Total Grooming Magazine June 2023

Page 24

JUNE 2023 www.totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk

Professional Grooming Equipment and Supplies

Your favorite brands and many more all in one place!

At Technogroom we are proud to supply our customers with an extensive range of professional grooming products from around the world.

Our

Center

We can service or repair any make and model of blasters, clippers, dryers, tables and sharpen all types of blades.

To find out more about our service centre, please call us or visit our website.

twitter.com/technogroom facebook.com/technogroom Tel: 01555 771 555 www.technogroom.co.uk Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Service
Not only are we the sole importer of many popular brands, but we also develop and manufacture our own unique products in house at Technogroom. Will Help Keep Your Salon Running
Keeping your equipment in top working order is essential to your business.

Happy June everyone!

Wait, did I just write that? It’s June already!? Where does the time go?

We hope that you’ve been enjoying the latest from us over at TGM, we know that we’ve had a blast putting it all together for your lovely selves! In this issue, we’ve got some fantastic business-minded content for you, so let’s dive in!

Two of our biggest focuses this issue are growing your business and marketing tips and tricks. You’re going to want to read the latest on this whether you’re celebrating your first year in the industry or your 30th, as it’s an ever-changing part of the dog grooming world! We hope that you find it as informative as we did whilst researching.

Alongside that, we have the regular features that we love putting together for you all, which you can locate by scanning the trusty contents below.

From myself, and everyone here at TGM, we hope that you have a fantastic month and we’ll see you in July. Start getting out the sun cream!

12

Growing Your Business: What are the latest trends for growing your grooming business? We find out on page 12!

18

Groomers Around the World: We dive into the importance of different cultural inspiration.

21 Marketing: Having the right marketing skills are an essential part of any dog groomer’s business model. Find out more here!

32 Previews & Reviews: The latest from the UK’s grooming events.

38 Groomers of the Month: You won’t want to miss this month’s unique Groomer of the Month!

40 Rachel Bean Monthly: The latest from Rachel Bean.

44 Feline Focus: Cat care at its finest from page 44!

Editor

Connor Jenkins connor@tgmpublishing.co.uk

Commercial Director Mike Smith mike@tgmpublishing.co.uk 01795 509110

Design and Production

Grant Waters, James Taylor 01795 509108

Credit Facilities Manager Lauren Sharpe creditcontrol@cimltd.co.uk 01795 509103

Digital & Web Developer Matt Coppard

Managing Director John Denning

3
this issue:
Editor In
@TotalGrooming @totalgroomingmagazineuk totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk
© 2023 TGM Publishing Limited, 1st Floor, Saphir House, 5 Jubilee Way, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8GD. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form – electronic, mechanical or physical – without express prior permission and written consent of the publisher. Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and addressed envelope. Manuscripts should be type written. No responsibility can be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor’s hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographic or artistic, belongs to TGM Publishing Limited. The publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the Publisher. The Publisher cannot accept liability for any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement. Contents JUNE 2023 www.totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk 12 On the cover: Peanut & Pickle www.peanutandpickle.co.uk

UK rescue is at breaking point due to pandemic puppies being abandoned and dogs surrendered due to the cost-of-living crisis. Most overseas organisations focus on rehoming dogs out of their country of origin which Dog Desk Animal Action say is not sustainable.

Michelle Robertson, Founding Director of Dog Desk Animal Action says: “While finding homes for dogs in need is hugely admirable, it does nothing to stem the flow of dogs in need of help.

“We have no idea whether bringing another dog into the country will jeopardise the well-being of another. We have chosen to focus our energy on reducing the number of dogs that need to be rescued in the country of origin through spay and neuter programmes.”

Dog Desk Animal Action have launched a major campaign, involving supporters walking or cycling a selected distance throughout 2023 and raising

funds for their challenge which will fund spay & neuter operations.

Dale Robertson, Director, said: “People from all walks of life with differing levels of fitness have joined in. It’s a great way to get outside and raise money for a good cause. Many [dogs born on the street] don’t survive disease or injury. Some are mown down by traffic

Dog Desk Animal Action Insurance

An insurance expert has cautioned pet care business owners against cutting corners on insurance as a way of coping with the ‘cost of living’ crisis.

Lynne Fisher, of Cliverton, warned that stripping back cover to the minimum could potentially jeopardise their financial futures.

“Threats to livelihoods can and do happen, and to simply hope they won’t happen to you is not the best policy. It is the cover for important extras, such as property damage, business interruption and professional indemnity, that makes for truly comprehensive protection.”

Fisher cited legal expenses as a typical example how short-term savings can have a negative financial impact in the long term. “For around £28 per annum, this covers legal representation, should it be needed.

“People usually buy it for the first year they take out a policy, but because they didn’t need to make a claim, they

don’t consider it a necessity on renewal. Without it, however, they could face a heavy financial burden should they become involved in a lengthy dispute or legal case.”

or killed by adult dogs. Female dogs live a miserable existence either pregnant or nursing with not much respite from either”

Dog Desk Animal Action have had close to 2,000 spays through the clinic they funded in the southwest of Turkey & hope to continue in Ankara, Bilecik & Aydin this year.

Although Employers’ Liability insurance is a legal requirement for all staff, either paid or unpaid, it is not a legal requirement for relatives.

INDUSTRY UPDATE
totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk @totalgroomingmagazineuk @TotalGrooming 4

Education

iPet launches a qualification, which will be taught by renowned nutrition consultant, and author of The Best Dog Diet Ever Caroline Griffith and other approved iPET Network Training Providers. This is aimed at learners who want to know more about feeding dogs,

as an introduction to the more indepth Level 3 Diploma in Canine Nutrition.

Professionals who work in pet care industries such as pet shop employees, pet sitting and dog homes can take the qualification, as well as pet owners who simply are interested in knowing more about their dog’s diet.

The remote learning qualification is regulated by Ofqual, and includes guidance in understanding the kinds of food available and portion control.

Caroline, who has worked in the canine nutrition field for over 30 years, and founded the Natural Dog Expo, said: “The new Level 2 qualification is a great introduction to canine nutrition, and the more in-depth Level 3 qualification. The Level 2 will enable the learner to make more informed choices about what they feed their own dog or the dogs in their care.”

After Caroline left school she began working in a kennel which put nutrition and fresh feeding at the heart of its care for dogs.

Through this experience, Caroline saw dogs with skin conditions or health complaints improve simply through the diet that they were being given, and she dedicated her life and work to canine nutrition.

She added: “It was such a great initial education, and to see those poorly animals improving not only through medication but through a good diet too was so inspiring. I hope that this course can do the same for learners.”

Sarah Mackay and Fern Gresty of the iPET Network, said: “We are so excited to be launching a Level 2 qualification in canine nutrition and to be working with experienced professionals such as Caroline on these qualifications.

“Caroline is an inspiring and informed tutor, and all of our learners so far have come away with a real depth of knowledge in this important subject.

“Nutrition is so important in the care and longevity of our pets, and the more

people that have knowledge of this in our canine care industries the better.”

To find out more, visit www.ipetnetwork.co.uk

NEWS
totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk @totalgroomingmagazineuk @TotalGrooming 6
28.95 37.95

Leading the way to cleaner oceans

Sustainable dog brand, Tangle, is on a mission to put an end to ghost nets, and lost or abandoned fishing nets, from entering our oceans and killing marine life through a range of premium sustainable dog accessories made from recycled fishing nets in the UK.

Named the silent killer of our seas, nearly half of the plastic in the ocean comes from ghost fishing nets that have been discarded in the sea. These nets are often made from harsh plastics that take centuries to degrade and are killing millions of marine species every year.

Sam Cartwright and Xavier Warburton, co-founders of Tangle, started the business in 2022 to counteract the ghost net problem in an innovative way, working to repurpose old fishing nets into long-lasting, premium dog products for environment-conscious dog owners.

