Life

Practice Makes Perfect: What You Should Identify as a Practicing Groomer

I had a client tell me once, “Just give me the hairstyle I want, it’s not like you are doing brain surgery.” This didn’t change the fact that her dog was shaved down that day with an offer to bag the pelt for her.
Groom Expo ’18: It’s the People’s Choice!

A record–breaking 5,700 groomers recently gathered at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania to attend Groom Expo–the largest grooming show in the world.
Groomer Resolutions

It’s nearing the time to call 2018 a wrap and kick off a fresh, brand new year. Whether you believe in New Year’s Resolutions or not, this is a good time to reflect on what you accomplished in the months past and look ahead to plans for the days ahead.
‘Tis the Season to Stay Safe

Most people look upon the Holiday Season with mixed emotions. Pet groomers are no different; however, the sights, sounds and emotions connected to the holiday rush can bring a different set of emotions to even the most seasoned pet professional.

All American Grooming Show: The World’s Fourth Largest Grooming Show Just Got Bigger

The All-American Grooming Show, which took place from August 23rd-26th in Schaumburg, Illinois, was a huge success and the fourth largest grooming show in the world, following Groom Expo, Groom Expo West and Intergroom.

Breaking the Cycle

It happens to all of us. It is that customer with that dog (or cat!). The people are perfectly nice. The pet is fine to work with. But there is a recurring problem, and it can create a vicious cycle. It goes something like this:

Groom-O-Lanterns

Looking for a fun way to surprise customers and help your shop stand out this fall? Be bold and festive with your very own Groom-O-Lanterns.

Grooming Horror Stories

It’s that time of year when spooky stories abound. Why not grab a cup of brew and sit a spell while you read about some scary grooming tales?

Groomers & Breeders: Nurturing the Groomer/Breeder Relationship

Groomers and dog breeders belong to the very same circles, but sadly most breeder/groomer relationships fail to thrive. A lot of experienced dog breeders prefer to buy some dog clippers on Amazon and get it done themselves.

The Rescue Groomer: Kasey Van Dyke’s Story

Grooming professionals strive to make pets look their best with teddy bear styles and ring–ready breed trims, but grooming is not always about getting the styles just right.

Family Matters

When you think of working families, you may instantly think of farming, carpentry or construction trades, small retail stores such as jewelers, or even the death–defying acts like the Flying Wallendas. I, however, instantly think of Pet Services businesses.

Time for Fun and Avoiding Burnout

About two years into my mobile grooming business, I was grooming eight pets a day, five days a week. I was tired, grouchy and achy.

Grooming Controversies

It might be hard to believe, but there are grooming practices that drum up quite a bit of controversy in our industry. What is common practice for some groomers might be considered to be reckless or dangerous practice by others.

World Dog Expo 2018 Recap

The 2018 World Dog Expo unleashed the world’s most unique experience for dog lovers with celebrity guests, America’s Got Talent’s Sara Carson and Animal Planet’s Shorty Rossi.

AKC Salon Safe Certification Program

“Should groomers be licensed?” is one of the most highly debated questions in the grooming industry at this time. Most groomers believe that there should be some way of separating them from a person who simply reads a book, watches a YouTube video or two and thinks they can be a groomer.

Shaping a Speciality

The kind woman who trained me to groom dogs in the early 1980’s happily shared her knowledge about Poodles, Cockers, Chows and every other breed that graced our grooming tables. But she never let me touch a Scottish terrier. Scotties were her breed.

Vehicle & Personal Locators: Staying Safe When You’re Working Alone

It wasn’t just the thought of going off the road, but the fact that at any given point in my day, no one other than myself knew where I was going or where I had been. That was a scary thought.

What’s so Great About Grooming Shows?

“I was one month out of grooming school and had been grooming for just two weeks when I attended my first show,” said Krista Creekpaum. “Learning more was my goal, and eight years later, it still is. It’s true, the more you learn, the more you want to learn.”

Volunteer Grooming in Guatemala

“Saving just one dog won’t change the world, but it surely will change the world for that one dog.” — Richard C. Call, Philanthropist, Community Leader

Intergroom 2018 Recap

Intergroom, which took place in April at the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, continued the Barkleigh trend of double digit growth for the 2018 year. This year’s show prevailed with a 14.9% financial increase, a total of 2,841 attendees and over 100 vendors, making it the 3rd largest grooming show in the world, behind Barkleigh Production’s Groom Expo and Groom Expo West.

Confession: I’m a Shampoo Hoarder

“Oh Michell. I have a problem with hoarding shampoo. I go to trade shows and learn about new shampoos and then I buy them. All of them. If I read on Facebook that someone likes a shampoo for a particular coat type, I buy it.

Small Poodle Mix is America’s Most Adoptable Rescue Dog

SECAUCUS, NJ – Many people have seen the list of the most popular dog breeds in the country. However, that list only includes roughly 16% of the purebred dogs that are registered with the AKC.

From Bather to Groomer: Are You Ready?

“Dear Michell, I have been a bather in a dog grooming shop for over a year now. I see that the groomers make more money than I do and that frustrates me because I spend so much more time on the dogs than they do. I would like to make more money, but I am perfectly happy to continue bathing dogs.