Groomer to Groomer August 2022

“THE GROOMING INDUSTRY’S TRADE MAGAZINE!” VOL.41 ED.8 • AUGUST 2022

WWW. GROOMERTOGROOMER .COM

AWARD-WINNING GROOMER

JAY SCRUGGS WAY MORE THAN MOBILE

4

BIGGEST

CHALLENGES

OF MOBILE GROOMING

CREATIVE SOLUTIONS

FOR GROWING YOUR BUSINESS

ASIAN

FREESTYLE GROOMING IS IT HERE TO STAY?

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CONTENTS | AUGUST 2022

4

Biggest Challenges

Hosler: Are You Protected?

of Mobile Grooming

28

by Dr. Cliff Faver

House-Call Grooming Concerns

Addressed 48

by Deborah Hansen

6

Bishop-Jenkins: Painless De-matting Demystified

10

Award Winning Groomer Jay Scruggs: Way More Than Mobile

18

Oquendo: You Can No Longer Groom, Now What?

24

Asian Freestyle Grooming: Is It Here To Stay?

32

Creative Solutions for Growing Your Business

38

Conner: Going The Extra Mile With Travel Grooming

44

Ukranian Groomer Endures a War to Care For The Pets of Kharkiv

52

PetQuest 2022 Contest Results

58

New Products

64

Classifieds

65

Show Schedule

66

ON THE COVER “THE GROOMING INDUSTRY’S TRADE MAGAZINE!”

EDITOR/PRESIDENT Todd Shelly todd@barkleigh.com

ART DIRECTOR Laura Pennington laura@barkleigh.com

MARKETING COORDINATOR Allison Smith allison@barkleigh.com

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER Adam Lohr adam@barkleigh.com

SR. GRAPHIC DESIGNER Brandi Aurelio brandi@barkleigh.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER/ EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Karin Grottola karin@barkleigh.com

ASSISTANT EDITOR Gwen Shelly gwen@barkleigh.com

WEB MASTER Luke Dumberth luke@barkleigh.com

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & CLIENT RELATIONS James Severs james@barkleigh.com

MANAGING EDITOR Rebecca Shipman rebecca@barkleigh.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Cassidy Ryman cassidy@barkleigh.com

DIGITAL MARKETING Evan Gummo evan@barkleigh.com

Kathy Hosler

Mary Oquendo

Deborah Hansen

Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins

Daryl Conner

Jonathan David

Dr. Cliff Faver

Blake Hernandez

Copyright August 2022. 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

VOL.41 ED.8 • AUGUST 2022

WWW. GROOMERTOGROOMER .COM

AWARD-WINNING GROOMER

JAY SCRUGGS WAY MORE THAN MOBILE

4 BIGGEST

CHALLENGES

OF MOBILE GROOMING

CREATIVE SOLUTIONS

FOR GROWING YOUR BUSINESS

ASIAN

FREESTYLE GROOMING IS IT HERE TO STAY?

Jay Scruggs, owner of Here Comes the Groom Mobile Dog Grooming

5

Grooming Gab

ARE

YOU

by Kathy Hosler

6

ow could this happen to me?” sobs mobile groomer Shawna. “What am I going to do?”

Two days ago Shawna groomed Brady. When she got to his house, she could see that his hair was really matted.

Shawna showed the matting to his owner and told her that Brady would have to have a short haircut.

His owner said, “Well, leave it as long as you can. Brady is an F-1 Mini Aussie Golden Doodle and he is supposed to have lots of hair. Oh, and the breeder said to tell you to pluck his ears. And, make sure you clip his toenails” Shawna told the owner she would do her best, and took Brady out to her van and got to work. She managed to leave a little hair on his head and face, but everything else was so matted she had to clip him with a #10.

She finished and took him back to the house, and the daughter came to the door.

When she saw Brady, she began to laugh

hysterically. “He looks like a freak,” she said. “What happened to all his hair?”

“I told your Mom he would have to be clipped short because his hair was badly matted,” Shawna explained.

Still laughing and making fun of the dog, the daughter handed Shawna a check and she went out to her van and left.

About twenty minutes later, the Mother called her. Shawna answered her phone and she started screaming, “You ruined my dog. You ruined my beautiful dog.”

Shawna replied with, “I told you that Brady would have to be clipped short because his hair was so matted, and you agreed to it.”

“Short?” she shrieked, “You shaved him bald! My beautiful Brady. Now he is so embarrassed he doesn't even want to go outside. I stopped payment on my check. There is no way I am paying you to butcher my dog!”

Shawna was floored. She showed Brady’s owner that he was very matted

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 8 • August 2022

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and told her he would have to have a short haircut. Why was she so mad?

The next morning, the woman's husband called Shawna. He said, “Look lady, I don't know what you did to my dog, but Brady has been scratching and shaking his head ever since you groomed him—and his ears are bleeding. I am taking him to the vet and you are going to get the bill. When I get back, I'm going to spread all over Facebook what a terrible groomer you are.

Lady, you are going to be out of business!”

What was Shawna supposed to do? She worked so hard on Brady. She did her best, but it was impossible to leave more hair on him. She knew she didn't injure Brady; he was fine when she took him back to the house after the groom. And now they have stopped payment on the check, they want Shawna to pay a vet bill and they are going to blast her on Facebook. Is this one groom going to end her career?

Shawna made some big mistakes

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pet's record. Don't just show them the matting, also explain how painful it is for a pet when mats develop— and how it can be even more painful when someone tries to de-mat it.

Your first priority should always be the safety and the wellbeing of the pet. But, even if it is horribly matted, you don't have the right to clip it down without owner consent. Only the owner has the right to determine what is done to their pet.

Most groomers give owners of matted pets three options: 1) to have the pet clipped down and start over, 2) to take the pet to another groomer for a second opinion, or 3) for the owner to try to brush out the mats at home.

which left her wide open to the wrath of the owners. She wanted to do what was best for the dog, but she failed to protect herself while doing it. Because she did not take photos of Brady, Shawna had no proof of his condition before, or after, the groom. And, she did not have the owner sign a matted pet consent form, which was a big mistake.

Here are some steps you can take with new pets as well as returning clients that can help prevent you from having an experience like Shawna did: 1. At the appointment intake, do an assessment of the pet with the owner present. Take a few minutes to explain the grooming process and what it entails. That goes a long way toward establishing good communication with clients.

2. If there is matting, show it to the owner and document it on the

3. You must protect yourself. Have every client sign a release, whether it is a general grooming release, matted pet release, senior pet release, etc. If they

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don't want to sign, that's a big red flag.

If you see red flags or have an uneasy feelings about the pet or the owner, you can decline the groom.

4. When an owner consents to have their pet clipped down, make sure they understand what the finished pet will look like. Show owners before and after pictures of other matted pets that you have done so they know what to expect. Many groomers keep a sample “pelt” to show owners how it can look fine on the outside, but be like a Brillo pad next to the skin.

5. Take before and after photos of every pet you groom. It only takes seconds to do, yet it gives you proof of the pet's condition when it came in and what it looked like when finished.

6. During the groom, take photos and document everything! You never know what you may find under matted hair; hot spots, parasites, skin issues, etc. Ideally, you should video the entire groom.

Some problems don't appear until after the groom. If you have to clip all the hair off the ears, a dog may shake its head repeatedly which could cause bloody hematomas to form on their ends. After you remove mats that have been on them for months, a pet is likely to scratch, chew or rub itself.

It only takes a matter of minutes for a dog to cause a skin injury to itself.

That's where photos of the finished pet can prevent you from being accused of injuring it.

