Groomer to Groomer August 2016 by Barkleigh Productions

“THE GROOMING INDUSTRY’S TRADE MAGAZINE!” VOL. 35 ED. 8 • AUGUST 2016

WWW. GROOMERTOGROOMER .COM

GROOM

EXPO

PREVIEW

SUMMER

SKIN ISSUES A SIMPLE GUIDE

THE ART OF RETAILING EASY WAYS TO CASH IN

Groomed by Lindsey Dicken

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

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CONTENTS | AUGUST 2016

SUMMER

THE ART OF RETAILING

SKIN

ISSUES

a simple

by Kathy Hosler

PAGE 14

Time for the Big Girls 6

Groomer Stories: A Career That Still Feels 44 Like a Hobby, Roy Laferriere's Story

Groom Expo Preview

Ask the Grooming Tutor: Leave Them Long! 56

PetQuest 2016 Recap & Contest Results 18

When to Send a Cat Home

Oquendo: Anatomy of an Ad

Classifieds 70

Conner: Taking Care of You

Product News 71

Wilkes: Ivan Pavlov... Ring a Bell?

Calendar of Events 72

EDITORIAL STAFF

& Innovative 48

by Dave Campanella

“THE GROOMING INDUSTRY’S TRADE MAGAZINE!”

EDITOR/PRESIDENT

ART DIRECTOR Laura Pennington laura@barkleigh.com

ASSISTANT EDITOR Gwen Shelly gwen@barkleigh.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

MANAGING EDITOR Rebecca Shipman rebecca@barkleigh.com

Where

VOL. 35 ED. 8 • AUGUST 2016

Todd Shelly todd@barkleigh.com

Adam Lohr adam@barkleigh.com

CONTEMPLATING THE FUTURE OF GROOMING

Omboy: Sharing Creative Styling in China 40

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & CLIENT RELATIONS James Severs james@barkleigh.com SALES & MARKETING COORDINATOR Alex Robertson alex@barkleigh.com

Jennifer Barraclough jennifer@barkleigh.com

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

by Michelle Knowles

ALSO INSIDE 12

Guide

WEB DESIGNERS Lance Williams lance@barkleigh.com

WWW. GROOMERTOGROOMER .COM

GROOM

EXPO

PREVIEW

SUMMER

SKIN ISSUES A SIMPLE GUIDE

THE ART OF RETAILING EASY WAYS TO CASH IN

Luke Dumberth luke@barkleigh.com

Groomed by Lindsey Dicken

COLUMNISTS

Michell Evans

Dawn Omboy

Mary Oquendo

Kathy Rose

Kathy Hosler

Gary Wilkes

Daryl Conner

ON THE COVER: Groomed by Lindsey Dicken

Copyright August 2016. Groomer to Groomer is published monthly by Barkleigh Productions, Inc, 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. Postmaster: Send change of address to Groomer to Groomer c/o Barkleigh Productions, Inc., 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. Annual U.S. subscription rate $25. Outside U.S. $79. year, surface rates. Groomer to Groomer is free to current Barkleigh Productions, Inc. customers. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. Editorial offices: 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. (717) 691–3388 FAX: (717) 691–3381 Email: info@barkleigh.com

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

TIME FOR THE

E by Victoria Blair e

A 6

s people who work in the service industry, we’ve all been there. Times when you have to be the adult and deal with things that you really don’t want to deal with. I’ve heard the phrases, “Suck it up,” “Gird your loins,” “Pull the Band-aid Off”, or “Draw a Line In The Sand.” But, no other phrase seems to empower me more than “Putting

my Big Girl Panties On.” It all began when my daughter decided she wanted to start wearing regular panties instead of diapers. I think she was two. Being a “Big Girl” was all it took for her to decide to chuck the diapers. At the end of the day, she was completely potty trained and never wore another diaper again. We were so proud!

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

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That whole scenario reminded me that we can decide what we want out of life, but it requires us to make decisions like a BOSS! Will we remain in the same old situation, or, will we make a change and DO SOMETHING?! Making that change will require us to remember our goals back when we started riding this train called...Grooming Career.

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 6 • June 2016

When you put on your Big Girls, you should

I normally let my clients know about a price increase face to face when I’m booking their next appointment.

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I find these situations call for diplomacy and straight forwardness. Focusing on the solution rather than the problem. And, always, always, remain The Professional. After all, your clients come to you to make their baby look fabulous, they trust you. Putting on your Big Girls will mean never letting your clients see you as weak. For example, instead of: “I’m so sorry I have to raise my prices, Mrs. Jones, but, gosh darn it, my son needs braces, and my shampoo supplier raised his prices, so now…” Seriously, all the client hears is, “blah, blah, blah!” They don’t really care about your personal life when it comes to costing them more money. When you put on your Big Girls, you should have a plan in place. I normally let my clients know about a price increase face to face when I’m booking their next appointment. “In April, Fluffy’s groom will be $X.XX. This will allow us to attend more grooming seminars and be able to improve our skills.” Done. Short and sweet. Let them see the benefit of what might be a strain on them. I always make sure I end what they potentially see as bad news, on a positive note. That’s the power of the Big Girls. I recently had to tell a loyal client I had to cut our visiting time in half. This is a woman who has been with me from the get go of starting my business. We have been through two dogs and the death of her husband in the years that I have been her mobile groomer. Thanks to her, my business has expanded to include more seniors in her 55 plus community. But, due to that, I no longer have the time to chat for an extra half hour in her kitchen where she hands me a goody bag full of cheese sticks and granola bars. I put

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We can make a Poodle look like a rock star with mad scissoring skills, eat hair all day, drive our grooming rigs like a seasoned trucker, yet, all this talent, and we sell ourselves short. (I know you’re out there, too, Guys. I haven’t forgotten!)

on my Big Girls and told her I would have to schedule her dog an hour earlier because she made me famous in her neighborhood. She was so excited, at the end of our time together, she scooted me out her back door. We can make a Poodle look like a rock star with mad scissoring skills, eat hair all day, drive our grooming rigs like a seasoned trucker, yet, all this talent, and we sell ourselves short. (I know you’re out there, too,

Guys. I haven’t forgotten!) In this world of instant gratification we are the chosen few who have real skills that require more than a flashy website and a smile. Remember that. It takes time and dedication to be able to make a nosy, wiggly puppy look like a plush stuffed toy. Don’t sell yourself short! While cruising around on Facebook groomer forums, I noticed advice given to a groomer that had a

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

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problem with her neighbor. Some of that advice included taking a plateful of cookies to the neighbor, to giggling endlessly about how silly she could be. True Story! Times have changed, Folks! This is the 21st century! Habits formed to demean yourself will carry over into your business when dealing with clients. That’s why I say, get paid what you’re worth, enjoy the process, and pull up your Big Girl Panties! ✂

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

September 22 – 25 Hershey Lodge & Convention Center Hershey, Pennsylvania

room Expo in bucolic, historical Hershey, PA is more than a grooming show – it’s a unique experience for groomers. Groom Expo combines everything you would expect from a top grooming show with an unparalleled camaraderie among people who all share the same passion. “Anyone who has never been to Groom Expo needs to find a way to make the trip.” States Melinda, a groomer from Vermont. “I went for the first time four years ago, and I knew immediately that this was where I belonged. It helped me reconnect and fall back in love with grooming. I learned so much, but even better, I met so many amazing people!” Groom Expo features an All Star line-up of the best and most popular speakers in the industry, along with many new voices and topics. “It’s exciting to see new speakers emerge every year,” States Barkleigh president Todd Shelly. “And, when you think every possible topic has been covered, someone comes up with a seminar concept that is new

and fresh. With seven seminar rooms being used at a time, we are able to experiment with topics.” The VIP Package is the ideal opportunity for groomers that want to get the full effect of Groom Expo, while being pampered a bit. The package includes preferred seating, all meal functions (including the Barkleigh Honors Dinner), and access to the VIP Lounge. The lounge provides coffee, tea, hot chocolate and snacks throughout the day. “The three of us in our shop finally decided we were going to splurge on the VIP package last year. It was the best thing we ever did,” Exclaims Brenda from Maryland. “The luncheons were so much fun and it was so convenient for meals. We used the lounge a lot because there is so much going on that we needed to take a minute to relax and have a cup of hot chocolate.” In addition to the unmatched educational package, Groom Expo features the largest trade show in the grooming industry. There are over 200 booths all focused on groomers. There is no better opportunity to

