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We would like to take time to welcome Posh Pets Grooming to South Louisiana.  Please visit their site or give them a call

By appointment only

985-300-3153

www.yourposhpets.zoomshare.com

You walk into your local pet groomer’s shop with your beloved, but temporarily scrappy looking poodle, and you’re stunned when then tell you it will cost $ 65.00 and take several hours to clean Fluffy up. You resounding “My hairdresser doesn’t take that long and she cost less!” You stand there and ponder why cost to tidy up your pooch than it does your own trellis of hair. Aside from the fact that most dog’s bodies are quadruple the size of a human head, I would like to share with you some other simple facts that I have learned over the many years as both a professional hairdresser and pet groomer. That just might shed some light on why your pet’s stylist ranks right up with your hairdressers.

Let’s start with the basics of plain ‘Ol Good hygiene. Do you comb or brush your hair every day? Give yourself a hand. Unfortunately, pets have lots and lots of hair/fur bit no opposable thumbs. If you don’t brush them on a regular basis, who will?

Here’s a trick you can try at home: grow some  dreadlocks(I.e., Matted hair) for a couple of months and then casually stroll into your hairdresser and ask her to comb -them out for you, both painlessly and inexpensive.

While a few breeds are born to wear dreadlocks, most dogs are not  meant to have them. It is painful and costly to remove these mats. I can’t stress this point enough . it takes regular upkeep on your part to keep your pet mat-free. Telling a groomer, ” I don’t know what happened– I brush and comb my pet everyday , But I went away for a day and when I got back this morning my dog was covered in mats!  Is equivalent to trying to convince your hairdresser that you didn’t cut your own bangs or the home color job was done by someone else. We can tell.

When you sit down with your hairdresser, he washes , cuts and then dries your hair. Before we can scissor and trim Fluffy’s coat, He has to be washed in a large bathtub( sometimes requiring two people to hold him down), Completely dried ( using a force dryer that is louder and more cumbersome than what your hairdresser uses– and if not  careful, can blow a small dog right off the table) ,and then de-matted ( again: the less you brush your pet the longer this process takes). Now do all this quickly and skillfully while constantly being on the look-out for the ” I’m Tired of this tugging , pulling and yanking of my fur.

In frustrations and attempts to bite your hands and or /Face to get you to stop. It will always puzzle me why a dog who like to go swimming hates the tub and why they will ride in a car with their head handing out the window , yet howl , bite , and try to throw themselves off the table when sitting in front of the force dryer.

But beyond the preparation for a cut , pet Groomers take on some additional tasks. If your own nails start getting long or unsightly you can trim them yourself or schedule a manicure or pedicure. Rarely, however, do you expect your hairdresser to clean up you nails. Pet groomers do. Your pet needs a regular “PAWDICURE” . Their nails need to be cut so when they walk, their nails don’t hurt their feet. Also, If you ignore pet’s nails too long their nail quiks grow longer and longer too and the mere act of clipping the nails themselves can be painful for your pet.

Who likes hair growing in their ears? For those unlucky men who do get hair in their ears, How often does it get matted , Too? Let’s hope it is a rarity for you … But for dogs , their ear hair often grows very long , gets matts and traps dirt and wax in there, And yes, it’s is your friendly pet stylist who cleans it out during that long , seemingly expensive appointment.

Now comes the really gross part and everyone’s favorite questions that is asked of a groomer ” can you express my dog’s anal glans?” ( Need I elaborate?) I’s love to be there when you ask your hairdresser to take care of that one for you . My guess is she’ll flat out refuse. Bit , alas, Pet groomers typically say “Yes” to such request. Pet groomers will also help out if your pet decides one day to go out and play with a skunk or roll in something absolutely disgusting to us, but pure heaven to his little nose. And we will squeeze your stinky (but probable happy) Fluffy into an already busy schedule because we know how badly your nose ( and new sofa ) want relief

Moving beyond the endurance and dedicated patience of cleaning up your pet, Let’s talk skill. Your hairdresser’s scissors are about 4 to 5 inches long while grooming shears are 7 to 12 inches long= much more difficult to maneuver. Hairdresser’s clippers have one blade and about 5 clips on combs, compared to a pet groomer who has to choose an appropriate blade from over 17 sizes and 13 different snap on combs, Your hairdresser works off and approximately four basic hair cut options that she then personalizes just for you , But  your pet groomer has to learn over 365 recognized breeds, coat types and variations on styles – Fluffy the poodles gets to pick from 12 different styles alone!

