Training and New Services

Reflection on my second year of trading

This year has been my second year running my own business and it has been noticeably busier. Continuing professional development has been really important and I have joined countless training sessions on faces and breed specific training and I can see the improvement in grooms in some of my regulars.

First training of the year was emmi-pet training for teeth cleaning. I really did this for my dogs. Chihuahuas are notorious for developing dental disease and Buddy has problem teeth, but with kidney disease can't have a dental. I didn't offer the service straight away, but practiced on my boys. It is a cleaning service an is best with some support at home. If you are not confident enough to clean oral gel or powders can support this https://www.petdrugsonline.co.uk/orozyme-oral-hygiene-gel-for-dogs-and-cats?optionsUIDs=Y29uZmlndXJhYmxlLzY0Ni8zNjU1MA%3D%3D you can get from your vet, but they struggle to match the discount online prices. Beware any groomer showing teeth with plaque on and then sparkling teeth next time. Plaque can be broken down over time, but if it is that quick they are likely to be exceeding the training and recommendations of the manufacture. Prices are £15 for an initial appointment including a tooth head and £10 for follow up sessions. This can be added on to a groom or a standalone service.

Next training was nail care. Nail trimming is included in a groom and I also have some lovely regulars who pop in for a nail trim. This was an excellent seminar looking into nail health and care. Nail cutting is available at £9

On 19th July I attended a seminar on ND dogs. I am convinced my shih tzu is autistic (known as canine dysfunctional behavior (CDB), canine compulsive disorder (CCD), or general anxiety in dogs.) and my chihuahua has ADHD (hyperkinesis in dogs). Further I think those traits led them in to a rescue situation. In the case of my chihuahua four homes by the time he was 8 months old. I also see those traits in dogs that come for grooming especially over time. In part this may be because of my previous experience working with children with those issues, but the webinar was thought provoking.

I think training and learning will be a constant thing for me. I look forward to seeing what I learn during my third year of trading