Yes, Gwen has a snack fetish. She can’t go anywhere without snacks. I am talking about anything that comes in a small colorful bag, box or wrapper. Generally it is not nutritious. And fruit does not qualify in Gwen’s mind.

For years, when we began a business trip, Gwen would dump a grocery bag full of snacks in the back of my van. I could not cojole, insult or try to use logic on her. “We don’t need that much junk food, Gwen,” I tried to tell her. But to no avail. Along with her beloved Fizzonator (a gallon pail of iced tea that she treks everywhere with her), for years she carried a red, white and blue striped bag full of junk. I don’t know where that bag got to, but it has been replaced by common grocery bags.

“Remember that trip in Guatemala,” she always brings up. Yes, I have to agree that in that one extreme case, Gwen saved the day when a group of starved American groomers, locked in a small van with missionary and shampoo mogul, Don Kassebaum, as he careened the steamy jungle roads without food, that Gwen pulled out her stash of goodies.

Like the loaves and fishes of the Bible, Gwen’s treats seem to multiply as they were passed forward in the van. Everyone ate their fill and sighed, while Gwen breathed contented relief that she had filled hungry bellies with junk food. The memory still gives her such pleasure.

Well today, she got her come-uppins! Her brother, Eugene, is in a nursing home and I often go with her on the trip to visit. He is a thin person, and she is filling him up with junk food, too. We are talking two to three grocery bags full of assorted snacks each visit. And he is loving it. Previously, he lived alone with limited food choices. Now, a gleaming box full of goodies fills his bedside cabinet and she keeps it permanently filled. He compliments her by gorging on all the snacks. He isn’t gaining weight so that isn’t a problem.

Inside the nursing home, across from the office, a sweet natured, large woman in a wheelchair sits behind a table with some meager saleable items. We would see her day after day. Mildred, a patient also, has a little ministry inside the home. A retired nurse with Parkinson’s disease, her hands quiver. But not so much that she can’t make change and sell her pitiful stale candies to unsuspecting visitors and residents. I would buy them and throw them away just to help her.
When Gwen found out that Millie used this money for unselfish projects like saving for a pool table for the residents and providing interest free loans to the poor workers, Gwen couldn’t help herself. I did wonder about the pool table. To be honest, most of the residents had trouble eating their meals and watching TV. How were they going to use a pool table, I thought. Not Gwen. She went into action and we went to Sharp Shopper Outlet Store and bought a hundred dollars worth of snack food. It filled my van.

Gwen schlepped it in and out of the nursing home to Millie’s room and stacked it in the corner where Millie wanted it. Millie thanked Gwen profusely. I couldn’t be bothered with the schlepping, but she rail-roaded me anyway. Gwen was in seventh heaven. She had found another person to feed junk food and she was on top of the world.

“I just feel so good about this,” she said. And she did. She practically glowed in the joy of sharing her gift of junk food. I had to admit that she was the most unselfish person I knew with a box of empty caloric foods.

When Gwen came back from the home today, she told me she had inadvertently created a monster. Millie wasn’t at her usual post when Gwen went in, and she was stopped by
hospital management.

“Are you giving the snacks to
Millie?,” she questioned with emphasis on the giving. Gwen went on to describe the plans Millie had and how she was helping her achieve her goals. The loans. The pool table. The manager looked quizzical.

“Most of these people would not be able to use a pool table,” she said to Gwen. That was pretty obvious to me. HELLLOO! And the loans? Seems like a figment of Millie’s imagination. Actually, Gwen found out that Millie may be the greatest recipient of the funds, the
receptionist intimated.

It was obvious that Millie was not happily selling her meager selections at her table in the foyer. Right then it seemed, Millie was guarding her stash of goodies that Gwen had brought in her room… and she seemed to be in some serious snit about it. She wasn’t sharing or selling to anyone.

Gwen was still reeling from the Millie thing, when Rodney, the Head Nurse, pulled her aside in the hall. “What can we do about you bringing all these snacks for Eugene?” he questioned Gwen. “His blood sugar is sky high and we can’t control it with all the snacks,” he said.

His blood sugar was out of whack? Gwen was astonished. She didn’t know that. How in the world could that happen with just thirty pounds of chocolate, 88 varieties of cookies and crackers, longhorn cheese wheels, and assorted chips.

Oh well, Gwen still had control of the snack section of Barkleigh Productions. And she still drags snacks into her house even though all her kids beg her to stop. Her husband throws a fit everytime he has to unload the van. “Where are we going to put this stuff?” he grumps. And she still travels with grocery bags full on a daily basis.

But she has that memory to lean on. That glorious memory, when she saved a van full of starving American groomers in Guatemala.

"I entered the ring filled with anticipation and nervous energy, ready to compete in the Winner’s
Circle Tournament,” said Veronica Frosch. “Then I looked around at all of the other competitors. I knew many of them and had seen the fabulous grooms that they turn out.”

“I pretty much counted myself out,” Veronica said softly, but then added excitedly, “Boy, was I in for the shock of my life!”

When Veronica Frosch was just a kid, she never thought that she would be standing in the competition ring of one of the world’s most prestigious competitions or that she would have the opportunity to compete for the grooming world’s largest prize – the Triple Crown Jackpot.

Veronica just really loved dogs and found herself drawn toward grooming.

“As a teenager I always groomed our family dog, a Miniature Poodle,” recalls Veronica. “It took me hours and hours, but I did it.”

“I thought it would be cool to be a groomer,” she continued, “So after graduating high school, I went to grooming school.”

Veronica began grooming professionally in 1991. She now owns The Paw Shoppe, which is located in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.

Her career in competitive grooming began about ten years ago when Veronica went to a competition. As she watched the contestants she said to herself, “You know, I think I could do this.”

The next year Veronica entered her first grooming competition. To say that she was nervous might be a bit of an understatement.

“I couldn’t sleep for two weeks before the competition. My stomach was one big ball of nerves,” Veronica said. “Once I was in the ring, I shook like a crazy woman.”

“That only lasted for the first few years that I competed,” Veronica confessed with a hearty chuckle. “I’m not nearly so bad now.”

Lots of groomers get a little bit nervous before a competition. Especially if they are entering something as formidable as the Winner’s Circle Tournament…that’s the one with the Triple Crown Jackpot.

The Winner’s Circle Tournament is an IJA (International Judges Association) sanctioned event.
The winners of the competition are not decided by the opinion of just one person, but by a panel of knowledgeable industry experts who make the placement decisions as a group.

The Winner’s Circle is a very unique competition, in that the first competitor to win the tournament three times will claim the incredible Triple Crown Jackpot. Right now that jackpot stands at a whopping $30,000.00!

Sponsoring grooming competitions in general and the Winner’s Circle Tournament specifically is of the utmost importance to the Nature’s Specialty Company.

