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3 Things You Need to Know to Groom Any Breed (What You Need to Do If a New Breed of Dog Lands on Your Grooming Table)

It’s a day like any other when you get a phone call from a client:

“I have a (insert breed here). Do you know how to groom them correctly?”

Um…

You’ve never groomed this breed before. In fact, the closest you’ve come to one is seeing it at a dog show. Maybe you’ve never even heard or seen the breed before.

“Why yes, Mrs. Jones, we certainly can make your Bedlington look like a Bedlington!” you say confidently as you book the appointment for the following day.

You hang up the phone and reality sets in. You’ve never seen this type of dog cross your grooming table. You don’t have a clue how to actually groom it correctly. What do you do?

The first thing I would tell you is – don’t panic!

Here are three core strategies you need to groom any breed of dog.

Have strong technical skills. If your clipping, guard comb work, scissoring, blending, and basic hand stripping skills are good, you should be able handle this without much of a problem.
Have a solid understanding of canine anatomy. If you understand how bones and muscles create a sound dog, it becomes even easier.
Know how to translate a breed standard. If you can interpret the written breed standard into a visual, you’re golden.

So what is your next step? How are you going to be confident when that client walks in the door tomorrow?

Your next step is to look up the breed in reference books. If you have an American Kennel Club (AKC) Complete Dog Book (or a similar book from your country), start there. This will give you the official breed standard. Review the breed profile. Read about the history of the dog to gather clues about the dog. After a quick scan, you I have a good idea of the size, temperament, and structure of this new dog. Most books will also have photos that accompany each breed. If you don’t have an official breed standard book handy, you can always look it up online.

Once you have become familiar with the breed itself, take a look at your grooming books. Review the instructions. Compare the instructions to what you have read and saw in the breed standard.

The Internet is an invaluable research tool. Use it wisely. Most breeds will have a parent club that hosts an official site for the breed. Spend a few minutes reviewing images of top winning dogs in their galleries. With a little luck, you may even find grooming directions or links to grooming directions from dedicated breeders.

As groomers and stylists, we are a visual bunch. “A picture is worth a thousand words.” This is so true for us. I love to do Google image searches of breeds I’m not familiar with. Here’s a tip to finding good images. When you enter terms in the search bar, add keywords like: AKC Champion Bedlington Terrier or UKC Champion Fresian Water Dog. There is a big difference if you type into your search engine, “images of Miniature Schnauzers” verses “images of AKC Champion Miniature Schnauzers.” You will pull up a WIDE assortment of images. Some will be great. Others not so great. Some will be worthless. And others will be totally off the mark. You need to have enough knowledge to filter through the images, finding the best images to suit your needs.

Use a little caution when looking up information online. Always remember – not everything posted on the internet is correct or presents the best image of a breed. Make sure you use all your resources to gather the most accurate information possible.

Watching videos on the breed in question is also a great option. Again, a word of caution – not every “how to video” on the internet will be beneficial. Today, anyone can post a video online. Unfortunately, there is a lot of poor quality grooming being featured – especially if it is free. Go to trusted sources like Learn2GroomDogs.com that are truly qualified to demonstrate how to groom a particular breed.

Yes, you need to do a little research. Will it require a little effort? Yep.

However, if you have those three nuggets of knowledge, you will have the foundation skills to groom any breed.

strong technical skills
solid comprehension of canine anatomy
ability to interpret the breed standard

With those 3 skills, you can groom any breed of dog that comes your way.

If you are a newer stylist or just don’t have the time to do all the research, there is a shortcut. Notes From the Grooming Table will allow you to fast track your knowledge. Simply grab the book and turn to the breed you have a question about. We are just about to release the fully updated Second Edition of Notes From the Grooming Table. Keep your eyes open for how to get this revised edition – announcements on how to get yours will be available soon.

As pet groomers and stylists, we get to see plenty of dogs. It’s rare and exciting to get a breed you are not familiar with. Most of us pros enjoy the challenge of learning about a new breed. Figuring out what we will need to do to make the dog look like it should – or could – look like if the owners allow you to groom it correctly.

I know, I know… many owners just want the hair shaved off once they walk through your door. Or the dog is in such poor condition, the only humane option is to shave the coat off and start over. That’s always a disappointment once you’ve put in effort to educate yourself. Hopefully, the new client motivated you to learn few new things you can add to your knowledge toolbox even if you didn’t get to execute the trim!

Happy Trimming!

~ Melissa

P.S.

Did these tricks help? Go online and tell us what you think on the Learn2GroomDogs Facebook page.

‘Twas the Week Before Christmas

Welcome to my blog! For the next few weeks, my marketing expert, Joelle Asmondy, will be filling in for me while I work on a large project. Joelle is a whiz with marketing. I can’t wait to see which helpful tidbits she shares with you! Enjoy!

