Groomer to Groomer February 2022 by Barkleigh Productions

“THE GROOMING INDUSTRY’S TRADE MAGAZINE!” VOL. 41 ED.2 • FEBRURARY 2022

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CONTENTS | FEBRUARY 2022 Groomer Story: Annelli Burke's "Pawsitive

Transfurmation" Hosler: It's Easy to Learn the Hard Way

Bishop-Jenkins: The Sharpening Trade:

An Inside Look

by Dr. Cliff Faver

ONE HEALTH: PERFECT PRODUCTS

FOR PEOPLE & PETS

Conner: On Course With Curves

Ask The Grooming Tutor: Tax Season Tips

Hansen: How Aggressive is Too Aggressive?

Hernandez: Prep for Success & Fancy Finishes

New England Grooming Show 2021

Contest Results

by Jonathan David

Interviews with the Icons: Judy Breton

New Products

Show Schedule

ON THE COVER “THE GROOMING INDUSTRY’S TRADE MAGAZINE!” VOL. 41 ED.2 • FEBRURARY 2022

EDITOR/PRESIDENT Todd Shelly todd@barkleigh.com

ART DIRECTOR Laura Pennington laura@barkleigh.com

WEB MASTER Luke Dumberth luke@barkleigh.com

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER Adam Lohr adam@barkleigh.com

SR. GRAPHIC DESIGNER Brandi Aurelio brandi@barkleigh.com

MARKETING CONSULTANT Alex Hammersla alex@barkleigh.com

ASSISTANT EDITOR Gwen Shelly gwen@barkleigh.com

JR. GRAPHIC DESIGNER Josiah Malinich josiah@barkleigh.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Cassidy Ryman cassidy@barkleigh.com

MANAGING EDITOR Rebecca Shipman rebecca@barkleigh.com

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

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

Kathy Hosler

Khris Berry

Deborah Hansen

Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins

Daryl Conner

Jonathan David

Dr. Cliff Faver

Blake Hernandez

WWW. GROOMERTOGROOMER .COM

TAX

SEASON

TIPS

ONE HEALTH:

PERFECT PRODUCTS FOR PEOPLE AND PETS

THE DREADED DESHED

LIS JOHNSTON WINNER OF GROOM EXPO BEST IN SHOW 2021 SPONSORED BY WAHL

PHOTO BY ANIMAL PHOTOGRAPHY

LIS JOHNSTON WINNER OF GROOM EXPO BEST IN SHOW 201 SPONSORED BY WAHL

PHOTO BY ANIMAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Copyright February 2021. 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 41 Ed 2 • February 2022

DERM CONNECTION

by Dr. Cliff Faver

ne of the most common questions that pops up on Facebook as well as in my seminars is, “What is the secret or magic bullet for doing desheds?” First, we need to realize that desheds are about a process not a product. If there was one magic product that solved all the issues, we would all use it and that would be the end of the discussion. With any skin or hair issue, we need to understand how we got there in order to properly resolve it. The hair and skin both grow through cycles. The skin, specifically the epidermis, goes through a keratinization cycle where we go from immature cells in the basement layer of the skin to adult cells to dead and dying cells on the surface of the skin. This cycle occurs every 21 days. So, every 21 days we literally have dead and dying cells on the surface of the skin that need to be removed with the bathing process. The hair cycle (short- and medium-coated dogs) is more variable, but it goes through stages from when the hair starts, develops to full length, sheds and then starts all over again. This is greatly influenced by the seasons

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 2 • February 2022

and the breed of dog. In fall/winter months, most of these dogs will put on more secondary hairs to create adequate insulation and then shed them in the spring/summer. This shed cycle is what creates the need for desheds. If a coat is groomed and conditioned correctly, then this is not a big deal. With correct conditioning the hair does not mat as severely, and with frequent bathing the amount of skin debris and extra hair should be minimum (relative). The larger issue occurs if these things are not being done. So, the first part of the process is education. Understanding correct conditioning is where the groomer needs to be well versed. Over the years, we have strayed away from or have been using the wrong type of conditioners. This has played a significant role in contributing to problematic shedding and matting—especially in the growing doodle population. Failure to condition the coat correctly leaves the plaques of the hair shaft open which act like Velcro with the hairs around it. Educating the client to have their pets groomed every three to four weeks is very important because of the normal cycle of the skin. The longer they go without a

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HAIR CYCLE

groom, the greater the issue becomes. Eventually, many of these dogs must be shaved down. Often, groomers will say that clients just don’t listen when they try to explain the issue—but, the groomer then reinforces the bad behavior. How? By not charging correctly for your time! If a normal groom is $65 and the client only comes in once every six months with a dog that requires you to spend three to four hours grooming and you only charge $20 extra, you have just reinforced their bad behavior.

CLOSED PLAQUES

OPEN PLAQUES

Most groomers that charge by the hour charge $60-90 an hour. Charging correctly means that this particular groom should be a minimum of $180-$360 if it takes that long, otherwise there are no consequences for their bad behavior. Charging appropriately needs to come with a full explanation of how the customer could have come in monthly for $390 (6 x $65) and had a beautiful, pleasant-smelling dog once a month versus twice a year. If they do it the second time (because they didn’t take heed of your education),

SKIN LAYERS

the price should go up or send them packing. It is not fair to the dog at that point. If you are not respected by the client, is that a relationship you want to continue with? Everyone has to make that decision for themselves. As to working through a deshed, there are several issues that cause the problem:

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 2 • February 2022

Hair plaques can open and keep the hairs from releasing from each other. Dirt, dead cells and dry sebum are holding the hair tight at the skin level. The hair follicle is often crammed full of hair that is held in by dried sebum. With these in mind you can choose to work hard at this point or work smart. Often you see groomers covering the walls with hair and skin debris as they blow the pets out after the bath. Are they charging for the cleanup time also? Not to mention the dog and groomer are breathing in dead cells, bacteria, fungus and small hairs (groomer’s lung is real!) Here are some of my recommendations to work smarter: As soon as the dog walks in the door, spray them down with a hydration spray to start the hydration process. If there are mats, you can even use a straight hydrating conditioner to start “plumping up” the hairs. When ready to start the groom,

condition first (close-open-close) and let sit for 10-20 minutes depending on the severity of the problem. This will start softening (oils dissolve oils) and hydrating the old, dry sebum to stimulate the release of the hairs from the follicles as well as hydrating the hair which will start breaking down the tangles and matting. Then rinse. Mix a little oil (a couple of drops) like avocado oil in with your shampoo and apply to the coat. Leave on for five minutes then rinse with a pressurized nozzle. If done correctly, you should be able to drop almost all the dead coat in the tub. It is much better to deal with all the hair “gunk” in a wet form here instead of breathing it in later. Condition well using a hydrating conditioner to avoid problems the next go around. At this point there should be minimum hair left to be brushed or blown