By bringing world attention to the professional grooming industry through huge monetary awards, Nature’s Specialties is helping to bring new respect and professionalism to our industry.
“Today’s grooming competitions help to elevate the stature of the grooming professional,” says Mary Meeks, president of Nature’s Specialties. “We support the groomers by sponsoring competitions and by providing them with products that will help them and their businesses become more successful.”

Mary Meeks, a former groomer herself, knows that it is not easy to take that first step into the competition ring; still she encourages groomers to take that step.

“Competing will help you to improve your skills, get valuable experience, and gain new confidence,” says Ms. Meeks enthusiastically. “There are no losers in the competition ring. It is definitely a win-win situation.”

Mary adds, “When your clients know that you are skilled enough to enter grooming competitions, their confidence in you increases and certainly makes your business more successful.”
The Groom and Kennel Expo in Burbank, California was the site of the most recent Winner’s Circle Tournament.

The competition arena was packed with spectators eager to see this amazing competition.
The thrill of winning such a prestigious competition and the possibility of taking home the incredible $30,000.00 Triple Crown Jackpot had attracted many of the superstars of the grooming world.

As Veronica entered the Winner’s Circle competition ring, she looked around at her fellow competitors.

“I knew many of them… Sally Hawks, Jackie Boulton and all the others,” Veronica said. “I have seen the fabulous grooms that they turn out. I thought that there was no way that I could measure up to them. I pretty much counted myself out right then and there.”

With all those well-known competitors in the contest ring, Veronica considered herself a real “underdog.” But, she had come to compete and she was prepared to give it her best shot.

About midway through the competition, an amazing feeling began to come over Veronica.
“I looked at my Standard Poodle, Kia, and I got a little choked up,” said Veronica. “Everything was falling into place and she was looking great. I thought I might actually have a shot at winning this.”

“I was having a real on day,” Veronica continued excitedly. “I think I stand a fighting chance. I might be able to do this!”

The competition ended and “scissors down” was announced. Veronica knew that she had just produced the groom of her life – but would it be good enough to win?

The IJA judges began their task of selecting the one person who would be victorious and stand in the Winner’s Circle. They inspected each dog meticulously, examining them as closely as if they were under a microscope.

The panel of judges conferred, made their decisions, and began to announce the placements.
As they prepared to announce the winner, Veronica and the other contestants watched their every move. The moment they had been waiting for was at hand.

Who would reap the ultimate reward? Who was about to be crowned the champion?
Would it be Veronica Frosch – the gal who’s determination to groom her own dog years ago has now brought her to the pinnacle of success?

Yes, Oh Yes! Amid tumultuous applause, Veronica received the honor that she had worked so hard to achieve. And though she had visualized herself as the winner, when it actually happened, she couldn’t quite grasp the fact that she had really won.

“When they announced my name as the first place winner, I darn near dropped to the floor,” said a breathless Veronica in a voice teeming with emotion. “I was stunned and shocked. It was definitely the win of my life!”

This spectacular win has given Veronica her first leg of the Triple Crown Jackpot. Just two more wins and that phenomenal, ever-growing $30,000.00 jackpot will be Veronica’s.

The next competition will be held at Groom Expo in Hershey, Pennsylvania this September.
You know that Veronica Frosch is planning to be there. And so are the other competitors who also have their sights set on that phenomenal jackpot.

Mark your calendars now so you can be there too. It’s your chance to see history being made.

As summer vacations approach more and more of us are flying with our pets so I would like to give you a few helpful hints to make flying pets as safe and rewarding as possible. Taking your pet with you on vacation can be much less expensive and stressful than boarding your dog, especially if you don’t have a trusted place to leave the animal.

First, you must have an airline-approved kennel for the pet to fly in with ALL the nuts and bolts screwed tightly. Double check the door closure and make sure the rods are through the holes in the top and bottom. I ONCE unknowingly used a non-approved airline crate and the flight attendant informed me that pets fly in the pressurized portion of the belly of the plane, which is also where the cadavers are placed. She went on to say, “and if this plane banks you wouldn’t want the coffin to go sliding up against a plastic kennel.” Needless to say I never used an unapproved crate again.

You must check with your particular airline to make sure they accept pets at the time of year you want to fly. Most airlines that will normally fly pets in cargo will not do so if either the place of departure or the place of arrival is expecting temperatures to fall below 20 degrees or be above 85 degrees. You must have at least two water dishes attached to the front of the crate so they can be given water without opening the crate door. When checking the dog in for the flight, give the person a good size tip and ask for an air-conditioned room, shade if on tarmac and boarding at last minute.

Before flight, restrict food and water to the minimum. Toilet the animal just before loading into crate and immediately when you get him out at your destination. Load the bottom of the crate with towels for comfort and also for absorbing any accidents.

For peace of mind I suggest you take non-stop flights whenever possible and no changing planes. When the animal has to change planes is when things can go wrong. When booking your flight get a window seat on the side of the plane that the loading dock is on so you can see when your dog boards. Besides all the regular identification you must have on the kennel I would also put a big red sticker on top to identify your particular kennel as it comes aboard. If you don’t see it come aboard, get up and ask the flight attendant to make sure it has been boarded or find out where it is. As long as you are standing, the plane cannot pull away from the gate. Don’t sit down until you see your dog boarded or the flight attendant assures you the pet is in cargo.

My dog got left on one of those luggage carts in Chicago after all the suitcases were loaded and passengers were told to take their seats for taxiing back from the gate. I hadn’t seen her board so I got up to see what happened and saw her sitting there waiting for someone to load her. The flight attendant informed the captain and he radioed inside to get someone to come back and get her on the plane.

If your dog is small enough to fit in a crate that will fit under the seat in front of you, you don’t have to fly it cargo. You must reserve the inside of the cabin as they usually take a maximum of two dogs inside per flight. Some airlines charge for inside the cabin and some don’t. Some airlines restrict the passage of short nosed animals like Pugs and Persian cats, which have short nasal passages that make breathing more difficult at high altitudes.

As read in the News Press of Ft. Meyers, most accidents happen, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, not from mishandling or panicky animals getting injured but from being sedated. The AVMA advises against sedating pets for air travel because the results are unpredictable or even fatal. “An animals natural ability to balance and maintain equilibrium is altered under sedation,” said Dr. Olson of the American Humane Association. “When the kennel is moved, the animal may not be able to brace and prevent injury.” Continental Airlines now requires passengers to sign a waiver saying their animal has not been sedated, but most airlines do not have that rule.

According to Nick Divito for the Associated Press, and as reported in the News Press, “most airlines require pets to be considered healthy, less than 100 pounds and at least eight weeks old. Pets are never allowed out of their containers and the airline assumes no responsibility for their health and well being. Less traditional pets aren’t allowed at all, like potbellied pigs, primates and certain venomous reptiles.”