It’s the week before Christmas and everyone rushes
from Bichons to Shih Tzu’s with clippers and brushes.

Tis our busiest season and everyone knows it.
We’re stressed and we’re tired – though nobody shows it!

The shop is set up to be warm and inviting
and we’re all so grateful that no dogs are biting!

With bathers in aprons and stylists in smocks,
our team is assembled and watching the clocks

when out in the lobby arose such a clatter
we ran to the front to see what was the matter.

With leashes in hand, we kenneled pups safely,
(We never take chances with anyone’s safety!)

Our beautiful lobby, once tidy and neat
was now complete chaos with guests on their feet.

The source of the barking and noise was no grander
than just a big dog with delusions of grandeur.

A big ol’ sweet mixed breed so lively and quick,
we knew in a moment he must be “Saint Nick.”

“Saint Nick” is just “Nicky” but everyone knows
the kind of behavior he typically shows:

“Down Nicky! Don’t eat that! Get back here! Stop hissin’!
Don’t do that! Stop barking! Why won’t you please listen?!”

From the top of her lungs her owner did shout,
“Now stop it at once or I’ll take you back out!!”

With legs like a hurricane Nicky did fly
to each couch, chair, and person who stood closely by.

He tangled up leashes, to laptops he flew.

He knocked them aside – stepped on their dogs, too!

And then when we thought he was settling down,
he jumped, and he barked, and spread drool all around.

We all scrambled to help and use calming voices
before customers wished they had made different choices.

Saint Nicky was filthy, from his head to his toes
and his hair was all matted (you know how it goes).

A shoe lace of slobber completed the mess
and where it would land was anyone’s guess.

His eyes – how they twinkled! His dog tags, how clinky!
His coat – how atrociously pelted and stinky!

His sweet little mouth was drawn up in a grin.
We wondered just what in the heck he’d rolled in!

His stump of a tail knocked bystanders down
as he turned, and he dashed, and he slobbered around.

He shredded a jacket with teeth like a knife –
it’s clear he was having the time of his life.

Nick’s owner was clearly in over her head –
her own hair in tangles, her face turning red.

(She’d given no training and took no advice
And now this poor woman was paying the price.)

We got Nicky settled and gave him a bath
and cleaned up the messes he left in his path.

At the end of it all, he shone like a champ.
(We did the best possible – he was still slightly damp.)

He ran to his master, who gave us a smile.
We knew she would need to rest up for a while.

But we heard her say exclaim she drove out of sight –
I’m so sorry ’bout that! Please have a good night!”

Make it a great day!

~Joelle Asmondy

P.S.

How are you getting through the holidays? Jump over to the Learn2GroomDogs Facebook page and tell us.

Am I a Good Boss?

Let’s take a little poll:

How many of you own or run a salon?
Which of you have a degree in business or have taken any business classes?
Has anyone taken any management classes?

That sounds about right.

One of the best things about going to trade shows is meeting people. I get to talk to people from all over the country and I love it when they tell me their stories. We talk about dogs (of course), dog books (um, yeah!), and working with dogs (why not?). It’s a great way for me to stay in touch with our clients’ needs and find out what people are really thinking about.

Let me share a conversation that I have all the time…

“I became a groomer because I love dogs. At first, I just had a few clients. It started with friends and family, then their friends heard about me, and I got even busier. I got to the point where I had to hire someone just to keep up! Now I groom, book appointments, answer phones, run my own business, AND I have (one, two, three…) groomer(s) working for me!”

Sound familiar?

I love that so many dog grooming businesses have grown in such an organic way. It starts with a passion, grows because we’re needed, and thrives because we’re good at what we do. Our clients keep coming back because they know we love their pets and care about their health and safety.

The flip side to this is that very few people who own or manage these businesses have any formal training in supervising employees. We suddenly find ourselves in the role of “boss” simply because we needed help. For many, it’s a natural fit and the transition is painless. For others, the change is more challenging.

The question of the day is, “Are You a Good Boss?” The answer may surprise you.

I reached out to folks from the industry and asked them about the best qualities of their managers. Many of the answers were similar. Let’s look at the answers together and see if we can understand what it really means to be a good boss.

“I’ve grown a lot by working here.”

Do you take the time to offer praise as well as constructive criticism? In busy salons, it can become easy to fall into the habit of communicating like our furry customers – we bark at each other instead of talking. Don’t let a hectic schedule become an excuse for bad manners or meanness. Remember, you’re not just running a business, you’re building a culture. Do you want yours to be team-oriented or hostile and withdrawn? Things don’t get done any faster or better with rudeness than with courtesy.

“She’s willing to try new ideas.”

If you want employees who step up and really help out, you have to be open to trying new things. “That’s the way we’ve always done it,” will quickly kill initiative. Employees who feel like they have input into bettering the process tend to stick around longer and contribute more to the overall business. After all, isn’t that what you need?

