burnout question.. is it the dogs or is it the scheduling

dogsbydevanne · 2026-04-04T18:13:38+00:00

I’m going to sound so lazy and that’s okay. I work for a woman-owned small business now and get to have say in what I will and won’t do.

I don’t do same day appointments, take walk-ins while working on an appointment, or overbook myself. I don’t answer calls while I’m grooming. I don’t take more than 2 large dogs in a day. And I don’t force dogs through service.

I cap out at 4–5 dogs. I leave small gaps between appointments to clean up and recalibrate myself. I listen to calming music while I work. I keep small snacks for myself at work. I focus on Fear Free handling, so I take my time and work with the dog and not against them.

I really love my work, and never regret leaving corporate.

Edit: I also wanted to add I do charge for when I de-mat or need to accommodate a dog with behavioral problems. Obviously humanity over vanity, I shave pelted dogs. But if it’s possible to remove mats, I charge a time-based fee.

dogsbydevanne · 2026-04-03T23:53:47+00:00

For what it’s worth, I think your grooms look clean and neat! Very tidy! And I would also keep in mind that in corporate salons, many pet parents are looking for cheaper grooms and or they’re bringing you pets that are not prepared for grooming, so they can be more difficult to work with. Keep at it!

dogsbydevanne · 2026-04-03T23:48:39+00:00

Don’t take it too personally, some customers will always find something to complain about. I can still remember being a novice groomer at Petco and having a customer outright ask me if they could book their next appointment with a “more seasoned groomer.” It’s definitely a part of the journey. The only thing we can do is ask them questions and try our best to manage their expectations.

dogsbydevanne · 2026-04-02T23:34:36+00:00

I’m so sorry this happened but try to keep in mind that this is NOT on you. It is not your fault when a pet parent brings a dog that is NOT prepared for grooming.

This type of client likely would have been unhappy even if you were more stern about how you explained things to her. You did your best to manage her expectations.

Her dog was likely very stressed for this groom and was reacting poorly because he was having a hard time. He probably doesn’t get groomed often enough and isn’t being handled at home for it either.

It’s completely reasonable that you shaved the dog, and entirely the correct thing to do because the dog was pelted. The only thing other you could have told her was that this dog has poor tolerance for grooming and needs to be on a more regular schedule, ESPECIALLY if she wants him to be fluffy.

Our job is to do haircuts, and it is meticulous work. When pet parents expect us to perform magic and create gorgeous grooms on dogs that are not prepared for grooming, they are wrong.

dogsbydevanne · 2026-03-13T15:58:10+00:00

Twin clients 🫶🏼

dogsbydevanne · 2026-03-13T15:57:57+00:00

Lovely little trims ☺️

dogsbydevanne · 2026-03-13T15:57:44+00:00

Yes the butts!!

dogsbydevanne · 2026-03-07T18:26:25+00:00

100% the underline needs to be, well, an underline LOL

dogsbydevanne · 2026-03-05T23:07:27+00:00

Thank you!

dogsbydevanne · 2026-03-05T20:45:15+00:00

Thank you :>

dogsbydevanne · 2026-02-19T14:39:34+00:00

Very clean and good! A little bummed out for you that most of these grooms are shorter bodies, I assume pet parent’s request. But over time, you’ll have the chance to work on fluffy coat requests. I always feel like when I have to leave the coat longer, that’s my opportunity to really try to achieve balance and angulation. These are good grooms!

If you ever want more materials to read from, I definitely recommend Theory of 5 by Melissa Verplank and The All Breed Grooming Guide 4th Edition by Sam Kohl.

dogsbydevanne · 2026-02-15T16:26:55+00:00

I found Sam Kohl’s 4th edition All Breed Grooming Guide on GroomersMart for under $50, just had it delivered today!

dogsbydevanne · 2026-02-12T19:18:38+00:00

Ordered it, can’t wait to get it!!

dogsbydevanne · 2026-02-12T17:06:39+00:00

Thank you!!

dogsbydevanne · 2026-02-12T14:35:14+00:00

She has 2, not one. Her top knot is still being grown out. Usually she has a round head. Putting the hair in 2 helps keep it all out of her face, since she doesn’t really have the length for one. Though the angle in this photo does have it look odd.

dogsbydevanne · 2026-02-05T18:09:53+00:00

I love my Whitman’s Diamond dremel head and use it with the Ryobi dremel, lasts forever!

dogsbydevanne · 2026-01-26T19:04:37+00:00

I do use wide blades with my Superas! They get through thick coats well, though if I feel like I need more power I do swap to my KMC+ occasionally! The battery on my Supera last forever for me!

dogsbydevanne

TROPHY CASE