PetGroomer.com Magazine Fall 2019 by findagroomer

eGroomer Journal January / March 2014

October / December 2019 Vol. 9, Ed. 4 PetGroomer.com Publications

M A G A Z I N E

Free Comb Outs Added $15,235 to My Annual $ales Page 11 17 Charge for Your Time, AND Your Worth 22 Five-Star Holiday Service 31 Members Only Grooming Businesses 36 Hourly Cost to Operate Your Business 44 Doggone Noggin Knocks

56 How to Fix Sharp Clipper Blade Teeth

61eGroomer Mix It Journal Up: Awww.egroomer.com Poodle in Disguise Subscribe Free

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INDUSTRY CALENDAR

OCTOBER 2019

October / December 2019 PetGroomer.com Publications

APRIL 2020

October 10 to 13, 2019 New England Grooming Show Sturbridge, MA www.newenglandgrooms.com

April 2 to 5, 2020 Intergroom Secaucus, NJ www.intergroom.com

October 25 to 27, 2019 34th Annual NDGAA Fun in the Sun Orlando, FL www.ndgaa.com

April 27, 2020 Pet Boarding & Daycare Expo Pasadena, CA www.barkleigh.com MAY 2020

NOVEMBER 2019 November 11 to 14, 2019 Pet Boarding & Daycare Expo Hershey, PA www.barkleigh.com FEBRUARY 2020 February 20 to 23, 2020 Groom Expo West Pasadena, CA www.barkleigh.com MARCH 2020 March 7 to 10, 2020 Atlanta Pet Fair Atlanta, GA www.atlantapetfair.org

May 14 to 17, 2020 Northwest Grooming Show Tacoma, WA www.barkleigh.com May 30 to 31, 2020 World Dog Expo New York City, NY www.barkleigh.com JUNE 2020 June 11 to 14, 2020 PetQuest Wilmington, OH www.barkleigh.com

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Free Comb Outs Added $15,235 to My Annual $ales This report is brought to you by Groom-

Madeline Ogle, author of the best-

ing Business in a Box®, a team of con-

selling grooming business book, From

sultants helping business owners with

Problems to Profits. One of their clients

(Continued on page 12)

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October / December 2019

PROGRAM ADVANTAGES

is “Brit,” a long-time member of GroomerTalk℠ Community and message board. She is a grooming business owner and approached our team with a successful program she put into place, the Free Comb Out Program. It is entirely her creation and brilliant. Just hearing the name we were intrigued. We asked Brit’s permission to study it

PET OWNER 1. Far less hands-on pet coat maintenance by the owner. Peace of mind. 2. Cleaner, more attractive pet year round. PET GROOMER 1. Easier to groom, likely bath-ready on arrival for full grooms. 2. Unlikely to be matted. 3. Increased sales of grooming services.

in detail, verify numbers and to share the results with other groomers in the article you are reading. Most grooming businesses could use the Free Comb Out Program to raise their annual sales

PET 1. More enjoyable grooming experience. 2. More frequent groomer observations of pet health-related conditions.

of grooming services. The benefits are

designer breeds.” What a relief for

truly outrageous in the most wonderful

those owners. Year round their dogs

way for pets, their owners and profes-

are now clean and well-groomed enjoy-

sional groomers. Talk about a prover-

ing 13 free comb outs every year. Own-

bial win-win situation, this is it!

ers are less obligated to perform main-

Consider the types of pets that could benefit the most. What about those fullcoated Labradoodles and Goldendoodles? Many owners that prefer them in full coat were delighted with Brit’s program. In fact, 27% of the 43 clients that joined her Free Comb Out Program

tenance grooming other than keeping up with the program schedule. What a joy for the dogs too. No more rigorous grooming experiences with excessive needs of undercoat removal, or having to be stripped short in worse cases scenarios. No discomfort from owner ne-

(Continued on page 15)

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SHOW ME THE NUMBERS And Make it Easy!!

Total Customers Who Joined the Free Comb Out Program

Tell Me More About Them

GROUP A ● RANDOM

GROUP B ● REGULAR

Appointment Schedulers

31 of the 43

12 of the 43

Averaged 6 Full Grooms Per Year Averaged 7 Full Grooms Per Year

Ready? Here is their new schedule.

All 43 converted to full grooms every 4 weeks = 13 grooms per year Plus all 43 get 13 FREE comb outs per year (between full grooms)

GROUP A ● RANDOM

GROUP B ● REGULAR

FREE Comb Out Member

31 of the 43

12 of the 43

Each Purchased Each Purchased 7 Additional Full Grooms Per Year 5 Additional Full Grooms Per Year Formula: 31 X 7 X $55 (avg price) Formula: 12 X 5 X $55 (avg price) $11,935 Annual Increase in Sales

$3,300 Annual Increase in Sales

Total $15,235 Annual Increase in Sales

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SHOW ME THE NUMBERS How Much Did Free Comb Outs Cost the Business?

Total Customers Who Joined the Free Comb Out Program

Number of FREE Comb Outs Per Member

Annual Total Number of FREE Comb Outs Provided

43 X 13 = 559 Ready? Here is the estimated cost.

Comb outs assigned to W-2 pet bathers paid $15 an hour. Average 15 minutes labor per comb out is $3.75 gross wages each.

Formula 1: 559 total comb outs X $3.75 = $2,097. Est. W-2 payroll taxes and other payroll costs is 20%. Formula 2: 20% X $2,097 = $419. Total Gross Wages & Estimated Payroll-Related Expenses Formula 3: $2,097 + $419 = $2,516 Total $15,235 Gross Annual Increase from Program Sales Less $2,516 W-2 Payroll Expense for FREE Comb Outs Adjusted Total $12,719 in Annual Increase in Sales 14

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glect of challenging coats. The Free

Of course we want to know how Brit

Comb Out Program is not only for these

sells the program. Like any effective

designer breeds. We all know the chal-

front counter person, she makes sales

lenges from other full-coated breeds

by looking for the most likely candidate

and mixes that constantly shed into

dogs. She, or her receptionists, ask the

their coats and build-up undercoat.

candidates if they know the benefits of

Every week many of us shave dogs that

the Free Comb Out Program. Brit said

benefit from FREE comb outs.

the word “free” also gets interest going.

We asked Brit about the comb out operation schedules. She has a bathing department. Comb outs are assigned to pet bathers, not commission-based groomers lowering the support cost. Members of the program are asked to call ahead at least a day in advance to schedule comb out appointments. Owners may wait, or come back in a hour. Most owners run errands during the comb out appointment. Comb outs include brush and comb services, and a light tidy. Some pets require removal of eye goo build-up, and touch-ups clipping stray hairs, neatening feet and checking sanitary areas. A dry shampoo product might be used to clean a soiled area. Pet owners love the

She advises you to relay your empathy with the owners’ responsibilities to maintain high demand grooming requirements. Be empathetic. Say, “I have an easy FREE solution for both you and your pet.” She explains the program and hands them a one-page flyer detailing it with emphasis on the advantages for them and their pets. She emphasizes they get 13 FREE appointments for comb outs every year. No program fees! Brit said Millennials represent 60% of program members, and 22% were mature working professionals. Active seniors with comfortable lifestyles comprised the final 18%. Forty-three clients joined and created an increase of sales

15 ©

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Charge for Your Time, AND Your Worth years ago to my former groomer. He exceeded all expectations. I’m able to expand my brand into other areas of interest (award winning pet grooming apparel, retail & wholesale dog bakery @retrostylistwear @bowwowdogbakery) and still groom my Standard Poodle & Bichon in this space I now share with my former groomer, Gabriel Feitosa. If you don’t know who Gabriel is, he is a big deal. Find Gabriel Feitosa on Insta-

I started my own high-end retro pet grooming salon 13 years ago. I was very hands-on in my business and went to pet grooming school to start my grooming business on the right foot for my brand. I was fortunate to put an exit strategy in Journal my grooming Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved placeeGroomer by selling salon two PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

17page 18) (Continued on ©

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gram (@gabrielfeitosagroomer) to see how charming, experienced and talented he is in the international world of pet grooming.