“He’s organized.”

If you are constantly running late, running out of stock, and running out of patience, you could be running yourself right out of business. Let your team help you get things in order. Delegate duties that are well-suited to them. It empowers them and also takes a few things off your plate.

“She encourages me.”

I once worked for an amazing supervisor who motivated me just by being encouraging. I tried a new sales approach once, and it went so well that she had me present it to others in our district. Knowing that she believed in me did more than compliment me, it made me want to work even harder!

“He tells me how I can improve in a positive way.”

Two words: constructive criticism. It’s easy to tell someone when they do something wrong. If you want change that sticks, it takes a little more work.

Use the sandwich technique: tell them what you liked, tell them what needs to change, then offer positive feedback.
Be specific: saying something is done wrong is not helpful. WHAT was wrong about it? HOW should it be done next time? WHY is it important that it be done right?
Don’t attack the person, attack the problem: telling someone they’re terrible at trimming nails hasn’t solved anything. Look at the problem – in this case, quicking too many nails – and look at technique. If a person isn’t trained properly, they can’t be blamed for doing something wrong.
Don’t assume they know what you mean: it may sound simple to you, but it may not seem that obvious to them. It’s impossible to over-communicate.

“We never stop trying to get better.”

Complacency is the enemy of good business. Successful businesses are always trying to become better, more efficient, and less wasteful.

“She says, “thank you.”

Those are magic words, aren’t they? Thank you for staying late. Thank you for helping me carry in the supplies. Thank you for helping that elderly client to her car. Recognizing effort boosts morale and encourages them to keep giving their best.

“He tells me what is needed and doesn’t expect me to read his mind.”

“I shouldn’t have to tell them…”

“It’s just plain old common sense!”

Work on removing these phrases from your vocabulary. Just because you’ve done something a thousand times doesn’t mean other people understand it as thoroughly as you do. Take a minute, take a breath, and give them the benefit of the doubt.

“She recognizes effort even if we fall short of a goal.”

All success is success. It’s ok to be excited about progress even if you didn’t get quite all the way there. Learn from the experience and try again. Sometimes shared enthusiasm or experience is what’s needed to really make things happen.

Whether you became a manager by choice or by coincidence, it’s important to know how to be a good boss. Building a team and a business takes work – and you don’t have to do it alone. By developing a positive culture, you’re helping to make a better work environment that will attract better employees, will help keep your best staff, and will make your days a lot better.

What topics would you like us to cover? Jump over to the Learn2GroomDogs Facebook page and tell us.

Click here for a complete video list to make searching Learn2GroomDogs.com even easier!

Make it a great day!

~Joelle Asmondy

Learn2GroomDogs.com Wins Big!

Sept 19, 2015 was a fabulous night. My Learn2GroomDogs.com team had the honor of accepting the 2015 Barkleigh Honors Award for Website of the Year. This is the second time we have won the award, but this year it was with a brand new website!

Let me take you behind the scenes. Learn2GroomDogs.com started as a dream. A big dream.

I knew video content brought clarity to the learning process. We had seen it ourselves with our training program at the Paragon School of Pet Grooming. We introduced our own series of core grooming videos to the program in 2008. Those videos made a huge impact on how rapidly our students developed in the hands-on training program.

Professional pet grooming is an amazing career. Unfortunately, many find it challenging to move their careers forward without convenient access to continuing education. Once I saw how well our students preformed after watching our video lessons, I knew I was on to something.

For two years I thought about how I could help more people with video learning. How could we make it easy? Accessible? Affordable? What would the lessons be? Who would present the training? For two years my head was bursting with ideas yet I could not come up with the ideal solution.

I firmly believe in the “Law of Attraction.” What you think about becomes a magnet. Thoughts become things. They naturally become a part of your life.

In 2010 my husband and I stumbled upon my answer at a large equine event. I was not looking for it – but there it was. On a huge TV we both saw digital streaming videos. Hundreds of them. The company was educating riders around the globe. They were using Olympic caliber riders as their video trainers.

It was simple. It was accessible to the learner. All it took was a high-speed internet connection. And the best part – it was affordable to the subscriber! Members had unlimited access to hundreds of training lessons at their fingertips. All the lessons were taught by the best of the best.

My jaw dropped. I knew I had found my answer.

We spent the next few months learning everything we could about building a streaming video company.

For the first 4 years we partnered with that equine business as we built Learn2GroomDogs. The learning curve for my team was immense. As we built the company and the video library, our platform needs changed.

Late in 2014 we started building our own platform to better meet the desires of our members. You know that saying, “If you knew how difficult something would be, you’d never take the first step…” That was us as we undertook the new platform for Learn2GroomDogs!

Again, the law of attraction was hard at work. We found an amazing team of talented computer programmers and designers. My team worked closely with them to create the new platform. It took almost 6 months to build the new site and many LONG hours.

