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From Sally's
Desk...
California Fumin'!
It has happened again. Pet deaths in enclosed
dog dryers. This time in California. And an irate pet owner has
vowed to have legislation enacted that will stop this needless
death. He is getting lots of media attention. I side with the
pet owner.
I side with him because I wonder why a
pet dies while surrounded by pet care professionals. I side with
him because we have talked about legislation, over and over again,
but nothing ever happens. I side with him because I, too, think
it is disgusting and outrageous.
Many of the good groomers of Southern California
are picking up the mantel of licensing and trying to work to
get legislation enacted which they can support and will be good
for the groomer and pet. They are appalled too, that this keeps
happening.
So what are we to do? Do we, as an industry,
fuss and fume about the government looking over our shoulder,
or do we realize that WE must be leaders in providing a good
basis of legislation that will protect groomers, pet owners and
pets. Shouldn't we offer the pet owning public a safety net of
regulations that are good for us as well as them? Or do we bury
our heads in the sand and say let's keep it the way it was? Let's
try to hide the dead dogs, do nothing and hope that no pet owner,
or group, ever tries to legislate us.
I am for the former. And I wish the So.
California Groomers Association godspeed as they try to do something
and get some good initial legislation on the books.
Colorado has some legislation that works
for them. It entails safety and cleanliness regulations and an
inspection of salons. California is looking at that law to see
how it would work in their state and make some modification.
And they have the ear of the legislature.
Lets support them... and stop the infighting.
Lets realize that this is going to be good for groomers if we
design it ourselves. It will help to eliminate those who perhaps
should not be operating anyhow.
California Groomers... please join this
fine association and back President, Denise Stoops, as she tries
to get things enacted. Come out to the meetings (one will be
held at Groom & Kennel Expo in Burbank in February) and have
a voice in this action. It does no good to sit back and complain.
Go get 'em, gals.
God Bless You!
Sally
sally@barkleigh.com
Please e-mail your comments.
Anything you would like to send to Denise Stoops,
I'll be happy to forward.
The International
Judges Association - The First Five Years
By Kathy Hosler
Once upon a time, when you entered a grooming
contest, your fate rested in the hands of only one person, the
Judge. A revolutionary new concept for judging grooming competitions
emerged just five years ago to change all that.
At a grooming seminar in March of 1998,
several grooming contest judges were chatting with each other.
The conversation began like many others at any seminar, just
discussing grooming contests in general.
As the discussion progressed, a new and
visionary idea unfolded wouldn't it be great if we could form
a professional judges association, and, hold onto your hat, introduce
a system whereby a panel of judges, not just one person, did
the contest judging?
These professional judges recognized that
when there is one judge, you only get one person's opinion. When
you have a panel of judges, they agree democratically on the
best dog in the ring. It is fairer, and therefore, a better way
to go.
As a result of that discussion, the International
Judges Association was founded, bringing a new and exciting dimension
to grooming contests. What is the International Judges Association,
and what sets its judging process apart from other grooming contests?
"The IJA is a panel judging system,"
explains John Nash of The Nash Academy and co-founder of the
association. "At least three judges are required for each
contest."
The mission of the IJA is to standardize
and promote fair and equitable placement of contestants in professional
dog grooming competitions, agreed upon and accepted by a panel
of three or more IJA judges.
"Panel judging is a great benefit,"
states Therese Backowski, Off Lead editor and IJA judge. "The
final decision no longer rests on the shoulders of only one person
as judge. During the contest, the judges share their opinions
with each other and placements are made by general consensus
of the judges."
The IJA is composed of a select group of
international judges from Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands,
and the United States. The pioneering efforts of these top industry
leaders have been crucial in the development of the International
Judges Association. John and Vivian Nash, IJA founders, credit
Groom Expo, Groom & Kennel Expo and Euro Kru (Germany) for
seeing the advantages of this panel judging system and for implementing
IJA contests at their shows.
"The IJA offers competitions on three
levels, from novice to expert, allowing contestants to compete
with others on their own skill level," states Vivian. "This
encourages the beginners to come in and try their hand in the
competition ring. The contest ring is very educational win or
lose," she continues. "It's exciting, challenging,
and a real career accomplishment."
The first IJA competition was held at the
1998 Groom Expo in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Its debut introduced
many new and groundbreaking ideas. Every contestant had before
and after photos taken, giving the judges computer images that
they could refer to during the competition. As a matter of fact,
the IJA has a record of every IJA event that has been held, from
that first Groom Expo until the present. There are before and
after computer images of every competitor and the contest results.
The contestants in IJA competitions enjoy
a very organized and stress free environment in the contest ring,
as soft, relaxing music is played during the competition.
Another innovative addition to the grooming
contest world was born at the 1998 Groom Expo. It was the "Sally
Break". Sally Liddick, Groom Expo show organizer, asked
the IJA to give a fifteen-minute break to the competitors and
the dogs during the competition. That was unheard of in grooming
contests and not viewed favorably by the judges. But, Sally's
compassion for the dogs, and the competitors, compelled her to
say, "Let's just try it." Sally Break has become part
of every contest and everyone loves it. "It gives the dog
a chance to relax and shake out its coat," says Sally, "and
reduces the stress on both the dog and the groomer."
And, making things better is a lot of what
the IJA is about. They have developed strong judging guidelines
and created sound contest rules and procedures, using all the
members, ideas and input. "The IJA system enables judges
to follow a standard procedure in the contest ring," John
Nash explains. "They go in, do their job, do it well, and
then move on."
The IJA has a very organized ring. The
judges have their decisions within thirty minutes after the "scissors
down" announcement. That allows the competitions to stay
on schedule, which is really important to the competitor and
beneficial to the spectators.
The IJA has introduced other innovative
ideas. There is a contestants' meeting the night before the competition,
to explain the contest rules and procedures. At the meeting,
the importance of professional image, gentle handling, competitor
interactions with their dogs, and other contest related issues
are discussed, all of which leads to a more professional ring.
