Groomer to Groomer - December 2014

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READER READERSERVICE SERVICECARD CARD#10651 #8885 Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 12 • December 2014

3

FEBRUARY

19-22 2015

PASADENA CONVENTION

CENTER PA S A D E N A

GROOMEXPOWEST.COM

CALIFORNIA

CONTENTS | DECEMBER 2014

ASIAN

FREESTYLE

HOLIDAY WISH LIST

by Daryl Conner PAGE 32

THE NEW TREND IN YOUR SALON PAGE 16

by Riza Wisnom

ALSO INSIDE The Seaweed is Always Greener

6

The Clock is Tick, Tick, Ticking

10

What is Your Goal as a Groomer?

Salzberg: A New Perspective

40 46

Preventing Clipper Cord Problems

52 54 58 60 61

Wilkes: Finding Effective Behavior Solutions

26

Oquendo: Caring for Your Mobile Grooming Vehicle

35

Simple Pleasures for the New Year New Products Calendar of Events

Omboy: Mike Rowe Gets Creative

38

Classifieds

BOUVIER DES FLANDRES

by Kathy Rose

PAGE 56

EDITORIAL STAFF EDITOR/PRESIDENT Todd Shelly todd@barkleigh.com ASSISTANT EDITOR Gwen Shelly gwen@barkleigh.com MANAGING EDITOR Rebecca Shipman rebecca@barkleigh.com ART DIRECTOR Lucas Colton lucas@barkleigh.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Laura Pennington laura@barkleigh.com

DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING James Severs james@barkleigh.com

WEB DESIGNERS Lance Williams lance@barkleigh.com

MARKETING COORDINATOR

Luke Dumberth luke@barkleigh.com

Lucy March lucy@barkleigh.com

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER Adam Lohr adam@barkleigh.com

COLUMNISTS

Missi Salzberg

Dawn Omboy

Kathy Rose

Teri DiMarino

Gary Wilkes

Bonnie Wonders

Kathy Hosler

Mary Oquendo

Daryl Conner

ON THE COVER:.

Copyright Dec. 2014. 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 33 Ed 12 • December 2014

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THE SEAWEED IS ALWAYS GREENER

by Erin McLaughlin

“T

he seaweed is always greener... in somebody else’s lake. You dream about going up there, but that is a big mistake.” Ok, admit it, you started singing along too, no? Disney songs have always had a special place in my heart, especially The Little Mermaid and I am physically incapable of not singing along when I hear the music.

6

So what’s this got to do with grooming, you ask? Well, I’ll tell you.

I have had my business for 9 years and have been steadily growing since the beginning. Luckily I have been blessed with an amazing team of employees to help me face each new day. While they are worth their weight in gold, I unfortunately do not yet have the ability to give them everything I

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 12 • December 2014

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would like to make their employment as fulfilling as we all would like (401k, paid vacations, large holiday bonuses, etc). I am working towards that, but in the meantime while we grow, I have discovered I can do things to make my shop greener than anybody else’s lake.

Most of us listen to music while we groom. Pandora is our app of choice. However it got tiring always

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listening to the same boring genre all day long. So we discovered you can make a work station and “Add Variety” of completely different artists to get an eclectic mix of music that everyone likes. For example, our work mix consists of anything from The Beatles (for Tina), to Neon Trees (Anthony), or The Dirty Heads (for me), spa and relaxation music (for the pets, can’t forget them). One day I decided to add Disney songs to the mix, cue the sing-along. Which brings new meaning to our name, Little Shop Of Howlers.

There’s just something about singing along to Aladdin’s A Whole New World while brushing out a long overdue GSD that brightens everyone’s spirits. Or changing some of the lyrics to Be Our Half pg (7"x4-7/8")-print:Layout 1 Guest to be a little more grooming

oriented. Try it, guaranteed smiles.

So while I can’t offer a company car, or private jet access, I can make each day as pleasant and sometimes silly, as possible. As the leader of this team it’s my job to provide a positive work environment both for the pets in my care and the people stuck with me all day. Not to mention our clients think it is adorable that we are serenading their babies while styling their fur. Don’t worry, I can barely carry a tune in a bucket (just ask people who have competed alongside me), but give it a try and let me know how much laughter you introduce into the workplace, and watch the dogs relax and enjoy the good times as well. Wrapping this up just in time, have to go practice 4/18/14 11:40 AM Page 1 the dance accompaniment for Let’s Go

Fly A Kite in case it is played tomorrow. Happy singing! ✂

Find us on

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 12 • December 2014

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THE

CLOCK

IS

TICK, TICK,

TICKING

by Kathy Hosler

“U

ntil you value yourself, you won’t value your time. Until you value your time, you won’t do anything with it,” says M. Scott Peck the author of The Road Less Traveled.

TIME You may not realize it, but time is one of the most important tools that you have. Are you using it wisely?

Are your days in the grooming salon productive and do they flow smoothly – or are they stress-filled with you frantically looking for your favorite brush, being stuck on the telephone

10

with a long-winded client, or dealing with an important piece of equipment that breaks down? Is every day one of ‘those’ days, where no matter how hard you try, you never really feel like you are in control—and it always seems that you are playing ‘catch up’?

Learning how to manage your time effectively can really boost your productivity and make a tremendous difference in your grooming career—and in your life.

FIRST THINGS FIRST Make time work for you. Get organized. You know what tools and

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products you use on a daily basis. Keep them neatly arranged and within your reach at your grooming station. Check your supply of shampoo and styling products, and make sure that everything is ready to go at the start of each day.

Pre-book grooming appointments.

This will help you control your schedule and plan your days in advance. The pets will arrive in better shape and it will be less work for you to keep them looking good. Also, when clients are pre-booked, you don’t have to spend precious time on the phone scheduling them.

Screen your telephone calls when

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The more you know, the more wisely you can use your time. Going to trade shows is one of the best ways to learn about all the new products and equipment and their proper usage. Attend seminars to keep up with the latest trends and to learn new skills. you are working. Let any calls that are not essential go to your voice mail.

That will keep you from being interrupted by sales calls and the like, and you can return calls when it is convenient for you.

Keep good records. Whether you work alone or with others, every

12

pet’s chart should contain a complete description of its grooming instructions—insuring that you can duplicate the groom at each appointment.

Always document everything – from moles and lumps, to medical conditions, and owner requests. Having all of the pet’s information at your

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fingertips will save you lots of time and aggravation.

Assess your client list. How many clients do you have that may actually be costing you time and money?

You know the ones - they take up far more than their share of your time, or repeatedly cancel appointments, or simply don’t show up for their appointments. Then, they always have some lame excuse for why they missed their appointment and expect you to re-schedule them right away. You don’t need clients that have no respect for you or your time.

TIME IS MONEY! Yes, it really is. If you save just ten or fifteen minutes on each pet you groom, you can choose to either finish your day earlier—or to be able to groom an extra pet or two. Another way to increase your revenue without working longer hours is to do retail

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INVEST IN QUALITY EQUIPMENT Using high-velocity dryers, clipper-vacuum systems, and bathing systems will help you speed through your grooming. Restraint systems like the Groomers Helper save you time and help ensure groomer and pet safety. Hydraulic and electric grooming tables and bathtubs adjust for groomer comfort and make it easier to handle pets of all sizes. In case you have a breakdown, having backup equipment ready to use will keep you from losing valuable work time. And, using time-saving products when you are drying or styling pets should be on the top of your list. But, how do today’s groomers find the new products and equipment that will work best for them?

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NEVER STOP LEARNING The more you know, the more wisely you can use your time. Going to trade shows is one of the best ways to learn about all the new products and equipment and their proper usage. Attend seminars to keep up with the latest trends and to learn new skills. Watching (and entering) grooming competitions will help you hone your skills and take your grooming to a higher level.

Take online courses and webinars.

Join groomer’s online groups or get together with groomers from your local area. Networking with other groomers is a great way to pick up new tips and tricks to increase your grooming speed and quality.

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 12 • December 2014

THE BIG PAYOFF – TIME FOR YOURSELF! What happens when you learn how to make the most efficient use of your time? You actually have time for yourself. Maybe it’s a quiet half hour in the morning to meditate, taking a yoga class, going to a movie after work, or going on a retreat. Or maybe you would like to try your hand at something really exciting, like learning all about colors and becoming a creative grooming genius, or even writing a best-selling book all about your adventures as a pet stylist. The choice can be yours. Value yourself. Value your time.

