Sorry to make this column so short, but you will never miss my comments with all the great articles we have in this issue. It is packed with great, and usable information. Right now Gwen and I are working hard on Groom & Kennel Expo, and several new shows that are coming up soon in the next few months.

PET QUEST MOVES TO THE CINCINNATI AREA…
Yes, it’s true. We have found a dandy location in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky called the Drawbridge Inn, a landmark in that area. It is a spacious place to continue to grow this exciting show. Last year, we had nearly 50 exhibitors. This year probably more.
A grooming contest is planned again, so come on out and compete.
For information, request Reader Service #3305

I will have more upcoming show information to release soon, so watch this column. Read on, groomers. Read on.

Whether you realize it or not, every groomer is a creative groomer. It’s that inner creativity that helps you to perform the little grooming miracles which take place in your salon every day.
You know how it works. A client brings in an overgrown, neglected pet and hands you a picture
of a fabulously groomed dog, and then requests that you make their little Poopsie look just like
the picture.

As impossible as the task looks, you take a deep breath and do your best. Usually the results are amazing – even better than you dared hope for. Why? Because groomers can “see” things that no one else can see. And then, they make them happen.

Groomers who compete in competitions like the Barkleigh Creative Styling Contest have fine-tuned their creativity and have taken it to an even higher level.

This unique competition where “the sky is the limit” has been thrilling the grooming industry for years. This is the one competition where groomers can bring their fantasies to life. They take their dreams and with the help of magnificent colors, and artistic grooming they create incredible dragons, majestic buffalo, exciting Roethlispoodles, carousel horses, fish and mermaids, and many, many more.

Now its fame has spread throughout the world. NBC’s Today Show sent a producer and film crew to cover the 2006 Groom Expo and especially the Barkleigh Creative Styling Contest. They were fascinated and amazed as they witnessed these artists and the amazing transformations they produced in the ring.

One of the shining stars of the creative ranks, Amy Beishuizen, has brought a whole new dimension to the meaning of “creative” grooming. Her entry demonstrated the kind of courage it takes to face a monumental challenge and overcome great adversity.

Amy’s show stopping entry Fallen Soldier showcased Amy’s many talents. Her spectacular scissoring skills and her artistic use of brilliant colors and innovative accessories brought her theme to life. The theme she selected allowed Amy to take a negative (her dog’s disability) and turn it into a positive.

Amy has only been grooming for six short years but she has certainly carved out her niche in the creative styling ring. How did she do it?

“I knew early on that Amy would do something with dogs,” explains Amy’s mom, Betty. “She never played with dolls…Amy was always an animal lover. The first time Amy got a clipper in her hands she said ‘Mom, I know what I want to do.”

Amy enrolled at the Great Lakes Academy of Pet Styling and soon she was grooming full time.
While attending Groom Expo in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Amy watched her first creative styling competition. “WOW!! That was it!” Amy exclaimed in amazement. “I had never seen anything like it.” Right then and there Amy decided that she had to try her hand at creative styling.

She began her search for a White Standard Poodle to use in the competitions. She found a beautiful poodle named Falcore and they began their adventure into the world of creative styling.

Amy and Falcore became a team and together they have made their mark in the creative grooming world. “I love grooming and I am also an artist,” states Amy. “I paint, draw and do stained glass. Creative allows me to combine my two passions of grooming and art.”

At the 2005 Barkleigh Creative Styling Competition at Groom Expo in Hershey their entry, Nature Quest, won Amy and Falcore first place honors. They were on the top of the world and were planning a bright future together in the creative grooming ring. Then their plans hit a snag – a big one.

In November, three-year-old Falcore began having problems with his back leg. Sadly, Falcore was diagnosed with cancer.

“Our family was devastated,” Amy said in a voice trembling with emotion. “Cancer is very rare in such a young dog.”

“I wanted to do whatever I could for Falcore,” Amy continued emphatically, “He deserved every chance.” Falcore’s leg was amputated in February in an effort to relieve his pain.

When he was diagnosed, Falcore was given six months to live, but Falcore is defying the odds. He is doing everything he normally does, but he does get tired easily. In fact, he still does agility – just nothing off the ground.

With Falcore recovering so well after his surgery, Amy began thinking about Groom Expo and the Creative Styling competition. “I wanted my theme to incorporate with Falcore losing his leg,” said Amy. She decided to title her entry Fallen Soldier.

“I designed everything with Falcore’s comfort in mind… a shorter clip and less intensive coloring.” Then Amy added with a bit of a chuckle, “I may even save some time during the groom… I have one less leg to scissor.”

The Barkleigh Creative Styling Competition is wildly popular. It is always held on Sunday afternoon at Groom Expo. The huge crowds that fill the competition arena prove that this is a must see event for expo attendees.

“It is my favorite event,” says Sally Liddick, show organizer and President of Barkleigh Productions. “It shows just how much we groomers love our profession and our animals.” Then Sally adds enthusiastically, “I wish even more groomers would get out there and try it!”

As this year’s competition began it was clear that the team of Amy Beishuizen and Falcore had their work cut out for them. The stage radiated with talent as the competitors unleashed all their creative juices and began transforming their dogs into a myriad of colorful creations. Every competitor was prepared to give it their all.

This was the moment Amy had been waiting for. After a year filled with one challenge after another, she was about to show the world the courage that made it possible for her and Falcore to overcome every obstacle in their path.

Amy and Falcore, a team in every sense of the word, told their story and the story of heroes on other battlefields as the Fallen Soldier emerged and took his place on the stage. It told of great pain, adversity, and sacrifice, yet throughout it all, the Fallen Soldier stood proud and triumphant.

The Barkleigh Creative Styling Contest has a People’s Choice Award. This is perhaps the most sought after honor in all of grooming competitions. Cheers and applause of the audience choose the winner. To be chosen as “The Best” by your peers is the greatest honor one can receive.

The standing room only crowd showed their deep appreciation for the talent and creativity that was on the stage before them. Every contestant was rewarded with thunderous applause for their skills and efforts, but when it came to Amy and Falcore, the applause and cheers were absolutely deafening!

It was official…Not only had Amy and Falcore earned the first place honors in the Barkleigh Creative Styling Competition, they had also captured The People’s Choice Award.

Tears of joy streamed down Amy’s face as she hugged Falcore. “It was perfect! I couldn’t ask for anything more,” exclaims a beaming Amy. “It is extra special because Falcore wasn’t even supposed to live this long. It was my dream for him to be on the cover of Groomer To Groomer!”

The crowd quickly surrounded the victorious Amy and all the other creative styling artists offering their hearty congratulations and snapping photographs. It was a bonding moment for everyone present.

