Around the Salon...

Exciting News!

2010-05-16T19:21:00.000-07:00

As we strive to give you the best customer service ever by trying to eliminate long waits for appointments, we're again adding to our Doggies Divine family. Look for a new face in the next few weeks. We're so excited! Each and every Stylist we welcome, will live up to our excellence & quality. On that you have my word.
Until next time Wag more and bark less!
Teresa

Trust

2010-04-21T15:49:00.000-07:00

We know it's hard to leave your pet in another persons care. Sometimes a complete stranger. It's a tense time for both you and your pet. There are a few steps you can do to make the exchange easier for ALL of us, you, your pet and the pet care specialist.

Step one: Visit us. If it's your first time, come in and visit with us, without your pet. Talk to us. Ask question, as many as you want! Did we pass muster? Good!

Step two: The drop off. If you're bringing your best friend to us, then you must trust us to some degree. Now, you need to ask your doggie or kitty to trust you. Be calm, confident and assured. Think of it like you were dropping off your child at a new daycare or school for the first time. It's so hard to hand them off and walk away. I cried the first time I left my daughter, but NOT in front of her. I was calm and confident. I assured her she was going to love it. Because she trusted me, she took the care giver's hand, smiled up at me and walked away.

Your pet will be no different. While they don't understand our words the same as a child. They can understand our body language, tones and moods. They'll know if you're stressed or uncertain. So don't be clingy. Other than discussing what needs to be accomplished with this visit, don't concentrate on your pet. The more you fuss, pet, and try to reassure them, the more upset and nervous they will become. Your actions are telling them something horrible is about to happen. Grooming isn't horrible it can be relaxing and very enjoyable. Yes, they may shake, whine or even bark at time of drop off.

Don't comfort them. Every time you do, you're essentially telling them 'Yes, Fluffy, that's how I want you to act every time I drop you off '. Ignore it. I know it's hard. But if you do, the exchange will become smoother and smoother each time. Ask them to trust you, tell them that you love them and will be back shortly. Then walk away. As soon as you're gone, they're over it. Very few pets continue to stress or fuss once their parent is out of sight.

Step three: The reunion. We want to keep your best friends visit as short as possible, so you can be reunited quickly. That alone, will reduce stress on both you and the pet. It also lets them know that while you left them with us, in a short time you came back. They'll be overjoyed and act like it's been a bazillion years since they've seen you!

It's okay to show you're happy too, just not over the top happy. Greet them, tell them how beautiful they are, and how much you love them. But also greet the caregiver, just like a friend too, show you're happy to see us as well. It's reassuring to the pet to know that the person they just spent time with is a good guy.

Realize that if you go over the top at the reunion, snatch them up, hug them, hold them tight all while telling them things like, 'you're okay, it'll be fine, I've got cha'. In that nervous, anxious voice you sometimes use, (mostly to reassure yourself) they'll totally read you. And because you're acting like you just saved them from an enemy sniper attack, they will truly believe they've dodged something awful. And that will only re-enforce in their mind, that the Groomer, Vet or doggie daycare is a bad place.

Step four: Back home. Make sure you let them know how beautiful they look (no mater the type of grooming you had done) re-enforce how proud you are of them for trusting you. Because in the end it all comes down to trust.

If you embrace going to the groomer as no big deal or even a fun adventure, your best friend will too. Trust me.

Until next time, more wagging, less barking!

We're growing!

2010-03-08T17:58:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all of you, our business is growing by leaps and bounds! No matter how busy we get we'll stand by our convictions. Humanity before vanity, I'm sure you'll agree, we always need to do what's right by the pet. And because we groom pets by appointment, they spend a minimum amount of time away from home. Less time = Less stress.
And again thanks to you, we have been getting uber busy. Word of mouth is incredible! Rather than booking appointments out weeks in advance, we decided to bring in more Stylists.
This is hard for Judy and I, we are total control freaks. Of course we have Heather, Judy's daughter. She grew up in a grooming salon, cutting her teeth on dog biscuits and chew toys. For her grooming with style, dedication and integrity runs in the family.
But still the business grows.
Meet Danielle. She comes to us with high recommendations. But what we found really endearing, is her kind gentle ways with the pets. She's excited about a 'new way' of scheduling our day. She's very open minded and listens to any suggestion or advise we give (have I mentioned we're control freaks?) I met her when she first started out, she called me from time to time to assist her along her way. I'm super proud of her and glad she's finally on our team!
I want to thank you most of all, for helping us. Without you we couldn't do it.
Until next time.. take care, Teresa

Just a snicker or two

2009-10-25T22:22:00.000-07:00

I found this and thought it was cute. Hope you enjoy it too!

Top 10 reasons why it costs more to have your dog groomed then to have your own hair cut.

10. Your hairdresser doesn't wash and clean your rear end.
9. You don't go eight weeks without washing or brushing your hair.
8. Your hairdresser doesn't give you a sanitary trim.
7. Your hairdresser doesn't clean your ears.
6. Your hairdresser doesn't remove the boogies from your eyes.
5. You sit still for your hairdresser.
4. Your haircut doesn't include a manicure or pedicure.
3. Your hairdresser only washes and cuts the hair on your head.
2. You don't bite or scratch your hairdresser.

and finally....drum roll please......

1. The likelihood of you pooping on the hairdresser is pretty slim.

Love'n the job

2009-10-17T20:41:00.000-07:00

Today some of your 'regulars' came in. Our dogs, Monster and Tater get so excited when they come in. It turns into an impromptu play date. It's not just our dogs that adore these guys. I soon found myself sitting on the floor, 2 cocker spaniels in my lap, wanting some pets and loving. Nothing relaxes a person like a couple of sweet loving doggies wiggling in your lap.

Mid way through the day, we had a visit from a new Veterinarian, (Bayside Veterinary clinic) she just opened her clinic in Point Loma She was super nice. We visited with her for about a half hour. I'm super picky when it comes to my dogs caregivers, but she is someone I would be very comfortable taking my dogs to. Sometimes you just know after a first few minutes of taking with someone.

Our New Blog!

2009-10-15T11:23:00.000-07:00

We've now got a blog! (Three cheers for Blogger for hosting us!)

It'll probably be a few different people who write in the blog from time to time - all three of the groomers plus the web mistress (that would be yours truly) will be doing minor updates and some longer entries. Mostly, we'd love to give you tips and tricks to employ at home and also keep you up to speed on changes around the salon, the website, and let you in on part of our day.

Updates coming soon - stay cool and comfortable in this odd Autumn weather we're having. And remember, man's best friend outside of a dog is a book. (Inside of a dog it's too dark to read! :))

- Janell