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see, touch, and sample products and tools. Every year, many companies wait for Groom Expo to debut new products. Many vendors also have specials that can only be found at a show (plus no shipping!) Groom Expo also has a full GroomTeam USA sanctioned contest along with Rescue Round-Up, Abstract Runway, and creative grooming competitions. Competing is a great way to push yourself to become a better groomer while meeting and learning from many of the best in the industry. But, if competing is not your thing, you can still learn from the best by observing the contests in person. A few minutes of viewing will probably result in finding a groomer whose style you can learn from. For those attending Groom Expo for the first time, there is a “Newbie” tour several times each day. The Tour helps groomers build a strategy for getting the most out of the show. For more information about Groom Expo, go to www.GroomExpo.com. ✂

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

THE ART OF RETAILING

E by Kathy Hosler e

If you have been grooming for any length of time, you know how physically demanding it can be. Sometimes, by the end of the day, you are ready to drop. Don't you wish you had a way to increase your income without all that back-breaking work?

ell, there is. You can supplement your income by selling pet products to your clients. It's not difficult and it can really boost your bottom line. Whether you are a salon, mobile, or are a house-call groomer, selling pet care products can become an important part of your business. And, you don't have to invest a lot of money to get started. Don't be reluctant to try retailing because you think that you can't compete with the big box stores. The fact is that being small enables you

to provide very personalized service to your clients. For example, you can help them select the products and grooming equipment that you know will benefit their pets. And then, you can show them the right way to apply the products and how to use the grooming tools correctly. They can't get service like that from a big box store. Sell the products you already use. When you present a freshly groomed pet to its owner, how often do they say something like, “Buddy looks wonderful and he smells great! He never smells that good when I give him

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a bath.” This is the perfect opportunity for you to introduce them to the quality products you use. Respond to the pet parent with, "I use special professional quality shampoo, conditioner, and cologne. I buy it by the gallon, but it is also available in smaller sizes. I can supply you with everything you need to keep Buddy clean, sweet smelling, and well-brushed in-between his grooming appointments with me." Or, you might say, "Your little Suzie was such an angel for her grooming today! I told her that you

You already have the clients, and they trust and value your recommendations. Why not help them, and at the same time, help yourself? Why should they go somewhere else for their pet products?

Groomer to Groomer â&#x20AC;˘ Vol 35 Ed 8 â&#x20AC;˘ August 2016

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would probably want to reward her with a new toy or some special treats." The profit that you make by retailing shampoo, brushes, combs, cologne, etc. requires very little effort on your part. And, depending on the item, the markup can be as much as 100% or more. If you buy a toy for $2.00 and sell it for $4.95, you more than double your money. You already have the clients, and they trust and value your recommendations. Why not help them, and at the same time, help yourself? Why should they go somewhere else for their pet products? Offer them the convenience of purchasing them from you. It's really a win-win for you, the client, and the pet. They will get to use the quality products that you know work well on their pets, and you make the profit on the sales. If you are a house call or mobile groomer with limited space, you can still offer a small selection of products you use. If you have more space, you can expand your retail to include collars, toys, treats, and other quick selling impulse items. Even if you are not the 'salesperson type', you can be very successful at retailing. And, no hardsell tactics are needed. Not everyone is a born salesperson, but you can learn how to be one. There is an art to selling, just as there is to grooming. The more you do it, the easier it gets and the better you become at it. The best sales people are the ones that offer products or services that are truly useful or beneficial to their clients. They help solve problems i.e. dental products for fresh breath, brushes for tangled hair, chew toys for active dogs, etc. It's important to sell items that you believe in. If you are knowledgeable and passionate about

You might be surprised by the number of people who want their pets to enjoy the latest pet trends, whether it is an interactive toy, a celebrity inspired collar with matching jacket, or the latest grain free, gluten free holistic treat. your products, your clients will be much more likely to purchase them. Monthly specials are a great way to get people to try new products. In February, pet dental month, you can feature breath spray, tooth gel, or dental chew treats. Once you get a customer to try these products, and they see results, they become steady repeat buyers. Instead of selling just a single bottle of pet shampoo to a client, offer shampoo, conditioner, and cologne as a package. Bundling items

can increase your profits while giving your clients related products to try. Attend trade shows and seminars to keep on top of the newest grooming products and then you can introduce them to your clients. You might be surprised by the number of people who want their pets to enjoy the latest pet trends, whether it is an interactive toy, a celebrity inspired collar with matching jacket, or the latest grain free, gluten free holistic treat. Impulse items can really put some profit in

your pocket. Having a display of treats and toys in your checkout area makes it easy for pet parents to reward their little fur kids. If you are not already selling retail items to your clients - what are you waiting for? It's far less strenuous than grooming and it can put some real jingle in your pockets. Then at the end of the day, instead of dropping from exhaustion, you can just drop by your bank to make a hefty deposit. Sounds good to me! ✂

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

2016

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his past June saw another record setting year for PetQuest. Total attendance was up 13% for a total of 1,469 attending groomers. This year also saw 76 different groomers competing, making it the most contest participants in the show’s history. PetQuest took place June 23rd-26th at the Roberts Center in central Ohio. The Roberts Center is known to be a very dog friendly hotel / convention facility. There is a permanent bathing area, a designated, fenced in dog play area, and a friendly staff that is always quick to greet you and your dog. Jill Pipino, a groomer who travelled to the show from upstate New York to attend and speak, says that PetQuest is her favorite show because, “It is so relaxed and everyone is so personal.” Jill also loved the facilities, “This hotel is so friendly towards the dogs. And, they do so much to make the whole experience better with the bathing, walking, and clean-up stations. Oh, and there is a Dairy Queen in the parking lot!” Since its inception more than a decade ago, PetQuest has grown every year, but one. That was a few years ago when the show fell on Father’s Day. This year, another section of the exhibit hall had to be opened up to accommodate the additional vendors. More information about the 2016 show can be found at PetQuest.com. A list of the companies that supported the show by exhibiting can be found under the “Vendors” tab. The show will return next year, June 22nd-25th, 2017. Information will be posted on the website when available. ✂

2016 Contest Results BEST IN SHOW

BEST ALL AROUND

BEST IN SHOW WINNER MICHELLE BREEN WITH TORIE PETERS OF TROPICLEAN SPONSORED BY

BEST ALL AROUND WINNER MACKENSIE MURPHY WITH TREVOR VOLD OF ELECTRIC CLEANER SPONSORED BY

SPONSORED BY

CREATIVE STYLING FIRST PLACE AND PEOPLE’S CHOICE

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WINNING ENTRY BY CINDY OLIVER

WINNING ENTRY BY ANGELA KUMPE

WINNING ENTRY BY ADRIANE POPE

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RESCUE ROUND-UP FIRST PLACE WINNER, KELLY HARGADON

SPONSOREDBY BY SPONSORED

RESCUE ROUND-UP SECOND PLACE WINNER, STEPHANIE STEMPFER

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SPONSORED BY

RESCUE ROUND-UP THIRD PLACE WINNER, CAROL BASSO

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

POODLES

2016 Contest Results SPONSORED BY

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FIRST PLACE, OPEN: MICHELLE BREEN SPONSORED BY

ALL OTHER

FIRST PLACE, INTERMEDIATE: LIZ KODY SPONSORED BY

FIRST PLACE, OPEN: LINDSEY DICKEN

FIRST PLACE, INTERMEDIATE: LIZ KODY

SPONSORED BY

FIRST PLACE, OPEN: MACKENSIE MURPHY

SPONSORED BY

FIRST PLACE, INTERMEDIATE: MICHELLE WORTHY SPONSORED BY

FIRST PLACE, OPEN: MACKENSIE MURPHY

FIRST PLACE, INTERMEDIATE: MISTY GIECZYS

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

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SPONSORED BY

FIRST PLACE, ENTRY: CARLA MASDEN SPONSORED BY

FIRST PLACE, ENTRY: ASHLEY COOMES SPONSORED BY

FIRST PLACE, ENTRY: ROBIN BOYD SPONSORED BY

FIRST PLACE, ENTRY: PATRICK QIAN

2016 Contest Results SPONSORED BY

FIRST PLACE, OPEN: LINDSEY DICKEN

FREESTYLE

SPONSORED BY

FIRST PLACE, INTERMEDIATE: MACIE PISA

FIRST PLACE, ENTRY: ASHLEY COOMES

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ANATOMY OF AN

BEFORE

E by Mary Oquendo e

am the proud owner of a new grooming van. It was as much as a surprise for me as it was for my friends and clients as I planned on retiring from grooming soon. In anticipation of retirement, I did not replace most of my clients that passed away or moved. It was a pretty sweet schedule, as I did not have a lot of expenses that necessitated a full roster. Now I am making payments on a 2016 Mercedes Sprinter 4X4 mobile grooming van. I need to add more clients. I decided on a color print ad with a local magazine I write for as the best way to reach new clients. All I can say is that I am thankful for friends who took a look at my first ad. I was very proud of it. After they finished laughing, they helped me craft an effective ad. Print advertising, especially color,

