BBird's GroomBlog

GROOM CLASSROOM FIRST WEBINAR FOR GROOMERS

2011-10-16T15:39:00.001-07:00

GROOM CLASSROOM announces the first of a series of web-based seminars for groomers. Canine Hair & Coat Damage: A Close-up View, will be broadcast on Thursday, October 27, at 4:00 pm Mountain Standard Time, and again on Sunday, November 6, at 1 pm Mountain Standard Time. Featuring a series of compelling images and science-based information, the 90-minute webinar promises that attendees will:

Learn about the structure and biology of canine hair.
Identify the factors that negatively impact hair.
Understand how coat damage occurs and how it shows up for the groomer.
Learn how to maintain a healthy coat and minimize damage.
Distinguish various coat conditioning and treatment options for specific coat problems.
Discuss the implications of your learning with a veteran groomer with 40 years experience.

Barbara Bird, award-winning journalist, speaker, and educator to the grooming industry, presents the Canine Hair & Coat Damage webinar. BBird has been a popular speaker at Atlanta Pet Fair, All American Grooming Show, as well as international venues, and is known for her entertaining and informative style. Most recently she was recipient of the Barkleigh Honors Award for Blog of the Year 2011.

GROOM CLASSROOM was founded by BBird in 2003 to provide web-based extended education learning to pet groomers. The current webinar series has emerged with the intention of offering top quality speakers and extended education to groomers who cannot travel to trade shows to attend seminars. In addition to BBird, webinars are planned with Daryl Conner, Dawn Omboy, Mary Oquendo, and others. Future webinars will also offer live grooming demonstrations as well as information-based content.

Invitation to join the webinar is extended to professional and amateur pet groomers, as well as show dog groomers and breeders. Canine Hair & Coat Damage: A Close-up View is an eye-opening presentation that offers clear and insightful understanding of the subject. Attendance for the live broadcast is $49.95, the recording only may be purchased for $39.95.

For more information and webinar scheduling, visit www.groomclassroom.net, or find us on Facebook, as Groom Classroom.

ESSENTIALS OF BICHON GROOMING

2011-08-21T12:04:00.000-07:00

Link here to my article on Bichon Frise grooming that appeared in Pet Age magazine, August 2011. It's easier to send you to my other blog site than to try to imbed the PDF here in blogspot. Arghh! Hope you enjoy it!

PET BEHAVIOR AND GROOMING - A Conversation with Pet Owners and Dog Trainers

2011-08-14T10:51:00.000-07:00

One of the most crucial variables in determining the successful outcome of a pet grooming session is the behavior of the animal. Even the most adept pet stylist can only do so much for a dog that is lurching, jerking, dancing, mouthy, or laying flat as a pancake on the grooming table. Animal-handling skills are just as pertinent for a “master groomer” as styling skills, but there is a limit to what a groomer can be expected to accomplish with an uncooperative pet in a single session. Behavioral training requires repetition and consistency. That means that what happens at home between grooming sessions is probably more likely to shape behavior than what the groomer does in two hours at the table.

Yesterday I descended into Groomer’s Hell with a handsome young Portuguese Water Dog. I rarely see this breed, and I was excited to have the opportunity to start a grooming relationship with a new client and her 6-month old PWD. It was to be the dog’s first groom. That should have been my first hint of what was to come. The coat may not seem to need much work before six months, but the behavior does. Fortunately, the owner was honest and warned me that the dog was “rambunctious”. I pictured a happy, excited, wiggly puppy. BTDT and lived through it. I should have looked the word up. Rambunctious: “1. Uncontrollably exuberant. 2. Unruly.” In other words, T.R.O.U.B.L.E.!

The young beast was nearly ungroomable. It took all I had, and I have a lot of skills to bring to the party. These are some of the behaviors we encountered:
• Incessant excited barking in the pen, in the bathtub, & on the table (this somewhat abated after two hours of my ignoring it).
• Leaping, lurching, thrashing, standing on rear legs and waving forelegs, dancing and not keeping feet on the table.
• Not allowing face to be brushed, or even held – pulling away, and mouthing – there was no way I could use clippers on the head or face, I did some rough scissoring.
• Not allowing forelegs to be groomed – mouthy, had to be muzzled, pulling away, trying to leave the table.
• Did I say mouthy?
• Thrashing about while being clipped near genital area. ( The dog was not neutered). Not allowing feet to be held – pulling, barking, mouthing, and lurching.

All grooming requires patience. Sometimes it is a bit of a dance. This grooming was not so much of a dance; it was a wrestling match. It was also a match of will and wits. I accomplished the grooming goal, but only because I have advanced abilities, especially patient persistence and the ability to scissor a moving target. It required way more than I should have to do, and did not look nearly as good as I had envisioned. Clearly, the dog had not been prepared for the grooming experience, in spite of having graduated a six-week training course. My fervent wish is that dog trainers would offer training for behaviors needed for grooming. I also wish that owners of dogs that are going to need to be groomed start puppies out early with accepting grooming as a part of life. Some of the behaviors we groomers need help with are:

SETTLE – This is a part of some basic training courses. For dogs with excess excitability, however, it needs to be prioritized. Dogs need to be able to settle down and focus on the activity of grooming.
STAND FOR GROOMING – It is impressive that your dog has learned to “sit” on command. On the grooming table, we need her to stand. Sitting is a way of resisting having the backside groomed. Some little dogs will lay flat on the table and turn into a heap of jelly-with-hair. This is also not helpful in a grooming situation.
NO MOUTH! Mouthing the groomer is NEVER acceptable. Mouthing the groomer is NOT play biting, it is trying to stop the activity by mouth-to-hand action. This is a real precursor to biting the groomer and must be discouraged.
HOLD FACE – Allowing the muzzle to be held, or the whiskers to be held is utterly vital to safe grooming around the eyes and mouth. Free-hand scissoring around the head of a dog that is bobbing and jerking is nerve wracking and highly hazardous.
HOLD FEET – Holding the feet is necessary in order to clip nails, clip hair from between foot pads (bottom of foot) and trimming. This is a dominance/submission issue for many dogs.
ALLOW DEEP BRUSHING AND COMBING – Although initial grooming sessions for the young puppy need to be pleasant and not stressful, at some point the dog that is going to be groomed for a lifetime needs to be encouraged to tolerate thorough brushing and combing of the coat. Otherwise, the pet needs to be taught to allow the legs to be handled well enough to allow a shave down. On this PWD, I could do neither thorough brushing of the front legs OR run the clippers down the legs. The most I could do was a little light brushwork and scissor over tangles. Arghh!

ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL! This nearly unbearably stressful experience was made tolerable by the understanding and humorous nature of the owner of the rowdy PWD. I charged a $20 “Naughty Fee” over my estimated grooming charge and she tipped generously over that. Taking home extra cash always soothes my wounds, and helps keep me supplied with Advil. Being able to be bluntly honest with the owner about my experience with the dog allowed me to actually look at the possibility of grooming the dog again. I told her flat out that, on a difficulty scale of 1 to 10, this grooming was a 10. There was no brushing it off as “slightly rambunctious”. I strongly urged neutering. That boy needs some help to calm down! I also suggested some homework, such as brushing the legs and face. Although it was a serious situation, we were able to laugh about it. Any customer of mine who can pick up on my sense of humor and help me laugh about the trials and tribulations of pet grooming deserves another appointment.

About the Author: Barbara Bird has been grooming since 1971 and owns Transformation Pet Center in Tucson, Arizona. She is a Certified Master Groomer with IPG, Inc., and is also certified in Non-Sporting breeds with NDGAA. She is a popular speaker and educator in the pet grooming industry, and a free-lance writer for Pet Age magazine and eGroomer. This article was published on the GroomBlog, www.groomblog.blogspot.com and on the Bird Talk blog at www.groomwise.talkpad.com/Birdtalk. Please contact the author at bbird@dakotacom.net for permission to reprint or use this material.

THE GREENING OF GROOMING - Pet Age Magazine, April 2011

2011-08-03T06:49:00.000-07:00

I'm trying something new. Let's see if I can imbed the PDF file of my article in Pet Age on green grooming. I would love to make these articles available to my friends and followers. Whoa! I think it worked. I'm so cool! This was done using embedit.in. I'm looking forward to embedding much more in the future.

Well, it worked until I tried to print the article. I got two of the five pages and then got the old "wheelie". What's up with that?
I also published this article on my Groomwise blog here

PET DRYING METHODS: FORCED-AIR VS. STAND DRYERS

2011-08-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

Our Groom_TNT@yahoogroups email groomers’ group is having a discussion about which methods of drying produce the best results. Is it necessary to have a stand dryer? Is cage drying a four-letter word? Let’s take a look at drying methods through the eyes of an old veteran groomer who has been around since the Dark Ages. That would be me!

A Little History: In The Beginning, there were dryers on stands with arms, known as "stand dryers" or “arm dryers.” Dogs with scissored coats were meticulously dried with the arm dryer blowing air while the coat was brushed and stretched. The arm of a stand dryer can be moved to target a specific area for straightening. The groomer’s hands are free to work with the dog and the hair. The air of the stand dryer is heated by a heating element in the arm, which often has a control, and the air volume can also be adjusted. It took a lot of time to dry dogs this way, but produced a gorgeous result, with the coat separated and straightened to the max. In the salon where I apprenticed, we dried most dogs this way, including the owner’s Standard Poodles in show continental trims. THAT could take hours!

The Revolution Began: The 1980’s saw the emergence of a new option that came from the livestock barn: forced-air drying with a high-velocity (HV) dryer. One or two small reverse vacuum motors are used to blow air through a hose and nozzle to force the water off the coat, and stretch the hair by flattening it to the skin. This method of drying caught on immediately, as it offered considerable savings in time. It was great for thick, double coats, such as Bernese Mountain Dog or Rough-Coated Collies, as the forced air removes the undercoat. The forced-air drying greatly reduced the physical effort of brushing and raking and quickly became the choice for "deshedding" tasks. The old method of thoroughly brushing and combing the dog before the bath became obsolete. Working on a clean coat is much healthier for the groomer.

Groomers gradually learned to apply the techniques of high-velocity drying to more and more of the drying tasks in the commercial salon; so much so, that some now regard the stand dryer as a dinosaur, a thing of the past. Some grooming schools no longer teach the techniques involving stand dryers, and train students to use only forced-air drying with a little brushing to straighten coats. Many new groomers not only want the forced-air option, they search for the dryer with the most force.

Are HV dryers better for the hair? It can be argued that drying with high-velocity air is not as damaging to the hair as the constant brushing to stretch the hair under the arm dryer. We know that brushing causes wear and tear to the hair cuticle, stretching the wet hair can cause breakage, and the application of heat can be brutal to hair. However, some of these same concerns also apply to our method of forced-air drying. HV drying can whip the ends of hair, causing dreadful knots. Also, if natural wind is a factor in the weathering of hair, is not the powerful air of the high-velocity dryer having similar adverse effect? Some of our high-velocity dryers put out high heat. I don’t think we can give the forced air plus brushing method a total pass in the coat damage department.

What’s the best way? I knew you would ask! Personally, I like to keep all options on the table. (grooming table joke!). Certainly, forced-air dryers are the most efficient. However, they tend to be loud, and some dogs are very uncomfortable with the air pressure or the noise. I have no doubt that there are groomers who have mastered the use of HV dryer and brushing and can achieve a perfectly acceptable fluff-dry result. The key to straightening with an HV dryer, imho, is that there must be enough force placed on the hair while it is straightening. In any form of drying, forced-air or stand dryer, the hair must be stretched before it is thoroughly dry. Brushing the coat while still damp can provide this key element when using the forced-air dryer.

Standing by the stand dryer: Although I use a stand dryer for a small portion of my overall drying, I have not been able to wean myself entirely from the arm dryer. I still perceive a noticeable difference in some coats that are finished the last bit of the way with brushing the hair under the air (stretch-drying). The hands-free aspect of the stand dryer is important to me. Also, I like having the option of the gentler air of the arm dryer for puppies, old dogs and others who have issues. I also will use passive drying with these individuals. (See next article) At my second table, where I do not have room for a stand dryer, I use the Chris Christensen

Hold-a-Hose. This has a flexible arm with a cradle to hold the HV dryer hose (or a hand-held dryer) and gives a hand-free advantage without the huge footprint of the stand dryer. Warning: Cheap clamp style third arms are a waste of money. Look for a device that has a cradle with bungee cords to hold the hose.

Table Works offers the original design of this type of holder.

The Great Debate: The issue of what is the best method of drying brings us to the question of what is “good enough”. What is the standard you hold for your professional result? Are we to hold ourselves to a show ring perfect fluff-dry for everyday pet grooming? Can pet owners distinguish the difference between a perfectly straightened coat and one that is not? Do they care? If you are going for the perfection model, be sure your prices reflect the time involved. Also, please, make sure the pets can handle the extra table time it might take to get that show ring look. What would the dog vote for?

Speaking for myself: In my own practice, I have a shifting standard of expectation. I consider myself an advanced stylist offering excellent grooming. However, I often accommodate the needs of the moment and don’t try for a “ring perfect” grooming for every animal. I try to achieve the best possible result with the coat, temperament and behavior I encounter on the grooming table. The client's expectations and the available time are other important factors. I compromise a lot with older animals or dogs that have issues. I like being flexible in preparing a dog's coat. I use a combination of forced air drying and brushing, brushing under the arm dryer, and passive drying with fans. Rarely do I use the stand dryer for a full fluff-dry as I was taught. Nowadays, I use the force dryer much more than even ten years ago. I teach students to use the force dryer first, and only reach for the arm dryer for the last bit of straightening, or for ears and face work. I challenge myself constantly to see if I can get as good or a better result with a different combination of methods. My experience is that coat preparation is more a matter of commitment to excellence than any particular equipment or method of drying. Here are some examples of my work that illustrate my fluff drying results:

For more about drying in the pet salon, click here for my article on science of drying as applied to pet grooming.

MINIATURE SCHNAUZER MAKEOVER - TUCSON STYLE!

2011-05-29T06:48:00.000-07:00

At Transformation Pet Center in Tucson, AZ, pet styling 'makeovers' are a specialty. Here is a Miniature Schnauzer we recently transformed. "Sassy" is a very attractive, show quality pet that came to us after a very unflattering grooming. Her owners recently moved to our area and were having difficulty finding a groomer who would do justice to her genes. That's a nice way of saying that previous groomers did not accomplish a nice breed profile.

Looking at the remnants of the previous grooming, we can see that the pattern line was high and not in relationship to the anatomy, way too much "skirt" was left, and there was no blending of the clipped area to the furnishings. The head was over-worked, the top of the muzzle was shaved and the whiskers were chopped off, leaving a very small head on the overly full body. This made Sassy look out of proportion, fat, and dumpy. We couldn't wait to fix this!

Here she is after our finished groom. The lines were corrected, the skirt removed and blended into a proper undercarriage. The head was corrected as best we could, although it will get bushy from having been shaved on top of the muzzle. Groomers, please don't do that! Blending shears (aka "thinners") will clean off the muzzle of any wispy hair and will not ruin the expression.

Sassy's owners were thrilled with our work. "I have my show dog back!" was one comment. "Thank you, thank you," was another.
As the groomer, I was also appreciative. The dog was a delight to work on, and Sassy makes my work look good. To make it more perfect, the owners are terrific people. It was a win-win. This is the kind of moment that makes my years of studying and working on breed profiles totally worthwhile. Bring on the makeovers, it food for my soul!

Barbara Bird is a Certified Master Groomer with International Professional Groomers (IPG), Inc. She owns and operates Transformation Pet Center in Tucson, Arizona. Call 520-795-5743 to book an appointment for your pet. Private instruction is also available. To see more of our Miniature Schnauzer work, click HERE.

YORKIE GROOMING - TUCSON, AZ

2011-05-26T07:44:00.000-07:00

This is "Abbey", an adorable little pet yorkie that we groom every three weeks. She gets a skirted look with a short (#7f) clip on the pattern and trimmed featherings. The head is done in a "westie" style. This is a very good styling option for a soft or fine coat, although it does require some home maintenance . For some other yorkie styles, check out our previous article here on the GroomBlog.
http://groomblog.blogspot.com/2006/11/pet-yorkie-grooming-options.html

At Transformation Pet Center, in Tucson, Arizona, our intention is to provide you with your best ever pet grooming experience. Best ever pet styling and best ever customer service. Owner and Chief Stylist, Barbara Bird, is a Certified Master Groomer with over 40 years of experience. In addition to being a premier pet stylist in Tucson, she travels throughout the country giving seminars and grooming clinics to help other groomers achieve excellence. Grooming by appointment only. We are often booked two weeks in advance. Contact us: 520-795-5743

Pet Poodle Grooming Tucson - Custom Styling

2011-03-16T16:57:00.000-07:00

Grooming the pet Poodle can sometimes lead to flights of imagination. We like to create custom styles that fit the dog. Sometimes this means finding a way to make a less attractive feature into something unique and cute. Meet "Cookie". She has these ears that stick straight out. Sometimes we call this the "Flying Nun" look. Some time ago our imagination led us to create balls out of the ears, and, voila!, we now have the "Princess Leia" style for our darling Cookie. She seems to like posing with her special look. More recently, Cookie had dental work and shaved areas on both front legs. We again got creative and put bracelets around the ankles. Princess Leia got puffs! It's such a hit that we've kept this extra feature. The ankle puffs fit with the ears. Gotta love it!

Cookie was clipped with an Andis 4 1/2 blade, body and legs. The puffs and ears were defined with the little "Detailer" scissor available from the BBird shopping cart, here. Puffs on ankles and the ears were made more scissorable with a spray called Ruff Coat from Showseason Grooming Products that is dried into the coat. Another important tool in detailing the tiny puffs and making the ears round was a 5 1/2" curved scissor, called The Detailer, available from the BBird Shopping Cart, click HERE.

Chief stylist at Transformation Pet Center in Tucson, Arizona, Barbara Bird is a Certified Master Groomer with the International Pet Groomers, Inc. (IPG). She has been grooming for 40 years. "Poodles are one of my favorite breeds to customize," says BBird. "There are so many cute options that can be applied. This breed brings out my creative side." Let us create a look that works for your favorite Poodle. Call Barbara at 520-795-5743 and arrange an appointment today.