The US Department of Agriculture requires a health certificate from the Vet within ten days of traveling for animals flying cargo. If the dog is going in the cabin, Continental, United and American suggest the health certificate anyway just in case you are asked for it and because some states require it. To check which states, visit aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/.

You and your pets enjoy your summer vacation together.

See you on the road,
Marea

As strange as it might seem, being the absolute best at your job – the best groomer, trainer, day care provider, veterinarian, and on and on – does not guarantee success in our industry. It really is unfair! It used to be that you could provide a quality service, open your business door with a smile, and you’d have people from all over your area anxious to purchase your services. Word seemed to get around. Your customers told their neighbors and relatives. Referrals just naturally happened. You didn’t have to do a thing but provide a quality service for a fair price.

I talk to many pet professionals. All too often I come across business owners with the attitude of deserving appreciation from their customers simply because they are the best at what they do. “Hey, I’m the best in this town. Word will spread about how good I am. Even if I lose a customer, they’ll be back – I’m the best.” They are counting on customer loyalty based on the skill of their trade. Betting their futures on it.

The reality of it is – customer loyalty is hard earned. There used to be a day when generations of families purchased only Fords or only Chevys. They were steadfast customers, generation after generation. But today, well, let Ford or Chevrolet tell you about their hard-earned lessons in customer loyalty.

There has been a huge shift in consumers and consumer spending. More competition, million dollar marketing campaigns, feel good advertising, and the access to media all contribute to the shift.

Consider the following… the average individual gets bombarded with advertising at every turn. Television commercials, radio commercials, print ads, billboards, the Internet, and now even cell phones provide us with advertising. Statistics have shown that consumers are touched by some type of marketing every waking minute of every day. Think about it. Unless you live on a deserted island (which I’m considering), every turn of your day involves some type of marketing.
The pet industry is no exception to this. In fact, with the mega corporations that are now deeply planted in our industry, their million dollar feel-good marketing campaigns have contributed to the shift. So what is an independent pet professional to do? Go back to school? Get a marketing degree? Attempt to copy the marketing of the corporations?

No, no, and definitely no. First off, attempting to copy the marketing of the pet super stores is a big mistake. Yes, it works for a large corporation – but unless you’ve got billions of dollars to invest in branding your business, don’t try it. In my opinion, the independent pet professional has untapped strengths that the large corporations can never buy. One on one, true, first name basis, genuine appreciation for every single one of our customers!

It’s time to build a fortress. Build a fortress around our hard, sought after customers. That is our strength – customer appreciation. We have a ten fold better opportunity to provide genuine appreciation for each and every customer. That should be the #1 priority for independent pet professionals – showing customer appreciation.

If you haven’t wandered into a pet super store lately, I suggest you go. Play customer. Look around; talk to them about their grooming, or their training. What I have found is that it is boxed. Very corporate. Don’t get me wrong, it’s effective – for them. With any large corporation, there has to be a congruency with all their stores. In other words, every store has to treat every customer the same. (Are you seeing your strength?)

Same information, same style, regardless of the particular circumstances.

With hundreds of stores under one corporate name, there must be consistency with each location. Their million dollar marketing campaigns provide the “feel good, you are special to us, we really care about you” attitude that they need. But the customer appreciation they show is boxed. I’ve never read any training manual for one of the super stores, but my guess is that they have set standards that each and every store employee must follow. Set standards to provide to each and every customer that walks through their door. Please take note that even at this huge corporate level, they show customer appreciation.

Ah, but the independent pet professional can actually offer face to face, day in and day out, genuine customer appreciation. Personal, sincere, specific to each customer, appreciation. This gives the independent superman strength!

The number one reason any business loses a customer is through the lack of feeling appreciated. This is especially true with a service provider. Survey after survey has shown that a customer will try a new business because they felt unappreciated with their previous provider. Key words there, they felt unappreciated. Everyone treats a new customer as something special. But how about the ones that have been around a while? What special appreciation do you show for all your long term customers?

When is the last time you sent a personal thank you note to a customer? When is the last time that you cut an article out of the paper or a magazine and mailed it to a customer because you knew they would appreciate the story? When was the last time you made a quick phone call to see how the pet faired with a new treatment? How often do you do something, totally unexpected, totally out of the blue, to show your customers how much you appreciate them? Put your thinking cap on – every single day – and keep in sharp focus ways to show your customers appreciation for doing business with you.

It is a lot less expensive to keep your current customers than it is to advertise to find new ones. And remember, there are those million dollar “you are special to us” marketing campaigns that are seeking to steal every one of your hard earned customers. Make them feel genuinely appreciated – then they are yours. They are inside of your fortress. Your competition won’t be able to touch them.

Do you see my point? I hope so. Independent pet professionals have great strengths that need to be dusted off, cleaned up, and prominently placed forward. We have far more power than the Big Dogs are aware of. Let’s show ‘em who’s really the Champ!

Susan Thixton is President of Pet Pro Champions, a coaching and consulting firm specific to independent pet professionals.

This article is a short example of the innovative business building techniques she coaches her clients with in her Success Building Monthly Newsletter.

To subscribe or find further information, please visit her website at www.PetProChampions.com.

Just last week I had something happen that has never happened to me before. This is one for the record books, because I am POSITIVE that none of you have ever had it happen to you either. Oh sure, maybe in some small way, but never like it did me.

So, there I was grooming away when the phone rang. A new customer wanted to know if he could stop in sometime just to have his dog's nails clipped. He asked the usual questions... “Will you do any size dog… how much will it be... and do I need an appointment?” “Yes… Five bucks… and no,” were my answers in that order. He said he'd stop by one day that week. All was well with the world.

My shop is set up with a one way glass window in my grooming room, which allows me to see the front retail area and out into the parking lot. People can't see me unless they are within a couple feet of the window. This comes in very handy on various occasions. If I am in between grooming, or making bows or just killing a few spare minutes, I can look out at the patrons to the Tavern across the parking lot. Let me tell you, the things you see when you're watching bar patrons preparing to go in for a “good time.”

But I digress...
So the day after I got the call from the guy asking about nail clipping, I look out in the midst of grooming a client's dog and see a really flashy Dodge truck pull up in front of the store. Out steps a guy who is nicely dressed and appears to be in about his mid-forties or so.

The guy comes into the shop with an extremely nice looking Great Pyrenees puppy. “I'll be right out,” I called to him from the grooming room. I finished up the dog I was working on and went out to greet the man. “Here for a nail clip?” I asked, taking a guess. “Yes,” he said. “He really needs it,” he added while looking down at his pooch. “Come on back,” I said, leading the way.

I picked up the dog and placed it on the grooming table. “Really beautiful pup,” I commented. “How old is it?” I asked. “He'll be four months next week,” the guy said. We talked back and forth as I began cutting the nails. “My wife and I have another male dog and he is always pestering this one,” he told me. The man appeared to be intelligent enough.

