Groomer to Groomer November 2017

“THE GROOMING INDUSTRY’S TRADE MAGAZINE!” VOL. 36 ED. 11 • NOVEMBER 2017

GOI NG OUT

ON YOUR

OWN

THE GR EEN

SIDE OF

GROOMING

GROOMING

BUSINESS BASICS THE

GIFTS

OF GROOMING Michelle Breen Best in Show Champion at Groom Expo 2017 with Chelsea Compton Photo by Animal Photography.

WWW. GROOMERTOGROOMER .COM

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CONTENTS | NOVEMBER 2017 The

IPS for

by Melissa Viera

Working with

Challenging

Customers

of Grooming PART I: MANAGEMENT

PAGE 14 by Khris Berry

ALSO INSIDE Conner: The Gifts of Grooming

6

Knowles: The Twilight Years: Caring for 56 the Elderly Pet

Groom Expo Contest Results

20

Ask the Grooming Tutor: Taking Care of 62 Your Groomer–Body

Oquendo: Going Out on Your Own

24

New Products

70

My Toy Giraffe

32

Classifieds

70

Wilkes: Groomer's Guide to Aggressive Dogs

34

Calendar of Events

72

Confession; I'm a Stripper

48

UNEXPECTED LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Are You

Prepared?

by Kathy Hosler

EDITORIAL STAFF

44

“THE GROOMING INDUSTRY’S TRADE MAGAZINE!” VOL. 36 ED. 11 • NOVEMBER 2017

EDITOR/PRESIDENT Todd Shelly todd@barkleigh.com

ART DIRECTOR Laura Pennington laura@barkleigh.com

VIDEO PRODUCTION Jeremiah Strawbridge jeremiah@barkleigh.com

ASSISTANT EDITOR Gwen Shelly gwen@barkleigh.com

SR. GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jenn Barraclough jennifer@barkleigh.com

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

MANAGING EDITOR Rebecca Shipman rebecca@barkleigh.com

JR. GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jenny Thomas jthomas@barkleigh.com

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

WEB MASTER Luke Dumberth luke@barkleigh.com

Adam Lohr adam@barkleigh.com

38

MARKETING COORDINATOR Alyx Robertson alyx@barkleigh.com

PUBLIC RELATIONS/SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Chelsey Hall chelsey@barkleigh.com

WWW. GROOMERTOGROOMER .COM

GOI NG OUT

ON YOUR

OWN

THE GR EEN

SIDE OF

GROOMING

GROOMING

BUSINESS BASICS THE

GIFTS

OF GROOMING Michelle Breen Best in Show Champion at Groom Expo 2017 with Chelsea Compton Photo by Animal Photography.

COLUMNISTS Kim Raisanen

Kathy Hosler

Gary Wilkes

Daryl Conner

Michell Evans

Michelle Knowles

Mary Oquendo

Kathy Rose

ON THE COVER: PHOTO BY ANIMAL PHOTOGRAPHY Michelle Breen Wahl Best in Show Champion at Groom Expo 2017 with Chelsea Compton of Wahl

Copyright November 2017. 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

GroomertoGroomer.com

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 36 Ed 11 • November 2017

5

GROOMING MATTERS

by Daryl Conner

During the holiday season, I spend more time than usual thinking about things I am grateful for. One of those things is my long-time career of pet grooming.

6

E

ven though groomers deal with more poop and odiferous bodily fluids than most professionals, and beside the fact that pet grooming is not very glamorous, there are a lot of amazing things that come along with being a part of this industry. Here are some that top my list: • “Playing” with animals all day.

We joke that the general public has no idea how complex and challenging our work really is, and that is true.

But, bottom line? We really do get to spend most of our waking hours with animals. From wiggle–butt puppies that wash our faces while we wash theirs, to stately seniors who bring

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calm and wisdom with them when they grace our tables, having this much time around pets is a blessing beyond compare.

• Interactions with kind people. Of course, not every client we encounter is a joy to deal with, but many animal lovers are just great folks, and meeting so many nice humans because of working with animals is a gift. Here is an example. My daughter and I were planning her wedding. It was to be a casual, farm affair, but she did want to serve the meal on mismatched, vintage china plates. I mentioned this to a few customers and word got out. Pretty soon people were showing up to grooming appointments

倀愀瘀攀 吀栀攀 倀愀琀栀 䘀漀爀

䘀甀琀甀爀攀 䜀爀漀漀洀攀爀猀 䘀愀氀氀 椀猀 琀栀攀 猀攀愀猀漀渀 昀漀爀 氀攀愀爀渀椀渀最Ⰰ 愀渀搀 堀倀伀圀䔀刀 椀猀 栀攀爀攀 琀漀 猀甀瀀瀀漀爀琀 礀漀甀℀ 圀攀 瀀爀漀甀搀氀礀 椀渀琀爀漀搀甀挀攀 琀栀攀 䜀爀漀漀洀椀渀最 匀挀栀漀漀氀 匀漀氀甀琀椀漀渀Ⰰ 眀栀椀挀栀 瀀爀漀瘀椀搀攀猀 琀栀攀 戀攀猀琀 琀漀漀氀猀 琀漀 挀漀瘀攀爀 愀 瘀愀爀椀攀琀礀 漀昀 挀漀甀爀猀攀 琀漀瀀椀挀猀㨀 䈀ⴀ㠀 ᰠ䔀氀椀琀攀ᴠ 䘀漀爀挀攀 䐀爀礀攀爀 ⴀ 䴀愀椀渀琀攀渀愀渀挀攀ⴀ䘀爀攀攀 䐀椀最椀琀愀氀 䴀漀琀漀爀 眀椀琀栀 嘀愀爀椀愀戀氀攀 匀瀀攀攀搀 ⴀ 嘀愀爀椀愀戀氀攀 䠀攀愀琀 眀椀琀栀 䰀䔀䐀 䐀椀猀瀀氀愀礀 匀栀漀眀猀 䄀挀挀甀爀愀琀攀 吀攀洀瀀攀爀愀琀甀爀攀 昀漀爀 倀爀攀挀椀猀攀 䌀漀渀琀爀漀氀 ⴀ 䴀漀猀琀 嘀攀爀猀愀琀椀氀攀 愀渀搀 䰀漀渀最ⴀ氀愀猀琀椀渀最 䘀漀爀挀攀 䐀爀礀攀爀 伀渀 吀栀攀 䴀愀爀欀攀琀 䈀ⴀ㄀㘀 ᰠ倀爀漀 䘀椀渀椀猀栀攀爀ᴠ 䘀椀渀椀猀栀椀渀最 䐀爀礀攀爀 ⴀ 儀甀椀攀琀Ⰰ 䈀爀甀猀栀氀攀猀猀 䴀漀琀漀爀 眀椀琀栀 嘀愀爀椀愀戀氀攀 匀瀀攀攀搀 ⴀ ⴀ 嘀愀爀椀愀戀氀攀 䠀攀愀琀 眀椀琀栀 ㌀ 䌀䘀䴀 䘀漀爀 吀栀愀琀 倀攀爀昀攀挀琀 匀栀漀眀ⴀ儀甀愀氀椀琀礀 䘀椀渀椀猀栀 ⴀ 䠀愀猀猀氀攀ⴀ䘀爀攀攀 匀琀礀氀椀渀最 眀椀琀栀 䄀渀琀椀ⴀ匀琀愀琀椀挀 䘀攀愀琀甀爀攀 愀渀搀 䄀搀樀甀猀琀愀戀氀攀 匀琀愀渀搀

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 35 Ed 6 • June 2016

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I had a career where I had to wear panty hose and high heels. I didn’t like it. Wearing a comfortable, hair-repelling uniform and squishy sneakers to work is a huge bonus. with a pretty dish or two in hand. (“I found this at Goodwill”, or, “bought it at a yard sale,” or, “it was my great aunt’s.”) Soon every dish had a kind story attached to it. I believe that groomers meet a higher percentage of wonderful humans than people who have other careers do.

