Groomer to Groomer - September 2014 by Barkleigh Productions

“THE GROOMING INDUSTRY’S TRADE MAGAZINE!” VOL. 33 ED. 9 • SEPT. 2014

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BARKLEIGH PRODUCTIONS & THE NEPGP PRESENT

the

NEW ENGLAND

GROOMING SHOW Oct. 31 — Nov. 2, 2014 Crowne Plaza Warwick RI

newenglandgrooms.com

CONTENTS | SEPTEMBER 2014 POODLE PATTERN HISTORY by Teri DiMarino PAGE 14

BETTER NAIL CARE WITH ROTARY TOOLS by Kathy Hosler PAGE 48

ALSO INSIDE Wonders: Kids vs. Dogs Wilkes: How Do You Stop a Single Behavior Now? The Mechanics of Mobile Grooming: Choosing Your Vehicle Salzberg: The Customer is NOT Always Right Omboy: End of Summer Blues

6 24 30 36 44

Understanding Flea Products Conner: Words from the Wise

52 54

To Pre-book or Not to Pre-book 62 New England Grooming Show Preview 67 New Products 74 Calendar of Events 76 Classifieds

MINI DOODLE by Kathy Rose

PAGE 68

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 DESIGNERS Lance Williams lance@barkleigh.com

ADVERTISING CONSULTANT Maggie Gellers maggie@barkleigh.com

Laura Pennington laura@barkleigh.com

MARKETING COORDINATOR

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

Lucy March lucy@barkleigh.com

Adam Lohr adam@barkleigh.com DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS/MARKETING James Severs james@barkleigh.com

COLUMNISTS

Missi Salzberg

Dawn Omboy

Kathy Rose

Teri DiMarino

Gary Wilkes

Bonnie Wonders

Kathy Hosler

Mary Oquendo

Daryl Conner

ON THE COVER: Illustration by Lucas Colton.

Copyright Sept. 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 9 • September 2014

KIDS vs DOGS E by Bonnie Wonders e

know how most of us would do pretty much whatever it takes to keep our dogs healthy, happy and spoiled. Considering what it costs to raise a dog these days, having a human kid isn’t that much more expensive. Take college out of the equation and it’s a no brainer. Go with having the kid. I mean look at it realistically... You have a child and let’s assume that you’ve got decent health insurance. Delivery is free. Pick out a dog and you pay for the labor and delivery....could turn out to

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

be quite a chunk of change. Cost of feeding the kid can vary quite a bit, but if you stick with hot dogs, beans and spaghetti you can save yourself enough to put a down payment on a nice retirement home. Cost of feeding the dog over its lifespan at say $50 a bag for decent dog food and you can save enough for a down payment on a lovely tent. The cost of buying the kid clothes is now nominal, the way I see it. Since pretty much everything they wear these days (these days... sounding like

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my mother, now) has to be ripped or torn, too tight or WAY too big, you could easily get by just raiding the Goodwill drop off box. Buying enough clothing to outfit your dog fashionably well for the “Walk in the Park,” isn’t exactly chump change. Goodwill didn’t have a pet clothing section last time I looked. If you send your kid to a regular school you really don’t see any cash outlay for them to go there, most places it’s built into your taxes. Now, send the average dog to Obedience

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If you go away for a couple days and can’t take the kid along, you drop it off at the grandparents. It’s free and they will be forever grateful for your willingness to share the responsibility of raising the little heathen. classes, figure he’s going to fail quite van X meals on the road X antacids. Is a few times and you’re getting deep it occurring to you yet that this may into the pockets. Even if you go with not have been such a wise financial the scenario that he’s a stellar student, choice? Of course, when you get those that only means that now you get the blue ribbons and a fake silver tray, it bright idea to start showing him in soothes the stomach ache, which saves Obedience. Multiply classes X hotel on the cost of those antacids. fees X entry fees X equipment X gasoThe cost of getting a kid’s haircut Half pg (7"x4-7/8")-print:Layout 1 4/18/14 11:40 AM Page 1 line X bigger car payments for a new is not bad. The first one when they’re

a little kid is usually free. After we see that most girls decide they want long hair, all we have to do is whack off their bangs ourselves. If you’ve got a boy, they don’t really care what it looks like anyhow, so you can shave it, don’t shave it, or just hand their buddies a pair of scissors and let them go at it (Works best if done while child is asleep... just sayin’). Let’s forget that we are Groomers and assume that you’re going to pay for haircuts and pedicures for your little buddy for the next 18 years. After people find out how hard it is to do our jobs and decide to pay the groomer.... we didn’t pick such a bad profession now, did we? You do spend a few bucks on toys for your kids now and then. However, the grandparents bear the brunt of it, always finding something to make your life miserable with. It never seemed to fail that it was something excessively

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

loud and annoying that was sent home with the kid. Other people would give your kids toys also... ones that their own children had outgrown. Overall, you can feel good that you haven’t made Mattel rich. Hand-me-down toys for your dog though? God forbid he’d have something that had some other dog’s germs on it. Add the cost of all those NEW toys that your dog yanked the stuﬃng out of over the years. Don’t forget the cost of that operation he had to have after he ate a big wad of said stuﬃng that just wouldn’t pass. It was time to refinance the house anyhow. If you go away for a couple days and can’t take the kid along, you drop it off at the grandparents. It’s free and they will be forever grateful for your willingness to share the responsibility of raising the little heathen. They like taking it to the store and buying

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

it things anyhow. They only do it to keep them from breaking everything in their house, you know. Less waking hours spent in home equals less chance of precious antiques being destroyed. Go away for a while and you have to pay someone to watch the dog. Those same willing grandparents draw the line at having the dog lift its leg on that antique furniture. Not to mention cleaning the vomit off the Persian rug after the dog ate grandpa’s tube of Fixodent. So get used to forking over the cash for kennels and in-home pet care. Dental care is one of the few that can be tricky. If you’ve got insurance on your kid, it’s not so bad. Also, if you’re blessed with a good genetic line and the kid doesn’t need braces, your almost home free. If your dog needs quite a bit of dental care over his lifespan, be prepared to tap into a new

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Visa card. Forget about the cost of senior pictures for your kid. It can’t hold a candle to the amount that you’ve rung up over the years for Pet pics with Santa, the Easter Bunny and what you spent on those winning Obedience trial pics with the ribbon and fake silver tray... ouch. So the kids are now gone and off having their own families. You may be sad momentarily, but this too shall pass. I’ve found it takes about three days and you’re over it. After all, you look down and realize you still have your little “Money Pit” at your side. He looks up at you and puts that big head of his on your lap. As he moves his head to the side, you spy the drool that he’s left all over your jeans. His gentle way of reminding you... “buy laundry detergent $$$” ✂

Photo by Animal Photograp

hy.

POODLE PATTERN

HISTORY E by Teri Dimarino e

“P

lease don’t make him look like a Poodle.” This is a line that just about every professional pet stylist has heard at one time or another. People will bring in a Shih Tzu or Maltese and still comment that they don’t want their dog coming home “looking like a poodle.” Frankly, I can’t think of many things better looking than a well groomed poodle and I will never understand what the customer is picturing their dog will look like if they don’t say that. As much as this frustrates many of us, we just have to put on our best ‘listening ears’ and assure the client that their request will be honored.

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

But every now and then I would ask a client exactly what they mean by that statement. Most say “I don’t want the puffs or the foofoo look.” As professionals, it’s our job to translate “foofoo” into something more meaningful, like “OK, so you don’t want pompoms, right? How about a nice puppy cut?” (Insert sarcastic grin here) Poodle styles have changed dramatically over time; most significantly in the past twenty years. I love taking out some of the old books and perusing the photos of the older trims. I soon realize that this is usually what the customer is probably trying to avoid. What many people think of

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when they hear the word “Poodle” is foofoo and pompoms. Could this “branding” be one of the reasons behind the dramatic increase of poodle cross breeds? Do some people actually think that a poodle is born with well-trimmed bracelets or sporting a Continental? I guess the logic is that if you cross a poodle with a Labrador (or anything else, for that matter) they become immune to “looking like a poodle.” But we can beat this topic forever, so let’s move on! A BRIEF HISTORY The subject of the evolution of traditional poodle trims could fill volumes