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out. The pet will love and appreciate you and, as you get older, your lungs will thank you for choosing to work in a healthier environment! & 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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GROOMER STORY

by Jen Phillips April

Annelli Burke's

"Pawsitive Transfurmation"

nly 15 months into her dog grooming career, Annelli Burke is excited to learn as much as she can about both grooming and running a profitable grooming business. Her unconventional path to dog groomer and salon owner is a winding one. Originally from Norway, she worked various retail and service industry jobs before working for Google as a Norwegian fact-checker. When she was laid off from her role at Google, she started exploring her options and thought about what else she could do. “I’d gotten a Min Pin by then and was spending a lot of time with my dog. At first, I thought, ‘I’ll open a doggie daycare.’ But then I realized that every daycare in my area has a groomer, and it’d be easier to get grooming training,” Burke shares. She looked around and found a big-box retailer looking for a groomer-in-training, and there she signed a one-year contract. “My first day in the salon, the girl who trained me showed me how to trim nails, and I felt so at home,” she continues. “I felt like

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something ‘fit.’” Burke obtained her grooming training through Paragon via her corporate grooming role and was one of the first in her region to go through this training. She thought she’d stay corporate for two or three years; however, eight months into the year-long contract, she was chomping at the bit to get out of there. Some of her challenges in corporate included getting people on a schedule, it was hard to practice styles, she wanted to groom at a higher level and have more control, as well as use better tools and products, and the pay was low. Burke started researching her options. Should she open a mobile grooming salon or a physical space? What was involved? How much money would she need? “I wanted a low monthly rent since it would be just me. A lot of realtors didn’t want to work with me because I was too small. But I did find a nice commercial space in a combined commercial and residential space. The landlord wanted to open a dog cafe. I signed a three-year lease and got the

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permits,” she shares. But, from there, things didn’t go so smoothly. While Burke was at PetQuest in Ohio learning about the business of running a dog grooming salon and meeting the grooming community, her newly-leased space flooded. Then, just as she had a tub and table delivered and she’d turned in her job resignation, the borough pulled the permit. “I spent two days wallowing in despair. Then, I realized this is a terrible attitude to have as a business owner. I got up and hired an attorney to get out of the lease,” Burke continues. “My boyfriend helped me install the tub at my house. He has plumbing experience, and we set up a temporary groom room in a shed at my house.” Meanwhile, Burke kept looking for other spaces. “I found a small and cozy space on a lovely cobblestone street close to my house. Perfect for one groomer. My landlord lowered the rent and included the water. The new borough held my hand through the entire process,” she says.

It took a little more than two months for her to find and open the new location. But, the grand opening of “Pawsitive Transfurmations” took place on October 1st, 2021, in the Dormont section of Pittsburgh. While waiting on the new permits, Burke decided to invest in continuing education. “I flew to Minnesota to do a oneday seminar with Anna Stowell of Zoom Groom (@zoomgroom_anna on Instagram). Then I realized that another one of my idols, Sophie Rebehn (@thek9stylist on Instagram) whom I'd met at PetQuest, was also located in Minneapolis, so I reached out and asked if she'd give me a private lesson, and she said yes!” Burke shares excitedly. From there, she headed to Chicago for Barkleigh’s All American Show where she also met up with and shadowed Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins in her salon, Love Fur Dogs, for two days. After Burke’s crash course in dog grooming and the business side of the salon life, she returned to Pittsburgh to finalize her salon. And, to stay on budget, she made some trades.

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“I traded a monthly bath for a German Shepherd Puppy for a discount on flooring. It’s nice to have something to bargain with,” she shares. When asked what she loves most about the profession, Burke said, “It’s instant gratification. It’s also really hard work, but I’m creatively-minded and I like the variations combined with the immediate gratification. It’s incredible. The dog’s entire demeanor changes. Though, the best part is when the pet parent squeals, ‘You look so great!’ Plus, I’m grateful for this community. I think the grooming community is the most amazing community. I found my people.” With opening day just three weeks prior to the interview for this article, Burke’s business hasn’t been open long. Yet, she’s pleased with the reception. “I’ve only gotten positive feedback. On Oct. 9th, there was an annual street festival. I paid for a booth and did five-dollar nail trims. I gave out dog stickers and the kids ran around wearing them. Everyone who lives in the neighborhood has a dog,”

she continues. “They say, ‘It’s so convenient. I live around the corner.’ My appointment book is gradually filling. “My unusual name helps me get found online, too. People can Google me and it’s easy to turn up,” she adds. When asked what the future holds, Burke replied, “I've only been grooming a short amount of time, but in that time I’ve set myself apart with my talent and passion.

I attended PetQuest in June and was IMMEDIATELY addicted. I also went to All American and Groom Expo in Hershey, and next year I hope to hit them all! I want to get into competing next.” Burke is absorbing all she can about the dog grooming industry. She says the grooming shows are an incredible value: “There are so many classes to take. I appreciate having

business concepts explained to me in a way I can understand, specifically related to grooming; real-life examples, like Teri DiMarino’s class on building the perfect salon.” Passionate about education, it’s not surprising that she’s also planning a schedule of classes for prospective dog owners. How to get a dog, How to avoid puppy scams, Correct brushing, and Grooming tools for different coat types for at-home care are topics she’s considering. The future looks bright for Annelli Burke and Pawsitive Transfurmations! &

GROOMER STORY

Do you have an interesting story to share? Tell us why YOU should be the next Groomer Story! Email Rebecca@Barkleigh.com

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 2 • February 2022

GROOMING GAB

by Kathy Hosler

It’s easy to

LEARN THE

Hard Way

If you don't use your equipment properly or wear protective gear when you should, you may face unpleasant and permanent consequences. I found this out the hard way, and maybe you have too...

