One of the top groomers in our country has been befallen by illness without insurance to help her. She is well known, tops in her field, a selfless, intelligent and truly professional individual. She has, and does, gives to our industry on a daily basis. Though she has had chronic illness for some time, she felt confident that she would not end up in the hospital and could avoid huge medical costs. We talked many times about the fact that she did not have medical insurance. For whatever reason, she did not carry it.

But suddenly, she was struck down with a debilitating infection that really knocked her off her feet and landed her in the hospital for the first time in her life. Since recovery is long term, she is now in a nursing center. Though medical assistance will probably come to the rescue, she is left with an undetermined medical future and little say in the direction of her treatment. She has little control over where she will be treated and how.

How many times has this come up in the past few years? How many times must I see a great groomer befallen by circumstances that they can not control? How many times must I hear how expensive insurance is? And how many more groomers are going to go without insurance for themselves or their family?

You may say, “How can you, the head of a nice sized business like Barkleigh, understand what it’s like for me? I am a small groomer in mid America struggling to pay bills and faced with astronomical medical insurance because I am self-employed. Sally, you don’t know anything about what it’s like!!!!”

I wish that were true. I wish I had lived a nice cushy life without medical problems and insurance issues. But it isn’t true.

I, like you, was a groomer. And the daughter of a groomer. I worked harder (because of lack of today’s great equipment) and for less pay. As I type this article today, I do it with pain in my hands and nerve damage due to carpal tunnel brought on by grooming. I wear wrists supports at night, probably like you do… or will, given enough time at the grooming table.

Since my self-employed career as a groomer (over twenty years) and beyond, I have carried insurance. I remember well that my husband was without income due to serious circulation problems in his legs. Before food went on the table, insurance had to be paid as far as

I was concerned. It meant being able to select the physicians that he needed, and to go to the hospital of our choice. It meant not putting our house, my business and our family in jeopardy. I never saw it any other way. Responsible people had health insurance… and we did.

Today’s groomers are paid very well. If you can’t work for yourself, there is someone out there willing and ready to hire you at a good wage, and most probably with medical insurance. If you can’t find a job, just look in a Groomer to Groomer classified sometime.

If you can’t earn enough from grooming to pay for insurance (perhaps you are not cut out to be self-employed, or live too far from a good clientele base), then I recommend one of the large pet store chains who are constantly advertising for groomers and will give you all kind of perks to come onboard. Heath insurance is certainly one of their top perks. Just look in Groomer to Groomer. They have ads there all the time.

Beyond that, take the price of a month of insurance for you and your family, total the number of dogs you groom in a month, and divide. If you groom just 20 dogs per week (80 dogs) divided by $500 for a month of insurance ($500 divided by 80 equals just $6.25.) Raise your prices by $6.25 per dog. If you charge hourly, increase your fee by $3.12 per hour.

If a client balks at the increase, ask them if they have health insurance. That should end the discussion. If it doesn’t, charge it anyway. You have to make the choice, not your customer.

Now you might wonder that if you will get medical assistance should you become sick, why not live it up now. And if the worst happens and you end up in a hospital, you will still be covered.

That may be true, if you are happy to have no control over who your doctor is, where you will stay, what hospital you go into, what tests you can get, and how you are treated by the personnel there. Most independent business persons, like ourselves, don’t want a loss of control over our lives. And we surely don’t want to jeopardize all that we have built up over the years, to be lost to large medical bills.

So let’s end all this foolishness and stop being an uninsured industry. It is in our hands and in OUR control. We have a great life, a great occupation and are smart. Let’s raise the prices and get some insurance, and treat ourselves the way we should. You will sleep a lot better for doing it.

Profile of Success: Teri Dimarino
Teri Joins the Barkleigh Team

Teri DiMarino is one of the top people in our industry. If you have gone to almost any industry show, you will have seen or heard this top grooming personality. I say personality, because she is.

She is almost larger than life and intimidating to many. Her high energy persona can be a bit intimidating, at first. But, her touch of New York City brashness belies a funny, friendly and knowledgeable person that truly cares about the industry and groomers, in particular. Her great good looks and sharp figure hide the fact that she is a pet pro veteran of several decades.

Teri has done everything in the grooming industry. And now, we at Barkleigh can claim her as one of our own. A Barkleigh gal. Teri has accepted the position as Industry Consultant, Advertising and Marketing for Barkleigh Productions, Inc. We are also welcoming Teri back as a columnist in Groomer to Groomer and editor of Mobile Groomer magazine.

“We need to feature you in Groomer to Groomer, Teri,” I said for the umpteenth time. She always agreed, but she insisted on it being me that does the interview. ”But, I am no good at writing things like that anymore,” I would counter. “I write funny stuff… editorials,” I would say.

Teri would insist that it be me or nobody. So nobody it was for way too many years.

But I found a way to satisfy both of us. I wrote the questions, and she answered them. Now you will get a chance to learn about this industry icon and personality. And I get credit for one of the greatest interviews in recent grooming history. Welcome aboard, Teri. Barkleigh is very happy to have you.

Sally: Tell us all the things that you have done in the pet care industry?

Teri: The grooming industry has been very good to me. I certified some time back in 1984 and started competition grooming in 1986; winning Best in Show in my first contest. I was on the first official, handpicked GroomTeam and competed for a total of three gold medal teams. I coordinated two teams and am currently Treasurer for that organization. (I’m a sucker for non-profit stuff!) When I retired from active competition in 1993, I began judging and lecturing. I also started what I called my “co-op” exhibitor booth, DiMarino and Associates.

Noticing a lack of representation by some of the larger manufacturers at the smaller grooming trade shows, I took on three non-conflicting companies (clipper, dryer/table and shampoo) and partnered them all into a single booth at these shows. This cut expenses for them, while giving them a presence at these smaller, but still important, shows. I really enjoyed that, as it gave me good insight as to what the exhibitors contribute to our industry.

I have written for Pet Business, Pet Groomer and Groom and Board magazines. A number of years ago I wrote for Groomer to Groomer and I’m most pleased to hang my hat there once again. In the meantime, I ran my salon in South Florida and raised my daughter, Helen.

Sally: At what shows are we likely to see you?

Teri: I have been attending about 12 to 14 American pet and grooming industry related shows per year. I think that number may be increasing next year.

I will definitely be at all the Barkleigh events. I will still be Master of Ceremonies at Intergroom, a position Christine DeFilippo says I’ll have until I die. Both Backer shows are on my calendar as well as APPMA, ABKA and many of the other popular grooming-related shows.

Sally: How did you get started with pets? Were you raised in a pet household?

Teri: Minimal family pets! I was born and raised in Queens, NY and pets were not on our family’s agenda, so, obviously, I went to the other extreme once I left home. We did have a Beagle when I was very young and I remember antagonizing her into biting me (I deserved it.) She went “to the farm” right after that. And she really did! She went to a friends’ farm in upstate New York where she chased rabbits till the day she died 13 years later. However, we did have a few cats. I wanted to be a vet, as did so many of us who are now groomers. I’m glad I took this road instead.

Sally: Tell us a little about your family? Where did you grow up? What jobs did teenage Teri do? Before grooming, what jobs did you do?

Teri: Mom (Rosalen), Pop (Paul), two older brothers (Bill and Jim) and a younger sister (Judy) and I were all raised in a typical Queens house (with one bathroom), where Mom still lives. (I lost my Dad last October. He was 100 years old!) In fact, they shoot some scenes from The King of Queens right around the corner from her and Archie Bunker’s house is near by.

As a teenager I was the family entrepreneur, always had a dollar in my pocket and something to do. New York is a great city and being so close to Manhattan meant I spent a lot of time there.

I feel my start into the business world came when I walked into a high-end ski shop in midtown Manhattan on 5th Avenue and applied for a job. The buyer was interviewing me for a sales position and asked me to sell her something; like my purse. I told her I wouldn’t sell her my purse because it didn’t match her shoes and that I had seen a bag on the sales floor that would be much better for her. She hired me on the spot and three years later I was the assistant manager/buyer.

The owners of that shop taught me a lot about business relationships and how important the customer really is. I continued to work in the garment industry and one day I was reading a newspaper and noticed a 3-line ad for a pet shop for sale in South Florida. A week later my “then-husband” and I went down to look at it and ended up buying it. We knew absolutely nothing about the pet industry!

