Dog Groomer Opens Customers' Eyes To Issues They're Ignoring

When it comes to grooming our pets, not everyone realizes priming and preening comes at a cost. Groomers juggle the cleanliness, attractiveness, and health of their clients, who happen to be totally unpredictable animals. So even though they are dog lovers, their jobs come with Great Dane-sized challenges. One groomer from Copenhagen grew frustrated by pet parents hounding her about the cost of her services. Tired of explaining the intricacies of her job, she came up with a way to train her customers into understanding that a dog groomer isn't a hairdresser, and what she did made an impression customers wouldn't soon forget!

Pro groomer

Laura Gedgaudaite feels proud to have a job beautifying every dog breed around. Working as a groomer provides her with endless opportunities to scratch dog bellies and watch the heartbreaking sweetness of an anxious dog finally relaxing and wagging its tail. It also allowed her to see a side of animals that few pet lovers ever got a glimpse of.

Busy bee

On the pamperer's end of the dog grooming business, it's not always so relaxing. Ensuring the comfort and safety of the dog and themselves can be a complex, physically exhausting challenge.

Mounting complaints

After years of fielding complaints from customers over the cost of keeping their fur pals primped and polished, Laura had had enough. Despite her customer's obvious love for their dogs, they really didn't understand the realities of the grooming business.

Grooming versus hairdressing

Most often, Laura heard the comparison of grooming to hairdressing. People wanted to know why their basic trim in a barber shop cost less than their dog's fresh cut. So, she devised a clever way of training her customers to behave as well as their pups.

Ten reasons

On the wall of the pet salon, she posted her manifesto: "Top Ten Reasons Why It Cost More To Get Your Pet Groomed Than Your Own Haircut!" Comical in nature, her list made her customers laugh and, more importantly, taught obedience.

Weeks without washing

"You don't go eight weeks without washing or brushing your hair," her list said. It's become less popular to shampoo daily, but even still, most people keep it cleaner than doggies do. Groomers are tasked with providing the only regular bath many pets receive.

Taking time

When you make a hair appointment, you make sure to block out time for big transformations. Often times dogs show up at the groomers matted, muddy, and tangled beyond the help of brushing. Beauty takes time.

Full body makeover

The list continued: "Your hairdresser doesn't give you a sanitary trim." Hate to break it to you, but if you're taking your pants off during a haircut, that is out of the ordinary. Dogs require trims from eyebrows to ankles and every nook and cranny in between.

Inside the ears

"Your hairdresser doesn't clean your ears." Ear care is one of the most important jobs in grooming. Parasites and bacterial infections have a huge impact on your dog's overall health and cause sensitivity, making it tough to address.

Mani-pedi

"Your haircut doesn't include a manicure or pedicure." Hairdressers, nail techs, estheticians — all separate certifications. Pet grooming? One stop shopping. Groomers charge separate fees for additional services but have to be well versed in the full gamut of pet hygiene.

Growth patterns

"You're hairdresser only washes and cuts the hair on your head." One head with 7 different growth patterns would be a walk in the park for the average dog groomer. Facial areas, paws, armpits, and tails all require varied techniques of trimming, and usually, the customer is rather wiggly.

A little messy

"The likelihood of you pooping on your hairdresser is pretty slim." Sadly, dogs can't ask where the toilet is. Whenever, wherever, the world is their commode. That means it's up to the groomer to drop the clippers and pick up the pooper scooper.

Eye of the beholder

"Your hairdresser doesn't remove boogers from your eyes." Dog's eyes are more prone to goopy corners. Overactive tear ducts clear unwanted debris and hair out of those sad puppy dog eyes. Groomers wipe away the boogies and let pet parents know if it's standard discharge or something more serious.

Hold still!

"You sit still for your hairdresser." At least when you go to the salon, you're choosing to have your head handled. Groomers literally fight tooth and nail for the entire process of cleaning and cutting. Still, they manage to trim squirming pets without knicking them.

Bites and scratches

"You don't bite or scratch your hairdresser." If you do, please, stop! Groomers are prepared to catch a bite from a dog, even with all the precautions and restraints on hand in the salon. Accounting for pain and injury from the bite of a nervous or aggressive dog is common practice.

