It’s a mundane Monday. You are grooming your average lineup of poodle mixes, maybe a Shih Tzu or two and a chubby spaniel. The phone rings, and a potential new customer calls to make an appointment for a breed you have never groomed. A thrill of excitement tingles down your spine, but that delightful feeling immediately dissipates in a wash of self-doubt. You’d love the experience of grooming an unknown breed, but you don’t trust yourself. Now what?
I think you should grab the opportunity to learn some new skills! Let’s imagine a potential scenario. The caller has a four-month-old Spanish Water Dog. You’ve seen pictures of them and watched them zoom around the ring at a televised dog show, but you don’t have a clue how they are supposed to be groomed. First things first, be honest. Try something like this, “While I am an experienced pet groomer, I have not had the opportunity to work on your breed. However, I would love to. Let’s make an appointment, and between now and then, I will make it my job to learn everything I can about Spanish Water Dog grooming.” This pitch explains to the owner (who already knows they have a rare breed) that while you are unfamiliar with their breed, you are excited about a new opportunity and willing to learn. If they make an appointment, it’s time to broaden your horizons.
Here is how:
- First, ask the owner what they have in mind. See if they have specific desires. With this particular breed, the coat can be clipped close or corded. Which are they aiming for?
- Go to your computer and look up the dog club. Read about the breed because knowing what a dog is bred for will help you understand a little bit about their coat type, temperament, and physical structure.
- Read about the grooming requirements. With this breed, it is just one paragraph. Here is a snippet. “Grooming: The Spanish Water Dog generally requires little grooming. The coat should never be brushed or combed…– the dog should remain rustic in appearance.
- After your grooming mind has been blown about the no brushing or combing part, move from that website to the American Kennel Club website and see what they have to say.
- Find some professional breeders that show their dogs and look at their websites. They will often have more in-depth grooming information and even videos.
- Ask other groomers if they have experience with the breed.
- Use your computers search engine to see if you can find more notes on grooming Spanish Water Dogs.
- Look at lots of pictures, and take notes.
All that is left to do is welcome that new puppy and apply your new knowledge to make it look its best. Grooming a new breed will make your job more interesting, and gaining fresh knowledge is a great way to gain new customers.