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and each explanation would be questioned or contested by countless more stories. A fun internet site to visit is www.poodlehistory.org. This site is full of pictures, essays and history of the poodle breed, as well as an insightful section on the development of our modern grooming practices. It’s safe to say that poodle trims evolved over hundreds of years, stemming from the practical to the preposterous. Most of the older styles were utilitarian trims, intended to keep the dog fairly well insulated in the body for their water retrieving ventures, while the close clipped rear facilitated swimming without the hindrance of coat. The bracelets were smaller and functional in that they kept brambles and burrs from digging into the dogs’ legs during the hunt. Once the dogs began hitting the show ring, the traditional trims remained but eventually developed

into the highly refined styles we have today. I think we can all agree that we would be hard pressed to see one of today’s show champions participating in retrieving exercises or the sport of dock-diving while in full show coat. I have no doubt that the shaved neck bands of trims like the Town & Country, Royal Dutch or Sweetheart patterns probably came about as a result of matted neck coat being shaved off, but an effort was made to retain the remainder of the coat in some sort of attractive, somewhat balanced trim. BANDED PATTERNS IN THE CONTEST RING The older, banded style poodle trims were once the standard in the grooming salon as well as the competition ring. Lamb or Puppy trims were thought of as plain and boring, and it was deemed a sign of true talent if

a groomer executed a properly set banded pattern. Bonus points were usually considered if the groomer set the pattern in from scratch on an overgrown dog. We would often joke in the ring that some judges would give a first place if you took ten pounds of chopped liver and set the pattern in the ring. So popular were these trims that an early phase of the certification process included setting a banded pattern on a dog. But many times these banded trims were executed with a total disregard for the conformation of the dog. A Town & Country would do nothing but accentuate the roach back of some dogs, while a neck band on a dog with poor shoulders or an ewe neck would do nothing but draw attention to the problem. And a Continental or English Saddle was rarely seen in the contest ring. But we did see the occasional

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Banded styles, many of which included tasseled ears and huge moustache and beards, fell by the wayside. Pattern setting became a lost art. HCC, or Historically Correct Continental, also known in some circles as a Modified Continental. These banded patterns were actually a true test of a groomer’s skills. But as grooming competitions became more popular, groomers became savvier and started paying attention to the setting of these patterns prior to the competition. Six weeks of coat growth was “the norm” back then and most competitors were on their dogs setting in that last groom exactly six

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

weeks prior to the show date. There was rarely a dramatic change in the pattern and, many times, minimal hair under the table. Eventually growth requirements morphed into asking for enough coat to make a distinct change in the dog’s appearance. But all this did not come without controversy! Over-preparation came to a head at Intergroom in 1993. In a class of 52 poodles, a number of them had what was seen as barely enough coat, my black standard entry included. I had

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groomed her six weeks prior but an underlying thyroid disorder all but halted her coat growth. I groomed her anyway, knowing full well I didn’t have a chance at a ribbon. There was a lot of conversation about inadequate coat after the class and show managers decided that something had to be done about it. THE DEATH OF THE BANDED PATTERN After the debate at Intergroom, National Dog Groomers Association of America Contest Director Shirley McBride decided something had to be done. At their next contest that year, NDGAA Fun in the Sun, Shirley enacted a minimum growth rule. It was decided that there be no distinct pattern on any dog and the shortest areas of the dog should be ½” on Toys, 1” on Miniatures and 1½” on Standards. If there was a pattern visible,

the short banded areas had to meet these minimum length requirements. Shirley walked around the ring with a ruler, measuring and disqualifying dogs as she went. It quickly became obvious that if a contestant was going to compete with a dog in a banded pattern, that dog’s contest career for that year became very limited, as the coat in the shaved areas had to meet the minimum. Contest groomers scrambled to find additional dogs to compete with, but many of them began to embrace the simplicity of the Puppy and Lamb trims, as these trims extended the number of times a dog could make it into the contest ring throughout the year. Eyes began to focus on the European groomers who were executing very stylish trims that were known as the Scandinavian or English Puppy Lions, the T-Clip, the Full Puppy and the

Modern. Not only were these trims elegant, but the newly-enacted growth restrictions were easier to conform to, given that there were no sharp lines or bands carved into the coat. The same dogs could be used for numerous contests throughout the year. There were several other benefits to this change in style. These trims made it easier to hide faults of a dog, thus allowing the use of “less than perfect” models. Many of these highstyle trims also called for a spray-up show topknot, making it possible to bring in a show dog that was still in show coat. The contest ring also began to see more and more acceptable show trims, like the Continental and the English Saddle. And, as they say, the rest is history. A GOOD COMPARISON A good example of how Poodle

grooming has changed can be seen in a side-by-side comparison of the books written by our own Shirlee Kalstone. Her first book, “The Complete Poodle Clipping and Grooming,” was originally published in 1968, followed by “Pet Poodle Grooming Made Easy”, published in 1972. The newest version of the original book, “Poodle Clipping and Grooming, The International Reference,” published in 2001, shows how far the industry has come. This latest edition still pays homage to the banded trims, but with full respect of the build of the dog. The photographs in the older version are a treat to study, as the legs on all the dogs are extremely full but narrow at the bottom and the rear legs show no angulation, yet the bands and patterns are all P ET B OARDING & DAYCARE EXP O

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properly set. The new version shows the advancements we have all made in our industry with proper structure of the dog being paramount. These are just two examples to show how far we have all come. I have both of the latter mentioned versions, both autographed by Shirlee. I treasure them and still enjoy paging through them. Shirlee was on the forefront of the changes in Poodle styling worldwide and witnessed these changes first hand. “When Miriam van den Bosch came to Intergroom in 1996 and won the Oster Invitational with her beautiful white Standard in a European style Puppy Clip, that was a definitive time in trim changes here in the US.” Shirlee went on to say that the fuller legs, often called “leg of mutton” because of the way they were full at the top and tapered down toward the hock, quickly fell out of favor with groomers, as they

became more educated and opted for the more stylized trims. Banded styles, many of which included tasseled ears and huge moustache and beards, fell by the wayside. Pattern setting became a lost art. SPRING FORWARD INTO “RETRO” MODE! With banded patterns thought of as old fashioned and out of style, I found it fun and refreshing to have watched Julie Wilkins groom in the Extreme Makeover class at this year’s Intergroom. Julie entered the ring with an overgrown black Standard Poodle and proceeded to put this dog into a nicely balanced Town & Country trim, complete with moustache and beard. Someone asked me what she was doing and I knew what it was at first glance. Upon finishing the groom, Julie donned a pink poodle skirt and

presented her dog. She was exhausted and proclaimed that it was by far the most diﬃcult thing she had ever done in the ring. While the owner of the dog was, at first, apprehensive to have her dog in this trim, she proceeded to parade the dog around upon her arrival back home. While Julie did not place in the contest, I believe she succeeded in creating a new awareness and curiosity for these styles. With all of the emphasis on Freestyle grooming and Asian Fusion styles, perhaps it’s time to dust off our old books and take a look at the styles that were once so popular and helped put Poodles on the map. I’m not saying that these styles are for everybody, but for someone looking for something different, old is new! I say let’s go retro and bring back the foofoo styles! ✂

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BEHAVIOR CLIPS by Gary Wilkes

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n the world of dog ownership, this is both the most important question to ask and the one least likely to be answered. There are two points that need to be made to support this argument. First, it is what dogs do, not what they don’t do, that is most likely to get them in trouble. Nobody gets rid of a dog because it never learned to roll over. Most people don’t really expect their dog to sit, and few have mastered “down” or “stay.” Yet they keep their dogs despite their lack of behaviors. You know this because many of your clients are longsuffering with unacceptable behavior. The second point is easy to prove. Just

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

ask anyone offering behavior services, at any level, the title question of this article. If they hem and haw you will know that, in the area most important to your clients, the trainer or behaviorist is lacking in education or displaying a bias that may not benefit your client. If you think this is exclusively about ideology you’d be mistaken. This question blows away traditional and modern trainers alike – and academically trained behaviorists are not even in the ball park. The reason this question cuts through the nonsense is that, in any field, competence is defined by a broad knowledge, founded on a deep under-

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standing of fundamental principles. Imagine a plumber who can fix a leak but can’t lay pipe or a groomer who knows all about scissoring terriers but knows nothing about bathing. While these people might exist, nobody would call them masters of their craft. Ignorance isn’t bliss when you are selling services but knowledge is certainly power. So your first test of someone’s competence relies on your own knowledge of grooming. Just ask questions expecting the same succinct, cogent answers as if someone asked you about the difference between stripping a Schnauzer’s coat vs. the typical shaved back, hairy, scissored and brushed legs

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of my childhood dog, Tina. If a trainer can’t articulate to your satisfaction, hit them with the show-stopper question —what experience do you have? CUTTING THROUGH THE RHETORIC If a trainer is trying to gain your favor they have likely pre-rehearsed the way they want to present themselves. To get to the bottom of their actual ability, it’s a great idea to put them off balance by asking the right questions. Consider a debate that has been going on since Karen Pryor and I introduced clicker training about 20 years ago. Few clicker trainers use as aversive control as I do. Most go with Karen’s “all positive” model. If someone tells you they are a clicker trainer, ask them the question about stopping behaviors immediately. If they seem to have an answer, ask what experience they have with stopping something like “jumping on guests.” If they somehow tell you that it’s a bad thing to