“I was touched as Amy was so considerate of her dog and his disability,” Sally Liddick shares warmly. “She did a great groom, touched our hearts, and cared tenderly for her pet. That’s what it is all about!”

Creativity, caring, and courage… Amy Beishuizen has it all!

Oh how we loathe
this time of year.
It’s time to drag out all those receipts
and pile them into categories so we
can pay Uncle Sam.

Instead of looking at this task with drudgery, we should look at it as an opportune time to see where we’ve been and where we want to go. We need to make our business plans for the coming year and we can’t do that if we don’t know where we’ve been or where we are now.
Doing your taxes gives you the bottom line on what you’ve spent, what you have grossed and the difference being what you have netted.

While we all worry how much we are going to owe the government we should be looking for all the deductions we can find so as to reduce the amount owed. We all know to save every legitimate receipt however do we take all the deductions offered to us?

Look at line 32 of your 1040 tax form. It asks how much we have contributed to our IRA, Individual Retirement Account. We should be contributing the maximum to this account because it is tax deductible and we’ll get it back at retirement time. The tax will supposedly be much less when we take it out at retirement than it will be right now while we are still earning taxable wages.

If you have children who you expect to go to college or other specialized education, you might want to consider contributions to a state and federal tax advantaged 529 plan. Both parents and grandparents can set up these accounts. More than half of all states allow from $2,000 to $12,000 on state and federal income tax returns for a 529 contribution. Not all states offer this college savings option, so go to savingforcollege.com, to compare state 529 plans. Ask your broker or your banker (who has a broker) or financial planner on how to set this up. If the first child doesn’t use the money, your second child or other family member is entitled to it and you get the tax savings. You don’t get a deduction but the money grows tax free just like an IRA.
If you are a business owner, look at line 7 for your wages, salaries and tips. Are they higher this year than last? They should be and if they’re not it’s time to make a plan how to change the situation. You should also be contributing to a 410k plan. If you are an employee, you need to be contributing to a 401k or similar plan to keep your taxes to a minimum and increase your retirement income.

How about your expenses? Did they go up proportionately to your income? Is there a way to cut these expenses down? How? Take some time alone, with no phone, and sit down and make a business plan for this year. List your goals and objectives for every aspect of your business. Look at how your business is managed, employee satisfaction and ideas, your marketing (sales and advertising) techniques, public relations and how much you wish to increase your bottom line. You cannot meet a goal you haven’t set.

For help with developing a business plan go to www.sba.gov under strategic planning. Some local colleges and universities offer free one on one counseling to small business as well as workshops and seminars. Take advantage of what your area offers. Go visit your local colleges, libraries and adult education programs and see what’s available for you.

We tend to get so bogged down in the daily grind we fail to do what’s really important to build our businesses. First we need to look at the past, what worked and what didn’t? We need to look at the profit from different aspects of our business, not just the income. Where did most of our income derive? Was it grooming, boarding, sales etc? How can we increase this? Think of specific things and write them down; like how many more customers per day and what kind of advertising to get them, how much of an increase for each dog, what sales items were profitable and which were not, increase amount of profitable items and sales and discontinue or decrease those that were not.

If you’ve done a good job on writing a business plan and setting goals for this coming year you’ve probably written down more things than you can accomplish in one year so now you have to prioritize your list. At the top of the list are the things you must do to stay in business and be happy! It is better to do a good job with a few goals than to attempt all and only get them half done. Next step is to write down the day you will start implementing each goal. Discuss your plans and goals with employees, partners and family members to be sure you have their support.

See you on the road,
Marea

P.S. To our Canadian friends: If you buy any amount of Barkleigh products or attend a Barkleigh show, you will get Groomer to Groomer for free for one year. Otherwise you may buy it for the cost of shipping only by going to www.barkleigh.com/gtg.html but you must click on the INTERNATIONAL link and not the free USA link.

Every groomer knows they’re going to be busy at Christmas and during the “Spring Rush”, but what about the rest of the year? How do you pay the bills between peak periods? The answer is to have regular customers. Regular customers can mean the difference between surviving and thriving in this competitive business of dog grooming.

Over the course of thirteen years, I moved my shop to four different locations. Each time I relocated, my clientele grew, and I kept my existing clients. They were willing to go wherever I went. To many owners, I was their dog’s only groomer. Do you want to know the secret of my success? I worked hard to gain their trust, and they became loyal customers. I worked hard to educate them and they became regular customers.

Show You Care
Share your love of dogs with your customers! Let them know you understand their dog is a member of the family. Explain that you would like to form a partnership and together you will care for every aspect of their dog’s health and well being. Show them your concern and assure them that you will always give your best effort when it comes to grooming their dog.

One way to demonstrate your commitment is to develop a Code of Ethics. Your Code of Ethics should state the things that are important to you, such as your responsibility to provide the highest level of professional grooming, your dedication to excellence and your promise to treat every dog humanely. Display your Code of Ethics where your customers can read it. It will serve as an important reminder and will reinforce their belief that they’ve come to the right place.

Spend extra time with customers on their first visit. Many groomers have never taken the time to answer their customer’s questions. Listen carefully to their concerns so you can determine exactly what your customer wants. Ascertain their dog’s general state of health and inquire about previous grooming experiences. The more information you have before grooming, the better your chance to succeed.

Educate
Make an extra effort the first time you groom a customer’s dog. Often new customers wait too long to have their dog groomed, and as a result, they may be expecting their dog to be shaved. Instead, take the time to save as much of the dog’s coat as possible. The customer will be very pleased when they see shaving is not the only option. Take this opportunity to tell them about the benefits of regular grooming.

Explain why regular grooming is important. Discuss their dog’s individual grooming requirements. Show them how to maintain the coat by demonstrating proper brushing technique. Sell them the correct tools to perform these tasks safely at home.

Some owners do not have the time to brush their dog. These owners need to know that regularly scheduled appointments are very important. Try to set the next appointment today. Explain that your shop can get very busy and the date and time they want may not be available if they call later. Sometimes customers are reluctant to book right away, so give them a reminder sticker (For information on Barkleigh Calendar Paws request Reader Service #3297) and a business card. The sticker goes on their calendar at home and reminds them to call for an appointment. The owner’s goal is to have a well-groomed pet. Your goal is to have a regular customer. Help both of you reach your goals by adhering to a regular grooming schedule.

Send first-time customers home with an information package. This package should consist of a brochure that explains the grooming process. Most people have no idea what happens during a typical grooming. This brochure will give them a better understanding of all the work involved and they will begin to appreciate the effort it takes to groom their dog.