Xavier says: “We’re all aware of the impact of plastic bottles and straws, but in reality, ghost nets make up nearly half of all plastics in our oceans and they’re

far more deadly to marine life. Lost or discarded nets continue to ‘ghost’ around the ocean entangling and killing marine life so unnecessarily.

“By creating our beautifully made dog products from recycled nets, Tangle stops the ghost net problem and in turn allows animal lovers to help save marine life. We’re on track to stop over 500 tennis courts worth (137,800 sqm) of fishing nets becoming ghost nets this year.”

Sam adds: “By introducing an incentive for fishermen to exchange their old nets through our partnership ports, we’re able to reduce the likelihood of the nets being dumped overboard out at sea and provide people with a unique product. We want to rid our oceans of

these deadly nets for good.”

The Tangle Dog Lead is the perfect balance of style, sustainability and function with all the benefits of a fishing net built for the high seas.

A strong, lightweight 4 ft dog lead made from discarded fishing nets featuring a padded brown cork handle and label, chrome plated clip and O-ring that allows for clipping the lead over your shoulder when your dog’s running free.

The Tangle Dog Lead is durable, waterproof, chew proof and rinseable under the tap, available in two sizes 10mm for small and medium dogs and 12mm for larger dogs in Ocean Green online at www.tanglemission.com, RRP £39 including P&P.

NEWS
totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk @totalgroomingmagazineuk @TotalGrooming 8

Pet adoption simplified

A team of animal lovers in Cambridgeshire, who are determined to make finding the right pet to adopt a great deal easier, have launched a new central database to simplify the process of finding rescue dogs and cats in need of adoption.

Recent TV and news articles confirm that there has been a dramatic rise in the number of pet owners parting with their dogs and cats. There are many reasons why a family may need to rehome a pet, but every pet is relovable and deserves a safe and loving home.

The cost of living crisis has taken a huge toll on many households, leaving pet owners struggling with the cost of pet food and vet bills. Because of this, animal shelters and rescue homes have seen a 48% increase in the number of pets being taken to shelters.

Despite over 800,000 online searches being made by potential adopters every month, over 100,000 animals are simply not found and many remain in shelters for several months - even years.

Sadly, in some cases, long-term shelter residents can face euthanasia. The problem is clear and obvious. Potential pet adopters face the fragmented task of searching over 1,000 separate animal

shelter websites to find the right dog or cat to adopt - and many give up.

Work began in 2022 to create a website and develop a community of animal shelters and people willing to adopt a dog or cat. The website aims to be of nationwide appeal, connecting animal lovers with shelters from all over the country, and making the adoption process more accessible to all.

The website will also provide valuable pet-adopting community information and resources to help pet owners care for their new furry friends. In April 2023 the group launched the website relovablepets.co.uk

This solution was not revolutionary but evolutionary and simple. By replicating the service provided by Rightmove and Autotrader, the adopting public would have access to a single database of animals and in doing so, increase their chances of a successful adoption.

The website would also deliver benefits to shelters too by providing

access to a wider geographical audience and therefore driving more enquiries directly to them.

“We are thrilled to have developed a solution that simplifies the pet adoption process and connects animal lovers with their perfect pet. We understand the challenges of searching and registering with the many shelters to find the right pet, and our goal is to make it easier for everyone,” said founder Elaine Scott.

The organisation have launched a crowdfunding appeal to help cover the initial costs of digitally connecting animal shelter lists with the Relovable Pets website to create a dynamic and live central database. Their fundraising project ends on the 16th of June and needs to raise £25,000 to secure the funds.

More information can be found at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/relovable-pets and all donations no matter how small are welcome.

NEWS
totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk @totalgroomingmagazineuk @TotalGrooming 10

Expansive

From dog grooming businesses that are fresh off the starting line to ones that have been in action for 15 years, it’s always important to stay on top of the latest trends and learn how to expand your business. Let’s dive in!

You might be thinking to yourself that it’s time to do something new and generate some more revenue. Naturally, you’ll want to invest in your current clientele but it’s equally as important to think outward about what else you could do to grow.

So, let’s tap into the basics.

There are so many different avenues to growing that you might not even realise that you’re doing a bunch of them! That being said, it’s crucial to be sure that you’re introducing new services to what your business offers.

Individuality and ensuring that you stand out from the local crowd is a must for any business, so be sure that you’re giving something a little different so that clients want to come back for more from the only place they can get it from!

Have a brainstorming session (with your team, if you have one) and see what fresh and new ideas you could bring to the table. There’s always something new to explore, and clients generally love creativity when it comes to that sort of thing so bring your thinking caps!

If you’re struggling to come up with new aspects to introduce, it might not be a bad idea to simply ask your clients. From anonymous online reviews to social media questionnaires, there’s always a way to do your marketing research towards your specific demographic. Don’t be afraid to dive in!

We do say this often, but be sure to consider what types of animals you tend to cater to. What are some unique things that owners would want compared to others?

We know a lot of dog groomers who insist that you should charge your worth. This is very true, however, it’s also important that the clients are getting what they pay for. A client is more likely to spend their hard-earned money with you if there’s something unique and special that they can’t get anywhere else, so be sure to emphasise this!

GROWING YOUR BUSINESS
totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk @totalgroomingmagazineuk @TotalGrooming 12
Photo by Alec Favale on Unsplash
Contact us at info@fourpawsgroomschool.co.uk www.fourpawsgroomschool.co.uk Inspire, achieve, believe! Start your career and gain an Ofqual regulated qualification EDUCATION FOR PEOPLE, FOR PETS, FOR THE FUTURE Dog and Cat Grooming Qualifications iPET Network is a sector specific Awarding Organisation who are constantly developing innovative animal care & veterinary science qualifications. Additionally, iPET Network is an End-point Assessment Awarding Organisation. If you would like to become a Training Provider, contact us on info@ipetnetwork.co.uk www.ipetnetwork.co.uk GROOM SCHOOL FIND YOUR NEAREST SCHOOL

Keep track of your clients, know what’s working and what isn’t, and be sure to always be offering the best, most unique service you can within reason to really “wow” your clientele.

So, here’s our usual favourite recommendation; social media! Utilise social media as much as you can. In 2023, it’s the absolute best way to receive information, from influencers and news sites alike. It’s showing no signs of slowing, so why not use it to expand your business?

There are countless ways to use it, but our personal favourite at the moment is running an ad campaign. Think about what people in the area would want to see. Put yourself in the clients’ shoes and try to envision what would hook you if you were them.

When you have that in mind, create something amazing and utilise the advertising tools provided to you to get it out to the public.

Don’t spread yourself too thin, however. Ensure that all of your content has a certain standard and that it best represents your business. Demonstrate what you’re capable of and what unique things you can offer.

You can also use social media to offer exclusive deals. Imagine something along the lines of a referral code. You provide certain followers and people who respond to you on social media with special, shareable options that they can use. There it is, advertising that you’re not even doing yourself!

When you’ve built yourself up enough, be sure to list your business online in places where people can leave reviews. This humanises the business and gives potential new clientele a chance to see, in real-time, other peoples’ experiences with you. This brings us to our next point…

Responsiveness is key! Whether you’re replying to Instagram comments or Google reviews, ensure that you’re putting in the effort. This is a platform where an official from your business speaks to someone who’s left a review. Positive or negative, demonstrate that you care and respond to as many comments and reviews as you can. This shows potential new clients that you’re willing to offer exceptional service and aren’t just some corporate face. I know that I would love to see some of my favourite local businesses chatting in the

community!

When setting up your online shareable profiles, there are a few factors to consider to help your business grow. “Shareability” is a word that we often say here at TGM, and it’s something that we encourage all of you to look into!

If a client of yours has ten friends on social media and they share your content, their ten friends will potentially see your content. If it’s something they would want to share, they’ll then share

it with their friends and so forth… It will soon snowball into something that people will love, if “shareability” is done correctly!