PET GROOMING TO THE BREED PROFILE - Why It's Important!

2011-03-16T06:12:00.000-07:00

With the popularity of television broadcasts of AKC dog shows growing every year, more and more pet owners are seeing how their breeds are presented in the show ring. Some want that look, others don't. The groomer who knows how to achieve or approximate the correct breed profile has the edge in the growing market of pet owners who would like their dogs to resemble the breed profile.

This is Eddie, a Border Terrier, that was recently retired from the show ring and adopted to a loving home in Tucson. Eddie's new owner wants to keep him looking like he did when he was ranked #8 Border Terrier in the USA. Not only was Eddie a patient and willing subject, but it was a groomer's delight to work on such a good example of the breed. All of my efforts to master the Border Terrier "look" paid off here, and I was able to send this dog home with confidence that I had achieved or surpassed the owner's expectations.

Barbara Bird is a Certified Master Groomer with IPG, Inc. She works from her salon, Transformation Pet Center, in Tucson, Arizona, specializing in terrier breeds, scissored styling, and grooming cats. For appointments or more information, call 520-795-5743 or write petpals@dakotacom.net. Happy grooming!

Apollo the Goldendoodle

2011-03-08T16:19:00.000-08:00

Here's how we like to groom Goldendoodles at Transformation Pet Center, Tucson, Arizona. This is "Apollo", a 6 month old doodle that had never been fully groomed. Fortunately, he had been to training classes and his owner was great about the brushout.

Here is Apollo before his grooming. His coat was 4-6" long, and you could see the curly adult coat beginning to come in at the base. He was one big, hairy dog! Although he did not have any mats to speak of, he did have a lot of soft sticker burrs from one of our local parks.

This is after the bath and brush out. The band around the foreleg is courtesy of the vet. He was recently neutered. For the bath, we used Showseason Texture shampoo and Chrome Coat conditioner. This is one of my favorite product combinations. It leaves the coat workable, and manageable. It helped my assistant, Anita, brush out those soft stickers!

Anita and I both fell in love with this dog. He was cooperative, patient, and gave kisses. And Apollo is handsome. I am a sucker for a handsome dog! I could live with this dog, and I do not say that often. I used a Wahl #A comb over a #10 blade on my Laube Litening clipper to sculpt this coat. The #A comb leaves 3/4", according to the manufacturer. This is my favorite comb attachment for the Goldendoodle body, leaving enough coat to give some substance, while making it more manageable for the owner.

This is our signature look for the Goldendoodle. We think (okay, *I* think), this style best reflects the character and style of the Goldendoodle. This is where we like to start. Some Doodles stay with this

trim, some go shorter for less maintenance, and some (few) customers like a more "Poodley" style. I think it works for the Goldendoodle. Doodles in this style need to be groomed about every 4-6 weeks, depending upon owner maintenance. To be maintained in this style, a Goldendoodle needs to be thoroughly combed weekly and groomed professionally every 4-6 weeks. Sorry, owners, you can forget whatever you were told about this breed not needing grooming. It is a relatively high maintenance breed. This grooming cost $90.00. On a regular 4-6 week schedule, Apollo will be $85.00 per grooming.

Groomers: Charge what you are worth! Pet owners: You get what you pay for in grooming services!

AUSTRALIAN TERRIER PET GROOM - Tucson, AZ

2011-02-17T07:57:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures of Sophie, an Australian Terrier we recently hand stripped at Transformation Pet Center, Tucson, Arizona. Sophie was first groomed about six weeks earlier. She was presented in a very overgrown, bushy state. On that visit, we focused on the jacket, and getting the face under control. On this visit, she was again very bushy, and we concentrated on the neck "ruff", shoulders and head.

This is one hairy terrier! After nearly two hours of hand plucking, there was still more to go. With hand stripping, there almost always seems as though you could go on and on. In the pet salon, we almost always have to pick a point where we say, "good enough".

This side view of the head shows the clean ear and neck ruff characteristic of the breed. While this is by no means a show groom, we think it captures the Aussie "look" quite well.

This side view is not a great picture, but it shows how the hand stripping is maintaining the color and clarity of the jacket. We did some work on the jacket this day, enough to keep it "happening".

"Sophie" was groomed at Transformation Pet Center in Tucson, Arizona, by Barbara Bird, Certified Master Groomer with IPG, Inc. Private instruction is available if you wish to learn to groom your pet or learn to hand strip terriers at your grooming salon. Contact BBird at 888-978-0279, call for appointment at Transformation, 520-795-5743. Grooming is our passion, perfection is our path. (I just now made up that motto. Do you like it?)

GROOMING PET TERRIERS IN TUCSON

2011-01-30T08:23:00.000-08:00

How does pet styling differ from show grooming? It can be a little or a lot different, depending on the dog and the owner's wishes and ability to do home maintenance. The three terriers pictured above were all groomed fairly close to the show groom "profile" with modification mainly to length. The Miniature Schnauzer and West Highland White Terrier were groomed with clippers, rather than hand stripped. The Bedlington is clipped short on the body, but the proper head is attempted. The westie head is formed using products and not teased and ratted as are most show dogs. The products we use are Chris Christensen Thick N Thicker Mousse and Gel.

Sometimes pet owners don't like the show dog profile or "look" and ask for further modification. This is the case for Darcy, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier on the left. She looks

considerably different from the SCWT in more of a show trim on the right.

Sometimes the difference between a show style and a pet trim has to do more with genetics than owner preference. In pet grooming, we try to make the most of what we've got. In some cases, this requires a little creativity. Both these Schnauzers on the left have uncropped ears.

We some "tuft" of hair in front of Sport's ear (dog on right) so as to soften the look. The third Schnauzer is Coco. Her owner likes a softer eyebrow, with shorter whiskers. And owners may request a little more chest hair. Some really don't like the cowlicks to show.

With the skirted terriers, such as Scotties and Westies, some owners want the look without all the hair. Here are shorter "pet" versions of both breeds:

Although we groom mostly pets, we use products designed for results in the show ring. Chris Christensen Black on Black and White on White make our scottie and westie colors the best ever. And we use the Chris Christensen styling aids, Thick N Thicker Mousse and Thick N Thicker Gel to help us shape and form eyebrows and faces. This helps us achieve results that have our clients gasping, "OMG, that's the best he's ever looked."

What about hand stripping? Glad you asked! Here is the best illustration of why we like to hand strip terriers with color. Wire Fox Terrier #1 has been only hand stripped, dog #2 has been clipped all his life. The loss of color on the clippered dog is typical of the price you pay for the easier grooming and lower price. The diluted coat has also lost texture, making the coat less water proof and more easily stained or dirty.

Whether the pet owner wants a show look or a modified pet trim, hand stripped or clipped, our goal at Transformation Pet Center is to deliver the "best ever" grooming. We want each dog to look its best, and we want each customer to feel like they have received the best service possible.

Transformation Pet Center, 3158 E. Grant Road, Tucson AZ. 520-795-5743

Barbara Bird, Certified Master Groomer, IPG Owner/Operator

Having Fun With Mixed Breeds

2011-01-05T07:11:00.000-08:00

Creating an individual style or "look" for a pet can be rewarding and fun. At Transformation Pet Center, Tucson, Arizona, we recently had this little guy as our last groom of 2010. Can you guess the breeds? Poppy is a Pomeranian/Poodle mix. That's a lot of P's! He is one year old and had never been groomed.

As is often the case, his owners rather underestimated the degree of disrepair. "He has a few tangles", they said when booking the appointment. What arrived was one totally matted furball. Not the worst we've seen, but seriously enough matted to require a clip down. Do pet owners lie about the condition of their fur babies? No. I'm convinced that they just don't see mats the way the professional does. Poppy was in bad shape, and I was not willing to torture the little guy for a major dematting, so I prepared them for short, short. Even his head was tangled, and the ears had large dreadlocks. How was I going to make him look cute?

I'm not overly fond of clipping down dogs. My approach in this type of situation is to find the longest blade that will go through a coat, rather than reaching for the #7 or #10 and doing a "smoothie". In this case, I was pleased to discover that the Andis 4 1/2 blade would plow through the coat, leaving a decent amount. The fact that we were in the middle of an ugly cold spell with more winter to go also figured into my decision.

Once the body and legs were clipped, I had to decide what to do with the head. As I clipped off the chunks of mats on the ears, I began to have a vision. Poppy had a rather full, puffy topknot and I was able to brush it out. I began to "see" a bit of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier head. I followed this vision, and tassled the ears. Then I used chunking shears and styling spray (Chris Christensen Thick N Thicker, my favorite) and I created a unique casual look for Poppy. Instead of making the crown of the head plush and perfect scissored, I scrunched it up and left it tousled. Do you like it? His young owners were delighted.

For me, having this extensive repetoire of visual images to draw from in creating custom looks for mixed breed dogs is part of being a Certified Master Groomer. Studying my breed profiles has translated in many ways into my daily grooming. No this is not a true Dandy Dinmont head, but the Dandy image in the back of my brain inspired me to "see" this possibility for Poppy.

It was great fun creating something unique and special for a dog that otherwise would have been a rather boring unimaginative clip down. The delighted smiles on the owners' faces was worth the little extra time and effort it took to be creative. And THEY WILL BE BACK! What a great way to end 2010!

TEARSTAIN RESULTS: An Opthamologist Speaks

2010-11-11T11:47:00.000-08:00

In a recent presentation to Tucson pet groomers, Dr. Reuben Merideth, a renowned animal opthamologist stated that the only products he has witnessed as being consistently effective at clearing up severe tear staining were the tylosin based products, such as Angels' Eyes [and Pets' Spark]. To the question of whether or not there were risks associated with the use of tylosin or the possibility of creating a resistence to therapeutic antibiotics, he said, "The minute amount of antibiotic in these products is so far less than the therapeutic dose that there should be no development of resistence." He views this as a safe and effective approach to the problem.

Dr. Merideth is no ordinary veterinarian. He is at the top of his field, having published dozens of articles and contributed chapters to five veterinary textbooks. A Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Opthalmologists (DACVO), as well as a DVM, Dr. Merideth practices at the Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center in Tucson, Arizona, as well as in Phoenix, Arizona and in Kansas City, Kansas.

The presentation was part of a series of lectures being offered by practicing veterinary specialists to the Tucson grooming community. This outreach from the veterinary community is in recognition that pet groomers are the pet care professionals that have the most hands on contact with many pets, and are often the first to become aware of many medical problems. The lectures help groomers have a knowledgeable basis for referring clients for medical consultation.

Here are before and after pictures of one of our recent success stories. This is "Brie", a Bichon Frise belonging to Vivian Yorke in Canada.

Quite Remarkable! This was after about two months on the Pets' Spark product.

Pets' Spark can be purchased from BBird.biz by clicking here. Professional groomers can get wholesale pricing from ShowSeason Grooming Products, here.

Chris Christensen CoatLink - Most Fun Product of 2010

2010-10-04T14:28:00.000-07:00

I love grooming products, and Chris Christensen has much to love. The CoatLink Coat Dressing has my vote for "Most Fun Product of 2010". I not only enjoy the stuff itself, but I truly enjoy the results I have in using CoatLink. The fun is in the feel of the foaming coat dressing. It sprays on your hand and instantly transforms into a creamy luscious foam, like a mousse but more spreadable. The foam lends a lightness to the product so it is not over applied. It has an incredibly rich feel in your hands and works instant moisture and taming action into any hair. Any left-over product is a treatment for your own hands!

How CoatLink works -

The foaming mousse delivers hydration and shine to the hair. It is great on any flowing coat for better definition. It is applied after grooming as a final touch or to correct kinkiness or smooth an area. It's weightless and brushes right into the hair.

Uses for CoatLink Coat Dressing

Although the instructions suggest to spray it on the coat, I prefer to spray onto

my palm and then apply by hand to the hair. One of my favorite uses for CoatLink is to add a beautiful touch to Bichon Frise tails. It makes the plume tail more plume-y. You have to see it to believe it. Here is an example:

It's remarkable! I use it on EVERY Bichon tail. It is marketed for use on flowing dropped coats and double coats, but I use it wherever I want better definition and flow. It's great on Papillion ears, Havanese, and last week I used it on a Miniature Schnauzer puppy's furnishings that insisted on sticking out after grooming. The more I use CoatLink, the more uses I discover. Oh, and did I mention that it has a terrific fragrance?

Chris Christensen CoatLink Coat Dressing can be purchased from Cherrybrook (HERE), or direct from Chris Christensen (HERE). Try some, and have some fun with this amazing product!

PUTTING YOUR MIND ON A LEASH

2010-07-11T07:27:00.000-07:00

By Barbara Bird, MSW*

Can we talk? Let’s talk about the mind. The human mind is a wondrous thing, certainly our defining feature as a species. The mind can help us solve problems, understand complex concepts, but is it always our best friend? NO, especially in regards to our emotional mind, the part of the mind that most often engages in relationships with others and determines how we experience life.

Once I had a bumper sticker that stated, “Don’t Believe Everything You Think!” Why would that be a good motto? The mind is capable of thoughts that do not serve the Greater Good of the person. The mind is out to serve its own interests. It has stored years and years of our experiences, and our interpretations of these experiences. The thoughts we have as we react to our daily experiences are often hurt feelings, betrayals, and wounds we experienced in growing up.

These old thoughts and feelings recycle themselves through our consciousness, even though our current experience may barely resemble some old event that damaged the child. Being lied to as a child by trusted adults may resurface in our having “an attitude” toward clients that are not truthful about home grooming efforts or missed appointments. We may be constantly on the lookout for a lie, or we may punish our clients for things that happened to us as children. That’s how the mind works – it doesn’t warn us that a thought or feeling is based on recycled old pain, it simply presents our thoughts as rational. Don’t believe everything you think!

Most minds are undisciplined. They are accustomed to having their way, much like a beloved puppy. We allow the puppy to take us where it wants, jumping from one thought to the next, chasing a random squirrel, digging to China, It can be wild and crazy, impulsive, creative, inventive, or it can be obsessed, paranoid, depressed, self pitying, or abusive. Some thoughts need to be leashed, much like unruly puppies. The disciplined mind is a terrific ally in life, the unleashed, undisciplined mind can be our own worst enemy.

How would one go about “training” their mind? Most of us are familiar with the dog training command, “Leave it!” For purposes of training the mind, this translates into “Don’t Go There!” Some thoughts are best dismissed, or they may gnawed on for days, like a funky old bone. Yuck! Toxic thoughts should be recognized, acknowledged and refused space.

Other thoughts may simply deserve a short leash. We don’t want to dismiss every alarming thought as undesirable. Our mind is also there to protect us from dangers. It might very well be true that a customer is trying to take advantage of you. It’s okay to entertain the thought. Then you can choose whether to act on it or not. The unleashed mind operates like a knee jerk reaction, automatically assuming you are being taken advantage of. The disciplined mind considers the I have some terribly toxic thoughts that pop up when I mess up, such as making mistakes in my appointment book or with my online shopping cart. “Dumb!”, “Worthless!”, “Unprofessional!” My all-time favorite: “You can’t do anything right!” These toxic, self-abusive thoughts come from things my abusive, alcoholic father used to say to me when I was growing up. These thoughts have precipitated many a personal meltdown, and are so potentially damaging that I have had to learn how to chase them off immediately. They are like naughty puppies caught at the garbage can. “Outta here!” And I have had to learn to practice immediate self-forgiveness. This process has taken years of effort, but I now I am rarely victimized by this old garbage.

Self assessment and getting to know your self-defeating thoughts is an important aspect of gaining more control of your mind. You need to recognize the enemy. Look for negative thoughts in the areas where you are most often insulted, hurt, or made angry. Some common toxic thoughts are, “People don’t care”, “I can’t win”, I’m alone against the world”, “Customers are liars”, Everything works against me”, “I hate people”, “I’m flawed”. Indulging this kind of thinking can lead to a miserable life. They can be at the bottom of over eating problems, drug and alcohol abuse, gambling addiction and becoming a Victim of Life.

Once you recognize what kind of negative thoughts tend to crop up in your mind and color your existence, the next step is to create replacement thoughts. Banish the bad puppy and play with the new good thought, such as, “I deserve to succeed”, “I can do it”, “People care for me and respect me”, “I have great customers (who sometimes lie)”, “The Universe supports me.” Recognize the appearance of toxic thinking and replace it with a new thought. Putting your mind on a leash takes practice. I have given myself flowers when I screwed up badly, to have a visible reminder of my self-forgiveness. Learning to not beat myself up and practicing self-forgiveness is one of my lifetime challenges.

Don’t expect banished thoughts to disappear forever. That’s not how the mind works. The mind will always be digging up old bones to chew on. Your job is to recognize old garbage, own those thoughts, and not let them run you. Don’t allow yourself to be a victim of your own thoughts. “Just say NO to negativity!” This is having your mind on a leash.

Copyright Birdzeye Press 2010. Contact bbird@dakotacom.net for permission to reprint any part of this article. Thank you.

*The author obtained a Masters of Social Work degree from Arizona State University in 1966 and practiced in the field of mental health for 12 years before redirecting to the profession of pet grooming.

FAR FROM THE COCONUT - A SURFACTANT'S JOURNEY

2010-04-11T16:13:00.000-07:00

In the effort to join the Green Revolution, we often see ingredients described on labels as being “from coconut”. It may look like this: Cleansing Surfactants (from Coconut). There is a name for this kind of marketing tactic of making chemical ingredients appear natural. It’s called “Green Washing.” Let’s look at how a surfactant is made and the journey from
the coconut. We will use Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, a detergent surfactant often found in pet shampoos.

STEP ONE: EXTRACTION OF COCONUT OIL

First we have to extract the coconut oil from the coconut. The meat of the coconut is removed and dried in kilns to produce a product called “copra”. The copra is then placed in a hydraulic press and the oil is expelled. This produces virgin coconut oil which is further refined by additional heating and filtering to provide RBD oil (refined, bleached and deodorized. So far, we are still natural.

