Alexandra's Pet Grooming Salon

06/16/2024

06/16/2024

Can you see the difference of stress levels?
Pictures taken 8 weeks apart. Lower stress level on the second.
Every pet feels stress when going for a groom.
Stress can start as soon as the pet leaves the house, car ride, separation anxiety, noise, standing on a hard surface etc.
They all feel better by the end of the grooming process and are super happy to see the parent again, some won't leave without asking for their liver treat, but all have stress for many different reasons and that is why a grooming schedule that fits your pet is important.

05/30/2024

Due to unforeseen medical events I have to shuffle my schedule, your next appointment(s) might have a different time or time and date. Please pay attention to your reminder communication. All you need to know about changes will be there. Any questions please use messenger, email or text. Comments on this post will not be answered.

My friend Walter pic for some attention

03/29/2024

Wishing you all a very Happy Easter weekend

03/20/2024

My mother asked me to sell her exercise bike, I am posting Here before elsewhere in case someone is interested. In perfect clean and working condition

03/16/2024

Late Friday night hand scissored groom. 🙂

03/09/2024

We grew this boy winter long.
He normally gets a black tuxedo in the warmer months.

Parent instructions at drop off: shave ( I like to call it a black tuxedo because he looks amazing) , take skirt, all feathers out except the front and leave a shaggy head.

Groomer 🤔🤔( knowing you can always cut shorter but you can't put back)
What a waste of a good length to do something different, check out the back leg detail to see what I am talking about.

This is what this beautiful boy went home like.
Mom loved it.

03/09/2024

It's been busy....
But we got some pictures this week to welcome spring
As usual, phone is not picked up while working
Please text, email or use messenger.

03/09/2024

Grooming and stress!! 💩 sometimes happens when a pet is extremely stressed, normally when the dryer is on, one of the things that we can't do without.
This pet in particular did not reacted to the dryer by crocodile rolling, screaming or biting but was stressed due to separation anxiety through the full groom.

Stress is very hard for your pet and the groomer. A consistent schedule for the pet to get comfortable and the groomer to get to know your pet, discussion about previous grooming experiences and pet behavior is very important. Of your not getting this information when you pick up your pet at a groomer make sure to ask how he did.

Every pet reacts to one thing or another.

03/09/2024

Warm season is here and so are ticks and fleas.
Not everyone can identify a tick when they see one.
Easy for me as a groomer and being born in a country where we have ticks year round.
This is what a tick could look like when attached to your pet. This tick looks like to be about 4 to 5 days old.

03/04/2024

Congratulations to me ( so far) 😅 all March appointments are entered.
Please check if everything is in order with what you have.
Changes were only made on request or with your confirmation. If it looks wrong....it's wrong.

Also remember to click the link for 2024 changes.

😀😀

02/26/2024

As my normal 🙃 behind with messages replies, still don't answer the phone if I have a dog on hands and will get back to everyone when I am focused with appointments and messages ( normally end if day, early morning)

02/16/2024

This can be a long post, but I find it needed information for parents and needed information to every groomer out there.

For the 2024 appointments coming to you soon you will find a link with the grooming agreement, please refresh and only do a new one if your information changed.

ALSO there is a link with the changes I felt were necessary to do this year. I find that very few clients read either one, they just sign and off the document goes

PLEASE, please, stay informed to avoid surprises when you come in ( if any of the changes are applicable to you)

Clients that have been with me since my volunteer days ( school time) know that I religiously take the week of my Birthday way to rest my hands, my ears from loud noise, my legs from standing so long all day and to pamper myself and my mother , as she has been a great help with the shop, not just by helping me clean towels but also the moral support some of the more anxious dogs need such has being distracted to do nails....
With all this being said, the resting time is slip into 2.....

1 rest and enjoy a little
2 catch up on paper work.

Before coming I dropped off my pets at a boarding facility that also grooms. It is the only time I have to speak with another groomer that is not worried about sharing success and worries with me.

The success is that there are so many dogs and we need more good skilled groomers in our area. We are busy.