7. Anytime you clip a pet down, explain after-groom care to the owner.

Additionally, print the information as a handout and give it to them.

If Shawna had followed these suggestions, Brady's owners would have known what to expect. And with a signed release and photos of Brady's groom, Shawna would have protected herself.

Are you protected? &

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Groomer’s Guide

Painless

Demystified

by Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins

T

10

he very subject of mats and tangles or de-matting dogs can induce silent screams in many groomers.

Certain dogs’ coats are more prone to matting than others, and it seems like it is always hard work for us and not much fun for the dog, either.

Let’s face it…this is not the most inspirational aspect of our work. However, there are ways to greatly reduce your mat-induced stress by learning to work with a dog’s natural coat, not against it. This can be one of the most important skills groomers can possess. These little-known but tried-and-true methods of removing mats work amazingly well, and with minimal effort on our part and no pain on the dog’s part.

etc., or if it is a “Hair”-type coat (undetermined length or UDL; hair that grows and grows until it is cut or breaks), which would be your Poodles, Shih Tzus, Yorkies, etc. Whatever the hair/fur is doing on the upper torso, or jacket, is critical in determining its coat type.

Once the fur or hair determination has been made, the conversation with the pet owner becomes less complicated. A grooming schedule can be set with fur-type dogs scheduled around the predictably more intensive shedding months of the year.

Hair-type dogs can be scheduled based on the owner’s length preference and lifestyle, and the puberty coat change that can lead to intense matting and tangling virtually overnight can also be discussed.

Determine the Coat Type

Isn’t Shaving Easier?

Deciding on the best approach for a matted dog begins by determining whether that dog has a “Fur”-type coat (predetermined length or PDL; hair that grows to a certain length and stops), which would include your Golden Retrievers, Labs, German Shepherds,

Dogs aren’t like humans whose hair can eventually grow back following a bad haircut. Groomers are in the coat protection business—not the coat destroying business. While simply shaving a dog down might seem like less hassle in the short term, in the long run, shaving is al-

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most always not the best approach. There are several reasons why all groomers should prioritize protecting and restoring a dog’s natural coat.

First, scientific studies have confirmed that the thin-skinned dog relies entirely on its much more extensive fur/ hair coat for protection. Coat and skin are described in veterinary dermatology textbooks as having eighteen important functions for all dogs, including hydration, nutrient storage, immune support, thermoregulation and other vital protections from diverse external threats.

Chief among these threats are cancers caused by sunshine and ultra-violet light reaching the dog’s skin. Dogs need their natural coats to protect their skin’s Langerhans cells (part of their immune system) which can die or become cancerous when exposed to direct light of any kind. Dog cancers have dramatically increased in recent decades and sun exposure to skin is paramount among the causes. This reason alone is enough to help caring groomers commit to never

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"Fur"-type coats grow to a predetermined length and include: • Golden Retriever • German Shepherd • Labrador, etc.

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shaving a dog for any reason except medical or otherwise under veterinary supervision. Even then they must be clothed, covered with sunscreen or kept inside until they have adequately grown back enough coat.

There are other threats to a dog’s health if their protective coat is removed—many of them microscopic.

Shaved dogs are more likely to have a host of other issues such as parasites, injuries, infections, fungus and more.

Most importantly, fur-type coats cannot be shaved (especially on the jacket or upper-torso area) without doing permanent damage to the coat. Unlike hair-type dogs, the genetic programming of their follicles and growth cycles differs between the topcoat and undercoat. Because shaving does not differentiate between the two, a shaved coat can’t grow back the same as before after being shaved.

Hair-type coats can usually be cut shorter if medically necessary without permanent damage, but the above cautions about staying out of the sun and being protected from other environmental threats should be carefully observed.

I never go shorter than a #4 blade, and then only if necessary.

De-matting of a Hair-Type Coat

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Fur- and hair-type coats are de-matted differently, and using the following steps can make the job easier for you and painless for the dog. Remember to keep track of the extra time de-matting takes and charge for it!

Let’s use as a hair-type matted coat example of a combination-coated Bernedoodle. They are, as many doodles are, a cross between fur and hair types and, therefore, highly prone to matting.

During puberty, this heavy hair-type coat can get extremely matted very quickly, especially if they get wet.

All the sensitive areas—behind ears, under armpits, feet and sanitary regions—can be clipped short, as needed.

The goal here is to save the jacket area,

FOUR

STEP STEP TWO TWO torso, neck, and top and sides of the head, and keep as much on the legs as possible to protect the dog and give the owner the look they love about their dog.

STEP ONE Pre-scissor all the matted areas down to anywhere from a half inch to one inch in length from the body. The thicker the hair and the tighter the mats, the closer to the skin you must go, but you only need to cut off the top half of all the mats. After finishing this step, there will still be mats on the dog, but they are open on the top and are shorter.

Don’t use your best finish scissors to do this! I always keep a set of big old “hack-offthe-mats” scissors for this kind of work.

STEP ONE STEP TWO

STEP TWO STEP THREE

Pre-condition by wetting down the dog in the tub and slathering them with lots of creamy conditioner. Work it into

the coat and massage it down to the skin. After massaging it in, let it soak for 10 minutes or more, depending on the thickness of the coat and the severity of the mats. Remember to charge for the extra conditioner you will be using!

STEP STEP THREE THREE

Bathe as normal with a gentle shampoo, rinse thoroughly and generously apply conditioner again.

STEP STEP FOUR FOUR

Use your high-velocity dryer while the coat is soaking in conditioner as close to the skin and mats as the dog will tolerate. Remember to always wear hearing protection and have the dog’s ears covered in a hoodie when using a high-velocity dryer. Hold the dryer perpendicular,

STEP STEP FIVE FIVE LEARNING HAS

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Final Rinse, blow dry and brush out as normal. The formerly matted hair-type coat can be easily brushed and groomed without having to brush so hard that the skin might be injured. The pre-scissoring on the mats will leave the coat uneven but you can even it up by running a guard comb through once it’s all brushed out.

The key to this whole de-matting process on a hair-type dog is the pre-scissoring to open the mat and then soaking it in conditioner.

STEP ONE TWO

De-Matting of a Fur-Type Coat

STEP TWO STEP THREE

Heavy matting in shedding, fur-type breeds is very different from what happens in hair-type dogs. Hair-type coats genuinely knot up, but fur-type coats always have two parts to them: the topcoat (or guard hairs) and the insulating undercoat made up of wooly secondary hairs that shed out rapidly multiple times a year.

Our job with a fur-type coat is to protect the outer topcoat while freeing the undercoat which has already been released from the skin but hasn’t been able to shed out on its own because it has become tangled. Remember, on a furtype dog the matting is in the undercoat, not the topcoat.

Let’s use as our example a heavily matted Bernese Mountain dog. This is a fur-type shedding coat, but if the dog is very old, young, very active, neglected or a swimmer, this undercoat can get badly entangled and not shed out as it normally would. The wooly undercoat can even sit tight against the skin and form an interlocking pelt. Long-term neglect can cause this to harden and feel like it is impenetrable, but it is not—I promise!

STEP THREE STEP FOUR

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STEP THREE STEP TWO STEP THREE STEP FOUR The shampoo will STEP open the hair shaft THREE STEP cuticle a bit which will FOUR

enable the air from the high-velocity dryer STEP to better “grab” the FIVE entangled undercoat.

STEP ONE STEP ONE STEP TWO STEP TWO

Pre-condition by wetting down the dog in the tub and slathering them with lots of creamy conditioner. Massage it in deeply, all the way to the skin. Let it soak for 10 minutes or more, depending on thickness of the coat and the amount of pelted undercoat.