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

All I can say is that I am thankful for friends who took a look at my first ad. I was very proud of it. After they finished laughing, they helped me craft an effective ad. can get very expensive, so I want the most bang for my buck. As it is so costly, I bartered an article for an ad with a local print magazine. I chose "Natural Awakenings" as their readership is my target audience. If you choose to go this route, be certain that you are reaching the right audience. Writing, whether for pay, local expert factor, or barter is an article unto itself, which I will cover in the future. Let’s look at the first ad (before). The main problem with

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my first attempt is that there is no focal point. In order to read this ad, your eyes are all over the place. There is not one thing that grabs your eye. Look at the second ad (after) and see how your eyes naturally follow along. Is the first thing that you notice in the second ad the dog? That dog is my focal point. The purpose of a focal point is to initially grab the attention of the reader. Ooh look, a cute puppy. The dog also points to my logo. This photo is a professional picture. I use Depositphotos and

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YOUR LOGO HERE Stock Unlimited, but there are other repositories for pictures. I paid a nominal fee for the photo. You cannot randomly take photos off the Internet, as somebody owns that photo. Look at it like this; imagine how you would feel if you groomed a dog, but someone else got paid. This particular photo was chosen because the main color is complementary to the colors in my logo. You can use your own photos providing they are high quality that will reproduce well in an ad. The reason your eyes are drawn to my logo second is that my logo is smaller than the dog, but larger than the other copy. The copy portion of the second ad has font and color choices. The copy font is paired to my logo font. Complementary fonts are easy on the eye. These two links can guide

you on choosing the right pairing: • http://www.typography.com/ techniques • https://designschool.canva.com/ blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-fontpairing. In addition to choosing complementary fonts, ensure they are easy to read. Script may be pretty to look at, but hard to decipher. In addition, the copy needs to be large enough so that it is readable without a magnifying glass. Of particular importance is clear and readable contact information. If a potential client has to decrypt your ad, they will pass it by. I chose two alternating colors for the copy that are complementary to the focus point photo and my logo. This link is to a free site that will help you choose colors, as well as give you the HEX number. A HEX

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

Introducing

number is particular to each color. You can input the HEX number to sites such as PicMonkey and Canva to design your ad. https://color.adobe. com/create/color-wheel The most important part of the ad is a “Call to Action”. You need to tell them to do something. It can be as simple as mine: Contact Mary at my phone number and website. “The key to a great ad is a strong call to action. Tell people exactly what you want them to do and give them the most compelling reason you can to do it,” Alyssa Forss of Paws For Design. The compelling reasons are in the copy. The copy was chosen based on my client surveys. The first question on

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my survey is “What do you love about my service?” All of the copy points were chosen based on the predominate answers. If these are important to my current clients, then they will carry weight in attracting future clients. I put it together at www.canva.com. It’s a free site, but has options for photos and special fonts at one dollar each. At the time of this writing, I am nearly back to a full schedule with regular clients that meet my expectations. Another benefit of this ad is high-end pet supply shops looking to add classes for their clients have contacted me. These classes add to my bottom line, as well as place me in front of potential clients. ✂

Stay informed! Read this issue and back issues online at

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SUMMER

SKIN ISSUES e d i u G a simple

by Michelle Knowles

Here we are in the dog days of summer. Many of us have clients that are dealing with skin issues that are common when the sun and humidity are high. Here are some common issues and how to handle them in the salon environment. 26

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

having should not be an option. Contact dermatitis is an allergic condition when an offending substance touches the outside of the pet and causes a reaction. The hair does not cause the issues with scratching and discomfort. Regular and thorough bathing and conditioning are the only things that can remove these offending proteins while keeping the coat intact.

this protective pigment in their primary hairs. When dogs are given a “summer shave down" they have no hair to protect them from the sun and lose an important part of their Cutaneous Immune System (Skin and Hair) that helps to regulate their temperature. Shaping is an important service to offer so that the primary hair to secondary hair ratio is preserved.

UV Protection

De-Shedding

Dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors need the protection of their coat to defend against UV rays. Humans have pigment in their skin that darkens due to exposure from the sun, dogs and cats only have

De-Shedding is an important step we can take to ensure that our pet friends’ hair is protecting their skin in a healthy way. A coat that is full of undercoat or mats can trap moisture, bacteria, and fungus which

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

Hot

spots are bacterial in nature. These bacteria occur normally on the skin but get out of balance when lake water, chlorine, and other environmental toxins overwhelm the natural oil barrier on the skin.

can cause fungal infections and hot spots. Keeping our clients on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule will ensure a clean, well brushed coat that will be able to keep the pet protected during playtime in the sun and the pool.

Hot Spots Hot spots are bacterial in nature. These bacteria occur normally on the skin but get out of balance when lake water, chlorine, and other environmental toxins overwhelm the natural oil barrier on the skin. Fungal infections can occur when the pet is exposed to lake water and/ or the undercoat is so thick that it traps moisture against the skin. Therapeutic baths can be offered as a summer service that can really make a difference in the comfort of

your pet clients. There is a simple formula that follows the scientific principles of the needs of the pet skin that is compromised.

DetoxifY–Cleanse – Hydrate Step 1: A clay mask will help pull the toxins and offending proteins off of the coat. Step 2: Cleanse with the shampoo that addresses the issue — bacterial issues need an antibacterial shampoo; fungal infections need an antifungal shampoo. When both of these conditions are present, mix these cleansers together to “level the playing field” and bring balance to the skin. Allergies, hair loss, shedding, dry skin and coat can all benefit from a quality protein shampoo.

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 6 • June 2016

Hydrate All land mammals that do not require dust to control parasites (such as chinchillas) benefit from some type of conditioner to replace the oils that were washed away by bathing.

Step 3: Hydrate. All land mammals that do not require dust to control parasites (such as chinchillas) benefit from some type of conditioner to replace the oils that were washed away by bathing. This restores the sebum layer and keeps the skin barrier healthy and supple. Cleaning folds and wrinkles with a natural type of oil, such as Emu oil and Argan oil will also keep these delicate areas protected. Oiling the foot pads of your clients’ pets after the groom is finished is an excellent way to keep them from cracking and dryness. Summer is the perfect time to create some new spa services that benefit the health and wellbeing of the dogs in your care whether they hike on trails, swim in the

lake or a chlorine pool, camp with their owners, or simply accompany them to the local coffee shop to be admired. Be creative with the names of your services, make a little extra cash, offer healthy and beneficial treatments and above all, have fun doing it! ✂

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

GROOMING

MATTERS by Daryl Conner

TAKING CARE

ay I ask you something? You take care of pets all day, and maybe a partner and/or children, or other family members. Who takes care of you? Often that job falls to us, too. Have you ever heard the expression, "If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it?" Well, sometimes we busy groomers don't take time to take care of ourselves. Not taking care of ourselves can lead to a variety of problems; burn out, depression, exhaustion, and even illness. What does taking care of yourself look like? Take some time to think about that. The answer will be as unique as you are. Following are some ideas to consider.

Wake up peacefully- Being ripped from the bliss of sleep by the jarring sound of an alarm starts the day with a shot of adrenaline. Arrange to be awakened by soft music instead. Or, get an alarm clock that wakens you with an increasingly bright light instead of sound.

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in your body before you race out the door; a piece of fruit, a few handfuls of nuts, a low-sugar breakfast bar, perhaps? Your body will work harder for you if you put some decent fuel into it before you charge off to work.

Take a moment to awakenDon't leap directly into activity. Arrange your morning so you have 5-10 minutes to stretch, read, or meditate. That tiny fraction of time can set the mood for your entire day.

Hydrate- I don't mean to be a buzz kill, but sucking down coffee all day is going to leave you jittery. Consider buying a nice insulated bottle. I put three ice cubes in mine and fill it up with water. It stays cold all day, and the lid keeps floating dog hair out of it nicely.

Eat breakfast - Even if you are not a breakfast kind of person, make sure you put something healthy

Take a break- Figure out a way to schedule breaks in your day. For some people, 5 minutes every hour to

stretch, walk outside, grab a snack, or just sit down works well. For others, a 15 minute time-out every few hours does the trick. The important thing is to plan little segments of your day to rest. I know, I know, I can almost hear you protesting. It's summer, you're busy, I get it. But it's ok to take some little slivers of time to rest. You'll be more productive if you do.

nice stew when I walk into the kitchen at the end of the day feels like a gift.

Plan meals ahead- One gift I give to myself is to plan a big crock pot meal every week or two. I make enough to last for two nights and maybe even a lunch or two. I try to make this on the day I figure will be my longest or most difficult. There is not much sweeter than remembering that dinner is all cooked at the end of a hard day. Just the mere smell of a pot of soup or a

Feed your brain- Try listening to books on tape, Ted Talks, or interesting Podcasts while you work. Learning new things and listening to inspiring stories can transport you to a whole new place while you are brushing and scissoring. Alternately, listen to music that uplifts or soothes you, depending on what works best for your mood.

