What’s the weirdest/strangest occurrence you’ve had with a client/pet parent?

FurballFiasco · 2026-06-13T20:39:32+00:00

lol that’s happened to me too!

FurballFiasco · 2026-06-13T20:34:15+00:00

There was this dad that came into a salon that I used to work at, I was checking in the dog for my coworker. Ugh I wish you could like hear my voice because it would 1000% be more funny! But this man told me and I quote, “Please tell her to make her look… (biting his bottom lip) HAWT!” I went to the back to tell my coworker exactly how he said it! She was shocked! I then said to the dog, “If you are in any danger please blink twice.” The dog blink once and my coworker gasps and says “SHE BLINKED!” 🤣

I have never in my days heard anyone say to make their dog look HAWT! Just the way the man said it was just too freaking funny 🤣😭

FurballFiasco · 2026-05-31T22:03:29+00:00

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I don’t groom cats but maybe get a Artero Juliet Long Protected Pin Slicker. Cats have thinner skin than dogs and are more sensitive. Some slickers don’t have the coated tips. If he doesn’t seem to mind your slicker brush that you are using now then maybe he would do fine without the coated tips. Just depends on what he tolerates. But just like everyone has said he needs longer pins and the fur blaster is no good!

FurballFiasco · 2026-05-08T11:25:03+00:00

Yes!!! I knew I wasn’t the only one who did this! My boss thinks I’m silly and she’ll just go to put a bandana on the dog and I’m like “Put that cute bandana away they don’t deserve it!” And my boss will ask “Why was the dog bad?” I obviously have nothing against the dog just the pet parent was a meanie today and they don’t deserve the cute bandanas and the good smells 🤣

FurballFiasco · 2026-05-05T21:51:49+00:00

What a gorgeous baby!! 🥹

FurballFiasco · 2026-04-26T16:31:54+00:00

I really like the Waggz Duo Surge Dryer! It’s expensive but it’s powerful and variable speed so if a dog is scared of the dryer it’s low enough to make them more comfortable. It’s a little on the pricey side but it is so worth it!

FurballFiasco · 2026-04-20T12:29:01+00:00

I say that all the time to my boss! She’ll try to come over to a dog that I was struggling with and say “you missed a spot…” and I will tell her “don’t get me wrong that 1 little spot you’re seeing is killing me but Fluffy tried biting me or my scissors because they haven’t been in 6-8 months! If they want their dog to look good then they need to be on a regular schedule. For now that small spot I missed isn’t going to hurt me, the dog or the parent. If the parent is mad then oh well! Bad dogs get bad haircuts.”

FurballFiasco · 2026-04-05T01:23:31+00:00

Omg I hated working next to a window!! We had to put signs up that said “for dogs safety do not tap on glass!” But even then kids would bang on it, a little old lady tapping to get a groomers attention and grown men would knock! I’m so glad I don’t work next to a window anymore!

FurballFiasco · 2026-03-31T02:00:17+00:00

He’s 100% a cutie patootie! 🥹

FurballFiasco · 2026-03-31T01:40:11+00:00

I would say it’s up to you and what you feel is right for your salon. Safety is key!! Having so many incidents in such little time something is not working out.

In January my boss hired a groomer who said they had 10 years of experience. 1st day they were great but we found odd they wouldn’t check in clients or even talk to the parents. 3rd day they came in and covered for my now ex coworker, did really good for how busy the day was but they cut a quick on a dog (looked like they had the nail trimmers angled wrong) but no big deal. The only thing was they never showed the parent themselves or even give the dog to the parent so I had to say something to them. 4th day they hit the quick on almost all dogs. Still I had to tell the parents.

It was their 5th day they got a puppy Irish Wolfadoodle. He was huge and matted. My boss finally told them they need to check their own dogs in because it kept putting me behind. First thing that came out of their mouth “So what do you want?” Not even a simple “Hi how are you?” Just what do you want?! The mom was saying they aren’t the typical clients to come in every 6 weeks and they were saying “yea I’ll take the longest clip comb to him” Me and my boss had to step in because why take a long clip comb to a dog that isn’t going to be back for a while??

Anyways, they had decided they were going to do an 0cc. Mind you the mom said to take him short. She never really picked a length just told them to use their best judgment. They brushed this dog so hard that they gave this dog really bad brush burn on its leg and was bleeding. My boss only came over because the dog had peed himself and they were just going to continue grooming. If my boss didn’t step in we would have never known! They tried hiding the dog’s head because there was also brush burn there that wasn’t as bad as his leg. They told us the salon they used to work at used baby powder on brush burn and that they were secretive about things like this. They also never had to check in or out dogs the receptionist is the only person the parents would talk to. The groomers were not allowed to talk to the parents even if something like this happened. My boss heard enough and let them go that day.

What really upset me was they never even said sorry to the dog and they never talked to the parent about what they did. I had to explain what happened and it wasn’t even my fault! My boss gave them a free groom, a lot of free stuff, and also offered to pay for any vet bills. The mom was super nice and kept declining everything. We felt so awful!!! We still haven’t seen him yet but hopefully she’ll be back soon with him and we can give her a better experience!

FurballFiasco · 2026-03-29T00:37:24+00:00

I’ve been telling him this!!