Tick, tick, tick … ✂

For all the latest pet industry news, visit

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ASIAN FREESTYLE THE NEW TREND COMING TO YOUR SALON

I

f you’ve been keeping up with the latest trends in the grooming industry, then you’ve probably heard the terms “Japanese grooming” or “Asian styling”. It has captivated groomers around the world, sending them clamoring to sites like Pinterest, and to various chat boards on Facebook in an insatiable quest for photos and info. Asian styling seminars are being held in the United States, Europe, and Australia in increasing numbers. But what exactly is it? Where did it come from? And can it really be successfully introduced to our

16

by Riza Wisnom mainstream clientele?

The first question is one often asked amongst groomers looking to define an art they would very much like to try. In a nutshell, Asian styling is a creative grooming method that evokes a sense of whimsy in its pursuit to make the dog look like a stuffed toy.

This style pays no attention to breed standards and corrective grooming is not a priority. When asked how she would describe the style to someone who’s never heard of it before, Veronica Frosch, former Groom Team USA member and owner of the Paw

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Shoppe in Coon Rapids, Minnesota says, “It’s a look made up of ponytails, braids, weird moustaches and big ears!” She’s fond of the style for its lack of set rules. The look is predominately seen in curly coated breeds such as the Poodle and Bichon and in drop coated breeds such as the Shih Tzu and Maltese. But Schnauzers and some Terriers make excellent candidates as well.

In many Asian Poodle styles, the dog will have columned legs and a very round muzzle. But wait, isn’t that what we’ve been doing to Poodles for decades? It sounds like a lamb trim

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FIG. 2

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with a donut moustache! Ahh, but here’s the difference. Those scissored legs are further tweaked to look like the limbs of a stuffed teddy bear by tapering the tops near the elbow and flaring the bottoms without the presence of clean feet. As an example, on a Poodle (Fig. 1), I clippered his body to 1/2”. I scissored the feet first, working on the elbow taper next and connecting the two by scissoring, while fluffing outward with a comb. As for the muzzle, it differs from the standard donut moustache of old in that it is highly exaggerated in an effort to mimic the round nose of a toy bear. A sanitary area is carved directly between the eyes and slightly down the eye drainage areas. Then the muzzle is scissored into either an oval or “U” shape. This runs contrary to the traditional donut moustache which is characterized by a severe shave of the bridge of the nose and a triangular or upside down “U” shape to the muzzle.

In Shih Tzus, the goal of the style is to maximize cuteness rather than the glamor typically displayed with the breed’s signature breed profile. In the first example, (Fig. 2) I was able to use

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a ¾” clipper comb on the body, leaving the legs full. I used the same clipper comb, clipping with the lay of the hair down the middle of his dome, leaving the hair in front of the top of his ears longer to achieve extreme roundness.

In the second example (Fig. 3), the dog’s ears are taken short with a 4F and the cheeks are clippered with a 5F so that the teddy bear muzzle really POPS! The effect is the same - each dog resembles stuffed toy more than Shih Tzu. Lisa Correia, owner of Bark ‘N Purr Mobile Pet Salon in New Jersey, likens Asian styles to Japanese Anime characters. Unconcerned with disguising structural faults in the dog, she says Asian styles often appear unbalanced to those used to corrective grooming. Lisa further notes that while western grooming typically focuses heavily on the body and legs,

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FIG. 3

FIG. 4

the styles of the Far East are more concerned with the individual expression of the head.

Asian styles will also often disregard breed standards in a delightful turnabout. The skirt on a cocker spaniel will be clipped off in favor of accentuating voluminous legs, a Maltese will be given clean feet, or a Poodle’s head will be sculpted to resemble a mushroom cap (Fig. 4). Olga Zabelinskaya of New Jersey took advantage of this play on breed profiles by giving a Schnauzer (Fig. 5) a scissored topknot and little tassels at the tips of the ears. In these examples, the goal is to invoke a sense of comedy as well as beauty.

Now to answer where these styles come from. Duh, you say.

Asia. Well yes, but did you know that the styles vary from region to region? In Japan, Malaysia, Thailand

FIG. 5

FIG. 7

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and Taiwan you will find many of the styles described above in addition to rule bending styles on poodles such as asymmetrical topknots, and Koala ears with blushing cheeks (Fig. 6).

Pammie Carmichael-Hogg of the UK reproduced a growing trend in Asia known as the “cone head”, (Fig. 7) while at the prestigious Starwood Arts Academy in Thailand. Seen in varying degrees of severity, her version on a white poodle plays up the sweet expression of the dog. In South Korea, they have adapted a style all their own. They are known for their take on drop coats such as the Maltese, Shih Tzu and Yorkie. The body is shaved with a #10 or #15, sometimes used in reverse with the legs left fully coated in a long, flowing style. The topknot is usually pulled up, the cheeks and chin are shaved closely, accompanied by a tightly scissored “U” shaped muzzle.

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Margaret Stasiak of Poland has mastered the look as demonstrated on a Maltese that she groomed (Fig. 8). The look is high drama but has a purpose. Pet clothing, in the way of sundresses, gowns, coats and capelets, is very popular overseas. As a fun and stylish way to interact with their pets, owners abroad stock whole closets full of accessories and clothes. Keeping the torso short allows the pet to wear these clothes on a daily basis without the fear of friction mats forming.

Many groomers write to me feeling lost on how to execute these trims.

Taught to groom one way from the start of their careers, they are now forced to “unlearn” many techniques.

Leaving so much hair on the bridge of the nose and tossing out all they’ve been taught about showcasing proper angulation in the legs, requires adjustment. It may also require developing a new “eye”. Veronica recommends

FIG. 6

keeping web photos of your favorite styles on hand at the salon to reference as you trim. Laughing at the recollection, she describes the first Asian trim she ever did. It was at a seminar with the US travel team in Spain on a Yorkie. Holding her breath throughout the groom, she said it luckily turned out very cute!

Alright, now we have a grasp on the concept and an appreciation for the art. But we can’t hone the craft if our clients are not on board! It runs contrary to much of what they’re accustomed to as well. Don’t fret, you CAN successfully introduce this style to your pet parents and gain a reputation as a stylist with cutting edge looks. The trick is to go slow. Don’t overwhelm your client when describing the concept. Instead of yammering on enthusiastically about the latest trend and how badly you want to try it, tell them that you have learned a

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new teddy bear style. Clients eat up words like “teddy bear”, “cute”, and “round”. Make it more about how adorable you’ve learned to make their pet rather than about the seminar you just attended and how you’re just dying to try it out. Flattery also works wonders. I have often told a pet parent that their Fluffy “has JUST what I’m looking for. The perfect (fill-in-theblank) for this new look. And by the way, I’d love to feature her on our Facebook page. She’ll be a celebrity!” The promise of fame has never failed. (You DO have a social media site for your business, don’t you??) For the sake of your four legged client, you should only introduce this style to owners that you’re confident will be able to maintain the longer look at home. It is not a low maintenance style suited for clients who are averse to combing or only schedule every 12 weeks or longer. Veronica uses those photos she keeps at the salon to pique a hesitant client’s interest. Though she hasn’t been as successful winning them over

FIG. 8 as she’d like, it is helpful to realize that many clients respond better to a visual of the concept rather than just a description.

Still can’t find owners brave enough to try it? Here’s what you do: On those dogs getting a short clippered cut, practice an Asian style.

Snap a photo of it and hang it in your salon lobby. A collage of adorably

trimmed dogs will garner attention and interest. Don’t forget to return the pet to the owner-requested style after snapping the photo! Now you’ve been able to practice the style AND advertise for it as well! Providing that you didn’t cause the pet any undue stress or require a later pick up for the pet, the owners may be thrilled to see their pet up on the wall in such a cute new trim.