There is not much sweeter than remembering that dinner is all cooked at the end of a hard day.

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Schedule a pamper sessionEvery once in a while, plan a visit to have a facial, manicure, pedicure, or, better yet, a massage. If that is not in the budget, see if there is a school near you. Often you can receive one of these spa treatments at a fraction of the cost from a student.

PLAN

MEALS

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CUT DOWN MULTI

TASKING

Multi tasking can be exhausting. Try doing some single tasking. Focus on what you are doing, and then move on to the next thing. This simple step can make you feel much more calm and centered.

Write a "Worry List"- If your brain is ricocheting around with all the things you need to worry about, write a list of them. Then allow yourself to sit quietly for 5 minutes and go over your list once in the morning and once in the evening. It may seem counterintuitive, but limiting the time you fret about things that worry you will reduce stress in your life. Make down time a priorityThat very full day planner of yours? Take charge and carve a little time out for yourself in there, then honor that time. It might be a full bonus day off in the middle of summer, or a sweet little hour to go hang out in your favorite book store, but make the time then take the time. Cut down on multi-taskingMaybe you can make toast for your toddler while you brush your teeth, but that doesn't mean you should. Multi tasking can be exhausting. Try doing some single tasking. Focus on what you are doing, and then move on to the next thing. This simple

step can make you feel much more calm and centered. Take note- If your brain is busy, busy, busy planning all you need to do and take care of, write it down. Keep a notebook or a white board handy and when you think, "Oh, I need to remember to order shampoo" add that to the list. "I have to call the vet about my dog's annual appointment," jot that down, too. Juggling a lot of "to do's" in your head can be tiring. Knowing they are written lets you release the worry that you might forget. Small rewards- I have a friend who keeps a little basket in the back of her closet. When she is out and about and sees something that makes her heart happy, she picks it up. It might be a juicy ink pen, a jar of bubble soap, or a pretty book mark. It might be a book or some soft fuzzy socks or a bottle of sweet scented lotion. She tosses the items in the basket. If she feels the need for a little treat, she pulls the basket off the shelf and finds it full of small things that delight her. A little time blowing bubbles can't help but lift anyone's spirits! The Big Three- I won't belabor the point, but eating healthy, getting at least a little bit of exercise, and making sure you get plenty of sleep are the cornerstones to taking care of you. You know it, I know it, but we don't always do it. Let's try harder. It is not selfish to take care of yourself. Studies prove that people who are good at self care are more productive at work, and more present with their family when they are together. There is only one precious you and you deserve to be cared for. Who knows how to do that better than you? ✂

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

BEHAVIOR CLIPS

by Gary Wilkes

IVAN

PAVLOV...

avlov is a name well known in the field of psychology but almost nothing about his work is known. At best, you may know that his most famous experiment was to ring a bell and then give a dog a piece of food. He traced the physiological reflexes associated with food – salivation, reduction in heart rate, etc. Within 20-50 pairings of bell followed by food, the dog would salivate to the sound of the bell exactly as it would to real food. You are about to learn more about this great scientist and you’ll understand the information because you know dogs. Most behavioral scientists only know rats and pigeons. You may ask why the first real scientific study of behavior was about

dogs drooling. You can get that from any St. Bernard or Mastiff, for free. The reason is that Pavlov wanted to know how animals make associations with seemingly unrelated events. For instance, if you have a dog that doesn’t like being bathed, it may eventually hate coming into your salon. If a client connects those two things, they may figure out that for some reason, Buffy doesn’t like you – and take their business someplace else. If you want a dog to listen and understand your instructions, there are rules that will give you more ‘bang for your buck’ when you tell a squirming dog to ‘settle down’. Knowing how dogs make connections is the foundation for all training. The fact that you don’t offer training services doesn’t mean you

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don’t do training or sometimes need to do training to make your job easier and to retain clients. The Prime Rule: “B” follows “A”  In nature, an animal has to make connections or it can’t survive. Here’s what Pavlov said about it: “It is pretty evident that under natural conditions the normal animal must respond not only to stimuli which themselves bring immediate wavers of sound, light and the like – which in themselves only signal the approach of these stimuli; though it is not the sight and sound of the beast of prey which is in itself harmful to the smaller animal, but it’s teeth and claws.”   Imagine what he is describing. A bear is waddling across the prairie

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If I want to teach a dog that ‘settle down’ means don’t buck the loop while I’m doing your nails, the words ‘settle down’ must precede your firm but gentle grip on the dog’s muzzle.

coming straight at a wolf-pack’s den. If the wolves cannot connect the waddling fat-thing to the danger of the bear’s claws, they will sit there drinking iced tea until those claws get too close to avoid. That’s not good. You may be wondering how that affects what a dog learns. The first rule of teaching commands is to realize that the sight of the bear comes first, then the ‘consequence’ appears. If I want to teach a dog that ‘settle down’ means don’t buck the loop while I’m doing your nails, the words ‘settle down’ must precede your firm but gentle grip on the dog’s muzzle. If you had a dog that consistently bucked after several groomings, you could come up with a simple training procedure for the owner. Here is the sequence:   1. Say “settle down”.  2. Firmly but gently control the dog’s head by gripping the muzzle.  3. Offer the dog a treat.   4. Repeat.    The next time that dog is on a grooming table, the words ‘settle down’ will have meaning and the dog will actually settle down. That makes your job easier, gives the client confidence that you have the dog’s best interest in mind, and creates a deeper bond between groomer and client. That’s a win-win situation, thanks to Ivan Pavlov.

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The Wrong Way is the Common Way  This information is usually passed off as common knowledge – it’s not. We humans have a tendency to get it backwards. You can see this in your salon if you just watch for it. Here’s how the sequence goes south:    1. You grip the dog’s muzzle.  2. You say ‘settle down’ (the dog doesn’t) so you say ‘settle down’ again.  3. The dog does eventually settle down but has no idea what the words mean. You get nothing for the future in terms of control or recognition of the words ‘settle down’.    As smart as we are, our tendency is to control the situation and then say a command, often over and over. That is exactly backward but is the common way we do it. Have someone watch you

for a while or use a video camera to watch how you interact with the dogs you groom. If you are fairly caught giving the consequence before you say anything, you can start improving your training skills with a little concentration. Here’s the sequence. It goes best with a helper. Correct:  1. You say ‘settle down’ . 2. You grip the muzzle.   3. You release the tension on the muzzle. 4. You offer a treat or affection to the dog. Incorrect: 1. You grip the muzzle.   2. Your assistant says “wrong” to remind you that you got the sequence wrong.   3. You recognize the error and try again.

Discovering ways to improve our handling isn’t a big deal if you have years of experience. Groomers are, in my opinion, the finest handlers in the dog business. Knowing a little bit more than you did yesterday is helpful for new groomers. Sometimes that extra knowledge will take a struggle and create a better grooming solution for you and make your client appreciate you that much more. ✂

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KwikTips_July2016OL.pdf 1 5/31/2016 10:24:26 AM

SHARING CREATIVE STYLING IN CHINA FIG. 13

E by Dawn Omboy e FIG. 1

Groomer to Groomer â&#x20AC;˘ Vol 35 Ed 8 â&#x20AC;˘ August 2016

nyone who knows me knows that I love color and Creative Styling; I also love the artworks of my dear friend Amber Powell Brooks. Fig 1) One of her pieces that I absolutely love is of a standard poodle wearing an Asian theme. For me, this has been a wonderful teaching design. It has everything from different color mediums to diverse styling techniques such as sculpting, scissoring, and shaping with a beautiful outcome in the finished design. It has but one flaw; Amber only drew one side of the dog, leaving the other to imagination.

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www.queenofcolor.com This year, I was fortunate enough to be invited to go to China and teach an advanced creative class at the Beijing JianWen Pet Grooming Academy for three days. My gracious host, the principal of the school, Ms. Nana treated me to two lovely days of sightseeing before the classes were to begin. With my translator Ms. Icey and school assistant Mr. Zhiwei Von who were my constant companions, I saw many beautiful wonders. On Monday we walked the seven blocks to the school to start on a beautiful creative groom that would be a collaboration of Amber's design married to a traditional Chinese red

FIG. 2

sun, duck, and cherry blossoms on the other side of the dog. The result was astounding. I freehand sculpted Amber's design onto one side of the dog and set some of the color. Fig. 2) Ms. Nana scissored up the dog afterward with students looking on. Fig. 3) She then decided on a design for the other side and drew it out on a dry erase board in the

FIG. 3

FIG. 4

classroom to follow as a visual while setting the pattern on the dog. Fig. 4) Like me, Nana free handed her design, cutting in the largest part first and then separating and banding off sections of hair to be left long. These would later become the cherry blossoms. The ears have been vet wrapped to hold them out of the way while working. Fig. 5) The next step was to

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FIG. 5

FIG. 6

FIG. 7

connect the dots by dying in the tree that would hold the cherry blossoms. Fig. 6) After this part was done, we carefully dyed the cherry blossoms a cotton candy shade of pink by placing foil under the hair and applying the dye with a tint brush, and then wrapping the hair in the foil.

