How to build a successful relationship with your pet parents

Being a pet groomer comes with great responsibility. Once a pet parent hands over their beloved companion, your unwritten contractual obligation to take care of them begins.

But with so many preconceived ideas of what happens at a grooming salon, and a dash of pet parent separation anxiety sprinkled in (it’s not just an issue for pets!), you might be wondering: how can this relationship ever thrive?

These are our 5 top tips to help you build a successful relationship with your pet parents:

1. 1
   

   Spend time getting to know the pet 🐶

   Ask the pet parent questions like: what’s your pet’s favorite game? Or, How do you calm them down when they’re stressed? Pet parents want you to treat their pets as if they are your own, and asking these types of questions will show them that you want to build a deeper bond with their four-legged BFF.

1. 2
   

   Don’t pretend that everything went well if it didn’t 😕

   Pets can’t talk, but loving pet parents will know when something is not 100% right with their pet.

   Rather than risking a pet parent imagining the worst about what may have happened to their beloved companion, spend a few minutes discussing any issues that arose during the appointment and how you dealt with them.

   Being straightforward with pet parents will assure them that you handled the situation appropriately. They’ll also respect your transparency.

1. 3
   

   Explain how the appointment went in detail ✅

   At the end of each appointment be sure to break down what you did, and discuss any findings or areas of concern. Even if the appointment went well, pet parents love to know exactly what happened during their pet’s appointment rather than receiving a generic ‘“he/she did well.”

1. 4
   

   Offer recommendations 😉

   Provide recommendations for at home coat care, helpful grooming tools to use at home, or anything else you think may be beneficial. Doing this will show your pet parents that you understand the needs of their pet and that you’re invested in their pet’s well being beyond the appointment.

2. 4
   

   Be firm ☝

   If a pet parent asks you for something that you know is not in the pet’s best interest, explain why you can’t fulfill the request and offer an alternative when possible. Even if they push, you’re the expert, so stay firm in your decision and ask them to trust your decision as it is in the best interest of their pet.

Become your furry client’s cool uncle 😎

The final thing to note is that for a long, happy relationship with your pet parents, you have to become more than just their groomer or service provider.

Imagine yourself as the cool uncle, aunt, or cousin, who a pet will gladly and happily want to see. Not only will this strengthen the bond between you and the pet, but it will also allow the pet parent to relax a little. After all, they just want to know that their beloved companion is in safe hands. 💖