Think about what can make something shareable… “Chance to win 50% off your next groom if you share and tag some friends in the comments section” is a popular one that works!

The profile itself should also provide lots of relevant information about your business. Be sure to fill in all of the fields

GROWING YOUR BUSINESS totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk @totalgroomingmagazineuk @TotalGrooming 14
Photo by Jay Wennington on Unsplash
TRADE DEALS FOR GROOMERS ON VET BEDDING & BEDS Apply on line for a trade account www.bronteglen.co.uk Tel: 01535 662 359 trade@bronteglen.co.uk As used and recommended by vets and pet groomers throughout europe TRADE DEALS FOR GROOMERS. (PRICES STARTING FROM £3.20 FOR 20”X20”) APPLY ON LINE FOR A TRADE ACCOUNT FEED YOUR DOG AS NATURE INTENDED find us... @CotswoldRAW or #CotswoldRAW COTSWOLDRAW.COM @TotalGrooming @totalgroomingmagazineuk totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk 15

when creating a profile! This includes things such as your business address, phone number and business hours if applicable. Check regularly on all platforms to make sure it’s up to date!

As well as replying to comments and reviews, your message centre should be one of the highest priorities. Even spending just a small amount of time per day getting back to people can make such a huge impact. The ten seconds it can take to provide someone with a quote can make you a booking with potential return clientele, so be sure to keep on top of your messages!

Keep everything consistent and try not to leave any “dead air”, so to speak. Luckily, dog grooming is a very visual business, so it’s not difficult to post regularly, create engagement and keep active!

Lastly, we live in an era full of online shopping. Whether it’s huge online retailers where you can stock your products, or even the ability to add a store page to a social media profile, you’re going to want to ensure that all of your products and services are easily viewable by all. This may even incentivise a visit to you, which can lead to a conversation resulting in more repeat sales!

Creating a fantastic image with some humour, creativity or uniqueness can make people want to share this with their

followers, whether it’s a hundred or a thousand. You can never be too sure with today’s social standards!

Overall, we want to stretch that the ability to share is key. The audience is your clients, and it’s important to

consider all of their wants and needs. What makes them want to come to you? Grab it, emphasise it and use it to create shareable content that your clients will love. They’ll spread the word in no time!

GROWING YOUR BUSINESS totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk @totalgroomingmagazineuk @TotalGrooming 16
Photo by Krista Mangulsone on Unsplash Photo by Lucas Ludwig on Unsplash
CALL FOR FREE 150ML TO TRIAL Disinfectants, Sanitisers, Shampoo & First Aid Products Confidence for you and your customers Available from wholesalers or contact us at info@aqueos.co.uk Infection Control for Dog Groomers @TotalGrooming @totalgroomingmagazineuk totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk 17

Cultural differences

As a groomer, you should be constantly looking for inspiration for your pet grooming business. Thankfully, we live on a huge planet full of many different areas, each with its own dog grooming niches…

Worldwide, dogs have had many different presences that we all know and love. This can span from workers to fashionistas, to simply an extra family member. You can even see fire dogs and police dogs!

The way we look at dogs has changed drastically as time has passed, and we’ve never stopped appreciating them. This applies to so many places around the world, as we’re constantly bringing them in as more important parts of our lives each day.

There are some cultures that still fear dogs, and they are even considered negative symbols within religion. Even within those countries, you will see a growth in pet ownership. As much as we don’t like to think about it, there are even still many countries today that use dogs as a food source… In China, however, the pet care industry is approaching the highest ranks of anywhere in the world.

One thing that we can all agree on though, is that no matter where you’re from, you are able to make a living from dog grooming. It’s an ever-growing industry, with more and more changes and fashion patterns developing all of the time.

Around the world, you’ll find expanses within vets, apparel and even technology

for dogs! Have you ever considered going international? There are so many inspirational things that you could pick up for your salon by doing so. Something I personally can’t get enough of at the moment is Asian fusion, showcased in many events across the UK!

When it comes to products and spending, Americans are currently taking

GROOMERS AROUND THE WORLD
totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk @totalgroomingmagazineuk @TotalGrooming 18
Photo by Beth Macdonald on Unsplash Photo by Caleb Fisher on Unsplash

the lead, according to stats from the American Pet Products Association. Apparently, a large quantity of this comes from dog grooming alone!

Some countries, such as Sweden, according to previous Groomers Around the World contributor My Österman (@ myshundsalong on Instagram), aren’t as on top of the latest trends. However, the classics are still going incredibly strong! The fact that the market is still booming over there speaks volumes, and maybe we can all take a leaf out of that book. It can pay off not to overthink things.

The fact that we can share so many things online now holds so much value, as inspiration can spread globally overnight if the right viral content is shared. We encourage you all to view hashtags representing other grooming countries, such as #doggroomerbrazil, for instance, to see what some of the latest trends could be!

International influencers are travelling the world, going to shows and sharing the latest intercultural trends that we can’t wait to see more of! Even Mastergroom 2023 has an amazing international speaker who we can’t wait to see!

Because of this shareability, grooming over time has merged into more than simply a haircut. Offering a range of

GROOMERS AROUND THE WORLD

services is considered normal, and global inspiration truly is a part of this. The fact that groomers based in the UK can specifically work on Asianinspired grooms is something that we’re incredibly happy to celebrate. From reiki to a swanky new trim, we want to see it all!

Asian-styled grooming is all about making cuteness a top priority, “teddybearifying” pups to emphasise points in an adorable way. Asami Terada (@kurumiasami_groomer on Instagram) has so many amazing photos of grooms that they have done, as well as helpful diagrams on their socials. Check it out!

It’s not just the grooms though. It’s the fact that there is such an amazingly inspiring community that we’re all a part of out there. Even considering the charities that are dedicated to helping pups in the current climate in Ukraine, there are so many international aspects to consider, and we’d LOVE to get to know more of you!

Overall, we want to emphasise that it’s important to constantly be searching for, learning about and taking influence from other grooming cultures around the world. Every month, we’re trying to reach out to people from new places to learn more.

If you’re interested in becoming one of

our worldwide groomers we can speak with, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch on social media or by emailing connor@tgmpublishing.co.uk for more information.

@TotalGrooming @totalgroomingmagazineuk totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk 19
Photo by Napat Noppadolpaisal on Unsplash Photo by Pontus Wellgraf on Unsplash

Marketing

talk shop about the ins and outs of how to successfully market your business to your clients.
by @nate_dumlao on Instagram. 21
Let’s
Photo
@TotalGrooming @totalgroomingmagazineuk totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk

Good to know…

When it comes to marketing, you may find that it has a lot of similarities to retailing. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as, if you’re fluent in retailing to your clients, you’ll know the basics! Either way, here are some important things to know about marketing.

Website

A good quality website is a staple for a business in any industry, let alone dog grooming. Be sure to include the latest up-to-date info so that your clients can find you easily find you online and, hopefully, find out more information about yourselves! Good imagery is a must, as well as contact info and business hours. Make it a one-stop shop for everything your clients would want from your business!

Quality content

Speaking of good imagery for your business, you don’t want your clients to find your socials through your new, fantastic website only for them to see some poorly-edited imagery which may allow them to think that the quality they’ll

receive is poor. Do some research, find out how to make your pages “pop” and really demonstrate to them what you’re capable of. Make them want to come and see you!

Social media ads

Now, you’ve got your website and you’ve got your quality imagery and info online. Great! The next step is to pump it out into the world for all to see. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram ads are a fantastic way to boost your audience reach! You can even target who you want to see the ads on some platforms, so really make sure that you let everyone in your local area that you’re open for business.

Ambassadors

One thing that we’re seeing more and

more of lately is dog groomers working with bigger companies for a mutual amount of promotion for each side. See if any of your favourite brands are looking for people to stock their products and share info online. You never know what amazing opportunities can come from this, all you need to do is get in touch with a company and ask. Simple!