It was launch time in early in 2015. Our goal was to keep the transition as seamless as possible for our members. We swallowed hard. Crossed our fingers. We all said our own silent prayers. There was a lot of information to transfer. Even though we had tested, and tested, and tested – we were all still very nervous. I think the entire team held their breath as we flipped the switch from our original platform to the new one.

We did it! It worked. Sure we had a few glitches to clean up but overall, the transition was a huge success. Learn2GroomDogs.com had a new home and a new look.

We are thrilled with how the site came out. Our aim was to make the new site as user-friendly as possible. We wanted the look to be clean, simple, and easy to navigate. The site search engine needed to be very powerful so members could find what they needed with just a few keystrokes.

Today we have over 600 pet grooming video lessons in the library (it keeps growing!). Fresh lessons are added every week. We are fortunate to work with a wide range of extremely talented top industry professionals as our Training Partners. Currently we have over 45 Training Partners. The best of the best.

I love the fact that this platform lends itself to a wide range of industry driven topics. It’s like going to a major educational trade show but doing it from the comfort of your home.

We are honored to accept the 2015 Barkleigh Honors Award for Website of the Year. I’d also like to thank my entire team for making Learn2GroomDogs.com a reality.

Marc LaFleur: Co-Founder, Assistant Educational Resource Director, Film Director & Cameraman

Marc is my #1 supporter and husband. He also is the man behind the camera on 98% of the videos. Marc brings a unique perspective to the lens. He is a long time Certified Master Groomer, former mobile stylist, and grooming instructor. His experience with grooming and training allows him to focus in on the critical elements when it comes to pet grooming techniques as he is filming. Marc also spends countless hours behind the wheel when we travel to film with our Training Partners across the country.

Joelle Asmondy: Customer Service Director, Marketing & Sales, Newsletter Editor and Geek Trouble Shooter

Joelle wears MANY hats in this company. Her outgoing personality combined with marketing savvy, editorial skills, and techie obsessions allow her to excel in her roles at Learn2GroomDogs.com. Joelle is always there to help any of our team or assist Learn2GroomDogs members with a wide variety of needs. She is also my go-to person for all our newsletter and marketing needs. I do all the writing for Learn2GroomDogs.com – but Joelle has the eagle eye. She’s a brilliant editor!

Teresa Dreese: Customer Service Representative, Accounting & Billing Director

Teresa has been with my team for almost 20 years. She started as a star graduate of the Paragon School of Pet Grooming. She has worked her way through the ranks at Paragon from being an instructor to the school’s Director. Teresa is an award-winning pet stylists and a Certified Master Groomer. She has been the Coordinator for GroomTeam USA as well as a Board Member for that organization. Her eye for detail in the numbers is astonishing. She shines at the job most of us run the other way from – accounting and billing!

Ryan Walsh: Video Editor & Technical Support

Ryan has been our long time technical guru. His formal IT training began with his military training in Desert Storm. Today he’s one of those guys that can fix anything with a gum wrapper, paper clip, and a battery. Besides being totally “geekie,” he took many classes on photography and videography. Ryan was a part of my team long before Learn2GroomDogs.com was formed. When we needed advice on camera gear, lighting, and editing, Ryan jumped in with both feet and has never looked back. When it comes to tech support for my team and our members, there simply is no one better.

Lisa VanSweden: Artist, Assistant Customer Service Representative, Assistant Editor & Social Media Advisor

Lisa is an early graduate of the Paragon School of Pet Grooming. She went on to become an instructor at the school. She was a printed wildlife artist before she became a pet groomer. She has been able to combine her passion for art with dog grooming. Lisa has gone on to become a highly recognized artist in the field of pet grooming education with her work in Notes From the Grooming Table, Theory of Five along with many other projects headed up by myself. Lisa’s educational illustrations can be found in other pet-related organizations, as well. Her desire to help pets and people combined with her grooming knowledge makes her a perfect assistant in many facets of our work with Learn2GroomDogs.com.

The Team at Imagination Factory: Website Creation & Development

Ted, Kate, and Mike were the front players on this team – but I know there were many more behind the scenes of this core group. It was an amazing experience working with this talented team. They skillfully led us down a very cluttered and confusing creative process. Their end result was nothing short of brilliant!

The Learn2GroomDogs.com Training Partners

I still pinch myself when I think of the phenomenal professionals we get to work with on all the video lessons. There is not a lesson in the L2GD library that I have not learned something from – and I’ve been playing in this field for a very long time! I’m thrilled and honored to work with every one of them!

Our Learn2GroomDogs Members

Nothing excites me more than to help other become the best they can be. By becoming a member and watching the videos, you are taking an active role in growing your skill set. I love that! This career path is so rewarding for those that are passionate about their job. I’m privileged to be able to help you on your educational journey.