It was the typical “Mom and Pop pet shop,” a little run down but a very popular place. Remember, there were no superstores back then! There was a grooming area
behind the closed door of the back room. The groomer only groomed three to four dogs a day. She was an “independent contractor” and got paid cash at the end of the day.

Sally: When did your official grooming career begin?

Teri: While I was good in customer service, I was very naive in business administration and did not realize that the accountant I was using was about as helpful as a candle in a windstorm. On October 1, 1973 (Halloween!) an agent from the IRS walked in my salon, asking why I had not filed my 941 or the Employers Quarterly Tax Return. I told him I didn’t have any employees and he proceeded to ask key questions that proved me wrong.

A spot audit of my books was conducted for the four months I owned the shop and it showed that my “independent contractor/ groomer” was responsible for about $250 in back taxes (thank goodness she wasn’t fast). When I informed the groomer that she was going to have to pay the Feds she told me (and the IRS agent) where we could stick it, packed up her equipment and her card file and simply walked out. I ended up being responsible for her, taxes which amounted to a month’s rent back then. I vowed never to let this happen again… and I assure you, it hasn’t!

We had dogs booked for the next day and this groomer had been teaching me bathing and basic clipping. A new customer with a chocolate Toy Poodle wanted a Town and Country trim on her dog. I got out the book and did what I thought was right. She cried when she picked the dog up. Once again, I vowed never to let that happen again, and it hasn’t!

Shortly after that, I ended up getting involved with dog shows and I credit this training to helping me understand my pet grooming so much better.

Sally: Where do you live now?

Teri: I am currently in a southern California town named Beaumont, which is about 35 miles west of Palm Springs.

Sally: You were a top competition groomer. What awards have you won? What is your most prized win?

Teri: My contesting career has been a great ride. Most of the people I met back then are all still good friends today. I appreciated all my wins. Memorable times are when I was named to the first official, handpicked GroomTeam and competed on three gold medal teams (winning two gold medals and one bronze.)

Another was when I finished my last competition year, 1993, in the #1 point position. I also garnered numerous scissoring awards along the way.

A truly memorable distinction was the 1994 Lip Sync Championship at the All American Grooming Show in Chicago. Steve Dylongowski and I blew out the competition with our rendition of Meatloaf’s “Paradise by the Dashboard Lights” and we retired the trophy! One thing I learned is that you’ve GOT to
have fun!

Sally: What types of pet care facilities have you owned?

Teri: My original business was a simple pet shop with grooming. We sold fish, birds, reptiles and small animals. I used to breed and show exotic finches and parakeets! Gradually, I noticed a better profit margin, per square foot, in grooming, so I kept increasing the amount of space designated for this service and decreased the space for the high-maintenance things; like livestock.

My first shop was 700 sq. ft. The second one was 1,600 sq. ft. with a big retail area. About two years later a superstore opened across the street, put an abrupt end to my retail and I moved the grooming to a smaller, 677 sq. ft. location where the business tripled the grooming gross. This was the South Florida salon I sold in late 1999.

Sally: When and why did you start your own mobile grooming business?

Teri: Upon moving to Southern California after the sale of my salon, I got bored and went to work with Connie Hershberger-Killen, a friend and former GroomTeam member.

I was there for nearly two years and wanted a little more control over my time and money. Mobile solved those issues.

Sally: What tips do you have for those hoping to start their own business?

Teri: Pet grooming is a great business but it’s just that…a business! Just because you know how to groom dogs doesn’t mean that you are a good manager and will have a successful business. You MUST continue your education and the person who tells me that they cannot afford to leave their salon and go to seminars is already in big trouble.

Sally: I’ve heard you say, “I can be the best employee any owner ever had.” Why?

Teri: This was my stock answer when people asked me what I planned on doing when I sold my salon. I know what it’s like to deal with clients and employees. I’ve had my “employees from hell” and I know how hard it is for an owner to make ends meet. How many owners out there pay their people first and they get what’s left? That’s just poor management. I appreciate good employees who help the salon by putting their best efforts forward for the good of the salon. Good management makes it a win-win situation for all and, considering this, I make a terrific employee.

Sally: What are your future goals for the pet care field?

Teri: The grooming industry has evolved very nicely for me and I love what I’m doing now. I like the trade show atmosphere and my new position with Barkleigh just takes everything to a new level. I would like to begin working on getting some of my lectures on DVD, but that takes time. By the way, I still like to groom. There’s nothing like having your hands in hair. It’s like therapy for me.

Sally: What would you like to see happen to or in the grooming industry?

Teri: We need to elevate the pet stylists self worth and the way they envision themselves. I think we can accomplish this through certification, proper licensing and continued education.

Sally: Licensing is a big issue. How do you feel about it?

Teri: As I just mentioned, I feel it will be an important part of the future of our industry: like it or not! It’s not a question of “if” my state licenses groomers, but a question of “when” my state licenses groomers. The groomers and schools who are ready for it will be the successful ones. If we don’t control our own industry, somebody else will.

Sally: What have been the greatest changes you have seen
in grooming?

Teri: The advent of high velocity dryers, snap-on clipper blades and humane restraint innovations like the Groomer’s Helper !!! (I think I just carbon-dated my grooming history!) The availability and diversity of trade shows and educational events has also been a huge boom to pet styling.

Sally: How has grooming changed since you first got into it?

Teri: A customer used to bring a pet into a salon and the animal would disappear behind the door in the back of the dismal, unkempt shop not to be seen again until the end of the day. We have now elevated it to the status of a hair salon, with the stylists grooming out in the open, not hiding what they do. This has instilled a confidence in the pet owner and most feel better about leaving their pets in salons.

The styles have become more consistent in the better salons and the choice of products we have to use helps us put a finish on these pets that we couldn’t even dream of thirty years ago. The advent of super stores has also helped us become more service oriented and this has really benefited the pets in our care.

Sally: What seminar topics do you cover at shows? Which topic is your favorite and why? What is the greatest need for groomers today?

Teri: I like giving my business seminars, but it can be SO frustrating sometimes, as many of the people in those seminars are already in trouble and they needed the help when they first thought of opening their salons.

Sally: You have been doing the popular Brusher / Bather program at Barkleigh shows. Tell us about that? Is it good for salon owners also?

Teri: I really enjoy my "Bather/Brusher" seminar. It's filled with time and technique saving tips and it helps everybody from the basic groomer assistant right up to the salon owner. In fact, I'm getting more and more salon owners attending this class. The word is out that it is really helping make the bathing department more efficient, thus increasing the profit margins of the whole salon. There is so much I have learned over the years and I have just condensed it into a full-day seminar that is still very popular. I gear a lot of the information toward practical application in the salon.

Sally: What subjects in the pet care field do you think need to be addressed more in seminars?

Teri: That’s a tough one. Trade show organizers already do a good job of offering a variety of topics for groomers but it seems you can’t keep everybody happy. Some groomers feel that they already know everything so there’s no reason to attend seminars. What happened to learning something about a different, but related, field? Why can’t a groomer go to a trainer’s seminar? They may learn something about controlling difficult pets! Or, a kennel seminar? They may be encouraged to put day care into their business! Some people just refuse to face the fact that they really don’t know it all.

Sally: What types of pets do you currently own?

Teri: I have an 8-year-old Doberman named Parker and a 3-year-old cat named Twit. Anybody who has attended the Barkleigh Groom and Kennel Expo in Burbank knows Parker.

Sally: Those who know Parker know that he has had some problems in the past year or two. Tell us about that and how he is doing now? What have you learned from this?

Teri: Nearly three years ago Jeff noticed a growth on Parker's gum. I had cleaned his teeth less than two weeks prior and knew that this was NOT there then. Long story short... he was quickly diagnosed with an extremely aggressive melanoma and had to have half his lower jaw removed, as this was the only option at attempting to save his life. Nearly three years later, he is still clear of the cancer and the vets can't believe it. It was all because we caught it in time.

In my career as a pet groomer, I have found similar growths in customers pets mouths and pointed them out, some in time, some not. I think of this as one of my jobs. We see the average pet far more often than a veterinarian and I believe it is our job to mention any irregularities we may notice. We do NOT diagnose, only mention. Nearly 99% of mouth growths on dogs are malignant and it only takes a few seconds to check. It could save that dog's life. It did mine.

Sally: If you were not grooming, or in the grooming industry, if the sky were the limit… What would you have liked to be?

Teri: A princess.

Sally: Now your career has taken a different turn and you have joined the Barkleigh team. What will you be doing?

