At the bottom of a client's User Details card (on the Overview section of their detail page) are four action buttons:
Edit Information
Block Messages
Deactivate Client
Delete Client
The first one is harmless — covered in Editing client info and managing pets. The other three are destructive to varying degrees. Here's when to use each.
Block Messages stops Teddy from sending this client any automated texts — confirmations, reminders, thank-yous, or birthday messages. Manual texts you send from the Messages page will still go through.
Use it when:
A client has asked you to stop sending reminders
A client's phone number is out of service and you don't want to keep trying
You're communicating with them through another channel (call, email, in-person) and don't want duplicate touches
The client stays on your list and remains bookable. You can un-block them later if they change their mind.
Deactivate Client hides the client from the main Clients & Pets list and from new appointment flows, but keeps their record — and all their history, notes, payments, and pets — on file.
Use it when:
A client has moved away
A client has stopped coming in but you don't want to lose their history (in case they come back, or for reports)
You're cleaning up your list to only show active clients
This is the "polite way to say goodbye" option. Nothing is lost, and you can reactivate them later if needed.
Delete Client permanently removes the client and all their associated data from Teddy. Their appointment history, notes, payment records, tags, and pets all disappear.
Use it when:
You created a duplicate record by mistake
A test account needs to be cleaned up
A client has asked in writing to be removed (GDPR-style data deletion)
Do not use it when:
You just want them off your daily list — that's Deactivate Client
You just want to stop messaging them — that's Block Messages
You're mad at them — cool off first; deletion is permanent
Because this action is permanent, Teddy will ask you to confirm before following through. Once you confirm, the data is gone.
Situation Action | |
Client asked to stop getting texts | Block Messages |
Client moved or stopped coming | Deactivate Client |
You created a duplicate record | Delete Client |
You just want to correct a typo | Edit Information |
Tip: When in doubt, deactivate. Deactivated clients are fully recoverable; deleted ones are not. You can always go from deactivated → deleted later, but you can never undo a delete.