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eing a groomer comes with its share of occupational hazards, such as being scratched, bitten or otherwise injured by the pets that we groom. But, the pets themselves aren't always the direct cause of groomer issues and injuries. Sometimes the way you do your job or the equipment you use can contribute to workplace health problems as well. If you don't use your equipment properly or wear protective gear when you should, you may face unpleasant and permanent consequences. I found this out the hard way, and maybe you have too... I woke up one morning with a really dry, scratchy throat. I didn't feel sick, so I assumed it was because I had been sleeping with my mouth open. However, over the next few weeks, more often than not, I woke up with that same nagging, dry throat. But as the day progressed, it would subside. This happened just about the time that Covid came on the scene but I still did not feel sick, and no one I was close to was sick either. I couldn't figure out why I was waking up with a dry, scratchy throat so frequently. Because of Covid, my state required that I follow specific protocols to stay open. One of those requirements was that groomers had to wear masks at work. One day I chose a bright blue mask to go with my grooming outfit. When I took it off at the end of the day, it wasn't blue anymore. I was horrified! The mask was completely covered with nail dust and other debris that was on the toenails I sanded that day. I always knew that my dremel was grinding the nails into dust, but I never really thought I was breathing it in and taking it into my body. How wrong I was! I looked at the proof that was all over the bright blue mask. I instantly realized why my throat was so dry and

Do you know if your workplace noise level is too high? Here's a simple test: If you need to raise your voice to speak to someone who is just three feet away, the noise level could be over 85 decibels. scratchy—it was coated with this gross dust! And, if the nail grinding dust was coating my throat, what was it doing to my lungs? I then looked at the filters on all my dryers and saw that they also had a coating on them. It was the dust from nail grinding, and also dander, dirt, hair and lots of unknown particles. As I looked at those filters, the thoughts of Emphysema, COPD and Groomers Lung went through my mind. I have a clipper vacuum system so I immediately ordered the attachment for my dremel that sucks in the nail dust as it is produced. Why I didn't order one before, I have no idea. Now, just to be doubly safe, I wear my mask every time I do toenails and any time I dry a pet or de-shed one with my high velocity dryer.

I have also learned the hard way why everyone should wear hearing protection while they are grooming. Using forced-air dryers, nail grinders and clippers expose you to constant noise. And, dogs that bark incessantly can make you crazy while they contribute to the barrage of noise you are exposed to daily. The Center for Disease Control estimates that 22 million workers are exposed to potentially-damaging noise at work each year. Noise can create physical and psychological stress, reduce your productivity, interfere with your concentration, and even contribute to workplace accidents and injuries. Do you know if your workplace noise level is too high? Here's a simple test: If you need to raise your voice to speak to someone who is just three

feet away, the noise level could be over 85 decibels. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) can occur from prolonged exposure to sound levels of 85 dB and above. NIHL is the gradual and irreversible loss of hearing ability. Excessive noise levels over a long period of time will damage your hearing. It may happen so gradually that you do not notice it until you realize that it is hard for you to understand conversations or you keep asking people to repeat things they have said. How loud is too loud? That depends on three things: How loud the sound is, how far away it is, and how long were you exposed to it. Have you ever been to a firing range? Everyone there wears hearing protection. The noise from firing a gun is brief, but its intensity and closeness

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When HV dryers first came out, I didn't wear any hearing protection. No one told me I should, and I never really thought about it...after all, it was just air whooshing, right? can cause immediate hearing damage. While a dryer in the salon is not nearly as loud as a gun, if you operate one for multiple hours everyday, it can cause you to experience hearing loss. When HV dryers first came out, I didn't wear any hearing protection. No one told me I should, and I never really thought about it...after all, it was just air whooshing, right? Well, the constant noise produced by dryers, clippers and other equipment was

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 2 • February 2022

damaging my auditory system without me even realizing it. The effects of noise-induced hearing loss can be profound. I now have tinnitus. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, I hear whistling and a constant chirping sound like hundreds of crickets on the warpath. My tinnitus will always be with me. There is no cure. But, if I had just taken a few seconds to put on hearing protection, I could have avoided it.

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Grooming is hard work. Why make it any more difficult on yourself than it already is? The cumulative exposure to noise, nail dust and other daily occupational hazards can permanently affect your work career and the quality of your life. Treat yourself with as much care and concern as you show to the pets you groom or, like me, you’ll learn the hard way. &

THE GROOMERS GUIDE

by Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins

Business Models

An Inside Look

There are varying business models in the sharpening trade as well. Mobile sharpeners come to the groomer and shop-based sharpeners require delivering equipment to them. Groomers who live in more remote locations may need to mail equipment to the sharpener of their choice; however, they have to be prepared to have backup sets of all the blades and shears that they commonly use. Groomers also have the option of shipping their equipment back to the original manufacturer for sharpening with the advantage that expertise in their own product brings. I saw an unusual model early in my grooming career—a sharpener who would exchange sharp blades for my dull ones on the spot. I did not get back the blades I originally bought, but in those days, there were few blade manufacturers and they were all very comparable. Sharpening blades can be more challenging than sharpening shears, and many mobile sharpeners prefer to take blades back to their shops for sharpening, as opposed to sharpening shears on site.

A Variety of Skill Levels

Grooming is not the only service industry that requires complex skills using one’s hands along with a strong work ethic, a sharp eye, good judgment and patience. Groomers constantly (and sometimes desperately) need good sharpeners to keep our shears and blades in good working condition. Yet our interdependent trades are both experiencing shortages in personnel with the requisite skills to keep up with the demand for their critically-needed services.

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We all know that when it comes to hands-on skills, not all people are created equal. Sharpeners have varying degrees of skill, just like groomers. Groomers spend a lot of money on their shears. We can have such an intimate relationship with our shears that giving them to just anyone to sharpen is challenging and even scary. Amanda, a groomer in Chicago, tells me that she can clearly feel the difference in quality when her shears are sharpened by different people. Her relationship with her sharpener is one of trust and she

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trusts the one she uses now. She stated that she would actually prefer to use dull equipment or just buy new equipment rather than use any other sharpener.