While this style does require experienced scissoring skills and excellent prep work, it is one that any groomer can master with enough time and practice. Lisa explains that learning this style has brought spark back to the same old same old and she loves the freedom to explore new possibilities that Asian styling offers. She advocates attending live demonstrations and scouring the web for photos and learning opportunities. Keeping up with the latest trends and the ever-evolving world of pet grooming will distinguish you from a pet groomer to Stylist Extraordinaire, so give it a try! ✂

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BEHAVIOR CLIPS

by Gary Wilkes

FINDING EFFECTIVE BEHAVIOR SOLUTIONS

I

n the world of training there are many claims of mastery and efficacy. Few are ever proven. Real masters let their work speak for itself.

Self-promoting “masters” rarely show anything outside of video tape and photos—and boy, do they look good in photos. For groomers who have to trust their instincts to find someone to help their clients with behavior issues, it helps to have a guide to analyze training results. If you are interviewing a trainer or a client to get a review of someone’s services, here are a few things to consider.

26

Can a successful solution be easily defined? This is the first step in creating a working relationship between the trainer and the clients. If the client says “I want the dog to stop getting into the trash” and the trainer recommends eight weeks of obedience training, there is an obvious disconnect.

Sometimes the solution is counterintuitive. A person who wants to stop a dog from barking all day may not realize that getting the dog housetrained might be the first, best solution. Dogs that cannot be left indoors often end up as chronic diggers and chewers

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from shear boredom.

What degree of skill is necessary to create a solution? Some behaviors require great skill and many years’ experience to resolve. A general course of training at a big-box store isn’t going to be of much help to someone with an obsessive, compulsive dog. Likewise, aggression should be handled by people who have a great deal of experience with aggression. Many trainers claim skills and knowledge they don’t have.

Someone who works for a franchise is automatically limited to the skill-sets that come from the franchise. A person

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Pet owners have lives. They have their dog groomed primarily as a convenience and because you do it better than they do. Asking them to spend hours a day to fix a behavior problem is doomed from the outset. who teaches classes in the park may not be qualified to handle one-on-one training.

How long will it take? This is where skill and knowledge really come in to play. The late Dr. Sophia Yin did a “study” of how her Manners Minder treat dispenser could teach dogs to lie quietly when guests came to the door. It took four months. In reality the process takes about ten minutes

and a couple of touch-ups. If a client pays hundreds of dollars for longterm classes and doesn’t see tangible progress within the first week or two, there is usually something wrong. By the same token, long term housetraining issues in a chaotic home may take a couple of months. The best rule of thumb is that if the logical goal is to stop a behavior, the solution should be relatively speedy. If the goal is to teach

a behavior such as “peeing outdoors” or teaching a fearful dog to be more comfortable in stressful surroundings, the solution is going to take longer.

(Note: I do not use punishment for dogs peeing in the house. That invariably leads to a sneaky dog. If the client says “I never see him do it” it’s a sure bet that the dog has simply learned to avoid humans when it has to go.

Housetraining is a behavior that must be learned.)

How much work does it take to accomplish? Pet owners have lives.

They have their dog groomed primarily as a convenience and because you do it better than they do. Asking them to spend hours a day to fix a behavior problem is doomed from the outset.

Behavior solutions must be simple and not arduous. Expecting an owner to work like an employee is unreasonable.

Likewise, having them hide in the garage to pretend they’ve gone away can

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If you are evaluating services, just remember that nobody pleases everyone all the time.

I was once fired because I wasn’t “rough enough” with a Doberman, even though I had accomplished more than the owner requested. be done once or twice but beyond that is unlikely to be maintained.

How much diligence is necessary for an owner to maintain the success?

Once the solution is achieved it is critical that the problem behavior be gone or the newly learned behavior will remain without an immense amount of work. If simply maintaining the behavior takes considerable focus every day then it’s not going to be maintained.

What does it cost? Cost is a huge part of every training and behavior solution. Call someone about training and then remember the price they quote you. Now imagine someone just told you that your salon plumbing needs that much money so you can open the doors tomorrow. Whatever the number, it’s going to be a shock.

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sneeze at. These clients are the same people who have other obligations like kids in school, automotive repairs and… grooming. Training and behavior services always have to charge what the market will bear without breaking the bank.

Does the trainer have written materials or publically posed videos for review? With the emergence of YouTube, blogs, Facebook and a host of other public forums, a trainer has the opportunity to tell you more about themselves. There are two caveats for you when studying this—first, people may present themselves as something they are not and second, a master trainer may be successful enough to not need to promote their service. If interviewing a trainer, it’s a good idea to ask to see written materials they give their clients or video examples of their work.

Was the client satisfied? After all is said and done, the issue is always about the client’s feelings. Some are pleased with minimal services and low costs. Some fairly brag about spending thousands of dollars on a boardn-train that removed the need for a major time commitment. If you are evaluating services, just remember that nobody pleases everyone all the time. I was once fired because I wasn’t “rough enough” with a Doberman, even though I had accomplished more than the owner requested.

Getting to know more about training and behavior services is a key to helping your clients deal with the most likely reason they might get rid of a dog. If they get rid of the dog, they don’t need a groomer anymore.

From helping clients choose the right dog, adapt to a new dog or keep the one that’s driving them crazy, you, the groomer, are the person most likely to be consulted. Having a handle on behavior is an insurance policy for keeping your clients. ✂

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GROOMING

MATTERS

by Daryl Conner

HOLIDAY WISH LIST D

uring this time of holiday gifting, I suggest you take some time to consider some grooming tools that you could (and should) either ask for as gifts or put your holiday tip money towards.

Why? For several reasons: You work hard and deserve to have the best tools for your work.

Having appropriate grooming tools will help you work more safely, effectively and quickly.

Trying new tools is fun, and helps inspire your creativity. Creativity is good!

So in this spirit, let me tell you about some things I think every groomer should have, and why. In no

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particular order, here goes!

HAPPY HOODIES — Thick, soft, absorbent bands that slide over pets’ heads, covering up their heads to help begin to dry after-bath moisture and protect their delicate ears from the sound of high velocity dryers. They keep pets calm and happy while being dried. A two-pack of Happy Hoodies is around $15.00.

PANIC SNAPS — This little widget attaches to your groom arm, and your groom loop clips on to it. Should a dog decide to do a swan dive and become airborne, this little snap is easily manipulated with two fingers. Reach up, pull down, and the pet is quickly set free. In my humble opinion, every

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grooming table should have one of these on the arm. Under $10.00.

CHUNKERS/NOTCHERS — I’ve been grooming dogs and cats for 30 years. I first discovered chunkers about 4 years ago. Wide-toothed relatives of thinning shears, these magical tools marry the blending ability of thinning shears with the “cut off lots of hair with every snip” capability of regular scissors. Not a day goes by that I don’t wonder how the heck I groomed without them. I use them on almost every dog. They are great for shaping cute faces, tidying up underlines, blending in feathers and more. You can find them starting at $150.

AIR FILTRATION MASKS AND

HEARING PROTECTION — Every breath we groomers take during our work day is laden with hair fragments and dander. Things that our lungs do not need. And those wonderful high velocity dryers we adore? They do irreparable damage to our hearing every time we use them. In an ideal world we would all wear filtration masks and some sort of hearing protection while we use dryers. Under $15.00 each.

You can’t put a price on your health!

GROOMERS HELPER — I have to admit, I was skeptical when I first saw this tool. A little widget that attaches to your grooming arm, the Groomers Helper gives you what every stylist desperately needs, an extra hand. Used properly, it keeps pets safely on the table, prevents them from dancing and spinning, (which saves a lot of time and frustration) and prevents bites. The groom loops that they come with are the nicest I have

ever used, too. The starter kit (which is what I use and love) is under $125.

VACUUM SYSTEMS — I was an early adopter of the original Clipper Vac© system and I would not choose to stay in my beloved profession if I couldn’t use it. Vacuum systems are an investment, but one that quickly will pay for itself. Using a vacuum system allows groomers to work more quickly and in a way that is impossible without one. There is no need to back brush and clip coats multiple times, because the gentle suction of the vacuum lifts hair up into the blade and creates a clean, uniform clip every time. Using snap on combs and a vacuum system, I can, for example, put a Shih Tzu in a cute, neat trim in about 20 minutes.

This means I can groom 1-2 more pets per day. When you do the math, you can see that this is an investment that earns its keep. Frosting on the cake?