Give clients as much information as you can about grooming their specific breed of dog. Provide handouts on How to Brush your Dog, Bathing, Teeth Brushing, Nail Clipping etc. Your package should also contain a welcome letter. This letter introduces yourself, your staff and general shop information such as hours of business, methods of payment and specific policies you may have (for example, dogs should be toileted before coming and brought in on a leash, etc). Good communication is important for a good customer relationship.

Educate yourself about dogs. Read everything you can about issues that are important to dog owners, such as training, housebreaking, behavior, etc. and share this information with your customers. They will be impressed with your knowledge and begin to turn to you for guidance. You will have earned their trust.

When customers realize that all of these things were missing from their previous grooming experience, you will have a regular customer for life.

I don't think there is any profession in the world that can tolerate as much criticism as grooming can. Now, not to say that we don't get respect the vast majority of the time, but as you know, one person's ire can sort of douse 50 other people's compliments. You have those days when every person who comes in to pick up their pet is thrilled. They laugh, they squeal with delight when they see their freshly groomed pet come out to happily greet them. The dog is dancing around the owner; the owner is dancing around the dog; and you are dancing around your cash register. It's like watching a Charlie Brown Christmas Special. Everyone's arms are outstretched, their noses are pointed skyward and their feet are tapping along with that 1,2,3 rhythm.

Well, okay, maybe not THAT excited, but no one's yelling at you. It is when I have a string of several months of the happy customers that I just know that the sky is getting ready to fall in on me. Just as it did a few weeks ago…

A new customer made an appointment for two dogs. One an 11-month-old Bichon that had never been groomed. The other was a Pomeranian. She asked on the phone when she was making the appointment how much it would cost. I gave her a ballpark price of around $30 for the Bichon and $25 for the Pom. Yes, I hear some of you flipping out at those prices. I know many of you would charge double if not more for the Bichon, but that's this area. Anyhow, those were not firm prices as I told her on the phone. She was fine with that.

The day came for her appointments and in she came with her daughter who looked to be about 16 or 17. The mother owned the Bichon and the Pom was the daughter's, as I understood it. One look at the badly matted Bichon and I knew what was going to have to happen with his haircut. Yes, it would be a buzz job. I explained this to the lady and she was less than happy to say the least, but she seemed to understand.

With the Pom, I asked the same question that I ask of every owner of those dogs. "Do you want a normal Pom grooming with the feathers and skirt just trimmed and him to look like a Pom is supposed to, or do you want him cut down?" I asked. "Why would we want him cut down?" the mother asked, looking shocked. "I just ask everybody that," I explained. "Many people like them cut down into what we call a Fox cut. The hair is left about this long," as I showed her with my fingers the approximate length of a #3 comb. "They really resemble a fox, and it's easy maintenance for the owners," I said. "It doesn't matter to me, they both cost the same," I told her.

"No, I want him to look like he's supposed to," the daughter said, shaking her head. The mother was agreeing. "Yes, make him look like a Pomeranian. I don't want him looking like something else," she told me. "OK," I said without any hesitation.

I told them to come back in two hours. Steve, from next door, had stopped in to see if I wanted anything from the Post Office as he was on his way there. The women went out the front door and I put the Bichon on the table and all heck broke loose when I set him down. It started screaming and tried to jump off the table, teeth were snapping everywhere and Steve ran to the grooming room door. "Holy _______!" What's wrong with it?" he yelled over its screams. I couldn't get hold of the dog to try to calm it down because of it whirling around like a Tasmanian Devil. "Go get that woman," I told Steve.

He ran out the front door and stopped them as they were about to pull out of the parking lot. In the lady came and she tried to calm the dog down. Even she had a devil of a time trying to dodge it's gnashing teeth and I was going deaf from all the screaming it was doing. Steve's eyes were bugging out like an English Bulldog's as he watched from afar. Bear in mind this guy is afraid of ANY dog, much less one that acts like it belongs in The Exorcist.

As it turned out, the woman had to stay the entire time. In turn, the dog carried on during the whole process. From shaving it down into essentially two matted pieces, to the bath, to the drying and then back for the final clipping. I couldn't handle it anymore at one point and had to resort to my earplugs as it screamed and kept crawling up onto the woman's shoulder. But I got it done. Exactly one hour and five minutes from start to finish. I charged her $30 for the job. I didn't charge her for the Aspirin for my throbbing headache.

It was 1:00 when she left for me to start on the Pom. This dog was a real sweetheart to do. It was used to being done and couldn't have been any calmer. Just what I needed after doing Kujo. I had told the woman to come back at 2:00 to pick the dogs up. At 1:40 she and her daughter reappeared. For almost 15 minutes while I finished up the Pom, they looked around the shop, picking out toys and treats. Occasionally, they looked into the grooming room to watch me finish the dog.

I glanced up at the clock: 1:55. I was finished right on time, actually five minutes ahead of myself. I tied a colorful bow onto the dog's hip and set him down to run out to his owners. "Look at the bow!" the daughter exclaimed laughing. "Hi, handsome," was pretty much all I heard the mother say to the dog. They seemed pleased enough, however. The dog really was a nice looking specimen of his breed. I charged her $25, as I had told her on the phone. All was well…or so I thought!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The next day, this same woman storms into my shop, and I DO mean STORMED! I stopped grooming the dog I was working on in the back to see her standing defiantly next to the counter out front. She was clutching a Pomeranian very tightly to herself. "WHY did you charge me for grooming my dog when you didn't even do it?" she yelled. "What?" was about all I could muster at that point. "You didn't even do anything to this dog," she screamed, thrusting the dog at me. The dog was now cut down into nothing other than a Fox cut! I was completely baffled, to say the very least.

"You didn't do anything to this dog, but you charged me WAY too much. You couldn't have done anything in 10 minutes, anyhow," she was accusing. “I had to take him to a REAL groomer after I left here and she cut him the right way," she informed me. "THIS is how a Pomeranian is SUPPOSED to look," she barked directly at me. "I asked you how you wanted him to look and you said you didn't want him cut down," I reminded her.

"You also know it took me 55 minutes to do him. You even stood here and watched me the last 15 minutes," I told her. "No, I didn't," she was yelling. This woman just wouldn't stop! "You charge WAY too much," she was saying. There was absolutely no reasoning with her. I couldn't believe this was the same woman that was in my place just the day before. I mean I have had people decide that the day after I groom their dog that they want the ears or tail or skirt shorter than what they first told me and it's never a problem. I redo it to their wishes without incident and they're almost always very pleasant. In fact they're usually apologetic that they changed their minds. But this woman was seriously missing some badly needed medications.

Some ten minutes or more went by and I myself was nearing losing it. There was no reasoning with her and I did something I have never done in 20+ years of the grooming profession…I flat out told her to get out. No, I didn't offer a refund, an apology or sympathy. I DID offer to make a call for a police escort to get her out of my place. And how was YOUR day???