Teri: I have been dubbed the Barkleigh “Industry Consultant: Sales and Marketing” and I will be working closely with the exhibitors and advertisers, offering my input and insight to the grooming industry (from a groomer’s point of view) on how they might get the most out of their marketing dollars with the groomers. I will also be writing a business column for Groomer to Groomer and editing several Barkleigh supplemental magazines, such as Mobile Groomer.

Sally: Ever thought about returning to competition? What would make you
do it?

Teri: Every now and then I get a wild hair to go back into the ring. Usually this is when I judge a class where I don’t see anything worthy of a placement or I witness a display of poor sportsmanship, which aggravates me to no end. What happened to people just “being nice”, and taking their losses (and wins) gracefully? But then I come to my senses and stay ringside. I’ve had my “day in the sun” and there are a lot of good groomers out there now. Besides, my hands are not as “healthy” as they used to be and that makes competition grooming more of a
fantasy than a reality for me.

Sally: If you could hold any position within the pet care industry, what would
it be?

Teri: Another tough one! I have been a competitor, exhibitor, trade show MC, author and now I’m a marketing and advertising consultant and editor as well. It’s like I’ve become the consummate employee! Maybe I’ll start a publishing and production company and have my own magazine(s) and string of trade shows. (Did I mention the Princess thing? That would be fun!)

Sally: What motivates you?

Teri: A schedule. I can get quite lazy if I let myself. I need structure.

Sally: Who is your inspiration in the pet care industry? Why is he or she your inspiration?

Teri: This is going to sound corny, but it’s all the friends and relationships I have had throughout the years and that I still retain and respect. I met my soulmate and
life-partner, Jeff Davidson, nearly twenty years ago and we had the opportunity to be buddies before partners. Kathy Rose, Susie Mendrek-Penny and I have been great friends for well over twenty years. Mario DiFante, Shirlee Kalstone, John and Vivian Nash, Jerry Schinberg, John Stazko and Melissa Verplank (alphabetical order is a good thing!) and the list goes on. These are all people I have had the pleasure of knowing on a personal level.

We always made a point of “no business talk” after the trade show closed. You find out things about people that don’t involve business and it makes everybody more fun and interesting. They all inspire me, as I have learned that real friends are there no matter what. We don’t have to “hover” over each other; just be there when needed.

I need to say that Lynne Carver and Liz Paul were both forces to be reckoned with. I was privileged to have shared ring time with both of them. They are both missed, but I have some real good memories.

Sally: What do you like to do in your free time?

Teri: Relax. I do so much running around that I really savor sitting and doing some brain-dead activity like watching TV. Once again, if I don’t have a schedule, I get lazy. I really enjoy cooking, but that’s like relaxation therapy for me.

Sally: What's your biggest pet peeve?

Teri: Poor sportsmanship and gossip! They rank right up there with noisy dogs, poorly behaved children and bad food.

Sally: Every now and then we all need to lose a few pounds. What's your method for knocking off 10 lbs. fast so you can get into the jeans you want to wear?

Teri: Buy bigger jeans? Actually, I really benefit from the push of a personal trainer. There’s that “schedule” thing again!

Sally: Have you ever had any great ideas that you thought (or still think) the grooming industry really needs? What would it be?

Teri: Has Velcro and Post-It Notes been taken? I often think that garbage bags with pet repellent would be a good idea, but that’s not grooming related. In retrospect, I think all the good stuff has already been taken!

Sally: If you could live anywhere in the world, where? What would you do there?

Teri: The British Virgin Islands. The tallest building is not permitted to be taller than the tallest palm tree. I would sell fresh baked muffins and breads from my small boat to the big boats anchored in the beautiful, remote harbors. I love the Caribbean weather and miss the food terribly!

Sally: What single item in the grooming industry do you wish you invented?

Teri: Powdered “Quick-Stop” holders. SO simple, yet SO handy!

Sally: Have you ever gotten stumped recognizing an AKC breed?

Teri: No. But with the addition of a lot of the new breeds, that’s getting more difficult. Some poor specimens of a breed can often be mistaken for another, like a bad Maltese can look like a Havanese. Or an oversized Yorkie might look like a Silky. I’m pretty good with rare breeds, although Melissa Verplank’s Italian Maremma Sheepdog stumped me years ago. I was soooooo embarrassed!

Sally: If you went back to the show ring, what breed would you handle?

Teri: Dobermans. They’re an honest breed. They have taught me so much.

Sally: If you were a dog, what breed would YOU be? Maybe not a dog… what animal would you be and why?

Teri: Once again, Dobermans. I’ve had the breed for thirty-five years, right in the middle of their height of popularity. I helped form a big rescue for them in South Florida in the late ‘70s and really came to love and understand them. They are big babies and they are very loyal and they are definitely there when you need them, just like a good friend.

Sally: With all the traveling you do, who makes the best burger in the US? Fries? Steak?

Teri: Burger – In-N-Out Burger in California. Fries – Gotta go out of the country for these. In Australia they serve large seasoned steak-style fries with a sweet chili sauce and sour cream. It’s awesome! Steak – Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. It’s consistent wherever you go.

Sally: I agree with you on the In-N-Out Burgers. They are good. I know you like sushi. What's your favorite item? Which one won't you let near you?

Teri: Favorite – Masago or Tobiko (tiny fish eggs) with quail egg yolk.

Absolutely not - I tried Giant Clam Liver once. Instant reject! That’s all it took! Never again!

Sally: What do you drive? What would you drive if money weren't an issue?

Teri: I love my 2001 Yukon Denali SUV. We have a 1998 Corvette but I don’t have a good history in low-profile cars. People hit me. I need a big car around me. If money weren’t an issue, I would have another large SUV, like another Denali or a Cadillac Escalade, which is basically the same thing but a little more “pimped out.”

Sally: Are you into any recreational sports? What are they? Are you any good?

Teri: I snow ski. I am not the fastest in the group and I don’t feel I am particularly good but I certainly have fun. We have a boat and I really enjoy cruising the Colorado River and lakes. I used to scuba dive when I lived in Florida, but the water in California is WAY too cold so I don’t do that anymore.

Sally: Can you recite the alphabet backwards?

Teri: Why would I want to do that? Do I get a prize if I can?

Sally: Could you carry on a conversation (intelligent or otherwise) with Albert Einstein if he were alive? How about Alan Greenspan? If you could ask only one question of John F. Kennedy, what would you ask?

Teri: I like the “otherwise” part of the question. I don’t think I would talk about work-related stuff. That bores people and keeps relationships superficial. Everybody can talk about what they do but can they hold a conversation about what they are underneath that? I might ask Einstein if he could make a good Martini, quiz Greenspan about a good vacation spot and ask Kennedy what he really thought of Marilyn.

Sally: Where did your last international flight take you? What did you do there?

Teri: Jeff and I ate our way through Tuscany, Italy on our way to the International Team Grooming Championships outside Milan.

Sally: Can you bake a cherry pie… Teri girl, Teri girl?

Teri: Oh yes, oh yes I can… Sally gal, Sally gal!

Sally: What's the worst thing you ever did to get your little sister in trouble?

Teri: I had her stick her tongue on a metal ice cube tray like the kid in “Christmas Story” sticking his tongue on the metal light post. I think they got that trick from me! I was the one who got in trouble and I got punished, but it was worth it!

Sally: What's the worst thing either of your big brothers have done to you? Who did your Mother blame?

Teri: I have two older brothers and I’m really surprised all three of us are still alive. We used to fight like cats and dogs. Then my younger sister came along. That took the pressure off of me. We all had a new target. Mom was the consummate diplomat and we all had to spend time “thinking” about what we had done.

Sally: What's your favorite TV show?

Teri: Anything on Discovery, History or Food Network.

Sally: Do you ever think you will retire from the grooming industry?

Teri: Does anybody ever retire from the grooming industry? I often joke that I will probably die chained to a grooming table. Just make it a hydraulic. It’ll be easier on the mortician’s back.

Sally: In tribute to the Groom Team Newsletter (of which you are a big part), I always enjoy the silly profiles of groomers. They tell me a little bit about people I know, but from a side that I might not know. Here is my list.

Scotts or Charmin?
Charmin Ultra! Gotta be soft!

Tea or Coffee?
Coffee, high test, please. Or better yet – Café Cubano.

Pepsi or Coke?
Diet Pepsi with lime.

