mind these are average
the hour for grooming. There is an alter- ranges of time for pets in reasonable
native. condition not including time for de-
How grooming time accurate is your matting, special bathing procedures
pricing system? There is an easy way to such as a veterinarian prescribed sham-
better align your grooming prices with poo let sit for 10 minutes or special care
the amount of time you spend for each charges for behavioral pets.
groom. We call it Time Range Grooming Notice the chart has two available col-
Prices. umns per table marked “N/A.” We are
The first step is to prepare a chart of going to take advantage of both availa-
your grooming time standards. We
PetGroomer.com Magazine 43
41 July / September 2022
Bichon Frise 35 / 45 NOTE: Bichon Frise 60 / 75 NOTE:
Cocker Spaniel 45 / 60
Times shown Cocker Spaniel 90 / 105
Times shown
Collie 60 / 75 for the purpose Collie 90 / 105 for the purpose
Dachshund, Long Hair 30 / 40 of illustration. Dachshund, Long Hair 50 / 60 of illustration.
Set your own Set your own
German Shepherd
times please. German Shepherd
times please.
45 / 60 70 / 90
Husky 45 / 60 Husky 70 / 90
Goldendoodle 60 / 75 Goldendoodle 90/ 105
CATS Mins $ Rate Est. Price Range CATS Mins $ Rate Est. Price Range
44
Worksheet for Bath-Only Service Rates Worksheet for Full Groom Service Rates
Breed Mins $ Rate Est. Price Range Breed Mins $ Rate Est. Price Range
Bichon Frise 35 / 45 Bichon Frise 60 / 75
Cocker Spaniel 45 / 60 Cocker Spaniel 90 / 105
Collie 60 / 75 Collie 90 / 105
Dachshund, Long Hair 30 / 40 Dachshund, Long Hair 50 / 60
German Shepherd 45 / 60 German Shepherd 70 / 90
Husky 45 / 60 Husky 70 / 90
Goldendoodle 60 / 75 Goldendoodle 75 / 90
ble columns and label them for calculat- mixed breed, charge the higher end of
ing accurate time range grooming price the price range.
ranges.
How to Calculate Your Hourly Rate
We will rename the first N/A column to
Enter your hourly rate in the $ Rate col-
“$ Rate.” Then we will rename second
umn. We used $60 an hour in the illus-
N/A column “Estimated Price Range.”
trated example. It made the math easi-
You can see a sample illustrated on
er. Let’s assume your rate is $65 an
page 42.
hour.
The $ Rate column header has many
Enter $65 in all table cells in the $ Rate
cells below it. Fill them with the same
columns. Figure the minute rate relative
hourly rate for grooming. In this case we
to the hourly rate. Here is how to do
will use $60 an hour.
that.
For each row with breed names you
Divide the rate, $65 an hour by 60
multiply the minutes time range by the
minutes. The rate for one minute is
hourly rate and the result is the Estimat-
$1.08.
ed Price Range.
Now we can complete the Estimated
It is a simple calculation when done this
Price Range columns. Let’s assume
way. For example. If the rate is $60 an
thegrooming time standard range is “45
hour ($1 a minute), and the grooming
to 60” minutes.
time range is 60 to 75 minutes, multiply
each minute by $1. Therefore, a groom Multiply 45 minutes by $1.08 = $48.60
taking 60 to 75 minutes has a price Multiply 60 minutes by $1.08 = $64.80
range of $60 to $75.
Round the prices as follows:
Ranges help account for variations in
$48.60 = $49.00
pet size, weight and coat conditions, af-
fecting grooming time. If the pet is very $64.80 = $65.00
dirty requiring an extra bath or two, you
Put both numbers in the appropriate Es-
can charge the higher end of the price
timated Price Range cells for bath-only
range. If the pet is abnormally large for
or full groom services with a stated
the breed orJournal
eGroomer dominant breed for ©a2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved
Copyright (Continued on45
page 47)
46
Worksheet for Bath-Only Service Rates Worksheet for Full Groom Service Rates
Breed Mins $ Rate Est. Price Range Breed Mins $ Rate Est. Price Range
Afghan 60 / 75 $60 Hr $60 to $75 Afghan 90 / 120 $60 Hr $90 to $120
Airedale 35 / 45 $60 Hr $35 to $45 Airedale 90 / 105 $60 Hr $90 to $105
Beagle 30 / 40 $60 Hr $30 to $40 Beagle 40 / 50 $60 Hr $40 to $50
Bichon Frise 35 / 45 $60 Hr $35 to $45 Bichon Frise 60 / 75 $60 Hr $60 to $75
Chow Chow 60 / 75 $60 Hr $60 to $75 Chow Chow 75 / 90 $60 Hr $75 to $90
Cocker Spaniel 45 / 60 $60 Hr $45 to $60 Cocker Spaniel 90 / 105 $60 Hr $90 to $105
Collie 60 / 75 $60 Hr $60 to $75 Collie 90 / 105 $60 Hr $90 to $105
Dachshund, Long Hair 30 / 40 $60 Hr $30 to $40 Dachshund, Long Hair 50 / 60 $60 Hr $50 to $60
Dachshund, Short Hair 20 / 25 $60 Hr $20 to $25 Dachshund, Short Hair 30 / 35 $60 Hr $30 to $35
Dachshund, Wire Hair 20 / 25 $60 Hr $20 to $25 Dachshund, Wire Hair 45 / 60 $60 Hr $45 to $60
German Shepherd 45 / 60 $60 Hr $45 to $60 German Shepherd 70 / 90 $60 Hr $70 to $90
Golden Retriever 40 / 50 $60 Hr $40 to $50 Golden Retriever 60 / 75 $60 Hr $60 to $75
Great Dane 40 / 50 $60 Hr $40 to $50 Great Dane 60 / 70 $60 Hr $60 to $70
Great Pyrenees 75 / 90 $60 Hr $75 to $90 Great Pyrenees 120/135 $60 Hr $120 to $135
Husky 45 / 60 $60 Hr $45 to $60 Husky 70 / 90 $60 Hr $70 to $90
Irish Setter 40 / 50 $60 Hr $40 to $50 Irish Setter 60 / 75 $60 Hr $60 to $75
Irish Terrier 30 / 40 $60 Hr $30 to $40 Irish Terrier 60 / 75 $60 Hr $60 to $75
Kerry Blue Terrier 45 / 55 $60 Hr $45 to $55 Kerry Blue Terrier 90 / 120 $60 Hr $90 to $120
Labrador 30 / 40 $60 Hr $30 to $40 Labrador 60 / 75 $60 Hr $60 to $75
Lhasa Apso 40 / 55 $60 Hr $40 to $55 Lhasa Apso 60 / 75 $60 Hr $60 to $75
Malamute 55 / 70 $60 Hr $55 to $70 Malamute 70 / 90 $60 Hr $70 to $90
Miniature Schnauzer 25 / 35 $60 Hr $25 to $35 Miniature Schnauzer 60 / 75 $60 Hr $60 to $75
Newfoundland 75 / 90 $60 Hr $75 to $90 Newfoundland 120/135 $60 Hr $120 to $135
Old English Sheepdog 60 / 75 $60 Hr $60 to $75 Old English Sheepdog 100/120 $60 Hr $100 to $120
Pekingese 25 / 35 $60 Hr $25 to $35 Pekingese 45 / 55 $60 Hr $45 to $55
Poodle, Toy 25 / 35 $60 Hr $25 to $35 Poodle, Toy 45 / 60 $60 Hr $45 to $60
Poodle, Miniature 35 / 45 $60 Hr $35 to $45 Poodle, Miniature 45 / 60 $60 Hr $45 to $60
Poodle, Standard 60 / 75 $60 Hr $65 to $75 Poodle, Standard 90 / 105 $60 Hr $90 to $105
Portuguese Water Dog 55 / 65 $60 Hr $55 to $65 Portuguese Water Dog 90 / 105 $60 Hr $90 to $105
Samoyed 60 / 70 $60 Hr $60 to $70 Samoyed 90 / 105 $60 Hr $90 to $105
Scottish Terrier 25 / 40 $60 Hr $25 to $40 Scottish Terrier 60 / 75 $60 Hr $60 to $75
Sheltie 45 / 60 $60 Hr $45 to $60 Sheltie 60 / 75 $60 Hr $60 to $75
Shih Tzu 40 / 55 $60 Hr $40 to $55 Shih Tzu 60 / 75 $60 Hr $60 to $75
Soft Coated Wheaten 55 / 70 $60 Hr $55 to $70 Soft Coated Wheaten 60 / 75 $60 Hr $60 to $75
Springer Spaniel 40 / 55 $60 Hr $40 to $55 Springer Spaniel 60 / 75 $60 Hr $60 to $75
Welsh Terrier 30 / 45 $60 Hr $30 to $45 Welsh Terrier 60 / 75 $60 Hr $60 to $75
West Highland White 25 / 40 $60 Hr $25 to $40 West Highland White 60 / 40 $75 Hr $60 to $75
Wire Fox Terrier 30 / 40 $60 Hr $30 to $40 Wire Fox Terrier 60 / 75 $60 Hr $60 to $75
Yorkshire Terrier 25 / 40 $60 Hr $25 to $40 Yorkshire Terrier 55 / 65 $60 Hr $55 to $65
Cockapoo 25 / 40 $60 Hr $25 to $40 Cockapoo 55 / 65 $60 Hr $55 to $65
Goldendoodle 60 / 75 $60 Hr $60 to $75 Goldendoodle 75 / 90 $60 Hr $75 to $90
Cat, Long Hair 30 / 45 $60 Hr $30 to $45 Cat, Long Hair 55 / 65 $60 Hr $55 to $65
Cat, Short Hair 25 / 30 $60 Hr $25 to $30 Cat, Short Hair 45 / 55 $60 Hr $45 to $55
(Continued from page 45) Minimum Grooming Service Charge