• Sensible shoes. I’m not kidding.

I had a career where I had to wear panty hose and high heels. I didn’t

like it. Wearing a comfortable, hair– repelling uniform and squishy sneakers to work is a huge bonus. And for ladies, makeup is optional. Most days the dogs kiss it off, anyway. The older I get, the more I appreciate the joy of being comfy while I work.

• Endless opportunities to learn.

I’ve been grooming for over thirty years, (a fact that startles me.) I adore the fact that, though I am very good

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at what I do, there is still so much more I don’t know yet. Learning new tips, techniques and special skills keeps me fired up about my work.

There are many groomer groups on the internet now where people share their ideas with others at a rapid rate.

• Creative expression. When I ask customers, “What do you have in mind for Mr. Bonkers’ groom today?” many reply, “Do whatever you think is

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Grooming offered me a chance to adapt my career to being a mom, and for that she and I are both grateful. Now I choose to work 4 days a week, and enjoy long weekends with my husband. I love that I can plan my work around my life. best.” I feel like someone just handed me a blank canvas and a palette of bright paints. It is such fun to tweak and change up a pet’s hairstyle to make them look their adorable best.

• Fabulous support system. Recently a customer with small dogs that I groom regularly called to make an appointment to have her Scottish Deerhound tidied up for a show. I don’t know about you, but this is not a breed I see a lot of. And

show grooming? I was clueless. A few key strokes on the internet later I had some nice guidelines from a major grooming industry goddess. I groomed the dog and she came home with a fistful of blue ribbons. The owner was thrilled, the dog looked great, and I had fun successfully preparing a rare breed. People in our industry are, by and large, very willing to generously share their expertise. This is not something to be

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taken for granted, not all industries are this way.

• Flexibility. When my daughter was a baby I did house call grooming so I could work hours when my husband was home to be with her. As she got older I worked more hours, eventually buying a mobile rig to work out of. Grooming offered me a chance to adapt my career to being a mom, and for that she and I are both grateful. Now I choose to work 4 days

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Held across the country, there is bound to be one not far from you.

a week, and enjoy long weekends with my husband. I love that I can plan my work around my life.

• Educational opportunities.

Though grooming is currently an unregulated industry, there are several certifying groups that offer ambitious groomers a chance to learn, grow, and gain credentials. Many allow students to do at least some of the work long distance via the internet, too.

• Trade shows. Pet grooming trade shows are a blast. Packed with vendors so you can actually hold tools in your hand before buying and see up close and in person what the latest and greatest offerings are, they also offer classes with industry leaders so you can learn new skills. Held across the country, there is bound to be one not far from you. There is nothing like getting to meet other people who enjoy this quirky career.

I have laughed harder at trade shows than most anywhere else.

• Great earning potential. When I began as an apprentice groomer in

the ‘80’s, I did it for half of minimum wage at the time, (around $2.25 an hour.) I cleaned kennels and scooped poop, and did anything my mentor asked of me, gratefully. Today, groomers who are willing to learn the trade well, and behave in an extremely professional manner, are in high demand. It is not unheard of to bring home six figure salaries in the industry today.

• The ability to be a blessing in someone’s life. Pets may be the portal, but really, we are in the people business. Every single time you encounter a client, you have the opportunity to be a bright spot in their day. This is a challenge I take on gladly, and find that in return, I bless myself.

As the year winds to a close and the holidays hold us in their grip, I hope you will take some time to think about the things you are grateful for. And I hope that your career choice makes your list. I know that grooming has been a tremendous bonus in my life. ✂

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IPS for

Working with Challenging Customers E by Melissa Viera e

Think about someone close to you—whether a friend, a parent, or a sibling. What is it about that person that makes them special?

Why do you get along with them? Now think about the qualities that you don’t like in them so much.

D

o you know anyone that can be difficult sometimes? Of course you do, because we all have moments when we are not easy to work with.

Working with customers in the professional pet grooming industry is a rollercoaster. On some days, a customer tells you how important you have been in their pet’s life, or surprises you with a card just to say thank you and you get tears in your

14

eyes remembering that what you do is important. On other days, you want to go home and hide after having customers show up late, argue with you about their matted pets, or rush you through a groom. If you dream of having customers that are always polite and understanding, then you are going to leave work disappointed very often.

The difference between an offensive comment or a complaint from

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a customer and one from someone you know and love is that, if you do not know the customer well, you cannot tell if they are just having a bad day, and you do not know all of the wonderful things about them that would make you look past this one harsh moment. When we know and care about someone, it is easy to look past it when they are having a bad day and they say something offensive. You know that they don’t mean it because

Tip #1

If you do not make it clear that you have boundaries, then it is no fault of your customers for asking the same questions repeatedly or asking you to go the

you have come to appreciate every part of their unique personality.

Providing the perfect customer experience is easier said than done, especially when you are so passionate about what you do. At the end of the day, a groomer has an unwritten agreement with the animal that they are going to do what is in the animal’s best interest. Sometimes that means choosing to clip instead of de-mat, requiring more frequent appointments, or even refusing to pro-

extra mile. vide services. Your human customers will not always be understanding.

If you want to provide your customers with exceptional experiences and remain calm and not bothered when working with challenging customers, here are a few things you can do:

1. BE UP FRONT ABOUT YOUR BOUNDARIES & STICK TO THEM If you do not make it clear that you have boundaries, then it is no

fault of your customers for asking the same questions repeatedly or asking you to go the extra mile.

Decide what your boundaries are and stick to them. You can have boundaries. Your customers will understand.

2. TAKE AWAY THE WORRY FOR NERVOUS CUSTOMERS Have you ever been worried about something and you tell a friend, thinking that sharing it will make you feel better, but it only makes it worse? That is because worrying alone is sometimes no different or worse than worrying with a friend. If instead of getting stressed out with you, your friend confidently tells you that they are going to take care of it for you, you are going to feel so much better! If your customers have concerns, hear them out and take away their worry. Your customer has to see that you fully understand their concern and that you are going to take extra precautions and in a way, worry about it for them, in order for them to be worry–free.

3. BE KIND AND HONEST Even when it seems impossible, do your best to be kind. Being kind does not mean you must be weak or dishonest. It means that you will show you respect and care for others. You should always be honest, even if it is not what your customer wants to hear.

Who doesn’t appreciate kindness and honesty? You can be kind and still self– confident. If you are finding it difficult

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Tip #3

Even when it seems impossible, do your best to be kind. Being kind does not mean you must be weak or dishonest. It means that you will show you

to be kind to someone that is not being kind to you, try to remember that, like you, they are only human and they have bad days and imperfections.

4. WISH THEM THE BEST Even after the worst of days you can find a way to reflect and be grateful. When a customer gets you upset or angry, instead of feeding into those emotions, try doing the opposite. Sit down and write every-

respect and care for others. thing about that person that you like. You might find more things about them that are admirable than you think. Then write all the good things you wish for that person and their pets. Wish them the best. This exercise can be very transformative.

5. BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR BEST CUSTOMERS If you want to avoid burnout then you must constantly remind

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 36 Ed 11 • November 2017

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yourself of the things that make you feel good, even when you are having a tough day or a tough week. Think about the customers that have been with you for years and the ones that proudly tell all their friends about you. Remember how grateful you are for the customers that support you.

6. LET GO AND MOVE ON Things happen. Good things happen and bad things happen.

Sometimes we need to spend less time mentally categorizing things into groups of good and bad and just let go and move on.

7. LEARN TO SAY NO You owe it to yourself to stand up for what you believe in and do what is right for you. If you must say “no” to a customer because it is the right thing, then do it. Even if you risk a bad review or losing a customer. Always be honest with yourself and the animals. Do what is right.

Don’t let a bad day or a difficult customer make you feel defeated.

Everyone has bad days. If you can handle difficult customers and move on when you are feeling upset, you are going to leave work with less weighing on you. Remember to be grateful and kind to others even when they are a challenge and you might just find yourself smiling at and earning the trust of your most challenging customer. ✂

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 36 Ed 11 • November 2017

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Your Own

GOING OUT ON

T

he first step I took was to contact my local SCORE office. (www.score.org) SCORE or Service Corps Of Retired Executives is a free service that offers mentoring, as well as resources for the budding entrepreneur. After that, my local chamber of commerce offered a series on starting a business. Much of that original advice is as valuable now as it was then.

WAS I READY TO GO OUT ON MY OWN? Even before I made it into the SCORE office for my appointment, I was given homework. My assignment was to do a SWOT analysis.

SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.

This is an easy exercise. Take a piece of paper and divide it into four sections. Each square is labeled with strength, weakness, opportunity, and threats respectively.

STRENGTHS

E by Mary Oquendo e

In 2001, right after my daughter was accepted to Yale ($$$$), I decided to leave my corporate job and put a deposit on a mobile grooming van. Six months later I was in business for myself. It wasn’t easy, but preparation was key.

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What are you good at? Do you have an area of expertise that would attract clients? This may include specialty trims, hand stripping, cats, or handling special needs pet. Not sure what your strong suits are? Ask your current clients what they love about you. My marketing strategy capitalizes on my grooming strengths.

What business skills do you possess? They are as important as your grooming abilities. Are you social media savvy, love accounting, or are very organized, to name but a few? Jot them all down as nothing is insignificant.

WEAKNESSES This can be something you need help with or simply don’t want to do.

I hate accounting and suffer through

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Opportunities require you to pay attention and act upon them. If you think too long, it may pass you by. To take advantage of such opportunities, you need to be prepared to act as soon as possible.

it. If left up to me, I would never file my taxes. I am also disorganized.

Weaknesses need to be addressed. If not, they can become threats. I hire an accountant and rely on to–do lists and other organizational materials to run my business.

In the beginning, my weaknesses far outweighed my strengths.

But you can turn any weaknesses into strengths with education and dedication. My strength section now surpasses my weaknesses.

OPPORTUNITIES Is your local chamber of commerce offering free business classes? Maybe the shop down the street is thinking of selling their business, or you catch the mobile grooming van for sale ad as it's being posted. Opportunities require you to pay attention and act upon

them. If you think too long, it may pass you by. To take advantage of such opportunities, you need to be prepared to act as soon as possible. I would not be writing this column in Groomer To Groomer had I not responded to a call for blog writers at PetGroomer.com

THREATS This is not just worrying about the competition. What weaknesses have you left unresolved that are now negatively impacting your business?

Have there been changes to zoning that could impact your bottom line?

Are your business premises up to code or is a fire waiting to happen? What about neglected repairs to a shop or van? Detailing all possible threats may help to reduce their impact as it gives you time to deal with those issues.

A SWOT analysis is good way to

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A successful business owner is a state of mind. Knowing you are prepared and can demonstrate it with written business plans and other documentation can keep the naysayers at bay, as well as offer a blueprint to keep your business on track. see how ready you are or if you need to work on some skills. I redo my SWOT analysis every year, as this is a fluid document. Circumstances can change from year to year and a SWOT analysis can help you to navigate them.

THERE’S MORE TO MAKING THAT LEAP One thing I would like to caution is that waiting for the “perfect”

28

time or waiting until you “perfect” a particular skill doesn’t exist. Most of what you will learn as a business owner comes from being a business owner. If you wait for that perfection, you will never open your doors.

It’s nice to have the emotional support of friends and family when making life-changing decisions, but the reality is that it is not always the case. A successful business owner is a state of mind. Knowing you are

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prepared and can demonstrate it with written business plans and other documentation can keep the naysayers at bay, as well as offer a blueprint to keep your business on track. My husband now swears he always knew I would succeed and always had my back. I pulled a muscle laughing at that one.

Networking via social media, local business groups, and even MeetUps can offer emotional support and valuable business advice.

you r

20 1 8

APRIL 5 Thru 8

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I cannot over estimate the power of continuing education. There are at least a dozen major and minor pet industry trade shows every year, filled with educational opportunities as well as first look at new equipment and products.

The only constant is change. I cannot over estimate the power of continuing education. There are at least a dozen major and minor pet industry trade shows every year, filled with educational opportunities as well as first look at new equipment and products. Most trade shows offer free breed demonstrations taught by industry leaders, as well as being able to watch some of the best groomers in the world on the competition stage. Don’t disregard a retail trade

30

show because it’s light on grooming.

Retail shows offer valuable business education as well as seeing new trends before they become trends.

Can’t make a trade show? No matter the subject, someone is teaching an online workshop. Webinars are a convenient, cost effective way of continuing your education. The bulk of my personal educational expenses are through webinars. Most are recorded and can be viewed many times over.

Here I am 15 years later and on my

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second van. It has been a wonderful journey with many bumps along the road, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

Owning my own business has been the best thing I have done for myself. ✂

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MY TOY GIRAFFE E by Dawn Omboy e FIG. 1

32

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have just returned from a trip to Pooch Styles Pet Grooming in District Heights, Maryland where I met with the owner of Pooch Styles, Kyonna Brown, and her staff for a fun filled day of Creative Styling. Kyonna has some very enthusiastic and trusting clients who happily entrusted their fur kids to us for a “who knows what might happen kind of day”. They would certainly be on the top of my favorite client list!

My demo dog for today is this cute little poodle mix named DOG (pronounced Dee–Oh–Gee). The plan for DOG today was to turn him into a cute little toy giraffe, similar to one his owner had seen somewhere on Facebook. DOG had been colored in the past and still had some old color in his tail that would work perfectly

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into today’s groom and dye job.

Fig 1) We clipped his body down with a 7f blade, leaving his legs so they later could be shaped. A crest was also left to create a mane that would go from halfway on his crown down to his withers.

Fig 2) In the next step I used a small paintbrush and cholesterol to outline the random blocky pattern on his body. The cholesterol does two things, it works to outline your pattern and to protect areas from getting color where you do not want it to be.

We did some color mixing to come up with the two shades of brown.

Brown can be made by mixing a primary with its complimentary color; red and green, purple and yellow, blue and orange. I wanted more orange for the body spots so I used a mixture

of one part navy blue and four parts orange. For the mane and feet I used a mixture of even parts red and green for a darker brown that I then added to my first brown mixture.

Fig 3) With the outline done I could use a bigger paintbrush to fill in the blocky pattern of the giraffe body with my orange/brown dye mixture.

