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Post by tank on Jul 28, 2009 20:54:35 GMT -5
Okay as I have probably said before I worked at a dog wash place then quit and now work at a professional dog grooming salon in an upscale part of town. I don't actually groom dogs yet but I am thinking of getting into it but for now I mostly deal with the people and take care of the dogs that are there. Anyway, how do I deal with people constantly berating pit bulls on a daily basis while still trying to act and talk like a professional? I am still new there and it is not my business but the owner is also pro pit bull issues and is the one who rescued my roommates pit bull. It seems to come up a lot at this new job actually, mostly because we cater to the poodle/bichon/yorkie etc crowd. I have Lucy with me at work sometimes and she is behind the main desk with me and there also a few pit bulls that come in for day care and baths. I have gotten comments about how pit bulls will "turn" and they don't want their dog playing with a pit bull etc. I can understand the protectiveness that these people feel but I also want to be able to say in a professional manner that yes, pit bulls do come into the salon with any other breed and that any dog that shows any sign of aggression is separated from the others no matter what their breed/size/age. TBH we haven't had any incidents with dogs fighting over 25 lbs since I started there. It has only been the small dogs that snap. I tend to get over emotional when I am in a situation where I can't speak my mind and it is something I feel strongly about but I want to keep a professional tone but still let them know I care about their concerns. When Lucy is with me she usually just follows me around and even though she LOVES dogs, the ones there are usually nippy at her so she minds her business. But if something arises with ANY dog they are always within an armshot of someone. Or I could just tell everyone who has a problem that I will put THEIR dog in a crate and all the other dogs can play safely while they watch This came about today when a woman over the phone told me she was uncomfortable when she came to pick up her dog today because there was a lady walking in the door with 2 pit bulls. That lady happened to be my roommate with Lucy and Gauge. She then asked me if we groom pit bulls and I told her that those dogs weren't there for grooming but sort of wussed out on sticking up for my breed. I just told her that I was sorry that she was upset about it. Should I dress Lucy up in a stupid outfit every time she comes to work with me?
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Post by emilys on Jul 28, 2009 23:37:24 GMT -5
Talk to the owner about how she wants you to handle it. It's her business, and her customers. She may prefer you just bite your tongue. Or she may have a "script" you can use.
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Post by pistis on Jul 28, 2009 23:49:41 GMT -5
Yeah, take emilys advice...I would probably end up in a verbal fight with these people. I would try and explain the facts to them, but normally women (especially older women) with their little fru-fru dogs (no offence to anyone, i'm not a small dog lover) seem to be set in their ways and love to gossip; i.e. "Did you see the news last night? Those Pit Bulls are bad dogs..." You can't always change people's minds who are like that, the people who live for that stuff. Then again, I'm sure there are some who would listen if you brought your fatcs across the right way. Like emilys said, talk to the owner. Btw, I'm in rare form tonight..I think it's all the school work that's killing me slowly. Please don't take anything I say personally
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Post by mcgregor on Jul 29, 2009 1:59:48 GMT -5
I agree with Emily... This is a difficult situation when you are an employee , the business owner values her customers and would want them to understand the issues in a logical way.
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Post by tank on Jul 29, 2009 5:56:13 GMT -5
Yah I wouldn't either say something or not say something if it wasn't what she wants for her business. I was more looking for tactful one liners that I could either sway the conversation or act dumb but still put down their comment. I don't want to get into a big argument with anyone while I am at work, but I also want to at least say something. Honestly I think my boss bites her tongue a lot but she also says it how it is a lot too but she is more comfortable with her customers because she has known them all for a long time. I have a feeling if I asked her what I should do she would just tell me to use my best judgment.
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Post by emilys on Jul 29, 2009 9:19:30 GMT -5
... I have a feeling if I asked her what I should do she would just tell me to use my best judgment. word of advice about ANY employer: don't trust your feelings about what they think. Ask, and then write yourself a note documenting the discussion. If she does tell you to use your best judgment, try out some specific responses on her. Even among friends, an employer will fire an employee
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Post by erpitrescue on Jul 29, 2009 14:49:10 GMT -5
I can't think of a single "one-liner" to help you out. The lady who said she was upset about the dogs, when it was yours and your roommates? The only thing I might have said would have been "I absolutely understand your concerns. Those were my personal dogs, and I can assure you, they are angels."