Work with influencers

On the flipside of becoming an ambassador, you may even want to have your own. Reach out to some online influencers within the dog grooming world and see if they would consider working with you to promote your business. You never know who is about to explode online, so keep your options open!

MARKETING - ESSENTIAL FIVE
totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk @totalgroomingmagazineuk @TotalGrooming 22
Image from www.mattyfours.com
Good hygiene for animals prevents infection and provides protection! Concentrate, multi-functional products available. High dilutions. Providing you with anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral solutions. Specialist disinfectants, sanitisers, detergents, shampoos, soaps, sprays and wipes. Covers Canine Parvo, Sars-Cov-2 (COVID-19), Kennel Cough, Gardia, E.Coli, Salmonella, Avian Flu plus more. For all your cleaning needs www.ghs-direct.com Tel: 01268 513210 sales@ghs-direct.com Quote TGM06235 - T&C’s Apply, 5% Off for new customers only. Effective against: Virus, Bacteria, Fungi, Mold, Odours New Customers Only. T&Cs Apply. @TotalGrooming @totalgroomingmagazineuk totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk 23

Tactics

First things first, you should know your audience. Whether you’re a small business or a fully-fledged, multi-salon dog grooming business, you’re going to want to know your audience in and out.

What sort of things would drive them to make a purchase at your salon? Consider every aspect, especially if you’re looking to sell products and other goods to your clientele.

Something to consider is thinking what every general pet owner would need for their homes. Leashes, bowls, or poo bags. Consider all of the different things you may want to stock and sell on to your customers.

It’s easy to get lost in this though, as every dog grooming salon will be selling similar merch. Make yourselves more desirable than the competition, and think outside the box. How can you spruce up simply buying a bowl?

Think of things such as deals,

promotions and offers that your clients can’t refuse and, potentially, won’t get anywhere else.

Straying away from the overarching theme of selling physical things for your clientele, it’s also important to focus on lots of little goals if you’re venturing into the world of marketing. Creating small checklists of goals will have you making your mark on the industry in no time!

Really consider what some of the best marketing needs your business might lack, and prioritise those first. It might even help to simply list these things in order and work through them. Setting up a website might take more priority than other, smaller things, for instance.

Ensure that clear performance goals are set for you and/or your team. After you make some progress, you can clearly outline when it’s time to move on to the next big thing.

Social media, naturally, is always one of the things at the height of what we

suggest here at TGM. It’s 2023, and there are so many tools for you to utilise for your business. Did we mention that it’s essentially all free for the most part? Because, well, it is.

Marketability falls under the same belt as shareability in a lot of businesses these days, so why not clamp down on one of the biggest ways to get your name out there and create something so gosh darn “Instagrammable” that your clientele won’t be able to resist a visit to your business.

Who knows, you might even get some completely new clients out of it!

The simplest thing to do to kickstart this is to search for some guides on the basics. There are probably so many small factors that are a part of taking a great photo that you might not even realise, and it never hurts to check up on the latest setting trends for your iPhone to get that perfect shot that just screams “buy me” to your followers.

MARKETING
totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk @totalgroomingmagazineuk @TotalGrooming 24
Running a business isn’t all fun and games! You should know how to successfully market to your new and existing clientele, so here are some potentially helpful tips for you all!
Photo by Angel Luciano on Unsplash

After you’ve laid down the groundwork and have all of your content ready to go, you can start to look into the heavier stuff that really makes your website and online content fly through the world wide web and straight onto someone’s “for you page”.

The main thing that you’re going to want to consider when we say this is search engine optimisation or SEO for short. This essentially translates to a list of criteria that determines how high up on search engines and other platforms your content will be listed. You’re going to want to look up some guides for this one, as there is a lot to cover! But trust us when we say that it’s worth it.

Once you’ve figured out some routines, strategies and other things to give your marketability the boost it deserves, double your efforts and really make the things that work for you, well, work!

Make a note of the results, fine-tune them to the best of your ability and then see what happens with the second go. You can really benefit your business by focusing on what works, rather than what doesn’t.

Next up on the agenda is to take into consideration how important your existing customers are. They are the ones who’ve been a cornerstone in developing your business to the point that it’s at now.

There isn’t anything wrong with asking them to spread the word a little if they are happy with your service. Similar to leaving a Google review, we know that word of mouth also goes an incredibly long way. Emphasise to your clients how important their verbal feedback to others can be and you’ll, hopefully, be seeing more return on investment in no time.

It might even be worth recommending certain items that you can sell to them that need to be refilled. Fragrances, for example. And, if you’re the only one who can supply these in a fifty-mile radius then you’ll be sure that those customers will be coming directly to you!

Be nice to your customers and they’ll be nice to you back.

Now, let’s talk about the nitty-gritty of a website! It will be one of your most useful assets, an online portfolio that demonstrates your value as well as hosting an array of methods where you can be contacted.

Whether you choose to create the site

MARKETING totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk @totalgroomingmagazineuk @TotalGrooming 26
Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash

yourself or hire a professional to really give it some extra oomph is entirely up to you. As long as the end result is a positive one then we don’t see a problem with either!

Find a way to ensure repeat visits to your website, with promotions and deals to keep people coming back for more. Especially if your website is the only place they can find it.

Take a look at hosting services such as WordPress to see what you can do to build up your website today.

When you’re posting, it’s of the utmost importance that you keep some sort of schedule. This way, the people who follow you on social media and regularly visit your website can easily know when the best time to check out your channels will be.

If you want to base this on statistics that are already there, a lot of social media platforms and website hosts provide this service absolutely free of charge. You’ve just got to do a bit of digging deep down in the respective apps!

This information is incredibly useful, as it demonstrates to you your current demographic, their most active times and the likelihood that they may interact with your content.

There are countless ways that you can market your business to new and old clients alike, all it takes is a little extra creativity to push your business the extra mile. Network with others, do some research and see what the best options for increasing your marketability are for your business today!

MARKETING totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk @totalgroomingmagazineuk @TotalGrooming 28
Photo by Anna Dudkova on Unsplash Photo by Lui Peng on Unsplash
handmade for tail-waggers ® Like it hardcore? Rated ★★★★★ 'Excellent' Available for Pre-Order www.millys.co.uk

Simpsons

Mastercut offer a great range of detachable blades in both standard and wide versions. Guaranteed to improve the cutting performance of your clipper, thanks to precision grinding and more cutting edges than rival brands. Mastercut blades are designed to fit all popular Andis, Heiniger and Oster clippers, enabling you to switch brands without having to question their compatibility. The ‘superwide’ blades and comb attachments have revolutionised the way salons work, speeding up clipping times and improve work efficiency. If you’ve yet to discover this award-winning brand, you can find out more information by visiting: www.mastercut.pro

Bob Martin Clear Plus Spray

Unlike many other flea sprays, Bob Martin Clear Plus not only kill fleas and larvae, but it also contains an Insect Growth regulator (IGR) to prevent flea eggs from hatching. This award-winning fast-acting spray is the best-selling brand in the UK, trusted by pet owners and groomers to eradicate flea infestations for good. Discover more about how to keep your pet, home or salon flea free, tick free and worry free at www. bobmartin.co.uk and don’t forget to follow us to flea-dom on Facebook (@BobMartinUK) and Instagram (@ bobmartinpets). RRP: £11.50

Leucillin, The Groomers Skincare Essential

HSE approved for both animal and human skin, Leucillin is tough on all pathogens, yet skin pH neutral and gentle to skin.

• Clipper Rash - Leucillin acts quickly to kill pathogens, spray liberally after groom for a happy dog and happy client!

• Tear Staining - Use as an eye cleanser to kill bacteria and yeasts, applying daily will lighten staining and coat regrows it’s natural colour.

• Great for Allergies - Leucillin works in harmony with the body, calming the autoimmune response, instantly soothing inflamed skin caused by itching and chewing

• All breeds, skin & coat types including your feline clients.

• Eco Friendlycompletely recyclable packaging, cruelty free and vegan friendly.

