PetGroomer.com Magazine - Summer 2021 by findagroomer

eGroomer Journal January / March 2014

July / September 2021 Vol. 11, Ed. 3 PetGroomer.com Publications

M A G A Z I N E

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INSIDE THE SUMMER 2021 ISSUE Calendar of Events

Breaking Down Mobile Pet Grooming Prices

Mobile Happenings

Why Does Product Packaging Matter for Retailing?

Deep Dive Into a National Groomer Shortage

GroomFit: Hush Puppies

Kill the Interview to Land Your Dream Job

Portuguese Water Dog Styling

How to Fix Sharp Clipper Blade Teeth

Our PetGroomer.com Sponsor Buying Guide

Blade & Snap-on Reference Chart

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INDUSTRY CALENDAR

JULY 2021 NORTHWEST GROOMING SHOW July 8-11, 2021 Tacoma, Washington See www.nwgroom.com GROOM EXPO WEST July 22-25, 2021 Pasadena, California See www.groomexpowest.com

AUGUST 2021 ALL AMERICAN GROOMING SHOW August 12—15, 2021 Schaumburg, Illinois See www.aagroom.com

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SEPTEMBER 2021 GROOM EXPO September 9 - 12, 2021 Hershey, Pennsylvania See www.groomexpo.com

OCTOBER 2021 NEW ENGLAND GROOMING SHOW October 7– 10, 2021 Sturbridge, Massachusets See www.newenglandgrooms.com INTERGROOM October 21- 24, 2021 Secaucus, New Jersey See www.intergroom.com

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Breaking Down Mobile Pet Grooming Prices The idea of owning your own mobile pet grooming salon can sound farfetched. But with the ongoing rise of the pet care industry—and dog grooming in particular—there’s never been a better time to chase after your dreams. However, To find success, you’ll need to understand how to best price mobile grooming and market your services.

joying the career of your dreams, and providing your customers quality, professional service. We are here to teach you how to start a mobile pet grooming business. Remember: With the right support, anything’s paw-ssible!

That’s where we can help. We’ll crunch the numbers for you so that you can better understand how to turn a significant profit. That way, you can own boss, en-A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved 14 focus on being yourCopyright © 2013 Find PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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The Rise of Pet Grooming Over the last decade, the amount of money pet parents in the U.S. spent on their furry family members doubled, leading pet care to become a $99 billion a year industry in 2020. That’s a lot of pets and a lot of money! Part of this growth is due to the increased popularity of pet grooming. In the past, grooming was seen only as a luxury—a way for dog owners to pamper their loved ones or prepare them to be shown in competitions. Now, more and more pet parents are learning the important role grooming plays in their pet’s overall health and well-being. Regular bathing, hair cutting and brushing, ears and eyes cleaning, nail clipping, flea and tick treatment, and dental care significantly reduces the risk of infections, flea and tick infestations, and other health issues. And with 63.4 million households in America owning at least one dog, groomers are in high demand as there are many pet grooming benefits. In fact, by 2026, dog grooming employment is expected to grow by at least 19%. eGroomer Journal

July / September 2021

If you’ve ever thought about starting your own mobile dog grooming business, now’s the time to make your mark on this industry. But to ensure you’re not an underdog in the rapidlygrowing world of mobile pet grooming, let’s discuss how to effectively price and market your services to give you a competitive edge.

Why Mobile Dog Groomers Can Charge More When it comes to providing for their four-legged friends, pet parents are willing to pay for quality, personalized service that keeps their pets looking and feeling their best. As a mobile dog groomer, not only can you provide this quality service, but by bringing the mobile salon directly to the client, you also offer a number of other benefits. Mobile dog groomers: Save time for clients – Many pet parents struggle to find time in their busy schedules to take their pet to the groomer. This is especially true if they’re only free at times when pet salons are typically closed. Since mobile groomers can set their own hours, they

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can better accommodate clients with unusual schedules. Help clients with multiple dogs – Pet parents who have more than one dog often have to make multiple trips to the groomer each month. With a mobile groomer, every dog in a household can be groomed on the same day. Eliminate stress for anxious dogs – For some dogs, young or old, traveling in a car can be stressful and challenging, or even cause car sickness. Many salons also crate dogs while they wait their turn to be groomed, which can cause significant anxiety.

July / September 2021

the need to be in a crate, mobile groomers make it possible for these dogs to experience the pampering and health benefits of grooming, without leaving the comfort of their homes. Provide convenience and peace of mind – While all pet parents can appreciate the convenience of a mobile groomer, home-bound clients, such as seniors or those with disabilities, especially benefit from this service. Mobile groomers also provide a safe, socially distant option for pet parents concerned about the spread of Covid19.

By eliminating the need for travel and

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Let’s Crunch the Numbers As a mobile groomer, you have total control over the cost of your services, as well as the number of dogs you groom in a day. With a Wag’n Tails vehicle and the right pricing model, you can make $120,000 or more annually with your mobile grooming salon. Chew on this: Monthly overhead costs for the Wag’n Tails Ultra Groom (a standard grooming vehicle) include your lease payment, fuel, vehicle and business insurance, supplies, maintenance, and phone costs. These expenses total approximately $2,125. In groomer speak, that’s the equivalent of grooming 28.4 dogs per month. This means that in a thirty day month, if you groom only one day a day (at an average of $75 per dog), you’ll earn more than what you need to break even. And that doesn’t even account for larger dogs, high-maintenance breeds, special services, or tips! By grooming an average of six dogs a day, working five days a week, you can earn $9,900 every month. Even after your overhead costs, you’re still left

July / September 2021

with $7,775. Are you making that kind of money at your current job?

Profits That Will Get Your Tail Waggin’! With a mobile grooming salon, your career as a professional dog groomer is not only paw-sibble—it’s profitable. Especially if you partner with Wag’n Tails. If you are wondering how to be a pet groomer, Wag’n Tails is here to help. With decades of experience designing, engineering, and manufacturing specialty vehicles for the mobile pet grooming industry, Wag’n Tails is the best resource for starting a successful dog grooming business. Wag’n Tails provides each of its customers with a comprehensive mobile pet grooming business success guide and other valuable services that help ensure customer success. So don’t wait another day! Experience the benefits of being your own boss, setting your own hours, and providing quality service to the best customers around—pets. Contact us today! Call 800-513-0304 or www.wagntails.com. ◄

Sources: Veterinary Schools. How to Become a Dog/Pet Groomer. https://www.veterinaryschoolsu.com/grooming/ Home Guide. Dog Grooming Prices. https://homeguide.com/costs/dog-grooming-prices MyPetNeedsThat.com. How Much Does Mobile Dog Grooming Cost? https://www.mypetneedsthat.com/mobile-dog-grooming-cost/ Thumbtack. How much does a dog groomer cost? https://www.thumbtack.com/p/dog-grooming-prices eGroomer Journal Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved 17 Top Dog Tips. How Much Does It Cost to Groom a Dog in Salons. https://topdogtips.com/dog-grooming-prices/ PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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MOBILE HAPPENINGS

PetGroomer.com is regularly surveying members of the industry. We want to keep our touch with the industry and surveying is the best and most informative way.

While some mobile groomers retire and sell their used vehicles here we have leads to quality new conversions. New and used sales are way up! Every week we talk with business owners closing staffed locations and going mobile as a one-person business. The pressures of finding adequate staff is the leading reason. Here are some recent surveys. eGroomer Journal

Are you a first-time mobile groomer but long-time groomer in the grooming industry?

YES 73%

NO 27%

Are you a downsizing business owner moving from a commercial or home-based business to mobile-based business?

