Bark and Purr Pet Grooming & Boarding is Allen, Texas's premier pet wellness destination. Located at 803 W. Main Street, we are a certified Fear-Free grooming salon. Our proprietary Tranquil Tail Grooming® method creates individualized, stress-free experiences for every pet and every PAWrent. We do not just groom pets — we care for them holistically and become trusted members of their extended family. Our team is our brand. We hire only individuals who combine technical excellence with genuine, natural empathy for animals.
Role At A Glance
Level / Tier
Entry Level · Hourly + Performance Bonus
Location
803 W. Main Street, Allen, TX 75013
Availability
Flexible; weekends and holidays required per schedule
Physical Demands
Stand 6–8 hrs/shift; lift/handle dogs up to 80 lbs; wet/humid environment
Position Summary
The Bather is the first hands-on touchpoint in a pet's Bark and Purr experience. You are responsible for ensuring every pet arrives at the grooming table clean, calm, conditioned, and emotionally ready. Your work directly determines the quality of the final groom. Beyond the technical duties, you serve as a Fear-Free advocate — your voice, your touch, and your energy set the emotional tone for the entire visit.
Core Responsibilities
Bathing & Coat Preparation
Bathe all dogs and cats using breed-appropriate, Bark and Purr-approved organic shampoos and conditioners.
Perform pre-bath coat evaluation: identify mat location, skin conditions, coat density, and any health observations.
Apply appropriate conditioners, treatments, and detanglers based on coat type and groomer instructions.
Perform high-velocity and fluff drying techniques appropriate to coat type.
Execute brush-out to a table-ready standard before handing off to the groomer.
Finishing & Hygiene Services
Trim nails to appropriate length using clippers (grinding requires sign-off).
Clean ears using approved technique and solution; flag any abnormal odor, discharge, or sensitivity.
Brush teeth using approved pet-safe toothpaste.
Apply finishing spritz or bandana/bow as directed.
Pet Safety & Wellbeing
Never leave a pet unattended on the table, in the tub, or under any dryer — without exception.
Monitor all pets during cage drying; check temperature, positioning, and stress levels every 5 minutes.
Recognize and respond to Fear, Anxiety, and Stress (FAS) indicators; de-escalate using approved Fear-Free techniques.
Communicate all behavioral observations and health findings to the assigned groomer before handoff.
Station & Sanitation Standards
Sanitize tubs, tables, tools, and all equipment between every pet.
Maintain clean floors, drains, and surfaces throughout the shift.
Restock shampoos, conditioners, and supplies; flag shortages to management.
Store all chemicals securely and per posted safety protocols.
Follow product dilution ratios for every shampoo/conditioner, label all mixed bottles, and avoid cross-contamination.
Discard diluted product after 48 hours — no exceptions, even if the bottle still looks full (Operations Manual, Product Preparation Standards).
The Squeaky Clean Standard (Operations Manual)
Every dog must leave the bathing area bathed at least twice, conditioned when appropriate, completely rinsed, fully dried, and thoroughly brushed and combed. If a dog is not squeaky clean, the groom cannot be completed to Bark and Purr standards — a groomer who receives a dog that isn't has the right to return it to the bather, per the Groomer Quality Control workflow.
[CONFIRM: anal gland expression listed as bath add-on in Ops Manual but absent from the Bather job description — is this a Bather duty?]
Physical Requirements
Ability to stand for extended periods (6–8 hours per shift).
Ability to safely lift and handle dogs up to 80 lbs.
Comfortable working in a wet, humid environment with exposure to fur, dander, and pet-safe chemicals.
Manual dexterity for nail trimming, ear cleaning, and brushing.
