Those of us who are groomers are aware of what a stressful job
grooming can be. Dogs can be barking, the phone can be ringing, people
are walking in to ask about prices and schedules...and all the while
the clock is ticking on the pets you are supposed to finish by the
grooming deadline.
While you can't control everything in the salon (no matter how much
you try!) you can budget a bit of your time and effort to making the
stress less of an issue. Here are some ideas to engage your senses.

1. The Phone - try to have a ring that doesn't set your teeth on edge,
and a message that assures people you will get back to them quickly.
While you don't exactly want to answer the phone when you have your
hands full of soapy wet dog, or even dog pee, your client doesn't
understand when you don't answer the phone. They assume the worst -
that you are unprofessional. Make sure your message assures them you
ARE around and that you WILL be in touch within the half hour - about
as long as clients are willing to wait.

2. Soft Music - If you are like me, you don't like that soft rock/
muzak/easy listening stuff that reminds you of growing old. But
grunge, alternative or even retro oldies won't impress the customers.
What to play?

Good music to groom by includes interesting but not boring ideas like
Spanish Classical Guitar; Piano Concertos by Mozart or Bach; crooner
music from the 1920s-40 (think about the soundtrack to "When Harry Met
Sally"); the soundtrack to movies like Gladiator, Star Wars, The Fifth
Element, or whatever movies you dig; some of the milder, more relaxing
salsa sounds; Italian Opera (La Boheme is great); or ethnic tunes from
many countries - like Australian Maori music, US Native American,
Greek classics or other World Beat sounds. Be creative. I recommend
checking out the world-wide musical selections on Amazon.com

3. Scents - It's up to you whether to use candles, aromatherapy, sage
smudges, incense or potpourri...but find something you enjoy that
makes you feel calm and at ease.

4. Stay hydrated and fed. If you aren't cranky, you will be better
able to put on your smiley face for customers, even if you have just
been bit, pooped on, and are running three dogs late!

Note - if you are calmer, your doggie clients will certainly pick up
on that and be better behaved as well. The nice music and soothing
scents won't just help YOUR well-being, but will also create a
soothing stage for their "spa day out" as well.

www.dunhill-dogs.com