In most competitions, the IJA presents
three equal placements in each skill level, Technical, Profile
and Difficulty awards. The class winner is selected from these
award winners. At some shows, an Image Award, a Kindness Award
and a Presentation Award are also offered.
"At the end of the competition, there
is a beautiful presentation of the entrants. Each competitor
introduces himself and his dog. And, every competitor receives
a ribbon," explains Vivian Nash. "At the big shows
they can get their contest photos to display in their salons,
allowing their clients to see their accomplishments and appreciate
that they are involved in their profession by competing and attending
continuing education classes."
One of the most notable accomplishments
of IJA is competitor satisfaction. Contestants are satisfied
with the placing received when those placings are decided by
a panel of judges. They enjoy the feeling that their fate is
not decided by just one person, but by a panel of highly skilled
and knowledgeable professionals.
"The IJA judges are dedicated to the
industry, the competitors, and to the International Judges Association,"
states Therese Backowski. "All they want is to see the industry
get better and better."
Five years ago, the International Judges
Association began with a team of dedicated professionals and
an exciting vision. Today, thanks to the support of show promoters,
the loyalty of the competitors, and the tireless efforts of the
IJA members, a whole new era in the world of competitive grooming
contests is flourishing.
To learn more about the International Judges
Association, please visit their website at www.interjudge.com.
Doggie Dental
Care
By Mary Faith Moore
As routine canine cosmetology is practiced
across the globe, pet pros in the know are chalking pet dental
services on their grooming menu. "Tooth brushing wards off
canine halitosis, gum disease, multiple infection and even heart
disease," agreed top manufacturers of pet oral hygiene products.
"Pet groomers play a major role in motivating the pet owner
to pay proper attention to Rover's canines."
Join us in an exploration of doggie dental-ware.
Prepare to sink your teeth into (more than a mouthful) of canine
friendly products designed specifically to freshen, brighten
and whiten Fido's fangs.
S&M NuTec LLC
Greenies ®
Dog lovers agree, there has never been anything like Greenies!
The cheerful green chew treat offers a well-rounded list of terrific
benefits for deserving canines, from dental care, to nutrition,
to fun. Greenies sweeten a dog's breath while it cleans teeth!
" It's like a toothbrush in every delicious nutritious bone,"
says Brad Siedler, of S&M NuTec.
A Samoyed named Ivan, a special friend
of Dr. Joe and Judy Roetheli, (board certified veterinary nutritionists),
inspired Greenies. The Roethelis developed Greenies ® as
a solution for Ivan's terrible breath, with amazing results!
Greenies not only satisfy every dog's natural
desire to chew, but the abrasive action actually decreases buildup
of dental tartar and improves digestibility. Ivan's breath improved
immensely in less than two weeks and the taste was irresistible!
Greenies are manufactured from delicious,
nutritious ingredients including the natural green advantage
of chlorophyll; no byproduct preservatives, artificial flavors,
or colors are added. For more information email: info@barkleigh.com.
Benedent
The nifty canine toothbrush with three separate heads belongs
to Benedent, an innovative manufacturer of health products for
humans, and their pets. "Our Triple Pet Toothbrush is approved
by the American Dental Association," says the Benedent spokesperson.
The combination of bristles make pet tooth brushing faster and
easier.
"Soft bristles massage gums, while
firm bristles reach every nook and cranny inside a dog's mouth,"
the spokesperson explains. "Triple Pet is simply the best
pet toothbrush on the market!"
Benedent All Natural Toothpaste with tartar
control formula is a delicious cure for canine halitosis. Formulated
with Tea Tree Oil, the non-foaming paste is naturally sweetened
and flavored with vanilla, a canine favorite. Benedent offers
grooming retailers plenty of marketing support, including signs
that educate and promote canine oral hygiene to interested pet
owners. For more information email: info@barkleigh.com.
LebaLab
LebaLab is manufacturer of Leba Three, an unprecendented pet
dental spray that removes tarter, plaque and prevents future
buildup on canine teeth. Developed as a safe alternative to canine
dental surgery, Leba-Lab partnered with the head of dentistry
at a reknowned university, with amazing results. "We tested
Leba Three with veterinarians and had a 100% positive response
in double blind tests," recalls Lisa Guerin, President of
LebaLab. Leba Three stimulates enzymes inside the mouth. "Plaque
becomes so soft it falls off," explains Lisa. After several
weeks of routine treatment, plaque simply disappears. "Leba
coats the teeth so they are tarter free," says Lisa. "It
works so well on pets I'm tempted to try it on my own teeth!"
For more information email: info@barkleigh.com.
Oxyfresh
"It's not what we make; it's what we make possible,"
says John Prange, of Oxyfresh, a world wide company that specializes
in unique health care products for humans and pets. Oxyfresh
offers an innovative pet oral hygiene line which includes Triple
Pet Toothbrush, Pet Oral Gel and OxyPet Oral Hygiene Solution.
"We provide a home hygiene program for busy pet owners,"
explained Prange. "Pet dental care they can practice at
home."
Oxyfresh Oral Hygiene Solution is a natural
and pleasant tasting liquid that mixes with Fido's drinking water
to actively reduce plaque and freshen breath. "Of course,
we always recommend a routine manual brushing explains Prange,
but Pet Oral Hygiene solution is so simple to use and effective,
its fits into every pet lover's lifestyle. Request Reader Service
Card #1045 to learn more about their worldwide marketing and
training program.
Virbac
"Grooming merchants seeking a comprehensive selection of
Pet dental-ware will discover Virbac Corporation is a one stop
shop. " Our company is very happy to offer a full line of
pet breath aids," says Denise Skurdalsvold, of Virbac. Best
known as the purveyor of Petrodex (household name in pet dental),
canine friendly Virbac offers an expansive pet dental line, including
a dynamite selection of toothbrushes, rinses, sprays, pastes
and patented pet chews. Pets happily sink their teeth into Virbac's
delectable (dental approved) assortment of rawhide chews designed
with an enzyme-coated action that reduces plaque and freshens
breath. What canine (or feline) will resist gnawing on knots,
chips and chews flavored with fish, poultry, beef, or peanut
butter? For more information email: info@barkleigh.com.