Blow in the soaking conditioner with the high-velocity dryer as close to the skin as the dog will tolerate, holding it perpendicular to the skin. This will help the conditioner penetrate the matted undercoat and reach to the skin. Blow thoroughly wherever the undercoat is matted.

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STEP THREE STEP TWO STEP THREE Bathe as normal using gentle shampoo and rinse thoroughly.

STEP FOUR STEP THREE STEP FOUR

Use your high-velocity dryer between shampoo and conditioner.

The shampoo will open the hair shaft cuticle a bit which will enable the air from the high-velocity dryer to better “grab” the entangled undercoat. Point the nozzle of the dryer at a 90-degree angle, perpendicular to the skin, as close to the skin as the dog will tolerate. The goal here is to get the forced air to lift the matted undercoat away from the skin. Remember, the matted undercoat has already released from the hair follicle so the air should lift the pelted undercoat away from the skin, even if only a quarter inch. Then you will easily be able to use your mat splitter to slice the mats open.

STEP FIVE STEP FOUR STEP FIVE

STEP FIVE Final condition, split mats apart as needed and continue to dry. Fur-type coats let go of their matted undercoat very easily, but if the pelted undercoat is substantial and resistant, you can take a mat splitter and break it apart into smaller chunks. Splitting them apart helps the dryer lift the pelted mats away from the skin where they can be brushed out easily.

Charge for your extra time and feel good that you have protected that furtype dog’s vital protective topcoat for its lifetime, while painlessly removing the matted undercoat.

The Customer Conversation Engage the matted dog’s owner in an educational conversation about the cause of the mats. Is it neglect and far too infrequent professional grooming?

What about exposure to water? When hair- and longer fur-type coats get wet and are left to dry naturally, they will mat up tightly and quickly.

As you talk to your clients, focus your talking points on what is best for that dog’s coat type. Explain the steps that you will have to take, and the time and expense involved in doing what is right for the dog. Make it clear to the owner in a sympathetic and educational tone that, in addition to frequency of their grooming appointments, the dog’s coat type and their lifestyle choices are central to what the costs of de-matting will be. Agree to help them out the first time, but then mandate a regular prevention

grooming schedule going forward.

Taking a few minutes for customer education is well worth your time.

Ask them about the optimal length to cut a hair-type coat for their preference and lifestyle. Given their goals, how often should they be coming to you? What should the owner do and what tools should they have at home? Carry the tools you recommend in retail and train customers to use them correctly, and always record the dog’s matting history in your software or files.

Many groomers are beginning to charge for grooming services based on their time rather than flat rates.

Calculate your cost of being in business and know what you must pay yourself and staff (if you have any) so you know how much you need to make per hour and how much to charge for de-matting by the minute. My shop upcharges based on the extra time it

takes for de-matting or extra seasonal de-shedding services on top of the base full-groom price.

All dogs of all coat types should be put on a regular, preferably mandatory, grooming schedule. This is especially easier now that the “pandemic puppy” population explosion has highlighted our importance with so many new dog owners having trouble accessing a good groomer. Be bold in requiring them to either stay on a schedule or look for a different groomer.

Groomers are increasingly requiring regular schedules and charging for extra time to de-mat so that we can protect their dog’s skin and coat.

Education and prevention are clearly the best ways to deal with the matting problem before it starts. &

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Groomer Story AWARD-WINNING GROOMER

Jay Scruggs:

WAY MORE THAN MOBILE

by Jen Phillips April

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Y

ou may know Jay Scruggs as a popular speaker and judge at top industry events like Intergroom, Groom Expo and many others. He was also an award-winning competitive groomer, garnering titles such as “American Groomer of the Year” in 2001, the first recipient of the “Groomer of the Year Award” at Westminster Dog Show in 2002 and “Grooming Judge of the Year” in 2004.

But, what you might not know, is that when he’s not globe-trotting to industry events, he runs a high-demand mobile grooming business in Germantown, Tennessee. A pioneer in mobile dog grooming, he started his business, Here Comes the Groom, in 1996, and is now booked out a year in advance.

“We haven’t taken new clients in years and years. I have the same regulars; some dogs are weekly, and others are monthly,” Jay says.

Like most groomers, Jay grew up loving animals. He even worked in a veterinarian’s office while in high school as an assistant wherever he was needed: “I shaved down dogs, cleaned teeth and kennels, even washed the veterinarian’s car,” he recalls.

Jay then headed off to college, unsure of what he wanted to do. Three years in, his mom suggested he take a break. According to Jay, “Moms always know. She said, ‘You don’t know what you want to do. I found a grooming school. Do you want to take a semester off from college and try it?’”

It turns out it was a perfect fit: “The first day I was there, I knew how to hold a clipper from my time at the veterinarian’s office. The instructors said, ‘We think you’re a natural,’” Jay shares.

However, while grooming school went well, his first job wasn’t such a perfect fit: “I lasted one day in a shop.

It was crazy and hectic,” Jay continues.

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“My advice is, first, work for someone in both environments. Some people get claustrophobic in the van, and some don’t like working alone all day. Other people like having people and dogs around them all day in a shop environment.”

-Jay Scruggs

20

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“She told me not to come back; told me I’d never make it in the industry. The following day, I called a mobile groomer and went to work for her. When I won the World Championship in 2001, I sent my first boss a copy of the article and a note that said, ‘Remember me?’”

Things have only gotten better for Jay since those early days. He runs his mobile business as a solo operation and plans to keep it that way: “People always say, ‘Why not get another van? Expand?’ But I like keeping it simple. I’m so particular about what I do. I just raise my prices, and I sleep well at night,” he shares.

Jay is also systematic in his approach to work. When it comes to scheduling his appointments, he doesn’t travel far: “My schedule is tight. I might travel 5-10 minutes in between customers. If you drive 30 minutes in between customers, you could have groomed a dog in that time period,” he states.

When it comes to the grooming work, he also has a process: “It depends on the dog’s preference, but I usually do body work, legs, feet, and then head. I have a lot of once-a-week customers and a few monthly clients. Mostly they’re bath, brush, and maintenance grooms,” Jay continues. “No matted dogs, and that makes it efficient.”

His customers pre-book their appointments for the year in November, so it’s easy to schedule around competitions and other activities. For example, when not involved in dog grooming, Jay finds time to coach his child’s high school basketball team.

When asked if he had any advice for groomers contemplating whether to open a brick-and-mortar shop or do mobile grooming, he said, “My advice is, first, work for someone in both environments. Some people get claustrophobic in the van, and some don’t like working alone all day. Other people like having people and dogs around them all day in a shop environment. Try

“Many groomers burn out because they’re not charging what they’re worth.”

-Jay Scruggs

both out and see what suits you.”

Some other advice Jay offered was investing in quality equipment: “You need an excellent dryer, really good clippers, and a hydraulic table. These make a huge difference in your profitability,” he adds.

Besides good equipment, Jay says these other factors are important for charging premium rates: “Being on time is key. Keep your van clean. Dress and act professionally. Then you can charge the higher rates of a mobile groomer.

“Many groomers burn out because they’re not charging what they’re worth,” he adds. “I say, ‘Our prices start at “X” and go up.’ I would never say, ‘We start at “X” and go to “Y”’ without seeing the dog. If you haven’t seen the dog, you don’t know the coat's condition. For example, if the doodle hasn’t been to the groomer in six months, it will take longer.”