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Fig. 7) Next, the students teamed up to get the major amount of dying done; some working on dying the black head, while others outlined and filled in the red sun. Fig 8) Then we all moved back around to the other side of the dog, setting in the dyes by first outlining

FIG. 8

FIG. 9

FIG. 10

FIG. 11

the areas to be colored and then filling them in with the dyes. With so many people working on the dog, the dyes are set in record time. And after waiting for about 30 minutes, the dog was rinsed and dried and ready to be scissored up and detailed on the following day. Fig. 9) Once all scissored up, several layers of hairspray were applied to hold in place the parts of the design that needed to be detailed with the airbrush. I then gave a lesson using my trusty Airbrush unit and a combination of temporary dyes that can be easily washed out of the coat. Fig 10) Nana jumped in and we tackled the cherry blossoms on the other side of the dog, first banding them next to the skin and shaping them using hairspray and our fingers, then cutting with scissors to sharpen the details. Fig. 11) Nana's next step was to detail her duck by airbrushing in the black outline and the feathers of the wing and tail and then adding some

FIG. 12

shading for a more dramatic effect. Fig. 12) Once this is all done, she used scissors to sharpen all the edges for a more defined look. Fig. 13) We also had a lesson on the German trim so here we are with the two dogs we worked on and the class. Notice the wooly beast on the table? That is what the two pictured in front looked like when we started on them 2 days earlier. I am so honored to have had this wonderful sharing experience, and to have made new friends around the world, all for the love of dog. A special Thank you to Ms. Nana, JianWen Pet Grooming Academy, and to Wahl China. ✂ Making the World more Colorful, one dog at a time... Queen of Color To see more pictures of this grooming adventure visit www.queenofcolor.com or visit me on Facebook

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GROOMER STORIES

#GROOMERSTORIES

That Still Feels Like a

HOBBY

very groomer’s story had to start somewhere. Even the top groomers had to awkwardly hold shears for the first time; practicing holding their hand steady. Before we become great at anything, there are many hours spent practicing and studying. It doesn’t happen in one moment, but over time, a groomer’s movements become less cautious and more fluid as they begin to have the confidence of a true professional. For many groomers, grooming was a hobby long before it was a career. Years after grooming skills have been perfected and grooming has become more than just a hobby, holding on to the

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

i ere's Story r r e f a L y o R

excitement that was felt when an interest in grooming was first born is still important. In the beginning, it's easy to be enthusiastic about new passions and interests. Do you remember your early grooming career? When you were just starting out, learning each new technique was exciting. It was easy to have great admiration and appreciation for other groomers and beautifully groomed dogs in your early grooming days. Holding on to those feelings even after many years as a grooming professional can mean the difference between just going to work every day or living your dream every day.

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For Roy Laferriere, owner of Roy-L Groomingdales in Centerville, Massachusetts, his love for grooming is very much the beating heart of his career and business, just as it was when grooming was a hobby for him. “Even though it’s my business now, I still like to look at grooming as a hobby because you enjoy it more,” says Laferriere who began grooming over 25 years ago. It was an ASCOB American Cocker Spaniel named Desiree that was one of Laferriere’s early inspirations as a groomer. “I purchased her at 8 weeks old,” says Laferriere who remembers taking his show cocker out and around town

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

Making the decision to run and own his own business as a professional groomer would be a huge transition for Laferriere and, like any new business owner, he had his fears. Having support and encouragement made him feel less nervous about such a big decision. and getting complimented on her beautiful coat and the grooming that he did. “People would ask if she was a show dog,” says Laferriere. With the help of Desiree’s breeder, Laferriere learned to keep his Cocker Spaniel groomed properly for the show ring. “Breeder, Annie Noble taught me the art of grooming a show cocker,” he says. For 9 years Laferriere showed dogs on and off and enjoyed spending time at the dog shows, admiring the breeds, and learning more about

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

grooming. Through word of mouth, he began grooming not just his own show dogs, but other dogs out of his home. There was no question that Laferriere enjoyed all aspects of grooming, and the next step for him would be going into business for himself as a professional groomer. “A friend, Barbara Rooney, who also groomed show dogs, had the faith in my dog grooming to inspire me to purchase the dog grooming salon I own today,” says Laferriere. Making the decision to run

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and own his own business as a professional groomer would be a huge transition for Laferriere and, like any new business owner, he had his fears. Having support and encouragement made him feel less nervous about such a big decision. “My wife, Patrice believed in me as a groomer enough to encourage me to own a business to support our family. If you have people believing in you, it inspires you to believe in yourself,” says Laferriere. Laferriere’s passion for grooming began with grooming show dogs, and

Outside of grooming, Laferriere enjoys being in the presence of dogs through training, competing, or just enjoying some bonding time. He trains his dog Rolex, a black Standard Poodle, in a variety of sports including obedience, trick training, agility, and even a bit of musical freestyle. it was important to him that this was incorporated into his new business. “We like to say every dog is a show dog when they leave Groomingdales,” says Laferriere. Over the years, the business has groomed dogs of different breeds for the show ring, but even the dogs who are not showing leave Groomingdales looking their very best. The positive environment and gentle handling that dogs experience when they visit Roy-L-Groomingdales really make the business stand out. “The owners always share their story of when they say it’s time to go to Roy's and their dog’s tails are wagging and they jump in the car,” says Laferriere. Laferriere has found that, when it comes to grooming, quality always comes before quantity. He believes providing detailed grooming rather than rushed work is always important. His advice for new groomers is to work at a comfortable speed. “Be patient with the animals and take your time learning each breed's specific styles,” he says. “Start off grooming only a few dogs a day to feel comfortable and not rushed.” Outside of grooming, Laferriere enjoys being in the presence of dogs through training, competing, or just enjoying some bonding time. He trains his dog Rolex, a black Standard Poodle, in a variety of sports including obedience, trick training, agility, and even a bit of musical freestyle. Recently, Rolex

earned his American Kennel Club, Rally Novice title.  For Laferriere, grooming will always feel like a hobby that gives him endless enjoyment even though it is his career now. Having the same appreciation for grooming now as he did when he was just starting out makes Laferriere feel grateful. “This job is like no other,” says Laferriere. ✂

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PLA M E T

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Where

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ver twenty-five years ago I met my best friend and wife, Tracy. Those of you who know us understand how I owe my passion for the pet industry and career to her. That’s because behind every good man is a loving woman, and in my case, talented pet groomer. She introduced me to the joys of dog companionship, pet grooming as a profession, and ultimately my job in pet products sales. Together we’ve witnessed grooming evolve, and each of us along with it. You could say everything leading up to now was history in the making. So how will professional grooming evolve over the next twenty-five years? I’ve often pondered what the future beholds for

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

us? Take a look into my crystal ball. Mindfulness Guides Our Path “What is Mindfulness?” you ask. Some may associate it with Yoga, but the art of Mindful Practice goes way beyond that! While its roots can be traced back many thousands of years to Buddha’s teaching, its modern-age renaissance into mainstream life is a movement many believe will shape the world’s future. Mindful practice is being embraced by corporate culture, internal medicine, and therapy treatments, in our schools and by environmental groups. Noted psychologist and author Dr. Stephen McKenzie, in his book entitled, Mindfulness at Work: How to Avoid Stress, Achieve More and

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Enjoy Life, sums up mindfulness as, “Focusing one’s attention on what is, rather than being distracted by what isn’t.” We live in a fast-paced world full of clutter and distractions. No doubt the pet grooming community certainly faces its fair share. Just look at all the opinions and misinformation one has to dodge on social media as evidence today. We need to let go of the belief that we know what’s best, and the only way to work through a challenge. We must learn to see each new situation clearly. Try seeking out credible fact-based resources when questioning something and put aside all assumptions. For instance, some time ago, what started off as genuine

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

What if pet groomer licensing became reality in our future? That would mean core curriculum standards and mandatory testing. Is it such a terrible thing to consider?