February is National Pet Dental Month!
Celebrate and fill your shop with the doggie dental-ware! With
the click of a mouse (or a quick call), you can offer your favorite
clients the most exciting dog (and cat) dental products on the
market!
NDGAA's 18th
Annual Fun In The Sun Seminar Draws
Competitive Crowd
Cape Canaveral, Florida was the scene for the 18th Annual
Fun In The Sun Dog Groomers Seminar and Competition hosted recently
by the National Dog Groomers Association of America.
Groomers enjoyed topics that included a Salon Owners Series
by John Stazko and a Pet Tech class. Other workshops included
Modern Grooming Techniques by Marlene Romani; Setting Your Price
and Getting It by Dina Perry; Jon Thompson's demo on Poodle puppies;
and Let's Talk Grooming with John Stazko. Grooming demos included
Karen Gunter on Airedales, and Peggy Harris on Giant Schnauzers.
Chris Pawlosky conducted a fun filled education demo on "Scotty
Secrets," and Angie Romani presented slides on dryer maintenance.
This year's competition was split into three divisions. Best
in Show was awarded to Karen Tucker of Apopka, Florida. She also
captured Best All Around Groomer.
The 19th annual Fun In The Sun Seminar will be held October
29-31, 2004. For more information email: info@barkleigh.com.
Karen Tucker Wins Best In Show and Best All Around Groomer
Div. A Best In Show - Karen Tucker
Div. B Best Groomed Dog - Ginger Payson
Div. B All Around Groomer - Kiersten Jobes
Oster Career Start Contest - Cassandra Cooper
Div. B Best Groomed Dog · Ginger Payson
Div. B · Best All Around Groomer · Kiersten Jobes
Div. C Best Groomed Dog · Kimberly Turbyfill
Div. C Best All Around Groomer · Kimberly Turbyfill
Standard Poodle Class (A Div.) Judy Hudson, Karen Tucker,
Holly Balasis (Div. B) Kiersten Jobes, Kimberlie Snyder, Jennifer
Manders
Poodles (Div. C) Sheila Weise, Shelly Baxley, Sandra Phillips
Toy/Mini Poodle Class (Div. A) Karen Tucker, Judy Hudson,
Jessica Hughes (Div. B) Jennifer Manders, Kiersten Jobes, Kimberlie
Snyder
Sporting Class (Div. A) Karen Tucker, Holly Balasis, Judy
Hudson (Div. B) Tiffany Smith, Kiersten Jobes, Debi Hiley (Div.
C) Kim Turbyfill, Madeline LeSage, Janet Mason
Terrier Class (Div. A) Karen Tucker, Dorothy Naus, Judy Hudson
(Div. B) Ginger Payson, Kiersten Jobes, Tiffany Smith (Div. C)
Hatsuyo Henderson, Kim Turbyfill, Nicole Murphy
Misc. Class (Div. A) Judy Hudson, Karen Tucker, Dorothy Naus
(Div. B) Jennifer Manders, Kiersten Jobes, Kimberlie Snyder
Mixed Class (Div. A) Dorothy Naus, Judy Hudson, Jessica Hughes
(Div. B) Debi Hiley, Danielle Elliott, Alexis P. Morris
Mixed/Misc. Class (Div. C) Nicole Murphy, Julie Schrock, Kim
Turbyfill
Oster Career Start Competition - Cassandra Cooper, Leah Lojacono,
Kayce Pennington
Groom & Kennel
Expo...
Poised with Powerful Programs
Groom & Kennel Expo is about to explode with excitement on
the West Coast. February 12th to the 15th are the dates. The
place... The Hilton Burbank Airport Convention Center.
Top speakers in the grooming, boarding,
medical and mobile grooming industries are coming with great
topics. Grooming titles include: Allergic Skin Diseases in Dogs
by Dr. Alexander Werner; Newer and Better Grunt Age to
High Tech by Judy Breton; Grooming the Geriatric Pet and Teri
on Terriers The Long and Short of It by Teri DiMarino;
Dazzle Your Clients (The Art of Accessories) by Delise Knight
and BioSecurity in the Grooming Facility by Dr. Eric Linn.
Boarding and Pet Day Care titles include:
Bigger Is Not Always Better... The Advantages Of All Suites Pet
Resorts by Dina Perry; I Want To Build A Pet Care Facility, Now
What? and Building Systems Engineering In The Animal Care Facility
by Scott Learned; and BioSecurity In The Boarding Facility by
Dr. Eric Linn.
Mobile topics include: Making Your Mobile
Dreams Come True by Dina Perry; and Joanne's Ah Hahhs... Mobile
Grooming Tips by JoAnne Russell.
The popular day long Brusher Bather Certificate
Program featuring Teri DiMarino will be held on Thursday. This
is a great program for groomer wannabees all the way up to experienced
salon owners. Teri has something for everyone.
Other day long programs include: The Art
of Grooming by Berno Bekebrede and the Pet Care Business Boot
Camp by Steven Appelbaum and Sybil Lindenbaum. First time to
the West Coast is Grooming 101... A Study in Style by Marlene
Romani.
Jim Krack, American Boarding Kennels Director,
will offer The Full Service Pet Care Center... How to Establish
a Successful Operation for those who want to know the ins and
outs of boarding, and Judy Kurpiel, Director of International
Groomers Intl. will offer a four-hour Certification Workshop.
On Saturday evening, the Southern California Groomer Assoc. will
hold an important meeting on licensing and other issues.
Petco and Andis Company are sponsoring
the IJA Sanctioned World Cup Grooming Games this year, with $2500.00
going to the Champion. Aaronco, Lange and IPG are offering additional
awards, cash prizes and gifts.
Sunday will feature the Nature's Specialties
Winners Circle Tournament with a possible jackpot win of $20,000.00
and the Sunday afternoon "show stopper" will be the
Barkleigh Creative Grooming Contest.