You may want to adjust a few price
range of 45 to 60 minutes. Write in
ranges before you make a final price
“$49 to $65.”
sheet discussed just ahead. Do you
Do the same math for all breeds in both have a minimum grooming charge? The
the Bath-Only and Full Groom tables. groomer who made the charts illustrat-
ed here did “nudge” the prices for a few
I Don’t Know My Hourly Rate
breeds because she has a minimum
Start by adding up how much you gross charge for any bath-dog. Based solely
a day in dollars from sales of grooming on grooming time and hourly rate, the
services only. Next, divide the gross fig- range for a short haired Dachshund
ure by the total time worked. shown on page was $20 to $25. Her
For example, you worked 8 hours minimum grooming charge is $30. In
grooming. Total sales of grooming ser- this case her final price sheet, created
vices was $400. Divide $400 by 8 from the time-based worksheet, showed
hours, the rate is $50. Some groomers to customers that shorthaired Dachs-
then add $5 or $10 to the computed hunds are $30 to $35.
hourly rate to recover some additional Finalizing Your Price Sheet
business overhead costs. In this case
Using the worksheet illustrated on page
the hourly rate would be $55 or $60.
47 you created all the numbers you
In our 2018 national survey of grooming need. It is a “busy” sheet. Simplify it by
prices groomers we asked the hourly removing the columns for Minutes and
rate of groomers that charge for groom- $ Rate to create a separate finalized
ing strictly the hour. Their 2018 average price sheet. See page 49. It is easy to
rate was $48.50. Remember that figure read, and some groomers make copies
is a weighted average for all 50 U.S. for the public, or a sign. It’s up to you.
states. Overall the range was about $39
Keep all your documentation. Next time
(low) to $76 (high) in urban, upscale re-
you raise prices you can simply update
gions with higher cost of living condi-
the $ Rate column on the backup work-
tions.
sheets with your new, higher hourly rate.
48
Bath-Only Prices (includes nails, ear check) Full Groom (Bath and Style) Prices
Breed Est. Price Range Breed Est. Price Range
Afghan $60 to $75 Afghan $90 to $120
Airedale $35 to $45 Airedale $90 to $105
Beagle $30 to $40 Beagle $40 to $50
Bichon Frise $35 to $45 Bichon Frise $60 to $75
Chow Chow $60 to $75 Chow Chow $75 to $90
Cocker Spaniel $45 to $60 Cocker Spaniel $90 to $105
Collie $60 to $75 Collie $90 to $105
Dachshund, Long Hair $30 to $40 Dachshund, Long Hair $50 to $60
Dachshund, Short Hair $30 to $35 Dachshund, Short Hair $30 to $35
Dachshund, Wire Hair $30 to $35 Dachshund, Wire Hair $45 to $60
German Shepherd $45 to $60 German Shepherd $70 to $90
Golden Retriever $40 to $50 Golden Retriever $60 to $75
Great Dane $40 to $50 Great Dane $60 to $70
Great Pyrenees $75 to $90 Great Pyrenees $120 to $135
Husky $45 to $60 Husky $70 to $90
Irish Setter $40 to $50 Irish Setter $60 to $75
Irish Terrier $30 to $40 Irish Terrier $60 to $75
Kerry Blue Terrier $45 to $55 Kerry Blue Terrier $90 to $120
Labrador $30 to $40 Labrador $60 to $75
Lhasa Apso $40 to $55 Lhasa Apso $60 to $75
Malamute $55 to $70 Malamute $70 to $90
Miniature Schnauzer $30 to $35 Miniature Schnauzer $60 to $75
Newfoundland $75 to $90 Newfoundland $120 to $135
Old English Sheepdog $60 to $75 Old English Sheepdog $100 to $120
Pekingese $30 to $35 Pekingese $45 to $55
Poodle, Toy $30 to $35 Poodle, Toy $45 to $60
Poodle, Miniature $35 to $45 Poodle, Miniature $45 to $60
Poodle, Standard $65 to $75 Poodle, Standard $90 to $105
Portuguese Water Dog $55 to $65 Portuguese Water Dog $90 to $105
Samoyed $60 to $70 Samoyed $90 to $105
Scottish Terrier $30 to $40 Scottish Terrier $60 to $75
Sheltie $45 to $60 Sheltie $60 to $75
Shih Tzu $40 to $55 Shih Tzu $60 to $75
Soft Coated Wheaten $55 to $70 Soft Coated Wheaten $60 to $75
Springer Spaniel $40 to $55 Springer Spaniel $60 to $75
Welsh Terrier $30 to $45 Welsh Terrier $60 to $75
West Highland White $30 to $40 West Highland White $60 to $75
Wire Fox Terrier $30 to $40 Wire Fox Terrier $60 to $75
Yorkshire Terrier $30 to $40 Yorkshire Terrier $55 to $65
MIXED BREED Est. Price Range MIXED BREED Est. Price Range
Cockapoo $30 to $40 Cockapoo $55 to $65
Goldendoodle $60 to $75 Goldendoodle $75 to $90
CATS Est. Price Range CATS Est. Price Range
Cat, Long Hair $30 to $45 Cat, Long Hair $55 to $65
Cat, Short Hair $30 to $35 Cat, Short Hair $45 to $55
5 Star Holiday Service

Angela Clark, American Grooming Academy
More than any other time of year the to you and your business.
holiday season is an opportunity to ac-
Being there for your customers with
quire new customers. By accommodat-
grooming services always reflecting the
ing those struggling to find last-minute
best wins your customers’ hearts.
holiday appointments doors open with
opportunities to secure new regulars. Holidays are a great time to give your
customers more than what they expect.
It is also a time to appreciate your loyal
It is the perfect time to exceed custom-
customers whose holiday appointments
er expectations. Here is how you can
were booked well ahead of time. Let
provide five-star holiday service as a pet
your loyal customers, new and old, know
care professional.
their feelings and needs are important
page 52)
with you. Diffuse holiday-minded essen-

tial oils such as sweet ginger, cinnamon,
frankincense, myrrh, sweet citrus, pine,
nutmeg, anise, cedarwood, peppermint,
Future customer habits can be created clove and lavender. These scents can
by making rebooking hard to resist. De- embed you in the memory banks of
sign a holiday-inspired card and en- your customers.
close a photo of their pet plus a gift
card for $5 to $10 towards their next
appointment. Set a future expiration
date of 8 weeks, such as February
25th, 2020. The limited expiration date
Add value with finishing touches such
motivates scheduling the next appoint-
as festive holiday bows and bandannas,
ment within eight weeks.
red and green (or red and white) nail
polish. Many customers love a spritz of
holiday cologne, or light essential oil
bandannas that serve as a reminder of
the positive experience their pets had in
Infuse scents that trigger fond holiday your salon. Careful, honor those who are
memories. Create an atmosphere of sensitive to scents. Note preferences in
warmth your customers Copyright
will associate customer records.
52 © 2013 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved Subscribe www.egroomer.com(Continued on page 53)
returning customers smiles say you re-

member them, and are happy to see
them and their pets again. Use the cus-
tomers’ and pets’ names when greeting
them. That is really impressive and per-
sonalized. Be prepared for them to re-
turn. Review your schedule of returning
customers ahead of time. “Remember”
how they like their grooming styles and
services.
The services you provide to pet owning

customers is as important as the hair-
cuts and comfort you give their pets.
Smiles show you know this, and enjoy
serving them. Impressions like this will
Excellence under ordinary circumstanc- keep everyone happy!
es makes big impressions. Your holiday
services communicate even the ordi-
nary services you provide year round are
special. Your customers will tell friends
about your excellent services and return
Tune in, listen and communicate with
time and time again.
your customers! Effective customer
communication is the cornerstone of
any successful grooming business.
In order to maximize your ability to com-

municate with your customers, remem-
Smile and let your customers know how ber these six key points:
happy you are to welcome them. Put
new customers at ease withCopyright
eGroomer Journal smiles. ForFind A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved
© 2011 (Continued on53
page 54)
► Listen Actively strate what you are visualizing, or what

the customer is struggling to describe.
Be a good listener. When a customer is
finished talking verbally respond to
them repeating what you think you
heard. This will ensure you clearly un-
derstood their messages or requests.
► Do Not Interrupt Aspire to be the best YOU there is. Be

knowledgeable, courteous, trustworthy
Allow your customers to finish verbaliz-
and caring to pets and pet parents alike.
ing their thoughts before you respond.
Provide individual attention to every cus-
► Use Easily Understood Words tomer upon arrival and departure. They
should feel important for the role they
Steer clear of industry terms or slang.
play in their pet’s care. Teach them
Use words and phrases that your cus-
ways to improve the bond they have
tomers can understand and visualize.
with their pets. Gaining customer trust
► Stay Positive requires understanding that their pets
Focus on what you can do for your cus- are family members, and you are wor-
tomer, rather than what you cannot do. thy of their trust. Once you have truly
By addressing your customers with earned customer trust with their pets,
“can do” statements, they are more like- they will be loyal to you for a lifetime.
ly to return a positive response.
► Demonstrate Courtesy
Asking relevant and strategic questions

in a polite and professional way goes a
Responsive groomers are quick to meet
long way towards demonstrating high-
the needs and expectations of custom-
quality customer service.
ers and pets. Be responsive by offering
► Photographic Evidence these elements of good customer ser-
If all54else fails, use a picture to demon-
vice to your customers all year round. They will be inspired by the care you pro-
vide for people and pets. Practicing it
Deliver results quickly. Be reliable, time-
builds your customer base through loyal
ly and always voice concerns for the
customer relationships. Use it with
safety and welfare of the customers and
those new customers you squeeze in
pets in your care. Remember when you
this holiday season to develop regular
deliver excellence under ordinary cir-
clients.
cumstances you exceed customer ex-
pectations every time. Through five-star customer service loyal
client bonds that may last lifetimes of
Giving five-star customer service means
your clients and their pets. ◄
always providing the customer with an
experience that is better than average.
Leashing Back at Hip Pain

