Bark and Purr is not just another grooming shop, we are a wellness spa that truly cares about every pet looking and feeling their very best. We always put the needs of the pet in front of us first, focusing on them while they are in our care and nothing else.
Bark and Purr Is…
The Vow
While a pet is in my care, my focus is the pet in front of me — loving, gentle, building a relationship built on trust and love.
The Twelve Commitments
1. Whoever greets a pet — front desk, bather, groomer, kennel tech, anyone — will get down to their level, speak softly, and let them come to us. This is everyone's job, every time, not just the first hello.
2. When I see a regular walk through the door, I will say their name before I say anything else — the pet's and the parent's.
3. When a puppy comes in for their first groom, I will make this memory a good one — even if it takes longer. First visits echo for a lifetime.
4. When I see a pet that's unsettled — nervous on my table, pacing the kennel, uncomfortable anywhere in the shop — I stop and find out why: anxious, needs to go out, or just uncomfortable. If CBD is on their card and cleared, front desk is notified and administers it. If they need a walk, whoever noticed takes them. If they went in their kennel, whoever's there cleans it — not the next person. We don't walk past something dirty, and we don't leave the shop anything but clean at closing. Customers notice how this place smells and looks before they notice anything else — we protect that every day, not just at close.
5. When a pet is too anxious for kennel time, we offer the family a way to stay close: expedited one-on-one service (from $20, sized to the pet) — one person with that dog start to finish, no kennel wait, handed back to the parent right there. For our Sunday cat clients we can welcome parents into the room itself, since it's one groomer and a quiet day. If a pet is still too much for us, we call the parent and talk it through honestly — safety and trust come before pushing through.
6. When I finish a service, I will do a five-second check: does this pet look happy, calm, and beautiful — and would their eyes pass the Smile Test?
7. When a client asks how their pet did, I will tell them one specific true thing I noticed about their pet today — and if I saw something worth watching, I will say that too, kindly and plainly.
8. When I see a teammate struggling, I will finish what's in my hands, then ask what they need.
9. When a pet shows me they're done, I will listen. We earn trust one appointment at a time, and we never spend it to finish a groom.
10. When I walk the floor, I will notice how a pet moves, not just how they look — wellness starts with attention, and we are often the first to see what a family can't.
11. When I start a step, I log that I started it. When I finish it, I log that too. The record isn't paperwork after the care — it IS the care, start to finish. This is the rule, and it's what Compass is built to hold us to.
12. When I put on my apron, I remember: this pet came here because their person trusts us. I will deserve that trust today.
Why we have this: these aren't slogans — they're what “Who We Are” above actually looks like in a real moment, dog by dog, client by client. Anyone can say they care about pets. This is what caring looks like when you're the one holding the leash.
The EARN Standard™
Everything we build and everything we do here serves four things, in this order:
E — Employees. You're the foundation. A team that isn't taken care of can't take care of anyone else.
A — Advocates. Our clients and their pets — the people we serve, and the ones who tell their friends about us.
R — Revenue. Growing the business with discipline, not shortcuts.
N — Net. What we actually keep — the profit that makes this a sustainable business, not just a busy one.
Every tool, every process, every decision gets measured against all four. Not just “does this make money” — does it serve the team, the client, the growth, and the bottom line.
Working Here — What's Expected
No cell phones during work hours for social media, personal calls or texting, or watching shows. The client is paying for that time to be spent on their pet, not on a phone. This is Commitment #12, made concrete: “this pet came here because their person trusts us.”
Everything above — the Vow, the Twelve Commitments, EARN — isn't background reading. It's what you're actually held to, starting your first day.
Position Summary
The Groomer is a fully independent, proficient grooming professional who delivers the Bark and Purr standard across a wide range of breeds and coat types. You hold a personal client book, serve as a trusted wellness advisor to your clients, and contribute to the culture and reputation of the shop through your expertise and your relationships. This is not just a technical role — it is a client relationship role built on trust, transparency, and consistent excellence.
Core Responsibilities
Full-Range Grooming
Perform complete, independent grooms across a wide and growing breed range to Bark and Purr's quality standard.
Demonstrate command of scissor work, clipper technique, hand-finishing, and creative styling.
Execute breed-standard cuts and owner-preference styles with confidence and precision.
Maintain speed and quality simultaneously — complete grooms within schedule without sacrificing standard.
Photograph every groom before AND after — the before shot at the start, the after shot at pickup.
Wellness Assessment & Reporting
Perform and fully document the three-point physical assessment on every pet, every visit.
Identify and proactively communicate health observations to PAWrents — never wait to be asked.
Build longitudinal pet profiles: note coat trends, behavioral changes, and health progression visit over visit.
Flag any health concerns that warrant veterinary attention — clearly and compassionately.
Client Relationship Management
Know every regular client and pet by name, preference, and personal history.
Deliver a structured, warm pre-groom consultation and post-groom update at every appointment.
Build a personal client book with a ≥ 80% rebooking rate.
Proactively request Google reviews from satisfied clients at checkout — personally and sincerely.
Mentorship & Team Contribution
Serve as an informal mentor to Junior Groomers and Apprentices on the floor.
Share technique tips, breed knowledge, and client communication strategies with developing team members.
Participate in team training sessions and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.
Qualifications & Requirements
Experience
Minimum 1 year professional grooming experience; Bark and Purr Junior Groomer track preferred
Breed Range
Proficient across full standard breed range (assessed at promotion)
Certifications
Active Fear-Free certification required; NDGAA or equivalent pursued
Commission
Commission on completed grooms per rate schedule; upsell bonus eligible
Client Book
Expected to build and maintain a personal client book
Non-Negotiables
Consistent quality; client-first mindset; active wellness advocate; positive team presence
📌 Groomers who demonstrate exceptional client relationships, technical breadth, and cultural leadership will be considered first for Stylist advancement and any leadership opportunities that emerge.