HydroSurge is sponsoring the Grooming Salon
again this year, with Kimberly Sorenson offering numberous mini-bathing
seminars throughout the event.
An Equipment Clinic, by Ken Arno, will
be held on Friday evening to teach you how to repair and maintain
your blades, shears and clippers. Plus, a $100 Shopping Spree
Drawing will be held on Friday and Saturday.
Sounds like fun? Oh, I forgot about the
Hollywood by Night Bus Tour on Saturday, this year. It's top
education in a beautiful (and warm) setting.
For more information or contest rules,
call (717) 691-3388 or e-mail info@barkleigh.com.
Q & A
A.
Answering the groomer who was seeking the positives of becoming
a Mobile Groomer
I have been a mobile groomer for over ten
years. Here are the advantages as I see them. You work your schedule.
I could easily do five dogs a day, but I do six (sometimes seven)
so I am working a four day week. I do not work nights or weekends.or
Mondays.
The amortized cost of your mobile unit
will be less than the rent and expenses of a shop and the van
will be paid off eventually.
When a dog is completed, I move to the
next customer, giving myself a nice break. The van is small,
yes, but with the windows, you feel less confined.
It is much easier to build repeat clientele.
Just explain you are offering regular route service, and being
a single operator, you have to set up your appointments accordingly.
After your first six to twelve months you
will be able to "weed out" the clients who are difficult
for whatever reason, and streamline your customer base to fit
your needs. Terry Wood, Cruisin' Canines, Inc., Annandale VA
A.
In answer to the question about the positives of becoming a mobile
groomer
Most groomers, like myself, have come from
a salon style grooming business before becoming mobile ones.
I highly recommend this, because then you can really appreciate
being a one woman/man show. People don't usually mind paying
a little extra for mobile service, meaning less grooms for you
for more money. It's not necessarily the gas they're not spending,
but it's their time that is the most valuable to them.
My business appeals to stay-at-home moms,
elderly people who don't drive or who live in nursing homes,
split shift workers who aren't home to drop off a pet in the
morning, and generally anyone who has a stressed out dog at the
end of a day at the groomers!
Gone are the days of discovering too late
that Fluffy had an accident in his kennel just when it was time
to go home. Gone are barking dogs and the constant sound of cage
dryers. Last year I received a $100 Christmas present from a
client who has three large dogs. She said she knows how hard
it is to bathe all of them now. Another client, just last week,
decided to start paying me an extra $10 a week for bathing her
Samoyed because she knows exactly how long it takes for me to
dry her. It is easier to develop a closer relationship with your
clients and be appreciated because you are going to their houses
where they are most comfortable.
Going out of town is easier because you
have much more control over your schedule. You have no store
to keep open for the public. If you have something you need to
do, you just don't make any appointments for that day, and no
one is the wiser! Dealing with one client and her pet/pets at
a time is refreshing and generally much less stressful. Of course,
there are pros and cons to any business situation, including
mobile grooming, but for me, the pros outweigh the cons any day.
Good luck on your business future! Laurel Barineau, Grrroom-N-Go
Mobile Pet Grooming, Lake Charles LA
A.
For Laura at Laura's Pet Grooming who found her rates are way
too low I just went through the same thing. I knew my rates were
low and planned an increase, but I was floored when I saw how
low they were compared to the survey results published in Groomer
to Groomer.
I am increasing my rates for the first
time since I started my business four and one half years ago.
I posted a notice in my shop, and started giving notice to all
my customers in August, informing them of the increase effective
December. I wanted to give my customers plenty of advance notice.
I was prepared to state my case to anyone who complained cost
of products and equipment have increased, utilities (water, gas,
electric) have increased, and I can justify the large increase
in my rates because it will be the first one in over four years.
Also, I'm pretty confident in my abilities, and I know I'm one
of the better groomers in this area. (I have dozens of regulars
who pass ten different grooming shops and travel over thirty
miles to bring their dogs to me for grooming).
And lastly, I was prepared to tell my customers
to call around and ask for rates from other grooming shops, and
they will see that I'm still competitive, even after the large
increase. Guess what. It's November, and NOT ONE CUSTOMER HAS
QUESTIONED MY RATE INCREASE! One customer said, "I don't
care what you charge, you're the only groomer I've found that
my dog likes, and you do a great job!" And yes, the smallest
increase is $5.00. I've increased my rates 20% a pretty big jump,
I think. If you're good at what you do, your customers will accept
your increase with little problem. Tracy Kaecker, Designer Fur
Pet Salon, Petersburg IL
Editor's Note: The pricing survey is on
www.groomertogroomer.com
A. My response to J.C.
and her bleeding toenail problem If it's a constant problem,
then clip the nails a little at a time. If I'm not sure where
the quick is, I just skim the nail little by little 'til I see
a black dot on the cut surface of the nail. That black dot is
my cue that I've trimed the nail back far enough, close to the
quick, but not close enough to bleed the nail. If I do bleed
a nail bad enough that it may start bleeding again after the
dog goes home, I will send some styptic powder home with my customer
with instructions on how to use it. I've found 35mm film containers
are perfect to hold the powder. Tracy Kaecker, Designer Fur Pet
Salon, Petersburg IL
A.
To trim a toenail as short as possible, make the first cut at
an angle perpendicular to the quick. Then make a second cut to
remove the excess from the top of the nail. File the tip smooth.
Ellen Meyer, The Grateful Dog, Trinidad CO
Q.
Can anyone give me some tips on how to make the perfect dog bow?
Thanks A LOT!! Amber
A. To strip an undercoat in a process similar to
carding, but more versatile on longer coats, weave a grooming
band between the teeth of a flea comb about 1/4 inch from the
tip of the teeth.
For a coarser tool, weave a child's hair
elastic between the teeth of a fine tooth comb, about 1/2 inch
from the tip of the teeth. To use this tool, just comb the dog
in the direction of growth and oodles of coat will be removed.