Barkleigh Productions

A special thanks to Barkleigh Productions for managing and hosting these prestigious awards. There are many categories in which industry professionals can cast their votes. It’s a privilege just to be nominated – let along WIN an award. Thank you for making the Barkleigh Honor Awards such an amazing industry event.

Thanks to YOU! Jump over to the Learn2GroomDogs Facebook page and visit with us.

Happy trimming,

~Melissa

Correcting Behavior During Grooming – Learn the 4 Keys to Successful Pet Handling

If you are a long time pet professional, you’ve probably mastered today’s topic. If you are fresh to the industry, you are probably struggling with it. How do you handle the dog that does not want to cooperate with the grooming procedure?

You’ve heard me say this about dogs before – but let’s do a quick review.

They are hard-wired to think like a dog.
They are a predatory pack animal.
They are silent communicators.
They read body language.
They respond to energy.

The most over used word in a dog’s vocabulary is “no.” It’s a common enough word, but it means nothing to them. Why? They hear it all the time. How often is that word spoken every day? Pet owners are constantly “crying wolf” around the dog.

It’s typical. Dog owners overuse the “no” word, yet never back it up. They don’t project the energy necessary to stop the behavior. Thus, they do not convey a strong pack leader presence. The issue they are trying to correct continues unchecked. Many dogs are not trained to understand basic rules and boundaries within their own family pack.

Dogs that are unruly, wiggly, or mildly aggressive on your grooming table have not had consistent training at home. You see it in your shops, salons, and mobile units don’t you?

It’s painful to watch someone who does not understand how to project authority work with these dogs. They think they can win the dog over by using high-pitched baby talk. First, they coo to the dog. Next, they try to reason with it. Not only are THEY getting more and more frustrated… so is the dog. Plus, any staff members within earshot of this ineffective banter are about to lose their minds!

The dog continues to be unruly… wiggly… mildly aggressive. The groomers’ frustration builds. Next, you hear:

“No!”

“Stop it”

“Quit it!”

“No! NO!! NO!!!”

As they spew out the words, their breathing is becoming short and rapid. Their energy is weak. They are losing control of the dog. Someone is going to get hurt – either the dog or the groomer.

So how do you stop this acceleration of bad behavior?

#1. Stop using the word “NO.”

#2. Remember the 3 C’s – stay Calm, Cool, and Collected.

#3. Correct undesirable behaviors before they manifest into an action from the dog.

#4. Be consistent, consistent, consistent.

First, you need to have the proper equipment. Always have control over the dog with a kennel lead or grooming safety loop. The leads and loops need to be adjusted high on the neck, right behind the ears.

On leash, keep mild tension on the lead. Not so much that you are choking the dog, but enough so that you can control the pet. Once you know the pet, you will probably be able to relax the lead tension if they are mild-mannered and well-behaved. Adjust the tension of the grooming loop so that there is a very slight amount of slack when the dog is standing comfortably.

Here’s a trick for working with new dogs that I learned ages ago. I teach them what MY sound is for correcting an undesirable action. I use a sound – not an actual word. It comes from low in my gut, coming out sounding more like sharp grunt. While I use the sound, my breathing is deep and slow. My eyes are steady on the dog. I’m giving the dog eye contact that means business (women, you know what I’m talking about! We all have ‘the look.”). I gently, but firmly, redirect the dog as I wish them to behave.

As soon as the dog cooperates, I soften my eyes and my hands. I might give a calm, single word of praise combined with a gentle, reassuring stroke.

The SECOND the dog makes a move to repeat the undesirable action, I repeat the correction. I am consistent in the training. I never step out of the 3 C’s mental zone: Calm, Cool, and Collected

My 10 Rules When It Comes to Dealing with Challenging Pets

Never work on a pet that you feel is dangerous to itself or to you.
Always maintain the 3 C’s: Calm, Cool, and Collected.
Remember that dogs are silent communicators that respond to energy.
Never take an unfamiliar pet from the owner’s arms.
Always maintain some form of physical control.
Become a lifelong learner of canine psychology and body language.
Remember that not all pets are candidates for all professional grooming settings.
If the eyes glow red or green – DO NOT GROOM THE DOG.
Humanity always comes before vanity.
Your hands are your livelihood – always protect them.

We will constantly be faced with less than cooperative pets in our careers. It is always better for you to win the trust and cooperation of a pet for the grooming process. Most of the time, this translates into becoming a highly effective dog trainer.

Dogs are hardwired to think like dogs. We love them, even treat them like children, but we need to remember that they are not humans. They are dogs. The more experience you can have handling dogs, combined with actively studying their language, their psychology, the more effective you will become.

Remember these four important rules. Do not use the word “no.” Always abide by the Three C’s: Calm, Cool, and Collected. Correct undesirable actions before they become an issue. Finally, be super consistent in everything you do with a dog.