YES 61% NO 39%

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Results When Asked of Mobile Groomers Only

Results When Asked of First-Time Mobilers

Since the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic have you reconsidered your future in grooming? If yes, please indicate why.

If you went mobile since the beginning of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic what has been your experience?

YES 74%

NO 26%

Glad I am mobile and working on self-employed basis. 82%

Most days my phone rings off the hook from new customers. 70%

Being both essential and mobile has really worked out well. 79%

I have taken my phone number off the van to lower calls from new customers. I am booked solid. 65%

My burnout (mental stress) factor dropped dramatically being mobile. 82%

I am so busy I regularly refer new customers to other mobile groomers. 44%

I could run 2 more vehicles from demand since Covid started. 42%

Seeing the same regular customers makes running the business easier. 72%

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Why Does Product Packaging Matter for Retailing? When I started my journey in the pet industry more than 15 years ago, little did I know how important my previous education was in fashion design and how helpful my design experience would be for the rest of my life. Back then I studied shoe & accessory design and even completed an internship with Ralph Lauren in NYC. What does this have to do with pet products you say? The fundamentals of design are very similar whether you’re designing, shoes, a store interior, or a dog cake box. Many business owners want a beautiful store that is well merchandised with just the right assortment of branded products that convey a certain “lifestyle” for their store. Whether you are just stocking your store with products, private labeling, or manufacturing your own products, package design can play a huge role in your product sales and thus; your future success. 24

When we think of our favorite pet stores, pet products, or practically anything in the World, there is an element of design that has caught our eye. How many times have you picked out a bottle of wine, a new snack, or even purchased a piece of fast fashion while scrolling through social media? What caught your eye? It was the design that went into the packaging of that item that made you stop and add it to your

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cart. If you think about it, nearly everything and everyone is designed as a package to be marketed. Your car, your shoes, your handbag, the clothing you choose to wear, are all products but they’re also statements of your own design preferences and your billboard to the world about your own personal brand. Therefore; YOU are a marketable brand as well. Your branding can be single, down to earth, country girl or city hipster, granola Mom. Whether it’s for you to wear or sell in your store, what actually goes into the design making decisions when packaging a product for sale? There are many articles available on the Internet about this subject both academic and simplistic. However, sometimes we want our knowledge from someone we know who's been through the struggle. My aim is to break down package design because I have retailed or sold products off and on for nearly 30 years. Most importantly, I have been through an excruciating package journey with shippable and perishable products for my dog bakery. Below are some tips to help you understand the journey and importance of eGroomer Journal

July / September 2021

product packaging for your store or your future product offering. Which problem are you solving? When I started my package design journey, I started with the problem of shipping perishable products across the USA. I had to package my items differently than I did in my previous store because I didn’t have to worry about how items would ship safely across the country. Embarrassingly, I have shipped products that arrived completely molded upon arriving at their destination because I used too much plastic. I used ingredients such as carob that melted and re-mulsified my treat and arrived in a chocolatey, hot, mess. For sometime I used plastic windows which looked pretty but would not make for a profitable business as I was paying $11 for 1 bone cake box! Every problem that would arise needed to be solved with packaging. I hired designers to put my own design into graphic terms that were printable but then couldn’t get designers to execute precisely my idea. I wanted drips to look like the drips flowing down my 4 inch dog cake and instead got icicles melting from a rooftop. Before you think about (Continued on page 26)

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the actual design itself, you must think about the problem you are trying to solve. The weight, height, depth, and shape are all important items to consider not only for the product you are housing, but the cost of shipping, and the experience of your packaging to the end user. Who is your target audience? Most business owners know who their end user will be. Once the end user is deciphered… you can purchase products to reflect their taste & lifestyle. I know my end product user wants a beautiful product their dog will love. I also know the store purchasing my item wants to attract that client so I need to appeal to both a wholesaler and a retail client.

July / September 2021

Well designed packaging will look amazing in a beautiful store and attract their intended target; a retail client. Placing beautiful packaging in a store elevates the store therefore increasing the branding for a client that is interested in only the best for their pup! What is a MUST for your package? Have you ever received one of those lengthy newsletters that were so wordy you deleted it within 30 seconds? According to industry standards the average person spends somewhere between 51-110 seconds on a newsletter which is why it’s so important to get your point across as efficiently as possible by limiting your actual verbiage. The same tactic applies to packaging. Packaging requirements are often set by the legal jargon required and getting expressed as stylish & efficient as possible. Keep other tools in mind such as branding usage, font size, contact information, and social media connections to maximize your connection with the retail client. Most importantly, make sure the end user (retail client) knows exactly what’s INSIDE your box immediately! If this point is missed, you will be hard (Continued on page 27)

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pressed to upscale your company with product packaging that is lacking. Make your package elicit an emotion. Tiffany & Co. has done this VERY well. Nearly everyone knows what comes in a little teal blue box. Number 1837 Blue which was made exclusively for Tiffany & Co. elicits excitement because that little blue box is an icon of luxury, sophistication, and exclusivity all over the World. By designing memorable packaging, you will not only be well on your way to growing your brand, you will also be able to create experiences that elicit emotion from the end user; the retail client. Study your clients and find out what colors are preferable. Many business owners design stores or packaging based on their own preferences in lieu of their client preferences. An experienced business owner eventually learns to leave their ego at the door and design for their target client, not themselves. I highly recommend you research the end user and find out what design style and color profile would work best for them. We are in business to do what we love but at the end of the day, we still have to make a profit too! eGroomer Journal

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When designing a product or packaging, keep your end user in mind to scale your business. You won’t regret it! Until next time, Leel Michelle Dog Cake Bakery LLC Retro Stylist Wear LLC Leel Michelle is the owner and designer behind the award-winning pet groomer apparel brand, Retro Stylist Wear and the grooming salon and boutique; Bow Wow Beauty Shoppe. She is a San Diego native that has also called Los Angeles, New York and Italy home. Formal education in fine art, art history, and fashion design led this animal loving entrepreneur to bring all her passion, talents and knowledge together to create a memorable and beloved retro business for pets and their owners.

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July / September 2021

DEEP DIVE INTO A NATIONAL GROOMER SHORTAGE Have you heard or read about a national shortage of groomers? We have. In fact, a dozen times. We learned there is a Evidence of the Shortage similar shortage of vet staff. Is it the surge of pandemic pet adoptions? Did Mainstream Explanations groomers leave the industry as a result of the pandemic? We took a deep dive Ask the Groomers eGroomer Journal Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved 33 and listened to groomers nationwide.

INSIDE

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EVIDENCE NATIONAL GROOMER SHORTAGE We start with evidence of the shortage allegedly the result of the pandemic pet population surge of 2020. About a year later there were reports of pet owners surrendering pets. In early 2021 some writers pumped the trend saying it was happening “in droves.” Further research released in Spring 2021 by the New York Times calmed the pet-loving public

reporting, No, People Are Not Returning Pandemic Dogs in Droves. More good news, “We don’t have any evidence to show that shelters are seeing an increase (of pet returns),” said Michael San Filippo, a spokesman for the American Veterinary Medical Association. We looked for more evidence.

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The Internet did not disappoint. We found plenty more evidence.

Petco's CEO says the company can barely keep up with demand for training and grooming services after millennials and Gen Z bought 11 million new pets last year. Petco CEO Ron Coughlin told Bloomberg the growth is due to the rise in pet adoptions in 2020...Coughlin added that Petco is expecting a similar increase in new pets in 2021. Source

Twin Cities area dog groomers overwhelmed, some backed up 10 weeks

Twin Cities dog owners having a hard time getting their dogs groomed are not alone as one local company is struggling to find enough groomers to keep up with appointments...groomers everywhere are saying the demand is more than they can handle. eGroomer Journal

Pet groomers see impact of national groomer shortage The Lend A Paw Spa Groomer Brooke Conner said she sees the need for groomers on a national level.

