The True Meanings of What Owners Say

 Sometimes owners don't say what they really mean.

~"He does not have any knots in his coat."
True meaning:  He has not been groomed in 6 months, and is matted from his head to his toes.

~ "I brush him all of the time."
True meaning:  I run the brush down the middle of his back once a week.

~ "Can you fit him in? He is small and easy to do."
True meaning:  He is a 40lb, matted, Tasmanian devil.

~ "Take him a tad shorter than last time."
True meaning:  Clip him the same length as the last time, because if you go any shorter, I'll forget that I told you to take him shorter and I'll freak out.

~ "Do whatever you think he needs, your the professional."
True meaning:  You better read my mind and do exactly what I am picturing in my head.

~ "Let's try something new this time."
True meaning:  You better do close to the same groom, because I won't remember this conversation, and the next time I come in, I will complain and ask you why you groomed him differently.

~ "Call my cell when he is finished."
True meaning:  I won't have my phone on... I won't answer it... My voice mailbox will be full.

~(9am appointment arrives at 9:20) "Can you have him done by 11am, I have another appointment across town and I have to have him no later than 11am, or I can't keep this appointment."
True meaning:  My plans will change...I won't bother to call you...my dog will sit there waiting till 2pm when I finally decide to come pick him up.

~ "Take him as short as you can get him."
True meaning:  Leave at least 3 inches on him.

~ "I have to cancel my dogs 10am appointment today, (it's 10:10am) he is sick.
True meaning:  I made other plans, and never bothered to call you.

~ "I am sorry I am late for his appointment, the traffic was bad."
True meaning:  I wasn't in any hurry to get out of bed this morning.

~ "I am sorry he pooped in your lobby, he must be nervous. He hates coming here."
True meaning:  I just put him in the car, and didn't bother to see if he had to go to the bathroom.

~ "He doesn't bite."
True meaning: He doesn't bite unless you brush him...bathe him...dry him...clip his nails...ect.

~ "All of the other groomers say that he is great to groom."
True meaning:  Watch out! He has been thrown out of every other grooming shop.

~ "I know that you said you would call when he was finished, but I was in the area, and decided to stop in and see if he was done."
True meaning:  I thought that if I just walked in, he would magically be done.

Of course not everything my customers say means something else, but  I have found that a lot of times it does.

I have gotten very good at reading my customers minds over the years.

Sometimes, they still manage to surprise me.

Happy Grooming, MFF