Under the tail

"Your hairdresser doesn't wash and clean your rear end." The whole "customer is a dog" thing makes this task much less awkward. Groomers don't shy away from the gross. They earn their wages by tackling unpopular tasks, and cleaning dog butts falls into that category.

Worth it

The rules paint an unpleasant picture of the job of a groomer, but all professionals who dedicate their time to the career, above all, truly adore dogs. To make them look their best, dog, man, and groomer need to be on the same wavelength.

Strong mentality

Laura explained how abiding by the rules ensures a comfortable space for pet and groomer, and it makes all the difference. "You have to be a strong person mentally to do this job," she said, "because the dogs can feel if you are afraid or angry; they feel the adrenaline and respond to it."

Best experience for everyone

Dogs read the room better than anyone. Going to the groomers can be scary, so gentleness, confidence, and security go a long way in ensuring everyone has a best-in-show experience. That goes double for how pet parents treat the groomers! After all, the right grooming session can give even the most neglected pets a new lease on life.

Out of the cage

Jake was super depressed spending time in his small cage all day. The only thing he wanted to do was get out and show the world how energetic he was. Once he found a family, he came alive!

Clean coat

This poor cat had an owner who suffered from Alzheimer's and completely forgot she owned a cat much of the time. This feline could barely move at first because of her fur, but soon she had a new clean coat!

Buster and Keaton

Look at how sad Buster and Keaton were when they were locked away. The two were found together among rubble of a burned building, and they were super friendly. Now, their happiness is infectious!

Seeing clearly

When this kitten first arrived at the shelter, she had an infection in both her eyes that made them water uncontrollably. Mucous impaired her eyesight. But, with a little help, she was ready to again see the world clearly!

Cousin Itt

When animal rescue found this tiny ball of hair, she looked like she was the daughter of Cousin Itt! With a little help from the organization's professional grooming service, she was kicking butt and taking names in no time!

Hungry guy

This poor chap was so malnourished every one of his ribs was protruding through his skin. Rescuers brought him into a loving environment, and after eight months of nutrition and attention, he was good as new!

Big Smiles

Chicago policemen found these two smiling pups, Emmy and Oscar, living in an abandoned building eating scraps. The officers brought them to a local shelter where workers cleaned them up, and Emmy was even adopted shortly after!

Saved At The Last Second

This good boy was actually set to be euthanized! However, a worker from the SPCA fell in love with him immediately, and not only did she prevent him from being killed, but she adopted him, too!

Mr. Frodo

This tiny fella's name is Frodo, and when he was first discovered, he was a mangled wreck. Although he did get one of his eyes removed due to infection, he cleaned up quite well.

Better Than Ever

Poor little Holland was taken in by the Trio Animal Foundation in Chicago and given a world of assistance. She had bruises, cuts, and severely dry skin, but workers managed to help with every ailment.

Bouncing Back

Little Miss Princess was found with a cone on her head and a pink bandage around her ear after surviving an attack from a bigger animal. She lost an ear but kept her dignity

A Fresh Start

Ruthie was the ripe age of 16 when new owners brought her into their home and gave her the love and respect she was lacking for so many years. Look at smiling that face now!

A Second Chance

Nova was severely underweight and malnourished when rescuers found her. Luckily, her foster family rejuvenated her to the fullest, and although they can't keep her, she'll certainly end up in a loving household.

Name Improvement

Originally named Stinky because of terrible breath, she was renamed Marnie by her new family who had all her decaying teeth removed. The head tilt and tongue dangle is due to Vestibular syndrome, but it's adorable!

Back From The Brink

This dog was on the verge of death due to internal issues and skin disorders when a rescue organization found her. After some TLC, she was back on her feet!

Get That Boy A Steak

This scrawny baby boy was so skinny his bones were almost ripping through his flesh! It was such a sad sight, but rescuers took him in, plumped him back up, and now he's ready for a T-bone steak!

Lonely No More

The only thing this pup had with her when she was found was a ragged toy to keep her company and offer comfort during a painful and lonely time. Shortly after she was adopted, she sprang back to life!

A Real Home

The streets of Puerto Rico used to be where Barkley would roam without a purpose, eating garbage and receiving scowls for his appearance. After some time in a rescue home, his skin healed and a loving family adopted him!

Doggie Makeover

Not only was this little guy's fur insanely matted, he had skin infections over most of his body. It took four workers to carefully hack away at the fur for 12 hours, but they completed the mission proudly.