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And more.

Pet-Care Crisis: A Shortage of Workers, an Increase in Adoptions and Systemic Problems Have Led to Long Waits for Appointments Source

Popping pup population snarls schedules of veterinarians, groomers and kennels. An increase in dog adoptions during the COVID-19 pandemic is colliding with the normal crush of seasonal clients and a

shortage of groomers, vets and vet techs. Source

The dogs are scruffy, with no end in sight Charlotte dog groomers are overloaded as a worker shortage collides with an increase in dog ownership. Groomers are slammed and appointments are hard to find, as the pandemic puppy craze hits up against a long-running groomer shortage; ‘We’re a dying breed.’ The waits for appointments are stretching a month or longer, causing dog owners to panic, canines to sweat, and groomers to grimace as shaggy, matcoated dogs trot through the door.

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Source

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EVIDENCE NATIONAL GROOMER SHORTAGE PetGroomer.com Surveys Here are the highlights of our survey of 444 grooming employers in 36 U.S. states. Surveys were taken in Spring 2021. In 2021 are you experiencing a shortage of groomers to hire?

Where do you advertise job openings for your business

YES 82% NO 18%

FB 13% Indeed 67% PetGroomer.com 65% Signs 33%

If you answered Yes to #1, how severe is the shortage?

Does it help to advertise sign-on bonuses for successful employment?

SUBSTANTIAL 88% MODERATE 10% SLIGHT 2% How is it affecting your business? Select all that apply. LOSING CUSTOMERS 94% FINANCIAL ISSUES 54% MAY CLOSE BUSINESS 6% DOWNSIZING 66% LEAVING PROFESSION 8% eGroomer Journal

YES 7% NO 5% NEVER ATTEMPTED 88% Was it easier to hire pet groomers before the pandemic? YES, A LOT 18% YES, A LITTLE 14% NO 68%

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MAINSTREAM EXPLANATIONS NATIONAL GROOMER SHORTAGE We looked at evidence, a lot more than shown here. Now who always has an opinion on everything? Right, the mainstream media. They have addressed the national job shortage. Is there something we might learn about the national shortage of groomers from the media yet avoid politics? Yes, but we are gluttons for punishment expecting it be politics-free. We examined several articles and struck out all political references. Their truth is that the labor shortage is from the pandemic pet adoptison, and economics (mostly political). That being said, the #1 economic reason is the $300-per-week bonus unemployment benefit no matter what trade or service industry. We are not going to conclude they are right or wrong. The extra weekly unemployment benefit will run out about a month after we 38

publish this article. In weeks we will know the truth either way. Some U.S. states ended the additional weekly benefit early. For us, it is a litmus test to see if these eliminations decreased labor shortages. Of course, it takes time to determine results when we are talking about measuring effect for millions of citizens. Fortunately, the mainstream media gets muddled in its projections. Politics. Doubt arises. We are certain there is a groomer shortage. Some same national, some say regional. Let’s analyze the groomer shortage with MSM’s viewpoints of the overall job shortage. We have been in the grooming industry since 1961 and even then we endured a chronic shortage of skilled groomers. The long shortage is generally agreed upon by all grooming business owners and even the corporate world. Year (Continued on page 39)

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round groomer recruitment is factor of business for thousands of grooming businesses. What if the groomer shortage is not solely-based on the extra unemployment $300-per-week benefit? Does the mainstream media have more suggested answers? What is wrong with us? Of course they do. According to CNN the national job shortage could be in part explained and addressed by employers raising wage levels. The question here becomes are some bathers or groomers not returning or applying for positions in the grooming because the positions are underpaid? In 2021, many corporations have raised levels primarily for workers making at or near minimum wage. They include Amazon, Walmart, Costco, McDonalds and Chipolte. Bank of America was a leader and raised its minimum to $25 per hour. CNN provided this info as fact. Are the wage hikes working to reduce job openings? Yesterday I noticed the perpetually lighted sign at our McDonalds is still sending the same message. Help wanted (for over a year).

July / September 2021

is too soon to determine that raising wages alone will reduce the current job shortages claimed by a majority of states. Back to the mainstream media and its other propositions. They propose that access to child care is preventing many workers from returning to employment, especially women. The cost of childcare for workers is a major problem. But didn’t this problem exist in early 2020 before the pandemic? Is it suddenly a reason for not returning to work? It may be affecting the mindset of grooming workers, but providing childcare by grooming employers has never been a part of employment. There are couples concerned for their children returning to schools where masks are required or C.R.T. Are they not returning to work in order to stay-athome with their children and save the cost of child care? We don’t know, has anyone asked groomers? Inflation! The media claims inflation may be a part of the job shortage problem. Obviously it hits lower-income

Don’t get us wrong. We are pleased wages went up; minimum wage is simply noteGroomer muchJournal of a living wage. Perhaps it A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved Copyright © 2011 Find PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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workers more. Is the financial pressure of inflation going to force workers back to work just to keep up with the cost of living? What a vicious cycle. Such articles make it sound like a sour solution, and it is. We don’t really care for the mainstream media in these matters as it gets political, uncomfortable and more questions than answers. Is there no movie moment where sunlight breaks through the dark clouds and things get resolved? We should add perhaps another major reason for the groomer shortage. More pandemic pets means more groomer demand. There simply may not be enough groomers trained and ready to enter the industry, and what do we know about groomers leaving the industry since 2019? We know from previous Covid-19 surveys conducted at PetGroomer.com some groomers stated they were retiring from grooming in 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Perhaps more did just that than we know. With millions more pet population there may not be enough employable groomers to meet demand. 40

July / September 2021

What if an our industry needs to find a solution to recruiting more first–time groomers and expand training opportunities? We know we have excellent sources of grooming educators that can handle the challenge, some of which are sponsors of PetGroomer.com. By the way, PetGroomer.com is releasing a heavily-updated new beginner’s guide to entering the grooming industry. It will be available in mid-Fall 2021 on major e-book selling platforms. It is the most complete guide ever written on the topic with exhaustive detail, from the basics to the most advanced grooming career information. The mainstream media did raise some good issues we can apply to the national groomer shortage. If we need to recruit thousands more groomers as an industry, how will we do that?

What do we hear the voices of today’s groomers. Time for a Grooming Business in a Box® survey letting the groomers tell us what they think about the groomer shortage, wage levels, inflation, childcare and more. Let’s go on a Deep Dive and ask the (Continued on page 41)

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WHAT ARE GROOMER’S SAYING? NATIONAL GROOMER SHORTAGE groomers! Our kick-off asked groomers what they think about a shortage of pet groomers. A big majority (83%) of surveyed agreed there is a shortage of pet groomers. Another majority (78%) agreed it was from the increased grooming demand based on a surge of pandemic pet adoptions. Nearly the same majority (71%) agreed there are bathers or groomers staying unemployed as long as they could collect bonus weekly unemployment benefits. What are the numbers to support this financial suspicion? For the majority of bathers recouping the loss of “bonus” unemployment of $300-a-week represents an average of working 14 to 30 hours a week on top of regular working hours. It’s easy to be certain that the financial appeal to earn more and work less generated by bonus eGroomer Journal

Why do you think there is a national shortage of pet groomers? You may select more than one answer. I don’t think there is a shortage 17%

Pandemic pet adoption demand 78% Some make more money staying unemployed with UI benefits 71% Some groomers found new careers 18% Some retired, no longer grooming 55%

Some suffered burnout 9% Some are too stressed to work 21% Some are afraid of getting Covid 22% Some are now self-employed 27% Some don’t want to work with others 27% Some are now stay-at-home mothers. 31%

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July / September 2021

WHAT ARE GROOMER’S SAYING? is real. Some states terminated the bonus payments early (prior September 6, 2021) and at best have reported small gains in lowering the numbers of available jobs. It is is far too early to judge if early termination has made a difference. Some groomers admitted they were in this group! Some said they were able to save much of the bonus employment monies. We hope they realize these benefits are taxable income. Does this mean they won’t be anxious to return to work when the bonus program ends in September 2021? Good question. If our deep dive makes it clear that the industry is simply short an adequate amount of groomers to serve millions of new pandemic pets, how will the industry motivate thousands of Americans to become bathers or groomers? On the right you see the results of asking groomers their opinion. Great ideas but

How do you think the grooming industry can encourage thousands more Americans to become bathers and groomers?