Fig 4) Next, the darker mixture was used on his mane, and lastly his feet. I let the dye stand on his coat for only about 25 minutes before rinsing the color off and then bathing and drying the little guy.

Once dry, I went back over him with a blade to smooth his coat on his jacket out, then shaped his legs with scissors, leaving them fuller at the bottoms.

You can create the horns by leaving the hair longer on the back part of the crown in front of the occipital point and putting two banded ponytails there.

Whenever you are doing something like this you will want to try to time yourself so you know how to accurately price it out for your client.

For my own salon I purchased a time clock from Sam’s Club and use this to monitor time on many of the dogs we groom in the salon. This helps us to better explain our pricing structure on, not only the creative grooms we do, but the regular groom or bath dogs as well. Clock in your dog and only charge for all, actual hands on time. When doing a creative groom I also add in the cost of products used.

This groom will certainly get some attention, as you can see it looks like an adorable stuffed animal —no batteries needed! And the bonus is that it is an easy maintenance style for your client. The pattern should hold up through the next haircut four weeks out, after that you can re–dye or pick a new design. ✂

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33

BEHAVIOR CLIPS

by Gary Wilkes

GROOMER’S

GUIDE TO

Aggressive dogs Right now I am working with a miniature Poodle who used to bite if you tried to pick him up. His owners didn’t feel comfortable attaching a leash to his collar for the same reason. At the same time, his groomer had no problems with handling this dog.

T

hat doesn’t surprise me at all. Groomers, as a whole, are at the top of handling skills with vet techs, some shelter workers and more rarely, trainers. It’s not something that is taught formally and requires years to develop the ‘touch’. That being said, this is a small rundown on dealing with aggression that might benefit some of

34

you who are on your path to becoming great handlers.

It is very trendy in modern behavior and training circles to define many different types of aggression.

The idea is to classify aggression into sub–types to give you insight about their nature and cure. Some of the sub–groups are: dominance aggression, territorial aggression, food

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aggression, redirected (sometimes called misdirected) aggression, fear aggression, possessive aggression, predatory aggression and pain aggression.

In the majority of cases, detailed classification of aggression is something you do after the fact. In the world of grooming, I think there are only five major types. These are

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If a groomer is wearing a smock and the dog thinks smocks = pain, the dog may bite the wrong person. Be aware that your appearance can trigger a bite, even if you have never had bad relations with a particular animal. rarely listed in dog training and behavior circles, but I think you will recognize them.

THE FIVE TYPES OF AGGRESSION COMMONLY SEEN IN GROOMING: 1) “That hurts, I am going to bite you now.” This is the easiest form of aggression to anticipate. You know which procedures cause pain and discomfort. If you can anticipate when the painful part starts, you can make your grip a little firmer, just before

the dog goes ballistic. Sometimes a calming hold will get the dog through the pain.

2) “That hurt the last time I was here, I am going to bite you before you can do it again.” If the dog has prior experience he may decide to initiate a bite well in advance of any actual handling. This process may start when the dog comes into the salon.

By the time the dog is in the salon, it may be ready to bite anyone who tries to touch or handle it.

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3) “Someone else hurt me once, so I will bite you now.” This is a pretty self–explanatory category. Many groomers wear smocks. If a groomer is wearing a smock and the dog thinks smocks = pain, the dog may bite the wrong person. Be aware that your appearance can trigger a bite, even if you have never had bad relations with a particular animal.

4) “I generally bite people, I don’t need a reason.” Some animals have such a long and broad history of vio-

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35

lence that they may bite at any given moment—even after typical provocation has failed to trigger a bite. This type of dog may allow you to finish the groom and then bite you on the way out of the salon.

5) “I’m a Chow Chow (Or fill in the blank with any breed you don’t trust).”

Every breed of dog has a published breed profile that claims “friendly with kids, good with old people, loyal, devoted, sweet, wonderful, special, easy to train.” Don’t believe it. Some breeds should be considered dangerous until proven otherwise.

Before you apply my rules for anticipating a bite, here are some simple things you can consider. I have only had one real bite in more than 40 years. I’m not bullet proof— that status could change tomorrow.

That being said, these are thoughts I use to keep myself safe.

GENERAL RULES FOR AVOIDING A BITE: 1) Never make direct eye–contact with a dog you haven’t slept with. Use

your peripheral vision to watch what the dog is doing. If this seems odd, just remember that all dogs perceive eye–contact as a threat. Just because a majority of dogs don’t overtly react to direct eye–contact doesn’t mean they think it’s a friendly gesture.

This is most important when greeting a dog new to your salon. Try to always avoid bending over a dog from the front. Never “pat the nice doggie on the head.” Towering over a dog may appear to be threatening.

Dogs consider their head, neck and shoulders to be private areas—about as private as we consider our groin.

When you approach them from the front and above, it’s like someone you don’t know goosing you. Just like people, some dogs like that and some dogs don’t. Turn sideways and squat down, instead. (See #2) 2) When you pick up a dog lambstyle, (from the side, placing one arm around dog’s chest and the other around the rump) you’re a bit less of a threat than standing right over the top, but this may also be seen as a threat.

Since this type of lift is common

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to your job, a safer way to do it is to squat down to wrap your arms around the critter’s legs, then lift the dog using your legs, rather than your back. Sorry, but OSHA actually has this one right. Unless you want chronic back trouble, never lift anything with your back, even a dog. Be aware that your face is very close to the dog’s face when you do this.

3) If you are going to make a first contact with a dog, place your hand below the dog’s chin—never above the head. Try to gently touch the dog’s chest before you go roaming around the ears, lips and muzzle. If you have to handle a dog’s leg, start high, near the elbow, and work your way down without appearing to pull it forward. Pulling forward with the wrong dog usually causes the dog to pull his leg back, arch his neck and bite your hand.

4) Once you have a dog on the table, you may need help with a first nail trim or dealing with mats on the face.

If you have an assistant, let them loosely hold the dog under the chin while draping an arm over the dog’s withers. If the dog starts to jerk backward when you clip a nail, the assistant can block the dog’s elbow and you can get on with the task.

5) Use your lead to pull the dog’s head away from you or anyone else in case of an emergency. Learn to make a very quick muzzle by wrapping the lead around the dog’s mouth.

This should be done before the dog has a chance to bite you.

When making a first contact with a dog:

PLACE YOUR HAND BELOW THE DOG’S CHIN

NEVER REACH ABOVE THE DOG'S HEAD

Dogs bite. That is a fact of life.

Keeping that thought in your mind is a good strategy. Eventually you will gain the skills necessary to handle just about everything—and remember it’s OK to ask for help if you feel uncomfortable with a particular dog. ✂

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37

The

of Grooming

E by Khris Berry e

PART I: MANAGEMENT Management of any business can be intimidating and exhausting for even the most seasoned Pet Professional. After all, many of us started our Pet Businesses because we preferred interacting with Pets rather than People. There is no shame in knowing where your passion lies—this series will spotlight common issues and solutions to help you manage your Business and staff more seamlessly and effortlessly.

HERE ARE GROOMING BUSINESS BASICS TIPS FOR MANAGING IN A PET SERVICE ENVIRONMENT:

38

Herding Cats? Flying Monkeys?

Guess what—this is YOUR Circus.

Don’t dwell on the short comings of the people around you. Learn the capabilities of your staff and co–workers and focus on effort and hard work.

Not everyone can be a Superstar or an MVP but you CAN ask everyone to give their best personal effort.

perhaps even Family. Expect the same behavior, respect and courtesy from each of these people and hold yourself to the same standards you set.