STEP TWO: EXTRACTION OF LAURIC ACID FROM COCONUT OIL
The coconut oil is then heated in water in the presence of sodium hydroxide. This converts the coconut oil into fatty acids, lauric acid and glycerin. This is a chemical process, and it’s only step two. Lauric Acid is also obtained from Palm Kernel Oil.

STEP THREE: HYDROGENATION
The lauric acid is then converted into fatty alcohol through a process of hydrogenation. Hydrogenation involves adding hydrogen atoms to the acid molecule. According to Wikipedia “Hydrogenation has three components, the unsaturated substrate, the hydrogen (or hydrogen source), and, invariably, a catalyst. The reaction is carried out at different temperatures and pressures depending upon the substrate and the activity of the catalyst.”

This is chemistry! The Lauryl Alcohol at this point bears little resemblance to the original coconut and shares few if any properties of the coconut oil.

STEP FOUR: SULFONATION

The lauryl alcohol is then converted into lauryl sulfate through a process called sulfonation. There are plants that carry out this process. The Chemithon technology was developed by research and development in Seattle. Here is a diagram of the sulfonation process by Chemithon:

[1. Process Air and Sulfur Supply System. 2. Feedstock (i.e., lauric acid). 3. SO3 Generator System. 4. Sulfonator System. 5. SO3 Absorber System 6. Neutralizer System 7. Exhaust Gas Clean-up System 8. Final Product. ]

Still feeling natural about your shampoo? Wait! There's more!

STEP FIVE: REACTION WITH SODIUM HYDROXIDE
In the final step (whew!), the lauryl sulfate is reacted with sodium hydroxide to form sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). When the lauryl sulfate is reacted with ammonia instead of sodium hydroxide, you have ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS). When triethanol amine (TEA) is used,you have TEA lauryl sulfate. Both ALS and TEA lauryl sulfate are used as alternatives to SLS.

Voila! The journey from coconut to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is long and chemically complex. So now you know. You know that there is a significant chemical journey from the coconut to the shampoo bottle. A shampoo base (from coconut) is not exactly the same as coconut oil-in-a-bottle. You know that Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is hardly a natural substance, although it is derived from a natural substance. Green washing is the psychological ploy of associating something natural with something synthetic to make the chemical appear more natural. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (from coconut) is the same detergent surfactant that has been around for decades, with a green shirt on.

NOISE HAZARDS AND PET GROOMING

2010-01-04T17:21:00.000-08:00

INTRODUCTION – THE PROBLEM
We all know it: grooming rooms are noisy places – barking dogs, blasting dryers, clippers buzzing, and music blaring. At first it can seem overwhelming, but we get used to it and usually consider the noise as “part of the job”. We shout over it, and turn the radio up.
News Flash: Hearing specialists tell us that “getting used to it” or “accommodation” is a serious indicator of hearing loss. There’s more. Excessive noise is a stress factor that can lead to increased blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, ulcers, headaches, and sleep disorders. Workplace studies have determined that noise stress can impair work performance and is related to increased worker accidents. Correlations have also been made between working in a noisy environment and increased annoyance and aggression.

NOISE AND HEARING LOSS
There are three things we need to note about hearing loss: it is gradual, cumulative, and irreversible. Here is a description of how hearing loss occurs:
…Noise literally wears out the ears. Sound travels as pulsating waves of air pressure. Those waves strike the ear drum and their vibrations travel through the bones of the middle ear to the inner ear, or cochlea. In the cochlea, approximately 30,000 hairlike protrusions signal the auditory nerves to the brain. These hairs can recover from infrequent, brief exposures to intense noise but if they're continually subjected to it, they break down and no longer respond to sound. The nerve fibers connected to the hair cells also degenerate, leaving the central nervous system less able to adapt to sound. The damage is cumulative and irreversible, although modern hearing aids can significantly improve hearing. (National Ag…. Safety Database, Kansas State University)

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?
Occupational safety experts measure the potential harmful effects of noise in terms of total exposure in an eight-hour work day. Often this is found on a scale such as this one from NIOSH, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health:

Sound Level	Exposure Limit
85 dB(A)	8 hours
88 dB (A)	4 hours
91 dB (A)	2 hours
94 dB (A)	1 hour
97 dB (A)	30 minutes
100 dB (A)	15 minutes
103 dB (A)	7.5 minutes
106 dB (A)	3.75 minutes

We should notice on this scale that when noise reaches above 85 decibels, it becomes hazardous, and only a total of 15 minutes of noise at 100 decibels is considered safe in an eight-hour workday. That’s 15 minutes for the whole day. When we subject ourselves to unsafe levels of noise, we risk hearing loss. Likewise, any prolonged noise exposure above 85 decibels is considered a significant stress factor.
How can you tell if a noise situation is too loud? According to NIOSH, there are two rules: First, if you have to raise your voice to talk to someone who is an arm’s length away, the noise is likely to be hazardous. Second, if your ears are ringing or sounds seem dull or flat after leaving a noisy place, then you probably were exposed to hazardous noise.

OUR FINDINGS
Being of a scientific nature, we decided to find out just how noisy it was in our grooming room. We purchased a sound level meter and took some measurements.
Home Office/no appliances: 36.0-41.1 dB
Grooming Shop w/swamp cooler only: 60.5-61.9 dB
Groom room (summer) w/swamp cooler, fans & Sahara Turbo: 70.0-71.0 dB
Groom room (winter) w/fans at cages, Laube Magnum Force dryer, Sahara Turbo and a whining Tibetan Terrier: 79.4-81.3 dB

NOISE AND HIGH VELOCITY DRYERS

One of the most significant sources of noise in the grooming environment is that produced by high velocity, forced air dryers.

DRYER	MOTOR NOISE	DEFLECTED AIR Large Nozzle	Flat Nozzle	Small Nozzle/Cone
K9II	Single 82-83 dB Both 85-86.5 dB	(stem only) 80-82.0 dB	N/A	101-102 dB
Double K ChallengAir	82-83 dB	87-89 dB	N/A	98-100 dB
Laube Magnum Force	89-91 dB	90-94 dB	85-90 dB	97-100 dB
Kool Dry Chris Christensen	80-82 dB	93-94 dB (diffuser)	96-97 dB	98-102 dB

NOTES ABOUT DEFLECTED NOISE
Noise is deflected when the air flow passes over an object, such as a dog. When the air from the hose of a high velocity dryer is deflected, the noise increases. The nature of the object can make a difference in the increase. For example, air from the small nozzle on the Laube Magnum Force measures 94-95 decibels, when deflected on a dog, the noise is 97-99 decibels, and on a human hand, it is 100 decibels. When waved across a grooming post, the same nozzle can create as much as 105 decibels. Hard, smooth surfaces create louder noise than softer objects. Narrow objects, such as a grooming post or dog leg create louder noise than wide objects such as the dog’s body or the table. Air that is waved across the leg of a dog creates more noise than air that is slowly moved up and down the leg.

MORE MEASUREMENTS

Here are some other common grooming shop noises

SOURCE	NOISE In dB
Large Fan	70
Shop Vac in shop Shop Vac in mobile	84 100
iVac on Hanvey canister	70
Small box fans Around crate	83
Sahara Turbo Dryer	80
Edemco Arm Dryer	78
Laube Litening Clipper	77
Laube Speed Feed	71
Wahl Tid Bit	73
Barking Bichon	102

NOISE AND PETS

It is safe to assume that canine and feline hearing is affected by noise levels much the same as with humans. The stress factors related to noise are more apparent with animals. It is important to recognize that high noise levels may be more bothersome to the animals in our care than they are to us. We are getting paid to endure the noise, they are just reacting. To cats, high noise is often perceived as threatening and unsafe, to dogs it can make them very uncomfortable. We can also safely assume that the same physiological responses to noise stress occur in animals, making an extended stay in a noisy environment unhealthy for the pets in our care. Of particular concern is the effect of perceived noise on the animals being dried with high velocity dryers. Dogs that struggle and lurch around as we try to dry them with the high velocity dryer are NOT being naughty. They are experiencing a very real stress response to the high noise level, especially around the head. The groomer is an arm’s length away from the noise source, the dog whose head is being dried is not.

A valuable option for pets is the Happy Hoodie by Zoni Pets. These elastic terry cloth tubes have been developed for groomers by groomers to help reduce the stress of high velocity drying for pets.

NOISE MANAGEMENT

It is valuable to do an environmental assessment of your grooming area and identify the sources of possible noise hazard: hard, smooth surfaces will deflect more noise than covered surfaces. Drying dogs while in the tub is likely to be noisier than putting them on the table. The mess is contained in the tub, but so is the noise. The smaller the room, the more noise created by all noise sources. Mobile vans can be extremely noisy, especially if there are no curtains or noise absorbing materials on the walls. Anti-fatigue mats and towels help to absorb some noise in a drying area. Using your hands or your tools while drying with forced air is likely to cause very high spikes in the noise level, as the powerful air is deflected. Likewise, waving the nozzle causes more noise than slowly moving the nozzle over an area.

Overall room noise can be lessened by the installation of sound absorbing materials on walls and/or ceilings. Even a few panels can reduce the noise level enough to make for a more comfortable work environment. Another thing to consider is to use sound abatement materials to create a place for barking dogs.

NOISE PROTECTION

Our noise measurements show clearly that there are unsafe noise levels in most grooming environments. Although the noise from the motors of high velocity dryers is not necessarily a problem, all of the dryers measured created hazardous noise levels from the air through the nozzles. Persons who use these dryers should always wear hearing protection. This can be in the form of noise abating headphones, or soft foam ear plugs. Working without protection is inviting hearing loss. Moreover, it is Federal law that hearing protection needs to be available in any work places where noises exceed the 85 decibel level established by OSHA. Employers should be providing some form of hearing protection in grooming shops, and insisting it being used.

What about using cotton balls? Glad you asked! Ordinary cotton balls stuffed into the ears reduce noise by only five to seven decibels, and cotton cannot block out high frequency sound, such as that produced by high velocity dryers. Also, stuffing cotton in the ears can force earwax against the eardrum.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no denying that there are hazardous levels of noise in most grooming environments. Working without protection is inviting hearing loss and stress related illness. Moreover, it is Federal law that hearing protection needs to be available in any work places where noises exceed the 85 decibel level established by OSHA. Employers should be providing some form of hearing protection in grooming shops, and insisting it being used. As Susy the Groomer put it, after using a decibel meter to measure the noise in her grooming trailer, “it's really noisy in our industry and we all should do everything we can not to end up 80yo and searching for cash to pay for our hearing aids.” Or, you could end up like me, with hearing loss AND with tinnitus, a constant ringing in the ears. It’s so bad that I can’t sleep without the TV on. The roaring inside my head is too loud.

Susy also had a shift in attitude about the dogs in her care after measuring her noise levels: “I learned a lot and now I am using much more hearing protection for the dogs. Wow, I totally understand why they don't like hv drying. I always assumed it was the air vs wet, cold skin thing, but I think that it is really the noise level. The Happy Hoodies help a lot but the noise level of using the k92 with one of the cone concentrators would make drying a bit like aversion therapy. I feel bad.” I feel bad, too. One of my own dogs has gone totally deaf. Yes, the one that has been going to work with me for eight years, and hangs out in the grooming room to be near me. I feel bad that I didn’t do this study a few years ago when there might have been time to save my Gracie from this fate. It’s time to take the noise we create seriously. Please don’t “get used to it.”

HELPFUL LINKS

Best shopping for ear plugs and hearing protection: The Earplug Super Store

http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/ Don't give up on ear plugs until you try several kinds. This place has great assortment packs so you can do just that. They also have ear muffs and other stuff. Earplug Super Store

Happy Hoodies:for small quanities - www.shop.bbird.biz ; for larger quantities - http://www.happyhoodie.com/

Technical info about workplace noise and Comparison info on ear plugs vs. ear muffs: Chart

Info and help with sound proofing: acoustical surfaces

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Please excuse me for the empty spaces that you had to scroll through in this article and the inconsistencies in type size. This was the best I could do for this article. I won't go into the aggravating technical difficulties I encountered. Thanks.

CREATING CUSTOMER LOYALTY

2009-08-11T16:00:00.000-07:00

Having owned Transformation Pet Center in Tucson for 32 years, I have many clients that have been bringing various dogs/cats for grooming for twenty years or longer. Lately I’ve been talking with them about what has factored into their loyalty. Here are ten things that my customers tell me have made a difference for them.

1.Relationship. Relationship. Relationship. You may think your strength is all about your grooming, but for many pet owners, the thing that brings them back is their sense of having a relationship with you or your staff. We could call this the “Cheers Factor” (where everyone knows your name). With many of my customers we have established a relationship where we are partnering in the pet’s care. For some, I have been involved in many decisions beyond the simple matter of grooming style, from choosing a breed for a new puppy to deciding when it’s time to let a dear old one go.

2. Trust in your care. People return to places where they feel their pets are well cared for, safe, and reasonably happy. How do you show that you care? I think this has more to do with what you do than what you say. There is one thing that I do with first-time customers that is so effective that I can visually see them relax. I step through the gate at the counter to their side and sit down in one of two chairs I have for the customers, and greet their dog and pet it while talking about the grooming plan. I ask them if I can offer the dog a treat. This simple action takes 2-5 minutes, and not only speaks volumes to the owner; it gives me a chance to assess the new dog and the condition. I can anticipate problems and even turn away dogs that I don’t think I can work with. Another important factor in my workplace, is that people can see all the way into the back. There is no closed off “back room”. Transparency builds trust. I have no qualms about showing people the facility, or even letting them watch me groom.

3. Grooming Skills. Styling ability is important, but only when it serves the client. Other places lose customers because they take the coats too short, I lose some because I don’t take it short enough. But when I nail it, and give them exactly what they want, and hear those words “She’s never looked this good, ever”, then I know I have them for the long haul. And, of course, I always give the client permission to discover that the look they love does not work for the level of home maintenance they are willing to do. I’ve worked for years in developing my knowledge and ability to groom to breed standards, and I market my service to those pet owners who want those skills. I have customers who have been to several other groomers before finding me, especially Bichon and terrier people or folks who don’t want a “puppy cut”. Once they get what they want, they stick like gum to your shoe. Trust me, it pays to be a Certified Master Groomer. It’s not so much the certificate that pays off, as it is all the work leading to certification.

4. Showing your love of animals and demonstrating patience. Another thing my customers tell me that reflects my caring is how I am with my own dogs that are at the workplace. The love shows through. Likewise, your patience and tolerance with your customers is a reflection of how you are with the pets. Let me say this again: people will make assumptions about how you treat animals from how they feel treated by you. If you are impatient and unsympathetic with them, they will worry about how you treat their pets. They might even make stuff up, “I think she was rough with my Bowser, “ said one customer of a previous groomer. “Why do you think that,” I asked. “Because she seemed angry at me when I asked her to comb out the ears.”

5. Reserving judgment, being non-judgmental. People are not inclined to return to a service where they feel judged or made to feel bad, wrong or insufficient. They don’t want to be lectured. An explanation becomes a “lecture” when there is a judgmental tone to it. If you stay focused on what “works” or “doesn’t work” for you, your service, or the pet, and not so much on what is right/wrong or good/bad, you can explain things without sounding judgmental.

6. Caring for the people as well as the pets. Helping clients get dogs in and out of the car, offering them a drink of water, holding the leash while they write the check, having a place for them to sit a minute. All of these things show you care for the welfare of the people as well as their animals. Pet grooming is a service, so help make your service valuable to them. Ask them if an out time works for them to pick up their dog, rather than simply assign a time. When you ask, “Does this work for you?”, it means you care whether or not it works.

7. It’s the little things. For you, it may be homemade bows and bandanas. For me, it’s putting chocolates out in a dish for the customers. It’s fine that we have dog treats in every pocket, but some of our folks are very impressed that we have Bliss chocolates on the front counter. Holiday decorations, a printed out pet joke, these are all things that suggest that you love your work. People return to where there is a positive exchange of energy.

8. The power of acknowledgment. Don’t get me started. I could write a whole column on the power of acknowledgment. Acknowledgment is one of the most effective tools we have in relationship building. How does it work? You simply give it up. You look your client in the eyes and you say, “I just want to acknowledge your commitment to maintaining a regular grooming schedule.” Or, “I wish to acknowledge how much I appreciate your business.” Or, “I want to acknowledge that I am honored that you place your trust in me to care for your pet.” Or, “I want to thank you for being such a great customer.” Or, “You take such good care of this dog!” The human condition is such that we all yearn for acknowledgment, we want to be good pet owners, good customers, good employees, and good bosses. The more acknowledgment you give away to those around you, the more loyal people become to you. People like to do business where they feel good about themselves. P.S. Acknowledgment works wonders with employees, bosses, co-workers, friends and family.

9.Having integrity and being honest. One customer said, “I like this place because you do what you say and you say what you do.” That means you establish a realistic grooming “agreement”, you do what you agreed, and if anything else happens you tell the client and explain. You don’t agree to do something you can’t. If an accident happens, you confess. If you can’t do what you agreed to do, you call the people and at least leave a voicemail that you are changing the plan. You don’t just say you are going to do one thing and then do something else. Being crystal clear with your communications is part of your integrity.

10. Managing odor. Odor is one of those things that can turn people off. Bad odors are unacceptable to many people. Studies have shown that people get de-sensitized to constant bad odors. While grooming staff can get accustomed to dirty dog smell, sour towels and such, the customer walking in the front door will notice. Odor management takes constant vigilance and good cleaning protocol. Aromatherapy can be very helpful in avoiding the stereotypical kennel odor that is often associated with grooming establishments. We get many compliments on how good it smells in our place.

I am sure there are many more points to be made on subject of creating customer loyalty. Please feel free to add to this list and share what has worked for you, whether you are a pet groomer or a pet owner. For every customer that we keep, it’s one less new client that we have to find. These loyal customers that have been with me for years are the backbone of my business; knowing that they are there are what helps me relax on the weekend, even if it’s been a slow week.

TIPS FOR GROOMING THE BEARDED COLLIE

2009-07-23T18:14:00.000-07:00

I have been grooming, "Redford", the Bearded Collie for about 12 years on a very regular schedule. There have been times when there was severe matting, and times when the feet were so dirty I could not totally remove the staining. This was while maintaining an every two week schedule. Here are some of the things I have learned while on this journey with my buddy, Redford.