Advertising online 27% Scholarships 78% Books 77% Government agencies 18% News stories 56% Free school tuition 61% Employer tax breaks 21% Paid training 29%

(Continued on page 54)

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July / September 2021

Hush Puppies GroomFit by Vera Needham Many of us are familiar with the bite of foot pain after a long day in the puppy parlor. Remember the old song, “The foot bones connected to the heel bone, the heel bone’s connected to the ankle bone?” When we twist an ankle, the heel bone and foot bone twist as well and foot pain often ensues. Acute ankle sprains are among the most common musculoskeletal injury which occurs in the United States with about 25,000 being reported each day.

ple who sustain acute ankle sprains develop residual difficulties sometimes years after the initial injury.

A sprained ankle occurs when the ligaments supporting the ankle are stretched or torn. Ligaments are similar to ropes and bind bones together. When the ligament is stretched, there is often laxity or looseness in the ankle joint, which can lead to chronic foot pain. Over an extended period of time, the extra strain on the outside of the foot can damage tendons on the out-

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side of the ankle bone called the peroneal tendons. Tendons are bands of tissue that attach muscles to bones. The peroneal tendon helps stabilize your foot and ankle, assists with pointing your toes and rolling your foot outward. If you have peroneal tendonitis it will be very difficult to perform a heel lift on the affected side. You may also have pain when you turn the foot towards the middle of your body (inversion) and weakness when you turn the foot outward (eversion). Peroneal tendonitis is an inflammation of one or both of the tendons and is a common cause of sharp or aching pain around the back and outside of the foot. There may be swelling and bruising below the bony protrusion on the outside of the ankle known as the lateral malleolus.

July / September 2021

sider having an X-ray to rule out a fracture. Wedges on the outside of the heel or orthotics may provide relief as well. After a sprain, the ligament is loose for life, unless you do exercises to retrain these key nerves to improve proprioception. This is our body’s internal navigation system. It’s a network of position sensors found in each muscle, tendon and joint that instantly shifts the body and keeps it centered. Stretching the tendons and ligaments create a slowdown in the feedback loop between the nerves and the brain. Outer foot strain injuries are not exclusive to people with previous sprains. This type of foot strain is seen in groomers with high arches as well. This makes sense because having low arches is more of a risk factor for posterior tibial tendon injury which is the tendon on the inside of the ankle. If you think you may have high arches check for wear on the outside of your shoes. Where the shoe wears is a telltale sign of what’s going on with our feet. Especially if we are dealing with previous injuries you may only have this dynamic on one shoe or foot and not on the other. Body awareness is half of the battle. Try to notice where you place the weight on your foot when standing and make adjustments as needed.

Pain is often worse during activity, but symptoms improve with rest. You should limit how much you are walking or standing until the pain improves. Remember the RICE equation of rest, ice, compression and elevation. Be certain to put ice on the injury as soon as possible to reduce swelling. Be certain to wrap your foot with an elastic bandage and elevate it, keeping it higher than your heart when possible. This keeps blood from pooling in the ankle, which will increase swelling. If it is still swollen eGroomer Journal Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved and painful after a couple of days, conPetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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July / September 2021

HEEL RAISES When starting out be certain to have something solid to hold onto like a counter top or chair. Imagine you have a quarter under your first and second toe as you lift your heels in a slow controlled motion. This will help prevent the foot from rolling outward. Hold the position for working up to ten seconds, then lower the heels down slowly. As you get stronger with the movement, try lifting the hands from the chair as you lower the heels. Tight calf muscles are a contributing force to this type of injury. When you feel strong with heel lifts, increase the range of motion and add a calf stretch to the exercise by performing heel lifts with the ball of the foot on a two inch board. Repeat this exercise five to ten times as tolerated.

SINGLE LEG BALANCE EXERCISE Hold on to a countertop when starting out as you get more confident try lifting a finger or two until you are hovering the hand slightly above the chair. Try balancing with the weight on the injured foot, working up to a minute. When you master that try standing on a pillow or balance pad which makes the joint work harder. 50

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July / September 2021

up.” By 1919 Marines commonly spoke about their “barking dogs.” The Hush Puppy brand of shoe answered back in 1957 with a soft new light weight shoe comfortable enough to quiet the dogs. ◄

ABOUT THE AUTHOR EVERSION EXERCISE & RESISTANCE BAND Starting with a very weak resistance band, taking breaks as needed. Tie a loop in the resistance band and place the loop over the foot you are exercising. You may want to place a piece of pool noodle under the ankle you are working for extra comfort and support. Keep the working leg straight with your heel supported. Keep the knee facing the ceiling as you rotate your ankle outwards, stretching the band using only your foot. Hold for two to three seconds. Repeat as tolerated working up to twenty repetitions.

Vera Needham is a Medical Exercise Specialist, pilates trainer and has been a dog groomer for over 35 years. Vera invented the Tubee-Fit training tool for groomers. The Tubee has proven to be a wonderful

addition to her older adult classes and in long term care facilities. If you have any Goomfit question or want more information about the Tubee contact Vera at groomfit@yahoo.com

HUSH PUPPIES Have you ever wondered when the term “Barking Dogs “started to mean sore feet? It all started in 1913 by a reporter named “Tad” Dorgan, who was known by the New York Times for creating new slang catch phrases, mentioned that he was “Waitin’ for my sore dog to heal eGroomer Journal Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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RECONSIDERING GROOMING CAREERS (Continued from page 42)

we bet you see the problem? Do you see the big elephant in the room? Who is going to pay for it? No organization represents the interest of the industry as a whole. Our associations are largely based on the advanced skills and training demonstrated by certified groomers.

Since the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic have you reconsidered your future in grooming? If yes, please indicate why. YES 74%

NO 26%

Moving ahead, we must ask if there are thousands returning, or not, to the industry because they not sure if the career still appeals to them. Actually we were surprised to learn that a number of today’s groomers are indeed reconsidering their grooming careers.

Downsize my staffed business to no employees) 82%

Grooming employers topped the list of these groomers with 82% of them considering downsizing their staffed businesses to one employee, or none. Mobile grooming was their (55%) most favored alternative (55%) and next, a generous (41%) desired a home-based op-

Burnout (mental stress) 78%

(Continued on page 55)

Become a self-employed groomer, not employed 79%

Inability to earn a living wage 42% Physical ailments 23%

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RECONSIDERING GROOMING CAREERS eration (in their homes). Nearly all of them (94%) stated the chronic job shortage and retention of grooming employers was behind their reconsideration. Finally, 70% stated expect to make these changes by the end of 2022. Homebased bound groomers expect to relocate locally in order to purchase or rent a home where a home-based operation is legal, even if it means selling their present home. In 2020, our National Covid-19 Groomer Survey of employees brought to light a significant amount of concern by employed groomers for their futures. They were vulnerable for a period of time while under lockdowns. Essential status for pet grooming relieved them. However, there is no guarantee that a worsening pandemic could lessen or eliminate essential clearance to work. This weakness has more than one-third of employee groomers uncertain about employment.