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

consumer concern for safe wholesome ingredients, somehow got perverted into false notions that “Science is bad” and “If you can’t grow it, or pronounce its name, it’s a toxic chemical.” Somewhere along the line, non-mindful companies eager to comply may have jumped the gun. In my opinion, they chose not to take the necessary time to educate consumers responsibly on why their ingredient choices were safe or healthy. Instead, they eagerly over-emphasized and exaggerated their products to fit demand, consequently redefining what “more natural” meant by the enticement of misleading claims and deceptive imagery leading to what’s now an out of control “all natural” bubble ready to burst. The ambiguity of what “natural” is has rampantly become

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status quo for many industries and apparent in ours. Perhaps companies assumed the public couldn’t handle the complexity of the matter, and took the easy way out?   Fortunately mindfulness and science work very well together. So, in our future I envision managing a pet salon will encompass a more mindful fact-based grooming process at its very core; where each of its fundamental elements seamlessly interrelates to each other. What if pet groomer licensing became reality in our future? That would mean core curriculum standards and mandatory testing. Is it such a terrible thing to consider? Essential knowledge of “coat and skin physiology” and “how grooming liquids work” would be required of us as it is for many human

cosmetologists today. Nowadays, the apparent lack of core curriculum standards has created an up-hill struggle of trial and error for many groomers. This may have even led to some of the recent inexcusable pet grooming fatalities we’ve heard about in national news reports. Being accountable for established trade knowledge and guidelines can lead groomers to mastering their tools and equipment, methods and techniques, as well as overlooked health and safety standards. Think about how many problematic issues could have been avoided by recognizing a more standardized grooming process. Starting to get the picture? Our future is dependant upon more structure and accountability. Recently the PPGSA (Professional Pet Groomers

and Stylists Association) established its “Standards of Care for Safety and Sanitation” guidelines. It’s a fabulous example of one step towards a more mindful future in grooming. Keep an eye out for further evolving developments. What can you do to be more accountable? Embracing Technological Innovation  “Progressive Grooming Logic” is a Mindful concept I profess in my seminars that’s worth noting here. It acknowledges how each phase of the grooming process interrelates with each other, and specifically what correlating methods work best for optimal effect. I see us merging certain tools, methods, and concepts for greater efficiency in our salons in the future.

Being accountable for established trade knowledge and guidelines can lead groomers to mastering their tools and equipment, methods and techniques, as well as overlooked health and safety standards.

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By letting the creative flow of fact-based consciousness blossom, fresh new innovations begin to emerge. We’ve all dreamed of the “magic wand” that miraculously releases mats and tangles, erases stains, eradicates foul odors, or would fix stupid. We’ve envisioned carwash type contraptions for dogs that would save time and effort. Have you longed for a lightweight dryer that wasn’t so loud, wouldn’t blow fuses, never broke down, and dried in half the time? What new computer marvels or smart apps can you imagine in our future? We can all bear witness that some of these not so far-fetched ideas may have already been attempted or are brewing. Regardless of their degree of success or failure in the past, I’m encouraged by the abundant inventiveness within the grooming

community. I’ve seen a lot of repurposing of existing technology adapted to fit our industry. However, in my opinion, there’s also been a lack of fresh genuine innovation. Until now!   Here are a few examples of technology worth following: • Extraordinary Grooming Liquids: Today humanity has welcomed technology into day-to-day life, so I foresee a day when groomers eagerly embrace the science and chemistry responsible for their liquid products. Product performance will notably improve. Groomers will come to rely confidently upon future shampoo and conditioners that “actually work” to quickly release shedding undercoat, annihilate foul odors, and many other challenging situations.   Advancements in chemistry will enable bathing

without tedious pre-brushing; releasing more hair in the tub and with a blow dryer rather than pulling and ripping with a brush beforehand. These will also enable force dryers to act as a virtual brush; harnessing water and air to do much of the hard work. Coats treated with these formulas will smell fresh longer, stay cleaner and more manageable for weeks. All thanks to science! • Futuristic Bathing Systems: Now imagine these advanced formulas simply sprayed directly into a dry coat. No pre-soaking needed. The bather quickly sprays the entire animal with shampoo, rinses after a few minutes, and applies a light nonoily conditioner or final leave-in spray before drying. Voila! Such an innovation would be a must for any mobile groomers with

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Imagine doing more with less; less shampoo, less water, less energy, less effort, less time, etc. How long must we wait? What if you didn’t have to wait too long for the future to come? What if I said these dreams are within your grasp? limited water supply onboard. Perhaps everyone in the future will have to conserve water, and could benefit from such a Mindful device. Did I mention this futuristic bathing unit will defy any shampoo dilution rate quandaries by conserving shampoo usage beyond fathoming? Well it will! • Hi-Efficiency Hair Dryers: Close your eyes and picture a much quieter force dryer that doesn’t routinely set-off your shops electrical breakers. With just the flick of switch, this dryer engages a pulsating

stream of negative ions that disperses water molecules at an accelerated rate enabling 50% faster drying time. All this while smoothing cuticles on every hair, adding shine with zero static and no alarmingly hot air. Since the coat was pretreated with advanced liquid technology, you now brush with this dryer, waving it as if the magic wand we only dreamed of! Final Thoughts Imagine doing more with less; less shampoo, less water, less energy, less

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effort, less time, etc. How long must we wait? What if you didn’t have to wait too long for the future to come? What if I said these dreams are within your grasp? These breakthrough innovations in technology are out there just waiting to be discovered. Come and step through a virtual time portal with me, into one of many grooming trade shows, and experience exactly what I’m talking about. Throughout America and abroad there’s a thriving pet grooming industry beckoning you to come and discover its future. Your future! Put aside your hesitation and assumptions. Register today for that seminar or workshop. Explore up and down the aisles of a grooming trade show. Reach out to vendors, manufacturers, and experts. Your future can be so amazing and bright. Be mindful. You deserve more, so start enjoying your grooming career today. The future is now! ✂ Dave Campanella is an informative and entertaining seminar speaker, contributing trade columnist, and genuine grooming enthusiast. He is Best Shot Pet Products sales and marketing director and has over 25 years of pet industry knowledge and experience. He and his wife Tracy co-owned a full service pet salon and self-wash in Ohio prior to relocating to Kentucky. They enjoy exhibiting at grooming shows, being industry ambassadors, and showing their Kerry Blue Terrier and Samoyed dogs.

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

ASK THE

GROOMING TUTOR by Michell Evans

“

Hi Michell. I am struggling to get my clients to let me groom their dogs in a longer style. They all want them shaved. I am mostly speaking of Doodles, Havanese, Shih-Tzus, Poodles, and mix breeds. No one wants to pay for de-matting. They don’t bring them often enough. I am bored with my work. From what I learned at the Northwest Grooming Show, I am doing things all wrong. How do I take a clientele that I have trained to want their dogs shaved every three or four months and convince them to want longer styles more often?

“

his is easier than it seems Bill. Many groomers find themselves making this turn at some point in their careers. As we grow in grooming we can teach our clients to be better clients. It is scary to make changes but don’t get trapped by fear. Your clients respect your expertise and will follow you in a new direction. Start by sending a letter to all

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

of your clients explaining all that you have learned and the direction you plan to take. Email is a good way to reach them but you can also snail-mail them and/or offer a hand-out at the salon. Here is an example of how to communicate the changes that you would like to make: • Tell them that you are much better able to help them with their dog’s health and well-being if you see

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them on a more regular basis. This tells them that you are planning to book them more frequently. Inform them that this is the only way you will be able to safely, comfortably, and happily care for their pets in the future. This tells them that you are not willing to negotiate. • Tell them that you are more focused than ever on the health, safety, and style of their dog. This tells them that the changes you

Let them know that it will cost them more but it will be worth every penny because their dog’s coat, skin, and nails will be maintained rather than salvaged. This tells them that their pet will benefit more from the new policies than the old. are making are in the best interest of their dog. Let them know that you have attended the Northwest Grooming Show, (or dog show, or certification, or workshop, or subscribed to streaming educational source, or purchased a set of educational DVDs) and that you have discovered new and better ways to care for their furry family members. This explains the reason for the changes and why you are making them now. Inform them that you plan to continue to learn and

improve your grooming skills for the rest of your career and that you plan to use your increasing knowledge in the care of their pet for many years to come. This tells them that they can expect more changes and price increases in the future and that you hope they will respect and appreciate your growth. • Let them know that it will cost them more but it will be worth every penny because their dog’s coat, skin, and nails will be maintained rather than salvaged. This tells them that

their pet will benefit more from the new policies than the old. Tell them that their eyes, mouths, ears, anuses, genitalia, armpits, toes, and tails will get twice or three times as much attention with the new grooming schedule. This reminds them of how important your services are in monitoring their pet’s health. • Recommend monthly grooming and tell them that about 1 inch of coat, depending on the breed, is a healthy, stylish length for their dog. One inch of coat protects and insulates

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Very short coat offers no protection from the elements what so ever. Suggest that they let you try a more appropriate style on their dog and if they don’t love it you can change to something simpler next time.

