Self-Service Dog Wash

[cali]

ok maybe I am just not seeing it, but what exactly is the point of paying to groom your own dog? I dont wash my dogs in the yard I wash then in the bath tub, and so does everyone else that I know in RL, if they dont have a shower attachment they fill the tub and use a bowl. my dogs are all trained to get the the tub on command wheather they like it or not, its something we train when the dogs are young incase they are to heavy to lift when they grow up. I dont know, I just dont really see the point of wasting gas and money to bathe your own dog maybe its just the midset from growing up here, but for those that do this, care to enlighten me? lol

[wolfsoul]

Most groomers have baths that are lifted off the floor so that they don't have to bend over and hurt their back. They also have a special attaachment on the side so you can tie your dog up. Alot of dogs will also behave nicely in public, but not at home.

[wolf_Q]

Thanks for the comments/info everyone!

Originally posted by cali
ok maybe I am just not seeing it, but what exactly is the point of paying to groom your own dog? I dont wash my dogs in the yard I wash then in the bath tub, and so does everyone else that I know in RL, if they dont have a shower attachment they fill the tub and use a bowl. my dogs are all trained to get the the tub on command wheather they like it or not, its something we train when the dogs are young incase they are to heavy to lift when they grow up. I dont know, I just dont really see the point of wasting gas and money to bathe your own dog maybe its just the midset from growing up here, but for those that do this, care to enlighten me? lol

None of your dogs are that big or that furry....imagine trying to put a really large dog in the tub, even if they know the command, they may not even fit and you can't get to the other side of them to wash/rinse. Also imagine a dog that has a ton of really long/thick fur (think samoyed, newfoundland, etc.)! It would take forever to air/towel dry a dog like that, or even using a human hair dryer. A force dryer (which I would assume most dog washes supply) dries coats like that tons faster. Sure you can buy a force dryer for home use but they are a couple of hundred dollars at least.

Also with the tubs made just for washing dogs they are elevated so it doesn't hurt your back bending over the tub to wash them. Plus you don't get as wet!

I've washed Reg/Syd at home and it's much easier to wash them at work. I've never washed Nebo at home besides rinsing dirt off. I know for a fact that he would take all day long to dry (his coat may not be that long, but it's extremely dense!) plus he would cover the bathroom with fur as well as clog the drains.

Simply put people do this to make the washing easier on themselves and the dog and to leave the mess there!

If you feel like that's a waste of money, then that's fine to think that way. I'm sure there's many other people that feel that way as well. I know that if I didn't work at a grooming salon and there was one near me I would use it!

[Nomilynn]

There are a few around my place. I would definatly use them, and I bet people in a city would too because if you have a dog in an apt it's just messy to have to deal with a wet dog in a small space and small bathroom! Also, I would use it because I could get help with grooming tips from employees.

Amy - I think it's a great idea.

Cali - don't be so negative and rain on Amy's parade - try to be more encouraging

[cali]

I gotcha lol I am not really familier with the things grooming salons use, so I would have no idea lol I also live in an older house with a rather large tub and a very large bathroom, and this is the only house we have had lots of dogs in. my dogs now are not big and hefty I know, however Shadow was, she took forever to dry but we just lived with it lol I have bathed a very large dog in a very small tub before though lol my friends dog Dakota had mites and needed a bath he is a 100lbs golden retreiver lol all I can say is I am VERY glad my dogs are so well behaved lol

[Crikit]

I don't use one for the main reason being that I can wash the dogs for free at the training centre. If it wasn't for that I would probably use one just because I hate having to clean the bathroom after washing the dogs (didn't mind it so much when it was my sisters bathroom and didn't have to use tub and stuff afterwards) that and with all three of my dogs not liking water, it's a pain in the butt trying to make sure that I get all sides with the wall being in the way.

In other words I think it's a great idea Amy.

[bckrazy]

That is an awesome idea! There are hardly any of those in Sacramento, we have to drive 45 minutes to go to a self-service washing place and it really isn't that nice! You would be the perfect person to start that kind of business, Amy.. especially the photography part!! I'm sure Utah has a demand for that .. Doggie Daycare's also do really well! I'll work for ya Amy

I'm like Crickit, I always go to self-service washing because I HATE cleaning up all of the hair. And, when I wash Gonzo there is hair all over the bathroom... ew. They also have waay more convenient, big elevated tubs that you don't have to bend over to reach, and they have the shampoo and leashes and towels and blow dryers all there. I pay $15 each time I go, and we go atleast 2 or 3 times a month.. it's worth it. I'd love to be able to go to a place to wash him, get his food and toys and everything! You should totally look into this!