In addition to running his successful

mobile business and being a well-known groomer, judge and speaker, Jay also runs the subscription-based training platform for groomers called Super Styling Sessions in partnership with fellow superstar groomer Sue Zecco. The team now has over 1,400 training videos available ranging from breed trims to everyday questions answered. Jay is also a Wahl Elite Team Member, a Groomer’s Choice Brand rep and has his own line of shears, The Jay Scruggs Signature Series.

Jay is an open book when it comes to grooming and grooming education, and, without a doubt, one of the best.

But he says if he hadn’t been a groomer, he would have found something else to do with his hands: “I also had a lawn care business as a teenager. I’ve fixed up and flipped houses with my wife.

I’ve always worked with my hands,” concludes Jay. &

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Mary’s Musings Grooming Teacher. You likely have years of experience you can share with the upcoming generation of new groomers. Whether you want to open a brickand-mortar school or develop an on-thejob training program to help area shops train new hires, the need is huge.

1

Create Educational Materials.

This could include books, guides, charts, breed flash cards and so forth. I would have killed for breed flash cards when I first started, but it could be anything that is in your professional library.

2

Online Educator. There are multiple professional pet education businesses that I am aware of that are offering online education, and the opportunities are still abound. This doesn’t have to be limited to just teaching breed trims; there’s the other side of grooming which is business, safety and wellness.

3

You Can No Longer Groom,

by Mary Oquendo knew I had an expiration date when it came to the physical aspect of grooming.

Part of it was because I loved grooming the big dogs and it would—without a doubt—take a toll on my body. And the second reason was because my husband has chronic medical conditions, and two broken-down people in our household was not a feasible scenario. So, about 12 years ago, I started looking at what options were available to me that would keep me in the pet industry.

Your reasons may be different, but at some point, something may happen in your life that takes pet grooming out of the equation. Maybe you’re burned out, physically unable, retiring or any other reason that makes it impossible to groom.

But, you may want to remain relevant or continue earning an income in the industry you love.

I realized I had more choices than I thought, ranging from teaching or running the admin side of pet grooming to training or pet sitting. And today, there are more options than ever!

Let’s go over some of those post-grooming, pet industry career options in more detail:

24

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 8 • August 2022

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Shop Manager. Run the grooming shop without actually having to groom. Manage clients, do admin work, payroll, supply ordering, manage employees, and handle check-ins and checkouts. This allows the groomers and bathers to make more money for the shop since their not taking time from their skilled labor to handle these other tasks.

4

Receptionist. I floated this idea in my head for years before deciding on education. This would be similar to a shop manager, except that their focus would be client interactions and client management. Retired groomers know the correct questions to ask clients when checking in and making appointments.

5

Social Media Manager. Do you love Facebook, TikTok and Instagram? More importantly, do you know how to leverage and use these platforms effectively? Guess what—most of us don’t (and don’t want to learn).

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Much of client management can be performed from the comfort of your home office, allowing you to work part-time for several different shops anywhere in the world.

Dog Trainer. Dog training utilizes the practical knowledge of animal behavior that we have observed over the years as groomers to teach practical behaviors to pet owners. The Association of Professional Dog Trainers is a great place 1 to get started.

7

Pet Professional Virtual Assistant. This is an upcoming field within our industry. Much of client management can be performed from the comfort of your home office, allowing you to work part-time for several different shops anywhere in the world.

Dog Walker or Pet Sitter. Most families are double income and need someone to walk, play with, feed or give medications to their pets while they are at work. And, how many of us already have a client list to get started on pet sitting or walking? The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters can help 2 you get started.

Coaching/Consulting. A coach will guide you in whatever facet of help you need. Most coaches will have a specialty. A consultant takes a look at something specific and then tells you what needs to be changed. Both are worth their weight in gold as they can get new professionals from A to B a lot faster without making costly or timely mistakes.

8

9

10

Create products. Who knows better than a groomer what we need to make our life easier? Some of the best products on the market were designed by groomers. Many of the scissor companies even started out as groomer-owned.

11

Not being able to do the physical aspect of grooming does not mean your career is over, but planning now will make the transition easier later. & References: 1. Association of Professional Dog Trainers. https://apdt.com/ 2. The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. https://petsitters.org/

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 8 • August 2022

GroomertoGroomer.com

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Biggest Challenges

of Mobile Grooming

by Dr. Cliff Faver

Mobile is a wonderful service and a great way to work independently doing what you love. However, it does require that you work smart in order to avoid some of the pitfalls that can be associated with it.

I

There are several ways to combat the cost of gas prices increasing. First, take the most efficient route possible. I actually priced out implementing mobile for my

veterinary hospital because I do believe it is a wonderful service. The only way it made sense for my hospital was to upcharge for a luxury service (me going to them) and trying to set up in central locations.

The more you travel, the more time, gas, and wear and tear you have on your vehicle. It is best to market to a smaller area and be wise about the clients you choose to service. If you have to travel five miles for one dog, that is different than if you groom five dogs in the same household. When we first go into business, we want to service everyone, but it doesn’t make sense if the fee doesn’t reflect the costs involved in traveling to the client.

One strategy to compensate for driving longer distances is to charge a mileage fee. Gas has increased immensely, and your prices need to reflect that. If you are not taking this into considerat-

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 8 • August 2022

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t is nice to be independent of other employees and work alone in a mobile grooming setup; you are on your own schedule and no one is looking over your shoulder or making decisions without your input. With that being said, it does come with some potential pitfalls…

Some of the biggest conflicts in working mobile are expenses and time management. They are parameters you have to observe very closely. With the rising gas prices these days, it becomes even more significant. If it costs you $50 to do a $75 groom, you are not making any money. Unlike the brick-and-mortar practices, the gas prices and down/travel time affect your costs directly.

Rising Cost of Travel

28

ion, you might be going backwards financially. The good news is, with this approach, if the cost of gas goes down, you can then back off on the mileage fee.

Many groomers prefer not to do it that way, but there needs to be some type of compensation to make up for the difference. Clients appreciate this a lot more than just raising prices because of the transparency involved.

Consider The “Down Time” Are you booked out weeks to months in advance? Often mobile groomers are because it is a luxury and convenient service that clients love, so you need to be charging accordingly. Mobile prices need to be considerably higher than brick-andmortar, not only because of the convenience, but your “down time” is considerably more than that of a normal salon.

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Keeping spare parts and being able to fix common problems can change your down time and the wait time on parts.

How much money did you spend on repairs? How many hours do you lose a day, a week or a year just in travel time? Travel time adds up quickly, so being efficient in this area is extremely important. But down time is the second most costly. Something to consider is how to minimize this area also. Experienced mobile groomers tell me simple is better. It is always nice to have all the “bells and whistles” that some of the fancy vans and trailers have, but that means more things can go wrong, which also means more down time, harder to get parts and more expense.

There are a lot of advantages in building your own van or trailer. One is you can get it customized to your preference. The second is if you do the work yourself, then you know how to fix things. Keeping spare parts and being able to fix common problems can change your down time and the wait time on parts. Recently the turnaround time has been quite extensive for new parts. If you do need to wait on parts for a couple of weeks, this could affect you both physically and financially. You would have to make up for two weeks of work in an accelerated period of time, or you might end up losing clients as they get tired of waiting.

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 8 • August 2022

Another challenge is the small space to work in. I know groomers that have fell ill from carbon monoxide poisoning or strong products like tick and flea dips because their vans or trailers were not ventilated adequately. This is definitely something to keep in mind so that you don’t put the pets or yourself at risk.