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

stop a behavior immediately, you just saw a red flag go up. Your clients need to have the behavior stopped now. They have lost their patience. They are going to get rid of the dog. They need it now or a trainer is no good to them at all. That is just like a groomer who can’t get a show cut done on time. “No, I don’t need my Kerry Blue on Tuesday, the bench show starts on Saturday.” All professional services have a time-component included that any professional should be able to accommodate. Anyone who can’t do that isn’t going to help you keep a client. If they say that any use of aversive control is going to damage the dog’s fragile psyche, remember the last time you had to use a hemostat to pull hair out of a matted, filthy rescue dog who licked your face after the ordeal was over. If that’s not an aversive event, nothing is. So how can it be that if you cause a dog discomfort to successfully groom

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it, the terrible “fallout” doesn’t happen, but if the same or less discomfort is used in training, it’s assumed to be traumatic? Because the speaker is simply parroting something they’ve heard. That shows lack of experience. Note: I wasn’t making up the example of pulling hair out of a filthy dog’s ears. I worked in shelters for eight years. I know that dogs go through lots of travails but end up licking your face in most cases. If the dog’s retention in the home is on the line, a little discomfort is chump change compared to being taken to a shelter or rescue group. You see, groomers and trainers have the same ethical rules as vets—first, do no harm. Second, provide treatment known to be effective. Third, withholding treatment known to be effective is unethical. BALANCED ISN’T ALWAYS BALANCED If you think I’m letting traditional “balanced” trainers off the hook

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because they do use aversive control, you’d be mistaken. The same rules apply to them. Most behavior solutions require the use of reinforcement and punishment, especially immediate solutions. For instance, if I bonk a dog with a pillow to stop it from jumping on people, it is best followed with treats and affection for not jumping on people. This creates a perfect contingency—if you do A), you get bonked. If you do B), you get treats. To be effective, I need to have no preference for either behavioral tool, just like using clippers vs. scissors. I use the sequence or combination most likely to solve the problem in a timely fashion. Many traditional, self-styled “balanced” trainers are locked in to specific tools that limit their service, just like the “all positive” trainers. For instance, a prong collar will indeed stop most dogs from pulling. So will a halter. If

a trainer is not competent in the use of both of these devices, they are using a formula to solve problems. That doesn’t work for all dogs or all dog owners. The same is true of dreaded “shock collars.” If someone never uses them, or always uses them, you have a problem. A shock collar is a wonderful tool if used correctly, for a relatively small number of problems. If you are stopping a dog from ingesting inedible objects after a gastric surgery, you better know how to use one or the dog is likely to have another obstruction. Teaching all things with a collar is a sign of being inflexible and limited in scope. That’s when you ask your “what experience do you have using treats” question. If the trainer doesn’t know how to use the full spectrum of elegant and precise positive reinforcement and equally elegant and precise aversive control, then they may not be able to

solve training problems across a broad spectrum. Show me someone’s tools and I’ll tell you what they can’t do. There is one last point that needs to be made. There is an old joke that says the only thing two trainers can agree on is that a third trainer is doing it wrong. That’s not fiction. The way to cut through any negative talk about methods or other trainers is to say the following. “… telling me what you don’t like doesn’t tell me what you know or what you can do.” Meaning that hating some other trainer’s methods doesn’t imply competence. It implies an opposing ideology. Your client isn’t interested in ideology. They are interested in stopping a behavior, now. That’s invariably the point. Now find someone who can do that and you’ll keep your clients happy and more likely keep them as clients. ✂

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THE MECHANICS OF MOBILE GROOMING:

CHOOSING YOUR VEHICLE E by Mary Oquendo e

opened Pawsitively Pretty Mobile Grooming Salon on April 15, 2002. An auspicious date to be sure. There were not many mobile groomers at the time and Facebook groups were nonexistent. I had no one to network with and talk shop. Most of what I learned was by trial and error. While I have a commercially converted van, mobile groomers are not limited to them. There are con-

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

verted buses and RV’s, trailers, and cars driven by house call groomers. The common denominator is our “shops” are on wheels. Some of the things I would have liked to know before I started include: What are the dimensions of the vehicle? Mine is 10 feet high, 8 feet wide from mirror to mirror, and 20 feet long. I measured the height from ground to top of my air conditioner

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and vents. In addition, I took the measurement with tires at proper air pressure. You may not think an inch or two is important until the air conditioner is sitting on the ground behind you because of a low bridge, drive thru, parking garage, low hanging wires over a driveway, basketball hoops, or tree limbs. Does anyone recall the episode of Groomer Has It, where Jorge took a chunk out of the top of the mobile

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

grooming van when he parked too close to a tree? I have personally taken down low hanging wires twice. Width and length will determine if I can turn around in a driveway. If I do not have the room to turn around, I either back in or run the risk of backing a large vehicle out onto a busy road. Until I had the dimensions memorized, I wrote them down and kept in it the cup holder for easy reference. Where are the blind spots? My husband sat in the driver’s seat while I walked around the van, so he could note where to place extra mirrors and a back up camera. This was after I almost ran over a client’s dog that ran behind my van as I was backing out of their driveway. Pulling forward out of the driveway is always better than backing up. How does the vehicle maneuver? Mine corners like a cruise ship. As a result, much to the chagrin of the driver behind me, I have to slow down con-

siderably when making turns. Before I pull in a driveway, I check the condition. Is it icy, or does it have wet leaves on it? Trust me on this; wet leaves are as bad as ice. If the driveway is on an incline, I use the emergency brake and turn the wheels. In the event of a slide, I do not want to end up in a ditch or into oncoming traﬃc. Also, release the emergency brake when you leave. Otherwise you will prematurely wear it out. Groomers with trailers should practice in an empty parking lot to become comfortable with their limited maneuverability. What are the effects of road conditions? Potholes and construction can wreak havoc on your vehicle, including structural damage, as well as loosen wire connections. It is no fun to spend $300 on a tow to the dealership for the mechanic to take one minute to plug the computer back in. Not all roads are paved. Muddy dirt roads can sink a

vehicle very quickly. How do the specifications of the vehicle impact poor road and weather conditions? This makes a huge difference. If I had known I had options, I would have chosen differently. There are six options, although they are not all available on every vehicle. Front wheel drive. Only one of the front tires engages. Rear wheel drive. Only one of the rear tires engages. Posi rear wheel drive. It is also called locking differential. Both of the rear tires engage. All-wheel drive. All four tires engage. Four wheel drive. This is usually a Posi rear wheel drive that can shift into all wheel drive. Automatic or manual transmission. You have to take your foot off the gas in order to shift gears while driving. On slippery roads, such as snow,

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you must take this into consideration. The more tires engaging while driving increases your ability to move or stay on the road in poor driving conditions. My vehicle is automatic, but is rear wheel drive. Rear wheel drive is the least optimal option if you live anywhere it snows. What are the towing considerations for a trailer? The average trailer weighs about 3,000 pounds. Are the engine and transmission of the correct size to tow without causing them damage? The ball and tongue of the tow hitch should match, as well as making sure the tongue lock and pin are engaged with the safety chains attached. What is the difference between an inverter, generator, and plugging in? Invertors. Invertors are usually on vans with diesel engines, as the engine needs to idle in order for them to work. An inverter is a series of battery packs. The maintenance is

minimal. It usually involves checking and filling water levels and cleaning the terminals, as well as replacing the filters on the blower. They also need to be plugged in year round at night to keep the batteries charged. Some municipalities have restrictions on idling vehicles. You would need to check with yours. You will also need to keep an eye on the battery charge while working. Generators. Generators are high maintenance. One benefit is that they tend to have higher amperages available consistently. As the generator ages, it is important to check oil levels frequently. They are subject to overheating in extreme heat and hard to start in extreme cold. The generator does not need to be plugged in. For those that live in colder climates, there is a separate plug so that you can keep the water and van heated at night. Plugging in. This requires you plug into your client’s home. You will need

a long cord and must have access to a line in their home that is not being used. This usually means an outside or dryer receptacle. You are limited by what is available. You will still have maintenance, as the cord will need to be replaced now and again. Before you leave your client’s home, make sure you unplug your cord. Thirteen years later, I am still on the road with my original vehicle. I adored being a mobile groomer from day one, even though I would have liked to have been prepared for that first day. ✂

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Paw Inspiring by Missi Salzberg

THE CUSTOMER IS

NOT ALWAYS RIGHT (but it’s pretty rare that the dog is wrong!)

his installment of Lessons Learned will examine one of the great untruths of all time, which is ‘The customer is always right!’ We all know better, and yet being in business forces us to sometimes eat a whole lot of crow, and suck up some negativity that really isn’t deserved. There is a tricky path we walk when dealing with live, beloved animals, and we are forced to step into the reality of some of our customers and their perspective on what caring for pets means. What do we do with their perspective on what is acceptable, in regards to their own human, inappropriate behavior? I suppose the trick is to make the customer think they are always right, whenever possible, and then in instances when it is not possible, to at least educate them respectfully and invite them to think outside their own box. There are instances

that fall beyond educating customers when a pet’s well-being is at stake and you have to make tougher decisions. Of course, when all else fails, you have the option of firing them, but typically that is not necessary. We all can recognize the intentions of a new customer pretty quickly. Whether it is the owner that states, “She is a little matted, but I don’t want her to be uncomfortable,” when in reality, the dog is buried in her 10 month old puppy coat, which is now pelted. Or perhaps the client that immediately states, “Whatever you do, don’t shave her!” They of course rattle on and inform you that the last groomer shaved her down to the skin, and the groomer before that “skinned” her! The good news, regarding the first owner, is that she is all about her baby being comfortable and the grooming experience not being hard on her pet.