Groomfit with Vera Needham
Sometimes back pain comes from the work, only surpassed by the common
back and sometimes it comes from the cold. Today we’re here to solve this very
hip. Sometimes hip pain comes from real problem in the grooming industry.
the hip and sometimes it comes from
the back. Like the chicken and the egg It’s time to shed some insight on the ori-
the mystery, hip-related back pain is dif- gins of pain you may experience and
ficult to unravel. give you stretches that help reduce pain
and get you back to work.
Back pain is the second most common (Continued on page 58)
reason for groomers to take time off of
(Continued from page 57) Pain above the belt line is not a consid-
ered hip issue. The most common cause
of lower back pain is a herniated disk
Back pain can often be mistaken for hip that presses on nerves in the spinal col-
pain because the hip joint is so close to umn. This pressure against the central
the spine and share many groups of nervous system is the root cause of the
muscles. pain known as sciatica which can be felt
in the hip. You may have a herniated
Your lower back and hip are codepend- disk if pain is limited to your back, but-
ent joints. A reduced range of motion in tocks or hip.
the hip can change forces on your low
back. This means if the hip has limited Sciatic pain often goes down the back
rotation the low back has to compen- of the hamstring, past the knee, and to
sate. the outside or back of the calf. It wors-
ens with sitting or bending and often im-
How do you tell if the pain you are feel- proves when standing or walking. It all
ing is from the spine or the hip? The depends on where the pain is shooting
first indications that the low back pain from.
you are feeling is actually hip-related is
pain in the groin on the affected side. If pain starts in the buttocks and shoots
down the back of the leg past the knee
Sometimes the pain will radiate into the to the ankle, it is most likely a pinched
front of the thigh but very rarely goes nerve. Patients with a pinched nerve in
past the knee. Groomers who suffer the back often can’t lie down flat, and
from hip pathology find it difficult to they will have use a recliner. If you think
walk after sitting for a prolonged period you have a herniated disk be sure to
of time. When you stand up, you will no- consult a physician.
tice a fairly sharp pain and limp for the
first couple of steps, but then the pain If you are experiencing hip-related back
subsides. pain, the first muscle to consider is the
(Continued from page 58) ing pain. This means every step we take
slowly erodes our spine.
hip flexor muscle or iliopsoas. The iliop-
soas is made up of two separate mus- There is another muscle that is often
cles, the iliacus and the psoas. They run overlooked when considering hip relat-
from the front of our lumbar spine and ed back pain. The Sartorius is the long-
hip bone (ASIS) to the front and top of est muscle in your body, stretching from
our femur. the front of the hip to the inside of the
knee. It operates on two joints, the hip
When you sit your hip flexors are short, and the knee.
or contracted. When your hip flexors
tighten, they can tug on the pelvis, pull- When we lift our foot to tie our shoe the
ing it forward into a hyperextended posi- Sartorius is the key player. A tight sarto-
tion called and anterior pelvic tilt. rius can cause acute discomfort at the
front of the pelvis. Just like the iliop-
This change in posture forces your hip soas, it can shorten while sitting, which
and back muscles to work overtime and results in chronic dysfunction. The
places a lot of pressure on the low back. downward pull of the sartorius on the
When feeling this type of strain it is im- hip has the potential to cause stress
portant to consciously connect ribs to and impingement in the lumbar spine.
hips in front by engaging or bracing your
abdominal muscles. The Sartorius crosses at the knee, it can
also be a cause pain inside of the knee.
Tight hip flexors reduce your hips ability Who is better equipped than a groomer
to extend while standing or walking. to leash the bite of back pain? To do
This is a problem for groomers who are this, we must work on flexibility and
standing much of the day. The spine strengthening for the hips.
may compensate for this lack of exten-
sion, and put extra pressure on the lum-
bar spinal vertebrae and discs and caus-
Sartorius Stretch
Reach back for your foot or place

a strap around the foot or ankle.
Whichever option is comfortable
for you. Body positioning is the
same as the hip flexor stretch with
the enhancement of a gentle pull
on the strap to lengthen tight
quad muscles.
Lying Hip Flexor Hold for 30 seconds and repeat 2

times.
Start by lying on your stomach
propping up on the elbows. Next
bend one leg and imagine you
are squeezing a tennis ball be-
hind your knee. Next place more
weight on the front of the hip on
the side that the leg is bent. Now
think about lengthening the knee
away from your shoulder length-
ening the front of the hips. You
can enhance this stretch by plac-
ing a pillow under the bent knee.
Wide Knee Sway
Start this exercise lying on your back with

knees and feet wide. Let the knees fall to
one side trying to let the top leg release
towards the floor.
Hip Bridge
Start by placing a belt or pilates ring

above the knee so knees are hip
width apart. Engage the abdominal
muscles, squeeze the buttocks and
press against the belt as you lift your
hips. Hold for a count of 5 seconds.
Repeat 5 times. ◄
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vera Needham is a Medical Exercise Specialist, pilates trainer and
has been a dog groomer for over 35 years. Vera invented the
Tubee-Fit training tool for groomers. The Tubee has proven to be a
wonderful addition to her older adult classes and in long term care
facilities. If you have any Goomfit question or want more infor-
mation about the Tubee contact Vera at groomfit@yahoo.com
2
Clip Shoppe School of Dog Grooming

New Jersey - www.clipshoppeschoolofdoggrooming.com
Free Comb Outs

Added $15,235 to
My Annual $ales
This report is brought to you by Groom- Madeline Ogle, author of the bestsel-
ing Business in a Box®, a team of con- ling grooming business book, From
sultants helping business owners with Problems to Profits. One of their clients
management tasks since 1989 lead by (Continued on page 68)
is “Brit,” a long-time member of Groom- PROGRAM ADVANTAGES

erTalk℠ Community and message PET OWNER
board. She is a grooming business own- 1. Far less hands-on pet coat maintenance
by the owner. Peace of mind.
er and approached our team with a suc-
2. Cleaner, more attractive pet year round.
cessful program she put into place, the
Free Comb Out Program. It is entirely PET GROOMER
her creation and brilliant. Just hearing 1. Easier to groom, likely bath-ready on arri-
the name we were intrigued. val for full grooms.
2. Unlikely to be matted.
We asked Brit’s permission to study it 3. Increased sales of grooming services.
in detail, verify numbers and to share
the results with other groomers in the PET
1. More enjoyable grooming experience.
article you are reading. Most grooming
2. More frequent groomer observations of pet
businesses could use the Free Comb
health-related conditions.
Out Program to raise their annual sales
of grooming services. The benefits are
designer breeds.” What a relief for
truly outrageous in the most wonderful
those owners. Year round their dogs
way for pets, their owners and profes-
are now clean and well-groomed enjoy-
sional groomers. Talk about a proverbi-
ing 13 free comb outs every year. Own-
al win-win situation, this is it!
ers are less obligated to perform
Consider the types of pets that could maintenance grooming other than
benefit the most. What about those full- keeping up with the program schedule.
coated Labradoodles and Goldendoo- What a joy for the dogs too. No more
dles? Many owners that prefer them in rigorous grooming experiences with ex-
full coat were delighted with Brit’s pro- cessive needs of undercoat removal, or
gram. In fact, 27% of the 43 clients that having to be stripped short in worse
joined her Free Comb Out Program cases scenarios. No discomfort from
were
68 owners of those “hypoallergenic
SHOW ME THE NUMBERS

And Make it Easy!!
Total Customers Who Joined the Free Comb Out Program
43
Tell Me More About Them
GROUP A ● RANDOM GROUP B ● REGULAR
Appointment Schedulers Appointment Schedulers
31 of the 43 12 of the 43
Averaged 6 Full Grooms Per Year Averaged 7 Full Grooms Per Year
Ready? Here is their new schedule.

