How to Text a Client Straight From Chat With Ask Teddy

Quick answer: Ask Teddy is the assistant built into Teddy, and it can text a client for you straight from chat. Type something like "Text Max's owner that he's ready for pickup." Teddy writes the message, shows you a preview, and sends it only after you confirm. It's included on every plan, including Budget at $49.

You're mid-groom, a doodle is half dry, and Max's owner needs to know he's ready. Picking up your phone, finding the client, opening a thread and typing out a text takes a minute you don't have. With Teddy, you don't have to do any of that. You ask, and Ask Teddy does the busywork.

This post walks through how texting from chat works, what you can ask, and how you stay in control of every message.

What Ask Teddy is (and what it isn't)

Ask Teddy is the assistant you use inside your own grooming software. You type what you need in plain words, and Teddy handles it: booking, rescheduling, checking numbers, and texting clients. Every traditional screen is still there if you'd rather click. Asking is just the faster path.

It isn't a phone bot that talks to your clients on its own. You're the one asking, and nothing goes out until you say so.

How texting a client from chat works

It takes three steps, and the whole thing happens in one place.

1. Type what you need. For example: "Text Max's owner that he's ready for pickup."
2. Teddy shows you the text. It finds the right client, drafts the message, and shows you a preview before anything sends.
3. You confirm. Tap Confirm and the text goes out. Want to change a word? Keep chatting and Teddy will adjust it.

The text then shows up in that client's thread, on their record, so the next time you or a teammate opens Max's profile, the history is right there. When the owner texts back, the reply lands in the same thread in Teddy, not in a separate inbox or on your personal phone. The client's info panel sits beside the chat, with their pets and their next and last visit.

Things you can just ask

The best way to use Ask Teddy is to type to it the way you'd message a front desk helper. A few examples groomers use every day:

• "Text Max's owner that he's ready for pickup"
• "Text the Johnsons that I'm running 15 minutes late"
• "Did Sarah reply about Friday?"
• "Move the Johnsons to next Thursday"
• "Book Bella for a full groom Friday at 2"

The last two aren't texts, and that's the point. The same chat that sends a quick update can also move an appointment or book the next one, so you're not jumping between screens. Ask to move an appointment and Teddy shows the current and new time, the groomer and any conflicts. Nothing changes until you tap Confirm.

Quick to use mid-groom

Grooming is hands-on work. One short sentence is faster than tapping through screens, so you can send a pickup or running-late text between dogs and get back to work.

Teddy runs in the web browser, so it works on your phone, tablet or computer. There's nothing to download. Open Teddy in your phone's browser and Ask Teddy is right there.

You stay in control of every message

Groomers tell us the same worry: "What if it sends something wrong?" Ask Teddy is built around that worry.

• Every text gets a preview. You see who it's going to and exactly what it says.
• Nothing sends until you confirm. If you walk away, nothing happens.
• You can edit by asking. "Make it friendlier" or "add that he got a bow today" and Teddy redrafts.

It's the same rule for everything Ask Teddy does. Bookings, moves and texts all wait for your okay.

Which plans include it?

Ask Teddy is included on every plan: Budget, Core and Plus. Texting a client straight from chat is on every plan too, including Budget at $49 a month. Every plan also comes with unlimited two-way texting, so there's no per-message fee for the texts you send from chat.

A couple of things start on Core ($99) rather than Budget: automated reminders that send themselves before every appointment, and online booking. Ask Teddy sends the texts you ask for on any plan. Reminders that go out without anyone asking are a Core feature. See the full breakdown on the pricing page.

Why this beats tapping through screens

Most grooming software makes you dig through menus to do one thing. To send a pickup text, you'd find the client, open messages, type it, and hit send. With Ask Teddy you write one sentence and confirm.

Over a full day of pickups, running-late notes and "is Friday still good?" checks, those saved minutes add up. More important, you don't have to stop what you're doing to keep clients in the loop.

Tips for getting good results

• Use names you'd use out loud. "Max's owner," "the Johnsons" or "Sarah" all work, and Teddy will check with you if there's more than one match.
• Say the why. "Text the Johnsons I'm running 15 minutes late because the last groom ran long" gives Teddy what it needs to write a warm, clear message.
• Read the preview. It takes two seconds and it's the safety net.
• Keep it in Teddy. Because texts and replies live on the client record, your whole team sees the same history.

Want more on two-way texting itself? Read how texting and reminders work in Teddy.

Ready to try it on your own book? Get started for free. No credit card needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Ask Teddy text my clients for me?

Yes. Ask in plain words, like "Text Max's owner that he's ready for pickup." Teddy drafts the text, shows you a preview, and sends it only after you confirm.

Is texting from Ask Teddy on the Budget plan?

Yes. Ask Teddy is on every plan, and it can text clients straight from chat on every plan, including Budget at $49 a month.

Does Ask Teddy send texts without asking me?

No. Every text Ask Teddy writes waits for your confirmation. If you don't confirm, nothing is sent.

Where do texts sent from Ask Teddy show up?

In that client's message thread in Teddy. Replies land in the same thread, so you and your team can see the whole conversation.

Do I need to download an app?

No. Teddy runs in your web browser, so you can use Ask Teddy on your phone, tablet or computer without downloading anything.