Do you think the essential status of pet grooming is permanent? YES 61% NO 32% UNSURE 7%

Have you experienced “groomer burnout” since Covid-19? YES 31% NO 52% UNSURE 17% I cannot escape stress at home, at play or grooming. 92% Patience is twice the work it used to be. 74%

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Seventy-nine (79%) percent of employed groomers expressed they are reconsidering being employed and transitioning to self-employment to have more say, more control in their lives. Would this not worsen the national groomer shortage of employees? Yes! Are some groomers not returning to work and augmenting the groomer shortage as a result of “groomer burnout?” We had to ask in our deep dive. You may not think there is much basis to this thinking, but these are extraordinary times for Americans. Look at our results with 31% of groomers saying

July / September 2021

“We are burnt out! Years ago the big dogs we had were bath and brush out dogs with a silhouette trim: Golden Retrievers, Newfoundlands, Great Pyrenees, Collies, etc. And there were more small bath and brush dogs like Beagles, Labs, Pugs, Boxers, etc. But now our industry is swarmed with Doodles. It takes us a lot more time, energy, and mental capacity to groom them and now they take up a majority of our schedules. Many shops are not raising their prices enough to accommodate the time it takes to groom these dogs. We have Doodle owners that might only bring their dog in 2-3 times a year and then are surprised we have to shave them. They have not been brushing them and want to leave them left a longer length because it’s cute, but now they are matted beyond saving...then we are called “lazy” and “Isn’t this your profession? You should be able to brush my dog out.” We are tired...constantly battling people who don’t want their Doodles shaved.”

Earning a “Living Wage”

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RECONSIDERING GROOMING CAREERS they have experienced some level of groomer burnout since Covid-19 (2020). Go further. Stress is real, 92% spell it out. Whether at play, at home or work (as groomers) stress is prevalent. But grooming alone is not to blame. Some may argue. Look at the excerpt on the previous page in the black text box. It came from a groomer social media site. We would hope that the management of the business involved would step-in and be proactive in making their business less stressful. Doodle owners making demands is a manage-able problem. Management should not leave employees untrained in client relations skills to handle irate customers. Where is the management? We say that all to often.

prises a living wage and its the purpose. It is the sum of the parts representing the cost of basic but decent life for a single or multiple family unit. Based on PetGroomer.com annual groomer wage and self-employment income surveys many groomers can achieve living wages. It is a topic worthy of an entire article. Here, it is an indicator that the topic is on the minds of some groomers. Bathers and groomers displaced from employment at some point of the Covid pandemic had plenty of time to reconsider their careers in grooming. Are we seeing the results?

Our presumption is bathers make the lowest annual gross wages and have the most concerns. In 2021 leaps in inflation are making it even more difficult on Finally, there is the issue of making a them. Our surveys show full-time pet living wage in pet grooming. Groomers bathers earn in the “teens” or high (42%) reconsidering their careers clearly “$20”s” for annual income (prior taxes) stated that it was one of their top four making them hard-pressed to enjoy a concerns. On the previous page we preliving wages. Let’s go deeper on the disent a graphic explanation of what comeGroomer Journal Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights 57 ve, read on.reserved PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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July / September 2021

Can Pet Bathers Earn a Living Wage? Not every grooming employer underpays pet bathers. It’s not that employers want to underpay bathers. From their perspective most think they are paying the best they can afford. Don’t be offended, Grooming Business in a Box® has given solutions for this matter for more than 30 years. We’ve analyzed the setup of hundreds of grooming operations. We discovered the culprit creating low bather wages and low net profit for owners. It’s how grooming assignments are made, and what available job positions are present. No compromises for safety and quality are necessary.

valid to justify 100% or even 200% chasms between stylist and bather wage levels based on similar hours worked? Are groomers to blame for so many pet bathers earning minimum wage or barely more? No. Early on in our grooming management careers we learned something most astounding. Few business owners know that some of their bathers can actually earn higher profit for them than any other skilled full-charge groomer. In fact, TWICE-THE-PROFIT! That should be earth-shaking news to an alert businessperson that grooms. Any staffed business can do it too.

Most notably we discovered a signifiSo why do some bathers earn radically cant compensation disparity between less than full-charge groomers? Refer to groomers and bathers. It does make the illustration on the next page. sense for pet groomers to earn more There are 12 bath-only pets to be than pet bathers. They have more elegroomed. The business employs highlyvated skills for the art of grooming and skilled pet bathers capable of pre-bath broader knowledge and experience reneeds, nails, ears, bathing and drying. quirements. Their tools and supplies They have skills to scissor perfectly cost more. Bathers on the other hand around feet, trim hairs between pads, may not even have tools to buy or sharpPoodle feet, and even do Poodle faces ening to pay for. But, are these reasons (Continued on page 61) 58 Copyright © 2013 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved Subscribe www.egroomer.com PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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July / September 2021

DEEP DIVE INTO BATHER WAGES PET GROOMER

SKILLED PET BATHER

Doing THE SAME Bath-only Dogs, No Styling

50% Commission

$12.50 Hour

SAME 12 Bath-only Pets in 8 Hours

Pet #1

$30.00

Pet #1

$30.00

Pet #2

$40.00

Pet #2

$40.00

Pet #3

$28.00

Pet #3

$28.00

Pet #4

$38.00

Pet #4

$38.00

Pet #5

$39.00

Pet #5

$39.00

Pet #6

$34.00

Pet #6

$34.00

Pet #7

$28.00

Pet #7

$28.00

Pet #8

$36.00

Pet #8

$36.00

Pet #9

$55.00

Pet #9

$55.00

Pet #10 $36.00

Pet #11 $28.00

Pet #12 $30.00

TOTAL SALES OF SERVICES

$432.00

TOTAL GROSS COMMISSION WAGES

TOTAL GROSS HOURLY WAGES

$216.00

$116 DAILY PAYROLL SAVED

TOTAL ADJ SALES AFTER GROSS WAGES

$100.00

TOTAL ADJ SALES AFTER GROSS WAGES

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DEEP DIVE INTO BATHER WAGES $116 DAILY PAYROLL SAVINGS $30,160 YEAR PAYROLL SAVINGS FOR 5 DAY/WEEK OPERATION PLUS LOWERS PAYROLL TAXES BASED ON WAGES Any staffed grooming business, anywhere, can do this. Many could easily pay bathers $15, some do and more even. It is in HOW you staff your business and HOW you assign pets, that’s all. This is how the industry can reach for living wages for our bathers.

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for “touch up” baths. They can deshed coats, and use thinning and blending shears to touch-up. Finishing touches including buns and bows are no problem. Is this possible? We trained and employed such bathers for more than two decades. Our full-charge pet groomers were pleased to stick to doing the styling on full groom pets. The illustration makes clear that bathers properly assigned bath-only pets reduce gross wages by $116 a day. The savings results from not having 50% commission groomers do bath-only pets. Leave the full-groom assignments to the pet groomers. If you annualize daily savings of $116 for a business open five days-a-week, the annual savings is an impressive $30,160. No one suffers with pay cuts to create this savings. It is simply who is assigned what grooming tasks appropriate to their skills and position.