I will start by saying the shorter a coat, the tighter thus better the finish. The longer a coat, the looser the finish will be. There are many reasons for this. When a coat is left longer there is a tendency for more undercoat to be removed during regular brushing routines. Versus a shorter coat where little undercoat is removed during the brushing process. Leaving behind an extra, extra plush coat.

So, what is best? This is the open-ended question that has many answers. Starting with shorter coats. For grooming contests you will find a really plush finish on shorter coats but it limits you in your style choices. Even when combed, these coats will hold their shape if done well. When working with longer coats you still expect to see clean lines but you will no longer have the same crisp finish as a shorter coat. It is not noticeable until combed through. You still need correct, clean lines with no tags coming out.

You will be working with something called a FALL LINE. This is where the coat is going to eventually fall into place after being moved. Example: If you get carried away scissoring the leg coat on a Wheaten or Show Poodle and the coat falls into place, you will have possibly created pencil legs. The same is true if you leave too much hair on the body. Left too full the dog now looks to have a heavy underline.

So my advice to you is use your comb consistently. Lift up using the right comb for the length of coat you are working with. The shorter the coat, the shorter and more narrow the teeth. The longer the coat, the longer and wider the teeth you use. The other piece to this puzzle is long consistent strokes of the comb, starting from the skin working up and out. If you get hung up in hair there are either mats or undercoat needing to be removed.

For people competing in grooming shows, look at your judges’ experiences. If most are in the grooming industry you may want to stick to pet trims. For those that want to do longer show coats look for judges that recognize the differences in coat lengths and conditions needed to capture a particular breed standard.

Making choices,
Chris Pawlosky

Diagnosing and treating canine skin disorders can be a challenge due to the overlapping signs of many diseases. Allergies, immune diseases, bacterial infections, yeast infections and parasites all share some common signs and yet the treatment may vary widely from one to another. To make the matter more confusing, it is not unusual to have more than one contributing cause in a given situation. It is impossible to cover all these areas even superficially in a single article and no similar attempt will be made here, instead we will focus on external (on the outside of the body) parasites.

Fleas and ticks are a major headache for many pets and their owners. However, they are usually easily diagnosed by close inspection of the skin and coat. Mites are a bit like microscopic ticks in that they have eight legs. When magnified they generally look even uglier and more ferocious than most ticks. Mites, often referred to as mange, are not so easily discovered as fleas and ticks and are often misdiagnosed and therefore improperly treated. This short changes the patient, who in turn suffers the consequences. An improper diagnosis may also lead to other pets or even people in the household becoming infected and requiring treatment.

There are a number of species of mites that infect people and animals and only four that commonly infect dogs in the United States. The rest of this article will be limited to those four species, which are:
Otodectes – “Ear Mite”
Cheyletiella – “Walking Dandruff” or the “Fur Mite”
Sarcops – “Scabies, Mange”
Demodex – “Red Mange”

All of these mite species are contagious and respond to similar treatments. The ear mite and the walking dandruff mite are much easier to treat than scabies and demodex. These first two mites are much less of a challenge to find and to successfully eradicate.

The ear mite is usually not seen without magnification and still, there are times when a good observer with sharp eyes may see small white specs moving across the skin near the opening of the ear. These mites spend most of their time in the ear canal and typically are not on the skin surface. The diagnosis is generally made with a magnifying otoscope or by viewing a smear of ear debris under the microscope. Ear mites are contagious and can cause serious itching and irritation. Secondary ear infections and sometimes hematomas (a large, soft swelling of the earflap caused by damaged blood vessels, much like a giant blood blister) are an end result requiring additional treatment.

If discovered early, the adult ear mite can be treated with over the counter pyrethrin drops. The drops must be applied periodically over at least a three-week period to allow the eggs, which are resistant to pyrethrin, to hatch out. All pets on the premises must be treated at the same time to avoid passing the buck and reinfestation. There are several prescription treatment choices that are very effective and may require only a couple of applications. Fortunately, ear mites are not a threat to people.

Cheyletiella, the walking dandruff mite, causes signs of scaling, itching, possible hair loss and behavioral changes due to discomfort. The walking dandruff name comes from the large mite size and the scaling produced. These mites can be seen with a magnifying glass in scales collected with a flea comb. Young animals are the most commonly affected. The itching may vary from none to severe. Scaling is the most common sign and is most prominent in the debilitated or long term infected patient. The infestation can be confused with allergies, seborrhea, flea infestation, food hypersensitivity and idiopathic (unknown) causes of itching.

Cocker Spaniels and Poodles have been reported to be asymptomatic carriers.
People may develop an itchy rash in areas that contact the pet. All animals in the household should be treated at the same time. Treatment choices include clipping longhaired dogs, medicated shampoos to remove scales, lyme-sulfur dips and pyrethrin or organophosphate insecticides. Common flea medications can not be counted on for control.

Sarcops or scabies is the next on the list of most difficult to deal with. However, the challenge with sarcops is not the treatment but rather the diagnosis. Sarcoptic mange mites can be difficult to recover from the patient and signs may mimic or co-exist with flea allergies, atopy (the most common form of allergies), skin infections, food hypersensitivity and yeast infections leading to a misdiagnosis. The itching can be mild to intense and has no seasonal pattern. Cortisone, a commonly used drug for allergies, may reduce the itching however it does not cure or stop the itching. Many scabies infected dogs have been misdiagnosed and treated for allergies.

Skin irritation from scabies can be generalized. Often there is hair loss and redness around the elbows, hocks, and underside of the chest and belly. A so-called watermark has been described in some patients referring to the lower one third of the body being most affected. With longer term infection, hair loss around the eyes and face may result.

Another typical affected area is the margin of the ear on the under or inner side of the earflap where a dry crust often accumulates. There is a simple test called the pedal/pinna reflex. Pedal referring to the foot and pinna referring to the earflap. When the ear is held between the thumb and forefinger and the finger is used to gently rub the inner side of the ear flap, the infected dog will often start to scratch with the rear foot of the same side.

These mites are a diagnostic challenge because they are often not recovered so as to support a definite diagnosis. The mites live on the surface of the skin for a few weeks, then after mating the females burrow in the skin creating tiny tunnels where they lay their eggs. It is this burrowing that creates the inflammation and intense itching. The eggs hatch to a larva that moves onto the skin surface, molting into a nymph stage and finally becoming an adult and the life cycle starts over. Skin scrapings made by the veterinarian may not reveal any of the mites. They can be extremely difficult to recover and a diagnostic challenge. Even skin biopsies rarely identify the scabies mite. Positive diagnosis can be so challenging that many veterinarians and veterinary specialists will not pursue allergy testing for an itchy dog until a trial treatment for sarcoptic mange has been completed.