Accountability Checklist
You are a client relationship professional who happens to also be a technically exceptional groomer. Use this checklist to ensure both sides of that identity show up every single day.
Daily
Pre-groom consultation done for every pet
Three-point assessment documented
Client name and pet name used throughout
Redo/complaint rate vs. < 2% target
Health observations shared proactively
Checkout update delivered to every PAWrent
Add-on recommendation made (log result)
Fear-Free certification current
Google review requested personally
FAS monitored throughout every groom
Client profile updated post-groom
Junior Groomer coached if on shift
Tools cleaned, blades stored correctly
Weekly
Rebooking rate calculated (target ≥ 80%)
Add-on rate calculated (target ≥ 25%)
Review count this week vs. target
New breed outside current range practiced
Checkout: rebooking ask at every checkout
Mentor check-in (if in 60-day window)
Identify one client at risk of lapsing
Monthly
KPI report reviewed with Manager
Rebooking rate trend: improving?
Client book growth: net new clients
1 Junior Groomer mentoring session
Breed range expansion: any new breeds?
Client profiles: 3 reviewed for quality
Mentorship contribution reviewed
90-day growth plan progress check
📌 Your client book is your business within the business. The habits in this checklist are what build the loyal, rebooked, review-generating client relationships that make your commission grow.
Training Agenda — External Hire (60 Days)
Groomer onboarding is a 60-day integration program for external hires. Mentor: assigned Senior Groomer or Stylist. Format: supervised integration plus quality reviews plus client communication coaching. Assessment: Day 30 quality review; Day 60 full performance review.
Weeks 1–2 · Integration & Standards Calibration
Complete Bark and Purr onboarding, handbook review, and policy acknowledgments.
Fear-Free certification: confirmed current; if lapsed, enroll immediately.
Shadow assigned mentor groomer for 2 full days — observe consultation, groom, and checkout.
Complete 5 supervised grooms — mentor evaluates quality against Bark and Purr standard.
Learn and practice the three-point assessment documentation format.
Study client profile system: how to read, update, and leverage existing client notes.
Weeks 3–4 · Quality Alignment & Client Communication
Perform independent grooms with daily mentor quality reviews.
Practice the Bark and Purr checkout script: wellness update, health find, rebooking ask, review request.
Identify breed-specific gaps vs. current clientele — create a personal development list.
Submit 5 client profiles for mentor completeness review.
Participate in team communication training: difficult conversation role-play.
Begin building personal client relationships: use names, personal details at every interaction.
Weeks 5–8 · Full Independence & Book Building
Operate fully independently — mentor reviews weekly rather than daily.
Focus on rebooking: track rate weekly, identify and address gaps.
Generate minimum 2 Google reviews through personal checkout requests.
Complete a peer learning session: observe the Stylist on a breed outside your current range.
Submit 3 breeds for advancement to Stylist-level complexity (mentor approval required).
Day 60 formal review: KPI assessment, quality score, client feedback, and 90-day growth plan.
Training Agenda — Internal Promotion (from Junior Groomer, 30 Days)
Focus: breed range expansion, speed optimization, mentorship skills, client book growth. Assessment: Day 30 formal review with Shop Manager.
Weeks 1–2 · Breed Range Expansion
Identify the 5 most common breeds in the shop's clientele outside the Junior Groomer list.
Complete 2 supervised grooms on each new breed with mentor observation.
Study advanced coat types: stripped, carded, full scissored, and heavily textured coats.
Participate in one advanced technique workshop or video study session with the Stylist.
Weeks 3–4 · Client Book Growth & Mentorship Role
Develop a personal rebooking improvement plan if rate is below 80%.
Begin informal mentoring of 1 Junior Groomer: provide post-groom feedback twice weekly.
Lead one team learning moment: share a technique tip or breed insight at a team briefing.
Day 30 formal review: full KPI assessment and Groomer Competency Checklist sign-off.
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.
Shih Tzu Pet Trim — Go Groomer. Why it fits: a full independent pet-trim groom from start to finish on one of the shop's common breeds — the pacing and sequencing map directly onto a Groomer's own solo workflow.
Doodle Teddy Face — Groom Haüs. Why it fits: creative, owner-preference-style finishing work on a heavily textured doodle coat — exactly the hand-scissor and shaping skill the Competency Checklist rates you on.
Today’s checklist — tap as you go (resets each day)
Daily Position Checklist
Tap each item as you do it. Your checks save for today and a fresh list starts tomorrow.
Opening
Per Dog
Closing
Training sign-off — signed once by your lead
Competency Checklist — Sign-Off Required
Trainee: Date:
Supervisor: Date:
Accountability Checklist — Every Shift
You are a client relationship professional who happens to also be a technically exceptional groomer. Use this checklist to ensure both sides of that identity show up every single day.
Opening / Start of Shift
During the Shift
Closing / End of Shift
Weekly
Monthly
Your client book is your business within the business. The habits in this checklist are what build the loyal, rebooked, review-generating client relationships that make your commission grow.
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)
[CONFIRM: any table/tool setup duties — not covered in the role card or Wednesday agenda]
Per Dog (The Taps, In Order)
Missing an earlier tap but the dog is ready? Proceed — the dog never waits. The exception goes to whoever was assigned that step, never to you. Forgot your own tap? Backfill it with a quick "why late" note — timestamps stay locked.
Closing (End of Shift)
[CONFIRM: any tool cleaning / station close-down duties — not covered in the role card or Wednesday agenda]