What techniques do you use to redirect challenging behaviors? Jump over to the Learn2GroomDogs Facebook page and tell us about it!

Happy trimming!

~Melissa

Canine Influenza

If you’ve been watching the news lately, you have probably heard about the newest illness threatening our pets. Canine influenza (CI), or dog flu, is a highly contagious infection that can have serious implications not only for our pets, but for your business and our industry.

The dog flu originally appeared in Korea, China, and Thailand. Earlier this year, an outbreak occurred in Chicago. This flu can spread quickly from dog to dog by contact with respiratory secretions and contaminated objects. Any dog, regardless of age or breed can fall victim to this illness. This virus can live on surfaces for up to 48 hours, on clothing for 24 hours, and on hands for 12 hours. That means that infected dogs that come into contact with these items can potentially pass on the illness:

Food and water dishes
Collars and leashes
Dog toys
Kennels
People who move back and forth between healthy and infected dogs

Experts estimate that 20-25% of exposed dogs will become infected, but may show no actual signs of illness. 80% of infected dogs may develop the flu and have mild symptoms such as a persistent and treatment-resistant cough, similar to kennel cough. They may also include sneezing, runny nose, and fever.

A small percentage of the infected dogs may develop serious issues, including pneumonia or even bleeding in the lungs. Death is also possible in some cases.

Diagnosing and treating the illness should be done by your vet. Most dogs recover within 2-3 weeks.

Those of us in the pet industry must take a leading role in preventing the spread of this illness. That means making a serious upgrade in how we look at cleaning and disinfection of our facilities. Kennels, grooming salons, vet’s offices, and dog parks can help increase – or reduce – the chances of spreading the flu. Because it can take 2-4 days after exposure to develop the flu, it’s important to take steps to prevent the illness before symptoms appear. Being proactive is the best defense.

An outbreak of the flu in your area can have devastating results. Your clients could be affected. Even your own pets can be at risk!

Imagine what would happen if your salon or kennel experienced an outbreak? No one wants a pet to experience a serious case of the flu, or even mild symptoms of the illness.
What would the impact be on your business? You would surely see a difference in your daily bottom line as pets become ill and need to stay home to recuperate.
What about your human clients? Would they feel like you took the necessary steps to prepare for and prevent an outbreak?
Are you prepared to answer questions about the flu? What about your staff?

Preventing the Flu: Step One

It’s important to be plan and be prepared. That means educating yourself and training your staff on what to do if you are in a risk area. Do you make calls to remind your clients of their appointments? That’s a great time to talk about the health of their pet.

Know what you’re going to say before you place the reminder call. That way you know what questions to expect and will be able to answer them without sounding unprepared. Knowing what you are going to say also reduces panic and hurt feelings from sensitive clients.

You might consider creating educational materials for your clients to take home. Those of you who send emails to your clients may consider sending out a newsletter with details about the illness so they can monitor their pets more closely. Posting informative links on your social media outlets is also effective.

Remember – you’re not trying to frighten your guests, so having a script to refer to is a great tool. Know the facts and use them to help create a team with your clients so you can work together on preventing an outbreak.

Step Two

You and your staff should know what symptoms to look for. If a pet client shows signs of illness, it should stay home.

Remember, you are a trained observer and not a vet. You shouldn’t diagnose the pet. But you can certainly suggest that contacting their vet might be a good idea.

Infected pets should be isolated from other pets – that means no trips to the dog park, the kennel, or the grooming salon. If you need to send a pet home, immediately disinfect the area once it leaves your building.

Step Three

Get out your rubber gloves – it’s time to disinfect and sterilize.

The flu virus is killed with routine disinfecting products that contain quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g., benzalkonium chloride), aldehydes, phenols and those with 10% bleach content.

Clean all surfaces, kennels, tubs, tools, equipment, floors… anyplace a dog has been or you have touched after coming in contact with a dog. Get to work on the entry way to your building. Don’t forget your lobby and seating areas. And pay attention to your offices supplies such as phones, pens, and anything else you pick up every day. That leads us to…

Step Four

Wash your hands! Do it before and after eating. Wash them after touching a pet. Scrub them after touching the garbage. Are you doing it right? The Center for Disease Control (CDC) says to follow these guidelines:

The Right Way to Wash Your Hands

Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Remember that educating yourself and your client is a great defense against canine flu. The better prepared you are, the better your chances of preventing or reducing an outbreak in your area. Don’t wait until it’s too late to understand the risks and your responsibilities. The sooner you understand how you can help, the healthier your pet clients will be.

To read more on Canine Influenza, click here .

Happy trimming!