I spoke to Rich Hassen of Shear Excellence Sharpening, a highly-respected mobile sharpener whose mobile van service serves the entire Chicagoland area and outlying rural areas. He encourages people to consider entering his profession because, as with grooming, sharpening provides an opportunity to make a very good living once the skills are learned. No formal academic education is required, and one has to be willing to get their hands dirty. But, as with grooming, while the training curve to become a good sharpener can be several years, sharpeners I spoke to affirmed that the money

is good. The work is reliable and steady with the promise of a long and rewarding career that includes flexibility and the opportunity to own a successful business. Like grooming, Rich tells me that sharpening blades and shears is a highly-complex skill that can require years to master. Specialized sharpening schools as we have in grooming just do not exist. There are training programs to learn to sharpen but they are short and only designed to give someone the basics. Ideally, after their introductory schooling, a trainee would apprentice under a master sharpener. However, master sharpeners have little incentive to take on an apprentice when their time is already at a premium, and skilled artisans are cautious to divulge their secrets. Sharpeners also charge more to sharpen the shears of beauticians and those who cut human hair. Groomers might

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A Career in the Trade

not all be aware that cosmetologists buy shears similar to what we use, often made by the same companies. They can be different alloys with some differences, but human-hair cutters will pay upwards of $500-$1,000 for a pair of shears similar to that we would pay half that for. Their sharpening costs are higher as well, with some difference in technique, from the same skilled tradesmen who sharpen our shears for half the price. It is all based on what beauticians versus groomers are used to paying. This also may contribute to a shortage of sharpeners when groomers are not willing or able to pay the $30 or more for shear sharpening that beauty salons pay. Another challenge to opening a sharpening business is the cost of purchasing start-up equipment. Just as groomers have start-up costs when building a grooming salon from scratch, sharpeners

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must borrow or invest tens of thousands of dollars to obtain the equipment they need to do their job as well.

Recruiting Challenges I spoke to a respected colleague in my Chicagoland area, Charles Palm, owner of Midwest Grooming Supply. Chuck has a reliable and experienced service that sharpens blades and shears shipped from all over the world—and for some of us fortunate locals who can run out to his shop. The experienced gentleman that sharpens for him, like the rest of us, will not be working forever. We discussed the problem of finding candidates to train to one day replace his master sharpener. Among other things, Chuck shared his concern that young people do not seem to be interested in these kinds of jobs. One college advisor I spoke to said that, with regards to trade skills, many young people are simply not aware of

10/15/21

2:42 PM

career opportunities like this. Even if they hear about a career like sharpening that pays well and provides job security for life, it may not appeal to them if it falls outside the “computer-saturated world they were raised in.” With the proliferation of computers throughout our society and educational systems, it is true that many younger people don’t have much tolerance for or give any thought to something that does not involve a computer screen.

Qualities Needed Unlike grooming, there are more men than women working in sharpening. Rich Hassen says sharpeners have to be willing to get their hands dirty. Only maybe three in ten sharpeners who train for the profession become true masters. “There is a definite knack to it that some people may never master, no matter how hard they train,” said Rich. Some sharpeners work for a time but

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 2 • February 2022

then quit because of the tedium and the routine of sharpening. But that is why Rich says he would always want to continue to work as a mobile—going from shop to shop and talking to the groomers he services. In doing so, he educates groomers on how to better use and care for their shears, and how to diagnose a problem in their scissoring. Like any hands-on skill, one must be willing to learn from one’s own mistakes.

Just as with grooming, the younger sharpeners are going to make mistakes— this has to be part of the training. However, when a sharpener makes a mistake, ethically, they should replace the shears or blade as the damage might be permanent. One warning sign for groomers is brown discoloration after the sharpening. Heat can change the temper of a shear by grinding too hard. The discoloration can be a symptom of a poor sharpening technique.

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Good Communication Is Important Good communication is needed between the client and the skilled artisan. Rich Hassen said that he can do a much better job of sharpening when the groomer clearly communicates what they are experiencing. Is the hair folding or is it sliding? “These are two different problems,” he says, “and there is a difference in how to do the sharpening in each case.” Sometimes it is only our thumb position or the tension of the shears that is really the issue and he can help correct a problem with some good coaching. “I can’t fix what I don’t know about,” Rich tells me, underscoring the importance of detailed communication between groomer and sharpener. A good groomer should ask the sharpener specific questions about what they are doing and how they are doing it. And a good sharpener should ask the groomer detailed questions about what they are experiencing, how they are caring for their equipment and what their goals are in the sharpening. The best way to find a good sharpener is to ask other groomers in your area for their recommendations. It is a wise groomer who does not trust a new sharpener with their best shears right away. &

INTERVIEWS WITH THE ICONS

by Jonathan David

Judy Breton

Her love for the grooming industry is

endless and, judging from her resume, so is her drive to improve the lives of groomers everywhere.

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udy Breton has had an impressive career in the grooming industry that spans six decades! She has dabbled in everything from grooming in a family-run boarding kennel to becoming an international speaker and judge. She has worked in product development for a major manufacturer and, for many years, Judy was the show promoter of two of the largest grooming events in the country. Her love for the grooming industry is endless and, judging from her resume, so is her drive to improve the lives of groomers everywhere. I got to catch up with my friend Judy and ask her all about her impressive and expansive career. Jonathan: Hi Judy, I’m so excited to speak with you today! You’ve devoted your life to this industry and you’ve done so much in your career, so let’s talk about how it all began. You come from a family of dog lovers and your family has roots in the dog world, tell me about that and how you got into pet grooming. Judy: My Dad bred and trained black Labradors for hunting. When he retired, Dad and Mom bought a commercial training and boarding facility in Danville, CA. I was looking into going to beautician school and my parents suggested dog grooming school so I could help expand and support the business. After gradua-

