[zerolover]

I wonder how many dogs other groomers do in a day, esp. Saturdays. Do you have a bather and how you pay- hourly or commission? I can't get my bathers interested in taking more dogs or working faster, more dogs means more $ right? Any tips?

[Love's_Sophie]

Well, to be honest, if they are your bathers, then when you take in the dogs, they need to do them; other wise find yourself some new ones, because they may eventually put on an attitude around the dogs\clients that won't be good for your business. Also, your business relies on the clients you can bring in on a daily basis...if the bathers don't want to do their jobs, then it is time to find new ones who are willing to actually do the work.

I groom part time right now, due to having another part time job that I took on before finding another grooming position. Come summer I will be more full time; On a full day I do anywhere from 6-10 dogs...it all depends on what they get done with them; most dogs past 7 are walk ins that I feel I can fit in to that day's schedule.

Although we have bathers (on weekends during the school year), I usually don't use them; I am very picky about the cleanliness of the dogs I groom, so rather than have to worry about getting behind because the bather didn't quite get the dog clean enough the first time, I choose to bathe myself. When I do use the bather, they get 15% of my commission, which is currently 55%. In 6 months (or perhaps less) I will go up to 60% and after a year, go up another 5%.

[zerolover]

Thanks for info! Your commission sounds good, everywhere I've worked I got 50% and one place I only got 45% on the dogs that the bathers did. The bathers always got hourly pay regardless but I'm thinking paying them comm. might add incentive. My main worry is the extra amount of paperwork and confusion each day paying percentages properly Any rate I know its hard finding a great bather. Any one in WA need a job?