Write down three basic values that are true to you and begin there. I ask for courtesy, kindness, and respect from everyone —myself, customers, and co– workers alike. Find your core values!

Know WHO you are managing so you don’t get overwhelmed or confused. On any given day, you should focus on managing Employees, Co–Workers, Clients, Yourself, and

Be your BEST Employee or Team Member! Lead people whenever possible rather than dictate where they should go. Your actions should represent the type of work

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ethic and behavior you are asking your Co–Workers to exhibit.

Stay true to YOU! Let your leadership style be true to your personality. If it hurts your feelings when someone doesn’t follow a rule, that doesn’t make you weak but rather empathetic. You don’t have to be “bossy” to be a good boss.

If you are compassionate, let that shine through. If you are impatient, it’s okay to let your staff know that as well. Being true to yourself and allowing your staff to see the real person

Establishing a culture where people can speak openly and honestly with their co–workers in a group setting will eliminate work–place drama, increase connectivity between Team Members, and eliminate major issues before they develop. behind the rules allows them to understand your viewpoint and perspective when you have conflict.

Passion. To be a great leader, you must have a passion for what you are doing. Your passion may be for the services you offer, the clients you cater to, or the money you make. Regardless, focus on your driving passion and make sure that fire is burning. If it goes out, it will be

transparent to those around you and work against your goals.

ately for long–term success. Hint: The Golden Rule applies very well here!

Personality. There is no ideal Leadership personality style.

However, you must make sure that you can forge and maintain connections with other people to achieve success. Even if you work alone, you still need to examine your personality dynamics to ensure that you are managing your client relations appropri-

Perseverance. True leadership simply comes from showing up every day. Make certain that you have the stamina to lead your Team, Self, Customers, and Co– workers daily. You may not always have the answers to every problem but being present and sharing the burden goes a long way in taking

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39

Learning the difference between Emotional and Rational thinking is a hallmark of learning to handle conflict and interact with other people successfully. If you “feel” strongly about an issue, you likely need to learn to set the dialog aside until you can have a rational conversation. stress off those around you.

tions about issues as they arise also eliminates the perils associated with passive–aggressive behavior and the possibility of resentment in the future. In many cases, issues that become larger than life could have been addressed in their infancy and ultimately resolved more quickly and less painfully.

Dialog often and openly. Open lines of communication are necessary in most dynamic work cultures. Establishing a culture where people can speak openly and honestly with their co-workers in a group setting will eliminate workplace drama, increase connectivity between Team Members, and eliminate major issues before they develop. Having real-time conversa-

Establish rules of engagement.

Having clear set boundaries will allow you to set expecta-

Holistic PET

tions and resolve conflicts much easier when those are not met. Establishing your expectations not only about how your team, self, and even customers will engage with your business is important but I also suggest establishing expectations about how you will dialog and interact with people when those expectations aren’t met. I like to let new employees as well as new customers know that we will engage in open dialog if they have a complaint or concern. It’s much easier to talk openly

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 36 Ed 11 • November 2017

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Learn the difference between Emotional and Rational thinking. Learning the difference between Emotional and Rational thinking is a hallmark of learning to handle conflict and interact with other people successfully. If you “feel” strongly about an issue, you likely need to learn to set the dialog aside until you can have a rational conversation. Putting your thoughts onto paper will allow you to separate emotional responses from rational ones. In some cases, if you can’t reach a Rational state of mind, it’s okay to enlist the help of an intermediary to speak for you so that you can make sure your point of view is clearly translated.

Learn when to build and utilize a committee. Managing a Pet Services business, co–workers, or even yourself can be a many faceted adventure. Realizing you don’t have all the answers and soliciting help is another hallmark of a great leader. Learn to construct committees if you feel you need advice or aid in making decisions. Sometimes that committee may include your accountant, attorney, and spouse.

Other times, you may choose to select a senior co–worker, a client, or even a business mentor from another industry. Make sure when you choose to solicit advice from outside sources that you thoughtfully consider their

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qualifications to advise on your decision, why you value their advice, and let them know you are leaning on them for advising on a specific task.

This will help eliminate unsolicited advice on other issues in the future.

Additionally, consider constructing specific small committees to help you make decisions rather than just enlisting your whole staff—too many opinions can serve to confuse and muddle the decision even further.

Nurture them/Nurture You. Great leaders are remembered for not only what they achieved but how the people they led were treated. Think of the legacy you wish to leave and how you will be remembered by your people. Caretaking can come in many languages; for some people it’s what you give, for others it’s what you do. Many business owners focus on what they have provided for their staff, or what they’ve selflessly given to their clients when indeed their staff would rather have been thanked more often. Whatever they dynamic is, make certain that you are nurturing the needs of the people you lead. In order to nurture others, you must also make sure that your own needs are met. The responsibilities of Leadership can place toll on your personal self so make time to rejuvenate your body, mind, and soul.

If you work alongside other Pet Professionals, you can utilize these dozen tips to engage, problem solve, and forge better workplace dynamics. ✂

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LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Are You Prepared?

E by Kathy Hosler e

Groomers are some of the hardest working people on the planet. From morning till night, you multi-task—and then, you do it all over again the next day. Do you need a break from your hectic routine? Do you find yourself wishing you could take a little trip and get away from it all?

W

ell, I took a quick trip earlier this year—but it wasn’t one that I planned. I was walking in my brother’s yard when my toe caught on a tree root, and the root wouldn’t let go. Down I went. I twisted as I fell, and I heard a ‘snap’. I tried to convince myself that it was the tree root that snapped, but I knew better - and the x-rays proved it. I had broken my ankle (my distal fibula to

44

be exact), and I injured some tendons and ligaments as well.

As I sat in the hospital emergency department, I was painfully aware that I would not be able to groom for some time. I went home on crutches and was instructed not to put any weight on my broken ankle.

I had never been on crutches in my life, and it was certainly a challenge to learn how to navigate on them.

Suddenly, simple things like getting

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a glass of water or making a cup of coffee became monumental tasks— and hopping into the shower took on a whole new meaning.

That unexpected little ‘trip’ was much more than an inconvenience, but it was not a tragedy either; because I was prepared for it. I have health care coverage. I opened my grooming salon more than 40 years ago, and had never missed a day of work because of illness or injury—until I broke my ankle. I

sometimes wondered if I really needed that medical coverage. The premiums weren’t cheap, but month after month, year after year, I paid them. I decided it was a lot like my car, homeowners, and salon insurance; you pay the premiums and hope that you never have any reason to file a claim.

As I was cared for in the emergency department and by several doctors and their staff all during my recovery, I knew that my medical bills would be covered. I didn’t have the huge burden of wondering how I could afford them when I couldn’t work and had no money coming in.

Because I am self-employed, I knew that it was up to me to protect and provide for myself. That’s why I set up an emergency fund. I regularly put away money to prepare for future

unexpected expenses. Because of my emergency fund, I did not have to return to work before I was healed and ready. I had enough money in reserve to ‘keep the lights on’.

Although I would have much preferred to spend my little ‘break’ from grooming in some relaxing, fun destination instead of the emergency room and on crutches, being financially prepared and covered medically made all the difference.

ARE YOU PREPARED FOR A ‘TRIP’?

• Any injury or medical problem that puts a groomer out of work can either be just an inconvenience, or a total financial disaster. It all depends on how well you prepare before the ‘event’ happens.