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

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This situation calls for a moment of educating the customer about the coat’s development and what will be necessary, going down the road, for them to achieve the look that they want. If you sell grooming tools, which you should, this is a great opportunity to teach someone about their pet, provide them with the proper tools and techniques to manage the coat, and make some extra money selling product. If there is one incredibly important lesson in this interaction, it is that you should sell what is necessary for these customers to use at home in these ‘ah-ha!’ teachable moments. This is an instance when a little education will empower your customer and they leave your salon feeling a deeper understanding of their baby and their care. The latter customer presents us with a more diﬃcult challenge. They

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

have a matted pet, which they are completely willing to allow you to do anything by any means to save their coat. Early on in my career, I spent a lot of time reasoning with these customers. Not so much anymore! Short of taking a mat breaker and ripping a chunk of their hair clean out of their human head to bring home my point of how uncomfortable this would be for their

pet, this situation requires a lot of patience, and honestly, I never know which way it will end up. It could end with a customer for life after education and the maintenance groom this dog so desperately needs, or it could end up with a parting of ways. After all of these years, I am not going to leave it open-ended with the possibility of a blow-up on one of my staff later in

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the day. My standard line is, “Fortyfive years ago, my dad decided that we wouldn’t do anything to hurt a pet to please a human, and we stand by that philosophy. We’re all about the animals.” Sometimes that is enough, and they recoil and say, “Well, of course I don’t want you to hurt my baby! Just do the best you can!” (Sound familiar?) “Well, the best I can do is to get this matted coat off your pet and start over. I can’t shave through a mat. You have to go under, so your baby will be getting a smoothie today. Here’s a waiver explaining what we need to do. That’s what I can offer you, and it’s the most humane and kind thing to do for your baby.” (Barkleigh sells a Fuzzy Pet Release Form) What I won’t do is spend 20 minutes debating. There is no wiggle room if it means harming the pet, regardless of the emotional state of their human! We are kind. We are informative. We are protective of our four-legged customers. Sometimes we need to be their voice, although it would certainly be easier to grab the mat breaker and drive my point home! If this conversation happens without judgment (that they can see, at least) and is done in a compassionate way, and they understand that this is hopefully a one-time shot and we will get the look they want ultimately, if they keep to our recommended schedule, it is usually a positive experience. Then there is the unfortunate instance where middle ground simply cannot be found. The customer that hears no reason, sees no reason, and speaks no reason. It doesn’t happen very often, but here’s the most recent occurrence. Woman brings Lhasa cross to us. The dog had one of its eyes damaged by another groomer, so she’s very concerned. Several people, including a vet at Tufts, referred her to us. I spend a good 10 minutes talking to her, reassuring her, and explaining that if it comes down to it, and we’re afraid the dog will be harmed when we

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

groom around its head and eyes, I will call her. I give her a time for pickup and all is well in the world. The dog did fabulous on the prep and in the tub, so we’re thrilled. Thinking this is a win-win-win for the dog, the owner, and the VG, off I go to do banking and errands. However, when I return, I hear the owner came an hour and a half before the pick-up time, and went berserk on my staff when the dog wasn’t ready. Well, that is just not acceptable. Here is the gist of the conversation that followed. “Hi, this is Missi from the Village Groomer. I am the owner. I am the one that greeted and spoke to you this morning.” She started to raise her voice and say her husband would be furious that dog wasn’t done yet, and immediately started elevating. I calmly said to her, “I have to make a quick point here. Your dog was injured at a prior groomer, and you trusted us to care for him this time. We treated him with great respect, compassion and kindness, and I expect nothing less of you in regards to the way you treat me and my staff. If you understand that, your dog will

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

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be ready when I had promised. If that is not possible, you are welcome to pick him up now.” I wasn’t angry, and I wasn’t rude. I just calmly stated my expectations. She asked that we finish the dog, but made it very clear that her husband would be furious. I responded by saying, “Your husband showing up furious is not an option, so why don’t you just come and get your dog now.” She did not see that takeaway coming and got very quiet. “Please finish his groom. I will talk to my husband.” Here’s the kicker. Her husband showed up a little late, was an absolute gentleman, and didn’t say a word about any of it. He was happy to see his baby and complimented the groomer. Hmm…. Wonder what he deals with on a day to day….? The customer is not always right, but it is not necessary to actually blatantly point out that they’re wrong either. It is far more useful and empowering to take these moments that are challenging and teach people to look at things differently. Turn the customer whose puppy was matted into a lifelong customer by

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caring for a wonderful little dog who we’ll call Jay. He started coming to daycare as soon as he was neutered and we had him almost daily for years. We took exceptional care of Jay, and his parents for that matter. When his grandpa had a knee replacement, my assistant picked Jay up. When his grandma was ill, we delivered product to their house. Jay is a Dachshund, and at some point he injured his back at home. He required disc surgery, and we groomed him within an hour or so post surgery. We love him! We were like his other family. Jay made us all melt. Then came the 2nd groom post surgery. It had been over a year since the surgery and Jay was fine. We took him in for grooming, with no play because of his back, and told his grandpa to come back at a certain time. Jay was happy, healthy and did fine with his grooming. The

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being a teacher and being genuinely interested in their goals for their pet’s look. Explain ‘why’ the dog’s coat was matted to the client that wanted you to do whatever necessary to avoid shaving, so they understand and can commit to doing things differently. So many times groomers shave a dog down and don’t explain it. They sometimes don’t even tell the customer they are going to shave their dog. Communication is key in a business that cares for beloved pets. It’s not about proving a point, and it’s not about shaming the human. It’s about the dog. Period. Now, to prove I am human and fallible and more than capable of losing my composure, let me share with you what happened recently at the shop, when none of the above worked. We have been grooming and

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pet sitter called about 3 hours before the pickup time and asked when she should come, and we told her what we had told the owner. The phone rang a few minutes later, and Jay’s grandpa unleashed on one of my staff. He was screaming and telling us that we’d better not let Jay play because of his back! He was seriously out of control. I could hear him, even standing several feet away from Heather, and just held my hand out for the phone. “This is Missi. What’s going on?” The yelling continued. A rant for the ages. I’m not even sure what he was saying after a minute. Then, calmly, I said, “Come and get Jay. Now.” Then I hung up. I wen into the groom room and got my little buddy, and we walked outside and after a brief walk, we settled onto the curb and waited. His grandpa had prepaid with a check

that morning, and I grabbed it on my way past the cash register. When Jay’s grandpa barreled into the parking lot, I was on my feet, walked to his car, gently placed Jay in his arms, and then handed him his check back. “I don’t want your money, and I don’t want your business. After 10 years of loving this dog, good luck finding a group of people more committed to his well-being and safety.” Then, out of nowhere, I raised my finger, pointed at the owner, and said “Shame on you,” and I walked away. He was still screaming when I went in the building. It was quite surreal, honestly, because this was so out of character for his owner. My entire staff was pretty shocked, but no one more than me. There is a point at which no one deserves that level of disrespect, and that moment came. I was really sad more than anything, because I

absolutely adore Jay. But I had to let it go. I could not allow someone to unleash on my staff that way. I am a leader of my pack, after all, and have to set an example for what is and isn’t acceptable. Here comes the most interesting part of this story. The next day, Jay’s owner showed up at the door at 7:30am, when we open. I wasn’t there, but Mike, my assistant was pretty shocked to see him. Jay’s grandpa broke down in tears and was a mess. He didn’t know what had come over him, and he felt awful. Isn’t it the truth that, so often, we are just in the way of someone’s bad day? I still love Jay’s grandpa, and more importantly, Jay himself! I can let it go, for the love of the dog. The customer is not always right, but it’s pretty rare that the dog is wrong! ✂