I do always recommend stupid outfits. My pride is not worth as much as my dog's reputation. I personally think all that dressing up biz is gay beyond belief, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to get a better initial response to my dog (opening the door...) and sometimes, that includes the occasional feather boa, Hannah Montana wig, or koolaid polkadots.
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Post by RealPitBull on Aug 4, 2009 15:31:10 GMT -5
I agree with what others have said as far as checking with your boss on how SHE wants you to handle these things. If she kind of just says go fend for yourself, I think the simplest way you can handle run ins with the concerned public is to just say "Don't worry, aggressive dogs are not allowed in here. Safety is our primary concern".
If the person wants to continue to push for information on the Pit Bull breed specifically, then you can go into more detail about how it is a myth that al Pit Bulls are aggressive, etc etc.
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Post by maryellen on Aug 4, 2009 16:22:53 GMT -5
omg one day i told someone not to worry, as rufus had eaten his small child that morning for breakfast and that her child was WAY too large for him on a fully stomach when she made a nasty comment in the waiting room at the vets that got all the techs behind the counter cracking up..
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Post by RealPitBull on Aug 4, 2009 16:25:01 GMT -5
omg one day i told someone not to worry, as rufus had eaten his small child that morning for breakfast and that her child was WAY too large for him on a fully stomach when she made a nasty comment in the waiting room at the vets that got all the techs behind the counter cracking up.. HAAAAAA!!!! I can SO see you saying this to someone, too. ;D
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Post by loverocksalot on Aug 5, 2009 10:35:57 GMT -5
OH Maryellen I wish I had your guts. Could you train me.
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Post by maryellen on Aug 5, 2009 10:48:53 GMT -5
i had such a worse comeback for the woman but decided against it.. after i made my comment rufus's "aunt jess" came out from the reception area and made it a point to show the nasty woman how much rufus loves to kiss.... all the while she too was saying, oh rufy you big bad pitbull you.. we both got a kick out of our remarks.... oh carolyann its easy.. just try it once or twice... you will like it.. yeah i can be a real bitch.. i had one guy make a comment so i whipped rufus around (poor dog) and grabbed his therapy tags on his collar and told the guy he did therapy work and to watch who he is racist against all the while choking poor rufus by the collar to make sure the guy saw his tags.... that was another one in the vets office..
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Post by legacy23 on Aug 6, 2009 13:01:11 GMT -5
aww.....poor Rufus....lol
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Post by pistis on Aug 6, 2009 23:27:42 GMT -5
Maryellen, I LOVE the small child comment!!! AMAZING! I will have to remember that in the future. I have another friend who knows how to be the best smartass, just like what you did. I admire that as I too often just get pissed and see red. I've actually been working on making it fun/funny in a sarcastic way. I definately like that much better!
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Post by pistis on Aug 6, 2009 23:29:12 GMT -5
Ant Mary, what an awesome choice of words about "Aggro dogs not allowed, safter is our primary concern." There seems to be no way for that conversation to go bad. Either they wil accept what you say and be put in their place, or they will ask questions about the breed and become more educated. I love it.
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Post by RealPitBull on Aug 7, 2009 15:33:11 GMT -5
I admire that as I too often just get pissed and see red. I've actually been working on making it fun/funny in a sarcastic way. I definately like that much better! Same here, I get PO'd, get flustered, and then think of a good comeback HOURS later LOL Maryellen, you need to teach lessons! Thanks!
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Post by maryellen on Aug 7, 2009 20:01:15 GMT -5
well i can always hold a class after your class mary on how to respond smartly to rude remarks:)
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Post by RealPitBull on Aug 8, 2009 10:06:40 GMT -5
well i can always hold a class after your class mary on how to respond smartly to rude remarks:) I like it!
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