All 43 converted to full grooms every 4 weeks = 13 grooms per year
Plus all 43 get 13 FREE comb outs per year (between full grooms)
GROUP A ● RANDOM GROUP B ● REGULAR

FREE Comb Out Member FREE Comb Out Member
31 of the 43 12 of the 43
Each Purchased Each Purchased
7 Additional Full Grooms Per Year 5 Additional Full Grooms Per Year
Formula: 31 X 7 X $55 (avg price) Formula: 12 X 5 X $55 (avg price)
$11,935 Annual Increase in Sales $3,300 Annual Increase in Sales
Total $15,235 Annual Increase in Sales

SHOW ME THE NUMBERS

How Much Did Free Comb Outs Cost the Business?
Total Customers Who Joined the Free Comb Out Program
43
Number of FREE Comb Outs Per Member
13
Annual Total Number of FREE Comb Outs Provided
43 X 13 = 559
Ready? Here is the estimated cost.
Comb outs assigned to W-2 pet bathers paid $15 an hour.
Average 15 minutes labor per comb out is $3.75 gross wages each.
Formula 1: 559 total comb outs X $3.75 = $2,097.
Est. W-2 payroll taxes and other payroll costs is 20%.
Formula 2: 20% X $2,097 = $419.
Total Gross Wages & Estimated Payroll-Related Expenses
Formula 3: $2,097 + $419 = $2,516
Total $15,235 Gross Annual Increase from Program Sales
Less $2,516 W-2 Payroll Expense for FREE Comb Outs
Adjusted Total $12,719 in Annual Increase in Sales
owner neglect of challenging coats. Of course we want to know how Brit
The Free Comb Out Program is not only sells the program. Like any effective
for these designer breeds. We all know front counter person, she makes sales
the challenges from other full-coated by looking for the most likely candi-
breeds and mixes that constantly shed date dogs. She, or her receptionists,
into their coats and build-up undercoat. ask the candidates if they know the
Every week many of us shave dogs that benefits of the Free Comb Out Pro-
benefit from FREE comb outs. gram. Brit said the word “free” also
gets interest going. She advises you to
We asked Brit about the comb out op-
relay your empathy with the owners’
eration schedules. She has a bathing
responsibilities to maintain high de-
department. Comb outs are assigned
mand grooming requirements. Be em-
to pet bathers, not commission-based
pathetic. Say, “I have an easy FREE so-
groomers lowering the support cost.
lution for both you and your pet.”
Members of the program are asked to
She explains the program and hands
call ahead at least a day in advance to
them a one-page flyer detailing it with
schedule comb out appointments.
emphasis on the advantages for them
Owners may wait, or come back in a
and their pets. She emphasizes they
hour. Most owners run errands during
get 13 FREE appointments for comb
the comb out appointment.
outs every year. No program fees!
Comb outs include brush and comb
Brit said Millennials represent 60% of
services, and a light tidy. Some pets re-
program members, and 22% were ma-
quire removal of eye goo build-up, and
ture working professionals. Active sen-
touch-ups clipping stray hairs, neaten-
iors with comfortable lifestyles com-
ing feet and checking sanitary areas. A
prised the final 18%. Forty-three clients
dry shampoo product might be used to
joined and created an increase of sales
clean a soiled area. Pet owners love
over $15,000. Brilliant! ◄
the refreshed look with big smiles.
Psychological Factors
When Paying by Commission
You may not be expecting a discussion commission is the primary or only form
of psychological factors amongst work- of compensation for pet groomers and
ing groomers. You may think we are bathers. Fortunately for us we have
throwing curve balls unless you have some proof based on surveys of pet
worked in the grooming field for some groomers.
time. There are psychological impacts
Approximately 65 percent of employed
on 72pet grooming operations where
Copyright © 2013 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved
Subscribe www.egroomer.com
pet groomers surveyed by PetGroom- ond answer hints at their desire to be

er.com between 2002 and 2019 indi- self-employed, and not employed. The
cated they prefer to be paid by com- same surveys at PetGroomer.com indi-
mission. When asked why they prefer cate that over 70 percent of all em-
commissions the most popular an- ployed pet groomers want to eventually
swers were: be self-employed.
1.I have more control over my In the first answer respondents indicat-
grooming. ed they wanted “more control” and
somehow they believe that commis-
2.It makes me feel more like be- sion offers them that benefit. Does it
ing self-employed. really? Is it not simply a method to cal-
culate gross wages?
3. I earn better pay.
And finally the last answer alludes to
4. I am more motivated to groom.
motivational factors. It is true that if
The third answer stands out. It is a you are paid by commission you only
practical response involving nothing get paid for what work you perform. Do
more than compensation. Even though they need to face earning nothing in or-
there is no evidence to support that der to groom? Is that what groomers
commission wages are always better means when use the term “groomer
than salary or hourly wages, it is true in burnout?”
some businesses.
Since when do employers paying hour-
Note there were no psychological fac- ly or salary allow employees to be less
tors related to employment in that an- productive unless they are ineffective
swer. What do we mean? Consider the managers?
other three responses. They address
Have we made our case yet?
mental states, even emotional ones.
Three of the top four reasons for desir-
Somehow their perception, right or
ing commission wages were based on
wrong, is that working on commission
involves feelings
eGroomer Journal they desire. The©sec-
Copyright 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved 73
psychological factors, and not simply a their cost. Instead it is the psychologi-
desire to supposedly earn better pay. cal perceptions indicated by three of
the answers above, one, two and four.
We love the truth, and these surveys do
Those three answers are deadly to
reflect our field experience as well. We
teamwork operations.
employed groomers for nearly three
decades. The reason we went “from We have visited hundreds of staffed
problems to profits” was by running a grooming operations. It doesn’t take
professional personnel management too long to perceive if there is one
system. groomer, usually paid by commission,
trying to overly control the operation
Control was held by management and
compared to the other staff.
supervisors, yet everyone worked as a
team. We maintained motivation Typically the groomer earns the highest
through supervision and teamwork too. commission, claims first rights to new
With job descriptions and agreements customers and has the most seniority.
for productivity in place, and signed by Sometimes they burden and share lit-
each employee, we simply expected tle with the least senior “new groom-
employees to perform in accordance to er.” It is more than supervision, it is
what they agreed to. dominance. Sometimes we refer to
these individuals as “empire builders.”
As a team quality was constantly being
supported by all members and control The lack of formal personnel manage-
was assigned based on level of experiment tends to support groomers wish-
ence and dedication to the position ing to build an empire for better or
held. worse. It is not their fault. The prob-
lems lie with the lack of more formal
How compensation was paid never had
management leading a team. It is
anything to do with control factors, mo-
quite difficult to groom well, produc-
tivation or reminding them they were
tively and manage staff at the same
not self-employed.
time on an ongoing basis. Yet there are
The problem with commissions is not (Continued on page 75)
groomers that desire these positions of Salary workers must be supervised for
influence in order to “feel” more self- productivity according to salary agree-
employed, have “more control” and to ments. Supervisors control the daily di-
guarantee they meet their personal de- rection of a team, and keep them moti-
sired quota of grooming assignments vated. Supervisors ensure that work as-
before other staff get assignments. signments are fairly distributed without
one or more employees being targeted
Whether you are that groomer, or you
with the most difficult assignments
work under one, groomer burnout
consistently.
takes its toll.
When supervision is present employ-
Staff paid by salary can share the
ees realize they are not self-employed
same problems associated with com-
by any means. Perhaps in this short
mission house, but generally where
discussion you can better see the in-
salaries are paid there is a stronger
herent forces preventing teamwork
presence of overall management.
when paying commission wages. ◄
WE PROMISE TO EXCEED OUR CUSTOMER’S EXPECTATIONS IN QUALITY
www.showseasongrooming.com 678-382-0218 sandy@showseasongrooming.com
Teamwork Made Real

The entirety of the book, From None (of the businesses we
Problems to Profits: Madson interviewed) advertise for new
Management System, supports customers. Yes, I did say none
teamwork in staffed businesses. We advertise, at all. Only one had
suggest you read From Problems to a Facebook page but not for
Profits from the viewpoint of how it her business. She only has a
addresses and supports teamwork. In
personal page.
this brief article we will review new
enhancements to the Madson
mistakes that indicates whether the
Management System. They relate to
business will pass or fail. Never make
supporting your groomer wage system
friends with chronic problems; address
and teamwork.
them immediately and adjust
When systems fail there is only one operations. Explain the situation with the
source, the management of the employees. Ask for their feedback.
business. Management naturally
Groomers Are Artists
makes errors on occasion.
Obviously pet groomers are not clerks,
Many of them surface from a lack of
salespersons, data keypunchers,
communication between management
cashiers and a long list of other common
and staff, even between staff working
types of employees.
in separate departments. It is
management’s reaction to their (Continued on page 80)
Groomers are artists. Distraction In these environments none of them

doesn’t help any artist. They tend to want to train and supervise assistants.
enjoy mental cocoons deeply We hired many groomers over the years
connected to the art and safety of pets from these types of operations and once
on their tables. they experienced a business operating
with The Madson Management System
Every assignment is a new piece of
fully in place, it was a relief. No wonder
work. They create excitement. How
our groomers extended their
many other jobs create smiles, wags
employment to an average of eight plus
and high energy reunions between
years.
pets and their owners?
Many groomer help wanted ads proclaim
You cannot associate pet groomers
employers are not looking for job
with any other common job out there
candidates known for drama. They are
today. They are unique. For this reason
not the majority but their numbers are
they deserve and thrive on consistent
noticeable. Artists may be prone to
feedback from their co-workers and
drama. It is up to the directors to
employers. It makes a world of
manage the drama of artists, or
difference.
workdays will be unpleasant. Understand
Teamwork amongst artists is a the nature of pet groomers if you are to
challenge. It is never more so than in manage them well.
operations where management is not
present, and there are two or more Teamwork Attributes
commission only pet groomers Not all pet groomers can lead a
basically running the show. grooming team. The most common
When a new customer walks in the problems lie with lead pet groomers. If
grab begins. Perhaps three or more they do not feel confident in their
groomers vie for a new client according employment why would they want to
to unwritten rules, it’s all for none, train and supervise assistants? By
none for all. New groomers generally putting on lead pet groomers on salary
get the leftovers, day after day. backed by a job agreement, they felt
more confident in their employment time out. No favoritism, no empire