Ever come close to having your ear snipped off by your hairdresser? Probably not ( when he asks you to “Hold still” ) . Dogs, on the other hand, don’t always get the message, i.e.  you know what I mean . Hopefully you don’t claw or bite your hairdresser ( though as a former hairdresser, myself, I once had a small child bite my arm while trying to cut his bangs.( . Pet groomers have to be psychic to proactively figure out who is going to subject then to such oral abuse. Some dogs will bite for the simplest things, while other dogs will sit quietly an  give you those sweet Lassie eyes no matter what you do to them. Endurance , patience and skill. All highly respectable attributes of professional  that care for and pamper your fluffy soul mates. So let’s reciprocate the respect. If you have a 9:00 a.m. appointment on Wednesday with your hairdresser it’s a good bet that you call her from your cell phone if you are running late or can’t make it at the last minute. It is often the case for pet groomers, however, that owners will show up with their pet up to 90 minutes late without any notice . At that point, your pet’s time slot becomes the equivalent of a flying stand -by- we really want you to fly with us but we’ll squeeze you in only when there is room.

Just as with hairdressers, pet groomers schedule appointments weeks in advance and we can just as easily be completely booked two to three weeks ahead of time.  Similarly, Thanksgiving, Christmas  and New Year’s Eve are our busiest holidays of the year- so outfitting a Newfoundland in on December 34th without an appointment is next to impossible; unless we have a cancellation ( most pet groomers do offer a cancellation waiting list and would be happy to put a name on it ) .

Is my pet ready yet? Not if we didn’t call your to confirm this , It’s not that we mind owners asking the question, it’s just that every time we receive a call to check on a pet’s status prematurely, we must first safely secure the pet that is on the grooming table or in the tub before we can answer a phone call . All it takes is four or five calls of this nature and one naughty pet to throw our schedules off. Each pet, should be able to receive our full attention to details and this requires time.

Most accidents happen when time is rushed, and the safety of our staff and pets is our first priority.

Finally, a word to the wise and the answer to a burning question. Yes, it is customary for pet groomers to accept times. Her or she just spent a cozy couple of hours with a beloved , adorable pet ( need I remind you about some of those more unusual tasks undertaken by your groomer?)

Please remember that pet grooming is a service profession just as hairdressing. Could you imagine leaving your hairdresser’s chair without sufficiently tipping him? ( OK, Maybe you can imagine this, but can you imagine  making a follow-up appointment to this same hairdresser without tipping him?)

Pet groomers should be considered as a pet’s personal hairdresser. Even more if a feline is to be groomed. .. people love to tell how sweet their cat is but there is only one simple response to grooming a cat ” Just add water!!!!!!!!!!”) Not to mention a cat bite isn’t nearly as safe as a dog bit. One little puncture bite can lead a groomer straight to the hospital and out of work for a month due ( personal testimonial on that subject. ) reward for the groomer 80.00 for a cat groom split the cost with the shop and receive 40 dollar commission ,  Risk get bit can’t finish groom, made no money now out of work for a month with bone infection an cat scratch fever.

All in all a pet groomer’s basic job description should read:

Wanted:

Someone who loves to work with animals, particularly stinky ones with fleas and with animals who  like to roll on the beach  and in mud for hours. Doesn’t mind getting completely soaking wet, cleaning up pee, poop , vomit, and dealing with anal glands. Someone with a strong back ( and stomach)  who can lift heavy , moving objects. Likes to play wrestle and occasionally be dragged across the room. Has an incredible amount of self control and can handle a lot of stress at all times. Someone who is not afraid to get an occasional love bite or two . Can handle standing for long hours while controlling large sharp pointy objects with precise accuracy . Pay is acceptable and you will be able to watch a mangy mutt be transformed into a beautiful dog. You may also receive lots of puppy kisses and hugs, and the occasional paw-shake and “Thank-you” Bark . You will know that you have done well if you don’t hear it directly from the owner.

I love my job and without questions , I love pets and think they are adorable. They are part of our grooming family. I have tried and succeeded at many  jobs – from hair dressing to building houses to being a special effect makeup artist in Hollywood. To working at Sony Tri – star marketing firm on the Sony Back lot . But , I wouldn’t trade my job as a pet groomer for anything.

Please know , however, that I didn’t just wake up one morning and say ” I am going to groom dogs starting today. “  I went to school and training and studied very hard for 3 years then spend another 2 years doing the show circuit and 2 years working as a grooming instructor and lets not forget the hours of classes in between for medical K9-CPR , and 2 years Pre – med Veterinary science.

I chose to be a groomer and I am here to work with pet owners to keep their pets well cared for and healthy.

Special note: Most groomers see pets about every four to eight weeks ( compared to visiting your veterinarian one or two time per year for most healthy pets) We have our hands on your pet from nose to tail, so we can often notice changes in your pet from simple things like the start of an ear infection to bigger concerns, like a lump that wasn’t there on your pet’s last visit, to many other problems such as fleas , hot spots , and more. In addition to maintaining good hygiene for your pet,  a groomer can play a valuable intermediary role to alert you of concerns and recommend a visit to the veterinarian.

Thank you so much for reading

Tina Mayer

CEO of Classyk9.com  and  Posh pets grooming

Please visit our grooming division at

www.yourposhpets.zoomshare.com and book your appointment today.

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