tion, I worked for a salon in Milpitas, CA and thought I was a great groomer. Then, in the late 70’s, I went to my first grooming competition show in San Francisco. There I observed some great grooms and realized that, in actuality, I sucked as a groomer! From then on, I have worked every day to improve my grooming and to help educate other groomers. Jonathan: Aside from being a groomer, you worked for many years in product development for Tomlyn Pet Products, and you also worked with Petco and PetSmart—pretty impressive! Tell me about those experiences and what they entailed. Judy: Working at a kennel you get a lot of bath dogs. We used Tomlyn products at Breton’s and I liked their product line, and I got to know the president and the staff in sales. I would help out at the shows when

they needed a break because I talked “groomer language” and knew the line, and I loved sharing information with other groomers at shows. One day, I got to talk with the head chemist, Dr. Ben Weinstein, and he told me about a new line of shampoo they were developing. Jo Breton, my sister-in-law and grooming partner, had a chemistry background from UC Berkeley. She would do the tech stuff and I would do the feel-good stuff like writing evaluations to send back to the lab. I also worked as key account manager for Tomlyn and got to develop fragrances for seasonal promotions. I learned so much about the in’s and out’s of manufacturing and sales. Working with the services sections of PetSmart and Petco, I was very lucky to be able to travel around the country doing educational training for most of their regions and, as a result,

I have met some great groomers that are now close friends. Jonathan: You’ve also been a grooming contest judge and educator both here at home and abroad. Where around the globe has grooming taken you and what was your mission in education? Judy: Let’s see… Germany, England, China, Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, Canada, Mexico and Belgium. I have also been to all the major shows in the U.S., speaking and judging. What is my mission in education? To help groomers around the world share ideas and not be isolated from the new and changing world of grooming, and to share my decades of experience. I am now a Pet CPR and First Aid PetTech instructor as well. Jonathan: Well, clearly people know you all over the world, but one of your most visible roles in the industry was working for WPA as the Director of Grooming and Special Services, bringing us the amazing shows, Superzoo and the Atlanta Pet Fair. Tell me about those years and some of your accomplishments during your tenure. Judy: Back in the 80’s when I was in charge of grooming for BAPI (the Bay Area Pet Industries), we put on the grooming seminars and contests for WWPSA as a volunteer/club member. Some thought that groomers weren’t part of the pet industry. So, when I got hired, I was so excited to get paid for what I had done for free years ago. When I started with WPA, we were working with Jerry Schinberg of the All American Grooming Show, Pam Lauirtzen of US Pet Pro Classic and Ann Stafford of the Atlanta Pet Fair to standardize the shows. All the rules for the contests were set up the same and we all talked about many other changes. Then Barkleigh bought All American from Jerry and WPA bought Atlanta Pet Fair from Ann. When rule-time review came around,

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"What is my mission in education? To help groomers around the world share ideas and not be isolated from the new and changing world of grooming, and to share my decades of experience." we continued to share ideas. We all wanted the contest rules to be consistent for the competitors and judges. What I am most proud of is working to bring the world’s groomers to SuperZoo and making that a world-class grooming show. I think the $10,000 Jackpot prize money might have helped a little with the success. We had winners from all over the world, and I also got to hire judges and speakers from around the world to help make it a true international show. Jonathan: With all your experience and accomplishments, you’ve been the nominee and recipient of countless awards. Tell me about some of those awards and tell me which one

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 2 • February 2022

you are most proud of. Judy: My first accomplishments were the PPGC Certified Master Groomer achievement and ABKA Certified Kennel Operator. More recently, receiving the WPA 2020 Hall of Fame Award was an honor, but the Shirlee Kalstone Global Achievement Award presented by GroomTeam USA is the one I am most proud of. When I started grooming, Shirlee Kalstone was the biggest icon in the industry; the person I admired and wanted to follow. To receive this award was the highlight of my career. Jonathan: Well your love for this industry is obvious. You’ve served on the GroomTeam USA advisory

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board for many years as well as being the current show rep. You’re also the VP of the California Professional Pet Groomers Association and you’ve worked with PIJAC to fight for the best interests of pet groomers when it comes to legislation. Tell me about what you do in regards to legislation and why this is so important for our industry. Judy: Every morning when I go to my computer, I review the “PIJAC First Look” industry briefs to see what is going on in the world that will affect the grooming industry. I also watch the NAIA weekly briefs. Items come up that can affect our industry and could cripple grooming if not monitored by groomers. We

need to watch what the government wants to put in place. I am not against government regulation, but I think we can do a better job of monitoring our industry ourselves. Sometimes a city or town can get a ruling started that can then be moved on to county, then state. We have to watch that the wrong wording doesn’t get started in the first place. I also support the Facebook group “National Alliance of Grooming Associations.” Because the laws will come at us from the local and state level, we all need to watch what is happening and know that your voice does matter. How many groomers know who their state Assemblyman or Senator is? Getting to know them now will help when you need their support. Jonathan: That’s very important work. But when you’re not being a superwoman in the grooming industry, you’re a superwoman at

home with a husband, four children, thirteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren—wow! But there’s also another important family member that will live on forever in your heart, your beloved dog Rusty. Tell me about Rusty and why he’s your heart dog. Judy: My youngest son was born in 1970 and his name was Roger, and we got a Golden Retriever puppy about the same time and his name was Rusty. Rusty was a great dog. He loved the kids and was a great companion. As my son started getting older, and I would have to tell him, “ROGER, NO!” the dog, being named Rusty, would start to cower as he didn’t know the difference in the names. So we ended up calling my son “Scooter” as a nickname. And to this day, friends from our past still call him Scooter, although he prefers Roger now that he’s a grandfather himself! &

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 2 • February 2022

by Daryl Conner

On Course with Curves

ave you ever wondered why so many grooming tools come in both straight and curved styles? From slicker brushes to shears, and more recently, combs, curved tools are designed to help groomers achieve great results while being easier on our bodies while we work. In my grooming studio, I have a variety of slicker brushes. Some have flat backs; others are designed with a curve. I use all of them, but I find I most often reach for the curved style, especially if I am trying to get mats and tangles out. Recently I asked grooming educator Carol Visser why she thought the curved-back slickers were created.