• Everyone needs to have medical

Because I am selfemployed, I knew that it was up to me to protect and provide for myself. That’s why I set up an emergency fund. I regularly put away money to prepare for future unexpected expenses.

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45

In 2013 the average cost of a visit to the ER was $1233.00 and that did not include diagnostic tests or lab fees. And, we all know, medical costs have skyrocketed since then. insurance. No matter how healthy or young you are, accidents and illnesses happen. You simply must have coverage to protect your health and your financial well-being.

• Today medical debt is the number one reason people file for bankruptcy—yes the number one reason! It will affect almost two million people this year.

• Just one visit to the emergency room could cost you more than a year’s worth of medical insurance premiums. In 2013 the average cost of a visit to the ER was $1233.00 and that did not include diagnostic tests or lab fees. And, we all know, medical costs have skyrocketed since then.

• Disability insurance is also very

important to have, especially if you are off work for an extended period. It will help you replace the income you lose while you are unable to groom.

• If you are an employee and you are injured at work, you should be covered by workers’ compensation.

But, don’t rely solely on that coverage. It won’t help you if you are hurt at home or if you develop a medical problem that keeps you from working.

• Every groomer should have an emergency fund. If an illness or injury happens to you, you still must pay the mortgage and utilities, put food on the table, and you probably have other expenses like a grooming van payment or shop rent, and car lease and insurance payments. The bills don’t stop just

because your income does.

• Beginning very early in your grooming career, you need to put aside money every week for your emergency fund. Even if you start with small amounts, over time it will grow. Experts suggest that your emergency fund should have an amount equal to 3-6 months (or more) of living expenses.

• Being financially secure means that you will be able to pay your bills and living expenses while you are not working, and it will allow you to complete your recovery before returning to work.

• If you are not prepared, you could lose everything that you have worked so hard for. The peace of mind that you have when you are ready for the unexpected is invaluable.

Now I’m back to work and happily replenishing my emergency fund.

And, I’ve also started a REAL trip fund...and this time it is a good one.

The trip I’ve got my eye on is the next Pet Pro Cruise. Bon Voyage! ✂

What makes you unique as a professional?

What is your

Groomer Story

Send story submission ideas to mjsdogtraining@gmail.com

#GroomerStories 46

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E by Malissa Diener e I confess…I am a stripper. I know, shocking as it may seem, I love to hand strip, roll coats, pluck and twist.

Whew, feels good to confess that I use a stripping knife and stripping tools a lot in my grooming, and sometimes even on non-terrier breeds!

I

know, it’s so scandalous. But yes, I am that kind of groomer girl, the kind that strips on the side to make extra money.

I am going to try and convince you why you should be a stripper, too. I know, you managed to stay away from it this long. So why should you? People will talk, but you will make more money, you will gain a larger and different clientele, and it will absolutely make you a more in demand groomer/stylist. Remember, not everyone strips so you may be looked at differently by your fellow groomers/stylists. They may talk about you behind your back and be a

48

little negative about the new “reputation” you have gained. But once you strip, you can’t ever go back. It becomes your go–to secret weapon on a variety of grooms.

Some people are natural pickers. You know who you are, as I am among you. You’re the person who picks at their scab. You’re the pimple popper; the one friend that says, “Oh let me get that black head for you”.

You can get such a soul cleansing satisfaction from tweezing, plucking and messing with yourself or others.

This also transfers into our grooming. I am a plucker, a picker, a popper and a stripper. There it is, and I get a

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 36 Ed 11 • November 2017

GroomertoGroomer.com

total euphoria from it.

So, what is hand stripping? Most pet groomers don’t offer it or use most of the tools to do it. I personally think it is a lost grooming art like scissoring. But here is the official definition on hand stripping a dog’s coat via Google: Hand–stripping is the process of plucking the outer guard hairs once the coat is “blown”—the top coat is pulled out using fingers or a stripping knife.

Don’t panic—it sounds worse than it is! The knife is not used to cut but only to pull the hair out, held between the thumb and forefinger.

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MYTH #1:

There are plenty of pet owners that want their dogs to look like the breed standard (or as close as we can come to it) and they want the coat to retain its natural texture, color and overall look.

Technically Google is correct in the above definition. Remember, I said technically. Now let’s get untechnical and let’s get real. Most groomers say they don’t strip because: 1. It is a technique reserved for show dogs only.

2. It is painful to the dog and causes them distress.

3. It is only for wire haired coated breeds/Terriers.

4. No pet owner wants their dog stripped, they don’t even know what it is.

I AM GOING TO DEBUNK THESE FOUR MYTHS: 1. Show dogs are not the only dogs that get hand stripped. There are plenty of pet owners that want their dogs to look like the breed standard (or as close as we can come to it) and they

want the coat to retain its natural texture, color and overall look. I have hand–stripped pure bred dogs and mixed breeds—didn’t matter to me.

What did matter was that I was able to maintain the integrity of the coat and give the customer what they wanted in an overall style for their pet.

I talk to my customers about what I call a Pet Strip. We discuss what they can maintain at home and what

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MYTH #2:

If you hand strip at the right time, the coat will release from the follicle easily. If you are causing pain or discomfort while doing it, you are doing it wrong.

they want their pet to look like and how often they want to have the pet groomed. Yes, I charge more for the service, but it is all rolled into my total grooming price for that particular dog and the services it needs.

2. Pain is NOT involved in stripping the coat. If you hand strip at the right time, the coat will release from the follicle easily. If you are causing pain or discomfort while doing it, you are doing it wrong. Easy as that. Skin

must be pulled taut, coat should be dirty (if doing a full, true strip) and you can use things like ear powder to help get a good grip. There are about a million different YouTube videos on how to do a hand strip, so I won’t go into instructions here. But I have taught the seminar to pet groomers and they are always so amazed at how easily the coat releases once they get the technique down. If you are a picker, then you have found

heaven on a grooming table once you learn to strip.

3. Stripping is not just reserved for Terrier breeds or wire coated breeds.

However, they do get this technique used more than the other breed groups. Some other breeds are Spaniels, Setters, Hounds and more. I have used my stripping tools on Collies, Samoyeds, Aussies, (yes, double coated breeds) Pugs, and every kind of mix that I feel the tools will im-

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52

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 36 Ed 11 • November 2017

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MYTH #4: It is your job to help them decide on what is best for their pet according to their lifestyle, budget and what appearance they want the dog to have after being groomed.

prove the quality and overall look of the coat. Remember, you are using tools. A hammer is just not for getting nails through a board.

Be creative and become a thinking groomer. Don’t always just reach for the clipper.

4. Most pet owners don’t know what stripping is. The beauty of it is, they don’t have to. But you as a professional groomer/stylist should. It is your job to help them decide on what is best for their pet according to their lifestyle, budget and what appearance they want the dog to have after being groomed. Factor in those things.

Yes, we must educate our clients with the knowledge that the more a pet is groomed the better it is for the pet. However, budgetary restraints limit this for many people.

In turn, we must try to find a happy medium and healthy way for the pet to stay well–groomed with in their budget.

I have never in all my years grooming had a person tell me they didn’t like what we agreed on in a pet strip groom. I make it a point to take notes, and be very clear as to what the instructions are on what the customer wants for the pet. I don’t ever let them get away with the “you’re the pro do what you think is best”. Best for who? Me, the dog, you, the mailman? That is a statement no one leaves my salon saying to me. This is your dog, so it is your responsibility to take a moment and figure out what is best for it, what you want it to look like, what you can afford it to look like, and what you can maintain in between grooms. My job is to help you determine these things so I can do my job to the best of my ability.