Canine scabies can sometimes be successfully treated with organophosphate dips and the author has seen failures with organophosphates further clouding the diagnosis. Selamectin (trade name Revolution) is an effective topical treatment for canine scabies that also prevents heartworm disease, kills adult fleas and prevents their eggs from hatching, and treats and controls ear mites. Whole body dips with lyme-sulfur are commonly used. Amitraz (trade name Mitaban) is another effective whole body dip sometimes used but not approved for treatment of Sarcops. Pre treatment for amitraz or lyme-sulfur dip may include whole body clipping and use of an anti-seborrhea shampoo prior to application.

One of the most common and effective scabies treatments is ivermectin. Ivermectin is not approved for scabies treatment by the FDA and still has been used and recommended by many veterinary specialists. Ivermectin is approved as a farm animal dewormer and heartworm prevention in dogs. Some dogs, especially those in the English herding family such as Collies, Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Shelties and Old English Sheepdogs are sensitive to high dose ivermectin. There is an appropriate saying in the veterinary community concerning ivermectin dosing; “White feet, don’t treat”. Ivermectin is generally dosed twice at two-week intervals either orally or by an injection under the skin.

Scabies treatment should include all animals in the household because it is contagious and some dogs are asymptomatic carriers. These patients may not be showing any signs due to a low mite load or an early infection. Scabies is also transmissible to people and visa versa. The infection in people is self limiting since the mite may burrow into the skin but will not complete its life cycle. Typical areas affected in people are the arms, chest and abdomen and appear as a small dotted rash. If scabies is suspected in the family, a doctor should be consulted immediately for advice. Blankets, collars, leashes, bedding and clothing should be laundered to remove adult mites and prevent re-infection.

Demodex, also known as demodectic mange and red mange, has been saved for last because it can be the most frustrating to treat. Demodex is a small cigar shaped mite that lives in the hair follicles of dogs. The mites damage the hair shaft and follicle, causing the hair to break off and stop growing. Some experts believe that all dogs may have a few of these mites in their skin not causing any trouble because a healthy immune system will keep them in check. It is often seen in young dogs because their immune system is not fully developed and many of these patients will spontaneously resolve around the time of puberty. Some patients may be affected to some degree for a lifetime and still others suffer from adult onset demodicosis. The latter is usually the result of some impairment or insult to the immune system allowing the mites to thrive.

There are some families of dogs with an impaired immune system making them prone to demodex. The immune disorder, not the mange, can be inherited. Infected dogs should not be used in the breeding program and spaying affected females is recommended. The hormone surge around a heat cycle may cause an exaggeration or recurrence of the disease and it would be undesirable to perpetuate the problem in the offspring.

There are commonly two forms of demodectic mange, localized and generalized. The local form may start as dime to quarter size areas of hair loss without inflammation or itching in a young dog. Minimal treatment is needed for these patients. The disease is termed generalized when one third or more of the body or feet are involved. In these cases the skin is usually reddened, may be moist, itching is common and secondary skin infections add to the problem, sometimes leading to oozing scabbed lesions over a large portion of the body.

Demodex is diagnosed by recovering the mites from a skin scraping and viewing them under a microscope. Multiple scrapings may be needed but unlike sarcops, eventually the mites are found. The challenge with demodex is not so much the diagnosis and the localized patient but the generalized immune compromised dog. Mitaban dip applied as described in the scabies section is the only approved treatment for demodex. Multiple dips at two week intervals are required. Ivermectin is not approved and yet a commonly used demodex treatment requiring daily oral dosing lasting for several weeks or months. Prednisone is sometimes used initially to reduce inflammation and decrease skin secretions. Antibiotics are often needed to control secondary skin infections that may become quite debilitating.

Although controlling or eradicating these skin parasites will usually require veterinary supervision, there are some areas where the grooming professional can be of great service to the ailing pet and their owner. This may include clipping, proper bathing and selection of an appropriate shampoo, applying a topical solution, suggesting high quality high protein diets and antioxidant supplements to support the dog’s immune system and providing an emotional support system for the frustrated victims’ family.

So the next time you see a dog with a skin problem, ask yourself, “What mite be the problem here?”

The author, veterinarian Dr. Boyd Harrell, is currently practicing pet medicine in central Florida. He formerly owned two veterinary practices in Illinois nationally recognized for their exceptional management. He is an international speaker to pet lovers and veterinarians, a trained personal life coach., and a pet consultant with Oxyfresh Worldwide. Oxyfresh Pet Care products help the pets you love live healthier, cleaner, longer lives. Oxyfresh's complete line of pet care products include ingredients such as Oxygene® for maximum odor-fighting and oral health and adaptogens for robust health, nutrition, and stress relief. Pet product categories include Oral Care, Nutritionals, Hygiene and Stress Relief. Dr. Harrell may be reached at 866-388-3578, at boydharrell@email.com or at www.healthypetwebsite.com. Or Request Reader Service Card #3041.

More than once I’ve had a grooming customer say something like this, “My dog has hair, not fur. He does not shed and is non-allergenic.” After I perform an eye roll of such epic proportions that I can see inside my skull, I generally just nod, try to make my grimace look like a grin and make agreement noises. However, misconceptions on this topic are many, and there is a good bit of misunderstanding even among pet care professionals when it comes to the very thing we base our careers on, that stuff that grows on dogs and cats.

So, is it fur or is it hair? Experts agree; it’s all the same thing. In the English language, the word “hair” is commonly used to refer to what grows on humans. “Fur” is a word commonly used when describing the pelts on animals such as Minks that humans use to manufacture clothing from. But, biologically, it is all the same thing. Hair is one characteristic that is shared by all mammals. There are two types of hair, primary and secondary. When dealing with pets, we know primary hair as “guard hairs,” the longer, usually coarser, glossy hairs that make up the outer coat. Secondary hair we know as the softer, shorter “undercoat,” and its function is to regulate body temperature and repel moisture.

Animals referred to as “furry” normally have both primary and secondary hair on their bodies. Humans, horses and some breeds of dogs only have primary hair. But the bottom line is that when it comes down to fur or hair, it’s all hair, and if someone wants to tell you otherwise, you now know better!

Now, let’s talk about the sticky subject of shedding. Despite claims to the contrary, there are no shedless breeds. Any dog that has hair is going to have some shedding. There are breeds that shed less than others. Longhaired, single-coated dogs such as Yorkshire Terriers shed less than shorthaired, double-coated dogs. The simplified way this works is that different types of coats have different growth cycles.