"When damage is done while brushing, such as scrapes or ‘brush burn’ (just as clipper burn, it's not a burn but an irritation), it is usually done by the edge pins. Unless the person using the brush is moving their wrist incorrectly, the wrist shouldn't be flexible while brushing. Instead, the brush should be visualized as connected at the elbow or shoulder to ensure that those top edge pins are not scraped along the skin," Carol shared. To most effectively use a slicker-style brush, groomers should utilize the "pat and pull" method. First, pat the brush into the coat, then pull it from the base of the hair to the tips. Slickers with a contoured back seem

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to go deeper into the fur, reducing the time it takes to brush the pet by decreasing the number of times the groomer has to go over each section. A curved back also helps give the user more control as they move and direct the brush through the fur. How about curved shears? I know groomers who think they are gimmicks and don't use them. However, I use my selection of curved scissors far more than any straight shears I own. No matter the blade length, stylists can choose scissors with just a hint of a curve all the way to some seriously extreme bends in longer blades. We can even get curved thinning shears or chunkers.

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Randy Lowe with Precision Sharp was kind enough to share why he thinks groomers need curved scissors: "All dogs are contours; radiuses. To take a straight shear and make a contour, think of your thumb, raising and lowering, straight lines, one straight line after another to create a radius: small-angle, small-angle, small-angle until you are around the contour. With a curved blade, one raise and lower of the thumb, and you are around the contour. Curved shears allow you to do approximately one third less work, and you have no angle lines." Thinning shears and chunkers allow groomers to create soft, natural lines. But curved thinners and chunkers are marvelous for making those smooth lines happen on curved areas of pets. They both get a strenuous 2:28:06 PM

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workout in my grooming studio, and I have no idea how I ever groomed without them. I recently had an opportunity to try out a set of curved combs but, to be honest, I couldn't quite figure them out. So, I reached out to some online groomer friends and award-winning grooming industry speaker Melissa Jepson kindly posted a short video showing how she uses them. Melissa said, "The comb is curved for the exact same reasons as other curved tools." And she demonstrated using a large curved comb on the topline of a Poodle in a longer scissored trim. Watching how the curved comb lifted so much more of the hair than a straight comb was inspirational. She explained that the curved comb has different contact points on the dog

than a traditional straight comb does. In addition, Melissa demonstrated how she could cover a large area of the dog with just a few strokes of the comb due to how the curve matched the shape of the dog's body. "It's helpful in preventing hand fatigue," she said. “And I get a smooth, even finish using them. They work more with you than against you." Smaller curved combs can be helpful not only on smaller dogs (they'd be perfect for Pomeranians), but also when setting lines for Asian fusion-style faces. Shaped and designed to echo the form of the dogs we work on, curved tools are a valuable addition to every groomer's toolbox. The ergonomics work in our favor, helping us achieve a superb finish while being kind to our hands and wrists. &

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 2 • February 2022

BUT WHY?

by Jonathan David

ONE HEALTH: PERFECT PRODUCTS

FOR PEOPLE & PETS

et professionals who work hands-on with pets often hear about the dangers of zoonotic diseases and how to avoid them. We hear about the horrors of bacterial and viral infections that can leap from animals to humans, or parasites that are just as comfy living on human hosts as they are on the animals we work with. But what about the things that are beneficial to both humans and pets? We know that there are many products and remedies that are just as good for our furry friends as they are for humans—and sometimes those products are even more beneficial to our pets than we realize.

But why should a groomer know more about a “One Health” approach? The theory of One Health is a collaborative approach working towards the optimal health outcomes while recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants and the environment. Right about now you might be asking yourself, “What the heck is he talking about?” Let me explain… In the large scheme of things, the One Health approach is when experts like infectious disease experts, physicians, veterinarians, laboratorians and pet professionals work across human, animal and environmental health to improve the health of

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people, domestic pets and wildlife. Basically, working together to create products, protocols and environments that are most beneficial to the health and wellbeing of humans, animals and the environment as one. Now you might be asking yourself, “How does this involve pet groomers?” Well, simply put, by tackling pet grooming from a One Health approach, we can make small changes and adjustments to our daily life in our homes and salons that, on a much smaller scale, can create better environments and health benefits for both the groomer and the pet. Let’s start with our basic environments. We live and sometimes work

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in our homes. We also work in salons, mobile units, veterinary facilities and boarding kennels. In these places, we come and go and we have pets that come and go which is constantly exposing our environments and us to possible health hazards. So we use cleaners and disinfectants that we know will kill those nasty germs. But what do those products do to us and to the pets we groom?

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 2 • February 2022

Over the last year or so we’ve become painfully aware of the importance of good ventilation and clean environments, and we’ve become diligent disinfectors, but many of the products used in enclosed spaces can cause respiratory issues. And, if you read labels closely, the warnings on some of the products can be of concern. We use clipper coolants, lubricants and sprays in aerosol cans, and often we inhale the spray as we use them. When we dremel nails, the nail dust floats through the air like the smoke from a cigarette and it becomes part of the air we breathe. And, let’s not forget the hair itself. As we snip and clip and those fine micro bits of hair fly around and stick to our skin, they’re also going into our lungs. All of these things described are not only happening to us, but they’re happening to the pets we groom as well.

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So now that I’ve painted a vivid picture of things we may not think about every day that could be causing harm to us and the pets we groom, let’s talk about how to combat the harmful effects of these airborne assaulters. The first thing you can do is improve the quality of the air you breathe. Using an air purifier in the enclosed spaces in which we work can drastically improve the air quality. And, installing a HEPA filter in your air conditioner or furnace is another great way to filter small and toxic particles from the air you breathe. Be sure to frequently clean the air filters on your force dryers and vacuums as well and clean the inside of the hoses regularly. Dander, hair and bacteria can build up in these areas that we often forget when implementing our cleaning protocols. Wearing a mask when you’re using a dremel or when scissoring is a great way to help protect your lungs while grooming. Next, let’s look at some of the products we use, such as cleaning products, as well as some healthier options that don’t contain harmful chemicals which can be irritating to the lungs. Cleaners with strong-smelling chemicals and disinfectants may be good to treat surfaces, but they’re not always the best products to use while in an enclosed space. Instead, try using disinfectants that are mild-smelling and free of harmful chemicals, which are better for you, the pets you groom and the environment. There are many products on the market that are natural or plantbased and still do a thorough job of cleaning and disinfecting. When using chemical sprays like clipper lubricants and coolants, be careful when spraying them and avoid using them close to the pets you groom. I like to use a paper towel cupped around the clipper when I use these sprays. The paper towel helps absorb the excess spray and catches the droplets that would otherwise