October / December 2019

like seasoned professionals. There is a point when you realize that you need to (Continued on page 20)

Joining our businesses in one space has been very beneficial for a multitude of reasons. It’s not often that two business owners get to chat with each other on a daily basis. The finer details of garnering clients, scheduling, employee management, and everything that comes with high end grooming salon ownership can only be shared among a niche group of entrepreneurs. I have agonized over every expense, joy and frustration Gabriel experienced. It makes it easy for us to relate to one another. One thing stands out that Gabriel has been very good at in his second year. I wish I had realized this earlier in my career. He not only charges his time, but also his WORTH. There is a mental transition that happens when you go from “groomer” to grooming salon owner.

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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work smarter, not harder. The benefit is longevity for your business, especially attractive in labor intensive pet grooming. Eventually an experienced pet grooming salon owner realizes it’s okay to say “no” and charge their worth. Also, you can make way for a new client that will fill the same spot with less complaints and better overall loyalty. In year two, Gabriel Feitosa put his foot down realizing that taking every client will not make his business successful. Every business has their own brand of

October / December 2019

“people” or clientele. Raising prices to pay for his time and worth makes way for new clients that appreciate him and are willing to pay for his time and expertise. How does this relate to pet retail? Think about how many items you might be giving away, selling or services you are providing that do not really pay for your time or worth. I find that pet groomers find it most difficult to raise prices on services and retail items even though we live in a soci-

(Continued on page 21)

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October / December 2019

ety where market demand (among many factors) is what determines the price of our goods.

chasing these items later, and possibly when you want to increase your profit margins and get paid your worth.

Many pet groomers give away items like treats, poo bags and upgrades thinking they need to do this to appease their clients. Don't get me wrong! If you’re a proper dog bakery giving away treats makes perfect sense (think Krispy Kreme Donuts). If your motive is to appease, clients may have a hard time pur-

You don’t have to give away the house or do what everyone else is doing. Find your niche in your neighborhood and make sure that whether it’s a service or a product, it will give you the profit that your TIME and WORTH deserve. Until next time… Leel Michelle Retro Stylist Wear ◄

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October July / September / December 2019 2019 PetGroomer.com Publications

5 Star Holiday Service Angela Clark, American Grooming Academy More than any other time of year the holiday season is an opportunity to acquire new customers. By accommodating those struggling to find last-minute holiday appointments doors open with opportunities to secure new regulars. It is also a time to appreciate your loyal customers whose holiday appointments were booked well ahead of time. Let your loyal customers, new and old, know their feelings and needs are important

to you and your business. Being there for your customers with grooming services always reflecting the best wins your customers’ hearts. Holidays are a great time to give your customers more than what they expect. It is the perfect time to exceed customer expectations. Here is how you can provide five-star holiday service as a pet care professional. (Continued on page 23)

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with you. Diffuse holiday-minded essential oils such as sweet ginger, cinnamon, frankincense, myrrh, sweet citrus, pine, nutmeg, anise, cedarwood, peppermint, Future customer habits can be created

clove and lavender. These scents can

by making rebooking hard to resist. De-

embed you in the memory banks of

sign a holiday-inspired card and enclose

your customers.

a photo of their pet plus a gift card for $5 to $10 towards their next appointment. Set a future expiration date of 8 weeks, such as February 25th, 2020. The limited expiration date motivates scheduling the next appointment within eight weeks.

Add value with finishing touches such as festive holiday bows and bandannas, red and green (or red and white) nail polish. Many customers love a spritz of holiday cologne, or light essential oil bandannas that serve as a reminder of the positive experience their pets had in

Infuse scents that trigger fond holiday

your salon. Careful, honor those who are

memories. Create an atmosphere of

sensitive to scents. Note preferences in

(Continued on23 page 26)

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returning customers smiles say you remember them, and are happy to see

them and their pets again. Use the customers’ and pets’ names when greeting them. That is really impressive and personalized. Be prepared for them to return. Review your schedule of returning customers ahead of time. “Remember” how they like their grooming styles and services. The services you provide to pet owning customers is as important as the haircuts and comfort you give their pets. Smiles show you know this, and enjoy serving them. Impressions like this will Excellence under ordinary circum-

keep everyone happy!

stances makes big impressions. Your holiday services communicate even the ordinary services you provide year round are special. Your customers will tell friends about your excellent services

Tune in, listen and communicate with

and return time and time again.

your customers! Effective customer communication is the cornerstone of any successful grooming business. In order to maximize your ability to communicate with your customers, remem-

Smile and let your customers know how

ber these six key points:

happy you are to welcome them. Put new customers at ease with smiles. For eGroomer Journal www.egroomer.com Subscribe Free PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

(Continued on page 27)

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► Listen Actively

Be a good listener. When a customer is

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October / December 2019 PetGroomer.com Publications

strate what you are visualizing, or what the customer is struggling to describe.

finished talking verbally respond to them repeating what you think you heard. This will ensure you clearly understood their messages or requests. ► Do Not Interrupt Allow your customers to finish verbalizing their thoughts before you respond. ► Use Easily Understood Words Steer clear of industry terms or slang. Use words and phrases that your customers can understand and visualize.

Aspire to be the best YOU there is. Be knowledgeable, courteous, trustworthy and caring to pets and pet parents alike. Provide individual attention to every customer upon arrival and departure. They should feel important for the role they play in their pet’s care. Teach them ways to improve the bond they have with their pets. Gaining customer trust

► Stay Positive

requires understanding that their pets

Focus on what you can do for your cus-

are family members, and you are wor-

tomer, rather than what you cannot do.

thy of their trust. Once you have truly

By addressing your customers with

earned customer trust with their pets,

“can do” statements, they are more

they will be loyal to you for a lifetime.

likely to return a positive response. ► Demonstrate Courtesy Asking relevant and strategic questions in a polite and professional way goes a long way towards demonstrating highquality customer service. ► Photographic Evidence

Responsive groomers are quick to meet the needs and expectations of customers and pets. Be responsive by offering these elements of good customer ser-

If all else fails, use a picture to demoneGroomer Journal www.egroomer.com Subscribe Free PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

(Continued on page 28)

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vice to your customers all year round. Deliver results quickly. Be reliable, timely and always voice concerns for the safety and welfare of the customers and pets in your care. Remember when you deliver excellence under ordinary circumstances you exceed customer expectations every time.