This tool can also aid when hand stripping
Spaniel and Setter backs. Ellen Meyer, The Grateful Dog, Trinidad
CO
Q. By diversifying services, I find I'm stretched
too thin. Any suggestions? Maryann Loze, Erlanger KY
Q. Client file security has been a major issue. What
can I do to protect it and still offer more service hours when
I am not there?
Send all questions and answers to Barkleigh
Productions, Inc., 6 State Rd. #113, Mechanicsburg PA 17050 -
Fax: (717) 691-3381 - E:mail: sally@barkleigh.com
USA Brings Home
the Silver!
Italy Wins Their
First Gold Placement..
GroomTeam USA once again crossed the "pond",
this time to Barcelona, Spain and World Team Grooming Championships
hosted by The Sizoo Pet Trade Show.
The 2001-2002 USA team won a Silver Medal.
Italy won their first ever Gold placement and France rounded
out the medals with the Bronze.
Four team members garnered class medal
placements. Liz Paul went Gold with her Bichon, Jay Scruggs took
the Bronze in the Poodle Class, Julie Ostoski landed the Bronze
in the Handstrip Class, while Jodi Murphy collected her Bronze
in the Sporting Class. The seven teams and their order of placement
were: Italy, USA, France, Spain, England, Canada and Germany.
Team coordinator, Sue Zecco, assured the
members were well adjusted after their trip as they and their
families enjoyed a week in Barcelona seeing the sites and taking
in the great hospitality of the Spanish. The competitors found
the country quite a bargain when it comes to food and lodging
as compared to other European countries.
The day before the team competition, all
team members competed in the individual classes and walked away
with three out of the four first places (Jay, Jodi and Liz) and
one third (Julie.) The Saturday night Gala Banquet was held to
honor all the participants. In typical Spanish manner, dinner
was not served until 10:00 P.M., quite a change for the US groomers
and their companions. Sunday night the team celebrated with a
lovely dinner at a local hotel (hosted by bronze sponsor Wag'n
Tails Mobile Conversions.
The Grooming
View... QUESTIONS REVISITED
By Marea Tully
Thought I would put my two cents in regarding
some of the questions that have popped up in the last couple
issues of Groomer to Groomer.
In response to "How can I quiet barking
dogs when I only have one large room for my grooming shop? I
can't hear on the telephone!"
Since you will be moving into a larger
shop with a barking room set aside, that will help, but in the
meantime you might try covering the crates with a towel, blanket,
or sheet so the dogs cannot see each other or customers coming
in the door. A curtain or partition might help. Just keep it
far enough away from male dogs. The best crates to keep barking
or leg-lifting dogs in are the ones that come in banks so only
the front of the cage is open and easily covered.
You might ask the owners of the barking
dogs to pick them up as soon as they are ready so you don't have
them there all day. I don't believe in having all the dogs in
early in the morning and sending them all home late in the day.
This creates the problems you are having, and it doesn't present
a very professional image.
Schedule appointments for the time you
plan on starting their grooming and give them an exact time for
pick up. Explain that you would really appreciate an on-time
pick up because "Pookie" isn't happy when left in a
crate after grooming.
There are some things that you can try
in your grooming shop. Play some soothing music. If this doesn't
work, you can put some pennies in an empty coke can (this really
makes a racket when you shake the can), and in a firm voice tell
them NO BARK or NO! Or you could always move the noisiest one
to the bathroom.
Why not use a portable phone and walk outside
with appointment book in hand, (after putting the dog on the
table back in its crate)? You could also let your answering machine
pick up your calls so you can return them later when it's quiet.
New customers could be very put off by barking dogs that make
it difficult to speak with you on the phone.
Since my shop was in my home, I would put
barkers (when nothing else would work) up in the garage so I
didn't have to listen to them. When the owner arrived and I would
explain that I have to go to the garage to get their dog, they
quickly understood that they needed to pick up their dogs at
the pre-appointed time.
"What is the best way to get clients
to rebook after years of not suggesting it?" When they first
arrive with the dog or when they come to pick him up, say something
like, "Gee, Mary, I'm getting so booked up these days. So
that "Pookie" can be groomed on time and you won't
have to wait, I would like to book your next appointment now.
What day of the week and what time would be the most convenient
for you? Write it down in your book and also on a card for them.
Be sure to write on it that 24 hours notice of cancellation is
required or there will be a penalty. I would also suggest that
you call these people the day before to remind them. Don't leave
messages with kids or husbands. (Sorry, kids and husbands, this
is thirty years of experience talking). Always try to speak to
the exact person who will be dropping the dog. If you get a child,
husband or answering machine, call back later or early the next
morning before the appointment time.
Kudos to Karen DeSantis who answered the
question about a fast way to shave down a dog that's matted to
the skin. She said she prefers a skip tooth #7. I couldn't agree
more. While many of you know what a skip tooth is, there are
many out there who don't. A skip tooth blade is, as the name
implies, made with every other tooth missing. In other words,
it does not have an F or FC after the number. Any skip tooth
blade enables the hair to feed freely into the cutting blade,
making your work much easier, with a #7 being the best choice
for a matted dog.
We old-timers swear by them! Many of us
were grooming long before they made F and FC blades. Those letters
stand for Finish and Finish Cut, so to be using those blades
to take down matted dogs, you will likely dull an enormous amount
of blades. The skip tooths were designed to feed and cut hair.
The finish blade is to be used after the skip tooth has taken
off the bulk of the hair after the bath and dry. If you don't
use a skip tooth first, then you will need to wash, dry and brush
your dog in order for your finish blades to keep an edge.
Skip tooth blades? Are you crazy, lady?
Those things are dangerous! Well, what do you say about an eight
inch pair of scissors around a dog's head compared to a small
blade on a clipper? The only time anything is dangerous is when
the person using it doesn't know how. When using skip tooths,
it is absolutely imperative that the skin be pulled tight in
back of the clipper so that there are no folds of skin to cut.
