Title: “A Groomer’s Perspective: When Trust and Safety Collide”

By: Ky Dilger | June 10, 2025

As a mobile pet groomer, I’ve seen all kinds of homes, dogs, and personalities—but every once in a while, I encounter a situation that truly highlights why setting boundaries and prioritizing safety is not just important, it’s necessary.

Today, I drove 36 minutes out to North Scottsdale for what should’ve been a routine grooming appointment. The client had scheduled a session for his German Shepherd, and I arrived on time, as always. Upon ringing the doorbell, I was asked to meet him at the garage—no problem. But when the garage door opened, I was greeted not only by the man, but also by his young grandson. What followed was an unexpected and unsettling interaction.

Before I could even introduce myself properly, the man began scolding me—asking, almost accusingly, why I hadn’t pulled into his driveway. I calmly explained that I typically park on the side of the road near the house. This allows me to safely enter and exit my van, especially when there are hazards present. In this case, there was a large pothole at the end of his dirt driveway. Safety is always a priority—not just for me, but for the pets in my care.

Instead of understanding, he grew colder, insisting that my decision not to use the driveway was a matter of trust. I tried to explain: sometimes, in business and in life, you have to extend a little trust to others—especially those who show up ready to serve with care and professionalism. But it was clear this wasn’t about parking anymore.

Then came the grooming request: he wanted his German Shepherd shaved. I explained, as any ethical groomer would, that shaving a double-coated breed like a German Shepherd can cause irreversible damage to their coat and skin. It’s not just a stylistic issue—it’s a health one. Still, he brushed off my advice, saying it had been done before. But repeating a mistake doesn’t make it right. It just makes it a pattern.

The more I tried to inform him, the more he seemed disinterested. He was focused on control, not collaboration. His behavior became increasingly erratic and uncomfortable—enough so that I made the difficult but necessary decision to leave. For my safety and peace of mind, I also blocked the client from future bookings.

It’s important to note: our grooming business has a clearly stated policy. If we arrive at your location and are unable to complete the service due to the client’s actions or lack of preparedness, and the cancellation occurs with less than 24 hours’ notice, the client is still charged. These terms are agreed upon at the time of booking and exist to protect the time, travel, and labor invested by our team.