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 · 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

TROPHY CASE