Pop Tarts… toasted or out of the wrapper?
Yuck! This was my mandatory out-the-door breakfast in high school and if I never see another one of these cardboard textured, putty infused “pastries” it will be too soon!

Poodles or Dobermans?
Dobes, of course, with Standard Poodles running a close second. I think the temperaments are fairly similar but Dobes dry quicker.

Rosie… or Trump?
Neither! I feel they both give New Yorkers a bad name!

Early bird or night owl?
Depends on my schedule (there’s that schedule thing again.) I can be flexible as long as I can catch up on sleep at one point or another. I can power-nap.

The Office or Survivor?
Survivor! I want to be the old lady who hangs around for a few episodes.

Lobster or Steak?
Does Surf and Turf count as an answer?

Hot Dogs or Hamburgers?
Nothing like a good New York dirty-water hot dog with cooked onions and mustard right off the little cart. (Did you ever notice that these guys NEVER leave their carts? When and where do they…….….…? Never mind.)

Surfing or Skiing?
Snow ski. Surfers look too much like seals, the favorite food of the local sharks.

Alec Baldwin or Jeff Davidson?
Jeff, of course! Besides, Alec has too many problems and he’s not looking very good lately. (Wait! In the GroomTeam Newsletter Brad Pitt is an option. What happened here?)

I picked someone closer to your age, Teri!
BTW, Where do I send my resume for the Princess position?

What, you want MY job!!!!

Barbara Zirk Groomer

How would you like to go to work every day and groom dogs with only a slicker brush, comb, a pair of straight shears and an Oster A-2 clipper? Forget about using a high velocity dryer, clipper vacuum system or a power bathing system. And don’t even think about the luxury of having a cordless clipper or an electric or hydraulic grooming table.

Sounds pretty primitive doesn’t it? Yet, that is exactly what grooming was like in 1970 when Barbara Zirk began her career.

She remembers “the good old days” when every dog was completely hand scissored and it often took hours to hand dry Standard Poodles as they were readied for the show ring. A career in the early days of grooming was really time and labor intensive.

Barbara didn’t even have curved scissors, de-matting tools, or de-shedding products. Hi-tech time and labor saving equipment that many of us take for granted did not even exist when Barbara Zirk began her career.

And back then, the financial rewards were nothing to brag about. For a completely hand scissored and fluff dried Miniature Poodle, Barbara was lucky to receive fifteen dollars.

The pet care industry surely has changed since the 1970’s and Barbara Zirk has eagerly embraced those changes while enjoying every step of her journey.

“I have always loved grooming,” states Barbara, with a big smile. “There is just something about taking a dog and working on it and when you are done…The coat looks so great and the dog loves it!”

“And, it’s so satisfying to take a scared little puppy and work with it calmly and teach them to enjoy being groomed their entire life,” Barbara says lovingly and adds, “That’s what it is all about.”

Since she first picked up a pair of clippers, this spunky go-getter has never been out of work.

This incredible, multi-tasking lady has demonstrated her expertise in many areas of the pet care industry. Barbara has done pet and show grooming while working at breeding and boarding kennels, veterinary hospitals and PetSmart. She has even done in-home grooming.

Barbara added to her skills when she became a veterinary assistant and a vet tech while she was working in Veterinary Hospitals. “I loved assisting in surgery,” Barbara recalls. “It was fascinating!”

Barbara became interested in conformation competitions and has shown her own Toy and Miniature Poodles and she has titled Poodles in obedience.

Eager to expand her knowledge and to experience the grooming world from every angle, Barbara began to enter grooming competitions in the mid-1980’s. She was determined to learn everything she could to perfect her grooming skills.

When Barbara heard about the early grooming seminars, she attended every one that she could. She eagerly watched grooming demonstrations, bought books and watched videos.

“The training videos that are available now are truly amazing,” says Barbara. “I watched the Chris Pawlosky videos over and over to fine-tune my Poodle grooming skills. I believe that if you are going to do something…learn to do it right!”

It wasn’t long before Barbara added the title of Certified Master Groomer to her resume.

“Oh, the grooming industry has come such a long way since I began,” states Barbara confidently. “Groomers are now respected as professionals. Magazines like Groomer To Groomer are great and keep us all connected.”

“All the fabulous new equipment and products that are available make our jobs so much easier and enjoyable!” Barbara continues, “Basic items such as the Barkleigh client cards are indispensable to a business, but were non-existent when I began.”

“I think that seminars are one of the most exciting advances of our industry… what a great opportunity to network with your peers and a tremendous learning experience,” Barbara says enthusiastically. “I learn so much at every seminar I attend.”

“I wouldn’t miss Groom Expo, No Sir-ee!” exclaims Barbara. “It’s the best! You have fun, you learn, and Wow!”

“The trade show at Groom Expo is really awesome,” Barbara states happily and adds with a giggle and a wide grin, “I always treat myself to some new equipment when I am at Groom Expo.”

Groom Expo is the place where Barbara was introduced to a new and unique grooming competition…The Barkleigh Creative Styling Competition.

The first time Barbara saw a creative grooming competition, she was fascinated. “It just blew my mind!” Barbara said, “I’ve just GOT to do this!”

“I went to the Groom Expo seminars about coloring and creative,” Barbara said excitedly. “I especially loved the seminar given by Dawn Omboy, The Queen of Color. She is terrific! I learned a lot from her!”

Eager to take on this newfound passion and challenge, Barbara immersed herself in the world of creative grooming.

“Seminars taught me the basics and I did some experimenting on my own,” says Barbara happily.

She began working on themes and designs and the very next year she entered the Barkleigh Creative Styling contest at Groom Expo. One of her most memorable entries was the Big Rock Hershey Mountain.

Last year, she did an incredible job when she transformed a Poodle into a flashy brown and white Indian pony. And, Barbara even learned an authentic Indian dance that she did to drum music during her presentation.

You can find Barbara Zirk in the Creative Styling competition most every year. Just one look at Barbara in the ring and you can see that she is completely in her element and totally happy to allow her artistic side to take center stage.

This spunky gal radiates with energy, enthusiasm and talent. She has passed her love of animals and grooming on to her daughter, Kathy Powers.

Kathy began learning the basics of grooming when she was about thirteen years old by helping her Mom after school and on Saturdays.

Today Kathy grooms at PetSmart in Fredericksburg, Virginia. “I have followed in my Mom’s footsteps,” shares Kathy proudly. Then Kathy smiles and adds emphatically, “But my Mom can still run circles around me.”

Kathy and her Mom, Barbara, both plan to compete in the Barkleigh Creative Styling
Competition in September.

“I am already planning my entry for the Creative competition,” says Barbara in an excited whisper. “I think it is really going to be a winner!”

Barbara Zirk has followed her dream. She combined her deep love of animals, her rock solid work ethic, and her insatiable desire to learn and improve her skills into a career that anyone would be proud of. This incredible lady, whose career has spanned four decades, still eagerly looks forward to each new day, and has no plans to retire.
Barbara Zirk is a timeless treasure and a genuine inspiration to us all.

Should Todays Pets be
"Walking on the Wild Side?"
New Breakthroughs in Pet Food for Grooming Shops

In recent years, much attention has been focused on raw diets for dogs and cats. Many benefits have been attributed to “going raw,” including: greater overall muscle and bone strength; relief from common skin and coat problems such as hot spots, allergies, excessive shedding, and more serious skin conditions; better digestive health; greater immune system function; and improved dental health. The ultimate hope is that this approach to pet feeding will feed our pets as closely as possible to their “wild” or “Evolutionary” natural diets, leading to longer and healthier lives for our companion animals.

A new trend has evolved in healthy, natural pet foods: convenient, dry, kibbled foods that offer a real alternative to raw diets. These new style foods can provide similar nutritional dimensions to raw diets, but in a more convenient, safer, and more cost-effective way than either homemade or commercially available raw food options.

What drives the raw feeding movement is greater awareness that our domestic dogs and cats evolved from wild animals, and using this knowledge when choosing a feeding program. According to this principle, the best way to meet canine and feline nutritional needs is to give dogs and cats foods that closely mimic the diets that their evolutionary ancestors ate thousands of years ago, foods similar to those the wild cousins of our pets still eat. So should your pet “Walk on the Wild Side?” The real question is, should you be feeding your dog more like a wolf, and your cat more like a tiger?

