Just realized my dog grooming technique was all wrong after a client spoke up

I've been grooming dogs in Bothell for about 3 years now, and I always used a certain clipper blade on doodles. Last Tuesday, a client named Sarah pointed out that my line brush method was leaving mats near the skin that I couldn't see. She showed me how to use a comb to check for those hidden tangles before the final pass. Now I spend an extra 5 minutes per dog, but the results look way cleaner and she actually tipped me $20 last visit. Has anyone else had a client teach them a better trick for their own job?

2 comments

2 Comments

thea2461mo ago

That line about spending an extra 5 minutes per dog hit me hard because I used to be exactly the same way, thinking I was saving time by rushing through. I had a plumber once show me I was using my pipe wrench backwards for like two years, felt like a total idiot when he pointed it out. It's funny how clients can spot stuff we've been blind to forever, right? Now I actually look forward to people speaking up because it usually means I'm about to learn something that makes my job less frustrating. That $20 tip was probably her way of saying thanks for not being too proud to listen, which is a good reminder for all of us.

jessicaw111mo ago

Right? It's wild how easy it is to get stuck in your own little bubble and miss the obvious. Sometimes you just need a fresh pair of eyes to keep you from making the same dumb mistake for years.