~Melissa

A Vet’s Wisdom

My husband, Marc was in Arizona for a week at a disc golf tournament. I was looking forward to a peaceful week at the farm and getting a lot of work accomplished. After all, it is February in Michigan. It’s just not that enjoyable to be outside for long periods of time unless you are really bundled up!

The weekend was wonderful. I loved being in the barn doing chores, caring for our six Friesian horses, hanging out with our four large dogs, snuggling with all the cats and filling the wood burning furnace all weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

When Monday came, my week blew apart.

Melissa and Ilene

My beloved old Friesian mare had to be put down that morning. She would have been 30 year old in May. Those of us that have had horses know there is always a “special one.” Ilene was mine.

On Tuesday, Lisa VanSweden, my artist and good friend, came to the farm to help me keep my mind off Ilene. She was going to spend the night, just hanging out, relaxing. Little did we know, we would be racing one of our beloved Maremma Sheepdogs into the pet emergency clinic with bloat late Tuesday night. We were there all night as Reagan went through emergency surgery to save his life. Marc was catching the first flight out in the morning to get home and Lisa helped keep me somewhat calm as the night wore on. I was an emotional wreck.

Running a farm is a lot of work and ours is no exception. Fortunately, we have someone who works at our farm and cares for all our critters. Tina is indispensable to Marc and me. Without someone like Tina, we could never do what we do. She helps us with all the chores associated with a farm. When we travel, she moves into the house and tends to everything in our absence. She loves and cares for our animals like they are her own.

Tina was the one who found Ilene down in her stall early on Monday. She called me immediately to come to the barn. For the last two years, we had known that Ilene had been running on borrowed time. We also knew that if she went down, she would never get up.

Marc and Reagan

When Tina learned that Reagan was in emergency surgery Tuesday night, she stayed up the rest of the night. We texted updates and surgery reports back and forth until we knew the surgery was successful.

On Wednesday, with eyes blurry from a serious lack of sleep, Tina told this tale to Lisa VanSweden and me. We loved it. I know if you are reading this blog, you are an animal lover and will love it, as well.

Two weeks previously, Tina had to put down her beloved Beagle mix. She found it very helpful to recall these wise words from an old-time vet long ago.

Over 20 years ago, I sat sobbing quietly in the vet’s office. I told the vet, “Please don’t let this puppy die, I just can’t lose him.” Then, this older, gruff vet, who was not known for a good bedside manner, did something very unexpected and unforgettable. He pulled up a chair, sat directly in front of me, took my chin in his hand and said, “Young lady, look at me.”

When I looked up, his expression was soft and kind. His eyes glistened with unshed tears. He said, as best as I can remember, “Raising, having, and loving animals is hard work and heartbreaking. Their life span is nowhere near ours. If you have them, most likely you’re going to have them die. There’s accidents, injuries, diseases, or if you’re lucky, just plain old age. Now that’s life. No amount of care, precaution, love, or medicine can change that. There’s nothing a loving owner, a skilled vet, or anyone can do to stop it. Now death isn’t pretty or easy, and at times it is brutal and just plain awful. Sometimes, as an owner you are forced to make a decision that relieves their suffering and that’s always a tough call. Now I know you love this puppy just like you loved Bear. I will do all I can, but I can’t promise he will make it. Now if you really just can’t handle that – and there’s no shame if you can’t – I suggest you get out of having animals. Everything that lives – dies. It isn’t easy and you never really get used to it. I’ve lost and had to put down many, and sometimes even I still get emotional. You just have to decide if all the love and joy they bring to your life is worth the heartbreak.”

And with that, he stood up, put the chair back, and said, “I’ll call you in the morning and let you know if he made it through the night.”

Well, that beautiful, sweet puppy lived and went on to bring joy to the whole family for over 13 years. He grew up with my kids and was loved by all that knew him. The vet never showed his soft side again, but at one visit a few years later, this time with a horse, he did look at me with a wink and said, “You made the right choice. There are lots of animals that could use the amount of love and care you give them.”

After Annie passed away, and with the events of this week, I have reflected back on that advice and all of the great furry friends I have been privileged to know. I’ve learned to smile through the tears and embrace the memories, and never question my decision to keep them a part of my life.

Such wonderful wisdom. No amount of sorrow will ever keep me from having animals in my life. The joy they bring far outweighs their passing. I will always do my best to keep pets safe, healthy, comfortable, and happy.

I, like Tina, have never questioned my decision to make them such a large part of my life.

~Melissa

Making the Most of a Seminar

With the Atlanta Pet Fair just around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to revisit one of my favorite topics: getting the most out of a seminar.

When you attend trade shows and clinics, preparing in advance can help you make the most of this experience. Seminars are a great way to improve your skills and recharge your batteries. Meeting your mentors and soaking up their knowledge is a fantastic opportunity, and if you can see and hear them in action, it maximizes the experience. When you know what you need and what you hope to get out of the session, you can better prepare yourself to squeeze out as much as you can from your time together.

