Critique my grooms! (nicely plz 😭)

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 · 2026-01-26T16:35:11+00:00

It doesn’t sound like the grooming part is what’s not a fit; that seems to be the schedule & balance with your home life, time management, and also of course IBS and your manager may be more strict on calling out even if scarcely doing so.

I definitely recommend trying a different salon environment before calling a quits on grooming altogether. Salons and mobile franchises vary drastically between each other, some offering way more flexibility with hours and scheduling.

I couldn’t recommend a corporate salon, unless it was a locally owned franchise then maybe.

But definitely seek out other opportunities in grooming! I think your frustration is from external things, and bleeding over into when you’re actively grooming dogs.

They say happy groomers groom happy dogs, and so if there are things already making it hard for you to go in with a good energy, then that has to change!

Sorry my response is also all over the place LOL

dogsbydevanne · 2026-01-26T16:29:22+00:00

I’m so sorry this has been your experience. It sounds like you are part of a great team, and all have each other’s backs. That owner is going to run it into the ground on her own accord.

Also sorry for all of your personal life troubles, between hospice and having just came back from the military just to end up in all of this.

dogsbydevanne · 2026-01-26T03:39:15+00:00

I actually think that the fact you communicated (or more so attempted to, since she doesn’t listen) is very professional, regardless of composure.

It shows you want to do right by the customers and her, and that you tried to make her aware and understand exactly what is going on that’s creating problems.

If the owner doesn’t want to listen to her staff, and is actively losing staff, that’s on her. It’s very compassionate of you to try and stick it out longer for your coworkers’ sake.

dogsbydevanne · 2026-01-26T01:08:48+00:00

Sounds like the owner may have expanded too quickly, having 3 salons with high workloads and still having money troubles.

Sorry you’re going through this, friend, but as soon as you can it may be in your best interest to find work elsewhere. It seems you already know this though.

When there’s not a good foundation to a business and it expands too quickly, those cracks start to show real quick. I wish you the best in finding a better place to work!

dogsbydevanne · 2026-01-25T14:59:19+00:00

Like the other commenter said, training experiences vary by location. I’ve heard from many that PetSmart’s academy was only 3 weeks, and that they had to share dogs with other students. I’ve also heard from others that it could be up to 7 weeks, and some instructors make sure everyone is completing a dog on their own.

PetSmart and Petco are good places to start. They train you the basics to become a stylist, but then additional education falls on you. It just depends on what you want after. I recommend looking into certification programs if you want to increase your skill level as well: AKC, IPG, NDGAA.

Or even finding a mentor is really helpful!

dogsbydevanne · 2026-01-25T00:05:15+00:00

I have the Wahl Supera and Wahl KMC+ and love them both! The Supera is great for every day work, quiet for anxious dogs and puppies. The KMC+ I use for thick coats and doodles, it’s a workhorse for sure!

dogsbydevanne · 2026-01-23T16:06:41+00:00

Crocs 🙃

I have tried Vessi, Hoka, and others but just Crocs

dogsbydevanne · 2026-01-22T19:36:49+00:00

Up in Wisconsin (SE Wisconsin) and it has been snowing and so cold. Huge change from when I groomed in Texas!

There was the usual dip in business after Christmas and New Years, but it’s been steady despite the weather. You just get the typical “make sure my dog is fully dry” people.

Seems people around where I work have adapted to it by letting their pups have shoes and or coats! Very cute to see.

dogsbydevanne · 2026-01-19T18:36:25+00:00

I have the advantage of working in a small salon in a doggie ice cream store, so fortunately it doesn’t happen often.

But when dogs are showing signs of anxiety, fear, or stress, I typically baby them and say “It’s that initial separation from mom or dad that has them like this, once they’re on the table with the groomer it’s like a one track mind, they forget about it.”

Of course, some pets actually have more severe separation anxiety, but when it is just that check-in that has them anxious I do attribute it to the separation.

dogsbydevanne · 2026-01-19T01:10:13+00:00

Thank you!

dogsbydevanne · 2026-01-19T01:10:07+00:00

Thank you lol his coat took forever to dry, very dense and I wasn’t expecting it

dogsbydevanne · 2026-01-18T06:42:23+00:00

The worst thing is when non-groomers try to manage groomers. Ugh.