Keep careful watch around the neck, where the leg joins the body
in back of the tuck-up and the hock areas. You can always use
a #10 in these areas if you're a beginner or not used to a skip
tooth blade.
Many of you never learned to use skip tooths
when you were taught to groom because some school owners and
shop managers tell me they don't want the responsibility of a
student who isn't paying attention harming a dog. If you've never
used this type of blade, and need to shave a matted dog down,
try it, you'll like it! See you on the Road!
Marea
mareatully@yahoo.com
Wonders of Grooming...
Better Days
By Bonnie Wonders
Don't you just love it when your customers
come in dragging their dog like a mutton on the way to the slaughter
house? I can just hear those of you who insist that this NEVER
happens at your place. "Yes" you are saying, "Every
dog just loves to come to see me." You are thinking to yourself,
"My customers' dogs all ADORE me." Well, I am here
to publicly admit that it "just ain't so" in my world.
I have heard pretty much all of it I can take on some days. I
have the lady who tells me she has to stop at Mickey D's for
a hamburger before she gets to my place so that she has a lure
with which to coax the dog out from under the front seat. I wonder
if it ever occurs to her to bring ME a burger so that I feel
like facing her dog. You know it's a two way street.
Then there's the lady who insists that
her husband bring the dog IN, and she will pick the animal up
when I'm finished so that Pugsly doesn't hold a grudge against
HER. She compares his grooming visits to the time he got neutered.
She says the dog didn't forgive her for weeks after that trauma,
so she is not messing with his mind again. I didn't tell her
it was a different part of his anatomy that the neutering affected.
Also, it's those people who insist on bringing
in their dog's treat bags for me to feed to them as I am grooming
the pet. I don't know about you, but I don't recall a dog EVER
wanting to eat anything I try to give him during the grooming
process. They already have me figured as a masochist when I lift
their tail and do that anal thing that they SO enjoy. If ever
I have come close to losing a body part, it is then. Not that
I particularly blame them. I guess it's the same reaction that
people have when they get a colonoscopy. I'd probably want to
bite the doctor, too.
How about those who want you to hold the
dog on your lap until they get there to pick them up? All because
they don't want Muffy to be upset about being locked in one of
those "dreadful cage things." Ahh, yes. I will, of
course, not comply with this request. I have nothing better to
do than wait for the owners to return from their golf dates.
Of course, I have NO other customers to take care of. I wouldn't
dream of offending Muff that way.
Hey, how about getting the blame for some
of the really outrageous things that you, of course, didn't do?
Not so long ago there was a new customer with a Standard Poodle.
When they called for the appointment, the first thing they told
me was that I was HIGHLY recommended by a couple of their friends.
They sang my praises to no end. The very next question out of
the lady's mouth was "Have you ever done a Poodle?"
No, it didn't make sense to me, either, but I digress
The husband brings the dog in on the appointed
day and is one of those "I'm more important than God, the
President and you" kind of people. Okay, God I'll let take
center stage over me but the President??? Come on!
Anyhow, I asked him how he wanted the dog
cut, and he blew a gasket. "Like a Poodle," was his
response. "I'm not in charge of those kinds of things,"
he told me. "You have to call my wife," he said.
"Okay, and what's the number?"
I asked him as I picked up the phone.
"Well, I don't know," he barked
at me. "Look it up! She works at such and such school,"
he huffed. I looked up the number, and as I was finished dialing
it, he grabbed the phone from my hand.
"This lady is asking ME how to cut
this dog! I thought she knew how to cut a Poodle," he yelled
into the phone, giving me a Freddie Krugar kind of look. "YOU
tell her how to do her job," he said to his wife over the
phone as he handed me the receiver.
Trying not to lose my temper, I took the
phone from him and questioned the wife about the haircut. "Short,
but not too short," she said. "A big thing on top of
his head, but not too big, and a tail ball, but not too big.
Not too small, either. I thought you said you KNEW how to do
this," she said unhappily.
"Lady, there are dozens of ways to
cut this dog," I retorted. "Just pick ONE. ANY one
will do," I said.
The husband had gone out to his car, and
about this time Lou had lifted the dog's tail for the anals.
"It looks like tapeworm," she was saying. Sure enough,
there were several segments stuck to the hair.
"It looks as though your dog may have
tapeworm," I told the owner over the phone.
"WHAT? DON'T YOU DARE TELL ME MY DOG
HAS WORMS!!! He was just at the vet's last week, and was given
a clean bill of health! How DARE you?" she admonished again.
"He is one of the cleanest animals around, and he was perfectly
healthy when he came into your place!" She was having a
meltdown over the phone. At this point, I had received enough
grief from these people.
"Lady, I said it LOOKS like he has
it. I didn't GIVE it to him." So, we pulled off a couple
pieces, and Lou took it out to the husband, who is still in his
car. The lady had instructed us to give it to him to take to
their vet, so that they could prove me incompetent. Poor Lou
I saw her hand the guy this paper towel in a baggy and then saw
him bark at her hard enough to make her jump back a foot.
I groomed the dog and the guy picked him
up and sang my praises at the job I did. I really don't care
if he's happy or not after all the flack he and the Mrs. caused.
The next morning I went to work and had
messages. The very first one I had was from the guy's wife. "I
am calling to say we are SO pleased with the work you did on
the dog. He's beautiful! I also would like to thank you for alerting
me to the "problem" he had. The vet said he has tapeworm!
Can you IMAGINE? Who would have ever guessed? Oh, you are so
wonderful!" she was gushing.
Who'da thought?????.
Ea$y Money...
Doggie Dental Is Easy Money!
By Mary Faith Moore
First, a quick update on Mutts Bath &
Bakeries' first Super Season! My tales of "how to"
and "must do" are one thing. Living the reality of
my vision (grooming from dusk to dawn in a shop packed with happy
dog lovers who line our pockets with generous tips) is something
else. Pro or no, it's not a simple feat to juggle fur balls,
wagging tongues and tails, while providing merchandising, service
and delivery deadlines! I must admit to gulping several heaping
doses of reality while retroing my shop in "Festive Fido"
featuring three canine-design trees, 600 yards of pine scented
branches, seven boxes of bones (tied with velvet bows) steamer
trunks, dresser drawers, wagons and crocks brimming with armloads
of titillating toys, delectable treats, and velvety paw stockings).