status. It did not hurt that in our state building, no tricks.
at the time employee termination
After determining the next pet to groom
required plenty of good reason.
based on earliest time out, the team
California is anything but a right to
leader also qualifies who is best to
work state.
groom the next pet based on time out. Is
Fairness the pet bather new and in training under
the Bathing Department Supervisor? Is
Fairness is often absent in grooming
the Assistant Pet Groomer qualified to
operations. Senior pet groomers may
do the finish work under supervision?
be allowed to pick the cream of the
crop of new customers. We never Managers can quickly make these
allowed our clients to choose decisions. Also the flow of the day can
groomers, and our groomers didn’t sometimes target a pet bather
choose pet owners. The bond was with inadvertently with a series of difficult
the coach of the team, the owner bathing assignments. The Manager or
manager and the clientele. Bathing Department Supervisor get
involved and spread the difficult
The owner manager promised to return
assignments out among the staff while
pets to customer satisfaction. The pet
keeping the time out flow in order.
owners loved the freedom from having
to make decisions that could Opportunities for Advancement
negatively affect their pets. Who better
Every day our staff knew there were
than the owner manager or hired
opportunities for advancement. We
manager to fulfill the promise and
posted our career path model on the
leave pet owners worry free?
employee bulletin board, also referred to
At the core of grooming assignments as the Information Center in From
in our business was the concept, “Time Problems to Profits. We used “The
-in, Time-out.” The next pet to groom Wheel” and stood behind it in our
was always the one with the earliest operations. Every time there was an
PetGroomer.com
PetGroomer.com
PetGroomer.com
Magazine
Magazine
Magazine 7182
77 October
April
July/ /June
September
/ December
2022 2022
2022
open position we made our best members regardless of their

attempt to promote from within. Give departments.
hope to your staff for advancement to
Wheels collapse when spokes are lost.
support their teamwork.
The same is true with teams. Each team
Using the Wheel at Staff Meetings member is a supportive spoke in “the
wheel of the grooming operation.”
Too many staff meetings feel like
management is just talking at At staff meetings have a copy of The
employees. That manner is acceptable Wheel illustration on display. Open a
to start staff meetings but the floor period of discussion between
must be opened to discussion. departments. Start with one department
Management needs to know what is and ask them to follow the spokes of
on the mind of every staff member. their job positions across the wheel to
positions in other departments.
We suggest using The Wheel at staff
meetings. There is a copy at the end of Ask them how their jobs have been
this article. We didn’t use common affected recently by other departments.
organization charts based on You may notice that the attendees have
hierarchical structures with sorted themselves by departments in
management always on top over all your audience.
other employees, and supervisors over You need positive discussion between
all other non-management positions. departments in staff meetings. You may
Invariably these types of charts lock need to prime the pump to get them
Pet Bather positions at the bottom. going. For example, ask the pet
Teamwork is poorly communicated groomers how they have been affected
with hierarchical structures. The Wheel by the bathing department lately.
format has no top or bottom. Everyone Perhaps a groomer will say the stretch-
is connected to others. The spokes drying has been poor as evidenced by
between job positions imply the frequent curly cuffs. Allow the bathing
connections between all team department to respond. Resolve the
issue with your lead.
Next, the bathing department may it is valued by the staff lead by an aware
comment. Service orders taken by coach, it is the best method of
receptionists may have been hard to operation. Employees tend to stay hired
read, or incomplete. Bring it to a longer, and drama becomes a thing of
resolve. Keep discussions going the past.
without temper tantrums and anger,
We suggest you keep a copy of The
you are the coach. Listen to what they
Wheel illustration with your Career Path
are even not saying.
posting year round as a visual
If you do this correctly all of the reinforcement of your commitment to
employees will realize how vulnerable teamwork. ◄
they are to the work of others.
Teamwork is subject to decay but when
Overview and Details

by Gregory Crisp, Double K Industries
Classic Reprint Article
The knowledgeable selection and maintenance as well as amortization or

proper use of dryers is one of the many life expectancy of the dryer. While labor
important challenges a successful costs are much less pronounced for the
groomer faces today. Ironically, the cage dryer category, the principle holds
initial purchase price of any dryer nonetheless for all categories of dryers.
represents only a minor percentage of
Foundationally, it is important for
its “related costs.”
groomers to recognize that their most
The most substantial related cost of precious asset is their time and to a
any dryer is labor. There are also direct lesser extent the time their employees
operating costs, and costs related to spend working.
Many shops have the equivalent of one counsel to them has always been that
employee drying most of the time. while we considered our product
With a wage of only $13 an hour (plus superior to all others, it was academic
taxes, insurance etc.) at five hours per unless they absolutely could not afford a
day, six days per week the annualized two motor dryer. Our position was and
cost would be $23,400. If the use of a remains that if we gave them the dryer
more effective dryer would save only at no cost and replaced it at no cost
10%, it would of course represent a whenever it became necessary that it
$2,340 savings to the shop owner. would generally not make sense for
More critically, if the owner is spending them to use it. This was and is simply
20% of her or his time drying and a because of the critical labor saving
more effective dryer selection could advantages of the two motor dryers.
save 10% of their time (presuming an It should be noted that the exception to
eight hour day) the savings annually this rule would be the groomer who just
would be 250 hours or over five weeks! does small dogs or just a couple of dogs
That is precious time that could be a day or truly cannot afford the more
devoted to business development or expensive dryer and intends to utilize the
other productive activities. single motor dryer temporarily while they
SINGLE OR TWO MOTORS develop their business.
A common illustration of this principle Direct operating costs, while less critical,
is when a groomer selects a single are still substantial. Most effective two
motor forced air/high velocity dryer motor dryers operate using about 15
because of the lower cost as opposed amps of electricity at 120 V. This is
to a two motor forced air dryer. Most equivalent to 1800 watts during
reasonably effective two motor forced operation. A kilowatt hour is equivalent
air dryers will dry animals about 30% to 1000 W for one hour of operation. So
faster than their counterpart single the two motor dryer uses 1.8 kW per
motor dryer. In this scenario the hour of operation. At an average cost of
savings per employee would be $7,020 electricity in the US of 13.3 cents per
annually and/or the owners time saved kilowatt hour the two motor dryer
would be 750 hours or over 15 weeks operating at five hours per day will cost
annually! $7,182 in electricity annually.
Many times over the years groomers There are measurable distinctions in
have asked me a trade shows about drying time/performance between many
our single motor forced air dryer. Our

similar products by different illustration below) – a dryer could fill

manufacturers in the marketplace. with air for each minute of operation.
One important point here is that even Operational temperature is defined as
modest differences in effectiveness the increase in discharge temperature
can easily result in a product paying for over ambient (room) temperature.
its direct operating costs with a greater
number of dogs dried and the resultant Velocity is the speed of the discharge air
increase in revenue. measured in linear feet per minute
Dryer maintenance and product

lifecycle are the least financially critical
of the issues to consider but here
again can still result in a superior
product paying for itself in relation to a
less effective product one or two times
over in its lifecycle.
BASIC DRYER PRINCIPLES
While some groomers research their
dryer purchases diligently in advance
and many by instinct or experience
gravitate toward the most logical
purchases an overview of some basic
(FPM). Pressure is the amount of force
principles followed by some more
pushing the air or that the discharge air
nuanced detail may still be helpful.
exerts. The amount of pressure a dryer
Firstly, while all dryers are air moving produces can be measured scientifically
devices, the determinants of an in “inches of water lift”. How far the air
effective dryer are: air volume, pressure can push or pull (by vacuum)
operational temperature/heat, air water up a 1 inch diameter tube is the
velocity/speed and pressure. metric that defines its true “force”/
pressure.
The air volume a dryer produces is
measured in cubic feet per minute The “professional” categories of dryers
(CFM). This principle may be readily have price ranges from about $100 to
understood by visualizing the quantity about $700 depending on quality,
of cubes – 12 inches on each side (see materials cost, the number and capacity
of motors, versatility, sophistication assemblies produces 105 inches of water