Vacuum systems remove much of the

dander and hair fragments that we are exposed to from our environment, keeping us healthier as we do our work. Prices start at $699.

BATHING SYSTEMS — What is so great about bathing systems? They save time, get pets super clean using less shampoo, and save on water so they are kind to our planet. They also prevent wear and tear on our hard working bodies, as they use the magic of water pressure and shampoo to remove dirt without a lot of laborintensive scrubbing. I have worked without a bathing system, but I hope I never have to again. Prices start at $499.

HIGH VELOCITY DRYERS — When I began grooming 30 years ago, these wonderful tools did not exist.

High velocity dryers work by pushing water off the hair shafts, rather than evaporating it with heat. On double coated dogs, the under coat literally

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flies away... brushing time is drastically reduced. The action of the air also straightens hair, reducing the need for brushing as we dry pets. This tool saves time and gives excellent results.

Starting at $220.

LIQUID TOOLS — There are products that can make hair smoother, less tangled, crisper, whiter, softer, fluffier, brighter, darker, shinier, vermin free and sweet smelling. Shampoos, conditioners, sprays, mousses, you name it... they make it. And they really work. If you have not tried new products lately, you owe it to yourself to check some out. There are so many wonderful options to make our hard work easier. Prices vary and many companies offer sample packs if you call and ask. Try something new, it’s fun and you may find that you get fabulous end results.

LIFT TABLES — Human hair

stylists don’t think twice before investing in the equipment that allows them to work efficiently, effectively and in a professional manner. But groomers hesitate, and I don’t understand why.

Every groomer should have an electric or hydraulic table that will lower down so that medium and large dogs can easily step up on to the surface.

This is easier on the pet and safer for the groomer. Dogs can effortlessly be moved up and down as the groom progresses, reducing wear and tear on your back, arms and shoulders. Buy the best quality you can afford and it will last you many years. Prices start around $350.

TRIMMER — Small, cool, quiet, lightweight and cordless; the types of trimmers that have adjustable blades (offering lengths that approximate between a 9 and 40 blade with the flick of a switch) make so much sense! I use

a trimmer to clean up sanitary areas, paw pads and eye corners on just about every dog. Poodle feet are a breeze to clip when you use a trimmer. And now many brands come with snap on combs, making it possible to use them on all-over body clips on many small, light coated dogs. Trimmers are also terrific on cats. The downside is that the blades don’t stay sharp as long as we’d hope, and trimmers themselves don’t tend to hold up for much more than a year of hard use. These problems aside, I think trimmers are a “must have” tool. $125 and up.

Having the tools that help us do our work as well as we can just makes good sense. During this holiday season I wish you love, laughter, rich blessings and all the best tools to help you do your work to the best of your ability! ✂

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CARING FOR YOUR MOBILE GROOMING VEHICLE

by Mary Oquendo

M

y mobile grooming van does not make any money when it is sitting in the parking lot of a repair shop. That is why I take care of my van. Here are some tips to keep you on the road!

USE THE PROPER FUEL TYPE Gas and diesel are not mix and match. You will damage the engine using the wrong fuel. If gas attendants fill your tank, make sure they are clear on which one. Do not assume they know.

TIRES ARE EXPENSIVE Replacing tires on my van will range anywhere from $800 to $1,000.

I want to make sure I get the most life out of them. I rotate them every oil change. For me, that’s every 3,000 miles. You can go 5,000 miles

if you have a car, but the vans are too heavy to wait that long. I have the air pressure checked every rotation. The conversion will change the manufacturer recommendation for tire pressure. The new sticker for tire pressure is usually located next to the manufacturers. Improper tire pressure will cause premature wear, as well as make it difficult to stop on wet and icy roads.

Worn tires are dangerous, as they will inhibit your ability to stop. In addition, use the right tire for your vehicle and road conditions. A cheaper tire is not a savings if you have to reschedule your day because your vehicle cannot negotiate poor weather.

INSPECT YOUR BRAKES, BRAKE LININGS, AND EMERGENCY BRAKES ON A REGULAR BASIS I have them checked at every oil

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change ever since my brake linings failed on the top of a very steep hill.

This is a good place to mention that cell phones should be fully charged and keep the number of the tow company on speed dial.

OPERATIONAL OUTSIDE LIGHTING The purpose of your directional is to let other drivers know where you are going. Brake lights let other operators know when you are stopping. Headlights allow you to be seen in low light and fog. Check these regularly to make sure they are operating properly.

CLEAN WIPERS I replace mine at the dealership once a year and wipe them down monthly. I have found that if I go longer than a year, they become useless during the next torrential rainstorm.

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REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE Protect the life of your engine with scheduled changes of oil, transmission and cooling fluids. I lose more money if my van is in the repair shop instead of someone’s driveway, and this loss could have been prevented with regular maintenance. As your vehicle ages, it is important to check fluid levels frequently between services. There is also the intangible benefit of preferential treatment by the repair shop when you are a regular customer. I usually get in the same day for breakdowns, rather than waiting a week or so. I also pay for a vehicle inspection instead of taking the free one. I found that they are more care-

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ful when you pay. I have received free brake jobs when they didn’t tell me my brakes were shot. When your vehicle is at a repair facility, inform the front desk to lock your vehicle while in their parking lot. Any unattended parking lot is a magnet for thieves.

KEEP BATTERY TERMINALS CLEAN Dirty terminals will reduce the life of the battery and may present a hazard as well. If your battery smells like rotten eggs, do not turn the vehicle on.

DO A WALK AROUND BEFORE DRIVING OFF Some of things you can prevent by this one-minute chore: leaving rear doors open and scattering all your

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belongings on the road or driving off with either the water hose or electrical hook up attached.

Mechanical difficulties are not the only reason you may find your vehicle at a repair facility. You need to be aware of weather conditions and your ability to drive and your vehicle’s capacity to maneuver in them.

SNOW/ICE/RAIN There are many factors to take into consideration: your personal capabilities as a driver, other drivers on the road with you, tires, brakes, and vehicle specs. Vehicle specs refer to how many tires are spinning at the same time. Mine is rear wheel drive.

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WIND Vans and buses have a lot of empty air space and towed trailers are long. High winds can cause problems.

I have been pushed over two lanes on the highway much to the horror of both me and the other drivers. In addition, I have had the “pleasure” of driving on the passenger side only tires. A friend of mine has had the front of her van lifted up off the front tires. Take wind advisories seriously.

My grooming van has been very good to me. It has spent minimal time at repair shops. I like to think that’s because I have been very good to it as well. Time and money spent taking care of my vehicle’s maintenance keeps me safely on the road doing what I do best, making pets beautiful. ✂

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MIKE ROWE

creative

gets with the

QUEEN OF COLOR

by Dawn Omboy www.queenofcolor.com

R

ecently we had the pleasure of meeting Mike Rowe as he was filming episodes for his new show “Somebody’s Gotta Do It” that airs at 9PM Wednesday nights on CNN. The new show is about people and the passion they have for a job or hobby. And we all know that I am passionate about animals and Creative Styling. Mike and his crew arrived at my shop late one afternoon just before my last clients of the day were getting there to pick up their dogs.

One of the last clients was Jamie, who is a personal trainer and owner of Bodies Fitness Studio. As a surprise for her, I had airbrushed her business logo on her rescue standard poodle, Dexter.

Jamie was thrilled with meeting Mike and seeing that she and Dexter were now matching. We just adore this guy.

Ok, both guys, because Mike is pretty swell too!

When he first entered my salon he said, “I kinda figured you for a hugger.”

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He got that right! Anyone that knows me knows that is true. So we talked for a minute and I invited him into my grooming room to meet some of my staff and our dogs. There is Adrianne, who got a great pic with Mike, and owns GiGi, a rescue mix whose hair matches her mom’s on occasion. And Jennifer, with her newly acquired pit mix puppy, now named “Big Mike”.

Then of course my dogs, Brook and Birdie Jade were there, along with three legged Harry who was still wearing the “cone of shame”, as Mike referred to it.

He is a great dog lover and was just fun to be around. I needed to get some pink dye on Jade for the breast cancer walk the following weekend, so Mike jumped in to help. I was going for a pastel pink so I diluted some dye into spray bottles and put him to work helping to apply the color. Jade loved him!