To find practical answers, we need to look at the background of the raw feeding concept and the science behind it. Does the raw/wild/evolutionary diet concept really make sense nutritionally? Are raw foods practical for most companion animal families? And can the new alternatives to raw genuinely provide the same benefits?

Raw feeding advocates believe that many of the health problems in dogs are due to improper feeding, especially of grocery type foods with high percentages of cereal grains, excessive carbohydrates, and insufficient quality meat protein. The theory is that such foods feed a dog or a cat more like a horse or a rabbit! Therefore, according to the raw feeding movement, feeding high cereal diets may lead to a laundry list of health problems, such as obesity, dental disease, diabetes, arthritis, and ultimately an unhealthy immune system, making it more difficult for our domestic canines and felines to fight cancer and other diseases.

So is there something to the raw feeding theory? It turns out that the science behind the theory is very sound. Dogs are carnivores with omnivorous digestive capabilities, so they can thrive with a variety of foods, but need the majority of their diet from meat protein and quality fats for optimum health.

Cats are scientifically categorized as “obligate carnivores,” so their nutritional needs are even stricter than dogs. They lack the levels of digestive enzymes to effectively break down and utilize carbohydrates. Therefore, high carb diets for cats are even less appropriate than for dogs, and excessively high levels of carbohydrate consumption in both dogs and cats at the very least will promote obesity and high blood sugar, a precursor to diabetes.

So why not step all the way to the “Wild Side” and feed completely raw? Many have done so, and raw feeders proclaim the benefits to be excellent. But making your own raw diet that is properly balanced nutritionally can be very challenging, and even the new frozen raw diets showing up on the market are impractical for the typical pet loving family. If a dog or cat guardian is looking for a convenient feeding option, these products won’t fit the bill. They require thawing, can be quite messy, and are relatively expensive when compared even to the best healthy holistic dry kibbled food. And once raw pet foods are out of the freezer, proper handling is essential for safety.

Think about it – when we buy fresh or frozen meats for our own consumption, we are barraged with warnings as to the health risks of bacteriological contamination, and must follow good hygiene procedures such as thorough disinfecting of knives and cutting boards, and frequent hand washing to avoid incidental contact with the wrong kind of bacteria. We certainly wouldn’t want our children to help with feeding the dogs if it involves handling raw meats! And some dogs and cats just aren’t good candidates for raw foods, so one should always consult a veterinarian before “going raw.”

So what’s a health conscious dog or cat lover who likes the raw idea, but doesn’t want the fuss or risk, to do? Consider the new generation of pet foods: dry, kibbled dog and cat foods that are formulated with raw ingredients including fresh meats, meaty bones (ground into the food mixture), and fresh veggies, with NO CEREAL GRAINS, but gently cooked and kibbled for shelf stability and safety. These special dry foods deliver much higher levels of meat protein, higher fat levels, and far lower carbohydrate levels than traditional kibble.

By offering a dry pet food that closely matches the component nutrient percentages of wild and raw diets, these foods offer an exciting new alternative that works well for a far wider audience than raw diets. Dr. Stacy Robertson-Sitinas, D.V.M, owner of the South Wilton Veterinary Clinic in Wilton, CT, has worked with the leading “Wild Style” dry dog and cat foods, and says that these foods “provide the nutrition of a raw diet in a form that is safer and easier for the owner. They provide dogs and especially cats the levels of high quality protein in the diet that they require for optimal health. I recommend them as an alternative to my clients who desire a raw diet idea without the potential health risks, and they have all been pleased with the results.”

So if you would like to offer cutting edge nutrition to your grooming clients and your own dogs and cats, you should look into this exciting new generation of pet foods. Ask your wholesale distributors if they offer any raw/wild style alternative pet foods, or find a product and call the manufacturer for distribution options in your area. Do your homework and be sure you are getting a food from a manufacturer who really understands this type of diet, makes it themselves, and has a track record of research and development in the healthy pet food business.

Remember, as a groomer, you see lots of health problems, and as a respected professional, you have the opportunity to help your clients and create a new profit center in your business by becoming active in pet nutrition. Avoid “big box” brands and focus on smaller companies that support independent businesses like yours, and you will be on your way to success by “Walking on the Wild Side!”

Anthony Bennie is the co-founder of IndePet.com, a new internet community for owners of independent pet businesses. He has worked in the pet food industry for over 15 years as the owner of an independent sales and marketing firm and as a nutritional trainer lecturing on dog and cat nutrition at Cornell University, North Carolina State University, and the University of Florida Colleges of Veterinary Medicine. He has also taught seminars at hundreds of veterinary practices, pet supply retail stores, and grooming shops.

IndePet represents EVO, by Natura Pet Products. Natura is well known for Innova and California Natural holistic diets, and was the originator of the raw alternative style of foods. EVO offers the widest variety of low carb, grain-free, raw alternative options for both dogs and cats, with original Chicken and Turkey formulas, a Red Meat formula with Beef, Buffalo, Venison, and Lamb, and a Reduced Fat grain-free food for those seeking new approaches to obesity management. EVO also offers grain-free treats and canned foods. Visit www.evopet.com for more information, including complete ingredients and distributor options, or contact Anthony at petretail@aol.com.

The Grooming View
Starting Your Grooming Business

Now that you have done the demographics and ascertained the feasibility, rented or bought your shop or van and you’ve bought all your equipment, it’s time to get the customers. Obviously you have to advertise. Start with the local daily papers until the yellow pages come out, leave your business cards with every vet in town, post notices on all public billboards, distribute flyers in the local area, get a list of dog owners from town hall and send a direct mailing. Give out business cards everywhere you do business, i.e.: post office, grocery store, hairdresser etc. If the people you give your card to don’t own a dog, I can guarantee you they know someone who does. Groom your own dog, put him on a leash and walk him around the malls with a pocket full of business cards.

How will you price your services: by the hour or by the breed? (See earlier articles on this subject at www.GroomertoGroomer.com.) Don’t make the mistake of charging less than other groomers in the area thinking you will get their clients and make lots of money. You probably will get their clients but you WON’T be making lots of money, you’ll just be working a lot harder for less. The reason to start a business is to MAKE money, not work yourself to death. Remember the only reason a client is going to call you is because they are unhappy where they are already going, so why charge less?

You could consider deciding how much you need to make a year, and adding say $20,000 for expenses. Divide that total by 50 weeks a year so you know what you need to take in for the week then divide that figure by 40 hours and you will know what you have to charge per hour to cover your expenses and give you the salary you want.

When you charge more than anyone else you must give better service and do a better groom, and have a nicer shop and be WORTH what they are paying you. I started my business over three different times in three different states, always charged $5 - $10 more per dog than the most expensive groomer I could find and I always wound up with the biggest and happiest clientele.

As you get each customer and do your very best work, make sure they are happy with the groom and then RE-BOOK them on the spot. Explain that booking on a regular six week basis will keep the costs down and their dog in super condition and they’re guaranteed a certain day and time and won’t have to wait for an appointment.
Write on the back of the appointment card and explain to them at the time that you require a 24-hour notice of cancellation or there will be a late fee. More than 24-hour notice, no problem and will be happy to rebook.

Keeping customers is more important than getting them because for each one you keep, it is one less client you need to walk through the door. The number one reason customers leave is because of “perceived indifference”, in other words they don’t think you care whether they come to you or not so be very sure to treat every customer with the utmost care and service.

Call the owner and dog by name, open the door for them, walk the dog to the car for them if they need or want you to, send a thank you card addressed to the dog after their first visit, send birthday cards, Christmas cards and always have a compliment either for the owner or the dog.

Call your customers the night before their appointment to remind them or send them an email two days ahead of time. If you are looking at empty appointments six weeks after you started, look back at the dogs you did that first week and be sure they have an appointment and if not, give them a call. I found calls worked better than postcards and it costs less too.

Eventually you will be booked up all the time and it will be time to decide if you want to hire a receptionist/bather, or another trained groomer. If you decide against hiring someone else, just raise your prices and a few will leave, giving you room to take more clients who are willing to pay more. If you decide to hire a groomer, you might try www.petgroomer.com for all kinds of groomer related information.

I wish you well.

See you on the road,
Marea

P.S. I have enjoyed writing this column and hearing from you all but have decided after all these years that this will be my last column. I hope you’ve learned something or tried something or gave serious thought to some of what I have written. I’m eligible for Social Security and the golf courses and beaches are calling my name.