October / December 2019

They will be inspired by the care you provide for people and pets. Practicing it builds your customer base through loyal customer relationships. Use it with those new customers you squeeze in this holiday season to develop regular clients. Through five-star customer service loyal

Giving five-star customer service means always providing the customer with an

client bonds that may last lifetimes of your clients and their pets. ◄

experience that is better than average. 28

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Members Only Grooming Businesses You may have heard of grooming businesses offering programs, often bathing -related. Spend so many dollars a month and receive “x” amount of baths for your pets. These programs are different, and not indicative of “members only” businesses discussed in this article. In fact, there are no programs to describe here, just membership access. “Members Only” means there is a membership (fee-based) required to access the grooming services of a grooming business. You become a member to shop at Costco, similarly you become a member to use the services of a members only grooming business. If you are new to the grooming industry know that this modus operandi is uncommon. Yet these businesses do exist and as management consultants they surely interest us. We interviewed three separate membership-based business owners and by their request their

None (of the businesses we interviewed) advertise for new customers. Yes, I did say none advertise, at all. Only one had a Facebook page but not for her business. She only has a personal page. names will remain anonymous. None are spokespersons suggesting their methods to others. All are very pleased with their choices, and emanate a sense of exclusivity that works for them. They do not desire to be objects of curiosity to groomers. Are they “name” groomers known in professional circles, the competition rings and in trade publications? No.

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Personally we sensed deep professionalism in how they handled the interview. They were thoughtful and focused on business, and spoke clearly and to the point. On the next page there is a comparison chart of key aspects of their operations (2 shops and 1 mobile). All work alone except Shop 1 has a part-time bather. Their backgrounds include 7 or more years of experience as full-charge stylists/groomers. Two of them are certified by associations. None are competition groomers now or in the past. All use a standing appointment operation with frequency restrictions. Two require all members to not go beyond every 6 weeks between appointments, while the third groomer allows intervals up to every 8 weeks. The primary benefit for interval limitations is to keep pets always looking their best, and of course, easier to groom. If pets come in very matted their owners must either come in more frequently, or stop what is causing the matting.

October / December 2019

stances producing mats. Training is available at no charge to members to remove undercoat between appointments. Hand stripping availability is important. All agree pet owner access to professional hand stripping is a key reason for many of their clients to join. One said 45% of her clientele preferred some or complete hand stripping compared to alternative commercial clipping. Annual membership fees ranged from $109 to $144. Average total sales of membership fees for each business was approximately $19,000 a year. Their comments included, “My business rent and utilities is entirely paid by membership fees. That’s a wonderful feeling.” Also, “My van payments and major maintenance is paid by membership fees. It is a great way to maintain services with the best vans today.” None said their grooming prices were the highest fees in their area, but they are above average. The lowest price for a Bichon full groom was $79 and $110 including mobile convenience.

For example, some dogs swim in pools Consultation with pet owner members and become matted when undercoat is plays a key role in their grooming operanot maintained. Another example, some tions. As part of the membership fee 32 Copyright © 2013 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved Subscribe www.egroomer.com (Continued on page 35) owners bathe pets under similar circumPetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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Attribute

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Shop 1

Shop 2

Mobile 1

$129

$109

$144

~ 200 pets

~ 160 pets

Up to 6 weeks

8 Years

12 Years

7 Years

Yes

$88

$79

$110

Overall Prices

****

*****

Initial Consult

Yes, included

Yes

Annual Fee

Clientele Interval Expected Groomer’s Experience Certified by Association Hand Stripping Bichon Full Groom

Ongoing Consults Private Member Phone Number Private Newsletter

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Top Marketing Advantages Exclusivity

Discerning pet owners, young and old, are attracted to the concept of membership with an exclusive pet grooming service provider. They enjoy the clear acknowledgement of the service provider their patronage is valued.

Discerning pet owners requiring breed standard grooming pay more for the assurance to have access to a capable breed standard Hand Stripping level groomer. Hand stripping excellence is the most mentioned factor by members. Consultation

Regular year round forms of supplementary communication with members assisting them to provide the best care of their pets, beyond grooming alone.

Scheduling

Guaranteed appointments year round with a preset annual schedule. Private business telephone line for members only.

Excellence

In addition to grooming excellence members enjoy client service excellence rarely available from other grooming vendors.

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there is an initial new customer consultation, and an annual review optional at renewal. On average, 55% percent of pet owners opt for renewal consultations. Ongoing consultations during the membership period are available, and again a key factor for some pet owners to pay a membership fee. We asked what topics are most popular. It seems many of the clients use their groomers as sounding boards sharing what they read and hear about pet care, nutrition and pet ownership in general. Some clients discuss veterinary issues. The groomers understand they cannot diagnose but said members like us to listen to them. They agree their approach is somewhat holistic in nature, but none use the word “holistic” to describe their services. They are well read including leading grooming trade magazines, Whole Dog Journal, Petfood magazine and two read veterinary magazines. Two sell health support supplements but no dog food.

October / December 2019

knowing their members will use their private access numbers. Two shops provide a postal mail or email newsletter every 3 months with seasonal reminders. The mobile groomer offers a free conference call instead because he doesn’t like to write. There is little in the way of Q&A sessions on these calls. Members can listen to free digital recordings of the calls on demand via Internet services. He said about 40 listen live. He discusses seasonal needs and trends for pet care and local pet activities. All three groomers make an effort to associate with local breeders and breed clubs. None advertise for new customers. Yes, I did say none advertise. Only one has a Facebook page but not for her business. Advertising will only bring more new customer inquiries and at the time of their interviews none had any openings for new customers. When they do have openings for new customers, usually resulting from clientele moving out of the area, they send a notice to current members of the availability. That simple notice usually brings them new customers the same week.

All three groomers provide customers with a private business phone number. One said she always tries to answer that line immediately. All maintain a regular business phone number for the public Fascinating isn’t it? Perhaps you will and often allow it to go to voicemail consider a members only operation.35◄ eGroomer Journal Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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Hourly Cost to Operate Your Business In the Summer 2019 issue of PetGroomer.com Magazine we presented formulas and charts for time-range based grooming prices. What his means is that prices are set by 1) knowing the business hourly rate for grooming services (not shared with customers) and 2) multiplying that rate times the expected time needed for the grooming service. We will provide an example just ahead.

setting literally all grooming prices quoted or printed in signs or price sheets. Careful, don’t get confused with groomers that “charge by the hour.” We are not talking about charging by the hour. Most customers want to know the actual cost they face before they return to pickup their pets.

Most groomers never set their grooming prices equally fairly for all customers using time-range based grooming prices. Not only that we have found groomers are undercharging large dogs as a result, losing potential profit. Let’s do a quick review of the last article because we have another hourly rate to introduce in this follow-up article.

All grooming prices you set and quote should be based on one business hourly rate for grooming services. It is easy! For example, Sandy’s base rate is $90 for a Standard Poodle and she figures the entire groom takes 90 minutes. Divide $90 by 90 minutes, and we see her price is $1 a minute for the Standard Poodle, or $60 an hour. Her business hourly rate is $60, and all of her grooming prices reflect the same method of calculation. Or so she thought.