July / September 2021

Grooming Business in a Box® consultation clients. As shown in the illustrations, their employer could easily pay more, or provide more benefits. As shown payroll is $30,160 less annually simply by assigning bath-only pets to bathers. It’s that simple. Even business owners having some bath -only pets done by bathers can capture more savings. It’s not about some but all bath-only pets being done by bathers. Every properly assigned bath-only pet saves dollars. Don’t look at what you save on one pet but hundreds or more pets each year. It’s impressive and really brings home our recommendation. If you have no pet bathers and only start -to-finish groomers your payroll savings will be remarkable without lowering wage levels. In a labor intensive industry like grooming how your system properly assigns every grooming service makes a world of difference.

The bather is paid $12.50 an hour Finally we have proof, and a way, to pay which is higher than the national averhardworking bathers better. They deage. Today in major metro areas there serve it! You are also more likely to keep is support for $15 to $19 an hour. We them employed longer when you pay know this for fact from some members better. Won’t better employees migrate of GroomerTALK Board©and to your wages operation? ♦ 61 eGroomer Journal Message Copyright 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. Allbest rights reserved PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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July / September 2021

RECRUITING GROOMING’S FUTURE Is there a national shortage of groomers? We saw plenty of mainstream news evidence of the shortage, and you can do your research too. Advertising job opportunities for groomers is at an all-time high. We have noticed record numbers of help wanted ads now add sign-on bonuses for new employees. Plus the bonus amounts are way up, as high as $3,000. Why would this happen without a severe shortage of groomers? The PetGroomer.com 2020 National Covid-19 Survey clearly showed the intent of thousands of groomers to make some changes. Downsizing businesses. Groomers retiring early. Some say there are groomers purposefully not returning to work and collecting unemployment and the $300-a-week bonus unemployment.

consider their lives, their occupations and they are making decisions. Millions have moved out-of-state for various reasons, often family, political climate and occupational choices. Clearly there is no overlooking the surge in pandemic pet adoptions. No guessing there, the demand for pet grooming is up from pandemic pets. Not so clear is how many pet groomers prior the pandemic are planning to work again if not already, and how many more does the industry need to recruit. People of many trades are now working at home never to return to highrise jobs or business parks. Record numbers of groomers want to have businesses in their homes, but millions of groomers will still find corporate grooming jobs.

Can we find ways to entice thousands new workers into grooming with bathers making living wages? Grooming needs In 2021 we have psychologists and rea unified council voice promoting casearchers indicating that during shutreers in the industry if we are to convendowns, short or long, people began to re62 Copyright © 2013 Find A Groomeriently Inc. All rights reserved Subscribe www.egroomer.com serve millions more pets. ◄ PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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Classic Reprint

Kill the Interview to Land Your Dream Job Angela Clark, American Grooming Academy Research Your Employer, Hiring Manag-

background of the person (or people) in-

er and Job Opportunity

terviewing you. The more knowledge

Landing your dream job starts with a solid foundation of knowledge on your

part. Start by researching the employer,

you gain the better you’ll be able to determine if this business and position is a good fit for you.

(Continued on page 66)

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July / September 2021

Prepare to answer interview questions

Business casual is recommended for

as well as asking your own insightful

grooming interviews. Bring a smock in

questions based on what you learn.

case they request a groom on the spot.

Where can you find information?

Wear clothing that fits and is clean and

❏ Scan the organization’s website in-

pressed. Keep accessories and jewelry

cluding business reviews. ❏ Stop into the business for a firsthand

view of daily operations. ❏ Ask your own network of contacts what they know about the business.

to a minimum. Try not to smoke or eat right before the interview and if possible, take a breath mint on arrival. Arrive on Time, Relaxed and Prepared for the Interview Timeliness is everything when it comes

Your Responses to Common Interview

to grooming. There is no excuse for ar-

Questions

riving late to an interview. Arrive 15

Your responses should reflect your indi-

minutes before your scheduled inter-

vidual goals and clarify what is im-

view time to allow yourself time to get

portant to you. Start with these steps.

settled. Arriving a bit early is also a

When scheduling the interview ask the hiring manager what type of interview

chance to observe the dynamics of the workplace. The day before the interview, prepare

to expect. Will it be with one person, or will you meet several members of the organiza-

and pack extra copies of your resume

and list of references.

tion? Knowing this will help you to com-

Bring your portfolio and samples of your

pose responses that focus on examples

work. Pack pens and a pad of paper for

and accomplishments specific to you.

job notes. Finally, as you arrive to the business, shut off your cell phone. If you

Dress Appropriately

are chewing gum, dispose of it.

Plan a wardrobe for the interview that (Continued on page 68)

fits the organization and its culture. 66

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Make Good First Impressions Be polite and offer warm greetings to everyone you meet, from the customers

July / September 2021

when greeting your interviewer, stand, smile, make eye contact and offer a firm but gentle handshake.

in the lobby, to the receptionist, to the

Your positive attitude and enthusiasm

hiring manager. Employers notice how

for the job will get the initial stages of

job applicants treat staff members and

the interview off on the right foot. Most

will be alerted by any rudeness or arro-

hiring managers make critical decisions

gance.

about job applicants in the first 20

When it’s time for the interview, keep in

minutes of the interview.

mind that the impression interviewers

Be Authentic, Truthful, Confident and Ar-

get in the first few seconds can make or

ticulate

break it. To deliver your best first impression dress well, arrive early and 68

Once the interview starts, the quality

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and delivery of your responses make the impression. Your goal is authenticity, by responding truthfully to interview questions. To get to the next step, provide focused responses that showcase your skills, experience and fit with the job.

July / September 2021

Ask Insightful Prepared Questions During the interview you should also be making your own assessments. Even if the hiring manager was thorough in his or her discussions about the job opening and what is expected, clarify your understanding by asking your questions.

By preparing responses to common in-

This shows that you have done your re-

terview questions, you will avoid ram-

search, know what you want and that

bling and hold the interviewers interest.

you want a job that fits your own goals.

Always keep your interview responses short and to the point. Finally, regard-

Sell Yourself

less of circumstances, never badmouth

Be the candidate who does the best job

a previous employer, boss or co-worker.

responding to interview questions and

The interview is about you showcasing

showcasing your fit with the job and the

why you are the ideal candidate for the

organization. Sell who you are to the

job.

employer.

Use Positive Body Language!

If you feel the job is a good fit for you,

While the content of your interview responses is important, poor body lan-

guage can distract from what you are

be clear that you can fulfill the salon's needs, solve its problems and propel its growth and success. As the interview is ending, take time to

saying. Practice positive body language which includes smiling, eye contact, good posture, active listening, and nodding. Avoid

ask about the next steps in the process. What is the timetable in which the employer expects to fill the position?

slouching, daydreaming, playing with your hair, fidgeting, chewing gum, or mumbling. eGroomer Journal

(Continued on page 70)

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July / September 2021

Thank Interviewer(s) in Person, Email or

regarding hours worked, pet grooming

Postal Mail

productivity, equipment provided, bene-

Common courtesy goes far in interviewing. The importance of thanking each person who interviews you is not to overlook. It is a courteous touch. Thank them before you leave. Send thank you

emails and notes shortly after the interview to give you an edge over finalists who didn’t bother.

fits provided, and pay status. If you are a commissioned employee, prices and business flow will affect your income. If you are being hired as an independent contractor, take time to review the contract before signing to insure it matches agreed expectations. Quality groomers are in a unique job hunting position. Choose the job that fits your goals, and

Accepting a Position

keep in mind a little negotiation up front

Stay true to your goals when accepting

can create the job that works for you. ►

a position. Know the job expectations

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WE PROMISE TO EXCEED OUR CUSTOMER’S EXPECTATIONS IN QUALITY www.showseasongrooming.com

678-382-0218

sandy@showseasongrooming.com

The Dog Spa Academy Norwood, New Jersey NASH APPROVED Stacey Herbert, owner, is a: • • • • •

Nash Academy Graduate Professional groomer with over 25 years of experience Show Groomer Certified Grooming Instructor Online Course Instructor for Nash Academy and Dog Spa Academy

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July / September 2021 PetGroomer.com Publications

How Many Dogs Should You Groom a Day?