Too Busy

Sometimes you can just be too busy for your own good. Business is nice, but sanity rates pretty darned high up on the list too. I'll say that the vast majority of customers are real gems, but then there are those that can really push my buttons and I'm like an uncorked grenade, ready to go off. I try as best as I can to cope between Prozac, counting to 10 (sometimes 40 or so) and pushing in my earplugs a little tighter. However, there are times when I have to vent somehow.

Therefore, I am famous for my signage in my shop. On any given day when somebody ticks me off, it is just cause for a new notice to go up on the dry erase board. The signs can change in a matter of an hour or they may last for weeks. I find it helps steady the shattered nerves even if no one happens to walk in to see it before I decide to erase my latest rant.

When the lady brought in her matted Maltese and about had a coronary because I told her it would have to be shaved, that's when the notice went up that said “Dematting fees $88 per hour.” Why $88, you might ask? Well, because she had me so peeved that my eyes were doing that thing where they kind of roll back into my skull and I can't focus for a few seconds. 88 just seemed appropriate. I scrawled the notice onto the board right after she left and erased it before the next customer walked in.

When I had two people's checks bounce on the same day, the sign went up that NSF checks would have a $75.00 fee. Yeah, I don't think I'm allowed to even do that legally in the state of PA, but it made me feel better even though I took it down after 15 minutes.

The day the guy brought in his three kids who wreaked havoc on my displays and then stuck their chewed gum on my door handle, I came up with the “Dogs are welcome here. Leave your brats in the car.” That one I think stayed up for about four hours.

“Please don't bring me pictures of Westminster winners and expect a once-a-year grooming to look like it.” That one stayed for quite a while, I must say.

I think it's kind of like therapy for me. You know how you’re
supposed to write everything in a journal so you can relate it to your Shrink when you go for your session? No, I've never gone to one of them, but the thought has crossed my mind more than once. Especially after being in this profession as long as I have.

My farrier has a sign on the side of his horse shoeing truck that says “Lack Of Planning On Your Part, Does Not Constitute An Emergency On My Part.” I REALLY need one of those signs.

You know the customers that I'm talking about. The ones that HAVE to have an appointment that morning at 11:00 and they are calling you at 9:05. Apparently, they think you have nothing better to do than sit by your phone hoping and praying against all odds that THEY will call you at that exact moment. And then they have genuine disappointment in their voices when you tell them that it can't be done. “How can you be too busy for ME?” they ask as if they've lined you up as an heir in their will. “But just this ONE time, can't you squeeze me in?” they beg in a disbelieving tone. Of course they do this seven or eight times a year anyhow.

Although, I have gotten flack from several esteemed people in the grooming world for never having taken a vacation in my life, I just don't do it. YES, I hear you on how insane that is ... I hear you about groomer “burnout.” Believe me, by now I am past “burnout” and am more near the “Ashes to ashes” stage.

This year, since the 4th of July was on a Wednesday, I decided to take off that Tuesday and Wednesday. I occasionally call the shop for messages from my home and made the grave error of doing so the morning of the 4th.

“You...have...thirty-seven...messages,” the announcement came back to me, in that jerky tone that answering machines have.

Since I had called on Monday night and cleared messages from the weekend, that meant 37 messages had come in on Tuesday alone. A day when I would have normally been working. Out of those 37 only two were hang-ups. I groaned. When I listened to the playbacks, I hung my head, while gritting my teeth. About eight of them were people who kept saying, “Hello?... Hello?” and in a voice where they are talking to their husbands or kids or somebody I hear, “She's there, it's Tuesday but she's not answering.” “HELLO?” Now, the message clearly said that I would not be in that day.

About six were people saying “OH!!!! I'll try you at home; I don't know why you're not there. It's Tuesday.” Even though I have an unlisted number, people have gone so far as to call the business next door to try to get my home number.

One was a lady saying her dog had been sprayed by a skunk and I needed to call her “RIGHT NOW,” so that I could come in to take care of it while no one else was in the shop. Uh, no....I didn't call her back.

I was on the phone so long that my son asked who in the heck was I on hold with for all that time.

“Listening to messages from the shop,” I told him.

“Holy cow! You can't have THAT many,” he stated.

“Thirty-seven,” I told him, rolling my eyes.

“Oh, come on. It's not like you’re that good, or anything,” he said, curling his upper lip. I missed a lot of the last messages at that point, when I jumped off the couch to choke him...

A Groomers Guide to Managing Stress
and Preventing Burnout

The fast paced society we live in today may be great for mobility and connectivity, but it is a stress-producing machine. Although past generations have not enjoyed the conveniences available to us, we in turn may be missing the close family structure, the quiet time and contact with nature that was once a part of everyday life. The result is an environment that can be very stressful. I repeat, the environment CAN be very stressful and the degree of stress experienced in a large part depends on how we react to it.

Have you ever noticed how there may be several people in the same office, workplace or home that are affected to different degrees by what is happening around them? They may all be exposed to the same situations and yet see things and react to things differently. That is because they perceive situations and react to situations differently and this is the key to stress management – changing how we perceive situations and how we choose to react to them.

Stress is that feeling of tenseness or anxiety when we react to a situation. Stress can be emotional or physical and the effects on the body are exactly the same. Animals are designed with a protective mechanism called fight or flight which stimulates the sympathetic nervous system to heighten the senses and prepare the body to defend itself or escape the danger. Instantly blood pressure rises to supply the muscles with oxygen, blood is diverted from the digestive system and skin, heart rate increases, and cortisol is released. When the danger (stress) is gone, the body gets back to normal in a few minutes, however when the stress continues the effects of stimulation continue and accumulate.

The cost is an impaired immune system, high blood pressure, faster heart rate, muscle tension, high cortisol levels, impaired digestion and detoxification, weight loss or gain. So anything we react to is a stressor and may have long term health and mental consequences if the stress continues.

When stress is out of control and continuous, burnout is often the result. Signs of burnout can include anger bursts, chronic anxiety, depression, relationship problems, apathy toward work and life, a sense of hopelessness and helplessness, fatigue, withdrawal, deteriorating health and poor performance. Burnout can lead to business and personal sabotage and collapse.

Some common sources of stress for the groomer include scheduling issues such as the unexpected appointment, late arrivals and the unplanned add-on services or special requests. Staffing issues are often another chronic stressor, like the employee that is late or calls off, doesn’t follow instructions, gives bad information to a client, doesn’t follow the house dress code, is impolite, etc. Demanding, uncompromising people, whether they be a paying customer or someone else. Business and/or financial issues are often a part of the mix and both business and personal relationship issues are frequent contributors. Unruly dogs can put a kink in anyone’s day.

Every groomer may encounter similar circumstances and yet some are happy and their lives seem to be running smoothly while others are on a deep, dark, out of control spiral. The difference in the two groups is not the stress but rather how they react to it – how they perceive the situation and how much control they feel they have over the situation. So, let’s take a look at ways to control stress and keep you healthy and
engaged in your business and personal life.

• Learning to say “NO” is a good way to start. Sometimes it is perfectly okay to say no to the extra appointment or the employee request. If you don’t look out for yourself then others may take advantage of you and you are the loser.

• Get yourself organized. Make a To Do list and prioritize it. Youcan do this on a yellow pad, a computer or a PDA. Take care of the high priority items first and if it isn’t urgent and not important then it doesn’t belong on your list. Clean up your day.

• Be sure to take care of yourself. Get plenty of rest, don’t skip meals and choose
healthy foods. When you are well rested and properly nourished then you can be more
productive. Start the day with a good breakfast; it is the one meal you can best schedule!

• Don’t be the Lone Ranger. Learn to delegate. If there is a task that someone else can do, let them do it. They don’t have to be as good as you. If they can do a thing 70-80% as good as you then you should give your attention to more important things.

• Even if you already feel tired, make time to exercise. Exercising can release a lot
of tension and help keep you focused. It can actually give you back energy!

• Develop a support system. Tell a friend, family member or significant other what you are up to and ask if they would be willing to support you. Identify several people to be on your team to help you through the tough times. These people are your biggest fans and a source of stability and support.

• Get an attitude adjustment. Let go of being perfect or right all the time – no one ever is! Don’t sweat the small stuff and it is all small stuff.

• Make an effort to relax. Deep breathing and other relaxation exercises only take a few minutes and can be done in an office chair or a quiet room. Take a few minutes to sit quietlyand empty your mind. If you can do this in the open air and in a natural setting it is even better.

