Worth saving for later

Got a Gazza near you?

What still works and what doesn’t

When clients won’t stay out of it

Hint: there isn’t one

At igroomhub, we don’t mind where you groom. We care how. Whether you’re grooming in a van, a back room, a converted caravan or a state-of-the-art salon, the skills are the same.

If I order my Thursday afternoon treat of a skinny chai latte and a slice of carrot cake and the waitress brings me a long black and a snot block (vanilla slice) whilst whispering “trust the vision”, I’m going to be very peeved off - it’s not what I asked for, nor is it something I enjoy looking at. 

In grooming, psychosocial hazards can come from high job demands, emotional exposure, client aggression, unclear roles, and more.

Dogs do not magically understand sit, stay, or drop without training. Clients are the same. If you never explain what you expect, they will make their own rules and those rules will suit them, not you.

Those groomers that are “great at what they do” have all been the quiet one with the sore feet and the full bladder at some point.

We’ve seen leadership used to lift others, and to shut them out.

Want quick access to igroomhub, just like an app? You can save it to your home screen for one-tap access.

If we want the public to take this trade seriously, we need to take it seriously ourselves. This job isn’t just about technique. It’s about timing, judgement, safety, communication, observation, and the ability to work with all kinds of dogs on all kinds of days.

A good eco makeover gives both sustainability and style, just like my favourite white capri pants that I’m SO glad I held on to!

Without a mandatory baseline, people find other ways to legitimise themselves. Some cling to who trained them, how long they’ve been grooming, or their standing in the community. Others tear down those who do things differently to protect their own position.

There’s a video doing the rounds this week that’s stirred up a lot of feelings. You might’ve seen it - someone dishing out “advice” to groomers, suggesting that burnout isn’t real, and that if you don’t have brand deals or sponsorships, you haven’t earned them.

“I don’t want Fluffy to get cold!”

I was certainly caught off guard with my own hairdresser when my usual service came with a $45 hoist of the pants. I thought “Love, take me to dinner first!”

• “It’s a hands-on job. Don’t waste your money on courses.”

• “Just get a job as a bather and work your way up. That’s the best way to learn.”

• “I never studied and I’m doing fine.”