A regular grooming schedule is essential. For the first four years, we maintained Redford in full coat to keep open the possibility of a show presentation. I would not have been successful if Redford's owner had not kept to a biweekly grooming schedule. I view our 12 years of success with this beautiful coat as a team effort. Not all beardies require professional grooming every two weeks. This was a decision based on this coat, with an active life, and a very busy owner. They all require a regular schedule, however, and failure to make a commitment to thorough grooming can lead to unmanageable matting and the slippery slop to total clip down.

Use tools to minimize coat damage. Pictured on the table with Redford are two of my favorite tools for grooming this type of coat: the Chris Christensen 16 mm "T" Brush and a wooden handled Poodle comb with long and widely spaced teeth. I rarely use a slicker, except to remove stickers or burrs from a specific place. There have been several times over the years when we've had a coat crisis, with a lot of matting. The last time it was really clear that this was related to tool choice, especially use of slicker brushes.

Line brushing. Brushing and combing the coat from the bottom up in layers is essential to a thorough job. Failure to do this can leave places that are not combed and possible matting for next time.

Keep a record of products used. I wish I had done this. I've used a lot of different products on Redford with few problems. Highly fragrant shampoo proved to be a mistake, and heavy conditioner extended drying time without much value to the coat. Most recently I have been alternating shampoos between Show Season "Bright" and Espree "Doggone Clean".

Conditioner is critical. Some form of conditioner is vital for the management of matting. I have never combed this coat out prior to bathing, but have always cleaned and conditioned the coat first, and brushed/combed after the coat was dry. Assaulting the hair without protecting it is going to contribute to a lot of coat damage. I prefer to use light conditioner with some silicone ingredients. The Best Shot system of products worked well on this coat. For the grooming pictured above, I used a leave in conditioner product from Sally's Beauty Supply that is a knock off of Infusium 23 treatment. I was extremely impressed with the result. The coat was very combable, dried quickly, had texture and body, and felt terrific. I used one ounce through the Bathing Beauty system, but you could spray it on the coat and rinse it through.

Sidebar: I am getting so fed up with the lack of information about ingredients in pet grooming products that I am revisiting some of the human products I've used in the past. Infusium 23 Leave-In Conditioning Treatment seems to have an affinity for dog hair. Simply put, it works well as either a detangler for grooming between baths or as a conditioner after the bath. The Sally's product is very similar at a much better price.

The Bathing Beauty recirculating bathing system. A huge part of my success in maintaining full coats, and my grooming in general is the Bathing Beauty pet washing system. It is a recirculating pump system that dilutes the products in the tub and rinses the solution through the coat for the most thorough application possible of shampoo or conditioner. The Bathing Beauty is thorough, kind to the hair, and allows me to bathe this beardie in about 15 minutes.

Passive drying with ambient air. I dry Redford 3/4 of the way with fans and the Sahara Dryer ducts around an exercise pen. The beardie hair is particularly well-suited for this method of drying, as the coat is light and moves with the gentle air. Passive drying not only cuts down on the table time, it is also more gentle on the hair. I finish drying with a k9II without the nozzle, so the forced air does not whip knots into the long coat.

Trimming with chunking shears allows me to shorten the hair over the eyes and trim the feet leaving a natural "ungroomed" look. Perfectly scissored bangs are a little out of place on this shaggy breed, but the owner likes to see Redford's eyes.

SALES PITCH: The Chris Christensen T Brush, Wooden Handled Poodle Comb, Bathing Beauty Hydro Pet Washing System and the Proline Chunkers can be purchased through my shopping cart. Click HERE to go there. Shop with a groomer, it's good karma. And it your purchases help to support the GroomBlog. Thanks!

SCWT PET TRIM - THE 'BENJI' LOOK

2009-06-07T13:03:00.000-07:00

Not all owners of Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers like the breed standard profile. Take "Darcy's" owners, for example. They love their shaggy pooch, and don't want the terrier trim nor the face fall that goes with the breed. They are willing to go with monthly grooming to maintain a slightly longer, informal look. At Transformation Pet Center, Tucson, Arizona, we call this the "Benji" trim, as we started doing this face trim many years ago when the movie of that name came out.

Miss Darcy

Here's a better view of the whole dog:

This style is obtained by using a combination of snap-on combs and scissoring. The exact size of the comb attachment depends on how much I want to take off. Some times I use the clipper vac and a Wahl "A" comb, and take her down all over. On this day, I mostly scissored using chunking shears. This style of texturizing shear works great on SCWT coat. It leaves a natural, feathered edge that does not show cut marks.

Here's what the chunkers look like:

Darcy was first bathed with Espree Doggone Clean shampoo and rinsed with Show Sheen horse grooming spray diluted through the Bathing Beauty recirculating bathing system. She was dried with the Laube Magnum Force dryer. I create a little more force by using a cone attachment from a K9II dryer over the round nozzle that comes with the dryer. The bath took about 5 minutes, the drying about 20. Comb out was another 15-20 minutes. She was somewhat matted, but it brushed right out, thanks to the detangler that was rinsed through the coat and dried. Scissoring and shortening took about 20 minutes. Total time was a little over an hour. That was good time.

Here are some of the tools I used for brushing and combing:
Chris Christensen 16mm T-Brush

This brush is used for line brushing or layering, from the feet up the leg and the underside, up the sides. It brushes out minor tangling without brutalizing the hair cuticle and breaking hair, which just increases matting. You would be amazed how well this brush combs out the SCWT coat when the hair is "treated" with the silcione-based detangler.

Mars Flexy King Brush

Wooden Handle Poodle Comb

This comb is one of my favorite tools of all time. I can groom just about anything with this comb, and it is less painful to the dog than more finely spaced combs.

All of these tools are available from the Birdie shopping cart. Click HERE to go there.

Barbara Bird, is a Certified Master Groomer (CMG) with International Professional Groomers, Inc. (IPG). She has been grooming since 1971. She's too old to do the math, but is still doing great grooming at Transformation Pet Center, Tucson, AZ.
For an appointment, call 520-795-5743

PS. Caveat: I am aware that one ear is shorter than the other. I thought I had corrected that, but whoops guess not enough. I will get it next time. You do not need to bring it to my attention. If I waited for my grooming to be perfect, and to get a perfect photo, I would not have a blog. As Lisa Leady said on Groomer Has It (Episode that aired 6/6/09), "I'm not perfect". If she can admit it and still stand tall, so can I. Lisa Leady is one of my role models, and is one of the most awesome groomers in the Whole World. Go Lisa!

BICHON FRISE SHORT PET TRIM

2009-05-12T07:48:00.000-07:00

At Transformation Pet Center in Tucson, AZ, one of our specialties is the Bichon Frise. Although we love doing the full, scissored show style, many pet owners cannot maintain their dogs with this much coat. Here is an alternative short style we developed for our clients.

In this view, you can see that I left a "ledge" over the eyes. This is a very important characteristic of the breed profile. On subsequent visits, however, the owners requested that I shorten even this. You also see there is no extra hair left on the neck. The neck "crest" that is usually present on a show profile gives the arched neck and "attitude" to the Bichon. It was difficult for my artistic self to let go of the neck crest, but it was easy for my customer pleasing self. The owners don't miss it at all!

Operational details: This style was accomplished using the Laube iVac clipper with a Wahl metal snap-on comb. The peach-colored one. The front was clipped straight down and under the chest and the whole underside. The body was clipped from the back of the head, down the sides, and the rear legs were done in a Schnauzer pattern, leaving more in front of the back legs, which was then scissored. The front of the front legs is taken short, and a little more left on the backs of the forelegs and scissored. The feet are scissored round and the tuck-up, or where the back leg meets the side, is scissored in by hand.

The head was done by first clipping the ears the same length as the body. Notice that I left enough hair at the base of the ears to blend into the top of the head, not cutting across the top of the ears Poodle-style. The face was scissored round in the Bichon style, but in front of the ears, instead of into the ears. Many pet groomers do all their Bichons this way, which makes me scream, but in this case, I did it myself. There is an exception to every rule! The decision of whether to blend the ears into the head or leave them out should depend somewhat on the ear set of the individual dog. If the Bichon has a high ear set, or ears that want to stick out (what I call "naughty ears"), leave them out. Otherwise you might want to blend the ears into the head more like the traditional Bichon head. This next dog, owned by the same people, turned out more blended.

By using a vacuum clipper system (iVac) and a snap-on guide comb, and clipping the body into a Schnauzer type pattern, we have created a practical short trim for the Bichon Frise that has a little more "style" than clipping the dog the same length all over. By making the ears very short, we have managed to maintain the classic Bichon expression to the face, without becoming "Poodley". Hope you like it.

Barbara Bird is a Certified Master Groomer and owner of Transformation Pet Center in Tucson, Arizona. Appointments can be made by calling 520-795-5743.

PET SCHNAUZER GROOMING IN TUCSON

2009-05-10T19:33:00.000-07:00

The Miniature Schnauzer is one of the most popular of the small breeds. Grooming styles can differ widely amongst pet groomers. Here are a few pictures to illustrate how we groom at Transformation Pet Center, Tucson, Arizona.

"Marcus"

We base our grooming of all breeds on the AKC (American Kennel Club) breed standards and the current show profile. We believe that how breeders are presenting their breed in the show ring demonstrates how they are envisioning the breed characteristics. We use these breed profiles as our fundamental reference for our pet grooming.

Marcus is a very nice boy who cleans up well. This is a tidy groom that is fairly easy to maintain. His body was clippered with a #7 blade on the Laube Speed Feed trimmer. The legs, chest and undercarriage were sculpted with the #6 snap-on comb that comes with the Speed Feed trimmer, and outlined with scissors. The sides of the face and ears were clipped with a #10 on the Speed Feed, and the top of the head with the #7.

Marcus Front View

Here's Doc!

White Schnauzer

This pup came for his first groom at 8 months. His coat was thin and matted. We chose this "informal" look that suited him well. His body was clipped with a #5 blade.

"Sophie"

Like the dog above, this white Schnauzer has a thin body coat, and mats very easily. We used a Laube Speed Feed trimmer with the #7 blade for the body. The numerous small mats were brushed out with a Mars Flexy King brush (see below). While stunning, the white Schnauzer fur seems to mat in a NY second.

"Coco"

This chocolate Schnauzer was bred for color and diminutive size. The trimmer placed next to her helps to show how tiny she is. This is Coco at 6-7 months. She is not expected to get much larger. Coco's owner has asked us to groom her eyebrows so as to reveal the cream color inside the brows. She also likes more of a "puppy" look to the face, whiskers and furnishings.

"Sport" gets a hand strip.

Although we hand strip several other breeds, Sport is our only hand stripped Schnauzer. Hand stripping is the traditional means of grooming most of the rough coated terrier breeds. Of these, the Schnauzer coat is the most difficult, in my opinion. We do our best with Sport, and fortunately his owners love this look. His head is custom groomed, NOT to the breed standard.

Check out Sport's ears!

There are two reasons we do not clip Sport's ears clean and perfect as we usually like. The aesthetic reason is that we want to soften the look of his ears. Okay, bluntly put, we don't want him to look like a donkey. Sport has a LOT of ears! The safety reason is that Sport is not a good sport about having his ears clipped. He jerks around and endangers himself. There is a time and place for compromise, and when a dog is totally distressed about something like having his ears shaved, we compromise. For Sport, the result works. Always, our work is individualized to suit each animal and can be modified to the client's request.

For Schnauzer mats and tangles we recommend the Mars Flexy King brush.

The Flexy King is uniquely constructed of longer pins on a smaller, flexible pad. It is very well-suited for picking apart mats in the Miniature Schnauzer coat. Lightly spritz with a detangling spray, such as EZ Glide by E-Z groom, and gently work apart the tangles in small sections. Pick, don't press with the brush, and finish with a comb. The Flexy King

can be purchased from the author's shopping cart. Click HERE to go there.

UPDATE MAY 1, 2011

Here is a picture of what we call a "Japanese" style head on a Min. Schnauzer. The owner has never liked the traditional terrier head style and always asked not to have the ears scissored, and not to clip the face. I agonized over how to make this request work until I admired some Japanese styling. Japanese styling goes for round shapes and "cute" looks. It inspired me to try to attempt this on my Schnauzer client. Here's Bailey. We also call this "grooming outside of the box!"

PS. Base price for Schnauzer grooming at Transformation Pet Center is $45.00.

Transformation Pet Center is located in mid-town Tucson, Arizona. Grooming is by Certified Master Groomer, Barbara Bird with assistance from Anita Mcdonaugh. We can be reached by phone at 520-795-5743 or email: petpals@dakotacom.net.

HAPPY HAIR HERBAL OIL SPA TREATMENT FOR PETS

2009-02-19T04:23:00.000-08:00

The Scented Groomer is pleased to announce an addition to our line of aromatherapy products for pets and their people.

HAPPY HAIR HERBAL OIL has been formulated as a simple and natural nourishing and replenishing treatment for hair that can be used as a spa treatment. Not only is it great for hair and skin, it has calming and balancing aromatherapy benefits.

HAPPY HAIR HERBAL OIL can be used on dry or damp hair. For maximum treatment, warm oil by placing the bottle in hot water, apply moderately to dry hair and wrap in a towel. (We use the adorable doggie robes from Pet Edge.) Hot or not, a good result is obtained by simply rubbing oil on palms of hands and running through the hair. Do not overuse, and use sparingly on fine soft hair. Leaving on longer will achieve a greater effect. It can also be used after shampoo on toweled hair before conditioning, or as a substitute for conditioner.

OUR INGREDIENTS:

HAPPY HAIR HERBAL OIL is handcrafted in small batches by The Scented Groomer, the aromatherapy persona of BBird. We begin with organic Extra Virgin OLIVE OIL from Spain, the same oil as preferred by top chefs. Olive oil has been used for centuries to improve and enhance skin and hair. In addition to infusing moisture directly into the hair cuticle, Olive oil will improve the strength and elasticity of hair. Organic Lavender flowers and Lemongrass are infused into the oil for their balancing and nourishing properties. For additional value to the hair and skin, and for aromatherapy benefit, we add essential oils of Palmarosa and Ylang Ylang. Ylang Ylang (Canaga odorata) was the key ingredient to a very popular hair treatment of the Victorian age called Macassar Oil. This natural conditioner is reputed to also stimulate hair growth. Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii) has great moisturizing properties for hair and has a tradition in skin care products for its ability to promote cellular regeneration. Both Palmarosa and Ylang Ylang are used to balance sebum production. The aromatherapeutic benefits are calming, balancing, anti-depressant. The product is preserved with Vitamin E oil (as Tocopherol Acetate). That's all! We kept it simple, natural, and organic.

BONUS BENEFIT: Treat your hands to a sugar scrub! This simple treatment will have your hands as happy as your hair. Place about 1 tablespoon sugar (one packet) in the palm of your hand and cover with Happy Hair Herbal Oil. Mix together in your palms and rub all over your hands. Pay special attention to your cuticles and any calloused areas. Take your time, then rinse with warm water and pat dry. The oiliness will disappear in a minute, leaving your hands nourished and soft. Happy hands! Used before bathing dogs, groomers will find a quick sugar scrub will protect your skin from the onslaught of cleansing surfactants. Used after work or before bed, the herbal oil will moisturize and replenish your hands. We use it in the shower on the throat and neck area, elbows, and any rough spots.

AVAILABILITY: Happy Hair Herbal Oil Treatment is available only through Show Season Animal Products and BBird.biz. Look in the aromatherapy "aisle".

ETERNAL GRATITUDE: Many thanks to our email group, Groompics-tnt@yahoogroups.com, for indulging me and embellishing my spa day pictures as I developed the marketing image for this product. Several of our members talented in Photoshop "played" with my pictures. The selected picture was improved by Jenifer Watt of Watt-A-Dog Grooming Salon. In addition to being a master with Photoshop, Jenifer is the UK distributor for Show Seasons Animal Products. Contact her for information regarding availability of Happy Hair in the UK. Click here to go there.

Terrier Transformation in Tucson

2008-11-03T19:20:00.000-08:00

At Transformation Pet Center in Tucson, AZ, we love doing pet makeover grooming that lives up to our name. Here is the story of Belle, a Wire Haired Terrier.

Belle's family had recently moved to Tucson, and she had not been groomed since before the move. She was overgrown, dirty, and whew, did she ever smell bad! Did I say matted? That, too.

Here's a side shot that really shows the extent of the matting on the legs.

The owner admitted to a little home grooming on the head. Love these ears!

I was nearly salivating with the anticipation of "fixing" this dog's hair style and cleaning her up. Okay, I need a life, I admit it. Meanwhile, some lucky pet owners get to benefit from my pouring all my talent into grooming their "babies." These people found me by searching the Internet. I loved that part.

The first thing I did was to rake out the fuzzy body coat with a deshedding blade. Technically, this is called "carding the jacket". The purpose is to promote new growth of hard hair with good color. Carding is a technique used in hand stripping of terriers that I have incorporated into my pet grooming. It helps to maintain a healthier coat.

A key to carding is to gently stretch the skin as you are raking with the grain of coat growth. It looks like this:

This is how much hair I removed in this step:

Next came the bath. Make that two baths. The first bath of EZ Structure shampoo did not get rid of all of the odor. i determined that the coat was rather oily and was holding on to the odor. This dog smelled so bad I questioned my own cleanliness. For a second bath, I chose EZ Groom dEZolve, a degreaser that did the trick. Then I Used Show Season Results Rinse as a finishing rinse. Here she is after bath, dry and brushing out.

You can see traces of the previous grooming. The groomer placed the pattern too high on the shoulder and left something of a "skirt". We don't really want that.

Here is Belle with a new pattern, using a #5 blade:

After scissoring, she looked like this:

A happy Belle says, "My owners are delighted to have me looking like a Wire Fox Terrier again, thanks to Transformation Pet Center. I'm glad we moved to Tucson, so we could find Barbara and Dave."

Thanks for the endorsement, Belle, they can call us at 520-795-5743! You can also click HERE to go directly to the Transformation website and learn more about our grooming service.