and manufacturers business models left does not mean you will get 210 inches
and strategies. of (water left) pressure out of the dryer.
The two motor units nonetheless produce
FORCED AIR DRYERS
substantially more pressure than the
An important category in the industry single motor units as a whole.
is “forced air dryers.” These are
The forced air dryers generally produce
invariably high pressure, moderate air
between 60 and about 170 cubic feet of
volume and potentially high air velocity
air volume per minute. A motor fan
products. They typically have
assembly that produces 124 cubic feet of
“commutator” type motor/fan
air on a laboratory bench will not produce
assemblies which have relatively short
that much in a dryer because of “resistive
life expectancies. Motor brushes
elements.” The resistive elements include
generally last between approximately
air filters, the dryer body, hoses and
500 hours and 1,400 hours of
nozzles all of which the motor/ fan
operation before requiring
assemblies work to overcome thereby
replacement.
reducing the amount of air produced by
Replacement motor brushes generally the dryer as a whole.
last 20 to 30% less time than the
Forced air dryers are invariably hot or
preceding set with motor viability
warm air dryers though most have no
usually limited to three brush set
heating elements. This is because the air
changes. This results in motor life
flows through the motor fan assemblies
expectancies generally between about
cooling the motors while heating the air
one thousand hours and 2,500 hours
simultaneously. A typical single motor
depending on intrinsic motor quality/
dryer will raise the ambient temperature
durability and compliance with proper
between 25 and 40°F. The typical two
brush changing techniques.
motor dryer will raise the ambient
Single motor dryers generally produce temperature between about 40 and 75°F.
between 70 inches and 105 inches of
The elements described above allow some
water left. Two motor dryers generally
two motor dryers to produce warm air
produce between about 100 and 150
velocities of up to 20,000 ft./m, which is
inches of water lift. This is important
about 227 miles per hour while utilizing a
because air velocity is dependent on
narrow opening high velocity nozzle. Care
air pressure.
must be taken of course when employing
Just because each of two motor fan (Continued on page 89)
high velocity air with eyes, ears and generally without heat are also
other sensitive areas on animals. commonly used with hoses directing air
into the cages.
I would note here that some
manufacturers have advertised their The greatest misunderstanding and
products for years as producing up to controversy regarding this category
58,000 ft./m. This is impossible as concerns heat/temperature. There is
that would be air velocity of 659 mph legislation in several states and cities
and would be extremely destructive prohibiting or limiting the use of this
and dangerous in any case. This category of dryer. Much has been written
illustrates some of the challenges about this and the issue of heated dryers
groomers face when researching in general and cage dryers specifically is
products and making informed a regular topic in social media. It is very
selections. important to understand that the use of
regulated heat in any drying process is
Having said this, the short motor life
beneficial for animals being dried,
expectancies notwithstanding the two
reduces risk and speeds the drying
motor forced air dryers still represent
process.
the workhorses of the grooming
industry for great penetration of thick With respect to cage dryers, the great
or double coats, quick drying, stylistic majority of heated dryers used on cages
flexibility and the labor and financial have inadequately regulated heat. This
advantages referenced earlier. allows heat accumulation in the cage
and the risk of hyperthermia (high body
CAGE DRYERS
temperature) and its associated
Cage dryers may represent the least consequences including the risk of
understood and potentially most animal death. The absence of heat in
profitable category for groomers. They the cage drying process is almost always
fall into three primary categories. The distressing for the animal and while not
portable units are typically mounted on as dangerous as unregulated heat
grooming, veterinary or travel cages. creates physiological risk nonetheless
These are generally higher air volume including the risk of death.
dryers with the most wide-ranging
A regular consequence of no heat cage
temperature and air volume controls.
dryers is hypothermia (low body
Forced air dryers are also widely used
temperature) because the evaporative
with hoses attached and directed into
process while the animal is being dried
the cages. “Squirrel
eGroomer Journal
cage” dryers,
89
generally chills the animal and they The dog’s body temperature generally
commonly shiver uncomfortably in the ranges between 101 degrees Fahrenheit
background during the process. A and 102.5°F. The 107°F maximum
reasonable illustration would be target cage environment was
someone putting their wet head out determined to be completely safe with
the car window with an outside an operational timer on the cage dryer
temperature of 74°F which would even if an attendant forgot about or
result in chilling. neglected the animal. Double K
Industries model 560 cage dryer is the
Again, while serious risk associated
only portable cage dryer existing capable
with no heat cage drying is
of achieving this objective.
substantially lower than unregulated
heat cage drying, older animals or It is meaningful to note that virtually all
animals with heart conditions can still forced air dryers used as cage dryers are
succumb to the chilling effects of the using unregulated heat with associated
no heat cage drying process. hypothermic risk even though the dryers
may have no heating element.
Double K industries some years ago
worked in collaboration with Dr. Joseph Safe and effective cage drying
Bogarab to research the optimal represents one of the greatest
temperature to maintain in a cage opportunities for groomers to save labor
while drying animals. and generate revenue. It can easily
reduce drying related labor (costs) by
Dr. Bogarab wrote the standard and
half and many thoughtful groomers or
still most popular textbook on
already taking advantage of this
veterinary surgery in use today. Our
equipment
work concluded that 107°F was the
optimal maximum target temperature STAND DRYERS
for cages in which animals are being
Stand dryers have upright/elevated
dried with circulated air. This
architecture generally with rolling bases
eliminates the risk of both
that allow “hands-free” drying with
hypothermia and hyperthermia and
animals on the tables. Increasingly,
creates a comfortable “apparent
forced air dryers are mounted on stands
temperature” for the animal being
with generally reduced motor related life
dried. It also substantially speeds the
expectancy but usually allowing
drying process over dryers with no
increased versatility including high
heat.
velocity drying. considerably louder but dry the animal

much more quickly. Some
“Conventional” stand dryers with
manufacturers have invested
induction motors as a rule have
considerable effort to mitigate
substantially longer motor related life
“acoustical insult” or excessive noise
expectancy because motor life is
and a challenge for groomers is to select
bearing dependent with motor
a product that dries quickly and
bearings typically lasting 10,000 to
effectively but is still relatively quiet in
15,000 hours. Virtually all these units
relation to air volume and velocity
have heat either from heating
production.
elements or “through flow” motors in
the forced air category. On balance, dryer selection is one of the
most important decisions facing the
It is important to point out that there is
discerning pet grooming professional
a corollary between air volume and/or
and if pursued thoughtfully can result in
velocity and noise. All other things
direct and proportionate reductions in
being equal a stand dryer producing
labor and increases in income. ◄
twice the air volume will be
Keeping Your Clippers Running Their Best

by Jeff Andrews, Northern Tails Sharpening
In today’s clippers most motors are open in the front in order to draw in air to cool
the armature. It also keeps carbon dust from accumulating on the commentator. For
these reasons you need to follow the instructions in your clipper manual. You also
need to read instructions for the aerosols you are using, and simply going by what
somebody showed you to do. Never reading warnings on labels or in clipper manuals
could result in equipment failures or serious health issues.
Do NOT spray coolants, WD-40, spray lubes, spray disinfectants, REM Oil or any other
aerosols on a blade running on a clipper. WHY? Because most of these products are
composed of ethyl alcohol, butane or propane gas. They don’t lube, and they don’t
actually kill viruses unless you follow the instructions on the back of the can of cool-
ants or disinfectants.
There are no safe procedures to spray these products on running clippers. It can
damage your clipper and clean your blades of beneficial oil or lube. The instructions
on cans of coolants/disinfectants say that the product must remain wet on the blade
for up to 20-30 minutes or they don’t work.
Take the blade off the clipper and lay it on a towel and spray the coolant/disinfect on
it. Spray it a second time if it looks dry. The instructions on all coolants say not to
spray near electric motors and wear a safety mask while using. You may have been
improperly shown to spray on a clipper which is actually an ignition source, and a po-
tential equipment failure.
The manual for most clippers say to oil blades before during and after the groom.
They say spray coolants do not have proper lubrication. Oil is your friend if you know
how to apply it correctly. It takes very little to lube a blade. In the DANGER section of
Keeping Your Clippers Running Their Best
most manuals it states not to use the clipper around any aerosols because of the
propellants in them.
Canned air (computer air) works very well at cooling blades when you hold the can
upside down and spray the back of the blade for a half-second. Use canned air to
clean the hair from your blade springs or between the blade halves when off the clip-
per when the can is held upright.
NEVER SPRAY AIR ON YOUR CLIPPER TO CLEAN THE CLIPPER HINGE AREA.
Why? Because that high velocity air can push hair and/or grease from your lever into
your motor which will burn it up. These new canned motors cost around $70 and up.
Brush hair from these areas instead with a soft brush.
NEVER CLEAN BLADES RUNNING ON A CLIPPER IN ANY LIQUID.
Why? Because your clipper manual says not to. The problem with doing this is two
fold.
First, doing a cleaning this way doesn’t clean the parts of the blade that you really
need to clean. You need to clean the blade plaque stuck to the insides of your blade
teeth. This material holds bacteria and viruses and needs to be cleaned with a tooth-
brush in blade wash.
Second, when taking the blade off the clipper, most people hold it upright to unlatch
the blade and the liquid on the blade runs back into your clipper. This is a bad habit
to break. There is no written procedure on how to do it that satisfies your clipper in-
structions.
Our YouTube page has videos that show you how to oil your blades and clean your
blades properly if you want to learn and save money. Link is on our website
www.northerntails.com.
eGroomer Journal Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved 93page 94)
(Continued on
Problems Using Comb Attachments