If you leave it up to me, your dog is

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going to be colored and Asian Fusioned, possibly glitter tattooed and looking like a drag queen.

But hey, that’s my personal style, it may not be yours. They need to stay and talk with you.

Take a class if you can on this lost art. Watch the videos online, read about it on the AKC breed groups pages. Educate yourself.

My personal favorite stripper is an amazing groomer by the name of Sarah Hawks. Check out her site: www.dogworksbysarah. com. Sarah hosts classes around the world, has DVDs and more available to learn from her expertise. She is amazing.

Get out and go to the dog shows. You don’t have to be a show groomer to appreciate a well-groomed show dog. You can talk to the handlers and owners, get some questions answered, watch them groom and see the tricks they use to make their dogs look amazing. We all want that. We want the dogs that go out doors to look amazing also.

We also want to look amazing to our customers. We want them to say to their friends and family, “Oh Scrappy’s groomer is amazing! She does show dog techniques on Scrappy and that’s why he looks so great.”

People love to brag about their dogs, so include yourself in the bragging, and do a groom that is brag worthy. Have your clients telling their friends and family, “Hey did you know Scrappy’s groomer is an amazing stripper?” You know that will get peoples’ attention! ✂

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 36 Ed 11 • November 2017

55

The

ALL THINGS PAW

by Michelle Knowles

T

CARING FOR THE

ELDERLY PET

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here are not many things that are more rewarding to me than caring for an elderly pet that has given their life in service to their companions.

Caring for them is one of my greatest joys and pleasures. Seeing them come through the door with their beautiful faces is pure heaven.

The senior years are fraught with health issues, failing bones and joints, and sometimes a form of senility. There are many things to consider when grooming and caring for the old timers in the salon.

The older pet is very fragile and should not be rushed or forced to stand for extended periods of time. There are those pets that require as little time as possible away from home and need to be booked as a straight through groom with the owner standing by at a nearby coffee shop. On the other hand, I have made arrangements with the owner to have the pet done in 2 or even 3 sessions to lessen the stress of being in the grooming environment. Some pets simply require that plenty of time be taken with them and rushing is not an option.

Each angel should be taken on an individual basis.

When thinking about the needs of an elderly pet, we must take into consideration all the things that accompany old age. Their joints may hurt, so they have a reduction in flexibility, they may not be able to hear or see and can be startled very easily. Some pets may suffer memory loss, in the moment, and don’t rec-

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ognize where they are and who is with them causing them to be frightened or shaky.

This is the time of their life that they may have developed systemic health issues like congenital heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and other hip and knee issues. They may be too elderly to have dentals and may have sore mouths so care must be taken when holding chins or muzzles.

When taking in your old timer, make sure that the owner is aware of the needs of the pet and understands their limitations. They should have a current cell phone on file and be reachable in case an emergency should occur. All emergency procedures should be explained to the owner so that there will be less panic if something should happen.

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Groomer to Groomer • Vol 36 Ed 11 • November 2017

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Give the pet time to acclimate to the environment before beginning the bath or any other procedure.

This will put them at ease and possibly remind them that they are in a loving environment. All shampoo and conditioning products should be prepared ahead of time before placing the pet into the bathtub.

When possible, try to harness the loop underneath one armpit to minimize the loop pressure around the neck. Many pets with heart issues have difficulty breathing, so take this into consideration when restraining them. Many elderly dogs cannot take being dried with a high velocity dryer and need to have soft, low or no heat dryers on them to keep them calm. Every pet is an individual so use your best judgement with each case.

Plan ahead to have an assistant so if the pet is very large, or frightened, you will have help if you need it. Older pets can no longer produce or retain B vitamins and may have a “senior smell”. Adding minerals into the conditioning step will go a long way in soothing the skin and keeping the coat and skin fresh for a longer period of time. Ozonated oils can also minimize the warts that we see on them and making a small jar available for the client to take home to use daily will help keep them comfortable. These types of oils can also be used on dry and cracked paw pads, elbows and noses to keep the skin supple and flexible. Ozonated oils have the bonus of being antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral and can be used anywhere that the skin needs support without the fear of toxicity.

When the groom is done, every effort should be made to have the pet picked up so that stress is at a minimum. A quiet spot should be

Your Pet Care Professional Taking

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When Your Pet Needs a Smoothie

care of your Puppy at home…

Lear ning to Br ush Your Pet

nal

Mission Accomplished – a Happy Puppy!

chnique to you, Brush Your brushing cannot

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

Askhave Youra friend Groomwho If you er could this publication, froma Copy benefit for pleaseofpass it on.

Learning to Brush Your Pet Pamphlet

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Tiny fleas can crea please pass items. on. te huge p robl By working with your p et care professional and following their rec ommendations about products and their corr ect usage, and by diligently treating and protecting your pets a nd their surroundings, you and your pets can kiss

the ferocious flea good bye.

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The Ferocious Flea

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groomer r your se them et looks

Your Pet Care Professional

Are there any disadv antages to these products?

Fleas have to come in contact with the product to be killed. T hat means that fleas actually have to get on , and could possibly bite your pet, before th ey die. There is also a possibility of skin irrit ation at the site of application.

If you

Photo by: Sherri Regalb

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Your Pet Care Professional

Between professional groomings, you may need to brush and bathe your puppy at home. Your groomer can recommend and supply the equipment and coat care products that you will need.

She will also be happy to demonstrate the correct brushing and combing techniq ues that you need to learn to properly care for your puppy.

ring spend ecial ur pet. s hair more rt em as ming. reinforce

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Keeping your Pet

a Free

In many areas of the country, flea control is a year round necessit y.

In conjunction with con tinuing premise control, many pet ow ners have great succes s with oral or topical pr oducts that are administered once a m onth to their pet. The y come in a variety of bra nds like - Advantage®, Frontline®, Revolution®, and Program®.

There are specific form ulations for dogs and cats, and most are approved to use on puppies and kittens six to eight weeks and old er.

Read and follow the i nstructions, making sur e to use the product that is specified for your pet. These products ar e extremely popular because of their once a month convenience, ease of application, and effectiveness. Most are

waterproof, allowing y our pet to be bathed, or to swim, without dec reasing the product’s effectiveness.

Also, keeping your pet flea free with this continuous protection, is far less costly than trying to eliminate an i nfestation on your pet and in your home.

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

ll at ou

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Every attempt should be made to schedule these types of grooms on a day when there is the

least amount of stress so that you can devote the time and energy required to care for them.

November sunday

monday

tuesday

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saturday

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prepared for them to rest while waiting for their companion, away from noise and bustling activity. Every attempt should be made to schedule these types of grooms on a day when there is the least amount of stress so that you can devote the time and energy required to care for them.

We must not only care for the elderly pet, but many times inquire after the well–being of their elderly owners.

Make sure to inquire whether they are able to purchase food, take the pet for walks or that they are still able to care for their companion. A few thoughtful questions could save the life of the pet and the owner and is a caring way to make sure that everyone is safe.

Elderly pets can be very rewarding and remind us that we too will one day need tender and gentle care.

Be the caregiver that you would want caring for you! ✂

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ASK THE GROOMING TUTOR

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TAKING CARE OF YOUR

GROOMER-BODY Dear Michell, I have been grooming for about 11 years and I went to the doctor the other day. I was telling my doctor about my various ailments.