Whether or not they know it, every grooming business has an hourly rate built into their grooming prices, and ideally that rate should be equally used in

Now wait a minute. Sandy’s price for a full groom Bichon is $50, and she figures 60 minutes to complete the service. Why is it $50 when at $1 a minute

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The break-even point in business, and specifically cost accounting, is the point at which total cost and total revenue are equal, i.e. "even." There is no net loss or gain, and one has "broken even.” it should be $60? Most groomers provide price sheets that are way out of balance like Sandy’s. In fact, large dogs are often billed $10 to $15 less per hour. That is a big loss of income for some grooming businesses. It’s important to set a business hourly rate and to apply it evenly to all stated grooming prices. Now let’s move on to another hourly rate, but it is not related to grooming prices. We have never met a grooming business owner that knew this hourly rate. What is the rate called? Your hourly cost of doing business. Is it important? Indeed it is if you are to make a profit which provides personal income from the business for the owner, and staff if any. Doesn’t it make sense that your business’ hourly rate for figuring grooming prices had better be higher than your business’ hourly rate of costs to operate. eGroomer Journal

October / December 2019

If not, how will you cover all operating expenses, and make a profit? If your grooming prices are based on selling services at $60 an hour, your hourly cost of operating had better be well below $60 an hour. If not, you could be headed for financial problems or very low profit. Knowing your business’ hourly cost for operating is not a difficult task to calculate. Certainly your accountant could assist you. Many of the numbers you need are available in your business tax returns. In traditional accounting terms professionals use the term “breakeven.” We want to keep it simple here. Generally the lower the hourly cost of doing business the more potential profit, yet quality and safety must be maintained. We are going to show you a way to calculate a general estimate of your hourly cost to operate your business. To make it even easier we will use an example for a one person grooming business owned by a sole-proprietor. If you want calculate a truly formal financial break even projection, use Business Plan Helper, by Grooming Business (Continued on page 38)

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in a Box®. The first step is to calculate your annual business operating expenses. This includes rent, utilities, insurance, phone, supplies of all kinds including product and office, professional fees like a bookkeeper, sharpener, and license and fees too. Include interest expense on business loans too. If you are already in business, the IRS requires you to annually list all operating expenses on the Schedule C you attach to your long form 1040. It is called the Profit/Loss from Business. Easy, check out the last one you filed for a quick answer to your total annual operating expenses. If you have never filed a Schedule C you can download a copy from the IRS forms site and fill one out. Now you know your annual cost of operating expenses. Hold onto that number. It’s time to do another simple calculation. For the tax year represented by the Schedule C, how many hours were you (or will be) open for business?

October / December 2019

times 260 days. The result is 2,340 hours of operation during a tax year. Now refer to the Schedule C total cost of operating expenses. Let’s assume the total operating expenses were $42,500. Divide $42,500 by the total hours of operation, 2,340 hours. The result is $18.16 an hour, rounded to $18 an hour. The hourly cost of doing business is $18 an hour. Remember this is a very general estimate. Well done. Now it is time to compare the two hourly rates for the business: 1. Hourly Rate (for pricing) 2. Hourly Rate (for cost of operation) In the last issue of PetGroomer.com Magazine the grooming business owner working alone set her prices based on a $60 an hour rate for pricing. Let’s use that figure here. We know the hourly cost to operate a business was $18 an hour in the last example, and $60 is the business hourly rate for figuring grooming prices. What is most important is that the hourly cost ($18) is much less than the hourly rate used pricing ($60). That’s critical to earn

For example, many businesses open Tuesday through Saturday throughout the year. That is 260 days a year (52 weeks times 5 days a week). If you were open 9©hours 38 9 hours a day, multiply Copyright 2013 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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a profit for a sole-proprietor owner. Our rule of thumb for a sole-proprietor business is the hourly rate for setting prices should be 3 to 4 times higher than the hourly cost of operating the business. The $60 hourly rate is a little more than three times higher than the $18 hourly cost of operating. Right? The $42 difference between the $60 hourly rate and the $18 hourly rate is the gross income for the sole proprietor. Remember the sole-proprietor groomer still has taxes to pay on the profit from

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the business. There may be additional costs such as loan principal to pay as well. If you want to calculate that formally, use Business Plan Helper. However, our quick rule-of-thumb estimating here is a good quick indication if you are on the right track with both prices and costs. Remember your business hourly rate for figuring grooming prices should normally be 3 to 4 times higher than your hourly cost of operation for soleproprietor, one person businesses.â&#x2014;&#x201E;

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DOGGONE NOGGIN KNOCKS By Vera Needham Grooming can be one of the most physical and mental challenging professions in the pet industry. We often find ourselves carrying frightened, squirmy, aggressive and uncooperative pups across slippery floors opportune

for accidents. The unpredictability of our work increases our probability of falling and bumping our head. Falls are the most common cause for blows to our heads that can cause concussions. (Continued on page 45)

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(Continued from page 44)

A concussion is a type of brain injury. Fluid surrounds your brain within your skull. It cushions and protects the brain from daily bumps. With severe impact the fluid isn't enough to protect the brain from a sudden stop or a blow to the head. Your brain may crash against your skull, resulting in an interruption of brain function. Another term for concussion is traumatic brain injury or TBI. The risk of a serious bump on the noggin doesn’t end when we close shop. The drive home can be just as risky. Motor vehicle accidents are second to falls as a common cause of TBI.

Pet grooming requires plenty of head movements. I seem to spend the entire grooming day looking over, under and around my latest furry masterpiece. Post concussion we may lose our ability to track and focus on moving objects or scan and shift visual focus from one object to another. Gaze stability is another issue. It refers to the ability of our eyes to maintain focus while the head is moving. I wear reading glasses to groom and have found it helpful to place cloudy scotch tape on the inner aspect of the lens on the corners closest to the nose.\ Light sensitivity is a major road block. Most grooming parlors have fluorescent lighting which can be especially problematic. Fluorescent bulbs emit an invisible flicker which seems to be picked up the brain. Visual disturbance is very difficult for stylists creating the perfect storm for increased vertigo, nausea and headache symptoms.

I know this fact only too well as my car was recently rear-ended resulting in concussion. Most head injuries heal shortly after they occur. Unfortunately some can result in persistent medical issues such as frequent headaches, dizziness, nausea, decreased balance, light and/ or noise sensitivity, blurry vision, double vision, abnormal eye movements, confusion, memory loss, inability organize I work in a veterinary clinic that also thoughts or schedules, impaired judgboards pets. Before the accident I was ment, poor impulse control, anxiety, faable to block out the background noise. (Continued on page 47) tigue,eGroomer irritability Journal and depression. Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved 45 PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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I can’t imagine a more challenging venue for someone living with noise sensitivity. After a head injury clinicians will tell you the brain needs rest. For self-employed groomers having the opportunity to rest can be difficult. Not many of us can afford to close up shop for an extended period of time. This is just another of the many challenges groomers may encounter during concussion recovery. Head injuries should be taken seriously. Some research has linked moderate and severe traumatic brain injury to a greater risk of developing Alzheimers, Dementia and Parkinsons. Be certain to see a physician before starting any type of post concussion exercise program. If you find any of your symptoms getting worse during exercise be certain to take a break. Balance issues have been reported to last for years post-concussion. It is important to incorporate balance exercises into your routine. Make certain you find a safe spot like a countertop to practice.

and close your eyes. Open your eyes immediately if you feel like you are losing balance. Practice heel-to-toe walking with your eyes open each day as well. Every groomer can benefit from eye tracking exercises. They help strengthen eye muscles and improve visual acuity. Targeting vision balances the rest of the body, most importantly the vestibular system which is the balance system located in the inner ear.

Allow your hands to hover over the counter as you lift one foot. Next close eGroomer Journaltry a heel-to-toe Copyrightstance © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved your eyes. Next PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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FOCUS While sitting comfortably, stretch out one arm and hold a pencil. Focus on the pencil at arm’s length, and then gradually bring the pencil closer until the pencil appears double.

SHIFTING Stretch out arms in front of you and hold two pencils at eye level, about 12 inches apart. Keep your head still as you look at the target to your right. Then quickly move your gaze to the left target and then back and forth from target to target. Repeat for one minute. 48

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Shifting works by engaging the macula, the central part of the retina, which is responsible for clear, detailed vision. By moving the eyes frequently, more information comes through this part of the retina, thus providing the eyes with more in-focus visual information.

FOLLOWING Move the pencil up and down, and follow the pencil with your eyes. Next move the pencil side-to-side, and follow the pencil with your eyes.