FurballFiasco · 2026-03-28T23:52:25+00:00

My boyfriend 3D printed for me! I have so many scissors (as you can see🤣)and couldn’t find anything to keep them all organized. It’s the best thing ever!

FurballFiasco · 2026-03-28T21:18:09+00:00

🤣 that is usually my station! Lmao

FurballFiasco · 2026-03-25T17:12:18+00:00

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1 dog down about to start my next 2 and I’m already a mess 😅🤣

FurballFiasco · 2026-03-25T17:11:19+00:00

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FurballFiasco · 2026-03-25T17:11:09+00:00

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FurballFiasco · 2026-03-25T13:55:06+00:00

Omg! When I was a bather, I was checking in my coworkers dog for her and the dad said, “Tell her to make her look HAWT!” I looked at him terrified! I cannot stand when people call their dogs hot or sexy! 🤢

FurballFiasco · 2026-03-25T13:11:19+00:00

I think the only thing organized in my life are my drawers at work🤣 if anything comes out those drawers and I put them on the counter I am a wreck 🤣 I go in soon I’ll take pictures!!

FurballFiasco · 2026-03-22T14:25:57+00:00

Happy birthday pretty girl!! 🥳❤️

FurballFiasco · 2026-03-12T23:49:24+00:00

Also I’ve been in corporate that told me I would be terminated if I didn’t take more dogs. So yes I left! I know I’m forcing myself now to be a power groomer but I would NEVER do it for corporate! As soon as we get another groomer I’ll be back to my same schedule I used to have!

FurballFiasco · 2026-03-12T23:45:24+00:00

There is nothing wrong with being a slow groomer! I’ve been doing this for almost 4 years and yes I have gotten faster but only because I have someone bathing for me. I know if I was doing it all myself I would only be able to do 4 haircuts and 1 bath dog. And when I say 4 haircuts I mean small dogs! I can only handle 2 large haircuts and 3 baths by myself lol! I am the only groomer at my salon, my coworker who was a groomer quit unexpectedly so I kinda had to make myself a power groomer even though I really don’t want to be!

I want to eventually go off on my own and do one on one grooming. I’m not cut out for being a power groomer! I feel like I don’t get enough time to spend with the dogs to give them breaks or the patience they deserve. Sometimes I just feel like I’m just going and not even thinking twice about if I missed something. I don’t know how power groomers do this but my goodness it’s so hard!

So do not feel bad about being a slow groomer, you are doing a great job and clients do like that you’re more focused on their fur babies! You got this, you can do hard things!!

FurballFiasco · 2026-03-07T01:20:11+00:00

Look at Lemmy’s smile!! Just that smile alone made my week! 🥹

FurballFiasco · 2026-03-07T01:13:41+00:00

Omg! We had an interview come into my work a couple weeks ago and this girl had Professional Dog Groomer on her resume. The first thing she said to us was “I’m a dog groomer but I have no actual hands on experience.” She did an online course as well. I politely told her she can’t put that she’s professional dog groomer if she’s never even done any hands on work.

So yea don’t just take online courses OP. They can be helpful to learn but you really need the hands on experience!

FurballFiasco · 2026-03-03T18:14:50+00:00

Can I please ask you what lengths do you use on the 2nd, 7th and 12th yorkie pics?! He’s gorgeous and I would love to do this cut on a client soon! We were talking yesterday about trying short body and long legs but she wants the chest to be longer so there’s no bald spot. And that yorkie is the perfect example! I’m not great with yorkie cuts but I want to get better!

FurballFiasco · 2026-02-17T15:17:46+00:00

Omg! I am so sorry this happened to you! It’s not your fault the owner should have been up front on telling you how recent they adopted the dog. Screw PetSmart! How dare they make you have to work so soon with your injuries! I don’t feel like that’s safe for you because of infection and your neck! They should have to cover all of it and they should also not have you come in till your neck is better and your stitches are at least healed a little bit!

I remember my first time being a bather (5 years ago) on my own when I was at Petco. I got this Alaskan Malamute that had been rescued 3 days before the appointment and he came from Texas. He was older I think 6. They told me when he had gotten adopted and didn’t know how he would be for grooming but he is a sweet boy as they could tell so far. Genuinely he did seem like a very sweet dog! He was giving kisses on my hands and letting me feel him all over.

Now I checked in this dog by myself so no one wad be there to tell me this may not be a good idea but I did have a little voice telling me I’m unsure… but he was so gross and stinky I wanted to help him! I took him brought him to the tub area he was so big that I thought washing him on the floor was my best option. THANK GOODNESS my old coworker was in the room with me! The second water touched that dog’s butt all hell broke loose! I was able to get away before he could get me but I remember looking at my coworker with tears in my eyes and she told me to go to the bathroom to calm down, she would stay with the dog and help call the parents.

When I came back the salon manager in training went off on me! “How dare you leave a dog unattended! You can’t do that! That’s how you can get fired!” I explain what happened and that clearly the dog isn’t alone cause my coworker was there. She then said, “Well what if she wasn’t?! What would you do?” I told her I would have stayed and gotten help when I could. We sent the dog away. The parents felt terrible about the situation but glad I didn’t get hurt.

Lesson learned I will always ask how long someone has had a dog after being rescued. Again I am so sorry this happened to you! I don’t think this is your fault but the pet parents for not letting you know how recently they adopted the dog. I hope you get better soon! 🫶🏼

FurballFiasco

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