A client in Phoenix told me my dog groom was making their poodle look like a circus act. She was right.

Been running my own shop for about 5 years now. I always did the classic poodle trim - the big poofy legs, the round topknot, the whole deal. This one lady brings in her standard poodle every 6 weeks and I'd give her the full show cut. Last time she picked him up she said "Joel, he looks like he belongs in a traveling carnival. I just want a normal dog." At first I was annoyed but then I looked at pictures of what other groomers in the area are doing. Turns out most people want a more natural look these days. So I switched to a shorter body clip with just a little fluff on the head and a clean face. She loved it. Now I ask every new client if they want "show style or pet style" before I start. Has anyone else had a customer completely change how you approach a breed standard?

2 comments

2 Comments

hugoj1215d ago

Good move switching to pet style. Most clients just want a clean neat dog, not a show ring cut. You gotta give people what they're actually asking for.

the_diana15d ago

Right? Pet trims are where it's at. I had a client last week who wanted a full show setter pattern and I talked them into a tidy pet clip instead. They were way happier with that.