In spite of a mishap here and there (digital dog-mares, missing
merchandise, photophobia) our first super season was a paragraph
fit for Groomer to Groomer magazine, a frantic, frolicking, fur-for-all!
We all happily survived to tell the tale!
Change of scene! Time to re-costume! On
with red! (Canine cupid day) Out with holly branches, colored
lights and snow in a can!
February is National Pet Care Dental Month, a time to spruce
up displays with a complete array of doggie dental-ware! For
an extra boost add a tooth-brushing service to your grooming
menu!
If you consider Canine teeth brushing at
best controversial and a possible bone of contention with your
veterinarian, you may be denying yourself a "pawfitable"
opportunity! Today's pet lover understands the logic of clean
teeth and fresh breath. Expect them to welcome your offer to
clean one more odorous orifice on Bow-wow's body.
Although tooth brushing is strictly a cosmetic
fix for Fido's fangs, it is directly in line with other traditional
grooming services (nail trimming, bathing, and brushing). After
all, groomers (canine cosmetologists) are the primary caretakers
of Fido freshness! Pet Dental Care month presents a pawfect opportunity
to introduce doggy dental to concerned canine clients. With a
bit of guidance (from their favorite groomer), dedicated pet
parents may even start brushing Cujo's canines at home! We are
prepared to offer a few some ideas for promoting fresh breath
for Fido in 2004.
Canine Tooth-brushing Service: For additional
fees add a tooth brushing to every groom. Tooth brushing includes
a through brushing with a tasty helping of canine toothpaste
and a spritz of breath spray. Opt to include a quick dental care
lesson for pet parents for a low to no fee. Be prepared to explain
the limitations of your tooth brushing service. Be certain to
recommend veterinary care if a dog displays signs of dental disease.
Educate Canine Clientele: Many canine dental-ware
distributors offer posters and brochures describing canine dental
hygiene. Study these and share the importance of routine dental
care with the canine's family. Post a sign in your dental product
area offering pet parents a free tooth-brushing lesson with the
purchase of any canine tooth brushing product.
Canine Retail: From plaque reducing mouthwash
to liver flavored toothpaste there is a cornucopia of doggie
dental-ware products. Read this month's feature article and select
a grouping of products that you will use (while grooming) and
promote. Locate a focal point in your shop to feature a canine
dental care line. A nice assortment of product can be merchandised
in an area of one to two square feet. Fill an old jug with toothbrushes,
a basket with toothpaste, breath spray, and mouthwash; add a
colorful bowl of plaque reducing treats. For a minute investment,
you have a commendable line of doggy dental products to enhance
your exciting new canine dental care service.
Fresh Doggie Deal: For a fee in addition
to grooming ($10-$20) offer tooth-brushing, breath spray in combination
with a deodorizing bath, rinse and a spritz of fresh scent cologne
In Pet Utopia, our canine pals would enjoy a rigorous combing
and tooth-brushing every single day. Whether trimming paws or
polishing Rover's smile, applying our grooming talents while
sharing knowledge is an important first step in encouraging pet
owners to participate in routine doggie hygiene for their canine
companions. While helping pet lovers appreciate and care for
their canine companions, you'll add additional dollars to your
bottom line. Easy Money? You bet! So grab a toothbrush and sink
their teeth into it!
The Grooming
View... PRICING BY THE HOUR
By
Marea Tully
Change is not always a
good thing, but changing your pricing structure to time actually
spent with the pet, instead of charging by the breed, will help
to increase your revenue and make your pay scale fairer to your
clients and much better for you, as a groomer.
How do you make the change
from pricing by the breed to pricing by the hour? Let's just
say you currently charge $40 to fully groom a long-haired dog
with a hair cut, and it took you two hours to groom it, you would
have, in essence, charged $20 an hour. If you did that same dog
in one hour, you would have charged $26.67 per hour to do the
dog. You simply take the price you're charging now and divide
it by the time you spent on it to figure out what your hourly
charges are so you can figure out if you need to be charging
more. For example: ($40) Divide by two if it takes two hours,
or by 1.5 if it takes an hour and a half. Always round off to
the nearest 5 minute increment. At $20 an hour, a 5 minute increment
would be $1.67 or .333 a minute. Remember that the time spent
on the dog includes time spent with the customer on check in
and check out.
When doing baths only,
cats, or grooming dogs such as Labs, Goldens, Shepards, you will
find you need to charge three to five times your hourly expense
because of time spent in dryers that you had to pay for but no
one is working on at the moment. In other words, if you spend
fifteen minutes on the dog, and he spent an hour in your dryer
with the electricity running, you're not going to let them out
the door with a $5.00 charge. When doing larger animals, you're
obviously using a lot more shampoo, water, larger crates and
maybe paying a chiropractor.
When charging by the hour
you do not have to worry about add on charges for dematting,
flea or medicated shampoos, rinses or color enhancing because
the clock is still running. The extra money those things might
have cost you would have been included in your expense per hour
figure.
Expense per hour figure?
Do you know what it costs you per hour to run your shop per person?
If you don't, you should! If you don't know what it costs you
per hour, how can you possibly know what to charge per hour?
Take out your income tax
return from last year and write down your shop expense cost.
Then figure out roughly how many hours you worked. If you're
a one person shop owner, I have a feeling you'll come out somewhere
around $8.50 an hour and if you're a four person shop, around
.60 an hour more per person. On top of this, you have to add
what it cost you in taxes, self employment tax at 14%, federal
income tax and state and county taxes. Now you have to consider
how much an hour your services are worth and add that to the
above total to get your hourly charge. Do the math and you'll
find out if you need to raise your prices.
Remember the federal hourly
minimum wage is $5.15 an hour, but the state laws supercede it.