ADDENDUM: Critique of previous grooming. It turns out that Belle's former groomer is a friend on one of our groomers' email groups. She would like a little more information about the previous grooming and what needed correcting. It is extremely difficult to critique a grooming that has grown out about eight weeks. From what I could tell, it was not a bad grooming. It looked to me as though the groomer had based her clipper work on one of our grooming books that has lines drawn to show the clipper line. I say that because weeks later I see what appears to be a line across the lower part of the body and shoulder. To my eye, this line is a bit too far up. If you look at the Wire Fox in the show ring, or any of the long legged terriers, there is no fringe underneath the dog, and certainly none on the sides. The lines in the grooming books, however, often appear to suggest that the clipping stops at a line along the side of the dog from the shoulder to the flank. Groomers often refer to the hair underneath that line as t!he "skirt". NEWSFLASH: There is NO SKIRT on the long legged terriers. There is just a little bit of length left underneath the body to accentuate the slope that naturally exists from the flank to the lower chest, but this does not extend up the sides. The clipper work on the shoulder extends just about to the elbow so as to show the shoulder muscle. I think of the terrier as wearing a T-shirt, they are "tough guys", working class dudes, with muscles showing.

It was even more difficult to critique the former grooming of the head, as the owner had done some "emergency" home grooming. But from what I could see, it looked as though the groomer had not taken the hair at the outside corner of the eyes flush to the head. My guess was that it had been left a little long there. Again, this applies to all terrier heads. The WFT head is particularly sharp and narrow, and when we leave it too full on the top at the eyes, the entire head becomes a bit bushy, instead of being a tight "brick" shape. (looking at it straight on).

Because of the interest in this article (and the actual expression of a groomer's desire to learn), I will get some additional pictures of detailing of the Wire Fox Terrier groom in the near future.

Hand Stripping the Pet Border Terrier

2008-09-29T10:47:00.000-07:00

The Border Terrier is a small spunky terrier that is a great family pet and a good breed for hand stripping in the pet grooming salon. The body and legs are stripped short, without any noticeable pattern, and the distinct breed characteristic, the "otter" head, is easily obtained by taking everything off except short whiskers. Most Border Terriers have coats that are easily plucked, and most of them tolerate hand stripping with a minimum amount of fussing.

Here is Zoe, a five month old Border Terrier from Yuma, Arizona. Her owners drove three hours to Tucson for her first hand stripping. I was impressed with their commitment. This is the picture that Zoe's owner sent me from their home to allow me to glimpse the coat status:

Yes, she's ready for some work, alright! When they showed up for the appointment, we did a little pre-groom assessment. To do this, I put on a latex glove and pinch some hair from a few places. This tells me how easily (or not) the hair will come out, and gives me an idea of how the dog is going to tolerate the hand stripping. The pre-groom assessment of Zoe indicated that the coat was not going to be super difficult to strip, but neither was it fully "blown" or at the point of nearly fallling out. I also got a clue that Zoe was going to be a little wiggly on the table. I was right on both counts.

I established three major priorities for the grooming session

Work the head to the proper appearance.
Get as much of an overall groom as possible in one session.
Maintain sensitivity to the puppy's tolerance for hand stripping.

While hand stripping does not hurt, it is not without sensation either, and my intention is to never make grooming a distasteful experience for a dog, especially a puppy, and especially a pet that does not have to go into the show ring. Our goal is to approximate the show groom, within the limits of the dog's coat and structure and their tolerance of grooming procedures.

In this particular case, we did rather well. (If I may say so myself). There were a couple of places where I cheated with the hand stripping: I clipped her tummy. She was very uncooperative about her tail, and I stripped some and scissored some with blenders. I also used the blenders under her tail. I tidied up the feet with scissors. I wanted to use the clippers to get the ears a little more clean, but she would have nothing to do with the clippers around her face, so I abandoned the idea.

Table time was about 2.5 hours. This included a bath. Bathing hand stripped dogs is another whole subject. I dislike doing it, because it can ruin the results of all the hand work you just did, but pet owners expect bathing as a part of a groom. So we grin and bear it. My gripe is not so much that the shampooing always softens the coat, but that the drying lifts the coat so that it is no longer tight. It is a battle to get the coat to lay right. The "proper" way to dry a harsh terrier coat is sacking, or wrapping snugly in toweling. This presses the hair to the body at the same time it absorbs moisture. For Zoe, I used a combination of high velocity drying with a flat attachment, combing the coat flat, and wrapping with a towel and hugging her to press the coat.

For a few of my hand strips, the owners do the bathing, 7-10 days before the hand stripping. This works for me, but it does not work for many pet owners. They want a clean and fresh dog when they hand over the big price of hand stripping. Zoe's groom was $100.00. They generously tipped $20.00.

Here is Zoe at home after her grooming.

Here are the before/after pics on my grooming table:

It's not a perfect groom. I see things.... I should have pulled more from the chest, where it meets the legs, or trimmed it there. Grooming pictures are almost always humbling, but they help me see what I need to do next time.

OMG, isn't she just the cutest thing? This picture will make you want one!

At Transformation Pet Center, Tucson, Arizona, hand stripping is one of the special services provided by owner/groomer, Barbara Bird, a Certified Master Groomer. For appointments call 520-795-5743. More information about our services may be found here: http://www.transformationpetcenter,com/

2011 Update: Handstripping of pet terriers continues to be a growing part of our service.

"Maggie", pictured here, is a pet Border terrier that gets hand stripped in order to preserve the texture and color of her coat. Her coat was cleaned and freshened with Chris Christensen Dry Breeze, a waterless cleaner, in order to preserve the firmness of the jacket. When groomers shampoo hand stripped coats, they become soft and fluffy. Hair that you elected not to remove on that day will often stand up and wave at you after a wet bath. Arghhh! Chris Christensen Dry Breeze avoided that problem with Maggie's grooming. This coat looked and felt great when done, and she smelled fresh and clean!

Maggie lives in Tucson and is able to come for grooming every eight weeks. This was her second visit. Regular visits help us to maintain a coat without having to take it down "to the underwear" and make the dog look naked.

March 15, 2011. Meet "Eddie", our most recent Border Terrier subject. Eddie is a recently retired show dog, an established Champion. According to his proud new owner, Eddie was ranked as the #8 Border Terrier in the country upon his retirement. He's #1 with us! Not only is he one handsome fella, Eddie was patient and tolerant throughout the grooming, a groomer's delight. He is enjoying his retirement and loves sleeping on the bed with his new owner. He is relishing the Good Life of a beloved pet. And we are happy that he found the way to Transformation Pet Center for grooming! Our efforts at working on achieving the correct "look" for this breed have paid off. The owners commented that Eddie looked as good or better after our grooming than he did when they first got him right from the show ring. Yes, paying attention to specific breed details pays off!!

Chris Christensen "Best Pet Brush"

2008-08-17T16:40:00.000-07:00

The Chris Christensen 16 mm T-Brush, a pet brush for all reasons. Most importantly, this brush will separate hair and remove loose undercoat with a minimum of coat damage. Coat damage occurs when hairs are broken or hair cuticles are ravaged by grooming, play, and weather. Just about everything causes hair damage, and accumulates into generalized coat damage. It cannot be avoided, only minimized.

The tools, products, and procedures we use to maintain our pets' coats, as well as our dog's lifestyle all effect the amount of hair damage that accumulates. Today we are looking specifically at brushes.

The most valuable feature of the Chris Christensen brushes is that they are all made with tapered and polished pins. Many pin brushes, especially the cheaper ones, are made by simply chopping off the pins and pushing them through the pad. The bottoms are then hammered flat. This leaves the tips of the pins rough and abrasive to the hair cuticle. When the hair cuticle is chipped and torn, it is more likely to snag with its neighboring hairs and create tangles and mats. As we tug and break apart mats, we create broken hairs with split ends that magnify the problem. Roughly broken hairs deep withing a coat will wreak havoc.

Hair damage is almost impossible to see with the naked eye. Here is a picture of broken hair, highly magnified. Yuk! It's easy to understand how hairs in this state would snag and tangle.

The tapered and polished tips of the Chris Christensen pin brushes are unlikely to cause this kind of breakage. They will not chip and tear at the hair cuticle. My personal favorite is the 16mm T-brush. The 16 mm pins remain fairly stiff so the tines will actually penetrate coat, not just skim over the top. It acts somewhat like a combination of brushing and combing. The brush comes in two sizes, the original larger size (it was intended for larger breeds with plush coats), and the new mini size. Chris Christensen manufactured this smaller design on our recommendation. We found that the 16mm T-brush was a perfect tool for Bichon Frise coat maintainence, but was a little large for some users. So here it is!

The mini T-brush, on the left above, is 4.25" wide compared to 5.25" of the original. The length is also shorter by an inch, 6" compared to 7". This translates into about 3/4 of an ounce less weight, always appreciated by the older groomer. (smile, if you have arthritis in your hands). The smaller size is easier to manueuver around smaller dogs, such as Maltese, Bichon Frise, Yorkies, and small Poodles.

PIN BRUSHES VS. SLICKER BRUSHES
I know you are burning to ask which is better, pin brushes or slickers? Dog show people use more pin brushes, professional groomers love slickers. In terms of preventing coat damage, pin brushes with polished pins are less likely to chip and tear the hair cuticle. The tiny tines of slicker brushes are more likely to cause wear and tear to the hair cuticle. Damage from either type of tool can be minimized, however, by adequate conditioning of the hair before assault by tools. Well-made slickers are less aggressive than cheap alternatives. If the brush scratches your skin, it will be brutal to fine hair.

It is hard for groomers to give up slickers. We get the results we want quickly. Slickers remove loose hair easily, and stretch hair for a beautiful fluff dry finish. Good news, groomers: It's not necessary to toss your slickers, just use them judiciously, not automatically. Try to incorporate more hair friendly tools to the largest possible extent. Personally, I have found that the more I use my CC 16mm T-brushes, the more I love them. I especially appreciate the less matting and tangling in the Bichon coats. When I do use slickers, I use really good brushes, such as Chris Christensen, Les Pooch.

Here is a summary of my reasons for choosing Chris Christensen brushes:

Tapered and polished tines are least likely to damage hair cuticle.
T-Brush design is easy on user wrists.
German workmanship and design manufactures tools that last.
Quality materials are durable and nice to use. (Great wood!)
16 mm brushes act as comb and brush, penetrating thick plush coats, including Bichon Frise, but also great on Bearded Collie.
Dogs like the less tugging and resistance of the brushes.
Dog friendly, user friendly, hair friendly - what more can you ask of a brush?

Chris Christensen 16mm T Brushes in both sizes may be purchased from yours truly. Click HERE to Shop With a Groomer. They can also be purchased at Cherrybrook.com

HONG KONG GROOMING CONTEST WINNERS

2008-07-31T20:54:00.000-07:00

Here are pictures of the first grooming contest produced by the Hong Kong Professional Groomers Association and sponsored by Show Season Animal Products. This ground breaking event, on July 30, 2008, was perhaps the first professional grooming contest judged by webcam from a distant location.

Eleven contestants were judged for awards of Most Professional, Best Technical Skills, Best Profile, Most Difficult and Best Groomer.

Sweeping the contest, and winning three of the five awards, was Ngai Shuet Mei, and her dog, "Kuma", groomed in an exotic theme heart theme, which utilized sculpting, braiding and accessorizing, as well as excellent grooming technique. Mei took home the MOST DIFFICULT, MOST PROFESSIONAL and BEST GROOMER awards. Here is Kuma.

Here is Mei with her trophies and Vicardo Lau, Contest Producer and Director of the Hong Kong School of Grooming. Mei is a graduate of the school and also has six years of experience as a hair dresser. She came to win and could not be denied!

BEST PROFILE AWARD went to a Poodle in an outstanding teddy bear trim. This is a favorite style in Hong Kong, and six of our eleven dogs were groomed in the "bear bear" trim, as it is called in Chinese. This one called to me!

This groom had it all: great style, extraordinary scissoring, fine balance, and great profile. This was an exceptional groom by Wong Hui Wai on a dog called "Sue B." Congratulations!

Here is a close up of the head: (I lightened the pic to show the face)

This picture of Wai accepting her trophy shows the true chocolate color of the dog.

BEST TECHNICAL AWARD went to Maggie Ng and the dog "Siu Siu".

The excellent scissorwork, clipping skills and setting of the stylish pattern all added up to a big winner on this day. Congratulations on this terrific grooming accomplishment!

Here she is accepting her trophy from Dizzie, Vicardo Lau's teaching partner at the Hong Kong Grooming School.

Dizzie was also my onsite Adjudicator Consultant for the contest. She went examined each dog before the grooming began and assigned points for the preparation of ears, feet, and coat. These scores were transmitted to me through a simple system of flashing one to five fingers for the webcam. Thanks, Dizzie!

I also wish to acknowledge my friend Ellen Meyer of The Grateful Dog in Trinidad, Colorado for being an informal consultant to me for the judging of this contest. Ellen is a competition groomer of accomplishment. By a twist of fate, I was at Ellen's home the day before the event, to adopt a new Bichon that needed a new home, and I stayed there for the contest. Her input and assistance was most valuable.

Thanks also, to SHOW SEASON ANIMAL PRODUCTS for sponsoring this show. Without them, it would not have happened. Buy their shampoo and support global grooming!
Click here to go there. You'll find my aromatherapy products there, too. Hey! They use my aromatherapy (Scented Groomer) in HONG KONG!

Judging this contest by webcam was truly a thrill of a lifetime. I enjoyed every minute of the week of preparation and technical rehearsal. Watching groomers in Hong Kong by webcam across the globe was unbelievably exciting. What a fantastic experience!

ADVENTURES IN GROOMING - HONG KONG STYLE

2008-07-23T19:36:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had life get so good, you thought it must be somebody else's life, not yours! Is this really MY FABULOUS LIFE? Pinch me, will you, if this is not true. On July 29, 2008 I am going to judge a grooming contest by Internet webcam that will be taking place in Hong Kong.

I have not said anything about this before now, as I was halfway expecting the dream to evaporate or something to happen to cancel the event. It is happening, and we are having our technical rehearsals. I am overwhelmed with magnitude of this historical moment in pet grooming history. Not only is it the first publicly advertised grooming competition in Hong Kong, put on by the Hong Kong Professional Groomers Association and sponsored by Show Seasons Animal Products, it is also the first grooming competition being judged by webcam in another country. I know the term "awesome" is overworked, but friends, THIS IS AWESOME!

Yesterday, I watched a Westie not standing still on a grooming table in HONG KONG. Regardless of what side of the globe we are on, dog hair is dog hair, and Westies don't stand still. It was simply amazing to be sitting at my desk in Tucson, Arizona, USA and find myself chatting in real time with a colleague in Hong Kong.

Grooming styles in Hong Kong are rather different from what we see in grooming competitions in the U.S. Here is a picture of a Hong Kong Poodle style:

Judging this contest is going to be so challenging to my ideas of "proper" styles and profiles. It promises to be an adventure I will never forget. I am so honored and so delighted by this fabulous opportunity. And to think, it's happening in MY fabulous life!

7/26/08 Here is another Hong Kong poodle in a similar style:

And here is a Maltese, Hong Kong style, of course:

Here is a preview of the trophies we will be awarding next week. I would not mind one of these!

WAIT A MINUTE! A picture from Hong Kong that says, "BBird, This is for YOU!"

WOW! How cool is that!

EQYSS INTEGRITY SLIP

2008-05-25T13:31:00.000-07:00

This week I had a very interesting, but brief, dance with Marvin from Eqyss Company, California. I had emailed them about my discovery that they are now listing Cocamide DEA as an ingredient on the bottles of both the Eqyss Premier and the Microtek shampoos. Although there are some additional ingredient list changes, for me this change was an area of concern, since DEA related ingredients are amongst the most controversial, as DEA compounds are still under study for the possible release of cancer causing nitrosamines in personal care products. Although a clear connection to cancer in humans has not been established, and the FDA and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) have given DEA compounds a pass as safe for now, there is still a cloud over these ingredients based on some earlier animal studies. These are ingredients that some individuals may prefer to not use, and Eqyss has made a selling point out of NOT using DEA for years. Websites all over the globe are touting these products as "DEA-Free", including the main company website, www.eqyss.com. Being curious about this, I emailed them.

The Marvin Man called me personally because he thought it would be easier to talk about than write (according to his first voicemail message when he missed me.) Well, I hate to think about his writing ability if it is worse than his ability to talk about ingredients. When it comes to the "ingredient dance", this man can't dance. It was not fun, it was awkward and cumbersome, and I was actually embarrassed for him. He had to stumble around while he tried to read his printed "talking points" sheet and make sense out of the notes someone had provided him.

One part of the conversation went like this. Remember that I can pronounce these chemical names fairly well:

Him: Nitrosamines are present everywhere. Nitrosamines are in our saliva.
Me: Yes, but does our saliva contain Diethanolamine?
Him: Waaa?
Me: You know, dy-eth-an-all-AM-een?
Him: Oh, we wouldn't use any of that!
Me: Sir, diethanolamine IS DEA.
Him: Oh...let me look at my sheet...(awkward pause). Well, it says here that you couldn't put enough of that stuff in our shampoo to be toxic. It would take too much. Besides, Cocamide DEA makes for a better product.
Me: But your website and your marketing has made a selling point out of your products having NO DEA.
Him: Well, the website hasn't been changed yet. It's going to be changed. No one else has complained, you are the only one.
Me: (to myself) That, sir, could change.

My issue with this company is not that they are using Cocamide DEA, although this ingredient is something I prefer to stay away from. It is likely not as dangerous as all the broo-ha-ha has made it out to be. The issue is that they have gained market confidence in the fact that they are NOT using this controversial ingredient and are doing nothing to correct that picture. They have just sneaked behind our backs and started using it again. Sorry Eqyss, you can't have it both ways. You can NOT claim NO DEA and then use it. We need an explanation. Mr. Marvin said that they originally used it, stopped using it for awhile ( yea, while they established a market share) and now they have returned to using it. He claims that DEA makes for a better product. I don't know about "better", but I do know that Cocamide DEA can be mixed in a cold processed solution, while Cocamide MEA comes in waxy flakes that must be heated. So MEA is more difficult to work with during manufacture.