Wintertime can be especially challeng-

GroomertoGroomer.com

ing when you can’t open windows or vents because of the cold. Preventing pets from escaping the small space can also pose as a challenge.

Water Storage Water storage is always a challenge in these units—especially on days with freezing temperatures. This limits what can be used to bathe the dog, but also for clean up between dogs. Without the luxury of unlimited water, you have to be careful to make sure the pets are adequately rinsed to prevent skin issues associated with products left in the coat.

It is also important to make sure that the area is cleaned well to prevent spread of any infectious material between dogs.

Mobile is a wonderful service and a great way to work independently doing what you love. However, it does require that you work smart in order to avoid some of the pitfalls that can be associated with it. Clients love the convenience and accessibility, but remember—it is not necessary to hurt your profits by charging inadequately. & Dr. Cliff Faver graduated with a BS in Biology/BA in Chemistry before getting a Veterinary degree in 1987. He is the past owner of Animal Health Services in Cave Creek, Arizona and now the US distributor for Iv San Bernard products, teaches the ISB Pet Aesthetician Certification program, and speaks internationally on hair and skin. His passion is to merge groomers and veterinarians to aid in helping and healing pets. He is also a member of AVMA, AAHA, AZVMA, Board member with Burbank Kennel Club, and has served on Novartis Lead Committee, Hill’s International Global Veterinary Board, and a Veterinary Management Group.

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Asian Freestyle Grooming: Is It Here To Stay?

by Riza Wisnom

I Ph

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R iz

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 8 • August 2022

f you ask 100 groomers what the biggest trend to hit the industry was in the past ten years, 99 of them will probably say Asian Freestyle grooming, and one will say shampoo frothing. (If you don’t already know about frothing, that’s a story for a different day!)

Asian Freestyle or Asian Fusion grooming is the art of creating an animated or doll-like look on a dog via the use of creative coat sculpting and sometimes splashes of color. Born in the Far East, it spread rapidly from its birthplace of Japan (as some claim) through countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea and more. Thanks to social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, it then made its way west, captivating groomers young and old (OK… mostly young). Older groomers have been heard shouting a sort of “Stay off my lawn” battle cry when it comes to this new method of grooming, and not without good reason. This style has turned all the rules that govern salon styles upside down!

In Asian Freestyle grooming, balance, symmetry and tradition are not a priority. In fact, you could even say that it is eschewed.

The goal of this style is to create an over-the-top cute and cartoonish trim that evokes a sense of whimsy and playfulness. It is pop culture grooming flying in the face of tradition and bringing a new sensibility to grooming. It is fashionable, hence why it is so polarizing. After all, fashion trends do not suit everyone’s taste.

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Consider how styles have changed over time with regards to other realms of the dog world. Take breeding programs, for example: Many pure breeds have undergone dramatic changes in that they were bred to be shorter- or heavier-coated than their historical counterparts. And let’s not neglect to reflect on how styles have changed in breed trims. The Bichon, most notably, underwent a transformation from a bell-shaped head to today’s gloriously round visage. A look back at early 20th century Poodle trims illustrates a movement towards more balance and angulation. Which brings us back around to Asian Freestyle grooming…

It is in a class all its own. It is unapologetically rebellious in that it favors form over function. In traditional grooming, function begets form. That is to say, if you want to show that a dog can move correctly and has the underlying structure to support that movement, you groom it

to look so. This is especially true if the dog does not, in fact, have said proper attributes. You must then create the illusion that he does through creative trimming.

By contrast, corrective grooming to disguise conformational flaws in the dog is not necessarily the priority in Asian Freestyle dog grooming. The primary goal, rather, is to create a look that is "kawaii," or ultra-cute. For example, the legs are flared at the base to mimic the overstuffed arms of a teddy bear and the face is round and youthful, sporting a muzzle that is scissored into an oval called a “donut muzzle.” This muzzle defines the art as it imitates the look of a cartoon animal. Large enough to cover the under-eye area, it therefore makes the dog look youthful as a puppy though it be ever so delicate and finely trimmed.

Geometric shapes are also a prevalent theme in this genre. Think precise circle heads with sharp margins, square heads,

called a “donut muzzle.”

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 8 • August 2022

The legs are flared at the base to mimic the overstuffed arms of a teddy bear and the face is round and youthful, sporting a muzzle that is scissored into an oval

33

Comical adaptations of human hairstyles are sometimes seen as well. Take for example, the asymmetrical combover seen on Asian Freestyle drop-coat grooms, or even the Mullet. No matter where or what the style is borrowed from, the quintessential donut muzzle is still present. legs that look like upside-down baseball bats and oval muzzles. These all play a part in the fashion of Asian Freestyle.

Comical adaptations of human hairstyles are sometimes seen as well. Take for example, the asymmetrical comb-over seen on Asian Freestyle drop-coat grooms, or even the Mullet. No matter where or what the style is borrowed from, the quintessential donut muzzle is still present. This muzzle softens such bold looks, tempering their shock value. Because, let’s face it, it is shocking.

Is it any wonder, then, that not all groomers have welcomed it into their style rotation? And yet, here it remains, no longer in its infancy, but I would say embarking on its teenage years, at least certainly in the orient. Perhaps we might say it’s in its pre-teen years here in the west.

Unlike fashion trends in other realms such as shabby chic home décor or platform flip-flops in fashion, Asian Freestyle seems to be enduring. Many groomers are still fans. In fact, it is no longer a groomer’s secret, but has now

made its way into the consciousness of the public. Pinterest has played quite a part in wooing our clients over to this art. They are pinning these looks on their boards, sharing them on social media and bringing inspirational photos into the salon as style requests.

Now, do they know it as Asian grooming? No, not really. They just know that it’s cute and cuddly looking. In attempts to pitch this genre of grooming to clients, many salon staff refer to it simply as a new style of teddy bear trim.

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Still, others don’t attempt a sales pitch at all and simply place the trim on their clients unasked, much as a chef would not ask you how you prefer your chicken prepared but instead serves it in his signature way. You either like it and return, or mosey down the road to an eatery that serves it as you like it.

When surveyed, many groomers expressed an interest in seeing the style stay on and evolve. Most said that they remain committed to learning more about Asian Freestyle, and would like to attend more workshops. Still others want to see it featured as its own class in grooming competitions. However, Asian Freestyle cannot successfully be judged with the same criteria used to judge the Mixed Salon style classes as it is often unbalanced and unconventional. Opening up a separate class in competition would also fill a void in the U.S., as there are few to no Asian classes available for competitors. This is in contrast to other countries such as the UK where they are featured regularly.

Given that groomers are still hungry for instructional reading material, classes and competitions, coupled with the growing interest from the public in the cute new class of teddy bear looks, it is safe to say that Asian Freestyle grooming will be around for a bit longer. While there are breed purists who will never embrace the look, there are many other stylists who do, and the numbers keep growing as new groomers enter the trade with fresh eyes and

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grooming and the author of several full-length instructional books on the subject. She was proud to appear on the ABC TV show Pooch Perfect, finishing as a semifinalist. Riza has been a groomer for 38 years and owns an upscale salon in the state of Delaware.