RRP - Leucillin Product Range, 50ml Dropper - £5, 60ml Spray - £6, 150ml Spray - £7.50, 250ml Spray - £10, 500ml Spray - £15, 5 ltr

Professionals - £42, www.leucillin.co.uk

Heiniger AG

With Opal, Heiniger AG sets new standards. The new clipper is extremely quiet. It is also impressively powerful and equipped with two speed levels. With 3100 double strokes per minute in fast mode (and 2600 in slow mode), this clipper works smoothly and quickly even through dirty and thick fur and hair. The latest lithium-ion battery technology ensures cordless clipping up to 240 minutes. It takes just one hour for a full battery recharge. Thanks to the built-in battery level indicator, it is always possible to check the remaining battery time. Visit heiniger.co

RRP: £332.88

Milly’s

Milly’s are excited to announce the launch of their new Performance Collection! Since 2017, Milly’s have been creating ethical and plant-based grooming products, which are praised by professionals around the UK and EU. Following six months of development, these four new product lines are proudly free from sulphates, parabens, and nasty chemicals. Tried and tested in some of the UK’s busiest grooming salons, schools, and franchises – these new shampoos strive to offer incredible value for money whilst providing unrivalled results. Get in touch at www.millys.co.uk and 01384 465297

RRP: £16.99 1L | £49.99 5L

30
totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk @totalgroomingmagazineuk @TotalGrooming
PRODUCTS

Mastergroom 2023

Colin Taylor provides us with some info on the upcoming Mastergroom 2023, taking place on the 2nd of July, at The Kennel Club Building, Coventry, CV82LZ.

We are pleased to bring to you Mastergroom this year, a grooming event known for its atmosphere and the choice of seasoned experienced judges. With categories split into intermediate/ open and champion levels, there is sure to be something for everyone. Doors open to the public at 9am and the show closes at 5pm.

Mastergroom also has FREE entry to spectators who just want to come and watch and shop. There is also a full-day seminar ticket at only £25 which includes some of the best speakers, including a very special one from the USA.

Five seminars for ONLY £25.00. Limited space so don’t MISS OUT. Bring your family, put on your learning head and join in on the fun. We look forward to seeing you soon!

9.45-10.30

(runtime 45 minutes)

Speaker: Antonia Farrow Emmipet Toothbrush: Find out how adding teeth cleaning to your business can increase your income by a considerable amount.

10.30-12.30

(runtime 2 hours)

Key Speaker: Irina Pinkusevich (AKA Pina)

Meet the lady herself, Miss Pina, all the way from the USA. She is one of the most decorated and sought-after stylists of our time, so make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to learn from this talented groomer.

12.30-1.30

(runtime 1 hour)

Grooming Salon Insurance: Get acquainted with the brand NEW grooming salon insurance and find out the importance of getting enough cover.

1.30-2.30 (runtime 1 hour)

Speaker: Charlotte Howard and

Melanie Winters-Holmes Lcgi

The importance of furthering your education and CPD: Melanie and Charlotte will explain what you could gain by taking the next step in your grooming career.

2.30-3.00

(runtime 30 minutes)

Speaker: Colin Taylor

Do you have a hard time communicating all of the correct information to your clients? Don’t worry, Colin will provide you with the tools to make life way easier. He will discuss price increases, matting, block booking and much more!

Tickets can be purchased for spectating/seminars and competing at www.facebook.com/808428536/ posts/10160891693173537/?d=n

GOLDEN SCISSOR AWARD

Director Melanie Winters-Holmes

The golden scissor awards these have been designed to promote and support the continued development of competitive groomers and challenge them to reach the pinnacles of the industry gaining extra awards along with individual shows prizes.

All shows may hold the golden scissor awards if following the simple rules of three wins before having to move to the champion division.

Open division

Winning three golden scissor awards to

gain the title of champion you may do this in each individual qualifying classes but as you gain the title you must move to champion division. Best in show is an additional golden scissor award.

Champion division

Winning three golden scissor awards to gain the title of Supreme champion you may do this in each qualifying classes

Best in show is an additional golden scissor award.

Grand champion

To gain this title you must gain your three golden scissor awards in each of the four core classes in the open division.

Grand Supreme champion

To gain this title you must gain your three golden scissor awards in each of the four core classes in the champion division.

Core classes

Poodle, Hand strip, Gundog, Pure breed scissor.

We hope that you go on to gain your three awards in your division and the award of champion, supreme champion or even grand champion.

The race is on, who will be the first to achieve these awards and titles?

Please follow our Facebook page and visit our desk at Mastergroom where any outstanding pins or certificates will be awarded.

PREVIEW
totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk @totalgroomingmagazineuk @TotalGrooming 32

Allergy season: how to spot symptoms

Allergy season is here, and pet experts are warning owners to be vigilant of the potential allergies that their furry friends may experience.

Seasonal allergies are a common risk to pets. Studies show 15% of dogs suffer from them, whilst cats are also particularly prone, especially if they spend a lot of time outside.

Typically, trees, grass, and weeds are the main cause of allergies in spring, as these release pollen into the air, causing some animals to develop an irritation to the airborne particles.

From biting their skin to backward sneezing, pet experts at Trusted Housesitters have shared five ways to spot if your pet has seasonal allergies and how you can treat this.

1. They are scratching and biting their skin

That they have itchy skin around their chest, paw, or armpit. If left untreated this can lead to them biting their skin causing severe discomfort, infected sores, and scabs. Your pet may also drag its face or body across carpeting or rough surfaces to gain some relief from the itching.

2. They have bald patches

Hair loss in cats is just one symptom of a skin condition or seasonal allergy. Consulting with your veterinarian is the best way to confirm which one this may be. This can also affect your other furry pets, so keep an eye on any bald spots under their legs, between the toes, on their sides and belly.

3. They’re sneezing backwards

Change of weather can cause dogs to sneeze. However, they actually ‘reverse sneeze.’ One of the reasons this happens is when a muscle spasm in the back of the throat occurs due to pollen. Occasional episodes of reverse sneezing

are normal and aren’t dangerous, however, if you notice your furry friend is experiencing this consistently, then it’s best to consult a veterinarian.

4. Watery eyes

This can occur not only in cats and dogs but other pets such as rabbits. If you notice they have watery ocular discharge accompanied by inflammation, or see them squint, then most likely they have an ‘allergic conjunctivitis’. This can be easily treated by simply flushing the eyes with sterile saline once or twice a day.

5. They are shaking their heads

This is a natural reflex that helps them to remove the allergen from their face and eyes and relieve them from discomfort. However, if you notice this is done frequently and excessively, then it’s essential to be aware that they may have an ear infection or significant inflammation and discharge, which should be seen by a professional as soon as possible.

For more information, visit the TrustedHousesitters blog at https:// www.trustedhousesitters.com/blog/ search/?q=allergy

NEWS
totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk @totalgroomingmagazineuk @TotalGrooming 34
Images from Shutterstock
www.toptotailclothing.co.uk Make sure you follow us on social media to keep up to date with our Special Offers! 07947 707205 hello@toptotailclothing.co.uk Hair Resistant Clothing and personalised embroidery service

Finalist

Mayhew’s Head of Operations and Acting Head of Clinic was named category finalist at 2023 Petplan and ADCH Animal Charity Awards.

Mayhew, the leading animal welfare charity working to improve life for dogs, cats and communities in London and internationally, is proud to announce that Lisa Guiney, the organisation’s Head of Operations & Acting Head of Clinic, has been selected as a Finalist for the prestigious Charity Employee of the Year Award Category in the 2023 Petplan & ADCH Animal Charity Awards.

The Awards, for which there were 5,000 nominations, were announced at an event on the evening of Tuesday, 16th May at The Telford International Centre where Lisa was joined by colleagues from the London animal charity, including Chair of Mayhew’s Board of Trustees and Mayhew Chief Executive, Sherine Wheeler.