I have supported this company and their products for several years. They are one of the few manufacturers of pet grooming products that discloses ingredients on their labels. Their reason for this is not exactly brimming with integrity. Because they are cross-marketing for human use, they are REQUIRED BY LAW to list ingredients. Frankly this duality gripes my grits. This is a great example of why we need ingredient lists on pet grooming labels and why we need to read them. To voice your concern over this loss of integrity for Eqyss Company, write to: info@eqyss.com

REFERENCES:
Cocamide DEA and other DEA compounds are the source of considerable fear mongering on the Internet. For two articles from sources that I trust as being objective and science-based, go to Dr. Andrew Weils excellent summary here, or The Beauty Brains here.

FINDING A PET GROOMER

2008-04-27T17:18:00.000-07:00

Finding a new groomer for your pet can be a daunting task. A great groomer is a combination of a reliable baby sitter and a fabulous hair stylist. And then...their schedule has to work with yours.

Groomers work in various settings, independent private salons, veterinarian clinics, corporate grooming/retail stores, mobile vans, and home grooming - yours or theirs. You can find excellent groomers in any of these situations. Unfortunately, you can also find a wide range of skill level in any of these settings as well.

Styling Skills - How can you tell if the groomer has any styling ability? Good question. There is no hard and fast means test. There are at least two sides to the matter of styling skills. On the one hand there are basic things like being good at scissoring and clipping hair, and having something of an artistic eye. Another whole level is being able to achieve reasonable representations of each breed "style." If you are a pet owner who will be satisfied with a short, cute trim, then the latter doesn't matter. But if you want your Bichon to look like a Bichon or your Scottie to look like a Scottie should, then you need to seek out a groomer who has worked on her/his "breed specific trims." These are often groomers who are nationally certified, or who have competed in or attended grooming competitions, or have worked for professional handlers. Groomers who attend dog shows are also more likely to have a visualization of each breed as it is presented at show.

Groomers may mumble and grumble about how we are working on pet grooming not show grooming, but the truth is that show grooming is the way in which the breeders of each breed are presenting their breed. This is the "look" for that breed. Pet owners may not want to maintain a full show coat, and they may not want all of the elements of the show trim, but that trim contains the styling elements that make the breed distinct. The groomer who refuses to make reference to show grooming is most likely to be grooming from a very different visualization, one more generic and casual.

The only way you can tell is to see or to ask. Does the groomer have pictures of their work? a website is great for that. What references do they have for your breed? Many groomers work with reference books such as the AKC Complete Dog, Notes From the Grooming Table, The Enclyclopedia of Dogs, or have portfolios they have collected of great grooms. Are they nationally certified? There are three national organizations that have peer certification testing for groomers. National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA), International Society of Canine Cosmetologists (ISCC) and International Professional Groomers, Inc (IPG). Each of these organizations offer a series of challenging practical and written tests that are judged by an accredited professional. Groomers who have undertaken a national certification have had their grooming critiqued and evaluated on four dogs - long & short-legged terriers, non-sporting (Poodle or Bichon) and a Sporting Breed. They have established their ability to interpret breed standards to pet grooming. Has the groomer participated in grooming competitions? Competitions include rigorous critique.

Baby Sitting Skills - Let's turn now to the other aspects of a good groomer, patience, pack leadership, and kind-heartedness, ability to put an animal's welfare above grooming expectations, to kindly educate owners, to detect health problems, and to protect the safety of the animals in their care. Whew, that's a mouthful! A great groomer is truly worth her weight in gold. (That would make me very wealthy!) We don't get paid in gold, but we do get paid with loyalty.

How can you tell if a groomer has good baby sitting skills? A good pack leader displays calm assertiveness and measured affection. Over-the-top kissy face behavior does not purchase respect of a leader. Yes, I kiss puppies, but not excessively. I also ask them to stand still on the table...for at least 5 seconds. A great groomer knows how to individualize and when to accomodate and when to be firm. They don't lie to you about a dog's behavior.

Here's a question for you: Can you believe the dog? Generally, if the dog likes going to the groomer, being with the groomer, that is believable. But what if the dog doesn't like going, does that suggest abuse? Not necessarily. There are things that groomers have to do as a part of the service that some dogs really do not like having done. Some dogs are more forgiving than others, some will hold a grudge. The important thing is whether the groomer can reasonably contextualize and explain your dogs apparent dislike of the grooming experience. Sometimes a dog will be sensitive to the owner's apprehensions about the grooming, regardless of how he is actually treated.

Pictured above is our young assistant, Dave Fernandez, aka Dave-the-slave, working on a young Bichon pup. He is combing out the under-arms ("pits"), and you can see the trust that little "Lexi" has in her groomer. Although I don't encourage much sitting on top of the grooming table, we often hold small dogs in our laps to do ticklish work such as this. What I love about this picture is that it shows the groomer accomodating the young dog and being so gentle as to maintain her trust. I would let Dave groom my own dogs. Whoops, he HAS TO!

Dave Fernandez, Grooming Assistant and Salon Manager, is nationally certified with IPG in Sporting Breeds.
Barbara Bird, Salon Owner, is nationally certified with IPG as a Master Groomer, and is also certified with NDGAA in Non-Sporting Breeds.
Transformation Pet Center
Tucson, Arizona 520-795-5743 Find us at: www.transformationpet.com

CARE OF THE LAUBE SPEED FEED TRIMMER

2008-04-25T06:36:00.000-07:00

The cordless Laube Speed Feed trimmer is a tool that has changed the work life of many professional pet groomers. It is one of the most popular tools of the decade. This is due to the size, the light weight, and the quietness of the trimmer. Also, it can do many trimming tasks beyond the scope of many other trimmers in its class.

Personally, I would not want to groom one day without a Speed Feed. I use it for whole grooms on many small dogs using the snap-on combs. The trimmer is so versatile that many groomers are using it instead of full sized clippers. The Speed Feed will do a lot of work beyond what you would expect from a trimmer, but it is important to remember that it is not a clipper, it's a trimmer with a little pin that moves the blade, not a full sized lever system.

It's also important to remember that these trimmers, like those of other manufacturers, are rather cheaply made and subject to a certain amount of manufacturing defects. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your Laube Speed Feed.

FILL OUT AND SEND IN YOUR WARRANTY CARD – The motor of your Speed Feed is under warranty for five years, but they must have your warranty card on file. Right away you should send yours in along with a copy of your sales receipt.

FULLY CHARGE THE TRIMMER BEFORE USING – Plug in the charger and allow the trimmer to fully charge on the “slow” side approximately 8 hours before using. There will be some charge in the battery, but you should resist the temptation to use it out of the box. This is going to make a huge difference to your battery life. Also slow charge your second battery before using.

CLEAN AND OIL THE BLADE AFTER EACH USE - Keeping the blade set clean and oiled not only makes a difference to the cutting edge, but also helps the motor. This is a light weight motor that we are asking to do a lot of work, so we want to keep the blade cutting with ease. As hair collects and is not removed, it creates a drag on the blade and forces the motor to work harder. This motor does not have more to give.

The blade set can easily be removed from the clipper by pushing on the edge of the blade away from the clipper. See Pict. #1 Picture #2 shows the back side of the blade set. Notice the narrow cutting edge slides back and forth along the inside of the comb or feeder blade. Use the little brush to brush hair from the blade set. You may also wish to obtain some blade dip product and run the blade in the solution. In a pinch, charcoal lighter may be used as a blade wash. To oil, place a drop at each corner of the cutting edge, or draw a thin line over the cutter. Don’t over oil and make a mess! Wipe away the excess with a soft cloth.

RUN BLADE IN BLADE WASH BEFORE FIRST USE TO REMOVE ANY COATING -
New blades are often coated lightly to prevent damage during shipping. It is always a good idea with any clipper or trimmers blades to run them in a blade wash and reoil before using. To be perfectly honest, I sometimes grab a new blade and put it to work without doing this, and rarely have a problem. Don't tell on me, okay?

FREQUENTLY REMOVE THE BLADE AND CLEAR HAIR FROM BENEATH THE CUTTING EDGE – Below the cutting edge of the blade set, there is a slightly hollow area where hair can gather out of sight. We use a plastic zip tie to push this hair out one end. See Pict. #3. This trick comes to us by way of the Blade Guyz. You can find a whole video showing this and other maintenance procedures by going to http://www.bladeguyz.com/ and scrolling the instructional videos. The Blade Guyz can also sharpen these trimmer blades.

REMOVE HAIR THAT GATHERS AROUND THE BLADE DRIVE PIN – While you have the blade off the trimmer, notice if there is hair collecting on the inside around the pin that moves the blade. I use my blow dryer on low speed to blow it out.

IMPORTANT! WHEN REPLACING BLADE, SET ON THE #9 SETTING. The blade will not snap back on unless the trimmer is on the far left, #9 setting. It does not matter where it is when you remove it.

BATTERY CARE – The Laube Speed Feed trimmer utilizes NiMH batteries that should give you hundreds of charges. There are some points to keep in mind when using these rechargeable batteries.
· The way to get the most use from your batteries is to use them and recharge them. Fully charge on the slow side of your charger before first use. Interchange and use both batteries, rather than setting one aside.
· Every month or two you should run both batteries on the trimmer until it starts to slow, and then slow charge back to full.
· Although you can leave the batteries in the charger while you use the trimmer, it is not a good idea to store the batteries in the charger when it is turned off. To do so risks discharging the batteries.
· Batteries will lose some charge when sitting around unused. Recharging will not hurt them. Use one, recharge the other. Then switch.
· You might want to put colored tape or some way to identify the two batteries, so you are more conscious of which one you are using. Again, using and recharging an NiMH battery will result in a longer life than if it sits around unused.
· Do not store batteries in proximity of metal objects. This may cause loss of battery power.

SHARPENING: Not all sharpeners can sharpen these small trimmer blades. I use Tim Love of Love's Sharpening. Click HERE to go THERE. Tim will take good care of your blades and any other sharpening needs. He will not lecture you on blade care or treat you like a dummy.

PURCHASE: To purchase a Laube Speed Feed trimmer, go to the BBird shopping cart.

WE'RE READY FOR ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

2008-03-16T20:28:00.000-07:00

Our own Ms. Diva got to try out the new color gel from Pet Edge in time for St. Patrick's Day. Here she is with a bit o' the green!

The coloring included the ponytails, all four feet (boots) and the last third of the tail. I had not planned on doing the tail, but she sat down while the color was processing so I had to. I wrapped the pony tails and tail tip in foil to keep the color from getting on places I didn't want it. I was lucky to have foil around from previous coloring adventures. Next time I will get a picture of her color processing with the foils in her head. It was adorable!

After I took the first two pictures, I found the green rhinestone barrettes at the supermarket, the perfect accessory for her "look". I think I'm becoming addicted to this coloring hobby.

ROOM FRAGRANCES FOR PET GROOMERS

2008-02-17T18:24:00.000-08:00

THE SCENTED GROOMER PRESENTS

A LINE OF FRAGRANCE OIL BLENDS FOR use IN THE GROOMING SHOP OR HOME. For the SMELL of it! Less seriously therapeutic than our essential oil blends, but WITH more fragrance value.
Note from BBird: Although fragrance oils do not have the same true therapeutic values as pure essential oils, we think any fragrance that smells good to you has the ability to uplift spirits and lessen stress.

CHOCOLATE FIX – When the going gets tough, we need CHOCOLATE! Here’s your chocolate fix, without the fat and calories.
Fragrance description: Deep rich chocolate meets buttery vanilla with a hint of mint on the top.

CHAMOMILE SPA – Clean, fresh, and relaxing. Creates a great first impression for the professional salon.
Fragrance Description: A clean and soothing blend of spicy green notes, smooth chamomile, and a powdery musk bottom.

JAMAICAN ME CRAZY – Here’s the Caribbean cure: We put da’ lime in da’coconut! Cures bad attitudes, soothes hurt feelings, defines an upbeat atmosphere.
Fragrance description: Zesty lime and a dash of ginger in a smooth coconut and lemongrass base.

FOREST FANTASY – You create the fantasy, we provide the forest. An instant woodsy retreat. Great cover up for undesirable odors.
Fragrance description: Warm woods and pine with a touch of citrus and an oak moss bottom note. It’s both fresh and dreamy!

CREAMY COOKIES – Need nurturing? Step into our kitchen with cookies in the oven and get an instant hug. Create a warm and inviting atmosphere for your clients, or relax at home.
Fragrance description: Deep gingerbread bottom with creamy vanilla, spicy cinnamon and nutmeg. Yum yum!

FLASHBACK –Retro to the 60’s with this mysterious blend. Whether you missed the era or have fond memories, this fragrance will take you there. It’s cool, Man!
Fragrance description: Sandalwood, amber and an intoxicating dash of patchouli, served with a citrus twist.

LIFE’S A BEACH – a seaside getaway without the sunburn. This crisp fresh fragrance will cool on a summer day (or when tempers get hot) and offers a nice light choice.
Fragrance description: Invigorating top notes of ozone and citrus, with a floral center and a light musk bottom.

SPRING FLING – Invoke a Spring Break whenever needed or create a lovely garden in your salon. This one’s for the floral lovers.
Fragrance description: Delicious rose and jasmine meet grasses and florals on a soft musk base. Infinitely complex, this fragrance will change as the hours go by and the different components evaporate in your air. It’s all good!

The Scented Groomer fragrance oils are supplied in 10 ml (1/3 ounce/$5.00) and 30 ml (one ounce/$12.00) bottles and are intended for any flameless diffusion. They should NOT be used in candle diffusers or near flames, as they may be flammable. The preferred method of diffusion is with the Ultrasonic Diffuser(available now) and our Reed Diffuser Kits (coming soon).

The Ultrasonic Diffuser is a safe and efficient means of diffusing essential oils or fragrances without the use of heat or flames. The diffuser base is filled with water and a few drops of oil are added. In an instant your grooming environment will be transformed into an aromatic paradise. No more worry about pet odors assaulting your customers. Park this diffuser near your front door and soon your clients will be remarking about how fabulous it smells in your establishment. The Ultrasonic Diffuser will waft scent into a room for up to five hours. It has several settings, so you can choose continuous flow or intermittent misting.

The Scented Groomer Fraqrance and Essential Oils have been formulated by a holistic groomer and tested in an actual grooming environment. The fragrances have been developed to hold up well in ultrasonic diffusion. The Scented Groomer products can be purchased from the formulator, Barbara Bird, at www.bbird.biz (click here) or from Show Season Animal Products, where you can also purchase the Show Season line of grooming products. (click here.)
COME SEE US AT THE SHOW SEASON BOOTH AT ATLANTA PET FAIR. MENTION THE GROOMBLOG AND GET A FREE AROMA BUD GIFT WITH YOUR FAVORITE SCENT

COMING SOON: REED DIFFUSER KITS - WITH AROMA BUDS

Solution For Grooming Behavior Problems

2008-01-13T10:19:00.000-08:00

I had an interesting experience last week. I’ve been grooming a little Bichon named “Frizzy” several times since she was a puppy. Instead of settling down on the table and getting better and better about her grooming as usually happens as puppies mature, this little girl has been getting worse and worse. She would climb up my arm constantly, wriggle out of the LIPS supports, jerk her head, and generally behaved in such a way that she became “an accident waiting to happen.” Now I am not exactly a pushover on the grooming table. I know how to be firm. But this dog would not let me hold her face while I trimmed around her eyes, and would not even stand still for trimming around the foot. Grooming her was scary as well as frustrating.

I brought it up with the owner, because I was having to charge more, and I had to let her know that the difficulties were such that an injury was possible. It turned out, not surprisingly, that the owner had already sought the services of a trainer. The really good news was that she was working with a trainer from Karyn Garvin & Associates here in Tucson, Arizona.

Last April, when I spoke at the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP), I made a great connection with Karyn Garvin and her staff of trainers. Karyn and I sat down together and discussed the possibility of working together to help with real life behavior problems, such as dogs behaving badly at the groomers. “Frizzy” was a great opportunity to put our vision into action.

In this instance, the pet owner had already contracted with the trainer for a series of sessions. We decided to use one of her sessions at the groomer's. I set aside time to work with the owner and the trainer present. (1.5 hours). It was a win-win situation. Actually, it was a win-win-win-win, as the groomer, the owner, the trainer, and the dog all benefited from the collaboration. It was more than worth the extra time that this grooming required. With the trainer present, it was like working on a different dog. The trainer used a prong collar and the command “Wait” to keep the dog focused and still. She also worked with the owner correcting the dog. I just groomed. My favorite moment was when the trainer said to the owner, “You can’t let Frizzy get away with ANY wiggling, or she will just take advantage of you. You must make her stay completely still.” Oh, thank you, thank you! The owner also learned about how I comb out mats and tangles. Both women were totally entranced as I carefully trimmed around the eyes and created the beveled Bichon “ledge”. And Frizzy was perfectly still while I snipped away. Using the command, "wait", our trainer, Kristen, extended the dog's attention. You cannot imagine what a relief it was from previous groomings with the dog jerking its head all over while I tried to carefully trim right above the eyelid. Just THAT part was worth the visit for me. And the trainer took a bunch of my cards to hand out, as now she “knows a groomer.” Too cool!

The plan is for the owner to continue working on corrections-while-grooming at home and to stay with the dog for the next grooming. I agreed, but stated that we could not do owner handling indefinitely. One of the most valuable aspects of this collaboration was the trainer being very clear with the owner that the responsibility for training the dog to behave during grooming squarely rests on the owner’s shoulders. This is one Bichon owner who understands that she has shaped her dog’s naughty behavior, and her understanding this allows me to enter into a better level of conversation with her about the difficulties I experience in grooming her dog.

Knowing how to handle dogs on the table is an important aspect of professional grooming. There are limits, however, to how much "training" a groomer can do while working, and the kind of intervals involved in grooming. Effective behavior modification requires more frequent sessions than most visits to the groomer allow. And sometimes pet owners who are doing their "homework" and are brushing and combing the dog at home actually undermine the efforts of the groomer by allowing and excusing a much wider range of naughty behaviors. The pet owner is often focused on having the dog be happy, the groomer is focused on getting the job done safely and reasonably quickly. The in-house collaboration with a trainer allowed us all to get on the same page, and become consistent in our handling of this dog. The one who really benefits from this consistency is Frizzy.

