Techniques

Pit Bull Rockin’ a Rainbow

This is Bambi who is a re–homed sweetheart of a pit bull. On this day in the salon, our mild–mannered girl began her color transformation.
To Scruff or Not to Scruff

There is a lot to say on the topic of scruffing. As a house call groomer who caters to clients who love their cats more than life itself, if I scruffed in my daily work I would not have any clients. My clients made me find alternate ways to control cats.
Creative Coloring: Make It Safe, Fun & Fabulous

Everyone’s pet is special to them. And to prove it, some pet parents like to dress their fur kids up in designer outfits with flashy jewelry, or have unique creative styles, colors, and designs put on them.
Wavy Doodle Short Trim

As the Doodle population explodes, the diversity of their body type, shape and size, as well as coat type and texture is also expanding. There is no “cookie cutter” trim for the Doodle so we must adapt to the dog presented to us.

Nailed It: a Groomer’s Guide to Preparing Dogs for Nail Trims

Cutting the nails on some dogs is as easy as picking up a paw and trimming or Dremeling each nail, but there are too many dogs that do not take to nail care that easily.

X Marks the Spot

Over the years I have always done modified grooming. It conforms to the dog and comes from my heart, head and hands.
There is no right or wrong way to these styles as it is the job of the groomer to bring out the best in every pet and make the owner smile with delight when they see what we have been able to create with their beloved pet.

Grooming for Greatness

In my decade of experience behind the grooming table, I have come across hundreds of “difficult” dogs. You know the ones I’m talking about; the tap dancers, the shut down, flat pancake of a dog that can’t bring itself to stand up, and my personal favorite—the snarling, lunging dog trying to bite the scissors out of your hand.

Samoyed Maintenance Trim

The Samoyed is a double–coated breed that requires extensive coat care to keep them in good shape. This can prove to be a challenge for the average pet owner who may desire a tidier, cleaner appearing dog adorned by coat furnishings that are less likely to attract every sticker, twig and leaf in the yard. This heavy-duty maintenance places them on our Bread & Butter list.

When Is A Good Groom Good Enough?

As groomers, as much as we would like to finish a pet to our standards, it isn’t always possible. I have three such dogs as clients.
Cher is a 15 year–old Yorkie, whose limitations are due to her age. The aptly named Iffy is both geriatric and cantankerous. And then there is Pica. Pica is a 6 year–old Rottweiler.

Razor Pens

Razor Pens are the newest creative carving tool hitting the grooming scene. Like many tools in our industry, they are a cross over from the beauty industry. The small pen–shaped tool holds a very thin, very sharp razor blade that is folded and inserted into the shaft of the pen that holds it.

My Toy Giraffe

I have just returned from a trip to Pooch Styles Pet Grooming in District Heights, Maryland where I met with the owner of Pooch Styles, Kyonna Brown, and her staff for a fun filled day of Creative Styling. Kyonna has some very enthusiastic and trusting clients who happily entrusted their fur kids to us for a “who knows what might happen kind of day”.

Groomer’s Guide To Aggressive Dogs

Right now I am working with a miniature Poodle who used to bite if you tried to pick him up. His owners didn’t feel comfortable attaching a leash to his collar for the same reason. At the same time, his groomer had no problems with handling this dog.

Confession; I’m A Stripper

I confess…I am a stripper. I know, shocking as it may seem, I love to hand strip, roll coats, pluck and twist. Whew, feels good to confess that I use a stripping knife and stripping tools a lot in my grooming, and sometimes even on non-terrier breeds!

Shampoos: A Rainbow Of Choices

As professionals, we are constantly striving to bring the best to our clients. At least we should be trying, as sometimes it’s a fine line that separates us from our competition.

Small Drop Coat Trim

There are quite a few breeds that fall into the small “drop coat” category and most of them are on our Bread & Butter list. There are many ways to style the drop coats into a user–friendly trim so the client can comfortably maintain the coat at a medium length and still respect the tied-up top knot look.

Grooming The Rescue Cat

As part of my business model, I have implemented an incentive to owners of recently adopted cats in the area. When a cat is rescued from any local shelter, I offer my initial service for free. This has proven to be a win-win approach in gaining customers as well as caring for their new family member for years to come.

English Springer Spaniel

The English Springer Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel, although originating together, gained distinction in the early 1900’s with the Kennel Club of England. The American Kennel Club went on to recognize the English Springer Spaniel into the sporting group about eight years later.

Adding Hand Stripping To Your Services

“Hello Michell. I have been grooming for five years and I just attended my first grooming show, Northwest Grooming Show. I was fascinated by the grooming contest. I think I would like to try it but it seems so impossible. I know you used to compete. Do you have any advice?” –Sheila

The Cairn Terrier Handstrip

Cairn Terriers rank somewhere mid–range of all breed registrations with AKC. Even though not a common breed, Cairn Terriers have graced the silver screen as far back as the mid 1930’s, making notable appearances in dozens of films along side such blockbuster stars as Shirlee Temple, Judy Garland, John Wayne, and Nicole Kidman, to name a few.

Fear Recovery: Learning To Trust The Brush

Currently there are many options to choose from when restraining pets during the grooming process. These tools keep the pet safe and preserve our hands and faces so that we can continue grooming in the future.

Competition Grooming: Where To Start?

Cats: To Brush Or Comb

When I have a cat on my table, the first thing I do is evaluate the skin and coat. I check for tangles and mats. And by using my hands first to feel for troublesome areas, I am also preventing a painful tug of a comb. Once I have a better idea of the condition of the cat, I know whether to use a clipper or a comb.

Just Surprise Me!

Toby is one of my favorite little poodle dudes. He is a faded red, oversized toy that I just happen to adore. I have to laugh when he is being checked in and my husband, who runs the grooming salon check–in for a few hours in the morning, asked Toby’s mom if she would like the same haircut as last time.