Most groomers use comb attachments daily, and most don’t have any problems or
issues. But some do have problems. The most common problems are jamming,
skimming and choppy cuts. Groomers tend to blame the blade or the sharpener.
Are there other reasons? Yes.
There is no blade manufacturer that is going to warranty a 30 blade to work on a
comb attachment. They manufacture blades for the height you want to cut. Groom-
ers use combs as a shortcut because they don’t want to spend the money on a
blade of the appropriate size. It can get expensive having so many blades for vari-
ous heights. Of course the comb is also easier.
Let’s take a 1" blade. The teeth are spread apart just perfect to guide coat into the
cutting area. It feeds perfect because of this tooth space. No jamming, no skim-
ming (unless the coat isn’t tall enough). The long narrow teeth of the blade help
feed it into the single cutting teeth of the cutter. Now let’s look at the 30 blade on a
comb. The teeth on the comb are spread apart too wide which doesn’t guide the
coat properly. This can make the coat flop around and bend over on the way to the
cutting surfaces. And, the 30 blade doesn’t offer space between the teeth wide
enough for proper feeding of the coat. This creates skims, choppy cuts, etc.
Chemicals in coats along with how dry the coat is makes a difference on the feed-
ing into the 30 blade. A vac system may help stand the coat up and hold it as the
blade is pushed through the coat. Those that have vac systems don’t seem to have
the issues as those that don’t have them.
When a problem does happen the groomer usually blames the blade, and the
sharpening. I have some groomers send a new blade back because it didn’t cut on
a comb. What I suggest is to test a new or sharpened blade on the body, then put
the comb on. If it cuts without a comb, and doesn’t with the comb, it’s not the
Problems Using Comb Attachments

blade.
A 30 blade, regular or wide, is supposed to leave the coat 1/16th to 1/8th inch in
length. It wasn’t made to cut high in the coat because it doesn’t feed properly that
way. It’s made to cut coat low where the hair follicles are thick and stiff and it can
feed properly. Cutting high in the coat where the hair is thin and can flop around is
what causes issues.
The people who make combs are telling you to use a 30 blade. They usually en-
dorse the brand of 30 blade of the same name brand as the comb set. Blade peo-
ple will never say okay to use on a comb.
Many groomers don’t realize this and it is not always a part of formal school instruc-
tion. There is a lot more to their tools they should know, and that’s the mechanics
of the tools themselves. Because groomers do not know of blade and comb me-
chanics, they just call the sharpener. But if they knew the simple mechanics and
how to look for things that can affect how the system works, they might be able to
fix simple problems and get back to work.
When you use a blade for a reason it wasn’t meant to be used for, you can have is-
sues. If you are going to use a blade on a comb, test it on the body someplace the
first time to make sure it cuts (like skim on the belly). If it cuts without a comb on,
but doesn’t cut with a comb on, it’s not the blade. It’s something else completely.
Now I will say this from over 35 years experience beating my head against the wall
over this same issue in my own grooming shop, the blade may play a small part in
the issues. When a blade gets sharpened, or is new, or has been in service a while,
or is not taken care of well, the blade can have a different tension to it. When a
blade is sharpened, its adjusted to 2 ½ to 3.0 pounds side pressure. Sharpeners
have a gauge, but that’s a wide spec, and the difference within that spec could
page 96)
make a big difference in how that 30 blade cuts on a comb. A 30 blade will cut
great by itself. But with a comb the difference in tension may not let it cut well in
that coat.
Change 30 blades until you find one that cuts in that particular coat on a comb. Re-
member, your using a 30 blade for something it wasn’t designed to be used for, so
you have to experiment. Here are some other reasons that could influence a 30
blade not cutting on a comb. I had this happen to me using plastic combs. Clipper
issues with worn out blade drives or levers, loose hinge screws, wrong speed on
thick, curly or fluffy coats. Remember the comb teeth may be too wide to direct
coat. Damp coats. If there is any moisture in the coat, some coats won’t feed right.
Chemicals. Mat busting treatments and types of conditioners can make the coat
slick and not feed well. Pushing too hard can make the coat skim or jam. The coat
has nowhere to go! You might go to another size blade if you still have issues. A 9 or
8 ½ may fit the comb. They have larger space between the teeth. ◄
Northern Tails Sharpening, Inc.

You Now Have a Better Choice!
Specializing in Animal Care Tools
Mail-in Prices
Steel Blades $7.00 Ceramic Blades $6.00
Agri Blades $8.00 Wide Blades $7.00
“D” Series Blades $10.00
Convex Shears $16.00 Refurbish 5-N-1 Blades $12.00

Str. Chunkers $16.00 Convex Thinning Shears $16.00
Clipper Repair ● Veterinarian Equipment ● Beauty Shears

We are an Andis & Furzone Regional Distributor and Repair Center
Jeff is a Master Sharpener and Certified Pet Groomer with over 35 years
experience. He knows how your tools should perform. He won’t sharpen worn
out tools which could harm animals. His office will call you if any of your tools
look bad. Long-time member of NDGAA, IPG and the BBB.
Please call or visit our website

(479) 498-2367
for mailing information.
Russellville, Arkansas
http://www.northerntails.com/
www.northerntails.com
SINCE 1995
Sponsors Only Buyer’s Guide 2022
◊ DIAMOND LEVEL SPONSORS ◊

Double K Industries PETCO Employment
Since April 2003 Since March 1999
Groomers Choice Pet Products Wag’n Tails Mobile Conversions

Since March 1999 Since September 1998
Paragon School of Pet Grooming & Learn2GroomDogs.com

Distance Learning Program MelissaVerplank.com
Since June 2004 Since June 2004
Aussie Pet Mobile Quadruped Pet Care Products

Since October 2014 Since January 2012
PetSmart Salons Employment RetroStylistWear.com

Since February 2020 Since May 2015
Mirage Pet Products PetBizInsurance.com

Since March 2021 Since February 2020
MANUFACTURERS / SUPPLIERS
APPAREL & MASKS CLIPPERS, BLADE, COMB SCISSORS & SHEARS

♦ PetEdge Top Performance ♦ PetEdge Master Grooming Tools ♦ PetEdge Master Grooming Tools
♦ Groomer’s Choice EZ Care Wear ♦ Double K Industries ♦ Groomers Choice Monk Colors
♦ Retro Stylist Wear Quality Apparel WAHL Clipper Corporation Shears
Jodi Murphy Grooming Apparel
SHAMPOO & SPA
DRYERS & ACCESSORIES
BATHING SYSTEMS ♦ PetEdge
♦ PetEdge Master Equip. ProBather ♦ PetEdge Master Equipment Dryers ♦ Double K Industries
♦ GCCP The BathMaster ♦ Double K Industries ♦ Groomer’s Choice Pet Products
♦ Metro Air Force® Dryers ♦ Quadruped Pet Care
BOW, POLISH, COLOGNE WAHL Clipper Corporation WAHL Clipper Corporation
♦ PetEdge Snyder Mfg. Co. Showseason Products
♦ Groomers Choice Naturals Products
♦ Double K Industries PET ORAL HYGIENE
♦ Quadruped Pet Care Products ♦ PetEdge Top Performance ProDental TABLES & ACCESSORIES
Bardel Bows ♦ PetEdge Master Equipment Tables
Showseason & Naturals SUPPLIERS ♦ Groomer’s Choice DuraDog Tables
BRUSH, COMB, DESHED CATALOG & ONLINE TUBS & ACCESSORIES

♦ PetEdge Master Grooming Tools ♦ PetEdge
♦ PetEdge Master Equipment Tubs
♦ Groomer’s Choice SureGrip Tools ♦ Groomers Choice Pet Products
♦ Groomer’s Choice DuraDog Tubs
WAHL Clipper Corporation
AIR QUALITY &
SANITATION
CAGES & ACCESSORIES
♦ PetEdge ProSelect Cages ♦ Groomers Choice Pet Products
♦ Groomer’s Choice DuraDog Cages
Snyder Mfg. Co. SPECIALTY RETAIL
CLIPPER VACUUM ♦ PetEdge
WAHL Clipper Corporation ♦ Mirage Pet Products
MOBILE / SERVICES / SOFTWARE / HOME STUDY
ASSOCIATIONS FINANCING HOME STUDY
World Pet Association / SuperZoo Full Circle Finance LLC BOOKS, DVDs,
Nat’l Dog Groomers Assn. of America GROOMING INSURANCE STREAMING MEDIA
Int’l Society of Canine Cosmetologists PetBizInsurance.com and WEBINARS
Intellectual Groomers Association Governor Insurance
Choice Plus Insurance ♦ Learn2GroomDogs.com Streaming
CONSULTANTS PetBusinessInsurance.com ♦ Paragon School Distance Learning
JKL Pet Grooming School
Groomadog Academy Consultants Jodi Murphy Instructional DVDs
SHARPENING & REPAIR
Animal Photography Mobile Grooming Book Jodi Murphy
Grooming Business in a Box® ♦ Groomers Choice Pet Products
Dog Grooming Simplified Jodi Murphy
Northern Tails Sharpening
Super Styling Sessions DVDs
DISTRIBUTORSHIPS
SOFTWARE & FORMS Groomadog Academy Home Study
LICENSING & FRANCHISE National Cat Groomer Institute
Groomsoft Groomer Software
♦ Aussie Pet Mobile The Groom Pod (Podcasts)
PocketSuite Software
Puparazzi Mobile Franchise Grooming Business in a Box®
Shake Your Tail Client / Scheduling
-Pet Grooming Business Plan Helper
Grooming Business in a Box®
EMPLOYMENT-JOBS -Floor Plan Concepts for Pet Groomers
TRADE EVENTS -Pet Groomer Wage Systems
♦ PETCO Groomer Employment
♦ PetSmart Groomer Employment Super Styling Sessions -Pet Groomer Business Forms & Make
Wilco Stores Groomer Employment Intergroom Trade Show Your Own Appointment Books
SuperZoo Trade Show
MOBILE GROOMING Atlanta Pet Fair
♦ Wag’n Tails Mobile Conversions

See also “Associations” top left of page
♦ Aussie Pet Mobile Employment
Tag Along Mobile Pet Salons
Puparazzi Mobile Franchise
Mobile Grooming Book - Jodi Murphy
PetGroomer.com Sponsors
See also the
PetGroomer.com Resources Buyer’s Guide
www.petgroomerforums.com
Support GroomTeam USA

www.groomteamusa.com
ADVERTISE HERE
100
800-556-5131 360-446-5348
findagroomer@earthlink.net
A to Z List of Sponsors Except On-Site Schools Call 800-556-5131 or 360-446-5348
Atlanta Pet Fair - GROOM’D groomd.org