GAZE STABILIZATION Start the exercise by holding the target steady and turning your head from right (Continued on page 49)

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to left while keeping your eyes on the target. Repeat the back -and-forth motion for one minute. Seeing originates in the brain. A billion images are produced in the retina every minute. When we have a brain injury sometimes the brain can't assimilate all these images. When you have a concussion the brain needs a break several times during the day. One method to allow this type of break is palming your eyes. Palming soothes the optic nerve, which is often irritated. Sit in a darkened room with your elbows leaning on a table. Relax your back and shoulders, rub your hands together to warm them, and then place your palms over your eyes. Don't press the eye sockets or lean on the cheekbones. This is a great practice to relax the eye muscles and reduce tension. Hold this position for a couple of minutes while taking deep breaths. ◄ eGroomer Journal

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 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 Groomfit questions or want more information about the Tubee contact Vera at groomfit@yahoo.com. If you have any Goomfit question or want more information about the Tubee contact Vera at groomfit@yahoo.com

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Elevating the Pet Industry Moving Forward for the Pets As groomers, we are constantly pushing ourselves to grow and increase our knowledge and skill set. We hold ourselves and the entire pet service to a high standard for the pets that we service across the span of our grooming careers. We are outraged when we service a neglected pet, one who is denied regular grooming services; a life spent clean and pest free without matting. We cry out, ‘That’s not me,’ when we see a tragic video of animal abuse by a groomer.

service employee. And for these reasons, the Pet Grooming industry must continue to elevate ourselves and maintain standards of care, safety, and handling for the betterment of the pets we service. In August 2019, the World Pet Association (WPA) enacted the industry’s first Animal Safety and Handling Standard during SuperZoo. This new standard provides for the compassionate and safe handling of every pet involved in helping make pet related events successful. Animals are voiceless participants for the enjoyment, exhibition, and educa-

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tion of pet professionals at industry events, this program ensures that every animal has a steward to ensure their handling and care meets the gold standards set forth by the PPGSA Standards of Care, Safety, and Sanitation. Show promoters all across the United States recognize the need to safeguard the pets who are the showcase of our trade shows and are eagerly adopting the WPA Animal Safety and Handling Standards as a cornerstone of compassionate care for their events moving forward. The WPA Animal Safety and Handling Standards program provides an advocate on site during events for animals being utilized for demonstration purposes in our vendor/partner booths, in all seminar education or any demonstration sessions, and in the grooming contest areas such as the contest arena, contestant spa, and animal holding areas. Additionally, all show grounds including the trade show, education areas, host hotel, and exercise areas fall under the scope of the Animal Safety and Handling Standards.

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For more detailed information on the WPA Animal Safety and Handling Standards, please follow this link, CLICK HERE! We are committed to helping elevate groomers and pet service professionals at every level, and helping the pet industry keep pace and grow with our consumers and clients. Our industry events are designed to highlight the brightest, best and most esteemed services and skills available. No area of skills is exempt, including handling and safety. We encourage attendees and competitors to become familiar with these standards and elevate their skill sets to meet the challenges of a changing landscape. Currently, all WPA events SuperZoo, Atlanta Pet Fair, and America’s Family Pet Expo as well as all Barkleigh, National Dog Groomers Association (NDGAA), and Groom South will observe the WPA Animal Safety and Handling Standards. In 2020 alone, this will encompass over 20 grooming industry events who are raising the level of handling and care for pets. WPA is committed to leading support and education for pet service professionals, and elevating the lives of pets everywhere. ◄

Each event will have a designated event Steward (or group of event Stewards which may include Judges, Speakers, Show Staff) who will be responsible for upholding the PPGSA Standards of Care and serving as a voice for the animals eGroomer Journal participating in any event. Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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DOG WASH. Can I Help You? Fifty-seven-year-old Denise Jameson, an awardwinning master groomer who has been plying her trade for over thirty-five years, is the manager of Dog Wash, a grooming salon inside a Your Pets store. Denise works long hours, seven days a week, and her only desire is to see her favorite rock group and favorite singer in concert one day.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

J.L. Campbell is a veteran of the US Army, a retired federal government employee, and has worked part-time in a dog grooming salon in Fairfax County, Virginia. She has used these experiences to create her first book.

The salon never has a dull moment with pets of all breeds and sizes, and the employees who help Denise groom the animals. There’s Christine, a groomer who brings her talkative, and at times trouble-making, mynah bird, Diego, to work with her every day. Stacy, the other groomer, has two children and is expecting her third one. Working with the groomers are three grooming assistants. There is Kathy, a gorgeous young woman with a beautiful voice, who is determined to become a singer one day. But her constant singing at work gets on the nerves of her co-worker, Bob, who wants to be a veterinarian. And then there is Cheryl, who is content just to work part-time for Denise and part-time as a veterinary assistant. Their lives intersect with Tony Lovic, a homeless US Army veteran, who would do anything to be employed again. One day, hungry and desperate, he asked his patron saint, Francis of Assisi, to intercede for him to find a job. Then Tony enters Denise’s grooming salon, and Diego greets him by

“Author loves animals, and knows her dog pedigree. I don't normally Available on iUniverse Publishing/ read fiction, however the characISBN 978-1-5320-3794-8 eGroomer Journal Copyright © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved 55 ters drew me into their lives. I could 492 Pages not put this book down.”

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How to Fix Sharp Clipper Blade Teeth By Jeff Andrews, 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. (Continued on page 57)

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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 again. 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 (Continued on page 59)

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

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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

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enough to make the front edge smooth so it doesn’t slice a pad or nick the face and ears. 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. Here’s another solution. Assume you just picked up a blade with very sharp teeth. 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 (Continued on page 60)

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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 Master Sharpener specializing in animal care industry tools serving groomers everywhere. Along with his years of grooming experience in two of his own shops. 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 money on their sharpening costs. These videos and articles are on his website free to download and keep for reference. www.northerntails.com

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

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p U t I Mix

A Poodle in Disguise by Mackensie Murphy Classic Groom Reprint Article

As everyday groomers it is safe to say we all grow a little tired of executing the same trims over and over; #4 blade on the body, round head, #1 comb pattern, DON'T trim the ears.

client note card stating “groomers choice.” I follow this green light with an immediate scan of any and every intriguing, flashy or adorable haircut I have ever seen and stored away in my mental file called “Grooms to Try One Day.” You understand.

Every so often we land clients who hand the artistic reigns over to us, letting groomers do whatever they wish. I love the beautiful phrase written on top ofFind a A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved eGroomer Journal Copyright © 2011 PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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Next figure out how to make the hairy beast on your table look like a flawless, unique piece of art that could even pass for a child's stuffed animal (if it weren't for the wagging tail and head tilting). I have found this is not always the easiest objective to accomplish. I want to avoid my personality trims turning out more like Pinterest fails. I want to tap into the world of mixing up breed trims, something that comes a little easier to me. For example, if you have an American Cocker Spaniel that you really don't want to shave all the way down, although he just loves to go swimming, try a Schnauzer trim with shaved ears. Perhaps you have a Yorkie whose owner wants something new. Try a Westie trim a little out side the box and still easy to maintain. How about your endless number of Shih Tzu clients? This breed must rank in the Top 5 of most popular dogs groomed

