Rant: a shop owner told me I was scaring the dogs, so I changed how I greet every single one

Blair Stone · 2026-10-07T02:00:05.207785+00:00

Back when I first opened my grooming shop in 2016, I used to walk right up to dogs, reach over their heads, and give them a big pat before starting. A client named Dana stood by the door one day and told me point blank, "You're looming over them and they're shutting down before you even pick up the clippers." I brushed it off at first, but then I watched her own dog cower every time I leaned in, and it stung because she was right. Now I get down on the floor, let them come to me, and hold out the back of my hand so they can sniff first, which takes maybe 20 extra seconds per dog. My no-show rate dropped and nobody nips me at check-in anymore, but I still wonder what else I'm doing wrong that clients can see and I can't. Anyone here had a customer call out a habit you didn't even know you had?

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Rant: a shop owner told me I was scaring the dogs, so I changed how I greet every single one | Anonymous Work Confessions - Rigidtalk