As I reached my left arm under the back legs of the dog to hold the right hind foot up to cut the nails, I felt a good bit of wet hair on my forearm. The dog had obviously not been cut under her privates yet and the hair was beginning to mat up under there. I cut the nails and mentioned to the man that the dog was getting to be a mess between her back legs.

“Do you want me to clip this hair out around here?” I asked while pointing to the area. “It's getting kind of messy here. She keeps peeing on her hair. I won't charge you anything for doing it,” I added. “Sure,” he said. “He's been a really easy dog to housebreak though,” he told me. “He has only had two accidents the whole time we've had him,” he said.

Now, I realize that when someone has owned a male dog for a while, that out of pure habit they often call every other dog a “He.” The same holds true of course for people who own females and refer to everything as “She.” So I proceeded to clip the hair out of the area and the entire time that the man was talking to me he kept making the mistake of calling the dog a male.
Finally, as I put the dog down on the floor and was rubbing her belly, the guy made another comment about “Him,” and I looked up smiling and said… “She. It's a girl. You're going to have to get used to calling her a SHE.” Then came the real surprise. “No, it's a boy,” the man said. “No, believe me, it's a girl,” I responded. “Nooo… we wanted a girl, but all the breeder had was boys,” he informed me. At this point I really looked at the man's face and I could tell that he obviously was very, very serious about the belief that this dog was indeed a male dog.

I lifted the dog’s front legs as she sat in front of me. She had a relatively hairless pink puppy belly and I ran my right hand up and down her stomach. “Well, she doesn't have any ‘boy’ parts here, so you got what you originally wanted. Most definitely a girl,” I told him again.

“Maybe he's too young yet,” the guy stated. “Too young for what?” I questioned. “Too young to tell,” he replied. “Uh, no… they're pretty much born with their right parts,” I informed him. I couldn't believe we were having this conversation. Here was a seemingly intelligent guy with a job, a wife and all the necessary faculties to have a driver's license and he didn't know that his dog was a girl?????

“Should I call the Vet?” he asked. “For what?” I asked, thoroughly puzzled now. “To see what's wrong with him,” he told me. At this point I swear I half glanced around for a hidden camera or something. This had to be a joke, but this man was totally serious. “There is nothing WRONG with her, other than the fact that she is a girl.” “No. I'm sorry but you can't be right. Here,” he said as he handed me ten bucks. I took the money and was in sort of a daze I think.

The man was getting irritated, I could tell. As he walked to the door to leave I gave one final try at letting him know he had a female dog. “Well, I hope you gave her a neutral name that you won't have to change,” I said jokingly. “HIS name is Bandit,” he responded. “Well, that could go either way,” I said.

“That's it. I'm calling the Vet,” he said as he hurried out the door. I personally would LOVE to be the proverbial fly on the wall when he gets there.

PetQuest will be held at the Drawbridge Inn in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky on July 5th – 8th, 2007. This ever-growing show brings seminars on grooming, mobile grooming, animal behavior, doggie daycare, training, boarding and more. There will also be a three-day trade show, Groom Team and International Judges Association sanctioned contests, competitions, demonstrations and the popular silent auction.

Popular all day sessions taking place include Sue Zecco’s Practical Grooming, Teri DiMarino’s Brusher Bather Certificate Program and Sarah Wilson’s Animal Behavior Conference.

Topics to be covered are: Camouflage Grooming... How To Hide Faults And Fix Uh-Ohs!; Clipper and Blade Emergency Clinic; Demoting the Difficult or Demanding Dog; Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Ears (And Were Afraid To Ask!); Financing Your Dreams; Grooming Tips and Shortcuts; Dealing with Distractions; Grooming Cats; Grooming the Geriatric Pet; Helping the Reactive Dog; Handling Dogs Safely: Avoiding Bites and Identifying Potential Health Problems in Pets.

Other seminars include: Lowering Stress in Dogs; Managing Multi-dog Situations; Daycare, Playgroups, or On Your Own; Safe and Sound: Caring for Other People’s Pets; Working with People: Getting the Results You Want in a Way You Like; The Art and Science of Bathing Pets; What Every Good Groomer Should Know About Eyes and Five Ways to Communicate With Dogs.

Don’t forget to shop at this huge trade show featuring over 50 national companies and manufacturers. You can also see the exciting Grooming Tournaments offering $5500.00 in prize money, for one low trade show admission price.

Each day, a different grooming event will be featured.

The competition groups are Terriers, Sporting Breeds, Mixed Breed
and Other Purebreds, and Poodle Challenge. Groomers who compete will also be able to use their entry for certification after the event.

After the Poodle Challenge, the Best in Show, Levels 1,2 and 3, and Best All Around Groomer, Level 3 Awards will take place with $1000, $500, $250 and $250 respectively.

IPG will be holding their workshop designed to help prepare you for IPG certification testing. The testing process will be explained and preparation tips will be offered.

For rules on the IJA Grooming Tournament, visit www.ijaonline.com. Call IPG at
(847) 758-1938 for more information on their workshop. For more information on PetQuest, contact Barkleigh Productions at (717) 691-3388, visit www.barkleigh.com, or e-mail info@barkleigh.com.

Today’s pet groomer is often the first source of information for the pet owner. Owners respect the groomer’s knowledge and therefore take what they are told as the truth and the only truth. If this is in fact the way many owners think, then it is prudent that groomers provide the most accurate information possible. This article is in support of increasing one small part of the knowledge base you have to draw from so as to best support our furry friends and their families. Following is a summary of canine yeast infections including cause, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options.

Itchy skin and skin infections are a major and often frustrating issue for many dog owners. Because of the frequency and frustration of canine dermatitis issues, there are a lot of misconceptions and misinformation. One of the prime examples of this is yeast infections in dogs and this article is designed to provide some education about yeast infections, their cause, treatment and prevention. In the author’s experience, yeast infections tend to be over diagnosed by the pet owner and under diagnosed by veterinarians. We will start with a short
description of what a yeast infection is.

Yeast infections in dogs are caused by the organism Malassezia Pachydermatitis, previously known prior to the 70’s and 80’s as Pityrosporum pachydermatitis. Yeasts are a member of the fungus family and are common inhabitants of normal skin. They are single cell organisms that multiply by budding and separating. They flourish in but are not dependent on lipids (fats and oils).

In small numbers and on normal skin Malasezzia poses no problems. Yeast organisms are commonly found in the ears, vagina and anal sacs of asymptotic dogs. Unlike Candida, another yeast infection, Malassezia problems are not a result of overgrowth from antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections and are not generally considered contagious.