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every year. If ever there is a breed groomers wish had refresh buttons for their styling, it is this one. If Mom and Dad can be persuaded into ear tassels, you are not too far off from a Dandi Dinmont look alike. This approach to grooming has become a pretty popular trend in grooming contest rings too. Consider the Bichon Frise in a Kerry Blue trim, Cockapoos disguised as Wheatens, Maltese in the form of the American Cocker or Setter and my personal favorite, the Poodle in a Bedlington trim, also affectionately called "The Poodlington." The trick to really pulling off this illusion is to try and mimic the breed standard as closely as you can. When looking at these breeds profile, the Bedlingtons top line and underline should match. There should be a slight arch over the loin and a defined tuck up dropping down to the elbow creating an 'S' shape. They are also slightly longer in body than they are tall and flat ribbed referred to as "slab sided". In order to put this trim on a Poodle who is square in outline, with a level eGroomer Journal

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topline, nice spring of ribs and a well angulated front and rear, camouflage grooming must come into play. I start by blocking in the areas that need to be shorter in order to hide the Poodle's curves that the Bedlington does not share. First I use a #5F blade to set the length of the shoulders starting from under the ear, skimming off at the elbow. I also use a #5F blade on the rear from the pin bone to the bend of the back leg, skimming down toward the hock. This area needs to be short on Poodles in order to mimic the straight rear of the Bedlington. Next I use a #2 come to set the length of the rib cage. Be careful not to follow the shape of the Poodles actual body on this part. I only skim the #2 comb over the widest part of the rib cage, leaving the hair above and below this area to be scissored to give the illusion of a flat ribbed dog. This has to be done in order to hide the Poodle's spring of rib. When creating the top line, fill coat will be needed to create the roach from the tailset to just slightly over the tuck up. I use a curved shear to build this faux Bedlington trademark. With a straight shear I then scissor the line from the top of the arch to just about two fingers widths behind the withers. eGroomer Journal

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The underline should mimic the topline. When placing the tuck up on a Poodle you normally place it under the last rib. However, for a Bedlington trim you need to place it farther back on the dog. I tend to place the tuck up just in front of where the back leg meets the loin. The tuck up will also need to be higher and more defined than a typical Poodle. From the highest point of the tuck up the line will continue to just below the elbow. Remember to follow the topline you just created, giving the underline a little curve from the tuck up to the elbow. Keep in mind that every dog will have different structure, so small adjustments can be made based on the particular dog you are working on. Poodles have a well-angulated front which gives them more chest than a Bedlington. With some creative scissoring you need to hide this fore chest in order to give the illusion of having a straight front like the Bedlington. I prefer not to use blades to achieve this. I find that scissoring the chest straight down from the clipper work of the throat to the front toe nails is the most effective way of creating this illusion. The breed standard for the Bedlington describes a hare foot. I use a small curved shear to trim the feet, bringing both sides of the foot in tight meeting at the two middle toe nails. I then round the front of the toes to meet both sides. The front legs on a Bedlington should be parallel. However, the Bedlington stands close at the feet which creates a "V" or "keyhole" where the front legs meet the body. To achieve this look on a Poodle you need to scissor the inside of the front legs. I point the tip of my straight shear towards the armpit. This technique gives you a straight parallel line, and allows you to pinch the line enough to create the gap in between the front legs. When looking at your dog from the rear, the hips down to the back feet should create an "A" shape. The outside of the back leg should be slightly longer than the inside. Keep the lines parallel. The back side of the rear legs were previously set with a #5F blade. Keeping the hair short from the pin bone to the hock will give the illu66

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sion of the Bedlington's rear angulation. The standard calls for a well let down and strong hock, angled slightly down toward the back pad. Transferring the look of a Bedlington head to a Poodle is the most difficult part of this trim and the most important style. A Poodle head is much more refined than a Bedlington’s. The head should appear narrow and long, and in proportion with the body. Careful. It is very easy to pinch this look on a Poodle due to the structure of their heads. I use blades ranging from a #15 to #50 blade for clipper work. Use whichever blade you would feel comfortable with using to shave a Poodle face. The clipper work line should run from just above the corner of the ear, to the outside corner of the eye and continue down to the corner of the mouth. Shave the entire under jaw well. The line on the throat can either come down to a "V" like a Poodle, or a "U" shape. I think this technique draws the mind away from thinking "Poodle." I use a straight shear to scissor the sides of the head. It should resemble a brick (Continued on page 69)

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shape from the front, consisting of two parallel lines all the way back to behind the ears. The highest point of the head on a Bedlington is at the crown. On a Poodle it is necessary to push this back past the occiput. From the occiput, scissor a straight line to just past the withers, blending it into the beginning of your topline. Create as long of a neck as possible. The ear tassels should be approximately 1/3 of the ear. Drag your thumb down to the tip of the ear, leaving the tip of your thumb down to the tip of the ear. Use your thumb as a guideline, creating an upside down "V" shape around it. The same pattern should be done on the inside of the ear, matching what you just did to the outside. The rest of the ear is shaved up to where the ear meets the top scull. I use the same blade for this as I used for the clipper work on the face. Ear tassels should be no longer than the length of the nose, when pulling the ear tassel forward. (Continued on page 70)

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The tail is done in thirds on a Bedlington. Most Poodles have docked tails so this is really up to your judgment. I find that bringing the "V" shape on the tail down to approximately the halfway point of a Poodle tail looks best. The sides and underside of the tail can be shaved with the same blade that was used on the clipper work. I hope this article helps open doors for you with a different genre of creative grooming when you already have the basics of proper pattern placement. Don't be afraid to try something new. Ask your clients for the green light, no holds barred. Go big and mix it up. ◄

Mackensie Murphy is a second generation Pet Stylist following in her mother’s footsteps and becoming the very first second generation Groomteam USA competitor. Mackensie grew up traveling to competitions and trade shows and had always dreamed of one day being a top competitor. Mackensie started her own grooming career at the young age of 18. Over the years she has worked for and studied under some of the industry's top professionals. Mackensie began her competition career in early 2011 and quickly shot to the top of her game moving up to Division A by the end of that same year. She has been awarded multiple Best In Show awards, Best All Around Groomer awards and is a five time winner of the prestigious Liz Paul Memorial Best Scissored Poodle Award. She has made the great accomplishment of gracing the cover of multiple issues of "Groomer To Groomer" magazine, the grooming industry's top publication. Going forward, Mackensie consistently stayed among the top ten competitors and earned 70 © 2013and Find2013 A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved herself a position on GroomteamCopyright USA in 2012 and has participated since. Subscribe www.egroomer.com PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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PRESERVATIVES GOOD, BAD, AND UGLY by Barbara Bird CMG

“The importance of keeping our personal care products free from microbes must not be underestimated.” Dr. Stephen and Gina Antczak

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What are microbes and why should we be concerned? The term “microbe” is used to describe any micro-organism such as molds, fungi, yeasts, bacteria and protozoa that can contaminate and infect cosmetic products. Shampoos and conditioners are especially likely to become contaminated because they are water-based solutions and water provides a highly favorable environment for microbes to multiply and thrive.(1) Even using best manufacturing practices and de-ionized or purified water, all grooming products that contain water will contain some microbes. Preservatives are necessary to keep them from multiplying and proliferating so as to contaminate the product. Not only does microbial proliferation damage the product and possibly render it ineffective, the contaminated product can become a health hazard. The danger is that the microbes in contaminated pet products can be transferred to the pet or bather and start an infection. The microbes may feed on body tissues, causing skin damage and infection, or may release toxins into the bloodstream, resulting in 74

October / December 2019

systemic illness, such as urinary tract disorder. In this day of treatment-resistant staph and bacterial infections, there is even greater concern on the part of formulators to keep products safe from microbial contamination. From the moment a product is opened for first use it is assaulted by additional microbes. They are everywhere - in the air, on our hands, on all surfaces. Products in jars are particularly at risk for contamination because we dip our fingers into the jar, injecting zillions of bacteria.(2) When was the last time you washed your hands before bathing a dog? As described by the Antczaks, reproducing microbes “usually produce a bad smell and may cause some clear products to become cloudy. They also release toxic substances as waste products, to help them digest and absorb food, and to kill other microbes that may be in competition with them.

