Introduction
Welcoming a new dog into your grooming salon is a big deal for all involved.
To make sure every pup has the best possible experience from the get-go, it’s essential to get to know them before their first appointment.
My pre-grooming session questionnaire is an amazing tool to help professional groomers prepare for their very first appointment with a prospective dog by ensuring that expectations are realistic, important health and behavioural needs are disclosed and that the groomer is comfortable with accepting this new client.
While some groomers resist the idea of making time for a pre-grooming questionnaire, I strongly advise my students to integrate them into their processes to help save time in the long run, and now I’m going to explain why that is.
Why Use a Pre-Grooming Questionnaire?
The HGA Pre-grooming questionnaires involve a series of very specific questions that allow the dog carer to expand on their expectations and needs prior to scheduling in and committing to a grooming appointment. When it comes to holistic groomers specifically, having a very specific skill set means that all clients must share in the HGA philosophy, including its core values.
Time is inevitably wasted when groomers don’t first get to know a prospective client through a 15-minute Zoom/Phone conversation – understanding what to expect allows the groomer to prepare accordingly and help to make sure that their grooming space is set up with the individual dog in mind.
Customer Expectations – Is This The Right Client For You?
One of the first things you should be asking yourself is whether the dog and the carer are the right fit for you.
Understanding not only what the dog carer expects but also what the dog’s needs’ are helps you to make a decision based on your own experience, confidence and limitations.
For example, if you don’t have the confidence to work with nervous dogs then you can find out whether a dog is nervous by simply asking the carer the question and avoid finding out when they are at your salon and it’s already too late.
Equally, if you are passionate about working with nervous dogs and have specialised training in safe handling protocol, then you might only be searching for dogs requiring those amazing skills. A carer who is interested in having their Poodle groomed in a full Continental, will not be for you.
Setting clear goals as to what the right client looks like for you and your business, and then asking the right questions prior to scheduling in any sessions will help to weed out all of the clients who would be better with one of your recommended alternatives, leaving you wide open to embrace the clients you really want.
Individual Preparation
Because every dog is unique and requires their own grooming approach, it makes sense to gather as much information prior to meeting a dog.
By learning about their health, history, and behaviour, you can set up your grooming space to suit their needs before they even enter your salon, and first impressions are just as important for dogs as they are for humans.
Having your grooming space set up to consider a dog’s phobias, likes and dislikes enables you to confidently welcome a new client into the grooming space without fear of alarming them to unknown triggers.
As a famous philosopher said, “failing to prepare, is preparing to fail”.
With the information you collect using the questionnaire, you will be able to design a Freework session that really speaks to the needs of the dog you have scheduled in, helping to build trust quicker.
The Next Steps
Once you have established whether a dog and carer is the right fit, arranging a Meet & Treat session is the first step in building a long-lasting grooming relationship.
Once the dog carer has experienced such a positive, dog-centred session with you, they will feel confident in your ability to care for their dog in the best possible way.
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