There is additional benefit to the trainer in this collaboration. She has the knowledge that her skills have relevancy. Grooming is a very important aspect in the life of a Bichon. By showing this pet owner how to correct her dog's misbehavior during grooming, the trainer has applied her skills to a real-life situation that was problematic for this owner and dog. Also, Kristen got some first hand observation of pet grooming and how behavior problems show up on the table. She also learned how I work with dogs and gained confidence in my grooming abilities and handling style. And I will be much more inclined to refer my grooming clients to a trainer whom I know will address grooming behavior as well as the usual sit-stay stuff. Networking: groomer-trainer-owner collaboration for the successful raising of a Bichon Frise. Try it!

Specifics: Groomer was Barbara Bird from Transformation Pet Center, Tucson, Arizona
Trainer was Kristen Codianni from Karyn Garvin & Associates, Tucson, Arizona

FUN WITH BICHON GROOMING

2007-12-30T09:53:00.000-08:00

Here is a good way to end the year. Sometimes groomers just want to have fun. This is my Bichon, Ms. Diva in her pink color. We did this for the big bichon bash at Symphony Hill in Tennesse in October. I wanted her to "stand out". She did! It also was great for Breast Cancer Awareness month of October (not to mention Halloween!)

She was quite happy with her pink color. So was I. The coloring was accomplished quite simply by using 10-12 drops of McCormick Neon Pink food coloring through the Bathing Beauty recirculating bathing system. I bathed her first, using a clarifying shampoo to remove all product residue. Then I drew another bath and added the drops of food coloring to the water. I rinsed for about 5 minutes and then added a dash of ShowSeason Results Rinse to the solution to "set" the color, and rinsed it through the coat for a few minutes more. White Vinegar would achieve the same result, but the Results Rinse contains a little silicone detangler to substitute for conditioner and leaves the hair quite combable.

This picture is of her second treatment, 7-10 days after the first. I wanted that HOT pink look. The first time I did not use quite enough of the coloring agent. This was such a quick and simple way to color, without the waiting for the color to process. I did use "dedicated" towels that have become her color towels, and I wore latex gloves for the coloring and drying phase. I dried her with a Laube Magnum Force dryer at medium force so as to not blow off colored water.

Here she is with her latest look:

What a cute little girl she is, and this topknot effect makes her look so "girlie". We love it, and so do my customers. I've worked so hard at achieving the proper Bichon head, but sometimes it feels good to just let go and have fun with my dog! What do you think?

PS. 1/18/08 Here she is with BOTH the pink and the new hair "style". Look close and you will see the "bling bling" in the topknot.

This was Diva's look for yesterday, when she went to a middle school for a show-and-tell about grooming. She had dozens and dozens of kids squealing and begging to feel her soft, pink, hair. And she took it all in like the little princess she is. She was a rock star and I was her entourage.

PETICURE TOOL UPS AND DOWNS

2007-12-17T12:59:00.000-08:00

Following a splashy introduction at the U.S. Pet Pro Classic trade show, the Peticure nail tool, a battery operated dremel type nail buffer with an innovative plastic shield, has proved to be a disappointment to many professional groomers who rushed to upgrade to what appeared to be a health and safety-aware design.

The disappointment is two-fold: the batteries are losing power quickly and not holding a charge – often within days of first use. Without sufficient power, contact with the nail stops the drum from turning. To make it worse, the company is difficult to communicate with and apparently reluctant to issue refunds. The customer service problems are so frustrating that several of our groomer friends have become uncharacteristically irate and vindictive. “I hate my Peticure because the battery is junk”, say Ellen Meyer, a usually tactful groomer in Colorado. The customer service issues seem to be compounded by the fact that the person who was selling the Peticure at the trade show in Dallas is the inventor and partner in the business, but since they are marketing by informercial on several TV networks, the orders are mostly handled by a contracted firm, which likely handles calls for other companies as well. After experiencing battery death on her Peticure Elite, Debi Hilley says, “I have called and called and called and emailed at least 5 times. I am tired of it. I am going to be front and center at his booth in APF (Atlanta Pet Fair, a huge show) and let everyone there know how I feel if this is not resolved. “

The Peticure is designed with a patent pending plastic shield surround the dremel band and holes of different sizes through which to place the dog’s nails, which prevents hair from being grabbed by the wheel and collects the dust that the user might otherwise breathe. This is a admirable safety advance for groomers wishing to use a dremel on nails. The Peticure tool was a hot item at the U.S. Pet Pro Classic show in Dallas, and gained instant acclaim from many groomers as well as an instant ISCC Seal of Approval and personal endorsement from Pam Lauritzen of ISCC. The company wasted no time plastering her endorsement on their website homepage (“the dawn of a new era in nail care...a must have”) and making the claim that it is “endorsed and quoted by top professionals in the pet industry”. Groomers came home from the show raving about the “GREAT NEW TOOL!” and word spread quickly over the Internet groomers lists and boards. Now some of those groomers are taking their endorsements back. Dawn Omboy says, “I have already posted on Groomer to groomer warning groomers there about this company. I certainly hope that no one bought this product from my initial brag". She explains, “I purchased the elite model in Dallas at the show. I have called them several times and can't seem to get anywhere with them, They say because I purchased it at a show ( hello, they are from Dallas) that they do not know how to handle the situation and they will call me back. It hasn't happened yet. I want a refund of my 75.72 purchase price. I have even e-mailed them also. No response. I too thought it was a great concept, even though the thing leaks I would have liked to have kept it but the batteries won't hold a charge and the thing stops every time I touch a nail to it. I want a refund.” That retraction of support comes a bit too late for Becky, who writes, “My son bought the "Elite" version of peticures after I told him about all the raves it received here. He tried it out at the shop and we were both disappointed in its power but kept trying to like it. After both batteries going dead in the same day after being fully charged he called the company to see if perhaps the batteries he had were duds. They did not want to hear about the problem, just wanted to know if he wanted to return it for a refund. I was shocked. I guess being in an industry where customer service is so important I expected more. Love the little head thingy but since they won't discuss the problem with him he is returning it. So sad. “

So sad pretty well sums it up.

PETICURE UPDATE - 1/30/08
Jayden Drelinger, creator of the Peticure has been scrambling to make things right for these disapointed groomers. This is a remarkable effort that deserves acknowledgement. Rarely has a company gone this far in remedy and redress. It should serve as a model for other companies who are unfortunate enough to experience this type off setback. Groomers have been contacted individually and items have been refunded, replaced, or substituted. This effort is reflected in the comments attached to the article. See below. We have allowed Mr. Drelinger to post his personal replies to comments.

As of this date, things have smoothed out considerably. The problem with the faulty batteries for the Peticure Elite has been identified, albeit after the fact, and new batteries are on the way. The promise is to replace any faulty products. Many individual groomers have been contacted personally by Mr. Drelinger. The new batteries should be available soon, the word is early February, 2008. A corded model is in the works, as is a more powerful cordless, and the company is giving away extra sanding bands for those who shop now. For complete info, please go to peticure.com.

We are rooting for this company and this innovative product. We have been using the Peticure guard on a Dremel tool and love it. There is no doubt that the Peticure represents a significant advance in toenail tools. We are hopeful that they can iron out the kinks in the production end.

1/31/08 It looks to me that Jayden Drelinger and Peticure Co. have bent over backwards to correct any and all difficulties associated with this product launch. We have to give them huge credit for being responsive and responsible.

I would say that as of April 1, 2008, the problems of bad batteries, delayed shipping, and accounts being charged before products are shipped have been addressed.

I am now going to change the title of this article from "Peticure Disappoints" to "Peticure Ups and Downs" to reflect a more neutral position on our part. We hope that groomers and pet owners will continue to post comments about their experiences with the tool and the company, however, as this seems to have been valuable for others.

4/28/08 The ups and downs of Peticure LLC have continued. I certainly never expected this blog article to have such legs! Just when I think things have straightened out, we have a post from another unhappy customer. The people who are posting comments lately are mostly the pet owning public. Most recently, one person posted about the record of this company with the Dallas, TX Better Business Bureau. Here is the full report:

BBB Reliability Report for
Peticure LLC

BBB Rating Unsatisfactory

The BBB reports on businesses, both accredited and non-accredited. If an organization is a BBB Accredited business, it is stated in this report

BBB Definition:

report - A summary of activity reflected in a company's BBB file. Includes basic business background, BBB Accreditation information, and BBB complaint activity over the previous three years. Also reports may include any known government actions, advertising issues or other information that results from activity conducted by the BBB.

Name:	Peticure LLC
Phone:	(214) 869-2222
Address:	PO Box 59856
	Dallas, TX 75229-1856
Website:	www.peticure.com
Original Business Start Date:	April 2005
Principal:	Mr. Ron Dill, Owner/VP
Customer Contact:	Mr. Ron Dill, Owner/VP
TOB Classification:	Services (General)
BBB Accreditation:	This organization is not a BBB Accredited business.

The BBB develops a full report

on a firm based on inquiry or complaint activity. This company first came to our attention in February 2008. We are attempting to develop more information on the company. At the present time we do not have enough information to issue a full report

. The BBB suggests you read and understand company promotional materials and contracts and check company references and licensing, where applicable.

Additional DBA Names

Jayden Drlinger Peticure

Nature Of Business

Pet product for filing nails.

Customer Experience

Based on BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory record

BBB Definition:

unsatisfactory record - A company has an "unsatisfactory business performance record" with the BBB is based on the experiences reflected in BBB files. This file condition results when the company has failed to resolve or respond to complaints, repeatedly failed to respond or resolve issues in a timely manner, failed to resolve the underlying issues for a pattern

BBB Definition:

pattern - More than 2 complaints involving the same allegations usually within 12 months that are significant in relation to the company's size and volume of business.

of complaints, failed to honor their commitment to mediate or arbitrate disputes or honor mediated agreements or arbitrated decisions, failed to substantiate, modify or discontinue false advertising claims that are challenged by the BBB, or failed to discontinue unauthorized use of the BBB name and logo, a Federally protected trademark.

with the BBB due to unanswered complaints. The company has resolved

BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

some complaints presented by the BBB, however, the company did not respond to other complaints

BBB Definition:

other complaints - This refers to complaints from individuals or businesses that do not fall under a specific category.

When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.

The BBB processed a total of 19 complaints about this company in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period.Of the total of 19 complaints closed in 36 months, 19 were closed in the last year.

Sales Practice Issues

BBB Definition:

Sales Practice Issues - Claims of alleged sales presentations made in person or by telephone that contain misrepresentations of the product or service, high pressure sales practices, failure to disclose key conditions of the offer, and verbal representations not consistent with written contractual terms or agreements.

Resolved

BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

1 -

Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.

Delivery Issues

BBB Definition:

Delivery Issues - Claims alleging delayed delivery of ordered merchandise.

Resolved

BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

2 -

Company resolved

BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.

2 -

Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.

No Response

BBB Definition:

No Response - The company failed to respond to the complaint.

2 -

Company failed to respond to the BBB to resolve or address the complaint issues.

Customer Service Issues

BBB Definition:

Customer Service Issues - Claims alleging unsatisfactory customer service, including personnel's failure to provide assistance in a timely manner, failure to address or respond to customer dissatisfaction, unavailability for customer support, and/or inappropriate behavior or attitude exhibited by company staff.

Resolved

BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

4 -

Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.

Administratively Closed

BBB Definition:

Administratively Closed - The BBB determined that the complaint could not be satisfactorily settled using standard methods of voluntary dispute resolution

1 -

The parties could not provide sufficient information to support their positions nor were they agreeable to make reasonable efforts toward resolving the issues of the dispute.

Refund or Exchange Issues

BBB Definition:

Refund or Exchange Issues - Claim of alleged failure to honor company policy or verbal commitment to provide refunds, exchanges, or credit for products or services.

Resolved

BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

4 -

Company resolved

BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.

No Response

BBB Definition:

No Response - The company failed to respond to the complaint.

1 -

Company failed to respond to the BBB to resolve or address the complaint issues.

Issue Not Defined

Resolved

BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

2 -

Company resolved

BBB Definition:

resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.

Company Management

Additional company management personnel include:

Mr. Jayden Drlisyet - President

Additional Contact Information

Additional Phone Numbers

Tel: (866) 626-7961
Tel: (800) 593-5612
Tel: (214) 223-9653

If you choose to do business with this business, please let the company know that you contacted the BBB for a report

BBB reports may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.

The information in this report has either been provided by the company or has been compiled by the BBB from other reliable sources.

HAND STRIPPING YOUR PET TERRIER

2007-11-15T11:55:00.000-08:00

This article is addressed to terrier owners who are following their breeder's advice to have the dog's coat hand stripped rather than clipped, and are not sure quite what to expect. Because hand stripping is a very different process than is grooming by clipping and scissoring, the grooming result may also be quite different, and it is important to have realistic expectations.

First, let's review the reasons for hand stripping. Harsh coated terriers, such as Airedale, Wire Fox, Irish, Norwich, Norfolk, Cairn, West Highland (Westie), Scottish, and Welsh Terriers have double coats. Each hair follicle supports a single hard outer hair and several soft finer hairs that form the supportive undercoat. The characteristic rich color and hard texture is formed by the outer hairs. As these hairs grow out and become old, they become thin, soft and faded at the roots. More of the softer hairs push their way out of the hair follicle. The purpose of hand stripping is to remove the old faded hairs so that new growth can occur, and to muck out excess fuzzy undergrowth that may be jamming the hair follicle.

When the coat is not refreshed by stripping out the old, several things can happen: The coat can lose color and become faded, the ratio of fuzzy stuff to hard hair can be altered so that texture is lost, and the hair follicles can become plugged up with fine hairs and oily sebum. This can even lead to skin problems, such as the pimples or "acne" that is sometimes found on Miniature Schnauzers. If the hair is clipped or cut rather than pulled out, the growth of harsh new coat is inhibited, and the entire coat can become faded and soft. In some breeds, such as Airedales, the once black jacket becomes grizzled colored or greyish, the red brown becomes light brown and the leg furnishings become straw colored.

This is Finnegan, a Glen of Imaal Terrier whose body coat (called the "jacket") is very overgrown and ready for some major stripping.

If I lift and separate a section of this coat, you can see how it is nearly white at the roots. In fact, all the color is on the outer inch and a half of the hairs.
If we were to cut of the ends of this coat, or clip it, Finnegan would become a beige boy, instead of having his nice color.

MORE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CLIPPING AND HAND STRIPPING

Hand stripping requires considerably more time than grooming with clippers. This means it will cost a lot more to have it done professionally. This is also a reason that many professional groomers decline to offer the service. Hand stripping is a very specialized service that does not fit well with a high volume grooming operation. Hand stripping is very picky work! :-)
The end result of hand stripping requires hair growth. Although a hand stripped grooming can include considerable "tidying up" of the overall appearance, when major work is done on any area, it may look ratty until the new growth comes in. Clipped and scissored grooming can deliver a consistent finished result; hand stripping is a work in progress.
Results of hand stripping can vary from groom to groom. If your dog is being worked on regularly, your groomer may be prioritizing different areas on different visits. In my work, sometimes I am focusing on the jacket, other times the head needs a lot of my time, and I cannot always do everything on every visit as I can with clip/scissor work.
Full stripping, "staging" the coat, and "rolling" the coat. A "full strip" is generally when the coat has completely grown out and the groomer takes it all off, down to the fuzzy stuff. Some groomers call this "stripping to the underwear." If the dog does not have much underwear, it can be rather bald. In 10-12 weeks the dog will look great, but walking out of the grooming establishment she can look, well, can we say "butt ugly"? "Staging" the coat is often done in preparation for a presentation on a certain date, such as a dog show or grooming competition. In this format, different parts of the coat are stripped along a schedule, so that everything is at the right length on the Big Day. "Rolling" the coat is how dogs that are being campaigned on the show circuit are groomed to maintain the desired appearance. This requires at least weekly working of the coat. That way, there is always a layer of new growth coming in. Although we often call frequent pet grooming "rolling" the coat, it is nearly impossible to keep on top of a coat with less than weekly work.

Here is more of our work on Finnegan. This picture shows the difference between the area that has been worked and the fuller area that is untouched.

This is not exactly a "full strip", as you can see there are still quite a few light hairs that could be pulled out if we were going all the way. When Finn returns in 8 weeks, these will be removed, and he should have the beginnings of a new layer of firm, dark coat. Before I called it "good enough" on this day, the coat looked like this:

And here is Finnegan as he walked out the door. I confess that I cheated on his ears. I usually hand strip the Glen Terrier ears, but Finn's ears were looking raw from the stripping, so I elected to use the clippers. In my opinion, a little "cheating" with the use of clippers and/or thinning shears is acceptable on a pet. I also cheated on the underside of his tail where he is sensitive. Who cares? Not me. My goal as a pet groomer is to work within the time available, the individual dog's coat and tolerance, and use all my skills and tools to achieve the best possible results. Here he is:

Here's the Before/After

For me, hand stripping is a lot like gardening. I am working for what it is going to look like, as well as what it looks like today. Each "crop" of hair is a little different, and each dog has an individual pattern and rate of growth. I find it fascinating and rewarding, but it does require a little more work to get the customer's expectations lined up with how I work. I hope that this article helps both other groomers and pet owners understand the process a little better.

To book an appointment, in Tucson, Arizona, you can find me at Transformation Pet Center.

GOLDENDOODLE IN A POODLE GROOM

2007-11-08T08:21:00.000-08:00

Although most owners of Goldendoodles want a less "poodley", more "natural" looking grooming style, there are exceptions. Here is Schatzie, a Goldendoodle who has been rehomed with his trainer. This owner prefers a fancy Poodle style, called the Town & Country, which features high hips and shoulders and a narrow midsection. Schatzie pulls it off well.

width="500" height="375" alt="Schatzie - Goldendoodle or Poodle?" />
Schatzie clearly enjoys being in a poodle clip. Actually he makes a better Poodle than some purebreds I have groomed.