Lisa has been recognised for her contribution to the lives of tens of thousands of dogs and cats during her 25-year long career at Mayhew. During this time, Lisa has worked tirelessly to ensure dogs and cats receive the care, love and support they need so they are healthy, and loved for life, by communities who care for them and respect them.

Lisa works with tremendous resilience and passion and inspires her teams to go above and beyond to provide tailored, expert care and support to dogs, cats, pet owners and communities in London.

Commenting on being a Category finalist, Lisa explained, “I am honoured and proud to have been selected as a Finalist for Charity Employee of the Year Category at these important Awards. It was totally unexpected!”

Sherine Wheeler, said, “We are thrilled that Lisa has been recognised by her peers and colleagues in the animal welfare sector as a finalist for the Charity Employee of the Year Award. Her commitment to animal welfare is incredible and her efforts have had a transformative effect on the lives of countless animals in the communities Mayhew supports in London. She is an

inspiration to everyone she works with, and we are very proud of her well-

deserved recognition.”

NEWS
totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk @totalgroomingmagazineuk @TotalGrooming 36

Hayley’s Happy Paws

Hayley Davis is the owner of

Hayley’s Happy Paws in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. We spoke with her to find out what makes her business tick!

What can you tell me about your career?

I’ve been a dog groomer for 14 years, starting as a veterinary nurse. I decided on a career change and went to work alongside my mum and trained as a dog groomer.

I am a mum of five and, after having my youngest in 2020, I decided to work alone and become my own independent business to enable me to work around my babies’ needs. I worked from my mum‘s log cabin in her garden for a while and then bought an existing business in March 2022.

My salon is on a quiet street with a few shops, we are always busy with new and existing customers.

Tell me about your unique selling points.

I run the only salon in my area that has a background with veterinary nursing. I believe this helps me look at the dogs’ health more in-depth rather than just giving the dogs a haircut. The work I do in my salon is based on the health and welfare of all dogs, the pet care side of my business is a real passion of mine.

I am also taking my SQP qualification with AMTRA and Harper Adams University at the minute, which will allow me to provide my customers with preventative flea and worm treatments that are prescription only and not available in general pet shops.

I have also introduced the Emmi-Pet teeth cleaning system to help with the oral health of my doggy clients because dental disease can affect so much more than just the mouth, and I feel it’s really important to educate pet owners on this.

I’ve also added spa treatments to my salon to provide customers with alternative therapies for dogs with skin issues etc. I find I do build up a lot of

trusting customers due to my experience and background.

How has your business grown over the years and where do you see yourself going?

When I took over my business a year ago it was just me and a part-time

bather. Since then, I have taken on a full-time apprentice and I have a second apprentice starting in August.

I also have two other groomers that rent tables from me and are running their own little business successfully too.

The business has grown a lot quicker than I expected it to and it’s been nice to be able to mould it and make it my own

GROOMERS OF THE MONTH
totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk @totalgroomingmagazineuk @TotalGrooming 38

as well as making it work for me and my family.

Over the next year or so, I will be working on setting up a dog grooming Academy. I previously also had Warwickshire Dog Grooming Academy with my mum and teaching is definitely something I want to get back into.

Initially, I will be putting my apprentices through the level three diploma and, once they are ready, they will take on the grooming side. I will then step back and teach students, and in the future, open up a separate grooming Academy.

In the meantime, I will be working on helping new groomers improve their grooming skills with some online tuition. I will also be adding more services next year, the main one being cat grooming.

Are you looking to compete and/or have you won any awards?

In my early grooming days, I did used to compete. I’ve won a few of my classes and placed in others. One of my favourite competitions has to be when I competed with a standard poodle. I didn’t place but I learnt so much.

I had tuition on the groom leading up to the competition and the feedback after the competition was really constructive. Learning as much as I did about the poodle has led to me being known in my area for grooming standard poodles. I may compete again someday, who knows?

What advice would you like to give to our readers?

The advice I would give to any groomer is to take a business course and get a mentor. We all go and learn how to groom and spend thousands on training but never usually invest in business training. My business would not be

running as it is today without the training and mentoring I have had.

I was always put off having my own business because I’ve seen so many groomers work themselves into the ground. But, I knew there had to be another way. Finding the business program that I joined has helped me find the passion and love for grooming again.

Any general thoughts?

Dog grooming is an amazing career and has lots of potential to help you create a life you want. There are so many more aspects to this career that a lot of people realise and we are very lucky to be part of a continually growing industry. Visit hayleyshappypaws.co.uk

GROOMERS OF THE MONTH @TotalGrooming @totalgroomingmagazineuk totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk 39

Overheating and dogs

Rachel Bean is back to provide some warm-weather first aid advice.

Hi there, and hope that you had a great month, so many bank holidays, it’s been brilliant!

It’s been busy in the Bean household, with plenty of canine first aid training sessions, a partnership with raw food firm Paleo Ridge, and some TV stardom!

The partnership came about at Crufts, when I gave a first aid demonstration on the Paleo Ridge stand, shortly before I appeared on Channel 4’s coverage from the Birmingham NEC event to share tips with millions of viewers.

My fox red Labrador Chilli is also a star in her own right and has appeared in a string of TV roles, including currently as the hilarious Linda Biscuits on Joe Lycett’s Friday night show.

Chilli, or should I say Linda Biscuits, absolutely loves Paleo Ridge, and we are committed to raw feeding. We are so proud to be endorsers of this brand which has canine health and sustainability at its heart.

Paleo Ridge prides itself on high quality, high welfare ingredients and a vision of promoting healthy dogs to a

wider audience continues to develop.

It is the only raw dog food company to hold the ISO9001 accreditation, and one of the only companies to hold the RFVS RawSAFE certification, giving customers trust in their products quality and safety.

And speaking about Linda Biscuits, what an amazing experience that was for me and Chilli.

Chilli’s character became quite the

star of the show, and a petition was even started to bring her back when Joe Lycett jokingly said she had been ‘fired’ from his programme

Chilli is no stranger to showbiz appearances, and has appeared already in TV shows including Dragon’s Den.

I also co-own the Vet On Set business, which sends vets to TV and film sets, ensuring that animal welfare for creatures

RACHEL BEAN MONTHLY
totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk @totalgroomingmagazineuk @TotalGrooming 40

What groomers say about us

of the groomers will be bitten at least once in their professional life?* For more information on the Baskerville Muzzle range and muzzle tips and advice please visit companyofanimals.com Find us Respect the dog’s welfare: they can pant, drink and take treats easily. Advanced bite protection Easily adjustable & suitable for most dogs
choose Source: Baskerville x Total Grooming survey December 2022
Why
Baskerville muzzles.
have
Baskerville muzzles
@TotalGrooming @totalgroomingmagazineuk totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk 41
I love
They are comfortable, the dog is able to breathe, drink, bark freely. I
found
very effective.

like Chilli is the heart of all filming in the UK.

Everyone loves to see animals on the big and small screen, but no one wants to watch animal stars who have been mistreated. Vet on Set is all about working with the animal during filming to ensure that they are comfortable, happy and that their needs are met at all times.

We have worked on everything from Sky’s Brassic, to a bingo advert with Boyzone star Keith Duffy, and it’s amazing to feel like we make a difference. All of the directors that we work with want the best for the animals on set, and this is the way that they make sure they are well taken care of.

So for this month’s first aid, tip I’m thinking of the season and there are lots of seasonal nasties out there. And I’m going to focus on what to do to help stop your dog from overheating, a real cause for concern on warm days in your salon or business.

Overheating and dogs: How to spot overheating in a dog:

1. Excessive drooling and panting: These can be the first signs that you spot, though some dogs do drool more than others, so it might not always be as obvious.

2. A pumping heartbeat: Is your dog’s heart beating fast, and do they have the tongue out? This could mean that their body is working harder than usual to pump warm blood away from their organs.

