Does a One-on-One Grooming Model Work for Everyone?

Did you know that Charming Pets is a one-on-one dog grooming salon? This is a business model that is not the most common. We received some feedback that this was not likely to be a success. There are some distinct reasons why this works extremely well for some people and their dogs; and some reasons why it doesn't work at all for others. Before the inception of Charming pets I spent a lot of time in online grooming circles. At first I was in online grooming groups for dog parents. I then moved into a group specifically for dog owners that wanted to learn how to groom their own dog. Ultimately, I found myself in online groups of professional dog groomers. There were some interesting takeaways from having traveled within these groups. There seems to be a disconnect between some groomers understanding what dogs and their parents need. There is also a disconnect between some dog parents and what their groomers wish they understood. It doesn't mean that either party is right or wrong. It means that each party is coming from a different perspective, and that's ok. However, for the love of dogs, lets try to bridge this gap. This is the major founding point of Charming Pets, I ultimately want to offer what the dogs want!!!

What is One-on-One Grooming?

In the true meaning of the term, one-on-one grooming means one person is grooming one dog in a straight through process. The same person who is bathing and drying the dog is the one who will also complete their haircut or deshedding process as well as claw care. In this model of care there is usually a second person involved in the running of the salon and assisting the groomer. The handling of the dog is predictable to the dog because the second person is there to assist the needs of the groomer more so than the needs of the dog. In this model we do not have another dog in the salon waiting for their grooming or arriving for their grooming. We also do not have unfamiliar humans coming in and out. We are working to establish a relationship based on trust between one dog and their groomer at a time. Our ultimate goal is to have a safe and clean environment in which dog anxiety, stress and fear is eliminated based on relationship of trust.

What are the Benefits of One-on-one grooming?

A quiet environment- we are able to focus the dog on the task at hand. Even though there some sounds that are scary to some dogs in a grooming salon such as the spray nozzle in the tub, the force dryer wind, the buzzing of the clippers, and the clicking of the nail trimmers. There isn't the back ground noise of doors closing, people talking, or dogs barking. It is much easier to acclimate a dog to the fact that although these grooming sounds are different they are not threatening. They can face the sound that scares them, notice that it isn't painful and we can move through it.

Opportunities to take a break-because the groomer is laser focused on one dog we are able to determine when a dog is not coping well. We are able to pause the task at hand and figure out if we need to use distraction, assurance, or motivation tactics to keep the flow of the grooming processes moving or if its time to take a break for a game of fetch or comfort them with treats or affection.

Ability to mitigate extenuating circumstances-In this setting the groomer is able to change a typical routine for grooming or method for processes based on knowledge gained via preliminary interview with the pet parents prior to the grooming appointment. If a dog has a history of emotional trauma or physical injury they may respond quite differently to tasks related to a human handling them than a dog that hasn't. We are able to protect the dog from reinjury and avoid triggers for anxiety from previous trauma creating a safer grooming experience.

Stronger bond between groomer and the dog-We teach cooperative care. We want your dog to understand that nothing is going to hurt. We do not use force or heavy restraint because these methods do not diminish stress, fear and anxiety. The dog knows they are the main focus of the groomer. They are aware of the de-escalation of stressful tasks. They feel respected and are able to trust that they are safe and they want to come back. We get feedback all the time from dog parents who say their dog is so happy to come for a subsequent appointment that they show excitement in the driveway and on their walk into the salon.

Inclusion of dog parents in the process-Whether you want to drop your dog off or stay for their full experience, we are able to involve the whole family in the grooming care process. We are going to tell you what went on during your dog's grooming session. We will tell you in what areas they are struggling and we will tell you how they are progressing. We will also tell you when we make a mistake. When parents stay in the salon they are often shocked by the extent of care provided during grooming. We are able to teach the parent how to keep their grooming costs down, how to take over some of the tasks at home, how to avoid typical problems that can occur, and how to spot potential issues that need attention. Information is equal to power. We want to share information with you. We want you to feel empowered as a pet parent to advocate for your dog and to trust your groomer to help you be their strongest advocate.

What are the shortcomings of One-on-One grooming?

With all of the wonderful benefits of one-on-one grooming how could there possibly be any shortcomings? The truth is this model of grooming doesn't work for every person. What is important though, is that it does work for every dog. We want to take the time to bring to light the shortcomings of this model of care so that it reduces human frustration.

Waiting for the date of your first appointment- Our booking window has consistently stayed at about 3 weeks from the date the appointment is requested. We suggest planning early. Reach out early enough with your request for an appointment that a three week wait doesn't create a problem for your dogs coat and cleanliness. We are happy to set up a perpetual grooming schedule with you. Just let us know that this is an option that you think will work well for you.

Arrival and departure times are not flexible-Because we don't want your dog to encounter an unfamiliar dog while in our care we cannot hold dogs until you get off of work or finish your errands. We need each client to understand that being more than 10 minutes late for your dog's appointment can cause major chaos for us that dominos through our entire day. It's the same for pick-up after grooming because if you are late the next client can't come in and we can't get started on their dogs grooming. We have a traffic light in our driveway to help us communicate with you about when to bring your dog in or if its best to wait in your vehicle with your dog until the previous dog has been picked up. Please be mindful of this traffic light system. If you need clarification about it please ask.

Reschedules can be complicated-Due to the fact that we have a 3 week booking window and we have many dogs on a perpetual schedule, if you need to reschedule, it can really put your dog behind in their grooming routine. Getting behind in the grooming routine can lead to heavy shedding or matting depending our your dog's coat type. This also makes it harder for your groomer to complete the grooming and can result in a higher grooming cost for you. It can also lead to stress for your dog. When the grooming is not straightforward, ultimately its the dog that has the biggest impact from that.

Cancellations without a reasonable notice are complicated-If you have been holding a grooming appointment time slot on our calendar for three weeks and you suddenly cancel right before your appointment, it impacts everyone. People who could have used that time space didn't have access to it. We may not be able to rebook someone in that space if we aren't given enough time, which results in income loss for us. We might also lose products if you cancel at the last minute. We mix specific shampoo and conditioning products for your dog prior to your appointment. A last minute cancelation results in the loss of those mixed products. This is why we cannot be flexible with giving second chances on no-show or last minute cancelations. We understand that emergencies happen. We require reciprocal consideration on this issue.

Patience with communication is required-During our grooming day we focus on communication with the dogs in front of us and their family members only. If your dog is with us you can count on us to talk with you about what went on during their grooming. However, if you are calling or texting to request an appointment or ask a question we may not be able to respond until after 9:30pm when all dogs' grooming for the day has been completed. On especially busy days it might be the following day before we are able to answer. Please be understanding of this practice knowing that your dog is going to get the same courtesy of our undivided attention when they are in our care.

Considering if this Model of Care Will Work for You and Your Dog

If you know your dog will benefit from this type of grooming care you should ask yourself if the shortcomings will fit into your lifestyle. If you work a schedule that is unpredictable it might be very hard for you to schedule your dogs grooming appointment 3 weeks from now. Or if you are a care taker for someone else you might not be able to commit to our short drop-off and pick-up window. We do have several clients who depend on their loved ones and support system to help them meet the demands of our scheduling constraints. Sometimes, one person will drop the dog off and have their mother or sister come to pick them up. This is fine with us. We want to help you make this work out for you and for our other clients too. We understand that this doesn't work out for every person. Our main focus is the dogs and we know it does work out for them. Let us know if this post is helpful or if you have questions. Please make a comment and share.