They can also chemically alter ingredients, causing colors and odors to change. The altered substances may be poisonous or harmful.”(1) The lack of bad odor, color change, ingredient Copyright © 2013 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved Subscribe www.egroomer.com

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separation or fuzzy stuff on the surface does not guarantee that a product is free of contamination. A shampoo or conditioner can be seriously contaminated before there are visible signs.(2) Among the dangerous contaminants that can develop in unprotected shampoos and conditioners are those that cause nasty staph infections and pseudomonas aeruginesa that cause skin and ear infections in dogs. For a really scary list of microbes found in cosmetics, take a look at the article by Perry Romanowski, “Why There Are Preservatives in Cosmetics” cited in our references below.(3) It is the responsibility of the manufacturer of human cosmetics to sell only products that can be assuredly safe. Most products that are manufactured for commercial use contain preservatives that can assure at least a two-year shelf life. While pet products are not governed by the same regulations that cover human cosmetics, most manufacturers assume similar responsibility.

October / December 2019

good or bad? From the user’s point of view it is often a matter of toxicity. The ugly truth is that all cosmetic preservatives are potentially toxic. They must be biocidal to do their job. Any substance that can kill living cells has the potential to be toxic. This includes naturally derived substances as well as synthetic chemicals. It’s the dose that makes the poison. From a formulator’s point of view, what makes a preservative good or bad is its effectiveness within safe levels of use. There are many criteria for an ideal preservative or preservative system. The most important are:(4) • Broad spectrum of activity • Effective and safe at low concentrations • Cost effectiveness • Does not negatively interact with any other ingredients or become inactivated by other ingredients. • Water soluble and oil insoluble • Stable under all temperatures and pH conditions that would occur during manufacture and use.

The perfect preservative? What makes • Colorless and odorless. a preservative ingredient orCopyright complex eGroomer Journal © 2011 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

(Continued on page 76)

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(Continued from page 75)

In order to be effective against all the possible microbes that can enter a shampoo or conditioner system, preservatives need to be very broad spectrum and offer protection from mold, fungi, and both Grampositive and Gramnegative bacteria. Almost all single preservatives have some area of weakness or coverage “gap.” For example, the parabens are not very effective against some bacteria, such as Pseudonomas, a Gram-negative bacteria. Phenoxyethanol, a very popular alternative to Parabens has poor effectiveness against mold and fungi. Every preservative has its strengths and shortcomings. For this reason combinations are often used.(4) Many of the major chemical suppliers now offer preservative “systems” which are premixed blends of preservative ingredients. These blends have been carefully developed by chemists to 76

October / December 2019

achieve optimum efficacy with the lowest possible concentrations. Although it may appear on the label to look like there are more preservatives, the overall total percentage of preservative ingredients using a blend might be the same or less than formulating with just one or two. Preservative combinations also have the ability to act synergistically, allowing for less of any one substance. Tetrasodium EDTA, for example, boosts the preservative activity against mold and fungi by binding the mineral ions in a water solution. EDTA also softens the water, making the cleaning agent more effective.(5) What about natural preservatives and preservative-free formulas? Good question. Chemical suppliers are scrambling to meet the demand for friendlier appearing preservatives or ingredients that will preserve cosmetic preparations while not looking like nasty chemicals on the label. There is a

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lot of work being done, but finding substances that meet all of the criteria listed above is a daunting challenge. Natural preservatives often have to be used in ten times the concentration of the traditional chemicals, and that can wreak havoc with the balanced blend of the other ingredients, as well as cause color and odor issues in a formula. Natural preservatives are also formulation specific and batch specific; what works in one formula may be ineffective in the next, and what works in one batch may not work in the next. This is due to the natural variations in the composition of truly natural substances. Also, as cosmetics are becoming more and more loaded with botanical extracts and protein ingredients, preservation becomes more challenged. Microbes feed on plants and proteins. Because it can take years to test and prove the efficacy and safety of new preservatives, it may be awhile before mainstream manufacturers and their formulators give up the tried and true values of the traditional chemicals. We must keep in mind that a substance that is “natural” is not necessarily safer eGroomer Journal

October / December 2019

or somehow better than a substance that is created in a lab.(4) Regarding “preservative-free”: don’t believe it unless the product requires refrigeration. Shampoos and conditioners that claim, suggest or imply that there are no preservatives are either not telling the truth or are using preservatives that can be camouflaged as having a function other than preservation. Phenoxyethanol is such an ingredient; it can be labeled as “fragrance.”(4) Because of the public’s fear of chemicals fueled by sensationalist journalism and fear mongering, pet product manufacturers sometimes opt to simply not disclose their preservatives. This is not illegal. You can’t blame companies for wanted to hide information, as more and more groomers are becoming Internet educated ingredient police. Common Myths and Misunderstandings: Never has a fear campaign against a cosmetic ingredient sparked such a wildfire of fear and condemnation as what has happened to paraben preservatives. Parabens were the most widely used

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preservatives for at least four decades before a small study of 20 individuals in 2004 discovered some paraben metabolites (not even parabens themselves) in breast cancer tissue samples.

October / December 2019

thusly: “The truth is that on a global scale, there is an exhaustive degree of scientific and medical studies demonstrating the safety of parabens used in skin care and cosmetics. So the next time you read a story that vaguely indicates parabens are unsafe, think twice before you believe the hype and remember the facts--the tiny levels used in your personal care products are not harmful.”(7) Not only are they not harmful as used in grooming products, but also did you know that parabens are naturally occurring chemicals? Now you do!(7)

The study itself did not draw a connection between the use of parabens and the cancer, but the media did. The firestorm began and raged over the Internet. The misunderstanding of the science was repeated so loudly and so often that many folks today believe it is common knowledge that parabens cause cancer. False! An extensive range of Another use of fear global studies has and scare tactics for shown that parabens negative marketing are metabolized and has been the excreted by the body. misinformation Nor do they exert about the group of significant estrogenic preservatives that activity, another release misunderstanding and false assertion. It formaldehyde. Formaldehyde donors has been clearly shown that the include DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl estrogenic activity of parabens is urea, imidiazolidinyl urea, and 10,000 times less than that of naturally quaternium 15. occurring phytoestrogens and medicines that we consume daily. Paula Formaldehyde gas is an established carcinogen. Advocacy groups loudly Begoun, the “CosmeticsCopyright Cop” sums it Aup 78 © 2013 Find Groomer Inc. All rights reserved Subscribe www.egroomer.com PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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proclaim this and demand that manufactures remove this cancercausing ingredient from cosmetics. Websites and newsletters wave this flag of fear to show that they care about people while the cosmetics industry clearly does not. The truth? Formaldehyde gas is not nor ever was a cosmetic ingredient. Formaldehyde is a gas neither a liquid nor a solid. It does not dissolve in water. When formaldehyde gas is exposed to water, it immediately becomes another substance, methylene glycol.(8) Moreover, formaldehyde is another naturally occurring substance. It is found in many fruits and vegetables, including apples, pears, onions and cauliflower. The amount of formaldehyde released by these preservatives is at least 100 times less than found naturally in foods.(9) Another bit of misinformation that has been allowed to go unchecked is the belief that cosmetic ingredients penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream. This myth fuels the distrust of many cosmetic ingredients, including preservatives. The truth is that the skin is a barrier, not a sieve, and eGroomer Journal