Massachusetts is $6.75, Michigan is $5.15, Washington State is
$7.01 and California is $6.75. This is for an eight hour day
and a forty hour week. Remember also that this is the minimum
anyone can pay you for working somewhere else. They have to match
your social security, and you wouldn't have to pay self employment
tax and they would most likely be paying benefits on top of that.
Working for yourself is much more expensive than working for
someone else.
Do you have health insurance,
liability insurance, attend at least a two day seminar every
year and have grooming equipment that works well? Can't afford
it, you say? You can't afford to be without any of these things.
Find out what they would each cost you and add it to your hourly
expense figure, and then you'll find you can afford these things.
Health insurance is available
from the National Dog Groomers Association, (Request Reader Service
Card #1035) or through your local Chamber of Commerce. Liability
Insurance can be had for about $50 a month, and you can check
with Gibson/Governor Insurance (Request Reader Service Card #1036)
for a quote. A two day seminar will run you about $70 a month
($3.18 a day) for gas, hotels, meals and seminar fees. You will
more than make that up by what you save or learn at the trade
show and seminar.
Consider raising your prices
once a year, every year. After all, you're paying more for most
everything you're purchasing, and you can't afford to give that
away.
How much should you raise
your prices? Well, first figure out what your expense figure
is now, how much you're paying in taxes and how much you want
to make for yourself and add that up. Divide by the hours you
work, and you'll know how much to go up. Half way through the
year, start charging next year's hourly prices to new customers
so that they don't get hit with a raise in six months or less.
For those of you not interested in charging by the hour I can
only caution not to go up one or two dollars a dog because you'll
take as much flack over a small amount as you will over a larger
one, so make it worth your while.
So now that you've decided
to charge by the hour and not by the breed to make it fairer
to all concerned, HOW DO YOU TELL THE CUSTOMER? If you don't
raise a customer's price, it will stay the same so you don't
have to say anything except that you are now charging by the
hour and since it took the same amount of time to groom the dog
this time as last there is no change in price. But if he comes
in matted, or is more work next time, the charge could change.
This is also the best way to rebook your customer immediately
before they get out the door. If, however, you realize on certain
dogs that you are absolutely not charging enough, just tell them
that your accountant has gone over your books and that in order
to continue grooming "Fluffy," you will have to charge
$ because it takes X time to groom him. If they would like to
keep him in better condition, or bring him in more often so it
won't take so long to groom, then the price could go back down.
(Make the next appointment right then).
It takes courage to change
anything. We all know we got into this business because we love
dogs, but we have to be business people with a thick skin if
we're to survive and not be stressed beyond belief. We can't
go on forever feeling sorry for this or that person. Remember
the people you pay money don't have the slightest sorry feeling
for you, and even if they did, they certainly will raise your
charges when they raise everybody else.
See you on the road,
Calendar of Events
CALIFORNIA
February 13-15, 2004. Groom & Kennel Expo,
Burbank CA. For info, contact:
(717) 691-3388.
info@barkleigh.com and
www.groomexpo.com.
COLORADO
May 12-19, 2004. Pet Services Expo,
Colorado Springs, CO.
Info: (719) 667-0715.
FLORIDA
January 12-16, 2004. Pet Pro Cruise,
Miami, Florida. Info: (717)691-3388.
info@barkleigh.com.
GEORGIA
March 6-8, 2004. Atlanta Pet Fair, Atlanta GA.
Contact: (770) 908-9857.
mcpawinc@aol.com.
INDIANA
March 14, 2004. John Stazko in Grooming Sensations,
Indianapolis IN.
Contact: (800) 705-5175.
mink@kr.rr.com.
MARYLAND
February 20-22, 2004. Mid Atlantic Groomers Show,
Frederick MD.
Contact: (717) 423-5195.
MISSOURI
April 3-5, 2004. Groom Classic,
Kansas City MO. Contact: (800)
705-5175.
groomclassic@kc.rr.com.
MISSISSIPPI
February 6-8, 2004. Gulf Coast Trade Show/Rodeo, Biloxi MS,
Contact: (228) 831-3566.
NEW JERSEY
April 16-18, 2004. Pet Industry Spring Trade Show.
Atlantic City, New Jersey. Contact:
(312) 663-4040.
hhbacker@hhbacker.com.
April 22-26, 2004. Intergroom 2004,
Somerset NJ. Contact: (781) 326-3376.
intergroom.com.
PENNSYLVANIA
April 2-4, 2004. National Association of Professional
Pet Sitters 2004 Convention,
Philadelphia PA. Contact: (856)
439-0324.
napps@ahint.com.
MAY 14-16, 2004. OFF LEAD TRAINING EXPO,
Lebanon PA. For more Info: www.off-lead.com. (717) 691-3388.
MAY 14-16, 2004. PROGROOM PENNSYLVANIA,
Lebanon PA.
For more info: (717) 691-3388. www.barkleigh.com.
MAY 14-16, 2004. NATURAL PET EXPO 2004,
Lebanon PA.
For more info: (717) 691-3388. www.off-lead.com.
BARKLEIGH
SHOW DATES
February 13-15, 2004
Groom
& Kennel Expo 2004,
Burbank CA
May 14-16, 2004
Off
Lead Training Expo,
Natural Pet Expo,
ProGroom Pennsylvania,
Lebanon PA
Sept. 9-12, 2004
Groom
Expo 2004,
Animal Behavior & Health Expo,
Hershey PA
February 11-13,
2005
Groom & Kennel Expo 2005,
Burbank CA
Sept. 13-17, 2005
Groom Expo 2005,
Animal Behavior & Health Expo,
Hershey PA
February 17-19,
2006
Groom & Kennel Expo 2006,
Burbank CA
Sept. 12-15, 2006
Groom Expo 2006,
Animal Behavior & Health Expo,
Hershey PA
Contact Barkleigh Productions,
Inc.
(717) 691-3388 · Fax (717) 691-3381
www.barkleigh.com ·
www.groomexpo.com ·
www.off-lead.com
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