One of the biggest mistakes I see in grooming salons isn’t actually grooming related… it’s the lack of clear policies and expectations with clients. As groomers, we spend so much time learning handling skills, coat prep and technique, but very little time learning how to properly communicate boundaries and expectations with owners. Yet this is often what determines whether a groom runs smoothly or turns into a stressful experience for everyone involved. Policies are not there to punish clients. They are there to protect the dog, the groomer and the relationship between both. Things like late arrival policies, matting procedures, behavioural expectations, cancellation policies and realistic grooming outcomes all matter. If clients don’t understand what to expect before the appointment, frustration and conflict become much more likely. Pre framing conversations are incredibly important in behavioural grooming. If a dog struggles for nails, hates the dryer or becomes overwhelmed during the process, owners need to understand what that may look like before the groom even starts. This allows us to advocate for the dog while also setting realistic expectations for the owner. Sometimes the most professional thing you can do as a groomer is clearly explain what you will NOT do. Clear communication creates consistency. Consistency builds trust. And trust creates safer, calmer grooming experiences for everyone involved. A good salon policy isn’t about control. It’s about creating structure, safety and transparency so both the groomer and the client are working toward the same outcome.

Hygiene in the salon isn’t just about looking clean… it’s about safety, skin health, and the overall experience for the dog. Every dog that walks through your door brings their own microbiome with them. Bacteria, yeast, parasites, environmental dirt… it all transfers. If we’re not actively managing hygiene, we’re not just grooming dogs, we’re passing things between them. This is where a lot of salons get caught out. The focus is often on the groom itself, but hygiene is what protects the outcome. Clean tools matter. Not just “no hair on them” clean, but properly disinfected between dogs. Clippers, blades, scissors, brushes… these sit directly on the skin. If you’re working on a dog with irritation, infection, or even just compromised skin, and then move onto the next without cleaning, you’re increasing risk whether you realise it or not. Bathing areas matter. Hydrobaths and tubs can hold bacteria if they’re not cleaned correctly throughout the day. That “dog smell” that lingers in some salons isn’t normal, it’s a sign something isn’t being maintained properly. Drying areas matter. Towels reused without proper washing, high velocity dryers blowing around dander and debris… it all contributes. You’re not just drying a dog, you’re moving particles through the air and onto the next one. And then there’s the environment itself. Floors, tables, leads, crates. If a stressed dog urinates, drools excessively, or has an accident, that needs to be cleaned properly, not just wiped over. Hygiene ties directly into behaviour as well. A dog already feeling unsure doesn’t need to be standing in the scent or residue of the dog before them. Good hygiene supports the nervous system. Clean, fresh environments reduce overwhelm. It helps dogs settle quicker, recover faster, and have a better overall experience. It also protects you. Your skin, your lungs, your long-term health. Groomers are exposed to everything that comes through the salon. What you breathe in and what sits on your hands all day adds up over time.

One of the biggest mistakes I see across all experience levels is rushing the prep stage to “get to the groom.” I get it. You’re busy, you’re running behind, the dog isn’t easy, and you just want to move forward. But here’s the truth. Prep work is the groom. Everything that follows your finish, your timing, the dog’s behaviour, and even your safety comes back to how well you prepared that dog. The coat tells the story If the coat isn’t properly prepped, you’re working against it the entire time. Dirty, compacted, or poorly dried coats don’t cut evenly. They blunt your blades faster, leave lines, and create an inconsistent finish. They also take longer to fix later. A properly bathed, conditioned(yes I said conditioned), and dried coat lifts and separates cleanly. Your tools glide, your finish improves, and your overall time decreases. You can’t shortcut physics. If the coat isn’t ready, the result won’t be either. Prep is not one size fits all This is where technique really matters, and where a lot of outcomes are either made or lost. Curly coats such as oodles and bichons need to be dried up and out if you want that full, plush finish. This stretches and straightens the curl, creating lift, volume, and a clean scissor result. Drop coats like Maltese, Shih Tzu, and Yorkies need to be dried down and in the direction of the coat to encourage them to fall flat and smooth. If you’re working on a Maltese and you blow dry the coat upwards but expect it to sit flat, you’re working against the natural lay of the coat. You’ve already made the groom harder before you even begin clipping. You’re not just drying the dog. You’re setting the final result before you even pick up a blade. What changed everything for me One of the biggest shifts in my grooming came from what I learnt at PIGA in Malaysia. The level of attention given to coat prep completely changed how I viewed grooming. It wasn’t rushed or treated as basic. It was intentional. Every movement during prep had a purpose that directly influenced the end result.

Hello lovely groomers! ✨ I wanted to give you a little sneak peek at something we’ve been working on behind the scenes… Our 6-week POA Method™ course is on its way 👀 This course is designed to help you better understand behaviour in the salon, read dogs with more confidence, and make clearer, more intentional decisions when things start to escalate. We’re aiming for a launch at the end of June, so keep an eye out for updates as we get closer! 📅 Sundays- each session will go for roughly 1-2hrs ⏰ 2pm QLD time There’s a lot going into this and I’m really excited to finally bring it to you all. More details coming soon… 👏

Good morning lovely groomers 🐾 Life has definitely been doing its thing lately… school holidays, busy salons and everything in between. I’ve sat down a few times to write something meaningful, only to get pulled away and never quite make it back to it. So instead of overthinking it, I just wanted to check in with you all. What are you currently struggling with in your grooming? What would you genuinely love to learn more about right now? Let’s open it up and give you the space to help shape what comes next. Your input matters here, and this is exactly how we make sure the support we give actually helps you in real time. Also just a little heads up, we’re currently working on putting together an online Zoom course. With fuel prices and travel becoming more of a challenge, we’re reworking how we deliver things so we can still support you properly. It’s still early stages, but the plan is to run it over a few weeks so we can really slow things down and go deeper into the POA Method and behavioural grooming., we’re breaking it down so you can apply it properly! Well that’s it for now! Can’t wait for your responses! What you put in you will get back. Have a beautiful day groomers,and remember… you support the dog, and we support you 🖤