• Schedule some down time. Take the longer, scenic way to work and notice the small
things. Take a walk in the park during a break and get in touch with nature. At home, make time for a long hot bath or to read a book.

• Break away for a fun weekend or a dream vacation and return with new energy and
a new attitude.

Make the most of every day and every moment. Eliminate what stress you can and learn how to deal with the stresses you can’t remove. Stress can be a good thing; it’s all in how you view it.

For a free printable poster of the Top Ten Tips For Managing the Groomer’s Stress, send an email to Boyd@successpartnerscoaching.com and place “Groomer Stress Tips” in the subject line. Any comments or suggestions would be welcome.

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 personal and business coach with Success Partners Coaching, 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 petcare products includes 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, Nutritional, Hygiene and Stress Relief.

Dr Harrell may be reached at 866-388-3578, at boydharrell@email.com or at www.healthypetwebsite.com.

Pacific Northwest Grooming Show 2007

Barkleigh Productions, Inc. recently returned to Seattle, WA for their Pacific Northwest Grooming Show. The ever-growing Expo featured 41 booths (including many new exhibitors), top speakers and seminars. One of the new exhibitors was Fresh Pet, who has a frozen product that easily fits in a small freezer in a salon and offers a non-toxic alternative to commercial pet foods that clients could only get at their grooming salon.

339 pet care professionals attended the three-day grooming show. Speakers were Audrey Ulrich, Sue Zecco, Lola Michelin, Marea Tully, Dr. Boyd Harrell, Bob Harris and Sheryl Spangler.

The show started Thursday with the popular Practical Grooming seminar by Wahl representative, Sue Zecco. Discussed was Drop Coated Breeds, Poodles, Mixed Breed Grooming and Sporting Breed Pet Trims. That evening also featured Animal Massage for Pet Pros by Lola Michelin, where animal massage techniques, anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, behavior and handling techniques were demonstrated.

Friday seminars were Understanding and Protecting Eyes, Mixed Breed Makeovers, Grooming Uh Oh’s and Accidents, Secrets of Successful Groomers and Clipper and Blade Emergency Clinic. The fun, interactive, informative luncheon Stressed Out!, presented by Dr. Boyd Harrell and Sheryl Spangler, was about life balance and stress reduction for the professional groomer and business owner.

Gentle Handling Techniques for Pet Pros, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Ears (And Were Afraid to Ask!), Minding Your Own Business and 42 Reasons Why Teeth Brushing is Healthy for the Pet and Profitable for You all took place on Saturday. Bob Harris taught strategies to “grow yourself” personally and professionally in his luncheon, What’s The Magnitude of Your Attitude?

Trade show vendors brought new equipment and products to entice onlookers in the convention center. Also taking place was Barkleigh’s Silent Auction, which was very successful in raising money for the Gifts of Love International organization. The next Pacific Northwest Grooming Show dates are to be announced.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Scrapbook

Groomers are some of the most creative people I know. After all, it takes imagination to start cutting away at a heap of messy dog hair and transform it into locks of shining glory fit for a show. The groomers that take part in Creative Grooming are a breed all to themselves, displaying as much artistic inspiration as Michaelangelo himself.

It was in January when well-known Creative Groomer and long-time member of the Groomer To Groomer message board, Dawn Omboy, was invited to New York City for an appearance on The Today Show. Dawn performed a demonstration of Creative Grooming on the show and was given an opportunity to educate the general public on different aspects of this particular art form.

Upon return from her trip to NYC, she shared her experiences with her fellow Groomer To Groomer message board members. It was suggested, at one point, through some posts on the board, that a chronicle of Dawn’s adventure should be recorded
in a scrapbook for all to see. Being groomers, and thereby more creative than the average person, several members came up with the idea of crafting a traveling scrapbook. The scrapbook would be passed around to all who wished to participate, making a journey around the world and back again. At each stop along the way, each individual groomer, displaying photos of themselves, their shop, and anything else they wished to include would add a page.

It took less than a day for a plan to form, with one member putting together a master list of names and addresses and emailing the list out to all participants. To keep costs to a minimum, the travel path for the scrapbook required hitting as many stops in one country before moving on to the next. A member named Tammy originated the traveling scrapbook in Australia. From there the scrapbook began its journey following the predestined course, growing fuller along the way.

How long it takes for this wandering work of art to complete its journey, one can only guess. Perhaps the journey will never end. What we do know is that somewhere right now there is a story being told. It is the story about those who choose to spend their days cleaning up the messes caused by neglect, who toil away at an unglamorous profession so that the pets of this world will enjoy a better life. It is the unfolding tale of what led these caring individuals to learn the craft of grooming in the first place, and a small glimpse into where each of them spends their days willingly covered in pet hair while wishing their feet and back didn’t ache so. It is the kind of story that should never end.

You can join the Groomer to Groomer message board, too. Visit
www.groomertogroomer.com.

Chris Pawlosky Grooming Tips
Learning about Scissors
And What Scissors Are Right For You

Ergonomics is the science of body motion. How do the scissors fit your hand? Research has found that typically pet stylists, while cutting hair, take the stance where their knees are flexed, the belly is sticking out somewhat, the wrist is angled upward, and the fingers, in a standard shear with the finger rest, are closing in a motion whereby the thumb leads toward the ring finger.

This motion is very unnatural and strenuous. For example, one would never pick up a coin off the table with the thumb and ring finger. As an experiment, just try it. Move your thumb toward the ring finger while tilting the wrist backward and make twenty repetitions very rapidly. You can feel the strain in the wrist, forearm and elbow building up.

Taking all the elaborate research findings into account, the development of shears whole handle contour, with the thumb forward, allows your hand to close in a natural motion. These shears are definitely less fatiguing and a lot of people who suffered from strain, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or had calluses on their fingers, felt great relief using these shears.

Remember: It does take time to retrain yourself on new tools and new grips.

Weight and length of scissors should also be considered when selecting the perfect scissors. I personally like 8-1/2-inch medium to heavy weight scissors for the majority of my scissor work. The balance feels good to me. The heavier shear is good for all those Standard Poodles and Bichons I groom. Many stylists prefer less weight because the majority of their clientele is small to medium breeds with softer type coats.

Once you find the perfect scissors, hold them in a comfortable, secure grip using a smooth up and down thumb motion. Make sure you are dropping, not pushing, the blades. Keep your wrist as straight as possible to maintain good circulation in your hand. One thing you can do if you have trouble keeping your wrist straight is use a bowling or carpal tunnel wristband while working. Not too tight, but as a reminder.

From there, you want to always be looking ahead of your shears. Use your whole body when scissoring, not just your arm. Remember to keep the shoulder in a normal position. Do not over reach. Avoid raising your arms over your head for long periods of time. Scissoring can cause injury to your elbows and shoulder too. Hydraulic tables are good for these issues. Your eyes should always be about the same distance from the dog wherever you are scissoring and the motion should be a fluid one. Pay attention to the direction your scissors point and the angle of the scissor blades when cutting to prevent wrist strain.

The Shop That Groomer To Groomer Built
Part II

What happens when you combine a love for animals, a heart of kindness, and a willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty? You get LifeSavers, a small breed dog and puppy rescue organization that is dedicated to rescuing, vetting, altering and finding loving homes for local canine creatures in need of a helping hand. To date, LifeSavers has placed more than 300 dogs into permanent homes. This organization was started more than five years ago by one of the many members of the Groomer to Groomer message board. I have never actually met this particular member, I only know her as Julie. And last issue I told of the incredible story of her journey to own and operate the shop that Groomer to Groomer built.

Through the amazing generosity of so many members of the Groomer To Groomer message board, a donation of labor by a brother-in-law, a loan from a mother, and the tiresome hours of hard work by her husband, Julie’s former garage was slowly transformed into a beautiful and cheery grooming shop complete with tables, dryers, an assortment of shampoo, and a splash of bright pink paint on the walls. Julie named her new place of business PawPrints. She liked the name because of its cute factor but also because it gave honor to one of the many citizens of the message board who supported Julie with encouragement, advice, and a box full of grooming supplies.

Donations came from near and far as Julie’s fellow message board citizens sent her packages containing everything from clippers to crates, scissors, books and bows. Even more extravagant items such as the much-coveted Les Pooch’s brush showed up on her doorstep. In the eyes of a groomer such as Julie, this was certainly far better than Christmas. One message board member showed more generosity through this adventure than many people display in a lifetime. She sent more than one thousand dollars worth of the best grooming equipment and tools that money can buy, in addition to the wealth of information and advice she shared with Julie along the way.