their dog in the cold as well as hot months/climates. Well maintained coat keeps them cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Keep in mind that even though 1 inch is a provable measurement, it serves as an average and may not be technically an inch. The coat may be shorter than an inch in some places and longer than an inch in others but to the layman/client it all just looks like “about an inch”. Very short coat offers no protection from the elements what so ever. Suggest that they let you try a more appropriate style on their dog and if they don’t love it you can change to something simpler next time. This means their dog gets all of the benefits listed above plus it looks more beautiful than ever! Once the

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

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client gets used to their dog being washed and trimmed regularly, it is hard for them to go back to a smelly unkempt bed mate. Learning to maintain coat and de-matt efficiently takes a little time and practice so start out with a little less coat and work up to more stylized trims. This is also easier for the clients to accept at first. Be sure to charge for de-matting. Although the idea behind having them come monthly is that they will not be matted, some will have matts. It should not take quite as long to trim a well maintained monthly client as it did the three month shave, so in theory, a little bit of time for de-matting is built in. Most importantly, Bill, if you lose a few clients you will fill those spots with the customers that are willing to come in more frequently. For example, if you have a full clientele that currently come in every three months and you convince one-third of them to come every month, you no longer need the two-thirds of your clients, whom could not be convinced, to fill your schedule. ✂ I am a multi-Best-In-Show and BestAll-Around groomer. I am the recipient of many Barkleigh Honors Awards. I am a Silver and Gold medalist for GroomTeam USA. I am the winner of Show Dog Groomer of the Year. I am an educator for Andis Clipper Company. I have been teaching as The Grooming Tutor since 2000. And I groom to make a living, just like you. Please send questions to michell@groomingtutor.com

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to prevent severe injury or death. But, what should groomers look for? When do we know when to stop the groom? When to send the cat home? And when to send the cat to the vet? Before the groom even begins, there are some cats that should be categorized as “high risk” grooms. Extra precaution should be taken with these cats in order to minimize stress and to monitor them for signs or symptoms of a problem. Cats that are high risk include cats who have never been professionally groomed before, who are in very poor grooming condition, those who are very combative during the grooming process, and elderly cats. The first time a cat visits a professional groomer can be stressful, so it is important that the groomer focus on making this visit a positive experience. Also remember that the cat’s owner does not always know to

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

This Persian came to the salon severely matted. While removing the large mats, we discovered the cat was dehydrated, had a flea infestation, and had a broken tail! We received approval from the client’s vet to finish removing the mats and give the cat a flea bath; the tail area was avoided entirely for the vet to handle. The cat was diagnosed with anemia, given fluids, and the tail will need to be amputated.

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

share medical conditions and history that may affect the groom. During the initial conversation with the owner, ask specific questions regarding heart or breathing problems, history of seizures, medications, previous injuries, etc. Have a list of questions that cover previous medical, behavior,

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and grooming history to discuss with clients, and ask further questions if any “red flags” pop up. Any behavior or mannerisms that are out of the ordinary should be discussed with the owner and included in the grooming notes. While grooming, take extra time to introduce each aspect of the groom gradually so as not to startle or frighten the cat. Variable speed dryers set on low, wrapping the cat snugly in a large towel, and testing clippers on a small area are all ways to help introduce the cat to the grooming process, similar to how a new puppy would be. The goal does not have to be a perfect haircut, but to introduce the various steps of the groom and to establish a trusting relationship with the groomer. Unfortunately, not all first time cat clients are kittens. Many will come in already in horrible groom condition. These should also be considered high risk. Severe matting can cause skin irritations, wounds, hair loss, and sensitivity to touch. Cats in poor grooming condition may also have health problems that are hidden by large areas of mats. This can include fleas and flea bite dermatitis, anemia, injuries, and more. Another group of cats that need extra precaution during the groom are

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aggressive cats. Cats who are hissing, growling, swatting, and actively trying to bite, all fall into this category. Many of these cats respond well to a snug hold to prevent them from flailing. This can include firmly holding them across the lap, putting some pressure on the shoulder area (with or without a scruff), wrapping them in a towel, or having a second person assist. The cat’s face and breathing patterns should be constantly monitored. Loops and harnesses should never be placed around a cat’s neck or used to extend the cat’s legs. Always adjust handling techniques based on the cat’s responses to avoid causing any pain or discomfort. There are some cats who respond to restraint by thrashing and fighting even harder. Cats who respond this way should be sent to a veterinarian to proceed. It is dangerous to allow

a cat to get worked up by struggling during the groom as the cat could have unknown medical issues or become overly stressed. There are ways to help improve an aggressive cat’s behavior during the groom. First, try to discover what triggers the aggressive response and limit or avoid those things during the groom. Sometimes that means limiting what services can be performed safely on the cat, namely full body haircuts or specialized trims. Normally, these cats do well during the bath and blow dry as these steps involve the least amount of additional handling or restraints. When making recommendations for an aggressive cat’s grooming schedule, a stipulation may include that the cat come in regularly in order to prevent matting. Senior and geriatric cats are especially at risk during the grooming

process. The likelihood of arthritis, diabetes, kidney failure, hyperthyroidism, and other health concerns increases as a cat gets older. Unfortunately, many owners do not take senior cats to the veterinarian regularly to check for changes in the cat’s health. It is common to see senior cats who have not been to the vet for several years, if not more! Senior cats are already prone to stress in new environments, but an undiagnosed health problem could lead to disaster very quickly. Senior cats are not the only ones at risk of having an undiagnosed health problem. Cardiomyopathy, or heart disease, is generally the cause when a seemingly healthy cat dies suddenly out of the blue. The most common, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), is a genetic condition where symptoms can appear in cats ages 3-10 years of

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This cat is highly combative for any and all shaving. The recommended grooming schedule is a bath and blow dry appointment every 6-8 weeks. If the cat comes to the salon matted, the cat is referred to the vet for a sedated shave down. Anesthesia comes with its own set of risks, so the groomer should stress the importance of preventative grooming to the owner.

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

age. Stress, or even just an exertion of energy, can trigger heart failure and death. The most definitive way to diagnose heart disease is through an echocardiogram. However, most cats do not exhibit any symptoms. If there are any symptoms, they can

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include labored breathing, lethargy, and trouble moving its rear legs (due to blood clots). While heart disease is uncommon in the average cat, some breeds are at a higher risk of HCM. These breeds include Maine Coons, Ragdolls, and Persians. Unfortunately for groomers, these are some of the most commonly seen cats in the salon since they all have long coats that require regular care. Other conditions that can cause sudden illness or death include blood clots, arrhythmias, asthma, and more. The one thing these conditions have in common is that the cat will demonstrate very few, if any, symptoms until there is a serious problem. It is up to the groomer to watch for the changes in a cat’s behavior or condition. A general rule of thumb should be to err on the side of caution. It is better to have a veterinarian clear the cat to continue grooming than to have to rush the cat in for an emergency. Cats who are anxious, especially vocal, or demonstrate minor changes in their breathing patterns should be given a break from grooming. When the groom stops, how does the cat respond? The cat should show visible signs of relaxing or calming down relatively quickly. If this happens,

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Cats should be regular visitors to the professional grooming salon in order to maintain a healthy skin and coat condition. They require special care and attention in order to prevent serious injuries and health problems. the groomer should plan to finish the groom as quickly as possible to minimize stress. The groomer should focus on

any major problems with the cat’s grooming condition, especially severe matting. If the cat’s behavior or condition does not improve, then the

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cat should go home without continuing the groom. Changes can be made to future grooming appointments to improve the cat’s experience. This includes scheduling the cat on slow days or times, having a second person available to assist, and changing the order of the grooming process. Respiratory distress, lethargy, seizures, and other more severe symptoms mean the cat must be immediately taken to the closest vet for observation and/or treatment. Cats should be regular visitors to the professional grooming salon in order to maintain a healthy skin and coat condition. They require special care and attention in order to prevent serious injuries and health problems. Every groomer should learn about signs of stress, symptoms of illness or injury, and abnormal behaviors in order to make the best choices for each cat. Similar to working with challenging dogs, each groomer should follow their instincts and send a cat home if the cat becomes overly stressed or difficult to handle. It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to safety of the pet and of the groomer. ✂ Lynn Paolillo has been grooming both dogs and cats for over 10 years. The last 4 have been dedicated to working as an instructor and certifier with the National Cat Groomers Institute of America, Inc. Contributions include magazine and blog articles, books, brochures, and creating online courses on cat grooming for the NCGIA. She has also enjoyed teaching the art of hands-on cat grooming to hundreds of students from around the world.