make their way into the air I breathe. Aside from physical health, mental health is a very important part of staying in good spirits and keeping the dogs we groom comfortable. Using aromatherapy diffusers in a corner of the room can be a nice way to help calm the senses of both you and the pets in your care. Be careful which products you choose, as some oils can be strong and the smell can be overpowering and irritating to pets. There are some great light-scented diffusers that just add a peaceful, calming scent to the air without creating offensive or overpowering smells. There are also diffusers that release pheromones which are said to help calm stressed pets. And a comfortable, relaxed pet sets the stage for a good experience for both the pet and the groomer. The health and wellbeing of ourselves, self-care and mental breaks are a vital part of longevity in any career. Rome wasn’t built in a day, so don’t feel like you have to make a monumental shift in the way you operate. Small changes can go a long way to a better, happier and healthier you, and the pets you groom. &

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 2 • February 2022

ASK THE GROOMING TUTOR

by Michell Evans

TAX T A X X A T

Tax Season Tips

Dear Michell,

The holiday rush has left me feeling exhausted. Tax season is coming up and I am overwhelmed by the thought of getting ready for my tax bill. I am behind on my bookkeeping and overwhelmed by trying to gather all the information for my accountant. I hate asking for an extension because that just prolongs the stress. Why do I procrastinate!? Sincerely, Jan

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 2 • February 2022

i Jan. I can understand your pain! There is always an added burden at tax time. There are lots of reasons why people experience stress and anxiety during tax season: PTSD from a former audit, math anxiety, procrastination and avoidance of bookkeeping are just a few examples. In addition, looking back over your spending can force you to relive both good and bad experiences from the former year. Also, it can shine a light on frivolous spending as well as expenses that felt like they were extorted from you. The best thing you can do for yourself is start with a plan for this year— now! It’s only February so you are not far behind on your bookkeeping at this point. Include bookkeeping in your schedule. It is so common for salon and mobile owners to forget to schedule time to take care of the business side of things. We are so busy taking care of pets and wrangling employees that we forget to take care of the business. A

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good start would be to give yourself one hour per week to work on your business. Just think; if you do this every week, come tax time, you will have already spent 52 hours keeping books and preparing for tax time! Consider using bookkeeping software to help you manage your categorizations. I use Quicken and I love it! I have been using it for decades. It basically uploads all my spending from my various bank accounts and credit cards and automatically categorizes them based on whether the expenditure is tax deductible and if it is a business or personal expense. It is a single-entry accounting system that acts like a cashflow monitor or bank register. It shows all money coming in and all money going out. I invest about one hour a week keeping everything up to date. At the end of the year, I send the final reports to my accountant and that is the extent of my time and hassle of getting ready for tax time. There are, of course, other

Many accountants have a checklist for you every year to help you gather the documents and calculations they need to figure how much you owe or receive in refund.

bookkeeping software options. But the important part is not which one you use but that you actually use it. Point of sale (POS) software could be another huge help when it comes to tax time. Some POS software works seamlessly with bookkeeping software. What POS software does for you is keep track of all your sales reports and payroll. Each time you check out a pet, the software keeps track of the income, charges the appropriate sales tax, manages the tips and keeps track of who gets paid for the service. In the case of

hourly employees, it offers a time clock. When payday comes, I simply run a report that tells me the amount to pay each employee. Between these two software applications, I have streamlined my bookkeeping down to less than one hour per week and maybe three hours at tax time. It’s true that getting these software applications installed and getting started using them can feel like a daunting task and it does take some time, but it is worth the investment! Look for a groomer on maternity leave,

a high school student or a “temp” hired through an employment agency to do your initial data entry and to set up some of the systems. If you don’t already have a good accountant that understands micro-business, find one! Micro-businesses usually operate with 10 people or less, and many grooming salons fall into this category. A good Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is worth their weight in gold. They will likely save you enough in taxes to pay for themselves. Many accountants have a checklist for you every year

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Keep your receipts! If at some point in the future the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) wants proof of an expense, you will be so glad that you can put your hands on the proof easily.

to help you gather the documents and calculations they need to figure how much you owe or receive in refund. Keep your receipts! There are many ways to do this, and I would suggest using more than one. You can keep a paper folder with receipts, use an app to take pictures of receipts, scan and store receipts in a folder on your computer, have receipts emailed to you and save those in a folder in email, and many more. The most important thing is that you save them, not how you save

them. If at some point in the future the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) wants proof of an expense, you will be so glad that you can put your hands on the proof easily. If you find yourself in a real mess where you have not done anything all year—or worse—more than a year, hire help! Find out what it takes to get square. You may have to make some payments to the IRS, but you can get things moving in the right direction. It’s not too late! &

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I am a multi-Best-In-Show and Best-All-Around groomer. I am the recipient of many Barkleigh Honors Awards. I am a Silver and Gold medalist for GroomTeam USA. I am the winner of Show Dog Groomer of the Year and I have been teaching as The Grooming Tutor since 2000. And I groom to make a living, just like you. Please send questions to michell@ groomingtutor.com

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KITTY'S KORNER

by Deborah Hansen

HOW AGGRESSIVE IS TOO AGGRESIVE?

hen a cat comes flying at your face, you dodge it, and it leaves a trail of nail scrapes down the door you were standing in front of, it is probably too aggressive for you to groom. When a cat has you trapped in your work area, it is probably too aggressive for you to groom. When a vet will only see the cat in a trap cage, it is probably too aggressive for you to groom. New and experienced groomers alike struggle with knowing if a cat is too aggressive to groom. But like with any groom, the benefits must outweigh the risks. When comparing benefits to risks, many times we are talking about elderly cats that have thin and baggy skin and need pelt removals. Sometimes we are talking about cats that are

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 2 • February 2022

prone to stress during the grooming process. When presenting the benefits and the risks of a groom to a client, we are usually telling the client we are worried about their cat’s life and safety, and that we believe one option is better than the other. When we are talking about benefits and risks of grooming an aggressive cat, we are talking about our health and safety as the groomer. The first step in trying to figure out if a cat is too aggressive for you to groom is by accurately assessing if the cat in front of you is aggressive. There are several methods to determine the temperament of a cat. While the cats that are growling and hissing are obviously aggressive, an aggressive cat can also present as self-assured and confident.

