Doodle breeds have captured the hearts of many due to their low-shedding coats, friendly temperaments, and adorable looks. Behind these adorable looks are the Professional Pet Groomers that work hard to create a haircut per the owner’s requests, while making sure their dog is safe and sound. As the Doodle population continues to grow, how does that impact your local pet Dog Groomers? Bridging the gap between Professional Dog Groomers and Doodle owners is crucial for developing a standard in grooming results throughout the pet care industry.
The Doodle Explosion
The Cockapoo is the OG of Doodles, and the popularity of Doodle mixed breeds has skyrocketed. Breeds like Labradoodles, Goldendoodles, and Bernedoodles have become household names. This surge in popularity, particularly after Covid, brings new challenges for grooming shops to work smarter rather than harder. Inefficiency can quickly lead to interference in scheduling. Breed-standard grooming quite simply doesn’t happen as frequently as it once was, giving Professional Dog Groomers more creativity in their styles. To top it all off, not all groomers equate their time to dollars. All, it is more important than ever to consult with owners in a detailed and professional
First-Time Dog Owners
Interestingly, many Doodle owners are first-time dog owners. Drawn by their reputation for being cuddly and cute dogs, some owners may not fully grasp the grooming and training demands that come with their new pets. Regular grooming is essential for maintaining skin and coat health, as well as overall happiness during grooming. Without proper socialization and training, it can cause unnecessary anxiety and more time spent on the grooming table. We have lots of great tips to prepare your dog for the groomer.
Transparency from Breeders
We are now seeing more mixed dog breeders delivering solid information to customers about the necessity of routine grooming. However, when Doodle owners aren’t properly informed about the time and financial commitment required for proper coat care, it falls on the Professional Dog Groomer to deliver that message, which can cause confusion and misunderstanding between the owner and the Groomer.
Education in Doodle Grooming
Two challenges the grooming industry has faced are both a lack of customer- service focused training and standardized education of the grooming and proper handling of Doodles. This can lead to inconsistent grooming results and potential injury and mental harm to pets. This applies to the groomers as well. For Doodle owners, this inconsistency can be particularly problematic, as improper grooming can result in more matted fur, skin issues, and a more stressed pet.
Bridging the Gap
Addressing the stress on the grooming industry as the result of the Doodle boom and understanding that many Doodle owners are newbies or novice pet owners, we can become the means towards achieving standardization in the grooming of mixed breeds, and specifically Doodles. This market segment is consistently the fastest growing, according to national pet owner data sources. In addition, there are many professional breeders who do incredible work regardless of their specialty in mixed or full breeds. In other words, this market is here to stay. To support the ongoing education required to bridge this gap, a specialized tool had to be developed for owners and groomers to collaborate around. Enter the VOX. The Certified Doodle Price Vox is the only price design tool that allows the Doodle owner to share their grooming requirements with their groomer, using AI generated images to capture the perfect groom parameters. Say good-bye to subjectivity, and hello to VOX!
By focusing on education, transparency, and collaboration, we can bridge the gap between dog groomers and Doodle owners, ensuring that these beloved pets receive the care and attention they deserve.
