Preparation Tips for a Busy Grooming Season
By Tammy Siert, Andis Animal Educator
Here in the Midwest, I get to experience all four seasons. However, thanks to a winter that was cold, snowy and seemed extra-long, I’m really looking forward to springtime weather and preparing for a busy season. There are a few things I like to do to ready my salon for the impending client rush. First, I clean from top to bottom, wiping down walls, pulling out cabinets and scrubbing floors.
When you’re cleaning, you should use a disinfectant that kills 99 percent of viruses and bacteria. I inspect my lighting to see if all the bulbs are working, and the fixtures are clean. I also check all kennels to ensure there is nothing sharp that could injure a pet, and that all handles and latches close and lock properly.
Next, check that your equipment is clean, disinfected and in top working condition. There is nothing more aggravating than equipment that isn’t working on a busy grooming day. Go through and make sure your clippers and trimmers are maintained, your blades and shears are sharpened. I recommend using Andis® Cool Care Plus—a five-in-one coolant, disinfectant, lubricant, cleaner and rust preventative; it’s also effective against COVID-19.
And don’t forget to place orders on products you’re running low on. You might even purchase that clipper you’ve been wanting. I recommend trying the Vida, the new cordless clipper from Andis with five adjustable blade lengths. Whether it’s maintaining the face, feet or sanitary area, this lightweight clipper is built to perform. It’s powered with a lithium-ion battery for constant power and is charged with a USB-C adapter. Plus, it includes a weighted charging stand that prevents your clipper from tipping over and helps keep your workspace organized.
In addition to springtime maintenance, the season is also a good time to remind clients to have their dogs groomed. Depending on where you live in, some clients might take a couple of months off from having their dogs groomed because they think it’s too cold. However, most breeds should be groomed monthly to keep their skin and coat healthy.
Your clients trust you as a professional, so send out email reminders and use your website or social media to communicate with them. Create fun tips on how to care for pets at home during winter months—for example, you can create a brushing and combing video or talk about the upcoming flea and tick season.
Spring is also when dogs shed their winter coats. I offer a deshedding package, which includes a deshedding shampoo, conditioning treatment and Andis deshedding tool. The tool comes in a standard and compact size and can be used on double-coated breeds, as well as terriers, sporting breeds and even goldendoodles that have an undercoat. It’s designed to pull the dead undercoat out without cutting the top coat. This tool is a game changer, and you will be amazed at the dead coat it removes and how shiny it leaves the top coat. Another great spring tip is to use a whitening shampoo on dingy, muddy paws. It helps whiten and brighten any dull coat.
Last but not least, make sure your clients are using some type of flea-and-tick preventative every spring; it is important for both the health of the owner and pet. Ticks can cause serious infectious diseases to pets and humans, such as Lyme’s disease. Quickly removing the tick will reduce the chances of disease transmission, but I like to follow up with an all-natural flea and tick shampoo. However, if you have a pet with an infestation, you may need a shampoo that contains a pesticide. Use caution with any pesticide and follow the instructions closely.