This trim was done with a #5 blade for the body work, a #30 on face and feet, and scissored legs. His topknot is rather floppy. This was our first groom. By the third time, we had the right combination of styling products and shape to yield a topknot with some height and less flop. We used Chris Christensen Thick n' Thicker gel on the damp head before fluff drying, and Chris Christensen Thick n' Thicker Spray while scissoring.

I'll tell the truth - when the dog and owner first walked in and I saw the patterned trim on a Goldendoodle, I had some resistance. I've worked so hard to develop a more natural look for this breed based on what most owners seem to want. In case you haven't seen it, here is last year's article with pictures of Gracie the Goldendoodle. Click here.

Schatzie's owner was very attached to the fancy poodle trim, and the dog is used as an attention-getter for her business, so I let go of my "stuff" about what a doodle should look like and welcomed the opportunity to practice my Town & Country pattern (on a slightly straight coat). I'm happy with the result. Schatzie has become a great walking advertisement for my work, too.

You can find me at Transformation Pet Center, Tucson, Arizona. 520-795-5743

SHAMPOO SCIENCE FOR PET GROOMERS

2007-11-07T18:23:00.000-08:00

BEYOND SUDS AND SCENT - Understanding Pet Shampoos & Conditioners, by Barbara Bird. For the pet groomer who is interested in gaining a clear understanding of what is in the bottle and how products work, this textbook lays it all out. Accompanied by a 27-page Glossary of Terms and Ingredients, the book uses real ingredient lists as examples for discussion of types of ingredients,distinctions among specialty shampoos, medicated products, and much more. The basic science of anionic surfactants is clearly explained with cool graphics. Two years in the writing, Beyond Suds & Scent - Understanding Pet Shampoos & Conditioners is a labor of love and passionate dedication. The compelling writing style draws the reader into sharing the author's passion for products.

TABLE OF CONTENTS -Revised Edition 2.1, 2006
Acknowledgments
Preface
State of the Industry
Coming to Terms with Terminology
Label Quiz
What's In Shampoos?
` How Surfactants Work
Types of Surfactants
Soap vs. Detergents
What is "Harshness"?
pH Phacts
Special Use Shampoos
P.S. Quick-Dry Products
Chart #1 - Special Use Shampoos
Medicated Shampoo Ingredients
Chart #2 - Medicated Ingredients
Meet The Botanicals
Flea & Tick Shampoos
Shampoo Reactions - When Things Go Wrong
What's in Conditioners?
Protein Ingredients Sidebar
Something on Silicones
Types of Conditioners
How Products are Marketed
Bibliography

Groomers' Glossary - A Dictionary of Terms and Ingredients

BEYOND SUDS AND SCENT - Understanding Pet Shampoos & Conditioners
ISBN 978-0-9795457-0-2
Birdzeye Press, 2132 N. Treat Ave., Tucson, AZ 85716
available through: www.bbird.biz
Price $39.95 plus shipping

About the author:
I've been grooming since the Dark Ages. It was my second career, after burning out in the field of mental health. Applying emotional band aids wasn't all that healthy FOR ME, and I needed something more tangible, less drama-laden. Pet grooming was a better fit, and I filed away my academic side. I never imagined that I would find another use for my old research skills and writing ability. Life has a way of bringing one back around to what is supposed to be, and I now have a third career in writing for groomers. Being awarded the Cardinal Crystal Achievement Award for Grooming Journalist of the Year 2006 was a high point of my life. Period. 'Nuff said!

My dedication to understanding pet products began as a curiosity that sort of took hold of me and has become something of an obsession. Once I realized that I was beginning to truly understand what was in the bottle, writing about it became something of a responsibility, an obligation. Beyond Suds & Scent is a work in progress. A new edition will be forthcoming in 2008, bringing new depth of information and an exploration of styling products. Stay tuned, I'm not finished yet, I may never be finished with this subject.

Shih Tzu Grooming - Here's Lola!

2007-07-22T16:51:00.000-07:00

This adorable little Shih Tzu was looking for a new groomer after the previous establishment shaved the dog without any warning to the customer. Lola's owner says she combs the dog daily, and I believed her, as there was not a single tangle.

What seems to have happened is that the pet owner "found" a groomer at a corporate salon who would do a scissored trim with topknot. On the next visit, however, that groomer was not there, and without any conversation with the client, the dog was handed off to another groomer who shaved the dog. This was a customer relations faux paw. A fatal error. They lost the customer for good. I gained.

Here's the bottom line: If there is a change in the grooming agreement - about what is going to be done to the dog - the customer needs to be in on it. If nothing is said, the customer is going to assume that they will get what was done last time. If there is a change in groomers, the agreement about the styling should be reviewed. The fastest way to lose a client is for them to expect one thing and get another. Especially when it involves a clip down or shave.

Here's Lola

This was not a difficult groom, it took maybe 20 minutes. It was accomplished using the Laube Speed Feed with the #6 snap-on comb over the body and sculpting the shape. The teddy bear feet were trimmed and the legs were scissored. The face was shaped using a small curved scissor.

How did I get the topknot to stand up like that? It's a double topknot, with the front from the corner of the eyes to in front of the ears in one band, and the occiput forward to the other piece banded separately. Then the two pieces are banded together and it makes a nice firm topknot. The pink barrett belongs to Lola, as her mother is a cancer survivor and they both wear (lots of) pink. Lola was a gift to help her mommy go through chemotherapy. Say, "awww!"

Tools used: Laube Speed Feed with #6 comb on body.
Talyn 7" 3-fingered Blue Titanium straight shear for legs.
Arius Eickert Proline 5.5" curved scissor for face and ears.
All these tools can be found at www.bbird.biz, which would be HERE .

BICHON HEAD SCISSORING VIDEO

2007-07-02T09:16:00.000-07:00

BICHON GROOMING HAS JUST BECOME EASIER! Here is a step-by-step video demonstration of how to achieve great heads on the pet Bichon Frise. The simple, clear, show-and-tell teaching technique that you love on the GroomBlog is now available on your own private CD-R movie file. Great instruction for novice or more advanced groomers. Anyone who is struggling with achieving good Bichon results will relish this visual lesson.

SCISSORING THE BICHON HEAD With BBird is a 12-minute video clip movie file accompanied by an additional slide presentation of pictures showing greater detail, alternative short pet heads, and some before & after shots to inspire you.

JUST RELEASED! NEW FROM BIRDZEYE PRESS/GROOMCLASSROOM.COM

SCISSORING THE BICHON HEAD features veteran certified groomer, Barbara Bird, and the lovely movie model, "Mia". This head is not too big, not too little, but just right!

GOOD NEWS - THE PRICE IS RIGHT! We've made this instructional product affordable for all. A mere $15.00, and it's yours. Grab it at this price before I come to my senses. Buy now from www.bbird.biz. Click HERE to go THERE.
Look for it under the category, "BBird Books".

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: Windows Media Player

Here are some of the other fluffy characters found on the CD slide show.

DRYING SCIENCE AND PET GROOMING

2007-05-20T09:09:00.000-07:00

Published originally in PET AGE Magazine, May 2007, as "Understanding the Science of Drying".

Professional pet groomers share a common goal -- drying pets faster while maintaining a healthy grooming environment. As it turns out, groomers can gain valuable insights from unrelated industries that study and apply the science of drying.

For example, drying is taken to its highest levels in wood processing, the manufacture of ceramics, food and grain processing, and home/carpet restoration. What can we learn from these industries? And how can we apply that information to the drying of pets in the grooming salon?

First, we must understand the drying process. Drying occurs through the mechanical removal of water and evaporation., Mechanical methods include absorption by toweling or air pressure removal with a high-velocity dryer. Evaporation is the process by which water molecules develop enough kinetic energy to move from a liquid state attached to a surface to vapor in the air. In order for this to happen, the surface tension of water -- what causes water to cling to itself and adhere to surfaces -- must be reduced.

Three interrelated components determine how fast something dries, according to Darren Hudema, a drying educator for Dri-Eaz Products Inc. (Burlington, Wash.): relative humidity, temperature, and air movement.

RELATIVE HUMIDITY
The air in any given space has a certain capacity to hold moisture. Relative humidity (Rh) is the amount of water vapor in the air expressed as a percentage of the air's holding capacity. The smaller the drying space, the more quickly the humidity will rise. At 100 percent Rh, the air is considered saturated at a given temperature, and condensation begins to occur. That is, the water vapor in the air condenses as a liquid on surfaces. This not only can cause windows to fog up, but it also can lead to mold and rust problems.

Here's a key concept: evaporation slows down as humidity rises. Hence, the more saturated the air, the slower the drying. At higher humidity, vapor starts returning to water, and when the air is totally saturated, drying stops.

According to experts in the restoration industry, drying is significantly impeded when the humidity exceeds 60 percent saturation. The Society of Cleaning and Restoration Technicians (Franklin, Tenn.) recommends that dehumidifiers be used if the relative humidity in a space is above 60 Rh.

Using high-velocity dryers to force water off the animal speeds up drying, but can quickly add considerable moisture to the air in a grooming room.

Hudema of Dri-Eaz maintains that high relative humidity in the grooming environment is the biggest challenge facing today's professional groomers. "Many groomers fail to appreciate that the capacity of the air in a given space to absorb water is finite. Unless saturated air is treated to remove the excess humidity or replaced with less humid air, the drying rate will become sluggish regardless of the dryers used," he said.

While air conditioning units can act as dehumidifiers to a certain degree, Hudema explained, they turn on and off intermittently as the air in the vicinity of the thermostat requires cooling. This may not be sufficient to counteract the accumulation of moisture in the bathing/drying area, thus air conditioning is not a reliable tool for humidity control. The most important thing a pet groomer can do to improve the rate of drying in the salon is to install a dehumidifier, he said.

TEMPERATURE
Raising the temperature of drying air decreases the relative humidity and increases the moisture capacity of the air. From a technical report about grain drying, we learn that, "As a general rule of thumb, increasing the air temperature by 20 degrees F doubles the moisture-holding capacity of air and cuts the relative humidity by half."

Drying in a cold space is going to be slower than in a warmer room. Warmer air provides more kinetic energy to change the water into vapor. Cooler temperatures, such as those in the winter season or in basement grooming rooms, will require lower relative humidity and warming for efficient drying to occur. Also, allowing the grooming space to become cold overnight can drastically affect drying efficiency in the morning.

It also reduces the potential of the room air to dry out overnight. Because the moisture capacity of a space decreases as the temperature decreases, the relative humidity in a damp grooming room with lowered temperature could rise overnight. (This could also create the conditions for mold and microbial issues.) Thus, groomers who are attempting to save on utility costs by lowering the thermostat of the grooming room overnight may have their savings offset by increased drying times during the day.

The ideal drying environment would have a temperature of 70 degrees F to 80 degrees F and a relative humidity of less than 45 Rh.

Most hardware stores and home improvement stores offer inexpensive devices to measure indoor temperature and relative humidity. This is an easy way to monitor the saturation level of the air in a drying area. By recording beginning, middle and end-of-day temperature and humidity readings over a week, you can obtain a good profile of the drying efficiency in your grooming area.

AIR MOVEMENT
The relationship between air flow and evaporation is both simple and complex. On a simple level, we can appreciate that clothes on a line dry faster if there is a breeze. Movement of air over a wet surface acts almost as an "air towel, " according to Hudema, "wiping" moisture off the surface and absorbing it. More complicated is the concept of "boundary layer effect," which means that without movement, the air immediately surrounding a drying object will become saturated and drying will be reduced.

So, not only does there need to be air movement around the animal being dried, there also needs to be air movement within the immediate space, such as the bathing room or the mobile van. The saturated air surrounding the drying area needs to be replaced with drier air from other parts of the room (or outside).

This information would suggest that the ideal grooming space would include an air exhaust fan over the tub so that the most saturated air in the space can be removed and less saturated air drawn to the area.

Andy Kalmanash, a groomer and professional handler at Ruff-Wave Kennels (Stamford, Conn.), has such a setup. "When I use a high-velocity dryer on a dog, I can see the spray of water literally sucked up by the exhaust so it isn't falling back onto the work," he said.

It also makes sense to consider air circulation and air exchange throughout the facility. When the air is confined to a small space, it will become saturated more quickly. If the air is circulated throughout a larger space, the air in the grooming area will have a greater capacity for drying. Likewise, in dry climates, a source of fresh air, such as a fan in an open window, can help achieve a much greater drying capacity in the bathing room.

PRODUCTS' EFFECTS ON DRYING

Since drying occurs more rapidly on smooth, hard surfaces and more slowly on coarse or porous surfaces, products that create a smoother surface of the hair cuticle will facilitate drying. Light conditioners and finishing sprays create this effect by filling in the cracks and crevices on the surface of the hair. Some silicone ingredients that are used in conditioning products are particularly effective at creating a quicker-drying surface of the hair shaft, say manufacturers.

On the other side of the spectrum are thick "remoisturizing" products. Because these products are formulated to hold moisture to the skin and hair, they are actually trapping water and holding it. This can result in a noticeable increase in drying time. But there are times when the benefit to the hair is worth little more drying time.

Quick-dry products formulated for use after the bath, such as Quick-Dry from Davis Manufacturing & Packaging Inc. (Scottdale, Ga.) an E-Z Groom Ultra Fast Blow Dry Conditioner from E-Z Groom (Oak Park, Mich.), utilize surfactants that reduce the surface tension of water without leaving a residue. Reducing the surface tension of water forms thinner layers or sheets, or smaller water beads, which allows for easier water removal.

Other products are designed as a one-step alternative to after-bath products. For example, Speed Dry shampoo from ShowSeason Animal Products (Tucker, Ga.) is intended to be used with forced-air drying on thick coats, said president Sandy Giorgyi. "Our proprietary formula facilitates water movement through the coat so it may be brought to the surface for drying," she explained.

Speed Dry also can be used as an additive with other shampoos for faster drying, but is not intended for use with conditioners. "Conditioners would most likely negate the effect," said Giorgyi.

A reminder: If the air in the grooming area is not dry enough to easily absorb more moisture, quick-drying products will be less helpful.

THE IMPORTANCE OF TOWELING
In the water damage restoration industry, technicians find it essential to remove as much surface water as possible before evaporative drying begins. So it is in the grooming industry. While carpet restoration professionals use powerful extracting machines that remove excess water, groomers have towels.

"Physical extraction is two thousand times more efficient than evaporation," said Hudema. "The more water you can remove by physical extraction, the quicker the coat will dry."

Toweling has one distinct advantage: It does not add to the relative humidity. There is a tendency for bathing personnel to prefer blasting excess water off animals with the high-velocity dryer as an alternative to toweling. However, as noted previously, this method can quickly lead to air saturation and a loss of drying efficiency.

To solve this problem, Pam Julian, owner of Bubblemobile, a mobile grooming service, shares a neat trick: Combine the use of a high-velocity dryer with towels. Hold a towel over or behind the dog, and place the dryer wand under the towel. As you move the dryer wand, it blows water off into the towel. This not only speeds up the drying process, it also reduces the amount of moisture going into the air as you work.

Julian also advocates wrapping small dogs and cats in towels and allowing them to sit in a kennel for 15 to 20 minutes before fluff finishing. This towel wrapping, also called "sacking," greatly reduces the time under the air dryer.

By applying an understanding of the science of drying -- as well as choosing products carefully and using towels creatively -- you can maximize the drying efficiency of your grooming operation. And that translates into a healthier environment for you and the pets in your care.

SIDE BAR ONE: THE HAZARDS OF HEAT
We have all heard tragic stories about dogs that overheated and died in grooming salons. It can happen. How can our understanding of the science of drying help us prevent this kind of tragedy?

The canine body is designed to cool through respiration and evaporation of exhaled air over the tongue and air passageways. Evaporation is the cooling mechanism. The dogs (or cats) are exhaling air that is 102 degrees F and 100 percent humidity.

The same factors of high relative humidity, small drying area and lack of air movement that negatively influence drying by reducing evaporation also can impede the cooling mechanism for dogs and cats in the groomer's care. When there is excessive humidity in the air surrounding the animal, evaporation is impeded and the animal cannot cool sufficiently.

Under conditions of high humidity and lack of air movement, it does not require very much external heat from a dryer to create a situation that can lead to heat stroke. In a small, poorly ventilated drying crate, the air surrounding a drying animal can quickly become sufficiently saturated to impede drying and the animal's cooling mechanism. Adding fans to move the air in drying cages can reduce the risk of overheating. Conversely, covering crates or muzzling noisy dogs can increase the hazard, even without extra warm air for drying.

It is also important to recognize that some animals have very poor cooling ability, especially very young, elderly, short-muzzled (brachycephalic) breeds, or animals with respiratory ailments or poor temperature regulation, such as dogs with hypothyroidism.

While heat stroke accidents in grooming salons can be related to the use of hot air dryers or unsupervised staff, it is not the dryers themselves that are to blame, but a poor understanding of how all the factors in the grooming environment interact to create hazardous conditions.

For a related GroomBlog article on Heat and Stress in the grooming salon, click HERE.

SIDE BAR TWO: TIPS FOR FASTER DRYING

Invest in a dehumidifier. Saturated air is the biggest detriment to faster drying. Dry air allows the fastest drying as well as the healthiest conditions for groomers and animals.
Move air through the salon. Fans on the floor at both ends of an area will promote better circulation. Circulation moves drier air to the grooming space and also dries the air as it moves.
Install an exhaust fan in the drying area, especially above the tub or drying table.
Use fans for cage drying and/or provide ventilation and air exchange in drying cages.
In cold, damp conditions, leave some heat on overnight to dry the air in the grooming room. The slightly higher utility cost may translate into more efficient drying conditions during the day.
Remove as much water as possible from the animal with toweling.
Use towels over, under and behind the animal as you dry with a high-velocity dryer.
Choose mildly acidic conditioners with silicone ingredients that tightly shut the hair cuticle and form a smooth surface from which water moves quickly. ShowSeason Results Rinse and Chrome Coat both will facilitate drying as well as protect the hair.

Have more drying tips? Let us hear from you!