3. Heavy breathing: This could indicate that your dog is breathing more than usual to try and cool their body down.

4. Strangely sleepy: Is your dog floppy or lethargic?

5. Dizziness: Is your dog appearing disorientated or dizzy? This could indicate that they have a form of heatstroke?

What should I do if a dog IS overheating or I suspect that they are?

1. Wet the dog with cool but not ice cold water, to help bring their temperature down.

2. Take them straight away to a cool place.

3. Contact a vet, heatstroke can be lifethreatening.

4. If you have a fan, or air conditioner,

place the dog close to it so they have a steady source of cool air.

5. Never give an overheated dog iced water as it could shock their system and cause medical problems. Remember overheating, and heatstroke is life-threatening. So even if your dog is recovering okay, you need to get them to your veterinary doctor for monitoring and treatment.

How do you prevent your pet from overheating?

• Ensure there are places that are shady

and cool for dogs to rest in your salon, workplace or at home.

• Never walk a dog in high temperatures, wait until it is cooler and more comfortable.

• Always make sure that there is plenty of cool water, and places to drink it in your place of work, salon or home.

• Keep your place of work, salon or home cool.

• Be careful using drying cabinets - it may be best not to use them during hot weather as I have certainly seen heatstroke cases with dryer mishaps.

RACHEL BEAN MONTHLY totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk @totalgroomingmagazineuk @TotalGrooming 42
PERFECT GIFTS FOR PETS & THEIR PARENTS Be:Loved is an awarding winning wellness & lifestyle range of natural products for pets and their parents. Handmade in the UK www.belovedpetz.com *For 10% off all new orders, email sales@podiumpetproducts.com with the code TG10 and we will respond with prices. G e n t l e s c e n t s , p e r f e c t f o r p e t s . S h a m p o o b a r s l a t h e r u p w e l l a n d l a s t 3 t i m e s a s l o n g a s r e g u l a r s h a m p o o . B a t h t i m e i s a l o t m o r e e n j o y a b l e a n d h e r c o a t i s b e a u t i f u l . F r a n c e s H a r r i s 10% Off*

When to Stop a Cat Grooming Session

Cats are wonderful animals and I love giving my life to grooming them. My personal focus is on welfare and health for the cat rather than necessarily the most beautiful outcome for human eyes.

It’s always lovely when the two are combined, but removing problemmatted areas whilst keeping the cat as stress-free as possible will always be my main focus. With this in mind on occasion, I do stop a groom before it is finished.

I will usually schedule a followup date within a week (with at least two days in between to allow the cat to get used to the positive changes already in place) or possibly refer them to the vet if they are very anxious and need to be fully sedated for their own safety.

There are a few signs to look out for to tell if the cat is getting to their panic point which can be tricky to come back from.

1. Panting/open-mouthed breathing

It is not natural for cats to pant like dogs do. It isn’t a behaviour they show as part of their temperature regulation. If a cat is panting then they are highly stressed and anxious and you need to pause the groom until this stops. You can then access the cat to see if they can continue a bit more or if that is the end of the session for the day. Do pay attention to their breathing in general and try to slow things down before it gets to this point.

2. Urinating/defecating

Some older cats in particular just can’t hold their bodily functions, but if a cat is releasing urine or faeces during a groom due to fear it is definitely time to assess what you are doing. Have a look at what stage of the groom you are at and if is there something you can do to decrease whatever is scaring them. If planning on bathing the cat always do a drier test to check their reactions before starting the bath to try to reduce reactions like this.

Slow things down and assess the cat before continuing. Once a session can be an accident, but more than once you definitely need to change things up.

3. Any sign of medical distress

Always check before grooming if the cat has any medical issues that the client is aware of. Heart murmurs are common in

FELINE FOCUS
totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk @totalgroomingmagazineuk @TotalGrooming 44
Theo showing what a relaxed cat looks like mid groom Lovely example of relaxed body image with ears and whiskers, eyes and posture all at ease Working with senior Genius on her heated blanket and without disturbing her back legs which have joint pain

Maine Coons and breathing problems with flat-faced brachycephalic cats. Some cats have seizures or need access to water if they have hyperthyroidism, diabetes or chronic kidney problems. Other cats like Scottish Fold can have a lot of joint problems and all older cats are prone to arthritis and back leg pain in particular.

Make sure you know this in advance and plan the grooming area accordingly. Adapt how you approach and handle the cat to compensate for any known medical issues. If in any doubt then stop the groom and contact the client or the closest vet as needed.

4. The cat is in major panic mode

You will know this when you see it, trust me. The cat will basically be climbing the walls to get away. I find this is just unsafe for both the cat and the groomer. If the cat is matted or has ingrown claws then this is one that I will always refer to the vet for full sedation. Those problem areas need to be dealt with but if they are panicking then the likelihood of cutting their skin with clippers is just too high to even try. I will work with most cats and it is rare this happens, but if it does protect yourself and the cat by referring on to be sedated.

Early warning signs of stress and anxiety include (but are not limited to):

• very wide pupils

• starting to lash out to defend/protect themselves

• trying to run away or hide

• completely freezing and shutting down

• very fast breathing

• ears and whiskers going back towards the body (usually a sign they are getting ready to fight/protect themselves)

• growling and hissing if it starts to escalate

• the tail starts to swish majorly

It’s important to always watch the cat’s body language throughout the grooming process to keep track of their mood and comfort levels. Many cats in the UK aren’t used to being groomed so you are introducing a strange concept to an adult animal which can be scary for them. You can always start with short introduction grooms and increase as you and the cat both get used to each other. It’s all about building trust and the cat learning how good they feel after any

knots, tangles and mats are removed and their loose dead fur is all removed. It is worth doing some research on cat behaviour if you are going to be working with them regularly and doing a course (such as those run by iPet Network) if you are used to dogs and cats are a new

venture for you.

There are lots of things you can do to help to reduce stress for cats in the grooming environment which I will discuss in next month’s Feline Focus column.

FELINE FOCUS totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk @totalgroomingmagazineuk @TotalGrooming 46
Jasper having some knots removed more comfortably on my lap to put him at ease Kittens first claw clip on the groomers lap which is less scary than the middle of an unknown grooming table

Animal Talent & Casting Agency

Urban Paws UK

Urban Paws UK are the leading and award-winning animal talent and casting agency. We have a team of knowledgeable and experienced bookers with over 40 year’s experience in the pet industry who work with film producers, TV studios, PR agencies and in-house marketing companies to provide the perfect animal talent for any media brief. We are always looking for well-groomed pets for media briefs so get in touch today.

London: 020 8161 6556

Manchester: 0161 808 1667

E: info@urbanpawsuk.com

W: www.urbanpawsuk.com

Grooming Supplies

Artero

Artero has specialized in dog grooming and hairdressing products since 1909. With 113 years of experience, Artero has become a reference in both the Grooming and the Hairdressing worlds, Artero is now present in over 72 countries all over the world.

W: www.artero.co.uk/dog-grooming

Facebook: artero.grooming.uk

Instagram: @artero.grooming.uk

Petcetera

Petcetera have been supplying the nation’s professional dog people with new and innovative products for over 50 years! We pride ourselves on being a one-stopshop for all your pet, showing, grooming & breeding requirements. Request your FREE catalogue today!

T: 01948 668100

E: info@petcetera.co.uk

W: www.petcetera.co.uk

Facebook: petceteraetc

Instagram: @petcetera_etc

Industry Services

Pet Industry Federation

Open to all pet businesses in the UK, PIF is the membership association for the pet industry with a wide range of member benefits to support business growth and development.