My Pug sheds a LOT! The hair on her body is short, so it has a short growth cycle. From the time the hair emerges from the follicle until the time it dies and falls out on my clean sheets is short, because the hair is short. My friend has a Lhasa Apso. The individual hairs on her dog are long. From the time each hair emerges until the time it dies and falls out is long. For some dogs that length of time can be years! But all hair has a growth cycle, and at some point the hair will die, fall out and be replaced by new hair.

Think that is not so? Brush out a dog that is supposed to be “shedless.” You will find hair in the brush after a few strokes. That is dead hair that you have just helped to shed out of the follicle. If you had not brushed it out, it would have fallen on its own, been rubbed off on the carpet, or pulled out by a passing bush. Heredity, diet, health and environment influence shedding. Seasonal shedding is effected by the number of hours of light an animal is exposed to during the day. When days lengthen in the spring, it triggers the pet’s body to shed out heavy winter coat in preparation for the longer, warmer days ahead.

How about allergies? Some breeds of dogs are said to be “hypo allergenic.” While it is true that people who have pet allergies may be less sensitive to some dogs than to others, there is no true “non allergenic” dog. It is generally not the hair of the pet that causes problems, rather it is saliva, dead skin and dander, skin secretions or even traces of urine in the pet’s coat that cause allergic reactions in humans. Indoor-air.org says, “Different animals produce different allergens, but the type and potency of allergen is unrelated to whether the animal has long or short hair. In addition there is no one breed that is free of allergens.” (http://www.indoor-air.org/index.php/46)

The point of all this is that misunderstandings about the furry friends we live and work with abounds, but there is lots of good information available for us to further our education. You can learn more by checking out the websites in the sidebar. Meanwhile, you might take on the challenge of educating your customers when they ask you if a certain breed has fur or hair, or wonder what breed won’t shed or make them sneeze. I suggest you avoid the enormous eye roll I often practice; it can give you a headache!

http://www.allerpet.com/facts/fact1.htm http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Article706.htm http://cats.about.com/od/faqcatcare/f/catfurvscathair.htm http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=72

As in any industry, pet grooming is going through change and the survival of the groomer in the industry depends on adapting to these new changes. The appearance and the grooming cut will always be a big part of the groom, but today the groomer can act as a para medical professional guiding the customer in caring for the general health of the pet.

Emerging concerns and awareness of skin and hair coat is the groomer’s primary concern. Irritated red skin with or without itching and sores, excessive dryness or oiliness accompanied by flakes or slimy skin and unpleasant odors all should be addressed by the groomer. An argument can be made that the groomer has a responsibility to either offer guidance to the pet owner to seek veterinary evaluation and treatment or they provide an esthetic skin care treatment during the groom, followed by dispensing cosmeceutical products that will improve and maintain a healthy skin and hair coat.

This professional approach serves two benefits for the groomer, thus creating a Win-Win situation. It allows the groomer to help improve the health and well being of the pet, therefore promoting a better bond between the pet and owner. Secondly and equally important, it can radically increase the revenues for the groomer by the add on to the groom fee with an esthetic treatment, and at the same time create a steady flow of retail revenue by dispensing cosmeceutical products.

Reality dictates that there is a limit to both the fees charged for the traditional groom and the number of grooms physically performed daily. If groomer revenues are to increase then new revenue avenues must be created. Since the obvious concerns of the groomer are the skin and hair of the pet, add-on procedures during the groom and an increase in skin and hair retail product sales must be strongly considered.

The college age children, grandchildren and stepchildren of groomers have an exclusive college scholarship fund. The Lonnie Lange Memorial Scholarship Fund, sponsored by GroomTeam USA, Inc. and is available only to the immediate family members of professional groomers. Three college scholarships of $1000 each will be awarded. This fund came into being through the support of Premium sponsors as well as the generosity of groomers across the country and memorializes GroomTeam USA's departed friend, Lonnie Lange. The parent, step-parent or grandparent does NOT have to be a competition groomer or GroomTeam USA member for their family member to be eligible for a scholarship.

A second scholarship, to be awarded to one person, is a full scholarship to a GroomTeam USA approved grooming school. This scholarship is open to the public and applicants for this scholarship do NOT need to be related to a professional groomer. The winner of this award shall choose to attend one of these participating schools: The Paragon School of Grooming (MI), Nash Academy of Animal Arts (KY or NJ), Pennsylvania School of Grooming (PA), The Windy City School of Pet Grooming (IL) or the California School of Dog Grooming (CA).

Selection of the winners is conducted by an unbiased outside source; Scholarship Program Administrators, Inc. Deadline for applications is March 31, 2007 and the winners will be announced at Intergroom in April. Applicants can apply on line by accessing the GroomTeam USA website at www.groomteamusa.com, and clicking on the Scholarship page. At the bottom of the page is a link to the Scholarship Program Administrators site. There, applicants can apply
on line or download and print a hardcopy of the application.
For more information, e-mail us at groomteamusa@aol.com.

My name is Melissa Salzberg and I own The Village Groomer and Pet Supply in Walpole, Massachusetts. My family opened our salon in 1970 and I essentially "grew up" in the grooming shop.

I watched your story on the dangers of dog grooming, and I also have heard the nightmare stories over the years. They are out there, undoubtedly, but they are the exception and not the rule. I cannot defend these incidents, nor would I even try; however, I would like to bring to your awareness the other side of dog grooming that you seem to have missed in your report. The grand majority of pet stylists love dogs and cats and choose to be in this business inspired by that love. For some of us, being with animals is a spiritual path, while for others it is an honest, blue-collar, hands-on way to make a living.

For those of us that consciously choose this career and love these animals, your story focused on the absolute worst-case scenario, and did nothing but scare consumers. You frightened people, essentially, and caused people to doubt and question those of us who are extremely responsible, caring, careful and loving with their babies. This morning I had another client nervous about leaving their pet with us, and might I add that they are not new clients, rather they've been coming to us for years and never hesitated before.

So, I am writing to you to ask you for balance in your stories. If it is your job as journalists to responsibly inform, then do so. This report, however, did nothing positive. It did not educate; it inspired fear.

My clients love us and trust us, and we have worked for many years to gain their respect in an industry that does not always command the respect it deserves. We grieve the loss of our clients' dogs and cats with them, celebrate the arrival of new pets, and help them with health and wellness. It is the dog groomer that often discovers health issues in pets and tips off owners. Why not mention the number of lives we've saved! Mention the thousands and thousands of pets we've found homes for. Mention the volunteerism in dog groomers and other pet care pros that spend their time off making a difference in shelters, raising money for spay/neuter programs, or placing the lost dogs from Hurricane Katrina.

In a culture so focused on the negative, why not inspire people rather than scare them? Your sensational story made dog groomers look irresponsible, but it is Inside Edition that is truly irresponsible. Isn't this world harsh enough without you going out of your way to make honest, hard-working, loving people look bad? What was your intention? Stop and ask yourselves that question every once in a while.