So with that background let’s begin to discuss how dogs develop yeast infections and what can be done to identify and prevent them. Again, yeast organisms are normal inhabitants of normal skin. It is when the skin is not normal healthy and resistant that the yeast takes advantage of the situation. It has been estimated that at least 80% of yeast infections are secondary to other causes. Some common causes are damage to the skin barrier like scratching and friction, allergies, immune deficiencies, metabolic skin problems like seborrhea, moisture accumulation, hormonal imbalances (especially hypothyroidism), skin parasites like demodectic mange and some dogs actually become allergic to the yeast themselves.

There is no sex predilections, however certain breeds are predisposed and a partial list includes: Cocker and Springer Spaniels, many Terriers and especially the West Highland White, Maltese, Miniature Poodle, Shetland Sheep Dog, Collies, German Shepherd, Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu, Dachshund, Basset Hound and the Shar Pei. Prevention then is primarily aimed at identifying and controlling contributing causes.

Common signs of yeast infections may include ear infections, infections between the toes and toenails, offensive skin odor, increased scaling or dander, hair loss, greasy or oily skin, and inflammation. Common areas of the body to be affected are the underside of the trunk, the axilla or armpit area, the front side of the elbows, around the anal area, muzzle and around the eyes. The affected area may have well defined borders. With chronic infections the skin may begin to darken and become roughened and wrinkled and traumatic hair loss can result. Moist valleys created by lip folds, nasal folds and vaginal folds provide an ideal incubator for yeast.

The symptoms may be somewhat seasonal, being more likely in the spring, summer and fall (the same as many allergies!). Signs of seasonal allergies may become longer, more severe or non-seasonal. Allergy dogs that had been previously controlled with allergy drugs may become resistant or non-responsive to treatment. What’s more, it is impossible to tell yeast infections from bacterial infections solely on appearance.

Since the signs of yeast infections can mimic other skin diseases, how can it be diagnosed?
First, there must be suggestive signs like the ones listed in the previous paragraph. Second, diagnostics are required for a definite diagnosis. Lack of response when treating other skin conditions may also be suggestive of a yeast problem. The yeast must be demonstrated in significant numbers on stained slides made from the skin. The common ways to collect yeast from skin for a microscopic exam is by dry microscope slide scrapings, dry slide impressions, tacky slide preparations and acetate tape preparations. Samples are generally collected from several sites to increase the probability of a proper diagnosis.

Once a slide is made it can be stained and examined under the microscope for the typical budding organisms. Slide preparations are a quick and simple in-office test that the veterinarian can do during a normal visit. Cultures are expensive and rarely used to identify Malassezia while biopsies are sometimes helpful in challenging cases.

It is also worthy to note that mixed infections, made up of both bacteria and yeasts, commonly occur and when the infection is mixed. Both the yeast and bacteria need to be treated at the same time.

Once a yeast infection is confirmed a treatment plan can be formed. As mentioned earlier in this article, most yeast infections are secondary to other causes and both the yeast infection and the underlying cause will need to be addressed for a satisfactory result. Without control of underlying conditions, treatment failure is nearly guaranteed. For simplification, we will discuss here only the yeast treatment.

Yeasts infections generally respond best to a combination of both oral and topical treatment. Ketoconazole is the most commonly used oral medication and is a prescription only drug. It may be best to give with food to minimize stomach irritation and upset. Absorption is best in an acid environment so it should not be given with acid blockers like Pepcid and Zantac.

Other choices such as itraconazole and fluconazole are also available to the veterinarian and are tailored to the situation at hand and the individual patient’s needs and tolerances.

Griseofulvin, used for treatment of ringworm, is not affective against Malassezia.

Topical treatment may involve shampoos, rinses, lotions, sprays and wipes. Topical treatment is aimed at reducing the lipids and killing or retarding growth of the yeast. Medicated shampoos may contain 3-4% chlorhexidine, benzyl peroxide, acetic/boric acid, 2% chlorhexidine combined with miconazole, lyme-sulfur and lastly ketoconazole. Selsan Blue is a non-prescription human shampoo containing selenium disulfide that has helped many infected dogs though it tends to be harsh. Ketaconazole containing human shampoos may also be used. Rinses and lotions typically contain miconazole or acetic/boric acid. Shampooing as often as twice weekly with medicated shampoo followed by a medicated rinse may be required in the initial phase of treatment.

Treating yeast infections can be frustrating for both the veterinarian and the pet owner. Treatment is often long term with repeated veterinary visits and recurrences are common. Expense, energy and time commitments often lead to non-compliance or totally stopping treatment, leaving the dog in an uncomfortable situation. These are high maintenance patients and require dedication to have a favorable outcome.

So as you can see, identifying and managing canine yeast infections is not a straight forward task and is often a long term management disease. The groomer’s role can include being a source of valuable information and recommending medical attention for affected dogs. There are also services that the groomer may choose to provide which can aid in the control of canine yeast infections. The following suggestions come from the author’s experience and may not have universal agreement among veterinarians and do not necessarily have scientific articles to support them so you should take them as such.

Clipping the hair short may increase the effectiveness of shampooing and allow the skin to ventilate and cool, which can lead to better patient comfort and a smaller yeast population. Keeping the skin clean and minimizing the greasy build up can create a harsher environment for the yeast to try and survive in. Feeding high quality preservative-free raw diets have seemed to help some victims. Supplementing with antioxidants may minimize the inflammatory response and help support the immune system. Anything that supports clean healthy skin and immune system is a big plus. Remember yeasts are opportunists; they are only present when there is an insult or malfunction of the skin or immune system.

The author, Dr. Boyd Harrell, currently practices 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, pet care pros and veterinarians, a pet consultant with Oxyfresh Worldwide and both a trained personal life and health coach. He may be reached at 866-388-3578, at boydharrell@email.com or at www.healthypetwebsite.com.

The International Judges Association is proud to announce the appointment of Shirlee Kalstone as the Director of Judges Education.
Shirlee, known worldwide as the First Lady of Dog Grooming, is the founder of Intergroom and is credited with conducting the first international dog grooming competition in 1982.

She will organize an international panel of mentor grooming and conformation judges to conduct the Judges Education Program, which will feature both international forums and online courses that will have a tremendous impact on both judging standards and judges' qualifications for grooming competitions worldwide.

“It has been my dream for many years to further the knowledge of judges for grooming competitions, which have been such an important part of my life,” said Kalstone “and I can think of no better way to do this than with Vivian and John Nash, with whom I have known and worked with for many years.”

Vivian Nash agrees, and further commented, “John and I are not only very excited, but also honored to have Shirlee on board with us as we approach our ten year anniversary of IJA.”
Kathy Rose, IJA Team Director, stated her approval by saying, “IJA could not have appointed a more qualified individual than Shirlee Kalstone to carry out this important task of education for our judges.”