Happy Wrinkles

It seemed like there was no cheering up this sack of wrinkles when Tyson was first found abandoned in a junkyard. However, he had the willpower to pull through and find happiness at the end of his misery.

Look At Those Eyes

Life in an animal shelter can be difficult and lonely for animals. Luckily for this little pooch with heterochromia (one blue eye and one brown eye), he's found a family to give him a loving forever home. Now he'll never be alone again!

Rescued At Last

Life once looked bleak for this adorable little chihuahua, so much in fact that he often spent hours just staring at walls, hoping he'd be rescued some day. Well, that day finally came! Just look at the change in his demeanor. That's one happy dog!

Freedom To Roam

When a shelter animal is finally adopted by a caring pet owner, she can say goodbye to spending her days behind caged fences. Instead, it's time to say hello to long walks with her human and roaming freely around her new home.

Happy Cat

Everyone knows that cats tend to be loners; they spend the majority of their time either taking a nap or relaxing on a window sill. Still, the difference between before and after being adopted can easily be seen in this one's facial expression. "Wait, is this real life?"

In The Sunshine

This little snow white cutie used to spend the majority of his days in a tiny stall at his local animal shelter. Now that someone has given him a forever home, he can be seen outside enjoying the sun and taking lots of walks with his human!

Well-Fed

This brown and white pooch must've spent a lot of time scavenging for scraps of food out of garbage cans on the streets; she was so malnourished that you can even see her spine and rib cage. Clearly getting adopted was the best thing to ever happen to her!

Shadow Of Herself

This cheeky striped cat was merely a shadow of herself before being adopted by a loving family. Not only was the kitty clearly starving, but her overall demeanor seemed much more solemn before finding a forever home.

Achieving Happiness

This little dog wears his heart on his sleeve... and his face. Just look at those sad eyes before he was adopted from the shelter. Compare that to the look at his face now, which just says it all. He found his happiness—and that meant getting to go home!

All Healed

It's not uncommon for stray animals to arrive to a shelter with scrapes, injuries, or even diseases. Sure, this little cutie might've arrived with a leg injury, but as soon as she was adopted, she healed up quickly!

Cyclops Kitty

It's hard to say whether this one-eyed cat was born that way or suffered an injury while stray and living on the streets. Nevertheless, now that he's been adopted and has a safe place to rest at night, he can be sure to avoid getting into any scraps with other strays.

Bathing Beauty

This tiny dog's long fur is a dead giveaway that he clearly hadn't been bathed in ages when arriving to the animal shelter. But once he was given a proper bath and brought outside to play in the sun, the difference was night and day.

No More Spikes

Stray animals have a way of getting themselves into a world of trouble when encountering certain dangerous animals, like porcupines. Unfortunately for this dog, he had to learn that lesson the hard way. But now that he has a human to give him guidance, you can rest assured that won't be happening again anytime soon!

Mange Be Gone

This wrinkly little pup was clearly suffering from a case of mange when he arrived at the animal shelter, but once a person adopted him and gave him some love, he was looking so much healthier. Way to go, dude, you're on the right track!

Just Thrilled

This cute dog must really have a family who shows him love and care. Just look at how happy he is to have his picture taken once he was adopted! He obviously didn't feel this way when he was still living in the animal shelter.

Needing Nourishment

When a veterinarian examined this pooch after she arrived at the shelter, it was clear she had been severely malnourished—just look at her rib cage. Not to worry, though. Just look how happy she was going for a walk with her new human! Nice leash, little one!

Sense Of Belonging

This adorable kitty is barely recognizable from when he was first discovered living all alone on the street. He seemed much more content after he had finally been adopted! That's the transition from a look of fear and loneliness one of love and happiness.

Looking Sharp

This little white pooch was in serious need of some proper grooming while living on the streets, but luckily when he found a forever home, he received just what he needed. Now, he looks svelte with his new 'do!

All Smiles

When rescuers from the animal shelter found this poor little guy living on the street, he was understandably sad and distressed. Now, he's all smiles. Maybe it has something to do with being adopted—though it probably didn't hurt that his favorite baseball team finally won the World Series!

Big Tongue

This poor little guy had a tough time getting adjusted to life at the animal shelter. But now that someone gave him a place to call his forever home, he's all smiles—and a whole lot of tongue, too!