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

GroomertoGroomer.com

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

CLASSIFIEDS Call (717) 691-3388 ext 220 to place a Classified. Rates: 25 words or less – $50.00. Each additional word – $2.00 each. Classified ads must be prepaid. Call for issue deadlines. Agency Discounts Do Not Apply. BLADES & SHARPENING “YOU NOW HAVE A BETTER CHOICE” We are groomers of 30+ years. Website has FREE videos and articles on equipment care. Steel Blades $5.00, Ceramic $6.00, Regular shears $5.00, convex $10. Certified for many shear brands. WAHL 5-N-1 blades refurbished (new parts, not sharpened) $10. Clipper repair #10 plus parts. Mail-in service has 48 hour turnaround, $5.00 RETURN SHIPPING ALL ORDERS, each order gets a

CALL (717) 691-3388, EXT. 220 TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED. CD_ROM and tip sheet. Website has all information. Est. 1995. Northern Tails Sharpening Inc, Mobile AL Call 251-232-5353 www.northerntails.com Great Sharpening-repair, 15 years+ Experience on Pet Grooming Tools. Clipper blades $5.00, Regular Bevel shears $7.00, Convex Shears $15.00. Clipper Repairs $15.00+Parts 5N1's $12.00 Service Oster, Andis, Wahl. Send Robb Balfour, 18141 Maugans Avenue, Hargerstown, MD 21740. 301-992-5402, www.robbexpresssharpening.com Robbsharp01@yahoo.com

BUSINESS FOR SALE Well established Turn-key Grooming Business for sale. Fully equipped with Retail. Great Location. Large Clientele & growing. In Maryland - Price Reduction - call 301-824-3371 Successful 30 year strong Grooming/Daycare business for sale in the beautiful Roaring Fork

Valley, Colorado. Great location, fantastic reputation and tremendous opportunities for growth. Asking $95,000.00. Serious inquiries only. petgroomerforsale@gmail.com Mobile Grooming business for sale in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Work in paradise. Great clientele. 2 Vans, super busy, 2 part time groomers want to stay w/ business. Plenty of room for growth. Owner wants to retire $90K 928-486-8848 or email iwsjwp@yahoo.com

Celebrating

25 Years! Sharp. art. Stay Work Sm

(1991 – 2016)

Precise Cut Shears

Full Full Service Service Sharpening Sharpening & & Repair Repair

120 Fourth Street • Mt. Wolf, PA 17347 (717) 266-7348 • (888) 742-7745 info@precisionsharp.com

www.precisionsharp.com

Insta

A division of Rayson Healthcare

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

GroomertoGroomer.com

www.raypet.net 800.526.1526

NEW PRODUCTS IV SAN BERNARD PROTECTIVE SHIELD ANTI-PARASITE SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER SSL free! Take a more natural approach with mint, eucalyptus and chamomile without detergents. Iv San Bernard Protective Shield Shampoo acts as a protective shield on the coat using extracts of eucalyptus and mint which makes it a natural repellent for fleas, ticks and other parasites. The Protective Conditioner has mint, eucalyptus plus chamomile and mauve which helps loosen tangles and makes the coat radiant and nourished. shop.ivsanbernard.info,  isbusa.com

LIFE BY TROPICLEAN SKIN & COAT SUPPLEMENT FOR DOGS Fresh oils from sustainably caught Norwegian salmon and Alaskan pollock from the Bering Sea contain natural antioxidants, combined with coconut oil for digestion and immunity, and a 3-seed blend of oils with omegas, Life Skin & Coat works from the inside out, supporting heart health and cognitive function, while keeping your pet’s skin healthy and coat soft. Each bottle of Life contains an ultraconcentrated 45-day supply, packed with TropiClean’s balanced blend of fresh oils and vitamins A, D3, and E. Tropiclean.com

Klip Kards

PERFECT GROOM® INTRODUCES DEODORIZING SHAMPOO 32:1

Perfect Groom® line of premium professional products has added a new Deodorizing Shampoo. This shampoo is formulated with baking soda to clean and deodorize the coat. Natural Cactus, Aloe and Silk extracts add shine and manageability. Leaves the coat clean and silky with a fresh citrus fragrance. For further information about Perfect Groom® Deodorizing Shampoo call 1-800-525-PETS or log on to www.ryanspet.com

AVAILABLE IN PACKS OF 100, 500, or 1000!

Client Index & Extender Cards

ARE YOUR CLIENT FILES A DISASTER? These client index cards will stand up against the daily abuse of any active grooming salon and will provide you with basic information on your grooming client.

Regular Klip Kard 3” x 5” Medium Klip Kard 4” x 6”

Available Colors

Giant Klip Kard 5” x 8”

EXTENDERS STAPLED TO YOUR FILLED KLIP KARD ADD MORE RECORD SPACE!

GroomertoGroomer.com

BARKLEIGHSTORE.COM • 717 6913388

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

CALENDAR OF EVENTS CALIFORNIA

NEVADA

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE EXPO WEST 5/1/2017 — 5/4/2017 Burbank CA (717) 691-3388 info@barkleigh.com www.pbdwest.com

SUPERZOO 8/2/2016 — 8/4/2016 Las Vegas NV info@superzoo.org www.superzoo.org

GROOM EXPO WEST 02/16/2017 — 02/19/2017 Pasadena, CA (717) 691-3388 info@barkleigh.com www.groomexpowest.com

PETQUEST 6/22/2017 — 6/25/2017 Wilmington OH (717) 691-3388 info@barkleigh.com www.pqgroom.com

FLORIDA

PENNSYLVANIA

THE NDGAA FUN IN THE SUN 2016 10/28/2016 – 10/30/2016 Orlando, FL (724) 962-2711 ndga@nationaldoggroomers.com www.ndgaa.com

GROOM EXPO 9/22/2016 — 9/25/2016 Hershey PA (717) 691-3388 info@barkleigh.com www.groomexpo.com

ILLINOIS ALL AMERICAN GROOMING SHOW 8/18/2016 — 8/21/2016 Wheeling, IL (717) 691-3388 info@barkleigh.com www.aagroom.com

MASSACHUSETTS NEW ENGLAND GROOMING SHOW 10/13/2016 —10/16/2016 Sturbridge MA (717) 691-3388 info@barkleigh.com www.newenglandgrooms.com

Proverbial Wisdom Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. Proverbs 3:27 Living Bible

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

OHIO

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE EXPO 11/13/2016 — 11/16/2016 Hershey PA (717) 691-3388 info@barkleigh.com www.petboardingexpo.com

PUERTO RICO PET PRO CRUISE 2017 01/28/2017 - 02/4/2017 San Juan, PR (321) 368-66228 Cruisinglady@ymail.com

WASHINGTON NORTHWEST GROOMING SHOW 4/20/2017 — 4/23/2017 Tacoma WA (717) 691-3388 info@barkleigh.com www.nwgroom.com

WISCONSIN PET STYLIST INVITATIONAL 11/6/2016 – 11/7/2016 Oconomowoc WI www.petstylistinvitational.com

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TO LIST YOUR EVENT, SEND IT TO ADAM@BARKLEIGH.COM

EVENTS ALL AMERICAN GROOMING SHOW

8/18/2016 - 8/21/2016 Wheeling IL GROOM EXPO

9/22/2016 - 9/25/2016 Hershey PA NEW ENGLAND GROOMING SHOW

10/13/2016 - 10/16/2016 Sturbridge MA PET BOARDING & DAYCARE EXPO

11/13/2016 - 11/16/2016 Hershey PA PET PRO CRUISE 2017

1/28/2017 - 2/4/2017 Canaveral, FL GROOM EXPO WEST

02/16/2017 - 02/19/2017 Pasadena CA NORTHWEST GROOMING SHOW

4/20/2017 — 4/23/2017 Tacoma WA PET BOARDING & DAYCARE EXPO WEST

5/1/2017 — 5/4/2017 Burbank CA WORLD DOG EXPO

6/9/2017 — 6/11/2017 New York City Area PETQUEST

6/22/2017 — 6/25/2017 Wilmington OH Barkleigh Productions, Inc. (717) 691-3388 • Fax (717) 691-3381 www.barkleigh.com www.groomertogroomer.com

Greatness

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NE W YORK CIT Y

JUNE 9-11 Visit us online for more details:

2017

www.worldexpo.dog GroomertoGroomer.com

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

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Bentley

T HE FREEDOM O F C R E AT IN G B E A U T Y WIT H

THE POWER OF COOL CORDLESS

5 BLADE SIZES

LITHIUM ION

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 8 • August 2016

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Don’t Forget to Order Early for Holiday Retail

t e G s ’ t Le Fancy!

See Us at SuperZoo - Las Vegas, NV & Groom Expo - Hershey, PA FREE SHIPPING Includes Shampoo - On Orders $150.00 or More* Need Equipment? Ship it for Free! Expires 8/31/16

When You Purchase $2000 or more of Paw Brothers® Professional and Value Groom® Equipment.*

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