One if the worries is that we always have in common is the financial side of the business.
One on one groomers tend to cut themselves short because we are in a smaller town, or we think that if we charge our worth that the parent is not able to take as good care of their pet because the grooming industry is consider a "luxury" I personally consider it a necessity, we help and do what the pet parent can't do to keep their pets healthy and many times find bumps that can be a health problem for the pet....such has cancer 😏 and we are able to direct or recommend a vet visit. I know it's hard for a parent to see this things with all the fur. Thankfully we can when we bath and blow dry, scam your pets body throughly.

Back to Financials... everyone expects a price increase in January and February mostly. Just like your tim Hortons coffee ( I eard it went up twice already this year).

However, we humans are always ready to " pay the less the better".
And expect that the price given the year prior or even 2 years ago is for life and when coming for the appointment make it awkward for the groomer or receptionist to add the price increase and even in some cases parents argue the price.

The questions:
what do I owe you today?
What is my new price?
How can I upkeep my pet healthy and save on cost?

Go a long way to your groomers, hair dressers etc.
The discussion of why the price is higher today then last 2023 groom or going forward groom is always open. Different size trim, different schedule, pet is older and not as cooperative, parent was very late dropping off or picking up without an agreement between groomer and parent.....the list goes on.

Asking: how much today? Is a question that I consider a courtesy. A tip is a token of your appreciation towards your groomers and how they take care of your pet, but we don't survive on tips as more then 50% don't tip. So we appreciate very much, but don't expect.
However services need to be paid out of the parent pocket, not the groomer.

all that is included on a service that is "one on one" or a shop that does not offer upgrades ( however researches the best products for your pet) is: ( at my shop)

Bath with natural shampoos until your pet is clean ( normally 2 bathes)
Conditioner while in the tub
Head and body massage
Conditioner before drying to restore your pets skin and coat
Conditioner before drying to repel snow in the winter time or Conditioner for the UV rays in the warmer weather
Paw and nose cream
Ears cleaned
Trim to your liking or full deshead for double coats ( all double coats have the desheading treatment while bathing) ( specific breed and hand scissor work available at an extra cost for 2024)
Cologne unless not wanted
Shine spray Conditioner to help keep your brushing at home easier
Liver treats unless asked not to
Patience and extra time
Special handling training for difficult pets and senior, puppies, disabled pets and pets that are not used to being handled
First Aid,
pet insurance in case your pet gets hurt due to groomer negligence ( does not include your pet hurting himself due to behavior) ( video is provided for parent to understand how the pet reacts)
A picture is we have time and an accessory.

All this is included in the 1.45m to 2 hours ( average small pet)

On top a groomer has to:
1. Give your portion of HST paid back to the goverment( because busy shops are over the "no hst bracket) and the government likes our money

2. The 45% increase from the sharpener ( because gas went up and she is mobile )
3. Utilities increase ( we use premium times usage by 95%)
4. Our property taxes that go up ( without property there is no shop to groom) and license renewals
5. Wow, just those 4 buckets of salt in the winter daily to keep the entrance safe)🤑🤑
6. The property insurance, because they know you run a business at your property
7. Pet insurance
8. Equipment maintenance
9. Replacement of equipment
10.medical ( physiotherapist, chiropractor, antibiotic ( when that bite gets infected) and sometimes time off due to being injured by a pet and not being able to work with the pain
11. Lost of income because of " no show"
12. No kennels
13. No cage drying

And this post could go on for ever. So I am going to end it with this short story.

Between feb last year and Feb of this year my hair went up by $75 , I only visit her 4 times a year,sometimes 3 depending on my free time , this means $50 up for 2023 and $25 for 2024.
I asked how much is today and paid 😊, treated my hairdresser just the same as always with an appreciation token.
My hair was 1.45m
While seating there, though different but similar industries we also chatted about product price and maintenance sky rocking, how we struggle to put the price up and how clients expect the price to never go up and make us feel bad at the end of the day.

A client does the math like this.