Another dog that Mike helped to work on while he was there was Bambi

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the pit bull who got flowers hand painted down one front leg. Jade was then rinsed and while she was being dried we airbrushed Koi fish onto Brook.

Next, Mike proceeded to airbrush the logo for the show on the other side of my dog. I wasn’t worried; it was temporary product so I washed the area the next day and repainted it. To see Mike’s airbrush job, go to mikerowe.com and to see more of my pictures from the filming of the show, go to my Facebook page: Queen of Color.

A local radio station announced that there had been Mike Rowe sightings in Columbus, I laughed because he was here helping me make the world more colorful, one dog at a time. Oh yeah, they even changed my flat tire. Who needs AAA when you have CNN and Mike Rowe? Somebody’s Gotta Do It! Making the World more Colorful, one dog at a time...

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 32 Ed 7 • July 2013

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MISSION STATEMENT WHAT IS YOUR GOAL AS A GROOMER?

by Marco Lalau

A

t one point in my career, I found myself being the nagging boss that points out everyone’s mistakes. I would blame the issues I had on employees, customers, plumbers and even the dogs. While I was spending all that time blaming everyone else for my situation, I came to realize that I was lost in my business, trying to move a million different directions at once. For example, I wanted to be the best grooming salon,

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have the best groomers, and be profitable while maintaining my low prices.

But I would find myself at times letting some grooms go by not so perfect or I would cave in to customer pressure on pricing. I would not stick to my mission in practice. So I started to look at the bigger picture and ask myself “what am I trying to accomplish with my team, with my grooming salon and with myself?” I needed to create a mission statement to navigate my busi-

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ness into my dream grooming salon.

Now think about what bothers you in your grooming salon. Maybe a nasty boss that doesn’t know how to groom dogs or a groomer with a lot of attitude that doesn’t show for work. I want you to think of all those problems that you wish you could change at the drop of a hat. Make a list of all those things. Now, imagine yourself in a perfect world and visualize exactly what that world would look like. It

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could be a perfectly organized and clean salon, or a place with no matted dogs. Thinking about all your problems and what you want to become is a great starting point in creating your mission statement.

COME UP WITH YOUR MISSION STATEMENT Call a staff meeting and create a mission statement with everyone who works in the salon. If you work on your own or as a mobile groomer, you can make your personal mission statement by including all aspects of your life, for example; include your mission as a mother, as a groomer, and as a person.

Imagine what you want to become and what your end goal results are.

Be careful to not shoot down ideas during this time in a group setting, as this can discourage your team members from participating. The team has

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to own the ideas in order for you to be successful. Once you have brainstormed enough ideas to include in your mission statement, begin to narrow down those ideas. I recommend keeping your mission statement to one sentence. Example: Offer the highest quality grooming service to customers while maintaining an organized and clean salon.

CREATE TASKS Make a list of all the tasks needed to accomplish your mission.

This is where the details matter.

These action items can’t be vague or open ended, like “everyone helps to close the store”, it needs to be more specific, like “these are employees’ assignments when closing store: Judy cleans the tubs, Carlos vacuums, Amy closes register…” These tasks will help team members understand what exactly is expected of them. This clar-

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ity will allow people to know when they are doing something right or, in some cases, something wrong.

Once you have finished creating specific tasks and your mission statement, place them on a poster or white board for staff to see.

REMIND AND REINFORCE Positive reinforcement is the best tool to guide your team in the right direction. Start by focusing on each individual’s strengths by showcasing their beautiful work and complimenting a job well done. Although positive reinforcement is great, you still need to point out when team members are not abiding by tasks and the mission statement. Deliver this message in the right tone, like a basketball coach would give his team direction during a game. Only use a stern reprimand when the situation merits, like a serious situation such

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as not using proper safety with an aggressive dog.

Also, learn to pick your battles.

You can’t solve all problems at once and you can’t nag your team for every single little mistake. They will feel like they are walking on eggshells and this will lead to distrust.

Soon you will begin to notice your

team collaborating with each other and possibly self-policing each other as well. No one wants to be the groomer to drop the ball and be responsible for letting the team down.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE This is the time you are on stage and everyone has their eyes on you.

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Don’t contradict yourself, actions speak louder than words. For example, you cannot tell staff members to treat customers well and then complain about a customer as soon as they walk out the door.

Accomplishing your mission statement is difficult and takes time.

Think of it as going on a long journey up Mount Everest. You need to plan the trip, find a good team of Sherpas to guide you up the mountain, and get into physical shape to adapt to the low oxygen level and rough terrain.

Your mission is to reach the top of the mountain. The tasks are all the actions needed to get to the top. There will be all kinds of unforeseen obstacles that even the best mountain climbers could not foresee, but it is up to you as the leader to come up with resourceful solutions to these problems.

I encourage all of you to champion your own mission statement today.

Years later, after working diligently on my mission, I found myself leaving the country for 30 days on vacation to Brazil. This was a true test for my team as I had never been away for that long. Thankfully there were no issues and I could truly enjoy “Caipirinhas” (a Lime Cocktail) on Copocabana Beach. ✂

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Paw Inspiring

by Missi Salzberg

A NEW PERSPECTIVE

FROM GUEST COLUMNIST NANI WUNDERPOODLE

G

ood day, my professional grooming friends, it is I, Nani WunderPoodle. My human, Missi Salzberg, asked me to step in and write an article for GTG as a guest writer, and I am happy to oblige. You see, dogs have a different perspective on the world than you humans, and the poodle, well, even a far different perspective than many other breeds of dogs. Not to bark my own breed’s brilliance, but we are known to have a higher than average intellect amongst canines. I feel not only qualified, but perhaps overly-qualified, to write an article for those of you that work in the wonderful world of dogs.

After all, from where I stand, all 5” of me, I see the underbelly of all things.

Now, you may think, “Oh, Nani WunderPoodle, you are a poodle after all. Your life must be so easy, so sweet, so pampered!” Well, Missi is my human! Of course I am spoiled rotten, but that does not mean I haven’t experienced my share of challenges, my friends. I wasn’t going to make it much past week 5 of my life (that’s

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barely born in human years), when my breeder (I use the term loosely) stopped by The Village Groomer after learning Missi had recently lost my uncle, the legendary Mookie WunderPoodle, to heart disease. So with my open fontanel, my barely hinged patellas and weighing in at ½ pound, I became a WunderPoodle. I came into this world a runt with a great deal of challenges lying ahead of me, but I am one pawsitive poodle, so Missi and I were off on our great adventure.

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 12 • December 2014

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Now, there are those in the world that regard the poodle as a bit stuck up, and I must respond to this notion.

It is absolutely 100%, unequivocally and unarguably TRUE. It is not always easy to be at the head of the class, and we can’t really help it. We are, after all, born this way. Even in the inner circle of poodles, however, I have had my challenges. Nani (yes, I do like to refer to myself in the first canine) has felt oppressed! Nani has been looked down upon, my friends! Nani has felt the pain of being judged and criticized! In the world of top-notch breeders, Nani has no place. I am from poor breeding. I am a little phantom poodle, which right out of the gate is not accepted by that club of yours! I can be registered, sure, but I can’t compete with the other poodles with accepted coat colors. Oh, the injustice of it all.

With that said, I understand what it feels like to be the underdog, no pun intended. Imagine my surprise when I was featured on a grooming supply magazine cover, and there was a

controversy over my actual breed, my breeding, my haircut, and one person even said my head was too small for my body! Ouch! It got me to thinking, though. You humans really need to focus more on the moment. Embrace the pawsitive, you know? Stop putting each other down, and start lifting each other up!

I travel with my human to grooming competitions, and I have seen far too much judgment and negativity.

Now, remember, you people ask us to travel with you, endure endless hours of baths and brushes, and then the actual contest! It’s a lot to ask of your canine companions, so you could at least be kind to one another! You are always good to me personally. I have no gripe, but a girl hears things being around the competitive ring after all of these years. You must remember, we are your canvas for your creativity, but we

We all love a good belly rub, right? Well, you get back what you put out, so whether it’s an actual belly rub, or a hug, or just a shoulder rub for a friend, touch is healing. can hear! Ah, if all of the competitive grooming world was more like those artsy types in creative. There have been times when they all start crying, not because they lost in the contest, but because someone they love and respect won and they are happy for them! I don’t know that from personal experience, but that’s what Adrianne Pope’s poodle told me.