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Many measure aggressive cats on a scale with the cats that are all vocalizations on the low end and the cats that will charge unprovoked at any human on the high end. Keep in mind that aggressive cats tend to escalate in aggressive behavior during the grooming process. Next you need to accurately assess your skill level: How long have you been grooming? What is your experience with cats? Have you had cat grooming training? How many cat grooms have you successfully completed? How confident are you with your cat grooming skills? This all goes into assessing your individual skill level. Training by an organization that specializes exclusively in grooming felines is invaluable if you want to groom these highlyaggressive kitties.

When I started grooming, my limited life experiences with cats gave me many false assumptions. Experience has shown me that not all cats are groomable in every grooming environment. I have also learned that while many cats are unnecessarily sedated for grooming, these highly-aggressive cats can get a nice lion cut or pelt removal under sedation at a veterinarian’s office. After you have established that there is an aggressive cat in front of you to groom, know and feel confident in your skill level, realize that not all cats are groomable in every grooming environment and that there are other grooming choices if you turn this cat away. Then and only then can you make an informed decision if this cat is one you can and choose to groom.

When making the decision to groom an aggressive cat, do not make the mistake of letting pride enter the equation. Many new groomers think they can handle more cat than their skill level allows due to the expectations or beliefs of friends, colleagues or clients. Injuries from cats are very dangerous and should never be taken lightly. Cat bites can result in emergency surgery, hospitalization, loss of movement in a finger or even loss of a finger. When the choice is made to groom an aggressive cat, we need to take measures to keep our bodies safe. Kevlar sleeves provide protection for our bodies. I use leather-covered Kevlar sleeves that have allowed me to take a direct bite from an angry cat with only a nasty

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bruise left behind. The Kevlar prevents the tooth from penetrating the skin. Hard-sided muzzles are also a huge asset when grooming aggressive cats. Learning to use these muzzles does have a learning curve and should first be mastered with compliant cats before attempting to use them on an aggressive cat. When using a hard-sided muzzle on an aggressive cat, keep in mind the feline’s neck will puff out making it imperative to double check that the muzzle is secure. Aggressive cats also will try to throw the muzzle. It is important you have full control before putting the hard-sided muzzle onto the feline. Keeping the muzzle well maintained is also essential. Check the screws and fasteners before you begin your

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 2 • February 2022

grooming session. Another factor to consider when deciding if you will groom an aggressive cat is how your day is going. You need to be 100% focused and calm with no distractions when you groom an aggressive cat. If there is something going on in your personal life that has your mind occupied, it is best to walk away from that groom. While I no longer groom the cats that cartoons are made of, I will still consider grooming aggressive cats. I must be having a “good” day. I need to be calm and focused. And unlike six years ago, I am not afraid to walk away. When things start falling apart, I am finished. I believe in my skills and training. I know every cat is not

groomable in the house-call environment. I always under promise the client. I also know that if this truly is a highly-aggressive cat, a local veterinarian will be willing to manage their coat under sedation. When determining how aggressive is too aggressive for you, remember a cat bite can put you in the hospital, potentially ending your grooming career. It is always best to err on the side of caution when making this decision. Remember that the cats which present as aggressive are likely to escalate in their aggression during the groom. Your safety is the most important factor when deciding if a cat is safe for you to groom and when to walk away. &

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& Fancy Finishes This month I wanted to focus on everything that happens before a great haircut begins, as well as the fancy finishing techniques used to set you apart from the pack. That means, the haircut is up to you, but let's focus on a finish!

FIG. 1

FIG. 2

Fig 1) The two things needed to get curly hair to straighten out is to apply heat with tension. I personally get more bang for my buck with a handheld hair dryer, but for those of you who prefer stand dryers, that'll work too.

Fig 2) Once you have straightened every hair, you should be able to drag a comb through the hair to the skin at a 90-degree angle with no resistance.

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 41 Ed 2 • February 2022

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FIG. 3

Fig 3) Because this dog gets a short ear style, I will clip everything on the inside of the leather with a #15. I use my hand to create a safe, flat surface to support the ear.

FIG. 4

FIG. 5

Fig 4) The anal sanitary is best done with a #10 or #15 blade, working from the outside and away from the sphincter but never crossing over it.

Fig 5) I am always very fastidious when doing the paw pads, so to make sure that I have them as neat as possible, I use a #10 or #15 blade.

FIG. 6

Fig 6) On larger dogs, I do the belly sanitary by lifting one rear leg at a time and doing one side and then the other. This makes it easier to scissor in your tuck-up when that time comes. Fig 8) I pick the dog’s foot up to trim, but always return it to the table with their weight on it in order to check my work.

Fig 7) Every face that I prep gets a quick zap of the flews. This cuts down on staining, smell and even scissor-finish time while trimming the face. FIG. 7

FIG. 8

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Fig 9) Many groomers would call this "done" and it is not bad, but let me show you how I comb up some areas very specifically to be trimmed to a flashy finish.

FIG. 9

Fig 10) I comb everything straight down to trim the underline and set the line.

FIG. 10

Fig 11) Next, I drag the underline straight back and re-trim the line. Then I repeat this step, but drag all the hair forward on the underline.

FIG. 11

Fig 12) Then I comb the muzzle hair straight up with the comb running the length of the muzzle and the tines at a 90-degree angle.

FIG. 12

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FIG. 13

FIG. 14

Fig 13) I comb and scissor upwards on the legs for a plushier finish.

Fig 14) I then retrieve all my set lines after these extreme ways of fluffing and exposing missed hairs.

FIG. 15

Fig 15) Gently, I hold the tip of the ear and fluff every last hair on the outside of the leather to better trim a structured finish over the ear set.

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FIG. 16

Fig 16) For doodles, I like to mist their body coat with a conditioning spray and brush their waves back in.

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