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 8 • August 2022

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by Denise Heroux

Owning a business is not a 9-5 job that ends after the last groom of the day. But, if you find a way to utilize each day’s time in a more productive way, you will gain more energy to do the things that need to get done. t’s no secret that the current

I

as a career and corporate grooming was

made grooming popular. We are now in

employment situation is wonky (to

just getting started. I am a firm believer

a position where we need to get creative

say the least). When the whole world

that corporations made this profession

to move forward.

shutdown in 2020, we all waited with

one that is sought after and has helped

Just like any skilled trade, the

bated breath to see what the economic

such a large number of skilled groomers

industry has seen its ups and downs.

impacts would be. We could see a lot of the

within the industry. They helped mold

Some regions were flourishing while

issues coming, but one impact everyone

groomers with their academies within

others were seeing a shift where the

is still struggling with is employment. The

their business models.

demand was less than the supply. We

most common employment issue for our

reached a point where the number of

this in mind to continue growing

groomers started to outweigh the need

that will fit in with our culture and brand

their companies; the corporations

for their services. However, over time,

to add to our businesses.

innovatively lead this industry by

the industry started to even out and

utilizing creative ways to make their

become more consistent as a whole.

I have been in the industry for

38

Small businesses need to keep

industry is finding skilled pet groomers

25 years, and it has been amazing to

own groomers. Because of this,

watch the grooming industry evolve

grooming is a viable career option for

the entire industry upside down. Older

and grow over the years. When I first

those that wanted to work with animals

groomers chose to use this time to retire,

started, pet grooming was unheard of

without pursuing a college degree. They

poor business models could not sustain

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 8 • August 2022

GroomertoGroomer.com

Then the pandemic hit and turned

the shutdown and closed permanently,

When we start thinking outside of the box, we open up the employment pool to find a great fit for the company and the brand.

other groomers took this time to pursue a much needed career change, and some just called it quits due to working in the service industry in a society that often did not appreciate them.

While the number of groomers started going down, the number of pets started going up with pet ownership skyrocketing during the pandemic.

The demand is now outweighing the amount of skilled workers, creating a perfect storm for problems to arise in the industry. The struggle is real for business owners to try and meet a high demand and find the right people for the company, all while dealing with the public’s lack of understanding of the huge changes that have taken place.

Business owners must get creative and think outside the box for their needs.

There are many ways to add to your business—with or without having skilled groomers coming on board. Support staff is a great way to expand. This allows a business owner to offset responsibilities so they can focus on other tasks, buy time to find the right groomer to fit the culture and be able to bring in increased revenue while doing it. This is also a great option for newer business owners that have inconsistent days, making hiring a fulltime groomer difficult. Beginning with a support-staff hire is a great way to get started in employment. The employment costs can be significantly less than hiring on a groomer as well.

In order to grow a support-staff team that is right for the company, business owners need to sit down and itemize three things: 1. What tasks do you need the most help with?

2. What are the tasks that you want help with?

3. Why do you need the help?

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 8 • August 2022

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This can prove to be difficult as it is hard for owners to give up control

can be more efficient. They can also

of some aspects, but holding on to all

assist with office/clerical work, social

of the small things is what leads to

media, selling products, upselling ser-

burnout and strained mental health

vices, telling clients “no,” and (my fa-

the quickest. The most common

vorite) take the emotion and awkward-

“problem” that I see owners struggling

ness out of raising prices by notifying

with is time. Owning a business is

clients so you don’t have to.

not a 9-5 job that ends after the last groom of the day. But, if you find a

A virtual assistant is worth their weight in gold when you find the right one for what you need.

allow you to focus on the dogs so you

way to utilize each day’s time in a more productive way, you will gain more energy to do the things that need to get done. So, start that list, and let’s see where you can add to your team.

Here are some ideas to help you get started: • A receptionist can help unload the tasks of answering phones, scheduling and dealing with client problems, and

• A bather can make daily tasks easier and can raise revenue in multiple ways.

You can physically handle more dogs with less wear and tear on your body.

In addition, you can cross-train them to do some receptionist-type work too, give them the smaller tasks so you can catch up on the backend of things at the end of the day, or train them to finish shorthaired dogs to help offset the increased industry demand.

• A virtual assistant is worth their weight in gold when you find the

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When we start thinking outside of the box, we open up the employment pool to find a great fit for the company and the brand. We are now looking for a different set of skills or someone who is getting a fresh start in the industry, and we have a huge advantage when searching for people to employ because we work with animals. That alone draws people into our job posts. The more candidates we have, the better chances we have to hire a strong team.

This crazy world is definitely keeping

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 8 • August 2022

us on our toes, but there is always a way to grow and achieve your dreams. &

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Grooming Matters

GOING THE EXTRA MILE WITH

TRAVEL GROOMING “I

by Daryl Conner

really love and appreciate the grooming

that I groom cats came up. Several people there

industry and how flexible this career is.

chimed in very sincerely and told me I should come

People can customize their experience

to the Keys to offer that service because there was

with it and make it work around their lives, not the

a shortage of cat groomers. They really meant it,

other way around.” These wise words were spoken by

and I considered it. I lived several hours away, so

stylist Victoria Thomas, a woman who has gone the

commuting there was out of the question, but it got

extra mile(s) with her own career.

me thinking. It seemed like no matter where I went,

Thomas, owner of A Dog’s World Mobile Grooming, started out training through Petco. In

up ‘Travel Grooming’ on Facebook and found some

2016 she bought a new grooming van and launched

information there.”

a successful business in Florida.

Inspired by what she found, Thomas sold her

“I was mobile for six years,” she shared. “I started

house in Florida, and in 2021, she hit the road.

to feel like I needed to step back a little bit, and my

That year she traveled to 15 states, grooming where

wrists were hurting. I hired an employee and I was

she stopped. She stayed with friends and family or

only grooming three days a week, but I wasn’t sure I

pitched a tent at campgrounds. She is even able to

would continue.

sleep in her van. At some campgrounds, she has

“One day, on a trip to the Florida Keys," Thomas continued, "I was in a store, and somehow the topic

44

people wanted me to groom their pets. I then looked

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

been asked to stay a while for free to provide her service to the campers there.

GroomertoGroomer.com

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.

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 6 • June 2022

45

Thomas normally only stays a few days at most stops, but she enjoyed

and Persian cats Hemmingway and

the area around Yellowstone National

Sherriff also tag along.

Park so much that she stayed there for

-Victoria Thomas

46

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 8 • August 2022

“They do great! They sleep in the

three weeks. During her travels, she

tent with me, and I am working on

has paddleboarded in the Carolinas,

leash-training them,” Thomas shared

hiked for three days in New Mexico

about her cats.

and explored the places she has stayed

“Meeting people all over the country is probably my favorite thing about Travel Grooming. I get to meet a lot of the locals and get a really good insight into what each area is about.”

Oskar has a seat in the front of the van,

While traveling, she has grooming

like a native. Her favorite stops were in

supplies shipped to places where she is

Florida, because of all the beach time.

planning to stay and does her laundry

“Meeting people all over the country

at a laundromat. As far as depositing

is probably my favorite thing about

revenue, the bank she has an account

Travel Grooming,” Thomas says. “I get

with is common in many of the areas she

to meet a lot of the locals and get a

has visited. And she accepts cash, checks,

really good insight into what each area

credit cards and Venmo so she can offer

is about. And I get to spend lots of time

a variety of options for her customers to

outdoors exploring nature.”

pay for grooming services.

However, she is not alone in her adventures. Longhaired Dachshund

GroomertoGroomer.com

Thomas finds clients as she travels by social media and networking. She

has found that telling people she is

The lack of stability and cost of fuel are

looking for work while she is in the

downsides, but the joys of her way of life

area is effective.

outweigh the negative aspects.

“People want to be helpful, support a small business, and they refer their friends and family,” she shares.

Her van has a wrap with her

“I don’t see an end to my Travel Grooming,” Thomas says.

her customers come to her simply

“I would tell them to follow their

by seeing her van parked where she

dreams for sure. To take advantage of

is staying. In many ways, her plan

the resources and people around them.

has worked out the way she hoped—

Anyone can do it if they want to.”