It’s about a pawsitive outlook and mutual respect. I am a lucky enough poodle to hang with some of the greats

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in this industry. I could brag with a long list of my aunts and uncles in this grooming circle, but one of the attributes that has made them so successful, beyond their insanely beautiful grooming chops, is that they are incredibly kind and respectful to one another. I immediately think of my aunt Diane (Betelak), and my aunt Chris (Pawlosky), and my auntie Sue (Zecco).

When they were competitors and now as educators, they bring pawsitivity to the grooming table, offering newbies

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47

Empathy and kindness are worthy of our time. If someone is struggling or having a bad day, try to identify with that feeling and offer them support. and established groomers feedback and constructive criticism. You know, we poodles are incredibly loyal to our humans, so when we see humans being loyal to one another, it makes our stubs wag!

With this in mind, I, Nani WunderPoodle, have some suggestions for the groomers out there, and this is not limited to competitive groomers, or groomers at all! It’s just one poodle’s perspective on how you can ring in

2015 with a pawsitive spin.

Give and receive more belly rubs.

We all love a good belly rub, right?

Well, you get back what you put out, so whether it’s an actual belly rub, or a hug, or just a shoulder rub for a friend, touch is healing. I actually just finished grooming my brother Boujee, a ½ Chihuahua and ½ Jack Russell, and he lives for a loving touch!

Communicate the pawsitive attributes to the humans you love. In this

crazy world, we spend so much time barking about the things that aren’t going our way but we are surrounded by love and pawsitivity. Take the time to give other humans that feedback.

Be happy for other’s successes.

You don’t have to cry like the gang in creative, but whether it’s in the grooming world, or in some other situation where someone excels and does well, celebrate that human’s accomplishment!

Try to put yourself in another’s shoes (but please don’t put those dreaded shoes on your dogs! They feel funny!) Empathy and kindness are worthy of our time. If someone is struggling or having a bad day, try to identify with that feeling and offer them support.

Recognize your own worth. As I mentioned previously in this article, some would say the poodle is a bit

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49

snobby, or aloof. However, my friends, we embrace our own greatness. It is just who we are. We are incredible, and we know it. Maybe you humans need to recognize your own ‘fantasticness!’

Nani WunderPoodle suggests looking in a mirror and saying to yourself, “I am as fine and loyal and as smart as a poodle. I am popular, good looking and darn it, people like me!”

Get up and move! As a poodle, I need to move! I need exercise. I need to smell questionable things on the ground and sometimes roll in them.

Have yourself a good roll! Find a big heapin’ pile of goose poody and go nuts, or, more realistically, take 30 minutes a day for yourself and move your body. Walk, bike, or better yet, hike with your dog!

Realize that you can’t lead a pawsitive life with a negative mind! My human loves this. From Jon Gordon’s

“The Carpenter”: I vow to stay positive in the face of negativity; When I am surrounded by pessimism, I will choose optimism; When I feel fear, I will choose faith; When I want to hate, I will choose love; When I want to be bitter, I will choose to get better; When I experience a challenge, I will look for an opportunity to learn and grow; When I experience a setback, I will be resilient; When I meet failure, I will fail forward, toward future success; With vision, hope, and faith, I will never give up and will always move forward toward my destiny; I believe my best days are ahead of me, not behind me;

F S A A

So today and every day I will be positive and strive to make a positive impact on the world.

This is just one poodle’s perspective, I know, but as much as I don’t always understand you humans, I sure do love you. I wish this life was a little easier for you, but you do tend to complicate things with a lot of drama and emotion. As a poodle, I would never do such a thing! Ah, yes, we poodles also have a clear sense of self!

I wish for you in the New Year, lots of love, many joys and more cookies. This is Nani WunderPoodle, heading for a snack, and a well-deserved nap. ✂

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51

FIG. 1

FIG. 2

PREVENTING CLIPPER CORD PROBLEMS

S

ome groomers have been experiencing cord problems with clippers that have voltage converters on the end of the cord.

These converters adapt 120 volts AC to DC current that runs your clipper.

DC motors have more torque and seem to hold speed better in tough coat.

Because of the extra weight of some of these cords, they break and short out right behind the clipper. If the converter is pulled from the wall socket and hits the floor, components inside can break and cause the cord to fail as well.

You can prevent these situations from happening with a few modifications you can do yourself.

The cord shorts at the “Stress Relief”, which is the thick part that goes into the clipper itself. The stress relief is supposed to be stiff so that the rest of the cord, which is thinner, does all of the bending. But with the twisting and turning that groomers do, this can cause the cord to start shorting out right behind the clipper. I have found

52

by Jeff Andrews

that by using a zip-tie, and zip-tying the cord to the hanger in the back, it helps to keep the stress relief in place (Fig. 1). Which, in turn, makes the thinner part of the cord twist and bend the way that it was designed to. If you need the hanger to hang your clipper, get a key ring and run it through the hanger.

Another issue with this cord, and any other clipper having a voltage converter on the end where you plug it in, is the cord becoming “dead”.

These converters, even though they are small, are packed with components. If you accidently pull this converter out of the wall and it hits the floor, the chances of one of these components breaking is great, thus the cord will become dead, and no electricity will go to the clipper.

As you can see, there are quite a bit of electronics packed into this small box (Fig. 2). And it doesn’t take that big of a whack to break something inside if it’s pulled from the wall socket

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 12 • December 2014

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and it hits the leg on your grooming table. The solution? Get a power strip, and set it on the floor, then plug your cord with the converter into the power strip. It can’t fall from the floor, and you just saved yourself the expense of a new cord and sending it off for repairs.

In conclusion, if you zip-tie your cord now before it starts to short out, and get a power strip to plug it in on the floor, I think your problems will be over.

As always, read all your labels and manuals, and have a safe day grooming! ✂ Jeff Andrews is a World Class Sharpener and owner of Northern Tails Sharpening, Inc. He is an author and pioneer of many equipment maintenance videos and how-to articles that are appreciated by groomers worldwide at no cost.

Jeff is a member of NDGAA, IPG, and NAPCG, and still grooms at his shop in Mobile, AL. 251-232-5353 http://www. northerntails.com

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 32 Ed 4 • April 2013

79

SIMPLE PLEASURES FOR THE NEW YEAR

by Teri DiMarino

P

et groomers work so hard year round and these long days are just compounded by the busy holiday season. Dogs you only see once or twice a year mysteriously reappear this time of year and their owners, with a straight face, insist on a prime-time appointment. People visit their relatives and bring the family dog along and decide they will treat Fluffy to a day at the spa, only Fluffy is a tenmonth-old, unneutered male Lhasa that has never been to a groomer before and is bulletproof matted. Or, fifteen-year-old Miss Kitty isn’t feeling very well, having had diarrhea all week, but the owner is sure that a good grooming will perk her right up. Good Lord, the list can go on and on!

We will all manage to get through the rough spots of the holidays. Hopefully you have prepared your salon and your clients so things run smoothly.

But what about yourself? Are you taking care of yourself? I am talking to salon owners and employees who put in big hours to serve the pets that squeak into those last-minute appointments.

Most everyone will survive the holidays. We all usually do, but sometimes we put ourselves and our personal well-being on the back burner. We tend to forget simple things that can bring us pleasure or satisfaction; especially during the crunch time of the busy season. But you need to take care of you! It doesn’t take much to pay attention to your own needs. It doesn’t have to cost a lot either.

54

Make a list and try to stick to it.

Some of these things may sound overly simple, but sometimes we need to be reminded that simple pleasures help us keep things in perspective. While some of these things may actually be chores, the feeling of accomplishment after a simple task is completed can be huge!

Doing so helps keep things from piling up and overwhelming us.

Procrastination be gone! Here is your short list for January:

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 12 • December 2014

Identify what is important to you and eradicate everything else Go for a massage (Good for you both physically and mentally) Get your yearly financial books closed out and get your taxes done early Clear your desk (This goes hand in hand with the tax thing) Go one full day without Facebook or internet drama!