Jodi Murphy

Before grooming any pure breed it is always wise to read the breed standard. The breed standards are individual breed descriptions written by the parent breed clubs which define the ideal dog based on correct structure, temperament, coat type, etc. The standard is considered a blueprint to the perfect animal of that particular breed. Having breed standards sets goals for breeders to improve their breeding programs. The AKC Complete Dog Book consists of all the registered breeds in the United States.

Understanding the important points of the breed standard will help in under-

standing correct pattern placement, coat length and the correct structure of the breed. Let's take a look at the Portuguese Water Dog. The Portuguese Water Dog is a Working dog originating from Portugal. It was used to herd fish into nets and to retrieve broken nets and tackle for fisherman. The Portuguese Water Dog is a natural swimmer and would act as a courier from both ship to ship and ship to shore. Due to their utility they have a very dense waterproof coat to protect them

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from the icy waters of Portugal. The Portuguese Water Dog can be shown in two different trims: the Lion trim or the Retriever trim. The breed standard describes the two trims as follows: Lion Clip As soon as the coat grows long, the middle part and hindquarters, as well as the muzzle, are clipped. The hair at the end of the tail is left at full length. Retriever Clip In order to give a natural appearance and a smooth unbroken line, the entire

July / September 2021 PetGroomer.com Publications

coat is scissored or clipped to follow the outline of the dog, leaving a short blanket of coat no longer than one inch in length. The hair at the end of the tail is left at full length. The Lion Clip is a very popular trim for dogs with a wavy coat. The curly coats are much easier to scissor and are often groomed in the Retriever Clip. Proportion Off square; slightly longer than tall when measured from prosternum to rearmost point of the buttocks, and from withers to ground. Neck–Straight,

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short, round, and held high. Strongly muscled. Topline and Chest Level and firm. The above statement describes the proportions of the dog. Some breeds have a square outline which means that the length and height of the dog are of equal parts, like the Poodle for example. The PWD is slightly longer than tall. The topline should be set level. Chest is broad and deep, reaching down to the elbow. Ribs are long and wellsprung to provide optimum lung capacity. Abdomen well held up in a graceful line. Tail Not docked; thick at the base and tapering; set on slightly below the line of the back; should not reach below the hock. When the dog is attentive the tail is held in a ring, the front of which should not reach forward of the loin. The hair at the end of the tail is left at full length. The tail is of great help when swimming and diving.

78 34

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chest should reach the elbow. The coat should be trimmed to the elbow line. Some dogs may not have the correct depth of chest, however, by trimming the coat to the elbow will give the illusion of the correct structure. Abdomen "Abdomen well held up in a graceful line" describes the underline. The underline should be trimmed following the natural underline of the ribcage into the tuck up creating a graceful line. The tail is described as being thicker at the base and tapering. The tail should have a plume at the end and should be left in full length not reaching below the hock when held down. Note: the word "strong" is consistently used when describing the PWD. The front legs are described as being strong and straight. Enough coat should be left on the legs to create a column-like appearance as well as giving a strong appearance. If the legs are trimmed too short they will appear weak. Hindquarters

Shoulders are well inclined and very strongly muscled. Upper arms are strong. Forelegs are strong and straight.

Powerful; well balanced with the front assembly. Legs, viewed from the rear, are parallel to each other, straight and very strongly muscled in upper and lower thighs.

The above statement describes the ribs and the depth of the chest. The depth of

The rear legs are described as being "strongly muscled." They should be scis-

Shoulders

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July / September PetGroomer.com Publications2021 PetGroomer.com Publications

tral furrow, extending two-thirds of the distance from stop to occiput. The occiput is well defined. Muzzle– Substantial; wider at the base than at the nose. The above description of the head is self explanatory. The head can be difficult to groom as the PWD coat types can be very different from dog to dog. The wavy dogs are the most difficult due to the way the coat falls. Using thinning shears will help achieve a nice appearance on wavy coats. sored to appear parallel when viewed from the rear. The thigh should be scissored to show the muscle tone and to exemplify power. Head An essential characteristic; distinctively large, well proportioned and with exceptional breadth of topskull. Ears–Set well above the line of the eye. Leather is heart shaped and thin. Tips should not reach below the lower jaw. Skull In profile, it is slightly longer than the muzzle, its curvature more accentuated at the back than in the front. When viewed head-on, the top of the skull is very broad and appears domed, with a slight depression in the middle. The forehead is prominent, and has a cen-

Coat A profuse, thickly planted coat of strong, healthy hair, covering the whole body evenly, except where the forearm meets the brisket and in the groin area, where it is thinner. There are two varieties of coat: Curly Compact, cylindrical curls, somewhat lusterless. The hair on the ears is sometimes wavy. Wavy–Falling gently in waves, not curls, and with a slight sheen. Worley Some coats are often referred to a "worley" as they are a combination of curly and wavy.

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Whether the dogs are trimmed short or groomed to breed profile, the pattern is always set following the structure of the breed. With coated breeds like the PWD a groomer can leave more coat in the right places and also remove more coat in the right places to camouflage any faults the dog may have. This takes knowledge and experience which comes with time and practice. ◄

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About the Author

JODI MURPHY Jodi Murphy is a two-time Master Pet Stylist, a NCMG (National Certified Master Groomer) through the National Dog Groomers Association of America, as well as MPS Meritus (Master Pet Stylist Meritus) through the International Society of Canine Cosmetology. She is a multiple Best All Around and Best in Show competitor. These titles allow Jodi to certify groomers to their master pet stylist status throughout the USA. She was a GroomTeam USA team member for four years and ranked within the top four pet stylists of the United States. Her popular web site www.JodiMurphy.net offers competitively priced Instructional Grooming

eGroomer Journal January / March 2014

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Northern Tails Sharpening, Inc. You Now Have a Better Choice! Specializing in Animal Care Tools

Mail-in Prices Steel Blades

$7.00

Ceramic Blades

$6.00

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$8.00

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$8.00

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$9.00

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$9.00

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$16.00

Refurbish 5-N-1 Blades

$11.00

Str. Chunkers

$16.00

Convex Thinning Shears $16.00

Clipper Repair ● Veterinarian Equipment ● Beauty Shears We are an Andis & Furzone Regional Distributor and Repair Center Jeff is a Master Sharpener and Certified Pet Groomer with over 35 years experience. He knows how your tools should perform. He won’t sharpen worn out tools which could harm animals. His office will call you if any of your tools look bad. Long-time member of NDGAA, IPG and the BBB. Please call or visit our website for mailing information. http://www.northerntails.com/