1. Step into the session with a very open mind.

If you are young and fresh to the industry, the amount of information that you get can be intimidating. Listen, take notes, and soak up every bit of knowledge that you can. Sometimes that may mean suspending what you know in order to make room for something new. Trying new techniques or ideas can be uncomfortable just because you’ve never tried it before. Keeping an open mind enables you to break from your routine to get different results. With time and practice, the awkwardness goes away and you become more efficient. Remember: having more tools, techniques, and knowledge allows you to have multiple approaches to a problem.

2. Make efficient use of the time available.

Many trainers at these sessions have limited time. They are often rushing from one obligation to another – judging competitions, speaking in seminars, or providing hands-on clinics. If they can, many will take the time to answer your questions. If you know what you need to ask, it helps you make the best use of the brief time you may have together. Be prepared – write down your questions in advance so you don’t forget something important or stumble over your words. Being ready to participate in the learning experience helps you make the best use of the session – and the presenter will respect you for it.

3. Don’t be nervous – plan ahead.

With so much to see and do at trade shows, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Break out the catalog and study the floor plan before you arrive. Map out your plan of attack to make sure you get to everything you need to see. Some shows have free apps you can download to help make the most out of your experience. Know the schedule of events so you don’t miss that speaker you’ve been hoping to see. Sometimes it’s good to go to shows like this with a friend – divide and conquer, then compare notes later.

As your knowledge and skills advance, the clinics won’t be as daunting. They will become a great way for you to fine-tune your skills. You can begin to network and exchange thoughts with others in the industry who can provide insight when you need it. Plus, these types of functions are a great way to invigorate your career.

These principles remain valid for many forms of advanced learning in the pet grooming industry. Maybe you don’t have the opportunity to do a hands-on training session. There is a wealth of information to learn from these all-star pet stylists. You might be in the audience at a trade show, pet grooming competition or watching a grooming video lesson featuring one of these top stylists. The better you can execute the core skills with your everyday grooming, the easier it will be to successfully transfer their lessons to your own grooming table.

If you are not as accomplished as these award-winning and highly successful pet groomers are — take note. You can learn a lot from their well-developed skills. Learning new skills, tips, and tricks make grooming pets all that more fun!

Click here to see a seminar in action!

Happy Trimming!

~ Melissa

What do YOU want most from a seminar?

2015 Westminster Dog Show is Right Around the Corner

For many people, watching the Super Bowl is a highlight of their sports viewing. Me? Not so much. I’m honestly not that interested in football. Sorry. However, mention the Westminster Kennel Club dog show and my eyes light up.

Guess what? It’s right around the corner and I can’t wait! The 2015 dog show airs on TV February 16th and 17th. This is always an annual event for me. Although I’ve never been to the show personally, it’s a fabulous learning event for me. I spend the evening glued to my big screen TV like most football enthusiasts do for a playoff game.

As a professional pet groomer, I’m a visual learner – probably just like you. I find one of the best ways to learn about my trade is to see it. The Westminster annual show is a great way to learn about the breeds, especially the new ones!

Every year the American Kennel Club accepts new breeds into the registry. In the past decade, it’s been hard to keep up. Since I wrote Notes From the Grooming Table in 2004, the AKC has added almost 60 new breeds! That’s a lot of new pooches for us pet professionals to recognize.

And are they slowing down? One look at the AKC Foundation Stock Service registry tells you – no. Currently there are almost 30 breeds and development that have not been accepted into the American Kennel Club – yet. Some of the candidates in this group are totally new breeds. Others are ancient breeds relatively unknown outside their local areas around the globe.

At one time I prided myself in being able to identify and instantly recognize most breeds registered by the AKC. Not anymore. Plus, many of the newer breeds have names that are hard to remember let alone pronounce! I have to continue to really pay attention and study the new breeds coming onto the scene.

Luckily for me, and you, many of the new breeds are represented at Westminster. They’re exceptional specimens and very well presented. Generally, the camerawork is excellent as the dog struts around the ring. I can get a great idea of the size of the breed and coat type. By seeing the dog, I get a great awareness of how to groom these new additions to their breed profile. I have to really pay attention though. Many times I record the show so if I want to review a specific breed again, I can.

Take advantage of this great learning tool. The 139th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is taking place at Madison Square Garden in New York City February 16th & 17th. There are 2711 dogs entered in this year’s event. Check your local listings for television viewing on CBS and USA Network for the Group Classes on Monday and Tuesday nights. Best In Show airs on Tuesday evening once the Group Classes have concluded. If you want to watch individual breeds show, check out the breed rings at www.westminsterkennelclub.org or via the Westminster app on your mobile device.

The NEW Learn2GroomDogs.com is Here!

The wait is finally over! The NEW Learn2GroomDogs.com site opens today. We hope to see you there!

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