Job try out advice.... dog grooming assistant.

[deonk1]

Hey all, I'm so excited, a local dog groomers is looking for someone to do the bathing and drying of dogs, so I called her, and I'm trying out tomorrow.

Any advice? I'm used to bathing my little Harley, but I've never actually bathed a big dog.

I've groomed horses before, so I'm sure I'll pick it up, but I'd love to not make a fool of myself tomorrow.

[lovespandp]

Congrats!

I did that when I was 19ish, It was pretty fun, you learn all the types of breeds! The only thing is it really messed my back up My only advise is never pick a big dog up by yourself! I was the only one working in the back and I would have to always pick up the larger breeds by myself.

[deonk1]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

Congrats!

I did that when I was 19ish, It was pretty fun, you learn all the types of breeds! The only thing is it really messed my back up My only advise is never pick a big dog up by yourself! I was the only one working in the back and I would have to always pick up the larger breeds by myself.

Thanks, yeah I'm doing 4 online courses this summer to finish my degree and I'm writing the LSAT all before the end of June, so this may be the perfect part time job to keep me alive :P

I used to have an indoor riding facility (mom owns it, I moved out) so lifting was a HUGE part of my job, so I'll make sure I don't over do it with the big guys.
I really hope I don't make a fool of myself, I've never used professional equipment before, like when I blow dry Harley I let him run around me and jump into the wind of the dryer mind you I don't have a proper grooming table either

[MI Yorkielover]

Good Luck on your try out . Be sure to talk to your "clients" using their names while you work so the groomer will see you enjoy working with dogs.

[deonk1]

Originally Posted by MI Yorkielover

Good Luck on your try out . Be sure to talk to your "clients" using their names while you work so the groomer will see you enjoy working with dogs.

So long as you mean the dogs names I'm good, people names.... ah I can't remember those to save my life. lol.

[Lou]

Kendra,
Have you checked out Youtube? I swear they have video instructions on everything under the sun!

[lovespandp]

Everything is pretty easy to use, I wouldn't stress about it!


Yes remember the dogs name, always be happy to see them. Make the client feel content on leaving her baby at the groomer. You will do fine!!

[CouversMom]

I've been thinking of doing something like this during the summer (I'm a teacher) so let me know how it goes! I think it would be great to have a fun, no stress job like this for a little bit of a break

[chattiesmom]

Congratulations on the interview and good luck. Remember bathing a big dog is like bathing a small horse -- worry more about bites than kicks

[AlicetheYorkie]

It's so funny, just today I applied for a part-time job as a grooming assistant I'm a stay-at-home-mom but we need a little extra income. I do have some experience since the clinic I worked as a vet tech for a few years ago (before my son was born) did some basic grooming for clients. Plus, I rode horses too when I was a teenager so that was my first experience. You'll do fine I'm sure they'll show you how to use everything first. As you already know, yes, watch your back with the big guys is the first thing. The blowdryers can be pretty loud and forcefull for the big dogs (alot stronger than a hair dryer) so don't be shocked by that LOL. Rince REALLY well especially on the thick coated dogs. Other than that, have fun and good luck

[deonk1]

Thanks everyone, I'm getting excited. I'm a little worried that it wont be feasible, cause I just mapped it, and of course it's a lot further away that I thought it would be, it's about 20 minutes, if there is no traffic. My plan today is to fill my car full and then refill when I get home to see how much it will cost me in gas to travel there.
So here are all the questions I've prepared:
-what is salary?
-how often is pay?
-what are the hours & days? & Business hours of operation?
-will I be an employee or entrepreneurial contract?
-Are there any office/admin/business duties that you may also need assistance with (she's a small business) and I'm a business student.

Any thing else you can think of that I need to know before making a decision. I figure if it's weekly pay but a lower wage I can live with it, I'd rather be an employee, cause entrepreneurial contracts mess up income tax (had a bad working experience last year), and also I definitely want to know roughly what my schedule will be, the last small business I worked for screwed me by not giving me a schedule (same bad experience) where I was just asked every day, when the next time I can come in is.

Sorry for the long blurb, I just want to be good and prepared, and I don't want to get stuck in a job that will cost me more in gas to get there. Thank god it's a bit of highway driving, it may not cost as much to get there that way.

[AllDogBoots]

I just want to wish you good luck!

[stanziog]

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

I just want to wish you good luck!

me too!!!!

[gemy]

Originally Posted by deonk1

Thanks everyone, I'm getting excited. I'm a little worried that it wont be feasible, cause I just mapped it, and of course it's a lot further away that I thought it would be, it's about 20 minutes, if there is no traffic. My plan today is to fill my car full and then refill when I get home to see how much it will cost me in gas to travel there.
So here are all the questions I've prepared:
-what is salary?
-how often is pay?
-what are the hours & days? & Business hours of operation?
-will I be an employee or entrepreneurial contract?
-Are there any office/admin/business duties that you may also need assistance with (she's a small business) and I'm a business student.

Any thing else you can think of that I need to know before making a decision. I figure if it's weekly pay but a lower wage I can live with it, I'd rather be an employee, cause entrepreneurial contracts mess up income tax (had a bad working experience last year), and also I definitely want to know roughly what my schedule will be, the last small business I worked for screwed me by not giving me a schedule (same bad experience) where I was just asked every day, when the next time I can come in is.

Sorry for the long blurb, I just want to be good and prepared, and I don't want to get stuck in a job that will cost me more in gas to get there. Thank god it's a bit of highway driving, it may not cost as much to get there that way.

Good questions: How about tipping by customers is it allowed?

Back to the big dog questions: Can you give me an idea of the range of breeds that you groom? How do you usually handle the heavier dogs, in terms of moving in and out of the bathing area? Is there a ramp, or stairs?

What is your policy on muzzling? Do you have various sizes of muzzles available if necessary?

are the dogs crated before bath, and after blow dry grooming?

Do you know pet CPR? Do you expect me to know it?

do you have a basic first aid kit, and where is it kept?

What is the work flow like? How many dogs would I be expected to wash/blow dry in a row?

Oh and for me, want to come to my house to learn how to wash and blow dry a large double coated breed?

[AlicetheYorkie]

I think you have a good list there I'd just add (coming from someone who's worked for a few small business owners before) what specificaly will be your job duties and what will you be expected to fill any idle time doing. My experience with small businesses is that sometimes you end up being expected to do practicaly everything and anything, especially if the place has a really small staff. I definatly consider myself a "self-starter" and can figure out quickly what needs to be done, but I have run into issues where it wasn't fully explained what was expected of me and I'd do something that I thought I should and then told it wasn't my job or the opposite. The biggest key to that is just communication from day 1.

I know what you mean about it being worth the drive too. I had a part time job in our mall and I loved it, but at retail's minimum wage and short shifts combined with a 15 - 20 minute drive, my hubby convinced me it just wasn't worth it.

Hope it works out for you!