It has been more than two months now since Julie first opened the doors of the PawPrints Grooming Parlor and business is good. New clients call each day as Julie works hard to provide them each with the best service she has to offer. A seed planted not so long ago has been watered and cared for by the fantastic community that makes up the Groomer to Groomer message board. The seed is now a lovely plant in full bloom, displaying its grandeur and beauty for all to see. “I would like to say that I would never have attempted this had the members of GTG not been so supportive. This has changed my life in a very positive way. I am happier and much less stressed because I am able to be at home when my kids need me,” writes Julie.

I am a firm believer in treating others as you wish to be treated, of storing up treasures in a place where they will never spoil. It seems that Julie’s years of dedication and service doing rescue work have come full circle. Instead of being the giver, this time she is the recipient. I know she is grateful beyond what words can express. I am grateful, too. I am thankful for this little glimpse of kindness in a world that makes me wonder if such a thing still exists.

What happens when you combine a love for animals, a heart of kindness and a willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty? Well, you get something absolutely extraordinary, something worthwhile, and something, if taken care of properly, that will surely last a lifetime. You get the Shop that Groomer to Groomer built.

An introduction to BLO-Pens

Have you ever wanted to try adding a bit of color to your everyday grooming? Sure you have and I am going to introduce you to a quick and easy product that could be just the very thing to get you started. This is a product called Blo-Pens. I discovered these several years ago while competing at Groom and Kennel Expo in Burbank. They are a water based, child-safe marker that is used to airbrush color manually onto any paper, or in our case pets. In most cases the color washes out easily from dog or even cat hair. They are so easy to use, a child could do it!

There are three parts to the pen, the colored blow tip, the clear dispenser cap and the ink cartridge. To load it you simply pull the pen apart, turn the ink cartridge around and click it down into the clear dispenser tip. Then to dispense the color just blow into the colored end and watch as the spray comes out. You might want to practice a bit first by blowing the color onto a paper towel to get the feel of the pen before you try it on the dog. Always use this product on dogs that you have already properly bathed and are finished or ready to finish.

Blow a bit of color into the hair to be colored, place your comb under the colored area and pull the comb through to the top, you will see the color intensify and it dries instantly. Blo-Pens can be used to add a bit of color to ears, tail, pom poms or wherever you like. They can also be used with stencils or you can freehand your designs. The best part is, if you mess up you can rinse immediately and the color will come right out of most coats. It does however last longer in some hair than in others so even though it is a temporary color you can almost always count on pink being around for awhile in cotton type hair.

Blo-Pens may be purchased at most craft stores or do a Google search and there are many places to buy them on-line. They come in a variety of colors and package sizes, some packs even include stencils.

Coming next issue: Howl-o-ween tricks that are sure to be a treat. Happy coloring!

Super Groom and Super Zoo
Getting Ready for Vegas

SuperGroom, one of the biggest and best grooming shows in the world, and SuperZoo, the national show for pet retailers, will both take place September 18 – 20th at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The SuperGroom program is back, bigger and better than ever, with its series of contests and seminars devoted to pet beautification. The SuperGroom pet grooming contest challenges the best groomers from around the world to compete to see whose skills (and scissors) are the sharpest. Governed by the rules of the International Judges Association, participants will compete for beautifully sculptured trophies and total prize winnings of more than $27,000.

Managed by Barkleigh Productions, SuperGroom also offers grooming seminars to teach the latest in dog grooming techniques.

The popular Oster Grooming Theater, featured at Groom Expo, will be debuting at this year’s SuperGroom! Attend breed seminars by Oster ambassadors, Chris Pawlosky and 2006 Oster International Invitational Winner, Julie Ostoski. Other speakers at SuperGroom include Teri DiMarino, Jarbas Godoy and Annette Quick. Stephen Rafe will be presenting his Animal Behavior Conference, along with additional training seminars.

Grooming seminars are: Snap-on-combs… Indispensible Tools, Camouflage Grooming… How to Hide Faults and Fix Uh-Ohs!, Handstriping and Carding Tools and Techniques and The First Grooming.

Produced and managed by World Wide Pet Industry Association of Arcadia, California, SuperZoo is one of the largest annual shows dedicated to servicing pet retailers. Over 900 pet product booths will fill the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. It is a mecca of retail and grooming supplies. If you are considering retail for your pet care facility, this is the place to be. Talk to retailing vendors. Look at the fine array of products that could do well in your facility. Find unique products that the superstores are missing... and carve your own niche in the retail world. Retailing can pay the rent and more!

Currently in its sophomore year, SuperZoo University (SZU) will offer a multitude of seminars covering retail management, merchandising and store design. Another innovative program is the MySuperZoo online personal assistant tool. This unique application allows attendees to get a customized, mapped-out event plan enabling attendees to use their time at SuperZoo more efficiently.

For more information about SuperGroom, visit www.SuperGroom.net or call (717) 691-3388. For SuperZoo, visit www.SuperZoo.org or call (800) 999-7295.u

Equipment Warranty

You’ve budgeted, you’ve researched, and you’ve finally purchased that coveted piece of equipment. Now you can’t wait to get it back to the shop and try it out. Wait! Before you even take it out of the box there is one more very important step: review the warranty.

What paperwork and packaging are you required to keep? Generally it is required to keep the original invoice as proof of date of purchase. Do you need to register the equipment? Some manufacturers request a warranty card be filled out and sent to them within 30 days of purchase in order to validate the warranty. Having this card on file with the manufacturer will expedite any warranty work that you may need in the future. When a piece of equipment stops working, that is not the time to discover that you do not have what you need to have the item repaired or replaced under warranty.

Actually, reviewing the equipment warranty package should be part of the homework that is done before purchasing a piece of equipment. Most manufactures guarantee equipment for one year. Some even offer two years. Often lesser warranties are offered for parts and accessories, such as hoses, which may only be guaranteed for six months. Parts of the equipment that wear out from regular use such as driver levers, carbon brushes, and filters are not covered by most manufacturers. Shipping charges incurred to send an item in for warranty work is generally not covered by the manufacturer and is the responsibility of the purchaser.

In addition to understanding what parts of your equipment are covered and for how long, the policy should be reviewed to determine what actions might void the warranty. Generally, if a piece of equipment has been used for something other than its intended purpose, abused, neglected or dropped, the warranty is void. Additional actions that will generally void the warranty are having the equipment serviced by a non-authorized repairperson or shop, or rewiring, altering or using improper voltage.

Some manufactures will not honor a warranty if the item has been subject to an “act of God” such as fire, flood, hurricane, etc. It is important to understand what voids the equipment and to care for it accordingly. Some manufactures require that you perform certain regular maintenance tasks in order for the warranty to remain valid. Know what these tasks are and do them according to the manufacturer’s time schedule.

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.

41st Annual Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show

H.H. Backer’s 41st Annual Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show and Educational Conference will be held October 12 – 14, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. Because of the success of the gangster-themed party at last year’s H.H. Backer Christmas Show, this year will feature an all-industry 50s and 60s party on Saturday, October 13.

The Product Showcase area gives buyers a chance to preview an assortment of the season’s hottest products. Retailers will get a chance to vote for their favorite products in Pet Age magazine’s 10th Annual Retailer Select Awards for Product Excellence.

The Special Events Arena will house two unique acts each day of the show. Hyperflite will put on a professional flying disc dog show, followed by Kathy Santo, author and dog behaviorist, who will present an agility and obedience demonstration. H.H. Backer will continue to offer free admission to all seminars included in the educational portion of the show.

To register, visit www.hhbacker.com, call (312) 663-4040

Joanne's Ah–Haaas
Nail Polish

After a quick brush up of hair, I find the nail polish I’m going to use and shake it well.
I turn off the dryer so it doesn’t dry up my polish.

I pick up each foot and polish just the tip of each nail. This way, the nail polish brush won’t slip and go all over the foot, leaving you to clean it off.

If you aren’t used to using polish, it’s good to start off with one of the clear ones with glitter in it. This dries faster and if you go too far up, it won’t be noticed. Most clients do like polish (unless you put pink on a male, etc.). And when you put the foot down, that small amount of polish will not rub and smear, so there is nothing to clean up. Turn on the dryer and finish drying. When the dog comes back next month, the polish is gone, or you clip it off when you tip the nails. No polish removal necessary.