My Doctor said to me, “sounds like you need to find a new profession”, and then he laughed. I was very discouraged by his statement. I love grooming. I want to groom until I retire, but if it is really making me sick I might have to take my doctor’s advice and find a new profession.

Is there anything I can do?

H

i Sunny, let me start by saying, good for you for taking the time to go to your doctor!

Some of the biggest questions when it comes to our health might be, are the symptoms that we are having normal aging and wear and tear or do we have a recognizable,

62

treatable ailment or injury? If it is a recognizable, treatable ailment or injury, what do we do about it? How do we heal it? How do we manage the pain? How do we keep it from happening again? This is where you should rely on your doctor. Although, unless your doctor gave you some additional useful information, you

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 36 Ed 11 • November 2017

GroomertoGroomer.com

— SUNNY J.

might want to try a new one.

Self–diagnosis via internet research is not the best way to get your diagnoses. Also keep in mind that if you really do have a work–related injury, you will need a doctor’s diagnosis to make a workman’s compensation claim. I am not a doctor.

My advice and information is not a

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Because many groomers are commission based employees, it is easy to sell our lives away in one–hour increments. We need to consider our overall health when we manage our time. substitute for a doctor.

Because many groomers are commission based employees, it is easy to sell our lives away in one–hour increments. We need to consider our overall health when we manage our time. Try to keep a good work–life balance when scheduling your clients. And if you fail this week, try again next week.

There are all kinds of typical groomer ailments. Just about every part of our musculoskeletal bodies can get fatigued, inflamed and even

injured. Every profession has its ailments. Contrary to what you might think, a physically active job, like grooming, is not necessarily more harmful for your body than a sedentary job. How we take care of our bodies is a crucial part of how well our bodies cope and age.

Because I have all kinds of ideas on what a person should do to avoid getting “groomer-body” with no real scientific proof that any of my ideas work, I decided to get much of my

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THE MAYO CLINIC RECOMMENDS: • Regular moderate physical activity like daily exercise. Walking, swimming or other activities you enjoy can help you maintain a healthy weight, lower blood pressure and lessen the extent of arterial stiffening due to aging. Ask your doctor if they feel that grooming alone is activity enough or if you should participate in additional activities. Also, weight–bearing exercises, such as walking, jogging, tennis, climbing stairs and strength training can help you build strong bones and slow bone loss due to aging. There is much controversy over whether grooming provides enough cardiovascular activity to meet the Mayo Clinic’s recommendations. Some of us may get enough and others may need additional activity. I find that additional exercise not only helps me keep my weight down but it helps me manage my stress.

• Healthy eating. Choose vegetables, fruits, whole grains, high–fiber foods and lean sources of protein.

Limit foods high in saturated fat and sodium. A healthy diet can help you keep your heart and arteries healthy as well as your digestive system.

Exercise portion control and stay within a healthy weight range. Many

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Cigarette smoking continues to cause substantial death and disability. More than 1 in 5 adults smoke despite the desire among most smokers to stop and the availability of effective treatments. groomers do not stop for lunch. Try to take a few minutes to sit and have a meal or snack. It not only helps your body but your mind too. I have found that eating an anti–inflammatory diet helps me with my overall fatigue and soreness.

• Stop smoking. Smoking contributes to the hardening of your arteries and increases your blood pressure and heart rate. And it may cause cancer. If you smoke or use other tobacco products, ask your doctor to help you quit.

Cigarette smoking continues to cause substantial death and disability. More

66

than 1 in 5 adults smoke despite the desire among most smokers to stop and the availability of effective treatments. So many groomers smoke.

Please stop. The first day, month and year may be hard but it gets easier with time and time may run out if you don’t stop!

• Avoid alcohol. Don’t drink more than one or two alcoholic drinks a day, depending on your sex and age.

A glass of wine might seem like it is the best way to relive stress but some deep breathing or a walk might be a better alternative.

Groomer to Groomer • Vol 36 Ed 11 • November 2017

GroomertoGroomer.com

• Avoid stress. Stress can take a toll on your heart and other organs. Take steps to reduce stress—or learn to deal with stress in healthy ways. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress. Taking a short walk can be so helpful after dealing with a difficult dog or client.

Also remember to take deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. This was very helpful for me when I stopped smoking.

• Get enough sleep. Quality sleep plays an important role in healing and repair of your heart and blood vessels. During sleep, your immune system releases proteins called cytokines which can help you deal with stress, fight infections and decrease inflammation in the body. Peoples’ needs vary, but generally aim for 7 to 9 hours a night. Avoiding screentime before bed and in bed might be the single best tip I have for getting good sleep. Learning something disturbing at bedtime may destroy any chance of a good night’s sleep.

• Protect your hearing. Aging and chronic exposure to loud noises are significant factors that contribute to hearing loss. We simply must wear hearing protection while using forced air dryers! In my opinion, the dogs should have cotton in their ears and happy hoodies too.

• Don’t clench your teeth while you work. Awake bruxism (clenching your teeth while awake) may be due to emotions such as anxiety, stress, anger, frustration or tension. Or it may be a coping strategy or a habit during deep concentration. In some people, bruxism can be frequent and severe enough to lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth and other problems. I had to learn to stop doing this when I hand strip. It was causing me headaches.

• Wear a mask. I am going to quote Teri DiMarino here from her July

These dryers that are so important to our businesses, if left unmaintained, are depositing particulate matter into the air similar to having a smoker in the salon.

2011 article in Groomer To Groomer magazine, titled Respiratory Problems. I highly suggest reading it!

There is much more information in the article than I have included here.

One study found particulate matter with a diameter of 1 micron or less, which is small enough to be inhaled. The most likely source was carbon brushes. Carbon brushes help conduct electrical current between stationary wires and moving parts, most commonly in a rotating shaft motor like the ones used in many of the high velocity dryers we use every day in our salons. You may see a sample of this carbon residue if you take your finger and run it along the inside of your dryer hose. These dryers that are so important to our businesses, if left unmaintained, are depositing

particulate matter into the air similar to having a smoker in the salon.

We are also exposed to zoonotic diseases and particulate matter of all sorts. A mask is a must.

One final note. I have found ice to be an effective anti–inflammatory and pain reliever for muscoskelatol issues.

Apply ice packs to the sore areas for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, three to four times a day for several days. To protect your skin, wrap the ice packs in a thin towel. It might help to massage the area with ice for five minutes at a time, two to three times a day.

I hope you have many happy and healthy years of grooming ahead of you. It is important to take care of your body as you age. You start aging as soon as you are born. Take care. ✂

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LESS FATIGUE LIGHTWEIGHT & EASY TO MANEUVER

CLIPS EASILY THROUGH THICK & MATTED COATS

PET FRIENDLY

COMPLETELY AFFORDABLE

MINIMAL NOISE AND VIBRATION

MADE IN USA

of domestic & imported parts

A BURST OF POWER WITH A BURST OF COLOR 1.800. PROWAHL

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GET READY FOR THE NEW YEAR WITH NEW EQUIPMENT

PBPGROOMPACK

COMPLETE GROOMING PACKAGE ONLY $3794.28 INCLUDES GROOMING SUPPLIES + FREE SHIPPING!

OVER 8,000 ITEMS IN STOCK AND AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY

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EQUIPMENT WHEN YOU PURCHASE

INCLUDES SHAMPOOS & DRYERS

USE COUPON CODE 99SHIP - Exclusions Apply

$2000 OR MORE

MUST USE COUPON CODE EQFS

*WITHIN THE CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES ONLY. WHILE SUPPLIES LAST

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