Bake some cookies Take a nice hot bubble bath (Yes, guys, you will like this, too!)

Practice saying “no”, this will come in handy when you start getting busy again

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Burn that pretty candle you’ve been saving for a special occasion Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while Brush your own dog!

Unclutter (It’s just “stuff”) Put it on your schedule to go to a grooming trade show or event in the coming year (Check the Calendar of Events at www.barkleigh.com) Save your tips for an entire month, you will be shocked at how quickly they accumulate (This is how we pay for “fun” stuff) Find that box of old photographs and go through them (Have a pencil handy to mark the backs with the people and places while you can still remember who they are and where you were) Pull the files of several of your good customers and send them a simple, handwritten thank you note telling them how important they have been to you and your business Go through that old jewelry box or drawer (They are a treasure trove of hidden prizes)

Clean out “that drawer” in the kitchen Clear out a closet and have an eBay cyber garage sale!

Read your copy of Groomer to Groomer; cover to cover Volunteer your talents at the local shelter

will be my first; and repeated often.

In keeping with my pledge to be grateful, I would like to take this moment to express my gratitude to you, my readers, for supporting my writings in Groomer to Groomer throughout the year. My recent Barkleigh Honors Award for Journalism tells me that you have not grown tired of my work and I look forward to continuing our journey

together. Please keep the feedback coming! I always read each and every one and I always appreciate your comments and feedback. You can reach me at teri@barkleigh.com.

Lastly, I would like to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, pleasant Holidays and a wonderful, stress-free and prosperous New Year. ✂

When you go to buy something, do something or go somewhere, ask yourself “Is this good for me?” If the answer is “No, it’s not” seek an alternative Promise yourself that you will take time to relax and think of nothing, even for just a little while Be grateful.

I still very much enjoy relaxing into the groom of a nice dog with a good coat and working with an appreciative owner. Much of this list was composed while doing just that. We have all experienced the bad dog with the owner that just makes us want to hang up our clippers and lock the door.

But that is just one person and one dog. Sometimes you will have a day full of these kind of clients but they should not be allowed to control your thoughts and your lives. Let it all go as they walk out your door at the end of the day. Those people may be having a worse day than you.

This is not one of my longer, ranting columns. It’s actually rather short, by my standards. I really wanted to finish 2014 on a positive note by making a list of simple pleasures that really fill the bill. I feel pretty darn good after making this list, abbreviated as it is, and I plan on following through on my suggestions. The last item on the list

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55

BREAD & BUTTER GROOMING:

FAST & EASY PET TRIMS FOR THE SALON

by Kathy Rose

BEFORE

AFTER

BOUVIER DES FLANDRES HANDSTRIP

T

he Bouvier des Flandres originates from the farms of Belgium. Their working abilities at herding cattle, cart pulling, family protector and friend, along with their profuse weather resistant double coat, made them ideal farm dogs.

The rough double coat of the Bouvier consists of a harsh outer coat and a dense, soft undercoat. Hand stripping will help to keep the coat harsh and weather resistant, but keep in mind the hand stripping is not exactly like terrier stripping. The dead coat is removed, but not down to a short layer. Some shaping with thinning shears or blenders after the stripping is required. The standard calls for a “tousled” appearance so avoid scissor-

56

ing and over stylizing.

The coat should be thoroughly prepared prior to bathing. Use a force dryer to separate the coat and blow out some of the loose dead undercoat.

Next, brush and comb the coat to remove any mats. Trim the pads and sanitary, cut nails, clean ears and then proceed to hand stripping.

BEFORE THE BATH: Fig.1) Hand strip the top skull to about ½ inch in length. Be sure to secure the loose skin when hand stripping. The top skull should appear flat.

Fig.2) Hand strip the sides of the neck to help achieve an arched appearance. Lift the beard and then strip the throat and fore chest. Strip down over

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 12 • December 2014

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the point of shoulder.

Continue hand stripping, down the flanks to the point of rump.

Strip over the rump and the back of the upper thigh, continuing to the upper thigh.

Fig.3) The last part to strip is the topline. The coat on the back will be shorter from the croup forward to the withers, where it blends onto the neck with slightly longer coat. This transition from the back to the neck is important to give the appearance of an arched neck.

The legs can be stripped a little to shape and remove the longer dead hairs. They should, however, remain full.

With hand stripping complete, bath the Bouvier using a clarifying shampoo. Follow up with a force dry blow out, brush and comb.

FINISHING: Fig.4) Use blenders to tip the coat to form a level topline. Remember, this is just shaping, you have already stripped the coat.

Set the rear by trimming the coat from below the point of rump to a few inches above the hock.

Lift the tail and then shape a rounded shelf from the point of rump to the croup.

Shape the tail into a wedge that sits well up on the topline.

There should be a smooth transition from the tail to croup to back.

Blend the back portion of the thigh to the outer thigh. Slightly shape the front of the rear leg to show moderate angulation at the knee (bend in stifle).

Tidy the inside of the rear legs so they are parallel.

Shape the hock to appear somewhat low to the ground and then shape the feet for a round appearance. The hocks should be perpendicular to the ground and parallel, with slight angulation on the front of the hock joint.

Tidy the body coat for a smooth transition to the topline.

Shape the underline to give the appearance of a slightly held up loin. There should not be an exaggerated tuck-up.

Fig.5) Lift the beard and trim the throat and fore chest.

Trim the coat just below the point of shoulder to show the angulation and trim above the point of shoulder and blend into the neck and chest.

Use a #15 or #30 blade to shave the inside and outside of the ear, all the way to the base.

Do not shave onto the top skull.

Trim the ear edges, to a point, with small scissors. Use thinning shears to blend the top skull to the shaved portion of the ears.

Blend the top skull to the occiput and onto the neck using thinning shears.

Blend the neck coat to the shaved portion of the ears.

Lift the fall out of the way, and then trim the outside corners of the eyes, blending into the beard. The beard and fall come together from the outside corner of the eye to just behind and under the ear. Only a small bit above the eye is trimmed. The long coat of the “fall” behind the eye grows into the beard. There is no appearance of a cheek.

Blend the shorter top skull coat to the fall. The beard is left untrimmed.

For the show ring, the Bouvier should not appear overly stylized or excessively trimmed. After stripping, very little trimming is required on the correct Bouvier coat.

For the pet, a shorter trim may be requested, but it is still possible to keep inline with the breed profile. Some light stripping and carding of the body will help to keep the desired coat texture.

Snap on combs can be used to achieve a shorter “pet” trim for your Bread & Butter clients. The snap on comb length for the legs should be several lengths longer than the body.

The overall picture should be that of a square, rugged dog with a tousled appearance.

For more information on the Bouvier: www.bouvier.org

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FIG. 1

FIG. 2

FIG. 3

FIG. 4

FIG. 5

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 12 • December 2014

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These quality brochures not only answer the constant questions you get from pet owners, but they will also help you sell products that work and that you personally believe in – products that you retail. They will teach your client how to care for their pet between groomings, which will save you lots of time.

Great promotional tools as well!

MIX & MATCH PACKS OF 100 WHEN ORDERING 1000!