Soon Thomas plans to travel to

GROOMING

I asked what she would tell other Travel Grooming, to which she replied,

to groom for them.

PET

groomers who might be interested in

business information, and many of

everywhere she goes, people want her

Holistic

Thomas has put her skills to work in a unique way that allows her to earn a

THE ART OF

Helping AS GREAT AS THEY LOOK

living as she explores the country. She

California and Washington State, taking

has, indeed, made her career work around

her time to get there. She is hoping to

her life—one exciting day at a time. &

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47

Kitty’s Corner

House-Call Grooming Concerns

Addressed

by Deborah Hansen

By working in the cat’s natural environment, house-call grooming gives me the longest window possible to successfully complete every groom with the least amount of stress for the kitty.

A

fter opening my feline exclusive house-call grooming business in 2013, I knew house-call grooming

was the ideal grooming environment for my business. Over the years, I have considered opening a salon or purchasing a mobile unit; however, I always came back to the same question: What is best for the feline?

My answer has always been, it is best to keep the kitty in their home environment. I believe the majority of cats become stressed when leaving their house. I also believe that the moment the family begins rounding up the cat is also the moment the kitty sets a timer on their patience, and that will cut into my time to successfully complete the

48

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 8 • August 2022

groom. By working in the cat’s natural environment, house-call grooming gives me the longest window possible to successfully complete every groom with the least amount of stress for the kitty.

The following addresses some common concerns to help you decide if house-call grooming is right for you: Is the house-call grooming environment right for every cat?

House-call grooming is right for shy and compliant kitties, but it is not right for highly aggressive cats. With the super grumpy felines, we need every advantage possible, and an angry cat knows all the hiding places, as well as how to gain the upper hand in their own home.

GroomertoGroomer.com

Having someone watch me makes me nervous.

I get my clients to start talking

10

about themselves once I have started the groom. I normally groom in the smallest bathroom in the home, and while it is awkward at first, my clients sit on the toilet and talk to me while I sit on the floor and groom their

10

kitty. I find this helps to reduce the awkwardness of the situation.

House-call gives the client too much control over the work environment.

This is why you must have firm policies in place and not be afraid to enforce them. A client may not touch their cat while I am working. I also carry

10

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I keep getting calls for highly

make sure the temperature and humidity

aggressive cats.

levels are safe for me to work. If there

This is very true. Owners cannot

are family members in the kitchen while

get these cats in the carrier, so they call

I am bathing their cat, they may not do

us to help. An easy way to get a sense

anything besides watch the bath.

of the cat’s temperament is to ask if

all the hair cleaned up after drying a cat?

the spouse who did not contact you can

10

How do you make sure you get

I normally groom in the smallest bathroom in the home, and while it is awkward at first, my clients sit on the toilet and talk to me while I sit on the floor and groom their kitty.

10

a thermometer with a humidity sensor to

Working in the smallest bathroom

hold the cat. The way they respond to this question will tell you a lot about the cat’s temperament.

10

gives me the tiniest enclosed area possible.

The client told me I cannot use

When I clean up, I start vacuuming from

my safety equipment.

the top down; beginning with the light

This often happens when a cat is

fixtures and the molding above the door,

aggressive and the client does not want

working my way down. I try not to move

to hear or see their cat throw a tantrum.

my vacuum as the exhaust will blow

I explain to the client why I use the

the hair in a different direction. When I

equipment (bite-protection sleeves and

reach the floor, I vacuum one tile or row

air muzzles) and demonstrate how it

of flooring at a time so I do not skip any.

does not hurt their cat. If they are still

Finally, I vacuum the fan intake.

persistent, I end the appointment and do not reschedule.

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Do you ever ask a client to help you hold their cat during the groom?

Absolutely not. I see a client holding the cat as a liability in two areas. First, what happens if the client gets bitten while holding the cat I am grooming? I do not want to unnecessarily open my business up for possible legal action. Second, when a client touches their cat, the cat responds—some cats tense up, some act out. This is an added danger that can be prevented. If my skills are not good enough to groom the cat on my own, my personal belief is that I have no business grooming this cat.

10

After you arrive, the client informs you that they need to leave in half an hour.

If the client does not have enough time for me to comfortably finish the groom without rushing, I reschedule.

50

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 8 • August 2022

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can get injured. Even when you are

10

grooming an “easy” cat that you have

premium option. Think about the last time

groomed many times before, that will

you called a service person for your home—

probably be the one time they urinate

locksmith, air-conditioning repair, plumber,

on themselves during the groom.

carpet cleaner—they all have a minimum

When a cat groom is rushed, mistakes are made. The groomer or the cat

1

10/15/21

2:42 PM

People are complaining about my prices.

House-call, for any service, is a

service fee. There is no reason why your

10

The client wants me to groom

minimum price should be lower than theirs.

when they are not home.

My personal policy is not to groom in a home when the owners are not

The house-call model only allows you to groom one cat at a time which significantly reduces the quantity of cats you can groom

present. If you are grooming alone and

during your work week, so your price should

the cat has a medical emergency, you

reflect the individual attention you are

will not be able to provide CPR/First Aid while transporting the cat. Without the owner present, you cannot point

giving to the cat and family. The quality of your work, customer service and clean-up practices are what will get them to rebook.

out any changes you may have noticed in the cat. And, most importantly,

I truly believe house-call grooming is

grooming alone in an empty house

the best option for most felines and their

opens your business up to accusations

families. Like with any business, it is

and liability issues. In my opinion, if an

important to have firm policies in place

owner cannot be present, it is better for

that you are committed to enforcing in

them to use a mobile unit or salon for

order to keep you and your kitty clients

their grooming needs.

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51

UKRAINIAN GROOMER ENDURES A

WAR KHARKIV TO CARE FOR THE PETS OF

by Yuliya Strizhkina

Photos provided by Irina Savenkova-Pashenko

"My profession is the health of animals so I had no moral right to leave them and go away."

- Irina Savenkova-Pashenko

S

alon and grooming school

The thought came that someone, after a

What happened next?

owner of Kharkiv, Ukraine, Irina

successful celebration on February 23rd,

Irina: The first weeks were a state of

Savenkova-Pashenko, has 16 years

forgot the keys and tried to get home. I got

chaos and panic, in everything. We did

of grooming experience and is a multi-

up, went to the window, looked out…and

not know if we should run away from

award winner of grooming competitions

there was no one there. At the same time,

the city, the country or wait. For almost

of European Groomers Association (EGA),

the sounds of “bang bang” continued and

a month, together with a small child, we

Ukrainian Grooming Association and

the question flashed through my head: Are

hid in the corridor; in fact, we lived there

The National Association of Professional

we really being bombed?!

and did not go out. It was very scary. In

Creative Groomers. In addition, she is committed to caring for the pets of her

rare cases when went out, we did it in

sound of a plane flying over the roof

small dashes. The city was shelled at least

of the house. It was so terrifying and

five times a day, and not only at military

How did the war start for you?

powerful that I involuntarily squatted

facilities, but also at civilian ones.

Irina: At 5:24 AM I woke up from the

down and became very frightened. As it

Just in case, I started packing things

sounds, as if someone was knocking out the

turned out later, it was a cruise missile,

at home and in the salon, too. Of course,

iron door to the entrance. I lie and think, do

which gave a clear understanding that the

there were no calls for work. But after

I call the police or go out to quarrel?

war had begun.

about three or four weeks, a call came

country which was recently under attack…

52

Then I heard a very loud and scary

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 8 • August 2022

GroomertoGroomer.com

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BEFORE

AFTER

with a question if it was possible to wash a dog, because in many parts of the city, there was no water, light or heating.