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FIG. 1

FIG. 2

BEATING THE END OF SUMMER BLUES E by Dawn Omboy e www.queenofcolor.com

D FIG. 3

FIG. 4

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

id you ever have that client who walked in your door with a totally unexpected request? Of course you did, we all do, and those can be really fun if it weren’t on a super busy day. But still we revel in the opportunity to do a total transformation, complete with color. And what a great way to beat those end of the summer blues, especially when blue dye is involved! On this particular day, in walks one of our favorite standard poodles, MB, with his little buddy Mac the Maltese. Their mom says those magical words “lets do something totally different today Dawn, I want him (MB) to have that haircut where he is all fluffy on the front with puffs on his ankles but no balls, oh and make him blue too”. My husband’s face was priceless when she again repeated “make sure to cut off the balls”, hubby thought she wanted me to neuter the dog. Sure

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I said. Modified continental trim, no rosettes and dye him blue, how about a zebra pattern too, so it will balance out? She loved the idea! And for the little one, what about a fun pattern too? “Well, yes of course” she said. MB lives outside and though his coat was not very long, he was completely matted from head to toe (Fig. 1). So to save time on this already busy day, I first began by removing all the coat I was not going to need for the groom style (Fig. 2). Once this was done, I chose the products I thought were best suited for the job and began to apply dye to the coat. Keep in mind the dog was still filthy and matted. I first applied the black dye with a paintbrush in a line down the back leading to his tail (Fig. 3). From there, I painted random stripes and lines on the skin exposed by the clip, including his front legs (Fig. 4). His body was far too matted

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

FIG. 5

FIG. 6

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

to go any further at this point so I just rough clipped over the top of his feet and sent him to the tub. Back on my table, after a bath and good conditioner, a lot of his matts blew out in the tub but there was still a lot to dematt. So we tag teamed and got him dematted as I also applied the dye, that I had mixed up in a spray bottle, to his damp coat. When you apply this way, the color may not always be consistent but we chose this method as a way to cut time. Once his tail and pom-poms were colored, they were wrapped in foil to protect areas from color transfer during the processing time. (Fig. 5) After a short processing time of about 20 minutes, we took MB back to the tub for his final rinse and then dry. Then it was back to the table for finishing his

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trim. When he was all done, you would never know what a mess he was earlier that day. He was just so much fun to look at and, by the spring in his step, you could tell how much better he felt! And as for little Max, well he was just so darned cute you could eat him up (Fig. 6). The question I always get is what to charge for a job like this? On this dog, we punched the time clock with his paperwork to track all hands on time, added the cost of supplies and figured our hourly wage to come up with the cost to the client. It was a nice day’s pay for us and big grins from the family! ✂ For tips and Creative Styling Supplies visit www.queenofcolor.com Making the World more Colorful, one dog at a time ... Queen of Color

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

BETTER NAIL CARE WITH

ROTARY TOOLS E by Kathy Hosler e

ne of the biggest complaints that pet owners have is—“My dog scratches me with his toenails… not only me, but my furniture, floors, and my car seats too…His nails are so sharp!” It used to be that groomers used guillotine or pliers/scissor type toenail clippers to cut and shorten pet’s toenails. The nails were shorter, but the freshly cut nail edges could still be razor sharp. Some groomers used files or emery boards to try to remove the rough edges, but it was very

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

time-consuming and not all that effective at shortening the nail. ENTER THE ROTARY SANDING TOOLS… Rotary sanding tools have been on the market for many years. They are now a ‘must have’ tool for most groomer stylists to use in conjunction with, or instead of, their regular nail clippers. “The first model of the Dremel rotary tool was sold between 1934 and 1968,” says Mr. John Hauter,

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Brand Manager for Dremel. “In the late 1950’s or early 1960’s, we sold a tool specifically designed for the professional pet groomer. Now we offer both corded and cordless models for the professional groomer.” There are many advantages to using a rotary tool for nail care. “The abrasive process of using a rotary sander is a more gradual removal of the nail,” says Mr. Hauter, and continues “You can get closer to the quick, and if you hit it, it’s probably not as deep of a cut as you would make with a

nail clipper. If you make a miscue with a nail clipper, you can make it big. The gradual trimming by a rotary sanding drum lessens the drama.” By using a rotary sander on a regular basis, you can encourage the quick to recede, allowing the pet’s toenails to gradually become shorter. Most pets are very accepting of having their nails sanded but there are some precautions that the groomer/stylist needs to take. Rotary sanders can be invaluable when they are used correctly. Do not hold the spinning drum of the tool against the nail for more than two or three seconds at a time. It will create too much heat in the nail and become painful to the dog. If the nails are really long, you may need to remove some of the length with nail clippers and then do the finish work with the rotary tool. Hair can quickly and easily wrap around the rapidly spinning shaft of

the tool. Make sure that the hair on the ears and tail are kept out of the way with a hair clip or by other means to avoid any problems. Pets that have hairy feet can be a challenge to sand, but it can be done safely. Most groomers insert the dogs foot into a knee high hose, the foot of a panty hose, or a tube sock and push the toenails through. This exposes the nail to be safely sanded and keeps the hair out of the way. Today, there are many companies that sell rotary toenail sanders to the pet industry. There are many different models that stylists can choose from in corded or cordless designs. The cordless models can be battery operated or re-chargeable. They often have less torque, which means that if the pet’s hair should start to wrap around the rotating shaft, it may stop turning. Other more powerful units won’t.

That’s why it is crucial to keep any long hair away from the rotary tool while it is in operation. While pet safety is always a main concern of the stylist, your own welfare should also be a priority. You need to protect yourself from the airborne particles that are created by the sanding process. If you can taste, smell, or feel the dust, you should be wearing a mask and eye protection. Many pet owners are only concerned with nail care when their pets nails start scratching them or their floors or furniture. But in fact, overgrown nails can contribute to serious health problems for the pets. Long nails can distort and change the angle of the dog’s foot, leg, and its entire posture. They can cause pain and discomfort to the pet with every step it takes, and will eventually lead to permanent damage. Dogs that are forced

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

to walk on nails that are too long have been compared to a human with long toenails that is forced to walk 24/7 in high heels. When you describe it to pet owners that way, they begin to understand what it feels like to their pets. They come to realize how important nail care is for their pets comfort and well-being.

Offering rotary nail sanding to your clients can be an added revenue source for you that will really boost your bottom line. This is a service that every one of your clients can benefit from, and you can charge a premium for it. Encourage your clients to schedule nail care visits in-between their regular grooming appointments. Also,

advertising that you offer ‘paw-dicure’ and nail smoothing services may get people who don’t regularly get their dog groomed into your salon every two to four weeks. Instead of being raked by long, sharp nails, their family will get a lot more enjoyment from a pet that has smooth manicured nails. You want to refer to this service as nail smoothing or nail sanding—never as ‘grinding the nails.’ Most pet parents wouldn’t want someone ‘grinding’ anything on their precious pet. If you can send pets out of your salon with short and smooth toenails, you will create very happy clients. Happy clients become loyal clients and they tell their friends about you and the services you offer. Soon, their friends become loyal clients too—all because you know how to ‘smooth off the rough edges’. ✂

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UNDERSTANDING

FLEA PRODUCTS E by Barb Hoover e

e often hear clients complain that their dog still has fleas even though they treat monthly with a topical or oral product. It is assumed the products are not working. In reality, they likely are working, just as promised, but many people do not understand just how they work and their limitations. Topical and oral products do not stop a dog from getting fleas. The fleas have to come in contact with the animal or the animal dander to suffer the

effects from the pesticides. The products do not give an instant kill. It can take 12 hours to kill the fleas. In that 12 hours, they are able to bite causing an allergic reaction and reproduce. The Advantage Multi insert explains: “Advantage Multi for Dogs should be administered at one-month intervals. If the dog is already infested with fleas when the first dose of Advantage Multi for Dogs is administered, adult fleas on the dog will be killed. However, reinfestation from the emergence of pre-existing pupae in the

environment may continue to occur for six weeks or longer after treatment is initiated.” That is very important information. One thing it does not approach is that the above is a controlled scenario. If the environment is getting