Joey Villani, IJA judge, said, “I look forward to the wealth of knowledge Shirlee will bring to this position and IJA in general.”

The International Judges Association was established in 1998 by Vivian and John Nash to standardize and promote fair and equitable placement of contestants agreed upon and accepted by a panel of judges in professional dog grooming competitions.

For more information, go to www.IJAonline.com.

Put the dog in the tub and give it a bath. Right? Simple enough task… but the reality is that bathing any dog well is a balance of science and art. Bathing the dog and conditioning its coat and skin is an important part of the maintenance grooming process. To serve the dog and owner well, the bather must understand how product formulations impact the dog’s coat and skin on a long-term basis.

The Science
Nature provides a healthy dog’s coat and skin with a balance of natural elements including micro-flora, bacteria and sebum. But all dogs do not have normal skin. So consideration must be given to product formulation based on the individual dog’s bathing and conditioning requirements.

Consider pH
Most all shampoo products are pH balanced for a healthy dog’s coat and skin, falling into a range of 5.5 to 7.2. However, by design total alkalinity of most shampoo formulas is high, at around 150 to 200 ppm. The high alkalinity opens the hair shaft, allowing beneficial shampoo ingredients to do their job. Repeated bathing without sealing the coat afterwards leaves the hair molecules puffed-up. The hair shaft is left open allowing minerals and residue to enter. Natural oils and moisture escapes. After long-term use coats can become dull and brittle. The alkaline deposits lead to an imbalance of natural skin elements that can contribute to the proverbial itch-scratch cycle.

On the other end of the shampoo spectrum is the repeated use of highly acidic shampoos. These typically citrus derived ingredients eat away at the hair’s protective qualities, while stripping sebum from the coat and skin. This process creates dry, irritated skin and a limp, faded coat. As the dog scratches to relieve the itch, further skin irritation occurs. Aggressive scratching breaks the already damaged coat.

To reduce the negative effects of highly acidic or high alkaline products to the dog’s comfort and skin health, a conditioner or coat sealer must be used to close and smooth the hair cuticle to restore moisture and elasticity to the coat and skin.

Water
pH of the water used for bathing dogs is also an important consideration. Not only will it alter the stated dilution ratio of concentrated shampoo formulas, it will affect the way a shampoo formula cleans. Using a pH balanced shampoo in acidic or alkaline water counters the pH balance of the shampoo.

Shampoo lathers best in water with a neutral pH.

Heavy Fragrance
Be aware that heavily perfumed shampoo formulas are very drying to the pet’s coat, skin and the bather’s hands. Heavily scented shampoos leave the fragrance behind by way of polymers and copolymers, large molecules that build-up on the hair-shaft. After repeated use, the residue leaches moisture from the coat and skin that eventually creates dull, limp, brittle fur and dry itchy skin.

It is far better for the health of the coat and skin to use a naturally or lightly fragranced shampoo formula. A stronger or more pleasing fragrance can be achieved without coat damage by using a spray of a cologne product on a small area of the dog’s coat.

How Do Shampoos Work?
Shampoo makes water “wetter” with the use of wetting agents, surfactants, emulsifiers, soap, detergents or saponins.

Wetting agents reduce tension between the product, coat and skin. The surfactant (an abbreviation of surface-active-agent) decreases the surface tension of grease, oil and water, breaking them down into smaller particles to aid cleansing.

Emulsifiers aid in mixing two otherwise unmixable ingredients, such as water and oil. Soap is a cleansing agent that bonds with dirt for easier removal. It is derived from salt and can burn eyes. High salt content in shampoos can make them harsh and very drying to skin and coat.

Detergents are synthetic cleansers that allow water and oil to combine and are derived from non-renewable petrochemicals. Depending on the formula, they can be mild or very harsh to coat and skin.

Tearless formula shampoos will contain saponins instead of soap or detergents. Saponins are a naturally derived form of soap made from plants such as coconut oil, palm oil or soapwort. These are considered the most gentle, least irritating and drying to coat and skin. These “soap free” formulas are also safe to use with spot-on products as they will not strip oils from the coat.

Meeting Your Client’s Bathing Needs
Many pets have special bathing needs based on skin health and condition, presence of ectoparasites, coat condition, coat type and color. This means you will need to have a variety of shampoo and conditioning formulas on hand to meet your clients’ needs.

In addition to your “house” shampoo, that is pleasant, mild and (hopefully) cost effective, you may want to offer these alternative formulas containing some of the listed ingredients.

For dogs with dry, flaky skin and lackluster, brittle coat you will need a moisturizing shampoo that is formulated to soothe and relieve dry skin. Soap and detergent free is best, and may contain some of these moisturizing ingredients: Allantoin, Aloe Vera, Amino Acids, Avocado, Biotin, Coconut Oil, Colloidal Oatmeal, Cucumber, Folic Acid, Jojoba Oil, Kelp, Lanolin Oil, Panthenol, Sorbitol, Spirulina or Wheat Protein to name a few.

Dogs suffering from moist eczema, hot spots, fleabite dermatitis and body odor will benefit from
a healing formula with antiseptic properties. Some ingredients are considered antibacterial or antifungal in nature: Alfalfa, Awaphui, Eucalyptus, Hydroxyethane, Lavender Oil, Neem Oil, Salicylic Acid, Sage, Tea Tree Oil, Undecylenic Acid, Zinc and more.

Hypersensitive dogs may suffer from inhalant, contact or food allergies. They may have dry, itchy skin and oxidized coat from licking. A hypoallergenic shampoo formula is a must have for use on these dogs. It will be soap, detergent, color and fragrance-free. This formula is appropriate when the dog’s owner is hypersensitive to fragrances as well.

Naturally derived flea fighting shampoo formulas have become a better alternative to pesticides. Choosing pest fighting natural oils and ingredients is safer and better for you, the dog and the environment. Look for these ingredients when choosing a shampoo formula to rid your clients’ dogs of fleas: Cedar Oil, Citrus Oil, Eucalyptus, Neem, Pennyroyal, Pine, Tea Tree Oil and others.

Color enhancing formulas will help to reduce yellowing and stains. They will enhance the coat color and in some formulas provide UV protection to prevent fading, especially in dark coats.

Conditioning the Coat
The next step in the bathing process is the conditioning of the coat. Conditioning products typically have a very low alkalinity level. This aids the smoothing and sealing of the cuticle on the hair shaft. This step is critical to the long-term health of the coat and will benefit the skin as well.

Conditioners contain humectants and protein, which work together to draw moisture to, and bond with, the cuticle. Proper conditioning prevents static electricity and moisture loss, which are major contributors to matting and hair breakage.