If a client asks me about anal glands I will try to express them. I will ask if it is a reoccurring problem. I tell clients if the dog isn't showing any signs of having a problem then I prefer not to mess with them. If I can not get them to express then I refer them to a vet. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Michele Shull, AJ's Travelin' Groomer, York, PA

Of course we express them. I firmly believe in doing as much as possible to keep up the health of the dog since that's what grooming basically does. Most people have a closer relationship with their groomer than they do with their vet anyways, so since it's not difficult to do, or time consuming, I naturally include that. To be honest, I haven't even heard of anyone NOT including that...that would be just pure laziness to me.

My vet, who happens to be my on call emergency vet for my business, taught me how to express the anal glands. Therefore if my clients ask for that service on their dogs I will accommodate their request. That service is performed for my regular clients’ pets at no charge. Tom Hickman, Pampered Pups Mobile Pet Grooming, Inc, Lexington, VA

I express anal glands but for an additional fee. I learned how to express glands when I worked at a veterinary hospital while I was in grooming school. I find that since I express glands and not all other groomers do, I have to do the "anal gland explanation" pretty often too. Shaffia Galis-Menendez-Best, Breed
Pet and Mobile Grooming, Belleville, NJ

I do an external expression of all the small dogs (under 35 pounds) and on the larger dogs if the owner asks for it because there is a problem such as scooting or excessive licking. Ferrell

No, it's too messy. Rebecca, Furry Fashions, Ardsley, NY

I was taught years ago by a professional handler how to express anal glands. Since then I have also checked with my vet. I include anal gland expression as part of the bath. The only time I won't do them is if I feel that they are impacted or if I am unable to express them from the outside of the rectum. S. Lynn Boucher, Precious Furs Pet Resort, Oxford, MA

I used to leave it to the vet. A few of my clients, who are vets themselves, showed me how easy it was and now, not only do I do it, I get paid for it. It's not the most pleasant add-on service but it helps. Gail Rosenberg, A Leg Up, Hampton, NJ

I have been a groomer for 33 years. I do check the anal sacs and if they express easily, then yes I do. I don't force anything and if they appear inflamed I tell the animal’s guardian. Sharon Stockman, The Dog Shop

In the state of Tennessee, only a licensed vet or certified vet technician is allowed to "enter the body." Groomers here are taught to do an external expression, but we are also aware that unless examined by a vet, a dog’s anal glands can be further impacted or damaged if not expressed internally. I always advise my clients that if they have a concern about anal glands, to make an appointment for a vet exam. Internal expression is much more likely to be productive and safe. NSH, Nashville, Tennessee

Expressing anal glands is part of a procedure in our packaged plans that we offer. Myself as well as my groomer employee are required not only to express the glands but also to inform the customer of the amount expressed and its consistency. Nancy Alfred (owner/groomer), Julie Stierwald (groomer), Muddy Paws Mobile Pet Grooming

I feel groomers are in a damned if you do – damned if you don't position with regard to anal glands. If you don't empty them, the vets say we caused an impacting by not emptying them. If we do empty them, we are told we are acting as vets.
Personally, I do empty them. I feel it’s my job to ensure they are not impacted or infected. I never allow other staff to empty them unless they have been thoroughly trained and observed to be emptying them correctly. Improper draining can cause damage to the anus. I never force an anal gland. If it doesn't empty easily, I refer them to the vet. My job is detection and referral, not treatment. Liadan Giolla Brighide

I offer to check the glands and explain that if they are in need of expressing I will do it. I let them know if the glands are flat and working properly. I also let them know if they are not working properly, are hard to express or not possible to express and puffed up like balloons that they should see a vet to have them checked and cleaned out to keep their pet healthy. Although my clients are shy at first about discussing anal glands, most find it fairly interesting. Barbra Ding, The Groom Room, Johnstown, CO

Interesting topic since a groomer in Twin Falls, Idaho just went before the Veterinary Board to defend all Idaho groomers choice to express anal glands. A vet from there said it should be only a medical procedure, but the Board agreed that groomers could practice the procedure as well.
I personally express anal glands at the customer’s request. I don't charge extra for it if it's done at the same time I'm grooming the dog. But I do charge for it if that's the only reason they bring the dog in to the shop. Same as nail cutting. I've had customer's dogs that have a lot of problems with anal glands to the point of having them removed surgically. Sometimes I wonder if that would happen if they went to a vet for anal gland expression in the beginning. Or is it just the genetic make-up of the dog? If I can't empty the anal glands with gentle pressure externally, I strongly suggest that the customer take the dog to a vet. I'm anxious to hear from other groomers about this topic. Vicki McNally, Vicki's Dog Grooming, Bonners Ferry, Idaho

If the client requests them done, I will do them. But, it is of my opinion that this secretion is very important in the elimination health of a dog as it is a lubricant and also a scent marker for any dogs coming after him/her to this spot of grass. This tells the next dog the present ones age, health, sex and other very important information. Anal gland secretions are like a doggy newspaper for stray dogs coming on a person’s property. Karri L. Whitefish Bodoh, Moondance Standard Poodles, Glasshouse Grooming

I've always wondered how groomers were expected to do that? (Expressing anal glands) I don't do it; I do leave it up to the vet’s office to do this procedure. What has it got to do with grooming? What if it's done wrong and the dog gets hurt? Susan Pardee, Eastside Mobile Dog Grooming

Yes, I do express anal glands. It is a lot less messy for the groomer to do this. When you place the dog in the tub for their bath, the smell and mess is washed away – leaving the dog clean with no after smell. If I notice any change in the discharge or the dog seems to be in pain when I do this, I fill out a Barkleigh vet report card and send it home with the pet.
Christine's Dog Grooming, PA

I leave it to the vet. When people ask I answer that I don't want the dog to be afraid of me because of the awkwardness of expressing the glands. Secondly, if you leave the glands alone, it will resolve all by itself, nature's law. Most people don't know and start fussing around, which will end up in the need for anal gland expression. Tjaco and Annette Coehoorn, Doggie Adventure, Germany

No I don't express anal glands – I send them to the vet. I was always taught that groomers should only deal with things we can see. Leave the rest up to the vet! Heather Frolick, Wipe Your Paws Pet Grooming Salon, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada

Last year, Prince Lorenzo Borghese was seen as an exhibitor in his booth featuring Royal Treatment’s bath and body line for pets. That was before he was “the” bachelor on the ABC hit show, The Bachelor. This photo was snapped at the Groom Expo 2005 trade show, with Dawn Omboy of Klippers in Columbus, GA and Candy Doppert of Candy’s Tenderpaws Grooming in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.

