Pet Groomer Rants

First hand stories from a groomer's perspective.

[thegroomreaper]

Unruly Kids

During my years of working alone, I came across the most annoying kids from a particular family. Despite everything that happened during the session when I was there, I had to smile and gently tell them whatever they did was wrong.

As per normal, I went to this house and prepare whatever I need at the corner they allowed me to use to groom their dog. While discussing with the mother on what style she would like for her poodle, her two young children (probably around 4 to 6 years old) were around playing noisily. It was difficult for me to hear what the owner wanted and I ended up making her repeat everything she said.

I don't mind kids being around and asking me questions. I would gladly entertain them while I work. Like many houses I've been to, I would tell the children not to touch my equipment as it is dangerous. Most of them are sharp tools that may or may not injure them. But no, these two young children don't even care. They took my expensive grooming shears and started playing with them. Seeing how dangerous it was, the possibility of hurting themselves and damaging my livelihood tools, I had to remind them again. Despite me keeping my tools safe, I can't control the children at all. Besides, I am just a visitor to them. And no, the parents aren't doing anything. They were busy sitting in the living room swiping their smartphones. From what I saw, they're not working. They were surfing facebook.

And when I thought playing with my grooming equipment is bad enough, wait till they start hitting you for no reason. Like many said, kids don't know their strength. Those hitting I endured, they are god damn pain! Despite their helper's best effort to keep them away from me, she couldn't actually control them at all. Let alone discipline her employer's unruly kids. To them it’s fun. They were laughing and taking turns hitting me while I try to work. In my mind, I’m furious! Not at the kids but at the parents. How could they not stop and control their kids when they actually witness what happened? To me, this is bad parenting.

Thankfully, I was never asked to head back there for an appointment again. I love that sweet little poodle. But being around their kids drive me nuts. And yes, that small grooming fee at that household is difficult to earn.

[thegroomreaper]

Groomer: your poodle's fur is badly matted this time round. I've already helped you remove them. Do remember to brush his fur regularly.

Owner: huh? I thought you brushed and did quite a good job during the last groom. Why is his fur still matted?

Groomer: you need to maintain it yourself in between groom. I helped you brush today doesn't mean it will last till next groom.

[thegroomreaper]

Next Door Neighbor’s Helper

A quick introduction, after I left the grooming salon, I turned to house-call. And visiting houses does have its perks. Other than giving one to one services to the pet, I get to chat with the owners. Sometimes I get to know more of the family in just one session and the following sessions made it seem like I’ve known them forever.

So this particular day, I visited my regular’s as per our monthly appointment. Usually, her mother wouldn’t be home, but this day, she was. And we began chatting like old friends although it’s our first time seeing each other. We talked about family’s business and handing it over to the children to take over. And weirdly, we talked about foreign domestic helper and the HDB Town Council cleaners.

Many may have heard rumors of how domestic helper has been bringing home strangers to their employer’s house. I am not sure how accurate these stories are but let’s just take it as a hearsay.

Her neighbour's helper has been bringing the HDB Town Council cleaner home when the employers are off for work. We aren't sure why and what they've been doing during those few hours, but they were caught occasionally doing some hanky-panky at the staircase landing. It isn't a one time incident. It happened for quite a while till the employer found out.

According to the other neighbours, this HDB Town Council cleaner has been going around flirting with helpers from different household! Shocking! But not surprised.

My customer's mother have no idea what happened next as suddenly all of these came to a stop. The usual cleaner was no longer seen around the estate.

[thegroomreaper]

I'm A Paying Customer

Years ago when I was still an apprentice, I had to stay back after working hours occasionally to help out my seniors when in need. It was a weekday and past our working hours, this particular customer came in late. He needed to get his shih tzu groomed badly and my senior obliged out of goodwill despite it's closing time.

What the owner didn't inform us was his dog is aggressive. An aggressive dog requires a longer time to groom. In grooming school, we weren't exactly trained to handle aggressive dogs. From what I remember, all practice dogs in school was gentle and friendly. The only time I come across aggressive ones is during work. Yes, we groomers have been bitten and despite that, we do have the phobia of getting attacked, we're humans after all.

About an hour passed, this owner came back hoping that his dog is ready to be picked up. But he was disappointed and furious to know it wasn't. He started going into a rage and despite my senior trying his best to explain that his dog is aggressive and being difficult, he wouldn't listen. By the way, the average grooming time for a well behave and cooperative dog takes up to around 2 hours.

"You are a groomer and shouldn't be afraid of being bitten!" was what came out of the owner's mouth.

What he said next threw made us all fuming mad.

"I'm paying for your services! And the customer is always right!"

No matter how furious we are to hear that from him, we try to keep our cool and showed him how uncooperative and difficult his aggressive dog is.

"Just do whatever you need to do. Call me and I'll come back later to pick him up."

Geez. Owners have to actually see how their pets behave during grooming to actually understand they require more time to be groomed.

By the way, the customer is never right. I believe that I still do have the rights to decline to offer you my services. Every human being deserves to be respected no matter what their profession is.

[thegroomreaper]

I told you already, when it's matted it means the dog needs grooming.

- Walk-in customer at a local pet grooming salon