[aly]

I was going to mention the apartment thing too. You could have a big part of your target market be people who live in apartments. I know for a fact that a lot of apartment people would use that.

There is a self-service dog wash near me, but I still haven't tried it. I don't really need to take my dogs there as they have very short fur and dry quickly, but it still sounded fun. So even if people dont necessarily NEED one, they still might be inclined to go! It is also a fun way to meet and socialize with other dog lovers.

[Cinder & Smoke]

GOOD Idea, Amy!
And you DO have "experience" in the field.

Some suggestions:

Find a Small Business Owner to talk to!
A RETIRED person (who might want to help you get started) would
be better than a working owner.
Check out: http://www.SCORE.org
It's a Nationwide Organization of Retired business owners and advisors
who give advice and counseling to folks Just Like YOU who are
getting started in the business world.

Some BANKS will offer "free" advice to small business start-ups;
but they usually want to see a Detailed Business PLAN before
they get too involved.

And ask the closest College/University - they often have a
Business School that will offer advice or needs "subjects"
for school-related projects.

GOOD LUCK!!

/s/ Phred
.

[elizabethann]

There is one in Manchester, NH. I believe they charge $18 per hour. I personally wouldn't use it because Fenway is small enough (19 pounds) that he can fit in my kitchen sink! I think this place provides everything - you just bring the dog.

Good luck. I hope your business does well.

[cloverfdx]

We have one about 5 minutes drive from us , Montys do it yourself dog wash and it is great. They only charge us about $8 for a hydrobath and they supply towels. The people are also Border Collie people so we get it a bit cheaper than others .

They also offer a grooming service and the prices are reasonable aswell, about $30 - 50 depending on the size of the dog.

Goodluck, i hope you get all the info you need and everything works out for you. I would love to do something simalar, but would need to have partners in on it.

[Corinna]

I have 2 other dogs besides Merlin ,2 newfoundland crosses. Let me tell you , you DO NOT pick them up and put in tub. They love water just not the tub. It saves my back and hours of cleaning up the bathroom after the rodieo is over.

[cocker_luva]

at the grooming shop i work at we have professional grooming and self service. there are 2 stations a large tub (fitting st. bernards, newfs, etc.) and a medium large tub. in the stations are shampoo, brushes, towels, blow dryers, a grooming table with an arm, alcohol and cotton balls for ears and nooses to keep the canine in the tub and/or table. they are great, ive never used one myself since we take Jesse there every 8 weeks. i love working there. and my boss said she will start teachin me how to groom, bathe, and dry a dog correctly! im soo excited, i plan on being a professional dog groomer when im older, there is soo much money in that!

[LuvGold00]

I own a grooming/boading business. There is great money in it!!

I groom all breeds, offer daycare and boarding, and I also sell Eagle Pack pet foods.

I love it, and plan on doing it for the rest of my life, if you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

[Kfamr]

I think it's a great idea. I don't see how anyone wouldn't get the point.

You actually wouldn't be wasting gas or money -- they'd supply the supplies, water, towels/source of drying, etc. (I'd think so?)
I groom all three of my dogs at home, but I think i'd go just to go. I enjoy bringing my dogs to places with me.

For example, Pets Mart is an arm and a leg, and 30 minutes away. I could easily go to a local grocery store and get toys and treats for cheaper - but I often go to Pets Mart just because I like to take my dogs somewhere.


I think the part we were talking about the gift shop and all would lure people in as well. I do think a lot of people would love that idea in my area. This is a pretty pet-friendly area and it has a lot of dog parks and dog beaches.

I'm not sure about your area though. Maybe you could do an opinion survey, if you're able to (I know we're both incredibly shy.) Just write down a list of questions (Even like the ones you asked us) an ask people yes or no. You could even do it by age groups, so you could know what a majority of the people interested would be.


I was telling my dad the other day how I want him to fly me out to Utah, for good, and Amy and I could start our own business.