The dog on your grooming table has been bathed, conditioned, dried, and brushed. Its nails have been trimmed, and if it was in for a haircut, you have done your best to make it look just the way the owners requested. Your work is done. Or is it?
Many groomers add some special finishing touches before taking the dog off the table. This can range from a quick spritz of cologne to a more time-intensive session of polishing each nail in a bright color. It often means adding a bow to the hair or on the collar or tying a fun bandana around the dog’s neck.
Many customers are delighted by these happy additions, while others find them excessive. It’s a good idea to ask people at check-in if they would enjoy having their pet receive post-grooming decorations. I once had a man rip the bandana I had carefully placed around his handsome dog’s neck and throw it at my head. On the other hand, one woman’s eyes filled with tears when I delivered her wiggling pet to her arms, and it did not have bows in its ears.
Some groomers have safety concerns about adding bows or bandanas. What if the dog removes the bow and eats it? What if a bandana gets caught on something and injures the dog? Although accidents due to these add-ons are rare, anything is possible when animals are involved. This is one more reason why asking the owner if they would like a bow or bandana and keeping their preference recorded is a good idea.
For safety’s sake, bandanas can be fastened with tiny rubber bands rather than knotting them so that they will easily break away if the dog should get tangled in something. Because the small elastic bands that hold grooming bows in the hair can potentially catch the dog’s skin, groomers should make sure they can place a comb between the band and the pet each time they apply a bow. Safer still is just sliding a bow onto the pet’s collar. One nice bonus of this method is that it won’t cause a big tangle if the owner leaves it on for weeks.
Adding finishing touches can be a lot of fun for stylists and owners alike. One shop had custom bandanas with their logo colors (purple and gold) and business name. Every dog that trotted down the street after grooming was an adorable walking billboard for that business. Other groomers choose to change up the bling by season or the proximity of major holidays. In the words of one stylist, “Of course I put on a finishing touch. Otherwise, how would the dog know it was done?” Indeed, experienced pets seem to recognize that it’s almost time to go home after being adorned with a bit of décor. I’m not sure I am imagining that they know they look good, too.
By Daryl Conner, MPS, MCG
Daryl Conner has been devoted to making dogs and cats more comfortable and beautiful for almost 40 years. You can find her happily working at FairWinds Grooming Studio with her daughter and infant granddaughter, or typing away at her latest grooming-related article. Daryl was awarded both a Cardinal Crystal Award and Barkleigh Honors Award for journalism. She shares her meadow-hugged antique Maine farmhouse with her practically perfect husband and too many animals.