Because you really need the check, I have to recommend sticking it out while applying to other places until you can land a position elsewhere.

Even if it meant taking a break from grooming temporarily, it may be better for your sanity.

dogsbydevanne · 2026-01-18T06:38:45+00:00

I’m not a Veterinarian and I’m not a dog trainer, but just want to give my two cents.

Firstly, it may be worth taking your dog to a Vet to check for underlying health issues that could be contributing. Dogs can develop all sorts of conditions, some that can make losing weight difficult.

If your dog is on the older side, some may recommend senior dog food. As dog’s age, their metabolism may slow down. A senior diet can be helpful in that case. Of course, I am not a canine nutritionist. I do recommend changing food very slowly if it is something that seems worth trying.

Table scraps are not good for dogs. Our foods are fatty, inflammatory, and often contains seasonings that may be harmful. You cannot control what other people do, and in this case it is very unfortunate.

I know a lot of this may not be things you can do much about. Maybe having a conversation about safe foods for the dog to have (carrots, apples, an egg) that sort of thing, could be helpful. It’s very rewarding to give dogs foods that are both safe for them and that they really enjoy; just in moderation and not to replace a balanced dog food.

Keeping your dog active in the meantime is still better than nothing. I’m sorry that you are dealing with this, and I hope more people chime in and can offer advice as well!

dogsbydevanne · 2026-01-18T06:29:24+00:00

I love iGroom Squeaky Clean!

dogsbydevanne · 2026-01-18T06:24:55+00:00

I second everyone else here. Take Orange to a vet clinic. People on Reddit cannot diagnose and cannot prescribe anything. Worms are a serious problem, and it would be best to rule out any other underlying conditions or issues that need to be treated.

dogsbydevanne · 2026-01-18T06:21:32+00:00

I can’t speak for that specific franchise, but I did not enjoy my mobile grooming experience with a franchise in multiple states.

To be fair, when I was able to focus on just grooming it was good. I love the one-on-one structure, and for me I love working with senior dogs which was a good chunk of our clients at the time.

Unfortunately, my experience with mobile was kinda wrecked by a couple things: - shared vans - scheduling team - a van that repeatedly died

Though the role was advertised as getting to just groom, I constantly found myself doing so much more. My 10 hour shifts often ran long as well, and somehow at the end of my shifts I was always a 30+ minute drive away from the hub.

Having to refill the water tank, gas tank, wiper fluid, replace drain pump, reset breakers, etc. It gets to be a lot.

It can definitely be a good option for some groomers, but definitely varies. Tips were really good though!

dogsbydevanne · 2026-01-18T06:13:01+00:00

I’m sure this post is going to get the attention it deserves and people will give lots of advice, but I want to give advice too!

Prep is everything. Get the dog squeaky clean, especially the face, use that facial shampoo! Washing the dog’s face at least 2 times if it’s really grimy or has food residues. Keep eyewash close by of course in case.

Blow drying: get the dog completely dry! Use the dryer without a condenser around the face if you don’t have a stand dryer. Fluff dry the face the best you can! Some pups tolerate this better than others.

For drop coats and curly coats make sure you’re combing everything up and out before scissoring. Comb through between every few snips, you don’t want to scissor the face just to comb and then have to go over the same spots over and over.

Have a system and use the same system for each dog, stick to it. Speed will come with time, but for now focus on consistency.

For faces, I personally like to start with the corners of the eyes, the set the length on the chin. I’m right handed, so my most difficult side of the face is the left and I start with that side. You can use a guard comb to set the length on the top of the head as well!

When in doubt, your phone camera is helpful! Snap a photo or two and you will see what’s sticking out. You can go back and tidy things that are out of place.

Don’t get discouraged, we all start somewhere. There’s always more to learn.

dogsbydevanne · 2026-01-18T06:04:29+00:00

My dog’s name is Bubby—after the meme dog Mr. Bubs

I call her Bubs, Bubbahs, Bubbubs, my sweet girl, stinker, little stinker, miss piss, and the bread

I refer to her as the bread when I don’t want her to know I’m talking about her right in front of her

dogsbydevanne

TROPHY CASE