You will need to choose a conditioning product based on the dog’s coat type.
Long hair, drop or flat coats require a moisturizing cream rinse product that seals and smoothes the hair shaft, lending elasticity that helps to prevent coat breakage, static electricity and matting.
Curly coats require a light, body-building formula that seals the coat without weighing it down.
A leave-in mousse or spritz formula works well. Cream rinse should not be used on sculpted breeds as it will make scissoring more difficult.

Hard, double and smooth coats require a protein-based texturizing spritz that will enhance the wiry or stiff coat texture.

Never use a product that contains heavy oils that will clog hair follicles or prohibit the coat and skin from “breathing.”

Before applying any conditioning product, be sure the dog has been washed and rinsed well. Hold up a towel for protection and encourage the dog to shake. This pulls excess water from the skin, allowing you to gently squeeze more water from the coat before applying the conditioning product. Too much water in the coat can dilute the efficacy of the product.

The Art of Bathing
As with mastering any task, practice makes perfect, but a rote approach to bathing is doing a disservice to both your customer and the pet. The art of bathing is a two step process. First, you must correctly evaluate the dog’s shampoo and conditioning needs. Secondly, you must use all of your senses to perform the procedures to the best of your ability and to the extent that the dog requires.

The practice of lathering every dog twice does not necessarily meet the goal of getting the dog clean. Success is not in the number of times the dog is lathered, but is in the results of the bathing and conditioning process.

Holding the spray nozzle against the skin to allow the force of the water to hasten the wetting and rinsing of the dog; and applying shampoos directly to the skin, not onto the coat by way of sponge; are techniques that can facilitate the process…but, it comes down to using your senses. Does the dog feel clean? Gloved hands can not detect this. Does the dog smell clean? Place your nose by the dog’s ears…this is where most owners cuddle with their furry friends. Many times the face and ears are the dirtiest parts of the dog after the bath! Does the dog look clean? Is the coat dull? Are there flakes in the coat? Is so…then the dog requires another lathering. After rinsing, does the coat sound squeaky clean? Great, then you can move onto conditioning the coat.

Every step in maintenance grooming is an important step, from brushing to bathing, and conditioning to drying. Products, tools and techniques must be chosen and used in a thoughtful manner. Your clients will know and appreciate the difference!

Barkleigh Productions, Inc. is taking on a new venture! Pet Boutique and Spa is an annual publication that will be making its premiere this summer! Pet Boutique and Spa will go to all the pet care professionals who offer high-end retail, unique “bling bling” items to the pet loving public, and spa services and products to their clientele. Those considering this shift in retailing and services can also receive this magazine.

This exciting, special edition will contain success stories from fellow professionals, suggested seasonal changes to your retail, salon front ideas, floor layout, retail display ideas, seasonal displays, seasonal spa services and lots more. New releases of boutique and spa products will also be featured.

At least 15,000 copies of this upscale issue will be printed and distributed to interested professionals and businesses. It will also be handed out at popular pet industry shows throughout the country. Readership includes grooming, boarding and pet shops that operate as a boutique and also stand alone pet boutiques.

Who better for Editor of this magazine than Karla Addington-Smith? Karla and her husband Craig are partners in PetSmith LLC, which encompasses Stray Dog Sales, A Fortunate Dog and Smart Dog Publishing.

Karla entered the pet care industry as a bather at the age of 16. “The tub was on the floor and I bathed on my knees. So that says I have been in the industry a long time. Thirty-three years to be exact.”

When Karla graduated from the Animal Sciences program at Live Oaks Career and Tech Center, with a focus on grooming, she opened her first salon with $1000 that she had saved right after high school. “I loved the artistry of grooming the moment I picked up a scissor. It was meant to be.”

She did not understand the need for training in the salon until a friend asked her to go to the 1982 Groomerama. The show changed her life. “It was like being slapped with the reality of how much I did not know. I was enlightened, that experience was the catalyst to becoming a better groomer and more successful business owner,” Karla reflects.

In addition to being a professional groomer, Karla was also a multi-salon owner, writer, speaker and contest judge. She owned a sales and marking company, Pet-Pro Marketing, that represented leading pet brands to specialty pet distributors and the mass market. After a successful decade, business started to decline and Karla and Craig realized that they had to give their own business the treatment given to other companies – building successful retail businesses. That was how the companies, Stray Dog Sales and A Fortunate Dog, were created. “I learned early-on that no good decision is ever made in fear, but in faith and in trusting your instincts,” advises Karla.

A popular speaker at industry shows, Karla likes to focus on topics that make better business people and on lessons that she learned the hard way. Topics include Recognizing Potential Health Problems, Retailing To Win and her newest seminar, The Art and Science of Bathing Dogs. “I hope to see the proverbial light-bulbs going off above the attendees’ heads during the program,” says Karla.

Karla has a lot of experience in pet boutiques and spas. Her Bow-Wow Boutique’s success was built on providing positive experiences for everyone involved, both pet and owner. Retail was included from the beginning to meet the needs of customers, including service, information and guidance.

“Today, all these years later, my passion is to do the same for professional groomers and salon owners,” Karla states with great enthusiasm. She knows how guidance based on experience is highly valued in our industry.

Karla was ecstatic to be asked to be Editor for Pet Boutique and Spa. “I have great respect and fondness for Sally and Gwen and am thrilled to be a part of their community of loyal pet care professionals.” Karla has won the Scratchex Award for Journalistic Excellence in Dog Grooming and Skin Care from the Dog Writers Association of America, Inc. She also received the Grooming Journalist of the Year Cardinal Crystal Achievement Award in 1991 and 1996, the latter for a piece in Groomer to Groomer. She is the current contributor to the feature articles in GroomOGram.

She knows there is a broad appeal for Pet Boutique and Spa at this time. “Pet care professionals are looking for ideas on how to set themselves apart, how to improve and diversify their services.” Karla emphasizes.

With the increasing need and desire for more education on this emerging aspect of pet care, Karla has high hopes for Pet Boutique and Spa. “For those already in our industry, I hope that Pet Boutique and Spa magazine will inspire and reenergize… to motivate pet care professionals to envision and implement new and improved services, taking your business to the next level in terms of personal fulfillment, career purpose and profit.”

She also encourages those new to this niche. “For those thinking of entering our industry, I hope that Pet Boutique and Spa magazine will provide a portal into the vast opportunities that are available for the pet-loving entrepreneur.”

What a motivated editor for this thrilling new annual!

Karla’s company Stray Dog Sales is the wholesale division of PetSmith LLC, selling brand name products, tools and equipment to professional groomers through a catalog and trade shows. www.afortunatedog.com is their online store that sells to groomers and pet owners all over the world. Their emphasis is to educate customers on tools, products and techniques needed to properly care for any breed or coat type.

Smart Dog Publishing markets educational materials that Karla has written and has been used in Ohio’s career and technical schools animal science programs.