T: 01234 273933

E: info@petfederation.co.uk

W: www.petfederation.co.uk

Facebook: petindustryfederation

Twitter: @PetFedUK

Instagram:@petindustryfederation

LinkedIn: Pet Industry Federation (PIF)

Natural Pet Treats

Monty’s Natural Treats & Wholesale

Looking for extra income? Give our Natural Treats, Foods & Supplements a New Brand. Wholesale Products at low prices & Free White Label Services. 5% OFF your first order with Code: TGM23

T: 0203 797 6308

E: trade@montysnaturaltreats.co.uk

W: www.montystreats.co.uk

Pet Food

Burns Pet Nutrition

Founded by veterinary surgeon John Burns in 1993, pioneering pet food brand Burns specialises in using simple, healthy and wholesome ingredients to create award-winning recipes that pets love.

T: 0800 0181890

E: sales@burnspet.co.uk

W: www.burnspet.co.uk

Facebook: burnspet

Instagram: @burnset

Twitter: @burnspetfood

Raw Feeding

Natural Instinct

At Natural Instinct, we are all passionate about pets. We believe raw food is the best natural option, feeding as nature intended, free from artificial additives, colours, preservatives and fillers.

T: 01276 608500

W: www.naturalinstinct.com

Facebook: NIPetfoods

Twitter: @NIrawpetfoods

Instagram: @naturalinstinctfood

Shampoo

For All Dogkind

Award-winning grooming and wellbeing range for all skin & coat types. Delivering natural, healthy and healing products that are ethically sourced and luxuriously kind to hounds & humans. (Trade discounts available)

T:. 020 7148 0316

E: info@foralldogkind.co.uk

W: www.foralldogkind.co.uk

Secret Weapon UK

Our unrivalled range of top quality dematting products, shampoos and conditioners are suitable for all coat and skin types. Organic and hypoallergenic our ethically sourced products make grooming easier, kinder and faster. Award winning and successfully selling worldwide for 8 years.

T: 07923 368137

W: www.secretweaponuk.com

Facebook: Secret Weapon UK

Instagram: @secretweaponuk

CONNECTIONS totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk @totalgroomingmagazineuk @TotalGrooming 48

Skincare

Leucillin

Healthy skin makes for a happy pet! Leucillin keeps skin clean and clear tackling irritation, sore, itchy or smelly skin, safe for ears and eyes.

T: 0345 548 9800

E: info@leucillin.co.uk

W: www.leucillin.co.uk

Facebook: leucillin

Instagram: @leucillin_skincare

Teeth Cleaning

The Dog Tooth Fairy The Dog Tooth Fairy offers Emmi-pet equipment, online training courses and support for dog groomers. Helping businesses thrive and increase their salon revenue with Emmi-pet ultrasonic teeth cleaning, achieving great results with guaranteed client satisfaction.

T: 07583689366

E: thedogtoothfairy@gmail.com

Facebook: @thedogtoothfairy

Instagram: @thedogtoothfairy

Training and Education

Capel Manor College

Train to become a qualified dog groomer; choose from full and part-time courses with free tuition for 16 to 18 year olds.

T: 0303 003 1234

E: study@capel.ac.uk

W: www.capel.ac.uk

Facebook: capelmanorcollege

Twitter: @capelmanor

Instagram: @capelmanor

Four Paws Groom School Dog and Cat Grooming Training Courses and regulated Qualifications. Our friendly and knowledgeable Tutors will support you every step of the way. Locations in Cheshire, Kent, Herefordshire and Greater Manchester.

T: 01606 333765

E: info@fourpawsgroomschool.co.uk

W: www.fourpawsgroomschool.co.uk

Facebook: fourpawsgroomschool

Instagram:@fourpawsgroomschool

Haddon Training

Established in 1997, Haddon Training are an award-winning training provider specialising in dog grooming, animal care and equine. We offer qualifications which are all supported by our team of expert Trainer-Coaches.

T: 01672 519977

E: enquiries@haddontraining.co.uk

W: www.haddontraining.co.uk

Facebook: HaddonTrainingLtd

Instagram: @haddontraining

iPET Network International Awarding Organisation, creating regulated qualifications for the Animal Care and Veterinary Science sector. We aim to improve animal welfare through education, successfully winning awards for our Dog and Cat Grooming qualifications.

T: 0800 433 4700

E: info@ipetnetwork.co.uk

W: www.ipetnetwork.co.uk

Facebook: @ipetnetwork

Instagram: @ipetnetwork

KD Grooming Studio

KD Grooming Studio, a multi-awardwinning pet grooming Studio, delivers flexible C&G/National Pet College & vocational courses. Train with Britain’s Best Groomer, Kelly Davis (BBC) and her highly skilled team. Enrol year round.

T: 01963 34110

E: info@kdgroomingstudio.co.uk

W: www.kdgroomingstudio.co.uk

W: www.kellydavis.uk

Facebook: KdGroomingStudio

Instagram: @kdgroomingstudio

National Pet College

Offering City & Guilds dog grooming qualifications via our approved training centres around the UK. Also, Higher Diploma in Dog Grooming, teacher training and short courses including canine first aid.

T: 01234 984450

E: info@nationalpetcollege.co.uk

W www.nationalpetcollege.co.uk

Facebook: nationalpetcollege

Instagram: @nationalpetcollege

Pet Passion to Profit

Pet Passion to Profit is a business training company. We enable grooming businesses to grow their businesses giving greater income, confidence and satisfaction.

T: 07969 990086

E: info@petpassiontoprofit.com

W: www.petpassiontoprofit.com

Facebook: Petpassiontoprofit

Instagram: @pet_passion_to_profit1

YouTube: www.youtube.com/ channel/UC5qrF8sc0XQSlgmwzqFBn-g

Rob Fellows Reiki

Help calm the dogs in your salon and make your job easier too. Easy to learn and simple to do Reiki training courses especially for groomers. Home Learning or Live Training and Qualification Day.

E: rob@RobFellowsReiki.com

W: RobFellowsReiki.com/reiki-fordog-groomers

Facebook: RobFellowsReiki

FB group: Reiki for Dog Groomers

Instagram: @reikirobfellows

Summit Groomer Training Group

Summit works with dog grooming training centres delivering quality tuition and City & Guilds qualifications. With centres across the UK there is one near you. See our website for details.

T: 01535 661776

E: enquiries@summitgroomer traininggroup.co.uk

W: www.summitgroomer traininggroup.co.uk

CONNECTIONS @TotalGrooming @totalgroomingmagazineuk totalgroomingmagazine.co.uk 49

Available in a range of four colours

575

Available in: White, Pink, Blue or Purple

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook

Articles inside

When to Stop a Cat Grooming Session

7min
pages 44-51

Overheating and dogs

3min
pages 40-43

Hayley’s Happy Paws

3min
pages 38-39

Finalist

1min
pages 36-37

Allergy season: how to spot symptoms

1min
pages 34-35

Mastergroom 2023

2min
pages 32-33

Tactics

6min
pages 24-31

Good to know…

1min
pages 22-23

GROOMERS AROUND THE WORLD

0
pages 19-20

Cultural differences

2min
pages 18-19

Expansive

4min
pages 12, 14-17

Pet adoption simplified

2min
pages 10-11

Leading the way to cleaner oceans

1min
pages 8-9

Education

1min
pages 6-7

Dog Desk Animal Action Insurance

1min
pages 4-5

Professional Grooming Equipment and Supplies

2min
pages 2-4

When to Stop a Cat Grooming Session

7min
pages 44-51

Overheating and dogs

3min
pages 40-43

Hayley’s Happy Paws

3min
pages 38-39

Finalist

1min
pages 36-37

Allergy season: how to spot symptoms

1min
pages 34-35

Mastergroom 2023

2min
pages 32-33

Tactics

6min
pages 24-31

Good to know…

1min
pages 22-23

GROOMERS AROUND THE WORLD

0
pages 19-20

Cultural differences

2min
pages 18-19

Expansive

4min
pages 12, 14-17

Pet adoption simplified

2min
pages 10-11

Leading the way to cleaner oceans

1min
pages 8-9

Education

1min
pages 6-7

Dog Desk Animal Action Insurance

1min
pages 4-5

Professional Grooming Equipment and Supplies

2min
pages 2-4
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.