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How to Fix Sharp Clipper Blade Teeth Northern Tails Sharpening When groomers feel sharp or very pointy teeth they often blame their sharpeners. Actually it may not be their fault. Sharpeners limit sharpening to the parts of blades with cutting surfaces. Because most clipper blades are chamfered sharpeners never make tips sharp. What is the cause of the problem? Animal hair is a likely culprit. In the illustration below look for the “sharpening part” which is sharpened by sharpeners, and then look for “chamfered or beveled part” which gives the blade its cutting size. The larger the chamfering (or bevel) the higher the blade cuts. Sharpeners can only make the tips sharp or razor edges of the entire front of blades on three sizes. They are #30, #40 and #50 blades. They don’t have chamfers. Inspect your blades and see the differences. Dog hair can be very coarse. With repeated use over time coarse hair can cause blade tips to become very sharp and pointy. Skip tooth blades are very prone to being “sharpened” by coarse hair. Careful! They can literally make slices in the animals skin if they are sharp enough. For this reason alone some groomers avoid using skip tooth blades. Don’t worry. If you identify the sharp teeth as part of preventative blade maintenance you can fix the problem. In this article I will explain the fix. For our example I will use a 7 skip tooth blade. Many groomers consider it a dangerous blade. Skip tooth blades are as safe as F blades if they don’t have sharp tips which risk cutting skin or poking your hand when mounting them on clippers. How one uses a skip tooth blade determines if it is dangerous or not. eGroomer Journal www.egroomer.com Subscribe Free PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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On the left is a #7 skip tooth blade. Look at the many pointed teeth which can become sharp after running through coarse animal hair long enough. If you have blades like this, or similar F blades, run your finger along the teeth periodically to check for sharpness. Even when your blades come back from the sharpener, check them for tooth sharpness. Also look to see if any teeth of the cutter are hanging over the edge of the comb blade. As the safety manager of your blades you can prevent accidents. Truth is if a blade scrapes or cuts an animal because of pointy or sharp teeth the fault lies with you. These injuries are entirely preventable. Professional sharpeners inspect every blade, especially the #30, #40 or #50 sizes. First they look to see if front edges of blades have turned into razors. Even the sharpening process can do cause that effect to these blade sizes. If one slips by your sharpener and you discover the problem early by following my suggestion to inspect often, here is what you can do to make the blades friendly. Refer to the photos below. Most sharpeners use a diamond pad available from home improvement centers. They set the problem blade on the pad, teeth on the pad and move back and forth at about a 15 degree angle until the tips of the blade are no longer like a razor. When skip tooth blades have very pointy tips use the same method. It won’t hurt how the blade digs into coats.

Run the blade back and forth with a slight downward force to let the diamond pad do its work. The motion is like buttering your bread. Go back and forth a few times and check it with your finger. Do this until you feel the blade is safe to use. Do not press down too hard on #30, #40 and #50 blades. You do not want to grind the front of the blades off which results in the cutter teeth hanging over. Just do enough to make the front edge smooth so it doesn’t slice a pad or nick the face and ears. 84

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Here’s another solution. Assume you just picked up a blade and it has very sharp teeth tips. Unfortunately, you don’t have a diamond pad. You don’t have time to go to the home improvement center to buy one. You are behind schedule with grooms. What do you do? How about an “old school” solution? Take the affected blade outside and scratch tips on a smooth concrete sidewalk. We have been doing this quick fix for years. It doesn’t hurt the way it cuts. Careful, only scratch it long enough to smooth the tips of your skip tooth blades, or the front edge of your #30, #40 or #50 blades. Remember to always inspect blades returned from your sharpener. They should have been inspected for sharp edges and teeth and repaired as needed. If a blade cannot be repaired it shouldn’t be returned to you as “OK to use.” Professionals will segregate the problem blades and mark them, “No Good”. Blades cannot be sharpened forever. They wear out over time. Unfortunately many sharpeners don’t pay attention to details like this. We do Northern Tails. We are groomers as well as sharpening professionals. We do a multipoint inspection of every blade we service. We go the extra mile so you don’t have to worry. Regardless of whether your blades come back from sharpeners ready or not for safe and proper use, inspect them before using them. If there is a problem let the sharpener know. Most important, do not use unsafe blades. Fix them. Watch for an upcoming video on sharp teeth and repair options at our website, www.northerntails.com. ♦ Jeff Andrews is "One of America's Favorite Sharpeners." Along with his years of grooming experience in two of his own shops, he is a "World Class Sharpener" that can sharpen all grooming equipment to better than new condition. Jeff is an author and pioneer of many maintenance and grooming video's and articles. They are for groomers who want to make their equipment last longer and save eGroomer Journal Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved 85 money on their sharpening costs. These videos and articles are on his website free to download and keep for reference. www.northerntails.com PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free © 2021 Find A Groomer Inc All rights reserved

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Journalthat January / March 91 is not commonly known relates toPetGroomer.com It’s eGroomer commonly known all brands of A-52014 blades fit any brand of A-5 clippers. What blade sizes. MostPublications brands of A-5 blades have similar sizes, but how they perform varies. Manufacturers must use design differences in order to avoid patent and copyright infringement. The most common difference between brands is the blade thickness. Similar manufacturer sizes may cut at different heights. You could be in for a surprise if you change brands of the same size blade only to discover the cut is different! For your convenience Jeff at Northern Tails Sharpening prepared the multiple manufacturer reference charts below for blades and snap-ons. Be sure to check Jeff’s web site at www.northerntails.com for more helpful articles, videos and descriptions of his mail-in services. ♦

Clipper Blade Cutting Heights by Manufacturer BLADE SIZE

BLADE CUT

MASTER GRM.TOOLS

LAUBE

WAHL

KLEAN CUT

OSTER

ANDIS

Inches

1/125

0.2

0.5

0.2

1/100

0.3

0.6

0.1

0.3

3/50

—

0.4

1/50

0.5

0.8

0.2

0.5

3/64

1.2

1.0

1.3

1.0

1.2

1/16

1.6

1.5

1.8

1.5/1.6

1.0

1.5

10W

3/32

2.4

—

5/64

2.0

1.5

1.0/2.0

2.0

8.5

7/64

2.8

—

2.0

2.8

1/8

3.2

4.0

3.2

3.0

3.2

1/4

6.4

6.0

6.3

6.0

6.3

3/8

9.5

9.6

8.0

9.5

9.0

9.5

1/2

12.7

13.0

10.0

12.0

13.0

12.0

5/8HT

5/8

15.9

16.0

—

16.0

3/4HT

3/4

—

19.0

T-84

3/16

—

2.4

Snap-On Comb Sizes & Cut Lengths by Manufacturer COMB SIZE

LAUBE SELF ADJ & X-LARGE

WAHL STAINLESS STEEL

MDC ROMANI

OSTER UNIVERSAL

MILLERS FORGE

Inches

1/16

1/8

1/4

1/2

3/4

9/16

1/2 3/4

3/4 0

7/8

5/8

1/2

5/8

1 1/4

1 1/4 1 1/2

1/2

3/8

5/16

3/16

3/8

7/16

1/2

3/8

5/16

1/4

3/16

1/16

1/8

1/16

3/4

1 1/4

1 1/2

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Charts courtesy of Northern Tails Sharpening 479-498-2367 www.northerntails.com

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PetGroomer.com Magazine is published as a download digital file quarterly by Find A Groomer Inc., PO Box 2489, Yelm, WA 98597. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. PetGroomer.com Magazine makes every effort to provide information that is reliable and practical. It is not intended to replace diagnosis or treatment from a veterinarian or other qualified pet or pet care professional. PetGroomer.com Magazine does not assume any legal responsibility. Readers should always consult qualified healthcare providers for specific diagnosis and treatment. Information provided is not intended to replace formal grooming training, pet safety and care. Viewpoints and commentary expressed in PetGroomer.com Magazine do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or opinions of its advertisers, the publisher or associates. Use of any content or services of PetGroomer.com and PetGroomerMagazine.com, including both digital and print copies of PetGroomer.com Magazine, is governed by additional guidelines, disclaimers and privacy policies and notices available at: http://petgroomer.com/legal-notices/ The entirety of this publication is copyrighted. Copyright 2021 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved

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Articles inside

Portuguese Water Dog Styling

Breaking Down Mobile Pet Grooming Prices

Kill the Interview to Land Your Dream Job

Why Does Product Packaging Matter for Retailing?

How to Fix Sharp Clipper Blade Teeth