Qualifications & Requirements
Education
High school diploma or GED preferred
Experience
Prior animal handling or grooming experience preferred; on-the-job training provided
Certifications
Fear-Free certification required within 90 days of hire (company-sponsored)
Physical
Ability to lift 80 lbs; stand 6–8 hrs; work in wet/humid environment
Availability
Flexible; weekends and holidays required per schedule
Non-Negotiables
Genuine love for animals; calm temperament; team-oriented attitude
What You're Measured On
Key Performance Indicator
Target / Standard
Bather Training Checklist completed
Within 30 days of hire
Fear-Free Certification earned
Within 90 days of hire
Pet safety incidents
Zero preventable incidents
Table-ready quality score (groomer feedback)
Meets standard on ≥ 95% of handoffs
Station sanitation compliance
100% — verified daily by supervisor
Punctuality & attendance
< 3 unexcused incidents per quarter
Career Pathway
Bather → Lead Bather → Grooming Apprentice Program → Junior Groomer → Groomer → Stylist. We grow our best groomers from within — Bathers who demonstrate passion, reliability, and a desire to advance will be given first priority for the Grooming Apprentice Program.
Training Agenda
A structured 30-day onboarding process (with a 60-day follow-up review) so every new team member is safe, skilled, and culturally aligned before operating independently. Hands-on mentored practice + knowledge modules + daily debriefs. Your assigned mentor is a Lead Bather or Senior Groomer, assigned Day 1. Pass standard: all checklist items signed off and Fear-Free certification enrolled.
Phase 1 — Days 1–5: Orientation & Observation
Days 1–2: onboarding paperwork, handbook review, policy acknowledgment; facility orientation; team introductions; Tranquil Tail® and Fear-Free brand overview; shadow mentor through a full day of bathing operations — observe only.
Days 3–5: approved shampoos/conditioners/treatments — purpose, dilution ratios, application; chemical safety and MSDS locations; HV and cage dryer, tub, and table safe operation; PPE (apron, mask, gloves, non-slip shoes); pet first-aid basics; begin Fear-Free online certification module (complete by Day 30).
Phase 2 — Days 6–15: Supervised Skills Development
Days 6–8: pre-bath assessment (coat type, mat mapping, skin scan); supervised bath — water temp, shampoo application, massage technique, thorough rinse; conditioner/leave-in application; daily mentor feedback.
Days 9–12: high-velocity drying (distance, angle, motion, avoiding eyes/ears/genitals); fluff drying for curly/long coats; cage-drying temperature limits and 5-minute monitoring; brush-out by coat type (slicker, pin, comb, dematting tool); minor-mat judgment vs. flagging the groomer; the table-ready standard.
Days 13–15: nail trimming (quick anatomy, angle, safe handling of wigglers); ear cleaning (technique, solution, when to flag abnormalities); teeth brushing; finishing (bandana/bow, spritz, presentation).
Phase 3 — Days 16–25: Monitored Independence
Days 16–20: full independent bath and prep for a minimum of 5 dogs/day with mentor present; hygiene services without prompting; narrate observations to mentor (Fear-Free communication practice); document health observations in the client profile; mentor evaluates handoff quality.
Days 21–25: multi-dog flow, wait management, tub turnover; timed station-sanitation compliance; escalating FAS recognition and de-escalation toolkit; Fear-Free certification exam (enrolled by Day 20, complete by Day 30); a supervised "difficult bath" scenario (anxious dog, matted coat, or senior pet).
Phase 4 — Days 26–30: Evaluation & Sign-Off
Days 26–29: full independent shift (mentor available, not hovering); demonstrate full checklist competencies; receive written mentor feedback; finish any outstanding modules or certification steps.
Day 30: formal review with Lead Bather and Shop Manager; Bather Training Checklist fully signed; Fear-Free certification confirmed enrolled or complete; goals set for the Day 60 follow-up review.
Watch & Learn
External professional references until Bark & Purr films its own — techniques shown may differ in small ways from our Tranquil Tail method; your mentor's instruction always wins.
Shampoo Dilution with Mixing Bottle — Christies Direct. Ties directly to the dilution-ratio and product-preparation standards you're trained and held accountable to (48-hour discard rule).