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reinfested during that 6 weeks from other animals, like stray cats or dogs, the flea population is continually growing. Additional fleas are being dropped in the environment and reproducing. When those jump onto the pet, they also need up to 12 hours of contact to be killed by the products. With only topical and oral products being used, it is a never ending cycle of fleas for the pets. The topical and oral flea products are meant to prevent infestations. If the environment is clear of flea infestation, the products will usually kill any fleas a pet might pick up on a walk or from the occasional stray that wanders onto the property. The kill is usually fast enough to prevent a huge population growth and infestation. Unfortunately, many owners only use the products after they see fleas on the pet. At that time, the environ-

ment is usually infested or at least has a good number of flea eggs left around to hatch out. If an infestation is present and the dog is continually picking up fleas, it is important to find the source. They come from somewhere. They do not just magically appear on the dog. They must be killed there, at their source, in order for the dog to remain flea free. In most cases, that requires spraying the yard and the house. This is not a one-time thing. The sprays do not kill the fleas in every part of their life cycle. Some will kill the adults and the larvae. Some will kill the eggs. None will kill the egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. The treatment needs to be done every 10 - 14 days, for approximately 6 weeks to catch and kill the fleas at all stages. Once the environment is clear, and steps are taken to avoid reinfestation

from roaming animals, the once a month products can usually do a great job keeping an infestation from occurring again. The owner may still see the occasional flea on the pet. Remember, it can take up to 12 hours for them to die. For myself, if I see 2 or 3 fleas on a pet that is regularly treated, I consider the product doing its job. If I see a dozen or more fleas on a pet that is regularly treated, the environment is in need of treatment. ✂

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

Find Groomer to Groomer Magazine on

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WORDS from the WISE E by Daryl Conner e

“T

he only good thing to do with good advice is pass it on; it is never of any use to oneself.” — Oscar Wilde

Jean Benjamin was a popular midcoast Maine dog groomer for 39 years. She is happily retired now, but gave me some good advice. “I think you should write an article about groomer health.” That sounded interesting, so I asked her to explain what she had in mind. “I started grooming later, not right out of high school. But I had some work practices that have had lingering repercussions.” For example, “I spent hours holding the telephone next to my ear by balancing it between my head and shoulder. I have terrible neck problems now, and I am sure it is because of that. When we used to use regular

phones, I had a thing that cushioned the receiver and that helped, but now with thin little cell phones, it’s even worse. I have back problems now, too, from lifting all those big dogs.” At some point she cut her client list down to only small dogs, and that helped her a lot. “I also taught myself how to be somewhat ambidextrous. I am right handed, but I taught myself to use my left hand to brush and comb. I also taught myself to use the computer mouse with my left hand. “Even small changes like that can help give your dominant hand a rest.” Jean also advised:

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

Buy and wear really good shoes when you work. Work ergonomically, minimize how much you have to twist and turn to reach your tools. Learn to groom sitting at least part of the time. Use really good anti-fatigue mats where you are standing. Read everything!

Invest in a Clipper Vac. Your lungs will thank you. She said, “Remember, our bodies are fragile. With luck you’ll get old someday, and you’ll still need your body to be working well.” Her words got me thinking, and I asked other groomers who have been in the industry a while what advice they might offer to people just

starting out. Liz Czak, owner of Yankee Clipper Pet Grooming and Supplies in Rockport, Maine, has more than 50 years experience grooming. She said, “Hire a good CPA to help you make the most of your money. I always thought they were for bigger businesses, but getting great financial advice is important for small businesses, too. They will help you by finding tax advantages and help money from your small business to grow. Also, if you own or think you want to open your own business, take a business class, you don’t necessarily need to get a degree, but at least check out continuing education classes in your area. There is so much to learn about marketing and running a small the

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business, and the best way to do things is always changing.” Liz’s advice about education was echoed by many other people I asked. Scott Wasserman said, “You should never be so busy that you can’t take a weekend to learn.” He was referring to the educational trade shows held around the country. Ginger Lute said, “Do not think whatever schooling you initially got to become a groomer is the end of your education. Always continue to learn, even at 5, 10, 20 or 30 years. Grooming is a never ending education experience.” Willa Elston agreed, “Do whatever it takes to continue to educate yourself, things change all the time in this business.” Remember that educational opportunities exist in many forms. On-line classes can be great, and you can learn in your pajamas with your pets snuggled up next to you! OTHER NUGGETS OF GREAT ADVICE WERE: Never badmouth another groomer in your community. If you want to outdo the competition, be the best groomer in town. (Charla Dalman)

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

Give yourself time to do the job right. Eat a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner. Grooming is a high stress job that requires energy. If you work hungry and stressed, you are more apt to have accidents. (Bonnie Hayslett) Don’t be afraid to say “No.” You don’t have to groom every dog that comes through your doors. (Bonnie Hayslett)

Protect your eyes, ears and lungs. Wear safety glasses, hearing protection and a mask to filter particles. (Ellen Ehrlich) Investing in good tools is just that, an investment. They will help you earn more money because you will work more eﬃciently and faster. (Advice from many)

Buy tools that will help you work ergonomically; good lift tables, tubs that you don’t have to bend over to wash dogs, clippers and scissors that fit your hand and don’t stress your joints. If something hurts when you do it, find a better tool or a different method to get that task accomplished. (Advice from many) Find a mentor. A good mentor always finds the time to help a “newbie”, even if it is exchanging emails or messages. (Mary Arnold) Take a pet first aid class. That one skill has the potential to save the life of an animal. (M.A) Stay out of the drama on Facebook. It’s unprofessional. (M.A.) Dress professionally. (M.A.)

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

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Decide your priorities. For me, it is the health and comfort of the dog first, then what the client wants, and finally what my ego wants. Your priorities may differ, but it’s nice to know what they are. (M.A.)

Be happy. If you hate grooming, it will show. (G.O.)

If you raise your price, tell the client as you are collecting the old price. ‘Just to let you know, I had to raise my prices so next time it will be $___.’ Then mark on their file that you told them so there are no surprises. (M.A.)

You don’t need to know how to trim every breed. It’s not a bad thing to admit that you don’t know how to trim a ____. (G.O.)

Always be kind, to the pets and the clients. Find nice things to say about every pet, and also say something sincerely nice to each client. (Gloria Ogdahl)

Many people do not like perfume, but they do like bandanas and bows. (G.O.)

Keep your clippers and other tools in good running order. (G.O.) Don’t be afraid to ask questions on how the customer wants the dog groomed. Get specific information about the length they want hair on

the body, tail, and face. Keep a ruler around so you can agree on what an inch really looks like. (G.O.) You don’t have to be the world’s best groomer to succeed. If you are kind, the pet is really clean, the trim even and the face cute, most customers will love your work. (Diana Rutherford) Be honest, always. (Advice from many) It’s a wonderful thing when people who really understand our work take time to share what they have learned with others. Why do they do it? Because grooming matters! ✂

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TO PRE-BOOK OR NOT TO PRE-BOOK E by Joey Villani e

s it goes, most groomers work for every penny earned. There are days when you can make a killing and there are days when you sit there waiting for the phone to ring. Well, what if there was a way to have more control and peace of mind knowing that the salon is booked each and every day, without that major drop-off giving you a good feeling, just

knowing that business is consistent? It’s been my experience finding out that some of the best groomers are not the best business people. My business lecture tour has proven this to me. I’ve seen and heard about salons that have all the bells and whistles with the best equipment, trained staff, grooming salon manners and all the beauty, but they can’t make any mon-

ey. No matter what, if you can’t make money doing business then something is wrong and change is needed. One very simple change that costs you nothing is to make your client’s pre book their pets’ appointment, it’s not as hard as you may think. The first thing I want to get into your mind is this; in an independent study, salons that have a

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A pet that comes in on schedule becomes easier to groom which makes the process quicker and gives you the ability to groom another pet or two in a given day, which adds up at the end of the week. pre booking program have shown to have an increased year-end profit of up to 40% as opposed to salons that do not. If you are not used to doing this it takes some time to master and only works if you stick to it. First off, you cannot be afraid to push your program.

