“How can I groom faster?” is a commonly asked question where groomers gather to chat. Here are a few tips to help you accomplish grooming tasks more swiftly.
- Don’t rush. It sounds illogical, but the more you rush, the more likely you will make mistakes that will take time to correct. Also, because dogs are so expert at reading our body language, they will sense your tension and act up.
- Be organized. Create a routine that you use on every dog. Do things in the same order each time so that it becomes second nature. Not only will this help you work faster, but it will also eliminate that awful feeling of wondering, “Did I trim his claws?” as you see him walk out the door. You will know you did everything because you work in an ordered routine.
- Keep control. Taking time to reposition pets as they dance on the table can slow you down. Help remind pets to stay in a safe position with the Groomers Helper.
- Quit searching. Keep all your tools in the same place all the time. Adding up the minutes you spend searching for a tool you laid down where it doesn’t belong would astonish you.
- Stay sharp. Ok, not you, but your tools. Develop a system where you put dull blades and shears in a box the moment you first recognize that they need a visit with your sharpener and then send them off when you have enough to make the package worthwhile. Struggling to groom with dull tools is a significant time waster.
- Take advantage of liquid tools. Shampoos, conditioners, and sprays can help you groom faster by doing their job. Double-coated shedding season? Use that Best Shot Ultra shampoo, conditioner, and spray, and you will have that pet beautifully blown out and brushed through while saving time and muscle power because the products and high-velocity dryer do most of the hard work. Look for products designed to tackle the grooming challenges you often face and try them.
- Dry up. If you were to time each step of your grooming from start to finish, you would be amazed at how much time you spend getting dogs dry. Utilize tools that break the bond between pet hair and water like Best Shot The Maxx in your final rinse and also absorb water while the dog is still in the tub with super absorbent towels (my hands-down favorite is the Artero Carbon Ultra Absorbent). Follow up with a thirsty terrycloth towel, and you will be amazed at how quickly you get pets dry.
Pay attention to which grooming tasks take up the most of your time, and see if you can find a tool, product, or method to help you complete them more efficiently.