How to Brush & Demat Your Dog Like a Pro — Smoochie Pooch (Elli Bultemeier, Master Groomer). Gentle, low-stress dematting technique — the judgment call between minor-mat management and flagging the groomer.
Use this checklist every shift to ensure you are consistently meeting the standards of your role. Check off each item as completed. Bring this to your monthly review with your supervisor.
Opening / Start of Shift
Clock in; put on clean smock/PPE and set up your bathing station.
Sanitize tubs, tables, dryers, and tools before the first pet.
Confirm shampoo, conditioner, detangler, and towel stock; flag shortages to the manager.
Power on dryers and check the day's groom board for your assigned pets and special notes.
During the Shift
Bathe, dry, and brush each pet to a table-ready standard per the breed-appropriate, Bark and Purr-approved process.
Perform pre-bath coat evaluation; flag mats, skin issues, or lumps to the assigned groomer.
Never leave a pet unattended on the table, in the tub, or under a dryer; monitor cage-drying temperature and positioning.
Watch for Fear, Anxiety & Stress (FAS) signals and respond per Fear-Free protocol; communicate all findings to the groomer.
Sanitize tubs, tables, and tools between every pet; keep floors and drains clean throughout.
Closing / End of Shift
Finish and hand off all pets; ensure boarding/waiting pets are walked, watered, and secured.
Deep-clean and sanitize tubs, tables, dryers, and all tools; clean floors and drains.
Restock shampoos, conditioners, and supplies for the next shift; start/empty laundry.
Secure all chemicals per posted safety protocols; report any equipment issues.
Give a brief handoff to the next shift / Manager on Duty.
Weekly
Fear-Free techniques self-reviewed.
Certification progress checked.
Product dilution ratios reviewed.
Hygiene tools inspected and cleaned.
Personal performance self-assessment.
Any FAS incidents documented & reviewed.
Difficult pet patterns noted in profiles.
Mentor check-in completed.
Monthly
Bather checklist items reviewed.
Fear-Free certification status confirmed.
Product knowledge quiz (self-test).
Groomer feedback reviewed with mentor.
Safety protocol walkthrough completed.
KPI review with supervisor.
Career pathway goals reviewed.
Identify one skill to improve next month.
This checklist is a tool for your success, not surveillance. Use it to take ownership of your performance and identify your own growth areas before your supervisor does.
Compass Taps — Your Taps ARE the Record
Tap it, and it's the record. If it's not tapped, it didn't happen — as far as the board can see.
Opening (Start of Shift)
Clock in on compass.html (punctuality is scored against your scheduled shift start).
Open staff.html (the Day Board) and confirm your login works.
Check your 5-second screen: which dog is mine next; am I late on anyone.
Glance at the Goals for the Day strip (Compass header) — today's targets and bonus-marked goals.
[CONFIRM: any tub/dry-station setup duties — not covered in the role card or Wednesday agenda]
Per Dog (The Taps, In Order)
Check the card for the pre-shave gate — if the blade is #5, #7, or #10, confirm pre-shave is marked done BEFORE you start. Not marked? Stop and flag Front Desk — don't proceed.
Start Bath — tap the moment the dog goes in the tub, not five minutes later (timers run off this tap).
Bath Done.
Start Dry — or Kennel Dry if the dog is pausing in the kennel to dry.
Never leave a drying dog unattended — monitor at all times.
Dry Done.
Add your bather note — what happened in the bath (behavior, matting, why it ran long).
Add any handling / dematting fees — fee fields are not groomer-only; if the dog fought you or was heavily matted, that's your fee to add.
Hand off to the groomer: fully dried, brushed, not matted (the groomer checks this on receipt).
Forgot a tap? Backfill it — tap it late and add a quick timing note on what happened. The timestamp never changes; your note explains the gap.
Closing (End of Shift)
Confirm every dog you handled is tapped through your steps (Start Bath / Bath Done / Dry Done) with notes and fees entered.
Clock out on compass.html.
[CONFIRM: any tub/station cleaning or close-down duties — not covered in the role card or Wednesday agenda]