The Atlanta Pet Fair was recently held at the Hilton Atlanta Airport. Exhibitors shipped in as much as they possibly could because they knew stylists would want to go home with something in hand. The Atlanta Pet Fair also held a grooming competition, which had a large turnout. While all the competitors had outstanding entries, Creative Styling stood out. Dawn Omboy took first place with Poodles Of The Caribbean.

Something new was added to this year’s program, the Kenchii Shears Fusion Party. A well-known DJ, “Romel,” kept the crowd on their feet and dancing to a techno sound. The Internet Junkie Hospitality kicked off a new tradition also… the Green Hat Ladies. Next year is the 20th anniversary of the show and plans are under way. Mark your calendars for March 7 – 9, 2008.

BEST IN SHOW - Julie Wilkins
BEST ALL AROUND STYLIST - Julie Wilkins

TERRIER BREEDS
Entry Division - Angela Mullinax, Heather Shultz, Nicole Rehburg
Intermediate Division - Jodi Moreland,
Debbie Slocum, Christina Hankins
Open Division - Cheryl Purcell, Jared Lane, Lindsey Berry
Group Level - Cheryl Purcell, Jared Lane, Lindsey Berry
1st Time Competitor - Angela Mullinax

POTPOURRI BREEDS
Entry Division - Deana Colvin, Michelle Hirsch, Autumn Bridgers
Intermediate Division - Tuesday Cook, Debi Hilley, Butch Singson
Open Division - Lindsey Berry, Jared Lane, Marea Hetem
Group Level - Lindsey Berry, Deana Colvin, Jared Lane
1st Time Competitor - Shannon Kudla

SPORTING BREEDS
Entry Division - Autumn Bridgers, Debbie Davis, Tammy Collins
Intermediate Division - Kimberly Turbyfill, Krystal Purcell, Michelle Breen
Open Division - Julie Wilkins, Koko Tanaka, Anita Belue-Leinard
Group Level - Kimberly Turbyfill, Julie Wilkins, Koko Tanaka
1st Time Competitor - Shannon Kudla

NON-SPORTING SMALL BREEDS
Entry Division - Marilyn Wainwright, Debbie Davis, Beverly Strange
Intermediate Division - Yvonne Aitken, Nicole Murphy, Christy Nelson
Open Division - Julie Wilkins, Koko Tanaka, Lindsey Berry
Group Level - Julie Wilkins, Koko Tanaka, Lindsey Berry
1st Time Competitor - Melissa Ford

NON-SPORTING LARGE BREEDS
Entry Division - D. J. Rick, Angelia Browning, Michelle Hirsch
Intermediate Division - Christina Hankins, Adriane Pope, Michelle Breen
Open Division - Cheryl Purcell, Koko Tanaka, Julie Wilkins
Group Level - Cheryl Purcell, Koko Tanaka, Julie Wilkins
1st Time Competitor - Melissa Ford

SCARLET’S CHALLENGE
Wendy Delrie, Jodi Moreland, Christy Nelson

CREATIVE STYLING
Dawn Omboy, Carmon Baker, Adriane Pope

I know some people like to cut the nails before the bath so if they bleed, Quik Stop and blood can be washed down the drain. I like to do them after the bath because they are softer and usually will not split or crack. I clip just the tips and I hold the foot lightly with no pulling and jerking so I seldom catch a quick.

When doing my dogs’ nails, if you are gentle and don’t hurt them, they are not scared and will not fight you. While the dog is under the dryer, I gently go from one foot to the other, always in the same order.

If it’s a new dog and struggles (because some are touchy about their feet), I don’t pull against them. I firmly but gently hold the foot while my wrist (and usually my elbow) is on the table.
Snip, snip, snip, it’s over in a few minutes. I pick up my brush and run it all over the dog again. I either use an emery board or Dremel to smooth the nails, so they don’t scratch their faces, causing problems later. By the way, if the hair is long, push the nails through an old nylon, so the Dremel can’t catch the hair. Great tip from Teri DiMarino!

Groom and Kennel Expo Speaker Wins Award
Carol Boerio Croft, a recent speaker at Groom and Kennel Expo, has been selected as the Small Business Association 2007 Western Pennsylvania Small Business Person of the Year. Each year, the association takes time to recognize outstanding small business owners and advocates of small businesses who champion their causes.

An independent selection committee, comprised of outstanding professionals from small business organizations and the economic development community of western Pennsylvania selected Carol. She received her SBA Award at the 31st Annual Small Business Awards Luncheon Trade Show and Networking Event.

Judges Orientation and Training Program
The United Showmanagers Alliance (USA) recently held its first Judges Orientation and Training Program at the Atlanta Pet Fair. The PowerPoint presentation reviewed rules, ring procedures, and professional demeanor, and included an interactive segment on breed profiles and standards and the actual winner selection process. This program is intended for both apprentice and experienced judges and will eventually be a mandatory requirement for judges at USA produced shows.

This program will be offered from 12-4pm at the All American Grooming Show on Thursday, August 16, 2007, and at the U.S. Pet Pro Classic on Thursday, November 8, 2007. A $50 fee for each session includes a workbook, CD, and, upon completion, a pin. Subsequent programs will be developed on specific breeds/groups and presented by well-known authorities in their respective areas of expertise.

For reservations and/or information, contact Jerry Schinberg at aagrmgshow@wowway.com, Pam Lauritzen at clauritzen@petstylist.com, or Ann Stafford at Atlantapetfair@yahoo.com.
*The United Showmanagers Alliance (USA) is comprised of the Atlanta Pet Fair (Ann and Richard Stafford), the All American Grooming Show (Jerry and Sally Schinberg), and the U.S. Pet Pro Classic (Pam and Chuck Lauritzen). It was formed to standardize rules for the participating shows, making it simpler for Contestants and Show Managers alike. To further improve the quality and consistency of its shows, the USA has developed this Orientation and
Training Program to enlarge the pool of qualified Judges.

AKC Seeks Entries
Do you know a canine that always lifts your spirits when you’re feeling blue? A dog that helps the sick feel better? If so, what better way to pay tribute to a deserving dog than by nominating him for an American Kennel Club Award for Canine Excellence (ACE)? An American Kennel Club (AKC) ACE award is a national honor, given to only five dogs each year who have performed an exemplary act or series of acts, whether large or seemingly small, that have significantly benefited a community or individual.

One award is given in the following five categories: law enforcement, search and rescue, therapy, service, and exemplary companion dog. Honorable Mentions will be awarded to exceptional entries in each category. In addition to the prestige of being chosen, each of the five honorees receives a cash award of $1,000, an engraved sterling silver collar medallion and an all-expenses-paid trip for dog and owner to Long Beach, CA to be honored at the seventh annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in December 2007.

For more information about the AKC ACE awards or to download a nomination form, visit www.akc.org/news/ace/ index.cfm. Nominations will be accepted until June 29, 2007.