October / December 2019

very little penetrates the stratum corneum and even less reaches the inner layers. This is especially true of rinse off products such as shampoos and most conditioners.(10) One result of these scare tactics and the dissemination of misinformation is that pressure builds on formulators to abandon some tried and true options for safe preservation. It takes years for the safety of new preservatives to become established. No cosmetic ingredient has been as exhaustively studied as parabens. Countless mice, rats, guinea pigs have been sacrificed to prove the safety of these substances, and although the safety has been established for the dosages as used in cosmetics, parabens are being forced out of the formulators’ tool box by misinformed public opinion. Less well-established preservatives are taking their place or substances that do not meet as many of the criteria for a chemically “good” preservative. Think about it! A valid concern: While preservatives in cosmetics, especially shampoos and conditioners, are not the cancer causing

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endocrine disruptors they have been blown up to be, there is one important truth to be noted. Next to fragrances, preservatives are the ingredients most likely to cause contact dermatitis and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. This is the real reason we need to urge pet grooming product manufacturers to inform us of the preservatives they are using. Unfortunately, some of the preservatives that have been used as substitutes for parabens are significantly more likely to be sensitizers. Parabens are among the least likely to cause allergic reactions. Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI) is a preservative that had a big surge in use as formulators started replacing parabens that has turned out to be a serious sensitizer. Some of the formaldehyde releasers are also troublesome sensitizers. Of this group, DMDM Hydantoin has shown the least allergic reactions in humans, and Quarternium-15 the worst.

October / December 2019

sensitization occurs over time; it can be caused by a product that the groomer has previously used on that dog without a noticeable problem. Secondly, an allergic reaction may be slow to manifest; it may not show up at the grooming salon. It can take as long as a day or two to become full blown. This makes for a difficult customer relations scenario. Likewise, an infection or problem caused by a contaminated product also can take days to develop. It is important for all professional groomers to recognize the reality that grooming products can trigger problems that show up later at home. Just because the dog looked fine after your grooming does not mean that a problem is not related to the grooming. One serious possibility is in the use of diluted products. Most commercial pet shampoos are intended for dilution before use. The amount of preservatives in pet shampoo is appropriate for the concentrated product; it does not extend to the diluted shampoo.

Products diluted with tap water are Allergic reactions to grooming products especially at risk, as you are infusing are a tricky problem for groomers and them with a fertile crop of microbes. our clients alike. First of all, These diluted products should be used 80 Copyright ÂŠ 2013 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved Subscribe www.egroomer.com PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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in a day or two and then tossed or refrigerated. Using distilled water will give you more safe time, but any diluted product is virtually unprotected from microbe proliferation. Old unused products are also at risk, especially those that have been opened and partially used. Microbes are airborne as well as carried by water. Every time a bottle or jar is opened it is exposed to potential contaminants. Bathing rooms are warm, moist environments – a fertile garden for microbe proliferation. Vans and grooming trailers are even more supportive of microbial growth, as they are subject to more extreme temperatures and humidity. The same conditions that make for rusty blades put your products at risk as well. The bottom line? It would seem that a bottle of shampoo is more likely to suffer contamination than to cause cancer. In regards to negative marketing, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s words seem to apply, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” ♦

October / December 2019

Barbara Bird, CMG

Barbara Bird, aka BBird, has been grooming since 1971 and opened Transformation Pet Center in Tucson, Arizona in 1977. In the salon, BBird specializes in Bichons and scissored trims, hand stripping of Terriers, and cat grooming. She has been writing and speaking to groomers for over a decade, and received the Cardinal Crystal Achievement Award as Grooming Journalist of the Year for 2006 and 2007. A regular contributor to Pet Age magazine, Barbara also writes for The Bichon Frise Reporter. She has authored and self-published three books, including Beyond Suds and Scent Understanding Pet Shampoos and Conditioners. She has also developed a line of aromatherapy products, The Scented Groomer. She teaches webinars online. Listen to her on TheGroomPod.com. Previous eGroomer Journal Articles: A Study of the pH of Pet & Human Shampoos, July - September 2011 Issue Styling Aids for Grooming the Canine Coat, October - December 2011 Issue To Clip or Not to Clip, April - June 2012 Issue Silicones: A Quest for Truth Part One and Part Two, January - March 2013 Issue, July September 2013 Issue Web Site: www.bbird.biz Bbird’s GroomBlog

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October / December 2019

PRESERVATIVES REFERENCES AND READINGS (1.) Cosmetics Unmasked, Dr. Stephen Antczak & Gina Antczak, Thorsons, London, 2001, pgs. 31-38. (2) Why Cosmetics Need Preservatives, Kayla Fioravanti, Personal Care Truth or Scare, June 2, 2010. http:// personalcaretruth.com/2010/06/why-cosmetics-need-preservatives/ (3) Why There Are Preservatives in Cosmetics, Perry Romanowski, The Chemists Corner, February 9, 2012. http://chemistscorner.com/why-are-there-preservatives-in-cosmetics/ (4) Preservatives for Cosmetics, David C. Steinberg, Third Edition, 2012, Allured Books. (5) A Closer Look at EDTA, Kayla Fioravanti, Personal Care Truth, June 16, 2010, http:// personalcaretruth.com/2010/06/a-closer-look-at-edta/ (6) Understanding the Need for Preservation in Personal Care, Laura M. Szymczak-Frye, Global Marketing Manager, Personal Care Preservation, Lonza http://www.lonza.com/products-services/personal-care/ preservation-in-personal-care-article.aspx (7) Parabens: Are They Really a Problem? Paula Begoun, http://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/myths/ _/parabens-are-they-really-a-problem (8) Exposing the Formaldehyde Myth, Doug Schoon, Personal Care Truth, August 11, 2010. http:// personalcaretruth.com/2010/08/exposing-the-formaldehyde-myth/ (9) Foods Known to Contain Naturally Occurring Formaldehyde, PDF, http://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/ whatsnew/whatsnew_fa/files/formaldehyde.pdf (10) The Impermeable Facts of Skin Penetration and Absorption, Nathan Rivas, Personal Care Truth, January 18, 2011. FURTHER READINGS How to Prevent Contamination in Cosmetic Products, Perry Romanowski, The Chemists Corner, April 5, 2014. http://chemistscorner.com/how-to-prevent-contamination-in-cosmetic-products/ - An excellent overview of preservatives used in human cosmetics. Facts about DMDM Hydantoin, Barbara Bird, BBirdTalk, November 29, 2013, http://groomwise.typepad.com/ bbird/2013/11/facts-about-dmdm-hydantoin.html - a more complete discussion of the misinformation about formaldehyde donor preservatives. Why We Don’t Use Neem Oil as a Preservative, Norman L. Polston and Grace Bezanson, Ezine Articles, March 29, 2013, http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-We-Wont-Use-Neem-Oil-As-a-Natural-Preservative&id=7589561 - an interesting example of the complexities of using natural preservatives. Effects of Biocides on Antibiotic Resistance, http://ec.europa.eu/health/opinions/en/biocides-antibioticresistance/index.htm#5 - Are preservatives hurting us in the long run?reserved 82 Copyright © 2013 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights Subscribe www.egroomer.com PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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Journalthat January / March 88 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

PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com

1 3/4

eGroomer Journal 1 5/8Subscribe Free S www.egroomer.com

7/8 1

Charts courtesy of Northern Tails Sharpening 251-232-5353 www.northerntails.com

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