Barkleigh Productions, Inc. barkleigh.com •Groomer barkleighstore.com • (717) 691-3388 to Groomer • Vol 32 Ed 4 • April 2013

GroomertoGroomer.com READER READER SERVICE SERVICE CARD CARD #9939 #9862

77

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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

CALIFORNIA

MASSACHUSETTS

PENNSYLVANIA

GROOM EXPO WEST 2/19/2015 — 2/22/2015 Pasadena CA (717) 691-3388 info@barkleigh.com www.groomexpowest.com

NEW ENGLAND GROOMING SHOW 10/2/2015 — 10/4/2015 Sturbridge MA • (717) 691-3388 info@barkleigh.com www.nwgroom.com

GROOM EXPO 2015 9/17/2015 — 9/20/2015 Hershey PA (717) 691-3388 info@barkleigh.com www.groomexpo.com

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE EXPO WEST 5/4/2015 — 5/7/2015 Burbank CA (717) 691-3388 info@barkleigh.com www.groomexpowest.com

NEVADA

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE EXPO 11/9/2015 — 11/12/2015 Hershey PA • (717) 691-3388 info@barkleigh.com www.petboardingexpo.com

GEORGIA

NEW JERSEY

SUPERZOO 7/21/2015 — 7/23/2015 Las Vegas NV 626-447-2222 www.superzoo.com

VIRGINIA

Barkleigh Productions EVENTS

GROOM EXPO WEST

2/19/2015 — 2/22/2015 Pasadena CA NORTHWEST GROOMING SHOW

4/23/2015 — 4/26/2015 Tacoma WA

ATLANTA PET FAIR 3/5/2015 — 3/8/2015 Atlanta GA info@atlantapetfair.org www.atlantapetfair.org

INTERGROOM 6/5/2015 — 6/8/2015 Sommerset, NJ (201) 896-0500 www.intergroom.com

NDGAA DC METRO GROOMFEST 6/5/2015 — 6/7/2015 Tysons Corner VA (717) 691-3388 www.nationaldoggroomers.com

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE EXPO WEST

ILLINOIS

OHIO

WASHINGTON

PETQUEST

ALL AMERICAN GROOMING SHOW 8/6/2015 — 8/9/2015 Wheeling IL (717) 691-3388 info@barkleigh.com www.aagroom.com

PETQUEST 6/25/2015 — 6/28/2015 Wilmington OH (717) 691-3388 info@barkleigh.com www.pqgroom.com

NORTHWEST GROOMING SHOW 4/23/2015 — 4/26/2015 Tacoma WA • (717) 691-3388 info@barkleigh.com www.nwgroom.com

5/4/2015 — 5/7/2015 Burbank CA 6/25/2015 — 6/28/2015 Wilmington OH ALL AMERICAN GROOMING SHOW

8/6/2015 — 8/9/2015 Wheeling IL GROOM EXPO

9/17/2015 — 9/20/2015 Hershey PA NEW ENGLAND GROOMING SHOW

10/2/2015 — 10/4/2015 Sturbridge MA PET BOARDING & DAYCARE EXPO

11/9/2015 — 11/12/2015 Hershey PA Barkleigh Productions, Inc. (717) 691-3388 • Fax (717) 691-3381 www.barkleigh.com www.groomertogroomer.com

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@barkleighinc

Read Groomer to Groomer Online!

www.GroomertoGroomer.com 60

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 12 • December 2014

GroomertoGroomer.com

Proverbial Wisdom Ambition and death are alike in this: neither is ever satisfied Proverbs 27:20 Living Bible

CLASSIFIEDS Call (717) 691-3388 ext 210 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 also groomers. Website has free videos of 30+ years. and articles on blade and clipper care.

Steel Blades $5.00, Ceramic $6.00, Regular shears $5.00, convex $10. Sharkfin certified.

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 CD-ROM and tip sheet. Website has all information. Est. 1995. Northern Tails Sharpening Inc, Mobile AL Call 251-232-5353 www. northerntails.com.

CALL (717) 691-3388, EXT. 210 TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED. Established state of the art grooming salon and totally remodeled ranch home for sale in beautiful South Haven, MI. Contact 269-637-8213 between 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. eastern for details.

Grooming business for sale. 10 years @ same location with established clientele, 3 grooming stations. Located in North Texas. Call (469) 510-7266 Day Care, Boarding, Grooming, Retail. Thriving business with great stable high end clientele in southern California beach city. Great reputation!

Great warm location! Contact poodies4others6@yahoo.com

Classified Advertisements

GET RESULTS!

Location, Location! Dog grooming salon for sale.

Upscale boutique center with amazing foot traffic. Price includes huge client base and constant stream of new clients. Two tubs, dryers, kennel stacks, all equipment, washer and dryer, grooming table, etc. For financials and more info, you must sign a non-disclosure agreement. Owner would like to retire, price negotiable, asking $130,000. (775) 722-7742 Residence with 3 bedroom 2 bath for sale that includes 2 Boarding Kennel buildings, Grooming Shop, and pet shop. Licensed for 100 dogs and 25 cats. Location is on a main highway that leads to 3 major expressways in Southern Michigan. Call between 7-9 p.m. (810) 695-5678

Sharpening Sales & Repair

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

info@precisionsharp.com

G

IN M O O

TO R E GG ID

EACH blade examined personally, sharpened to perfection, demagnetized and tested. Sockets and springs adjusted, blades individually sealed, READY TO USE. Sole proprietor w/ 20+ years experience. FACTORY-TRAINED to sharpen shears/blades. Customized tip sheet included w/ order - PROMPT RETURN. Clipper Blades $5,Shears $7, S/H $7. PA residents add 7%.

John’s Sharpening, 1213 Middle St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212-4838. (412) 321-1522 JKosakowsky@hotmail.com.

www.precisionsharp.com

U MIN THE LING HDANLDILNINTGGO G O OG ANASDPET STYLISTS, N IDETO O U G TO A R E H UIDOOMIINNGG G HE D NG H UITIISDOUR E JOB TO EARN G N R M GTHTE DOGDLI O G THE OTRUST I G GO MOF THE DOG. O G N O T O D O R R D G HDALINIGDE G G G N A H GUTO OMIN HNADNDLLINITNTGOO G Learn how to take the IDERO U G O A E ID U E G H UID INGROGOMINGE D NG stress and frustration G GG TH DLI O out of grooming with IN G GROOOM M G G HANIDE T Gproper handling.

GROTHE DDOO U MIN N I G L G IN L D O AND O HAHGUNUIIDDEETOTING GRHOE DONGG I O G OOOMM T L G IN D G R G O DO HAN E T GR E ID ING G E H T U N H I BUSINESS FOR SALE T L I FERGUSONM RCG MA D O O $14.95 G IN L N O D T N A H A R E MA H G - Marci Ferguson, author

GROOMER’S SHEARS HAND HONED SHARPENING JAPENESE STYLE REPAIR AND RECONDITIONING 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE $15.00 PLUS SHIPPING THE SHARPER EDGE INC REFERENCES PROVIDED (305) 299-9955 CAREY

Grooming business For Sale Central Arizona well established for 25 years with steady and seasonal customer base. Located within a business district. Turnkey ready. (480) 734-8883

- Canine Communication - Dog Temperaments - Specifics by Job and Breed - Leashwork

RCI F G ERN UID M GUSO I GBARKLEIGH OPRODUCTIONS N

GRO

970 W. Trindle Road Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

GroomertoGroomer.com

BARKLEIGHSTORE.COM INFO@BARKLEIGH.COM (717) 691-3388

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 12 • December 2014

61

Cage Dryers Featuring Filter Kit + Timer

Finish Stand Dryers Variable Speed Control + Heater

Exclusive APDS-I Air Purification + Dehumidifier System

Forced Air Dryers Wall Mount & Stand Kits Available

Boost Your Bottom Line 62

READER SERVICE #10722 Groomer to Groomer • VolCARD 33 Ed 12 • December 2014

GroomertoGroomer.com

2014 BARKLEIGH HONORS

R E C O G N I Z I N G G R E AT A C H I E V E M E N T S IN THE GROOMING INDUSTRY NEW PRODUC T OF THE YEAR

VIDEO O F T H E Y EAR

CONGENIALITY AWARD & SPEAKER OF THE YEAR

J UDGE OF THE YE A R

Super Styling Sessions

LISA LEADY

SUE ZECCO

2-SPEED PROFESSIONAL

SUE ZECCO &

WAHL X-TREME

WAHL X-TREME

CLIPPER

JAY SCRUGGS

TEAM MEMBER

TEAM MEMBER

BRUSHLESS MOTOR FOR

INSTRUCTIONAL SHORT

NATIONAL AND

NATIONAL AND

MAXIMUM POWER & TORQUE

STYLES COMPILATION

INTERNATIONAL JUDGE,

INTERNATIONAL JUDGE,

SPEAKER AND

SPEAKER AND

DEMONSTRATOR

DEMONSTRATOR

KM10

1 - 8 0 0 - P R O WA H L

w w w. wa h l a n i m a l . c o m

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WWW.RYANSPET.COM 1-800-525-7387

ish Replentock Your S

HOLIDAY SHEAR SALE!!

Buy any 2 or More and Save 15%!

Mix and Match Perfect Groom , ComfortSharp , and Premium Satin ®

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