How Tips are Distributed to the Staff
Whenever you tip the staff at Dogtown, the tips are distributed among the staff based on the percentage of total staff hours the employee worked that week (with the exception of grooming–trained groomers get 100% of grooming tips for work they completed). Tips are passed in full to the employees, and upper management and ownership take 0% of your tips.
Daycare – FAIRLY COMMON; Although customers do tip on daycare fairly often, it’s not expected. Plenty of customer do not, and that’s totally normal.
Boarding – PRETTY COMMON; For whatever reason, a pretty decent number of customers feel compelled to tip for a boarding stay, more so if special requests are made. But again, it’s completely common and acceptable to forego tipping for a boarding stay.
Grooming – VERY COMMON; 99% of people tip groomers. Grooming is a skill that takes a lot of time and patience, and it’s messy. When a groomer grooms, s/he gets 100% of your tip. Baths completed by handlers typically go into the daycare tip pool.
Retail – COMPLETELY UNCOMMON; Customers do not normally tip on retail. It would be very unusual in any industry to tip on products purchased.
Combination – FAIRLY COMMON: If you would like to tip on a boarding stay that has grooming as well, normally it’s best to tell the person working how much you want to go to the groomer and how much you want to go to the staff. If you do not, that’s ok, we will distribute tips in a reasonable way.
Tipping is appreciated but never required or expected in this industry (except for grooming). The staff is well-paid at Dogtown in comparison to the rest of our industry. However, it isn’t the most lucrative career for most of the staff, so tips can really make an impact for the staff. Again, upper management and ownership NEVER take the tips. Employees get 100% of what you tip! Do not feel bad if you don’t want to tip. We understand that daycare can be expensive. It’s not a big deal at all if you do not tip! Your dog will be cared for no matter what!
Good people are hard to find. Particularly when you’re trusting them with your kids and pets. This is why you’ll want to take care of the ones you have come to rely on.
Holiday Bonus: Not needed (but you should consider a nice holiday basket as a gift for office staff)
Don’t worry about tipping your vet! That would be like tipping your healthcare provider. Instead, consider a nice basket of chocolate-dipped fruit, cookies, or just a thank you note to staff if your pet has been in on a regular basis.
Gratuities can be a bone of contention among many pet parents. They shouldn’t be, though. We entrust others with the light of our lives and they should be rewarded if they are trustworthy and go above and beyond the call of duty.
Good groomers can be hard to find, so if you find one you love, keep them wanting to help you and your pup. Most recommend doing an annual tip for the holidays in the amount of 1-2 grooming sessions.[heading style=”3″ color=”#006666″ style_color=”#006666″]Trainers and Behaviorists[/heading]
But you know what? Ive learned to take much of this as a way to show respect for their elders, something done far better in other cultures where youth has not been put on the pedestal we seem to have given it. In fact, when I think back to the times when this has bothered me, its because it is my ego kicking in, wanting to somehow pretend that I am part of that great American worship of all that is young.
Dear Asking for a Tip: Thank you for your kind words. You sound like a thoughtful and considerate person. Typically, tipping can be between 15 to 20% of the services rendered. Tipping the owner is not technically considered proper etiquette, as the tip should go to the employees. But since you frequent this business often and love the services they provide for your dog, it is a kind gesture to tip generously.
Dear Annie: I live out in the country and have found a consistently wonderful kennel for my dog. The people who work there are the owner and two helpers; all are kind, efficient and obviously dog lovers. The kennel costs $40 per night. My question is, how much of a tip to leave? Sometimes, one of the helpers is working when I pick up my dog, and sometimes it’s the owner. Should I tip differently for the helpers versus owner? Please advise. I want to do right by them! — Asking for a Tip on Tips
“Ask Me Anything: A Year of Advice From Dear Annie” is out now! Annie Lanes debut book — featuring favorite columns on love, friendship, family and etiquette — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].
Dear Happy With Living Longer: You offer a great perspective on aging. Our culture does seem to glorify youthfulness.Yet growing older is a privilege and something to be celebrated. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Doggy Day Care Is a TERRIBLE IDEA!?
Tipping is often found in the service industry, sometimes it is expected and other times it is not, but it is always a sign of showing appreciation for good service. Often the amount of the tip can vary and depends on several ranging factors, including the circumstances, the service itself, or even the location. Tipping can be used to show appreciation for good service or as a thank you. As a Pet Care Provider, I get asked should we tip the Sitter, Dog Walker, or Groomer? How Much? Is it Appropriate? As a whole, Pet Care Providers are often never expected to be tipped, but it is nice when it happens! However, if you answer YES to any of these questions, then you probably should.
Your Pet Care Provider would appreciate any tip or gift you can afford to leave and is a perfect way to ensure that you and your pet will be well looked after in the future. They would probably have an even better service and last-minute requests accepted in the future when the Pet Care Provider feels valued.