Aussie Pet Mobile aussiepetmobile.com
Choice Plus Insurance choiceplusis.com
Double K Industries doublekindustries.com
Full Circle Finance LLC fullcirclellc.us
Golden Paws School Consultants goldenpaws.com
Groomers Choice Pet Products groomerschoice.com
Grooming Business in a Box® groomingbusinessinabox.com
Groomsoft Groomer Software groomsoft.com
Intellectual Groomers Association intgroomer.com
Intergroom Trade Show intergroom.com
Int’l Society of Canine Cosmetologists petstylist.com
JKL Pet Grooming School jklgrooming.com
Learn2GroomDogs.com learn2groomdogs.com
Mirage Pet Products miragepetproducts.com
National Dog Groomers Association nationaldoggroomers.com
Northern Tails Sharpening northerntails.com
PetBizInsurance.com petbizinsurance.com
PetBusinessInsurance.com petbusinessinsurance.com
Petsmart Salons Employment careers.petsmart.com
Petco Employment careers.petco.com
PocketSuite pocketsuite.io
Puparazzi Mobile Franchise groomall.com
Quadruped Pet Care Products quadrupedpetcare.com
Retro Stylist Wear Quality Apparel retrostylistwear.com
Shake Your Tail Software shakeyourtail.com
Showseason & Naturals Products showseasonproducts.com
Snyder Mfg. Co. snydermfg.com
SuperZoo superzoo.org
Tag Along Mobile Pet Salons mobilegroomingtrailersforsale.com
Wag’n Tails Mobile Conversions wagntails.com
WAHLeGroomer
Clipper Corporation Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer
Journal wahlanimal.com
Inc. All rights reserved 101
SCHOOLS OF PET GROOMING - ON-SITE TRAINING
PLATINUM PLUS LEVEL SPONSORS
Golden Paws School (Texas)

Clip Shoppe School of Dog Grooming (New
Jersey)
Merryfield School of Pet Grooming (Florida)
Groomadog Academy (South Carolina)
American Grooming Academy (California)
Healthy Spot Styling Academy (California)
PLATINUM LEVEL SPONSORS
Michigan School of K9 Cosmetology

Texas Allbreed Grooming School
GOLD PLUS LEVEL 1 SPONSORS

Canine Clippers Grooming School (VA) Cindy’s Canine Companions Grooming Classes (PA)
It’seGroomer
commonly Journal
known that January / March
all brands 2014
of A-5 103 is not commonly known relates toPetGroomer.com
blades fit any brand of A-5 clippers. What blade sizes. Most Publications
brands of A-5
blades have similar sizes, but how they perform varies. Manufacturers must use design differences in order to avoid patent and copyright
infringement. The most common difference between brands is the blade thickness. Similar manufacturer sizes may cut at different heights. You could
be in for a surprise if you change brands of the same size blade only to discover the cut is different! For your convenience Jeff at Northern Tails
Sharpening prepared the multiple manufacturer reference charts below for blades and snap-ons. Be sure to check Jeff’s web site at
www.northerntails.com for more helpful articles, videos and descriptions of his mail-in services. ♦
Clipper Blade Cutting Heights by Manufacturer

BLADE BLADE MASTER KLEAN
LAUBE WAHL OSTER ANDIS
SIZE CUT GRM.TOOLS CUT
# Inches MM MM MM MM MM MM
50 1/125 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.2
40 1/100 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.1 0.3 0.3
35 3/50 — — — — — 0.4
30 1/50 0.5 0.5 0.8 0.2 0.5 0.5
15 3/64 1.2 1.0 1.3 1.0 1.2 1.2
10 1/16 1.6 1.5 1.8 1.5/1.6 1.0 1.5
10W 3/32 2.4 — — — — —
9 5/64 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.5 1.0/2.0 2.0
8.5 7/64 2.8 2.8 — — 2.0 2.8
7 1/8 3.2 3.2 4.0 3.2 3.0 3.2
5 1/4 6.4 6.4 6.0 6.3 6.0 6.3
4 3/8 9.5 9.6 8.0 9.5 9.0 9.5
3 1/2 12.7 13.0 10.0 12.0 13.0 12.0
5/8HT 5/8 15.9 16.0 — — — 16.0
3/4HT 3/4 — — — — — 19.0
T-84 3/16 — — — — — 2.4
Snap-On Comb Sizes & Cut Lengths by Manufacturer

COMB LAUBE SELF ADJ WAHL OSTER MILLERS
MDC ROMANI
SIZE & X-LARGE STAINLESS STEEL UNIVERSAL FORGE
# Inches MM MM MM MM
1/16 1/16
1/8 1/8
1/4 1/4
1/2 3/4 9/16 1/2
3/4 3/4
0 7/8 5/8 5/8
1 5/8 1/2 1/2 1 5/8
1 1/4 1 1/4
1 1/2 1/2 7/16 1/2
2 3/8 3/8 3/8 3/8
3 5/16 5/16 5/16
4 3/16 3/8 1/4 3/16
5 1/16 1/8 1/16
A 1 3/4
PetGroomer.com Magazine
B 1 1/4
www.petgroomermagazine.com
C 1 1/2 7/8
Charts courtesy of Northern Tails Sharpening
D 1 3/4
479-498-2367
E 2 1
www.northerntails.com
eGroomer Journal 1 5/8Subscribe Free
S www.egroomer.com © 2014 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved
PetGroomer.com eMagazine www.petgroomermagazine.com
PUBLISHER Find A Groomer Inc.
EDITORIAL OFFICE
PO Box 2489, Yelm, WA 98597
contact@petgroomer.com
800-556-5131 360-446-5348
ADVERTISE IN PETGROOMER.COM MAGAZINE
Display advertising in PetGroomer.com Magazine is available at no cost to most
banner advertising sponsors of PetGroomer.com. Sponsor advertising starts at
$1 a day.
Learn More http://petgroomer.com/advertise-petgroomer-com/
PetGroomer.com Magazine is published as a download digital file

quarterly by Find A Groomer Inc., PO Box 2489, Yelm, WA 98597.
Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.
PetGroomer.com Magazine makes every effort to provide information

that is reliable and practical. It is not intended to replace diagnosis or
treatment from a veterinarian or other qualified pet or pet care
professional. PetGroomer.com Magazine does not assume any legal
responsibility. Readers should always consult qualified healthcare
providers for specific diagnosis and treatment. Information provided is
not intended to replace formal grooming training, pet safety and care.
Viewpoints and commentary expressed in PetGroomer.com Magazine

do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or opinions of its advertisers, the
publisher or associates. Use of any content or services of
PetGroomer.com and PetGroomerMagazine.com, including both
digital and print copies of PetGroomer.com Magazine, is governed by
additional guidelines, disclaimers and privacy policies and notices
available at: http://petgroomer.com/legal-notices/
The entirety of this publication is copyrighted.

Copyright 2022 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved

Magazine Fall 2022

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

You might also like

Magazine Fall 2022

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Magazine Fall 2022

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

April / June 2022 Vol. 12, Ed.

INSIDE THE FALL 2022 ISSUE

About PetGroomer.com and Surveys

MARCH—APRIL 2023 AUGUST 2023

NORTHWEST GROOMING SHOW

The Most Common Grooming

50/50 Commission Formula

50/50 Commission Formula

How to Succeed This Holiday Season

cated capital and time for an online

(Continued from page 25)

(Continued from page 26)

day promos especially with an elongated

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

How to Easily Set Your

(Continued from page 33) training with small to moderate sized

(Continued from page 34) can accurately determine average

(Continued from page 35) Entry-level pet bathers do not do Poodle

We suggest putting a copy of your com-

Time-Range Grooming Prices

(Continued from page 41) showed you how to do that in a previous

(Continued from page 45) Minimum Grooming Service Charge

5 Star Holiday Service

with you. Diffuse holiday-minded essen-

returning customers smiles say you re-

The services you provide to pet owning

In order to maximize your ability to com-

► Listen Actively strate what you are visualizing, or what

► Do Not Interrupt Aspire to be the best YOU there is. Be

Asking relevant and strategic questions

Leashing Back at Hip Pain

Reach back for your foot or place

Lying Hip Flexor Hold for 30 seconds and repeat 2

Wide Knee Sway

Start this exercise lying on your back with

Start by placing a belt or pilates ring

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Clip Shoppe School of Dog Grooming

Free Comb Outs

is “Brit,” a long-time member of Groom- PROGRAM ADVANTAGES

SHOW ME THE NUMBERS

Ready? Here is their new schedule.

GROUP A ● RANDOM GROUP B ● REGULAR

$11,935 Annual Increase in Sales $3,300 Annual Increase in Sales

Total $15,235 Annual Increase in Sales

SHOW ME THE NUMBERS

pet groomers surveyed by PetGroom- ond answer hints at their desire to be

www.showseasongrooming.com 678-382-0218 sandy@showseasongrooming.com

Teamwork Made Real

Groomers are artists. Distraction In these environments none of them

more confident in their employment time out. No favoritism, no empire

open position we made our best members regardless of their

Overview and Details

The knowledgeable selection and maintenance as well as amortization or

our single motor forced air dryer. Our

similar products by different illustration below) – a dryer could fill

Dryer maintenance and product

of motors, versatility, sophistication assemblies produces 105 inches of water