Prince Lorenzo Borghese followed a family tradition of formulating the finest natural products in the world when he created Royal Treatment’s bath and body line for pets. Lorenzo created the line out of necessity when products he used for Belle, his eleven-year-old Black Lab, left her skin dry, itchy and her coat dull.

He decided to use his connections in the cosmetic’s industry to develop a prestigious line of all-natural, human–grade, gentle and effective bath and body pet products. Lorenzo created his ideal grooming line that thoroughly cleans pets’ fur, but also moisturizes the skin, promotes a healthy shiny coat, neutralizes pet odors and leaves pets smelling delicious as a result of the natural fragrance oils.

In order to get the most out of your clipper, regular clipper maintenance is a must. It will keep your blades cutting longer and lengthen the life of your clipper. With a little patience and practice any groomer should be able to perform routine clipper maintenance. However, it is recommended that your clippers be serviced by a trained technician at least once a year in order to ensure that your clipper is safe and up to manufacturer specifications. A trained technician will completely dismantle your clipper and clean the inside, repair any worn parts, and make any necessary repairs or adjustments.

The most common clipper wear part is the blade drive, lever, or swing arm (depending on manufacturer). This part is what drives the blade and moves the cutter blade of the blade set, thus cutting the hair. When the blade drive is worn, the clipper will no longer cut properly. This part must be checked regularly and changed after it shows wear from use. (Picture #1, #2)
Groomers frequently complain that their clippers are running too hot. This is often one of several simple maintenance issues.

1. Hair Build-Up: Hair build-up on the switch caps will restrict airflow, causing the clipper to overheat. Clearing out this hair build-up will rectify the problem. (Picture #3)
2. Worn Carbon Brushes: Worn carbon brushes can cause arcing (heat) against the armature motor inside the clipper. Replace these carbon brushes as needed. Carbon brushes should be at least 1/16” in length. (Picture #4)
3. Blade Tension: Be sure blade tension is not too tight. Tension should be firm, however, you should be able to slide the cutter back and forth with little effort. To loosen tension, simply pry up each side of the tension spring. (Picture #5)
4. Speed: The new high-speed, super speed, and turbo speed clippers can cause blades to heat up very fast. Heat from blades can radiate onto the clipper. When using these new style clippers, change blades frequently and use spray coolants as needed. Another option is ceramic blades. They are usually slightly more expensive than conventional blades, but they conduct less heat.

In order to maintain your own clipper you should have a few simple tools and supplies on hand.
• A small brush: You can use a toothbrush or purchase a blade/clipper brush. Use the brush to clean hair from your blades and clipper.
• A screwdriver
• Clipper oil and grease
• Blade coolant/lubricant
• Replacement carbon brushes
• Replacement blade drive, lever, or swing arm.

Having these items on hand will ensure that you can easily perform routine maintenance and will reduce the time your clipper has to be out of use. Next to your own skill and knowledge, your clipper is your most important tool. Spending just a few minutes caring for your clipper on a regular basis will increase your efficiency and save you time and money from more expensive repairs.

Gary Hartwell has been the sharpening and repair manager for Ryan’s Pet Supplies since 1991. In addition to working at Ryan’s he has owned his own grooming shop in northwest Phoenix with his wife Janis since 1986. He has received factory training at Andis®, Double K® Industries, Oster®, Stewart®, and Wahl®. The Ryan’s Pet Supplies Sharpening and Repair Center is an authorized repair and warranty dealer for Andis®, Conair®, Double K®, Dri Eaz®, Oster®, K9® Electric Cleaner, KleanKut™, Paw Brothers®, Value Groom™, and Wahl®. Gary Hartwell can be reached directly at 1-800-525-7387 Ext. 231.

In the midst of Fall Foliage, the New England Pet Grooming Professionals (NEPGP) hosted its twenty-sixth annual Fall Festival at the beautiful Crowne Plaza in Warwick, Rhode Island. It included an exhibitor trade show with established and new products. Seminars focused on demonstrations for the pet stylist, marketing aspects including computer, retailing, and client relations with nationally known speakers. New in 2006 was the addition of the Entry level competition and within the Entry Level, a First Timer award. The Intermediate and GroomTeam USA sanctioned Open level pet styling competition had stylists that traveled from as far as Florida to attend.

Prior to Best In Show, New England hosted its First Annual Dog Fashion Show. The new logo, a professional videographer, Missie Salzberg emceeing, lots of volunteers and staff, and happy attendees all contributed to the friendly atmosphere. In the planning stages: November 2nd-4th, 2007 is an extravagant Christmas show to be “unleashed.” For more information, Request

Best All Around Groomer
(Open) Julie Wilkins, (Intermediate) Olga Zabelinskaya, (Entry) Jennifer Lee

Best Groomed Dog
(Open) Jodi Murphy, (Intermediate) Indya Sheehan, (Entry) Jennifer Lee

Terriers
(Open) Misty Fowler, Karen Tucker, Cheryl Purcell,
(Intermediate) Olga Zabelinskaya, Lisa Morecroft, Shannon Tupes, (Entry) Jennifer Lee, Tara Tufts, Rob Brightly

Sporting
(Open) Jodi Murphy, Julie Wilkins, Lisa Leady,(Intermediate) Indya Sheehan, Krystal Purcell,
Sue Milne, (Entry) Jennifer Lee, Erika Neto, Deb Davis

Poodles
(Open) Julie Wilkins, Karen Tucker, Lindsey Berry, (Intermediate) Terry Tomlinson,
Olga Zabelinskaya, Jessica Gonyea,
(Entry) Carol Basta, Rob Brightly, Nicole Roberts

Mixed / All Other Purebred
(Open) Lindsey Berry, Karen Tucker,
Julie Wilkins, (Intermediate) Olga Zabelinskaya, Sue Milne, Joanne Camilli, (Entry) Alyssa Janelle, Angela Bellinger, Jennifer Lee

Taxi Mixed Breed Memorial
Anne Francis

Sailor Award
Indya Sheehan

Pamela Best Groomed Poodle Memorial
Julie Wilkins

Spider Dog Memorial
Cheryl Purcell

Joulie Memorial Award
Indya Sheehan

Best Scissored First Place
(1st place) Julie Wilkins,
(2nd place) Lindsey Berry, (3rd place) Carol Basta

One of the best things about going to grooming shows is the opportunity to hear such a diversity of ideas from groomers who share their knowledge and expertise. No one knows it all, so I go to the seminars of the winners. One time I heard Sarah Hawks explain about angulation. She always makes things so simple and easy to understand. She showed how to loosely hold the dog’s back leg, gently lift the foot, and where your thumb slides into the curve, turn the clipper around and run the blade against the grain from your thumb up to the rump. Voila! Angulation! Thanks Sarah!