Remember, you are not doing anything wrong and should not feel like you are taking advantage of your client. All pets need to be groomed anyway to promote good health and look great, so why not make it work for you? The majority of pets should see

the groomer once every four to eight weeks, some sooner, some later, but with this being the majority, that would be where I would start my program. How do I get people on board if they are not used to this? First off, give them incentives to want to pre book. These are a few I like: Express check in and out, meaning they can be the first in and the earliest out when possible. Free flea treatment and de-skunking when needed (this would be included in the regular grooming price). A study conducted by Sandra Lemire, former owner of Senproco, shows that a clean pet that is regularly groomed has less of a chance of attracting fleas, being that the fleas do not like a clean environment. So what I am saying is that you would be offering something that you may never have to perform because the pet is already being kept

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EARN MORE GROOM CATS

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www.aaroncopet.com Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

clean. Also, how many times does a pet get sprayed by a skunk in their lifetime? Not all that often. I also offer 10% off on the regular grooming price. A pet that comes in on schedule becomes easier to groom which makes the process quicker and gives you the ability to groom another pet or two in a given day, which adds up at the end of the week. You also will see the pet more often in a year’s time than you would if you did not pre book them. And on holidays they get to book an appointment first, before non-pre- bookers. You can offer anything you want just be careful not to give up the shop. Everything I offered was nothing that really impacted the groomer nor the salon, not making it a big inconvenience for them. But what it does do is makes them a lot more money, which can be the maker or

breaker in business. This will ONLY work if two factors happen. First, they must pre-book before they leave your salon. ‘I’ll call you after I check my schedule’ or ‘I’ll get back to you’ will not ensure a booking. Now there are exceptions. If Ms. Jones always pre-books and one time needs to check her schedule, I would be alright with that. It’s the ones who always want it to work to their advantage that you have to watch out for. This is for your advantage not theirs. The reason we do this in the first place is to have peace of mind so that when I look at my appointment schedule I see bookings for the next 8 weeks without so many holes. I know that I have business coming in and that’s a great feeling. Second, you must confirm the appointment the night before in order for this to work properly, or it does not work at all. If you don’t want to do

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this, there are services that can do it for you, but it must be done. Any client that does not follow the policy should go back to the regular price and lose privileges of the program until they fall back in. Here’s a simple way to look at it, even if I only get a 25% increase and I am making $100,000 in total revenue that’s now $125,000. So I’ll leave you with this, ask yourself, do I need that extra $25,000? I rest my case. ✂ Joey Villani had 35 years of experience under industry visionary John Nash. He trained thousands of groomers as an instructor and director of Nash schools. In 1995, he became the owner of the Nash Academy of Animal Arts, New Jersey. Joey is an IJA judge and four-time nominee for Judge of the Year. As a judge on Animal Planet’s Groomer Has It, a grooming-based reality TV show, Joey brought a technical insight to the show.

the

NEW ENGLAND

GROOMING SHOW

FALL FUN FOR GROOMERS RETURNS TO WARWICK, RI, OCT. 31—NOV. 2

hat better way to start the fall season than attending a grooming show in beautiful Rhode Island? The New England Grooming Show returns this fall, taking place on Halloween weekend, October 31st-November 2nd, at the Crown Plaza in Warwick, RI. Friday’s classes will include some exciting new demos and seminars, taught by the best in the industry! In Cheryl Purcell’s ‘I Want That!,’ she will go over some new grooming gadgets and advise what will make your

job easier and what you can live without. Every groomer should be prepared, in the case of a pet medical emergency. Get certified at the show in the Red Cross Pet First Aid and CPR certification course. Join Jodi Murphy for a crash course in grooming those ‘Designer Breeds’ that we all have flooding our salons. The rest of the weekend is filled with live demos and informative seminars that you don’t want to miss. Sue Zecco will be doing a ‘Super Styling Heads’ demo, inspired by the

popular Super Styling Sessions DVD. Explore the trends of the industry with Cat Opson doing ‘Japanese Freestyle Grooming’ and Angela Kumpe doing ‘Clipper Art: With and Without Color.’ In addition, we have some great business seminars with Joey Villani, ‘Salon Sanitization’ and ‘Dental Care’ with Mary Oquendo, and more live demos. In celebration of the fall holiday, we will also be hosting a Halloween party, so start planning your costumes now. We hope to see you there! ✂

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

BREAD & BUTTER GROOMING:

FAST & EASY PET TRIMS FOR THE SALON by Kathy Rose

AFTER BEFORE

MINI DOODLE COIF T

he “Doodles” that grace our Bread & Butter list are ever growing, as their popularity skyrockets. Their sizes, shapes, coat types and temperaments are as varied as their parentage. For this segment, a lovely Mini Labradoodle with a profuse double coat was our model. Although the body coat is quite dense, the furnishings are of a wispier nature and are better addressed with super blenders or thinning shears rather than snap on combs or scissors. A “0” snap on comb placed over a #30 blade was used on all clipper work.

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

This double coat requires thorough coat preparation with a quality pet shampoo and conditioner, followed by fluff drying. Meticulous brushing and combing are of the utmost importance. Customary prep work such as ear cleaning, nail clipping, sanitary and pad trimming should also be completed. Fig.1) Stand to the rear of the dog and begin clipping just behind the ear, leaving a triangle of coat (crest) on the back of the neck to the withers. Clip down the sides of the neck to the shoulder. The crest will be blended later, helping to create a smooth

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transition from the back to the neck to the head. Fig.2) Continue clipping the entire topline and body, following the coat growth direction. When you clip the flanks you will need to alter the direction to a downward motion, in order to follow the coat growth direction. Clip over the point of rump all the way down, only the rear portion of the leg, to a few inches above the hock. Leave a small triangle of coat at the croup (base of tail) to blend later. Fig.3) Clip the upper portion of the outer thigh, “falling off ” before getting into the lower leg coat or the

front of the thigh and tuck up area. Fig.4) Support the rear assembly and then clip the undercarriage, trimming against coat growth direction. This will help smooth the cowlicks and assist in creating a tidy underline. If you are uncomfortable handling your clipper with either hand, you can trim the other side of the underline from the front of the dog when you move forward. Fig.5) Stand to the side of the dog and lift the ears and beard out of the way and clip under the ear all the way down over the shoulder. “Falling off” before clipping into the leg coat. Fig.6) Move to the front of the dog and lift the ears and beard out of the way. Clip under the jaw to the breastbone. Fig.7) Clip over the point of shoulder, “falling off” before clipping into the leg coat. Continue around to

the other side and repeat step 6. At this point you can clip the other side of the underline if you did not yet trim it. Fig.8) Use super blenders to create a level topline then blend upward from the withers to the back of the neck. Fig.9) Blend the coat at the croup to create a smooth transition onto the back. Fig.10) Use super blenders to blend a slight tuck up into the natural underline. The longest part of the underline should be directly between the front legs, then curving upward toward the chest. For the rear feet, use short curved shears to create a round foot. Place the shears at a 45° angle to the foot and trim the front of the foot first. Using the curved shear, tidy up the stray hairs from the hock to the foot.

FIG. 1

FIG. 2

FIG. 3

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FIG. 4

FIG. 5

FIG. 6

Fig.11) Tidy the front portion of the rear legs using super blenders. Gently lift the rear leg in a natural position and tidy to the bend in stifle, and then curve upward toward the loin, blending into the tuck up. While standing to the outside of the dog, tidy the front inside of the rear leg. Move to the rear of the dog and tidy the inside and outside of the rear legs, creating parallel columns. Move to the front of the dog. Round the front feet, then trim the front legs to create parallel columns. Be sure to keep the bottom portion of the leg and foot in balance with the upper leg. Tighten the shoulder using super blenders. This will help place the dog’s legs under him. With a #10, trim the lips. Flip the ear over and trim the coat on the

inside and just in front of the ear to create a “ventilation strip”. This will help to permit air to reach the ear and also help the ear to lie smoothly to the head. Lightly trim the eye corners with thinning shears. To save the eyelashes, comb the foreface coat up. Then place your thumb over the lashes, which will also close the dog’s eye. Use small shears to trim the coat over the eye to the outside corner of the eye. Now, comb the foreface coat forward, hold your shears at a 45° angle and trim the coat across the foreface to the outside corner of the eyes. Comb up, and then repeat. This helps to “stack” this softer coat, helping it to stand up for a fuller looking topknot with a slight overhang. Flip the ear back then comb the cheek coat outward. Use super blenders or thinning shears to blend into

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FIG. 7

FIG. 8

FIG. 9

FIG. 10

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the topknot. Pull the ear forward and blend the crest of longer coat that was not clippered earlier. With the ear in a natural position, comb downward and then tidy the edges to a slightly rounded shape. Pull the tail straight back and then comb the hair downward. Tidy the edges to a slightly rounded shape. This coif is not a low maintenance trim and will require diligent brushing and/or frequent trips to the salon. A comprehensive conversation with your client will help you determine how to adapt the trim length, at home brushing regime and frequency of salon visits. This will keep the Doodle on your Bread & Butter client list! ✂

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

NEW PRODUCTS SMARTWAY DOUBLE CATCH HAIR INTERCEPTOR

In 1969, during the infancy of the grooming industry, Leonard Sciarrino patented the first grooming table. His new product is the SMARTWAY Double Catch Hair Interceptor. The SMARTWAY 3 ½” universal basket strainer is easily installed and fits into standard plumbing. It enables the bather to clear away hair and debris through the top of the bathing unit. The SMARTWAY is patented and certified to meet local plumbing codes. With a large capacity drain, SMARTWAY saves time and money by reducing the need for a bather to clear away hair from under the bathing unit. Contact Mike at Smartwayhairinterceptor@gmail.com.

