Making the Grade

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Pet Age recently spoke with Jenna Monroe, area manager at Scenthound, a membership-based dog grooming franchise in Jupiter, Florida. Monroe began working at the original Scenthound eight years ago as a Scent Tech, learning the ins and outs of grooming and rising through the ranks to become an area manager. She will soon be opening her own Scenthound location as a franchisee in Boca Raton, Florida.

How would you describe your grooming salon, and how has Scenthound been received by dog owners since you got involved with the brand?
Scenthound is focused on dog wellness. We offer a monthly membership where dogs can come in and receive services that treat their Skin, Coat, Ears, Nails and Teeth (SCENT). Over the years, we learned that a lot of dog parents out there don’t know how important routine grooming is, even if your dog is a breed that does not need haircuts. We have different membership options so breeds that do not require haircuts can still come in and benefit from the rest of our services.

I’ve been with the brand for eight years, so I’ve had a lot of time to see the difference we make in dogs’ lives. Dog parents have told us they notice positive changes in their furry friends when they come in monthly to get the care they need to stay healthy. At Scenthound, we say that we remove barriers so that people can love and connect with their dogs every day.

What services or programs does Scenthound offer to set it apart from the competition?
Our membership program is unlike any other groomer; it holds the humans accountable and reminds them to bring their pup in on a regular basis to get the grooming they need. Unlike most groomers, everything we do is to prevent potential health issues down the line. We give every dog a Scent Check, which is basically a report card, evaluating the dog’s conditions. Our staff are trained to identify potential concerns and offer advice on what products could help or when to see a vet. We prioritize education because we want all of our clients to understand the importance of being proactive when it comes to their dog’s health.

What is SCENT, and how does it fit into a dog’s routine grooming care?
SCENT is our acronym that summarizes each part of the dog that our services care for. We start with the skin, which can be an overall indicator of your dogs’ health. Keeping your dog clean by giving them routine baths can help minimize bacteria on their skin, reduce irritation and inflammation, and provide relief from itching. Then comes the coat, which needs to be regularly bathed and brushed to prevent mats. If not taken care of, the skin under mats can get pulled into the knots, causing constant pinching and severe pain.

Ear infections are the No. 1 reason dogs visit the vet, and are most often due to an overgrowth of bacteria or yeast, and routinely cleaning your dog’s ears can prevent this. Next are the nails, which can cause skeletal damage if they grow out too long. Dogs should get their nails trimmed every two to four weeks to prevent painful breakage, joint stress, and even infection. And lastly, the teeth should be brushed regularly to help prevent painful inflammation, periodontal disease and tooth loss. All of these things are covered by our basic membership program to ensure that your dog stays as healthy as possible.

How do you maintain a strong relationship with your customers?
We show everyone who walks through our doors how much we care. Because we have a membership that keeps our clients coming back again and again, we get to know each of them very well. We are in the business of unconditional love and each member of our staff truly connects with the dogs and gets to know them.

I had such a strong bond with one of our dogs that, when her owner became too old to take care of her, he asked me if I would like to adopt her. I obviously said yes and am so thankful that Scenthound brought me together with Mariah, who is now such an important member of my family.

What grooming brands do you use or stock for sale at Scenthound?
When bathing our dogs, we use Nootie, which has many different scents that the dog parents can choose from each visit. This shampoo is made with all-natural ingredients and free of any sulfates or harsh chemicals, so it is safe for our dogs. We also sell items from Zymox, including ear solutions and oral care products, so if we give a dog a Scent Check that notes some concern, we have products on-hand that we can recommend the dog use at home.