Parent math
65 for a sh*tzu x 5 sh*tzus ( 10 hours work depending on pet) = 325.
A groomers math :
5 sh*tzus at 65 = 325
hydro, gas, water, insurance, shampoo, conditioner , sharpener, operating costs 63% ( depending of your over head) $199

So cleaner math:

5 pets at 65 a day ( 10 hours for all the pampering)

325 charged
199 expenses
126 total wage for your groomer

$126 divided by 10 hours grooming ( not including cleaning, sanitizing , office work etc time)

Your groomer is at some cases making $12.60 per hour.
This is less then minimum wage to get scratched and bite, but to do what we love doing.

So please pet parents, be courteous to your groomers, ask what you are paying for and don't assume that home groomers have no skills, proper equipment, expenses. Grooming business is not a " get rich" kind of business so dont expect to pay a price of a big Mac meal when you ask for a quote when you call and wish to become a new client.

For a pet parent that gets a 5 or 10 dollar increase and goes to a shop 4 times a year, this could be 20 or 40 dollars to you.
To a registered business this could mean keeping the doors open, your groomer working less hours and extending her life as a groomer for more years, keep loving what they do because there is no burn out etc etc.

Sum of it all:

Be kind and respectful to anyone that provides a service to you!!
Cheers everyone

02/13/2024

It's cold and we all like to keep our pets longer and sometimes stretch the grooming appointments. It's a good idea?....maybe...yes...but not without home maintenance with brushing and nail clipping for those paws to keep healthy.
Parents sometimes have a hard time identifying mates and pelted coat, so I leave you here a couple pictures of what it looks like. It's painfull for your pet and very discomfortble for them on a daily basis and they will not enjoy their groom session. Grooming should be as less stressful for your dog as possible.
Also, extra long coats, matted , pelted could turn out on a shorter trim or your wallet hurting a little extra when you come in due to overdue and bad coat condition fees.
Most important, brushing at home is healthy. Happy bonding time with your pet. Trust me...every dog and cat loves brushing. Make sure you have the proper brush for your dog's coat and if not, ask your groomer to help you selecting a brush that works and some brushing techniques that will make brushing at home enjoyable for both pet and parent. Cheers!
*this pictures are from a coat left 5/8" long on a schedule of 6 weeks. Pets that don't enjoy brushing and parents busy schedule makes it hard to keep up long coats. So it is recommended to have a schedule for the length you wish, maintenance mini groom in between ( if parents are not able to brush) and don't stretch the schedule to avoid discomfort to your pet.

01/17/2024

A couple weeks late, but....Happy New Year!!

12/24/2023

I want to wish all my clients a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
It was an amazing year and I am looking forward to 2024.
I wish you all good health, peace and happiness for 2024

12/02/2023

It's been busy so the shop got an assistant yesterday.
Some things are just herd not to share.❤

11/23/2023

Christmas is coming!!!

10/09/2023

With this beautiful guys I finish my working week and wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving Day.
I am truly blessed and thankful for all "my" pets.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

09/14/2023

We are open, just busy with pets. Will get to my messages as soon as possible.

07/21/2023

The salon will be closed until August 2nd.

06/28/2023

There is no room to squeeze anyone in with a late booking.

Just the reminder that as off April I am booking 8 weeks ahead.

If you don't book when you pick up your pet it is difficult to book you in. Most clients are booking ahead till end of the year.

06/21/2023

Sweet Piper was in yesterday and mom put a smile on my face with this video. 😘😘

06/21/2023

Update:
All caught up with text messages.
Messenger had some sort of problem and messages from June 16th only arrived today.

If you texted or messaged me before this date and I haven't replied, please reach out.

By end of this week clients will start getting the reminders again

Some 😍

05/29/2023

Best therapy you could have
Thank you❤

05/04/2023

Butterscotch is one of my long time girls, she used to come in for a fluffy groom, with age, she now comes in for a comfort groom. Still the same beautiful and sweet girl💖

05/03/2023

Super sweet girl❤