People with animals had to hide for a long time, mainly in basements filled with fleas, dampness and dust. No one could have imagined such a thing in a nightmare. And so, the owner of the Spitz called, which was already so full of dirt that they couldn’t even comb him, and asked for help.

What was your first thought in this situation?

Irina: To help. I have water and light, and I have no right to refuse a person who does not have these. Despite the fact that my way to work was through a micro district in which rockets were actively flying and shooting, I pulled myself together, overcame my fear, took my five-year-old child by the hand, and we began to run to work in short dashes. In the salon, I bathed, sheared and saved animals from potential problems, despite all the circumstances in which we found ourselves.

You and your family stayed in Kharkiv, although as a groomer, you could find a job almost anywhere in the world. Why? Irina: I found out that in our city with a population of roughly 1.5 million people, out of the number of experienced groomers (not counting those who have just completed their training and do not

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have any experience yet), there were only five or six people left. The rest were gone.

Ground public transportation in Kharkiv was not running. The subway also does not work, as it is used as a bomb shelter. One can go by taxi only to those areas where it is more or less calm,

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so people without personal transport cannot get very far. Therefore, thank God

54

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 8 • August 2022

GroomertoGroomer.com

that we, the remaining groomers, are

The big problem is that many pets were

scattered throughout the city and we can

thrown at people who are feeding them

refer clients to each other.

borscht, meatballs and other unacceptable

Returning to the question itself; I

products, and who do not know how to

realized that I could not leave those who

properly look after them, hence the mass

remained in the city, and that people

of problems with coat, stomach, etc.

from my micro district, which is quite large, would simply be abandoned since they would not be able to get to other parts of Kharkiv. My profession is the health of animals, so I had no moral right to leave them and go away.

Has the cat-to-dog ratio changed?

Irina: The cats have become much, much smaller. For some reason, many people believe that cats will get their own food on the street, so many of them were just left. Both purebred and non-pedigreed.

What has the war changed in

For two months I had only two cats,

your work?

despite the fact that it was nine or 10 in

Irina: It limited opportunities. There

earlier months.

are things that we can't get now. The bulk of the dogs come in with tangles.

Previously, to solve this problem, we used professional tools, costing 700800 UAH each, enough for two to three dogs. Now, due to the financial

How has the demand for services changed during wartime?

Irina: A very short haircut is the top service now. People understand that animals suffer in tangles, and due

People understand that animals suffer in tangles, and due to the fact that they cannot provide normal care, they ask to cut everything as short as possible, leaving only a beautiful head and tail.

difficulties that have arisen, this has become impossible. Therefore, in such a situation, we use human Gliss Kur, but it is important to wash it off, otherwise it can ruin the coat.

Has the customer base changed, and if so, how?

Irina: Yes, it has changed a lot. Mostly animals are brought to us by very elderly people, husbands or young people. This

Ergonomic.

Durable.

Adjustable.

Make bathing easier with the Elite Grooming Tub.

is a category of people at which animals were thrown. And there are a lot of them.

For example, a woman comes with

See it in action

a Yorkie. I see that the dog is familiar, but I see the woman for the first time.

It turned out that the animal was left to her, under what conditions I do not know, but it is clear that the person has absolutely no idea how to care for him.

I gave her a full consultation; how to properly feed and care for it—everything that a person who remains in place of the owner should know.

55

to the fact that they cannot provide

What is the most unusual client

normal care, they ask to cut everything

you’ve had during the war?

as short as possible, leaving only a

Irina: A cat that is almost completely

beautiful head and tail. They dress pets

paralyzed. She's four years old and a very

in clothes so the dogs do not freeze

beautiful black color of the Scottish Fold

and they clean them with napkins

breed. She jumped off the windowsill

since there is no water.

the wrong way about a year ago, hit

How are you coping now during the sounds of explosions and wailing sirens?

Irina: During the war, people are afraid

and injured her spine. The animal lives in a “bracket” position, all four paws practically do not work, its tongue hangs, its head is almost always lowered and it

to separate, and therefore many come

cannot be straightened, because it hurts.

with their whole families. If an air raid

She doesn't walk, she crawls. And when I

alarm is triggered during work, and we

raised the paw to shave, I see that it hurts

have five or six of them a day, we hide

her and I feel it all myself; it hurts me. At

support of all the people

the owners in the bathroom, because

the same time, the owners take great care

who worry about us and

there are three protective walls there.

of her and are not ready to let her go: they

I also hide the tools so that it does not

treat, anesthetize, feed soft food from a

harm the animal. And realizing that now

spoon and help her drink from a syringe.

Thanks to the help and

pray for us, we are alive and trying to help others.

there may be loud sounds, I cover pets’ ears, start talking to it and distracting.

You also help people who are in need. Can you share a little about your volunteer activities?

Irina: As I am a breeder of Bichon Frise dogs, we received help from a group of owners of the breed from The United Kingdom. They sent a lot of diapers for babies, and we distribute them to mothers who stayed in Kharkiv. There are objectively a lot of them. We share them with the elderly, too.

I don’t really have anything else for people. As for animals, thank God, we receive help from different countries and Ukrainian cities. First of all, we help with food. For those who cannot come themselves, we try to bring it to them.

Recently, with my dad and husband, under shelling, we carried food to kennels that are located in settlements cut off from the world. We distribute help to abandoned dogs and cats also.

Ninety percent of people in Kharkiv were left without work, and therefore without income. As a result, people

56

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 8 • August 2022

GroomertoGroomer.com

have nothing to feed and maintain their

A very big problem is with litter for

instrument falls. During the hostilities,

animals. At the same time, in our city,

cats. Some people collect sand and make

I broke two trimmers and four knife

you rarely find a family with only one

a replacement, but an animal that is used

blocks. One can find and buy them,

pet. We may have two dogs, a cat, fish,

to going in litter does not understand

but because of the difficult financial

hamsters and birds per family.

this and walks by.

situation, it is extremely hard.

When I get help, I post it on my

In addition, there is a big problem to

Facebook page and people who see

buy disinfectants and detergents. There

circumstances, we hold on and do not

what they might need ask for it. It is

is no sanitizing gel. Bleach and chlorine

give up. We hope everything will be

very difficult for some to ask—no one

only enhance the smell of cat urine even

fine soon. And thanks to the help and

could ever think that they would find

more. Moreover, it can cause damage to

support of all the people who worry

themselves in a situation where there is

the respiratory tract in animals.

about us and pray for us, we are alive and

no money and you have to ask. Others call with tears in their eyes.

What help is needed and how can it be given?

Irina: Help is needed in many ways. Food for cats and dogs. Rodents and guinea pigs are also in dire need of feed. I know a rat whose owners have to feed it dandelions, as they have no money to buy food.

There is a need for antiseptics. Due to the fact that half of the veterinary clinics are closed, people cannot vaccinate their pets on time and treat them properly, so I have to treat paravirusitis several times a day, which also became unavailable.

In terms of grooming, we would be

But under all these difficult

trying to help others. & To help the pets and groomers of Kharkiv and other affected regions of Ukraine, please visit: http://worlddogpress.org/wdpa-statement/ (World Dog Press Association (WDPA))

very grateful for shampoos, conditioners and blades. Since the dogs are under

https://www.facebook.com/yuliya.

stress, they jump and run away and the

strizhkina/ (WDPA member)

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