VAC-U-SHIELD® NAIL GRINDER ATTACHMENT

The patented Vac-U-Shield® by PSDG, proven in industrial use for over 20 years, easily fits on all Dremel® nail grinders. VacU-Shields® unique Clear Shield protects

your eyes, and lungs from ﬂying infected nail fungus spores, dirt, bacteria, pollen and other toxic air borne irritants that can be sprayed into the air by grinders not equipped with the Clear Shield. It funnels the debris into a high velocity hose into your standard vacuum unit. The Vac-UShield’s Clear Shield allows you to easily see your work while helping to protect you from dangerous potential health hazards. A significant difference. For more information email info@Vac-U-Shield.com.

Aloe Shampoo 33:1 concentrate used for the relief of itchy dry skin, Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo Fragrance Free 33:1 concentrate, Oatmeal & Aloe Conditioner 10:1 concentrate to detangle and relieve itching, HypoAllergenic Shampoo 33:1 concentrate for sensitive skin and allergies, Mango Tango Conditioning Shampoo 33:1 concentrate to condition and detangle and Tea Tree Oil & Aloe Shampoo 33:1 concentrate for soothing itch relief, hot spots and skin conditions. For more information on earthbath products go to www.earthbath.com.

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Earthbath is proud to announce the release of new 2.5 gallon bottles of concentrated shampoos and conditioner intended for use by professional groomers. These new larger sizes provide groomers an economical way to ensure that their client’s pets will be treated to the finest all natural shampoos and conditioners the market has to offer. The new 2.5 gallon sizes ($89) include: earthbath’s Oatmeal &

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Healthy Essentials Vital 11 Spray contains an exclusive blend of 11 strains of live and viable probiotics. It is a shelf stable, liquid spray that does not need mixing or refrigeration. Just shake thoroughly before use. It’s easy to spray on your dog’s food. Dogs love the taste, and there are over 300,000 viable colony forming probiotic organisms per ml. Best results are achieved when used daily throughout every life stage of your dog. Healthy Essentials Probiotic Food Spray is available only at independent pet stores. For more information or to find a store near you, visit www. healthyessentialspet.com or call toll-free at 1-855-816-3871.

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PETEDGE MASTER EQUIPMENT PRO DELUX TUB

The Master Equipment 48” Everyday Pro Deluxe Tub with an electric base easily moves up and down with foot pedals, helping prevent back strain from lifting dogs. The electric lift has a black hammertone finish. Tub basin is made of 16-gauge, 304-type stainless steel that won’t bend under pressure, with additional rivets along the bottom of the tub that provide extra support for bathing heavy pets. Sides, backsplash, and optional cabinetare 19-gauge stainless steel. The mold-resistant silicone caulking provides a long-lasting, watertight seal. Features three 1” diameter plumbing holes (that fit 4” or 8” plumbing hookups), a 3 1/4” pre-drilled drain hole, and four u-shaped restraint bolts for holding a grooming loop. Includes a free tub rack and shampoo rack. www.PetEdge.com.

TOPVET SPLASH PLUS

TopVET DermaCare is launching Splash Plus, a new veterinary shampoo developed to bring fast relief to pets with common skin conditions such as itching and foul odor. Splash Plus is poised to be the most effective topical product to cleanse and restore skin to a healthy condition without the use of antibiotics. It is a safe, non-drying shampoo for dogs prone to skin allergies, atopic dermatitis, foul-smelling coat and infection. Splash Plus does not mask odor with fragrance. For more information, samples and media interviews, contact Barbara Fight barb@fight-media.com or 917-716-9183.

GROOMER’S HELPER® ‘ESSENTIAL’

Groomers Helper® introduces the NEW “Essential,” only $49.95 for a Starter Set, which includes the Groomers Helper® patented safety loop. It’s great for pet owners, breeders, schools, kennels, rescues and professional pet groomers. It will fit both 1” and ¾” square grooming arms. Available in both Starter and Professional Sets. The Essential is rated for all pets up to 45lbs. The “Essential” will pay for itself in a few short days. You will be able to groom more pets in less time and time is money. The “Essential” comes with a 100% “Satisfaction Guaranty” and a “Lifetime Warranty.” For more info visit GroomersHelper.com or call 1-866-987-2426.

TOOTH TO TAIL ANTIOXIDANT ORAL GEL

More love for Fido and Felix, thanks to Tooth to Tail Antioxidant Oral Gel, the new pet breath freshener. Tooth to Tail freshens pet breath using powerful antioxidants, plus menthol and thymol, that neutralize volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), the root cause of bad breath. Unlike products that only mask breath odor, the gel works with natural antioxidants in saliva to continuously combat VSCs. In a clinical study, eight out of ten owners reported improved pet breath within days of using the gel. No toothbrush needed. Just dab the tasty gel on the applicator and let your pet lick it off.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS CALIFORNIA

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10/31/2014 — 11/2/2014 Warwick RI PET BOARDING & DAYCARE EXPO

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Pet Release Forms A Little Light Humor for a Serious Subject! These cartoony Pet Release Forms explain – in a gentle way – the pet owner’s responsibility to the groomer and give you the right to obtain emergency treatment for their pet. One popular television judge even sided with the groomer because she had her client sign a Fuzzy Pet Form. MIX & MATCH STYLES! 50 FORMS PER PAD

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 33 Ed 9 • September 2014

Your Pet Care onal ofeofssi Prcare Taking your Puppy at home…

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Your Pet Care Professional

When Your Pet Needs a Smoothie

Lear ning to Br ush Your Pet

nal

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chnique to you, Brush Your brushing cannot

Because you and your professional groomer took the time to introduce your puppy to grooming in a step-by-step, gentle, loving way, you made your puppy’s all-imp ortant first visit to the grooming salon a wonder ful experience that will help him enjoy being groomed throughout his life.

Askhave Youra Groom friend who er could If you a Copy this publication, from beneﬁtfor e pass it on. pleasof

Learning to Brush Your Pet Pamphlet

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Fleas have to come in contact with the product to be killed. That means that fleas actually have to get on, and could possibly bite your pet, before they die. There is also a possibility of skin irrita tion at the site of application.

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Photo by: Sherri Regalb

ur time neﬁts in ing, not to

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In many areas of the country, flea control is a year round necessity. In conjunction with cont inuing premise control, many pet own ers have great success with oral or topical prod ucts that are administered once a month to their pet. The y come in a variety of brands like - Advantage ®, Frontline®, Revolution®, and Program®. There are specific form ulations for dogs and cats, and most are approved to use on puppies and kittens six to eight weeks and olde r. Read and follow the instructions, making sure to use the product that is specified for your pet. These products are extremely popular because of their once a month convenience, ease of application, and effectiveness. Most are waterproof, allowing your pet to be bathed, or to swim, without decr easing the product’s effectiveness. Also, keeping your pet flea free with this continuous protectio n, is far less costly than trying to eliminate an infestation on your pet and in your home.

Between professional groomings, you may need to brush and bathe your puppy at home. Your groomer can recommend and supply the equipment and coat care products that you will need. She will also be happy to demonstrate the correct brushing and combing techniq ues that you need to learn to properly care for your puppy.

ring spend pecial ur pet. s hair more ort em as oming. reinforce

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cause any irritation to himself. Remem ber that his freshly clipped nails may be sharp and can easily irritate his puppy skin. If you have any questions or concerns, contact your groomer immediately.

ll at ou

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Written by Professional Groomers for Your Clients! 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

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Pet Report Cards Like a teacher, now you can grade each pet from an A+ to an F. A time-saving checklist of common recommendations is included with space for your personal comments. It doubles as a reminder or appointment card. Your clients will tell their friends about your caring pet report card.

Little Angel Award Great gift for puppy’s first grooming, new clients, promotions, and incentives! Available Colors

“This certifies that _____ has successfully completed a professional grooming in our establishment. Your pet has exemplified courage when confronting combs, brushes, clippers, and scissors and has shown valor in crossing the waters of shampoo, creme rinse and dip. It is with great pride that your pet has been selected as a Paw-fect specimen of beauty to be held in highest esteem by this grooming establishment.” Barkleigh Productions, Inc. barkleigh.com • barkleighstore.com • (717) 691-3388 GroomertoGroomer.com Reader Reader Service Service Card Card #9941 #9862

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 32 Ed 4 • April 2013

Air Purifying, Drying, and Moving Experts

The Professional Solution for a Superior Grooming Salon Is your grooming salon ready to take the leap into advanced technology? XPOWER introduces the most progressive solution to the daily troubles of workplace contamination!

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