Hairs of the Dogs

Helpful hint....

You have probably experienced "boneless leg syndrome."  This is when a dog, (almost always a large one!) is convinced that it has no bones in its legs.  The poor creature simply cannot stand up while in the bathtub or on the grooming table.  Repeatedly lifting these dogs up is a recipe for straining your muscles.

I have found that if I place a solid object, (that is a 5 gallon bucket in the above photo,) padded with a towel, gently under the dogs sternum they miraculously remember that they do, indeed, have leg bones and they really can stand up! 

You will find 100 more helpful  hints like this in my book, Practical Grooming Tips.  For more information go to:  http://www.darylconner.com/Book1.htm

 

Hairy Topic...

 

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

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

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

    Now, lets talk about the sticky subject of shedding.  Despite claims to the contrary, there are no shed-less breeds. Any dog that has hair is going to have some shedding.  There are breeds that shed less than others.  Longhaired, single coated dogs such as Yorkshire Terriers shed less that shorthaired, double coated dogs. The simplified way this works is that different types of coats have different growth cycles. My pugs shed- a LOT!  The hair on her body is short, so it has a short growth cycle.  From the time the hair emerges from the follicle until the time it dies and falls out on my clean sheets is short, because the hair is short.  My friend has a Lhasa Apso.  The individual hairs on her dog are long.  From the time each hair emerges until the time it dies and falls out is long.  For some dogs that length of time can be years!  But all hair has a growth cycle, and at some point the hair will die, fall out and be replaced by new hair. Think that is not so?  Brush out a dog that is supposed to be “shedless.”  You will find hair in the brush after a few strokes.  That is dead hair that you have just helped to shed out of the follicle.  If you had not brushed it out, it would have fallen on its own, been rubbed off on the carpet, or pulled out by a passing bush.  Shedding is influenced by heredity, diet, health and environment.  Seasonal shedding is effected by the number of hours of light an animal is exposed to during the day.  When days lengthen in the spring, it triggers the pet’s body to shed out heavy winter coat in preparation for the longer, warmer days ahead.

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

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

The art and science of saying "NO!"

                                     
I was recently invited to be a part of Petgroomer.com's "Ask The Pro" radio series.  Quite the honor!  I enjoyed the hour, but there was one question that has stayed with me.  How to say "no," to  customers.  I wasn't totally thrilled with my answer, and have been pondering a better answer all week.  This is what I have come up with....

Using the word "no" is difficult for most people.  Relationships can be made or broken with that one little word. In fact, some people claim that the word "no" is the most powerful word in the English language.  There are entire books written on the topic of saying "no!"  Professional negotiators study various ways of using the word to help them achieve their goals.  Yet here we are, average humans, entrusted with the use of this hefty word with very little instruction on how best to put it to work! 

My husband has several business degrees and has spent decades working retail.  His advice?  When you have to refuse someone, always offer an alternative.  Example:  "No, Mrs. Smith, I am sorry that I cannot get your matted bichon bathed, dematted, fluffed and scissored in 30 minutes, but what I CAN do is call you on your cell phone about 10 minutes before she is done so you can pick her up the second I am finished!"  Softening the blow of "no" with an alternative is a good trick and one I use often.

One article I read suggested making a "no" sandwich.  Put your "no" in the middle of two "yeses." Example:  "Yes, Mr. Jones, I can make your skunked Lab smell MUCH better.  No, I can't insure there will be no skunk scent left at all, but yes, he will be clean and you will be able to let him in the house." 

One key to saying "no" is to say it with authority.  As hokey as it sounds, try practicing in front of a mirror.  If your "no" is wishy washy, you will be inadvertently setting up the expectation for "yes."  Example, "Well... nooooo, I don't think I'll be able to brush out your poodle.  She hasn't been groomed for 8 months, after all."  The customer can easily take the "I don't think..." to mean that you will be getting your magic wand out and making his fluffy poodle dreams come true.  He will then expect to see his dog groomed the way he imagines, and he will be unhappy to see the 7F smoothie clip on the pet that trots joyously out to greet him.  A better tactic is, "No, your pet is too matted for a fluffy trim this time. We are going to start over! (Use a happy tone, as if starting over is the greatest thing since ice cream!) If your goal is a fluffy trim, let's get him pre-booked to come back on a 5 week schedule and then we can work into the look you desire." 

It is your RIGHT to say "NO."  Indeed, it is your duty to say "no," if what the customer requests will be dangerous or painful to their pet. Example: "No, I  cannot just bathe your heavily matted Samoyed and send it home.  The matted coat must be removed for your pets health and safety." You can go on to explain, "I cannot insure that I can get all the shampoo rinsed out from under the tangles, and that could cause skin problems. The heavy tangles are already pulling uncomfortably on the skin and need to be removed."  Some owner requests are just bad for pets, and it is our job to educate them so they can make better choices.  I always find it easier to say "no" when the pets welfare is at stake.  I

 It is also your responsibility to say "no" if you believe the pet has the potential to injure you or a staff member. "No, Ms. White, after your dog went for my bathers throat I decided not to proceed with the grooming."  Refer vicious or unpredictable animals to their veterinarian for grooming under supervised sedation or anesthesia.  One good bite can put a stylist out of commission for a long time, even forever.  Remember, it is not your responsibility to groom every pet on the planet!

If you struggle with saying "no," do an internet search on the word. You will find helpful articles and books to read to help bolster your ability to wield this powerful word more gracefully. 

How purchasing "expensive" tools can increase your income...

 
 

I am fortunate to be able to attend grooming shows across the country.  It excites me to visit the vendors booths and be able to check out what the latest and greatest new tools available to our industry are all about.  It saddens me, however, to hear groomers say, "Oh, I could never afford that..." when they see some of the higher ticket tools available to them. 

Smart groomers need to be wise business people as well as expert pet handlers and talented artists.  And being a good business person means that one needs to invest in time and labor saving products in order to help their business grow.

Let's look at the numbers on two grooming tools that I, personally, would not want to work without. The first is a good vac system.  I was an early user of the Clipper Vac, and have groomed thousands of dogs over the years with this tool.  Here are a few advantages of using a vacuum system:

• It reduces the amount of hair/dander we breathe and creates a healthier work environment.
• It enables us to work more efficiently and quickly by lifting the pets hair as we clip, so in most cases there is no need to "go over" the pet more than once.
• It allows us to create beautiful, plush cuts using snap on combs with very little effort.
• The air moving over the clipper blade keeps blades cool. Cool blades keep a sharp edge longer and this reduces sharpening expenses and "down time" on equipment. 

I was pleasantly surprised to see that the price on the "mini" model Clipper Vac system has not changed much since I first got my first one around 1996.  According the Romani web site, (www.mdcromani.com) this model sells for $999.00.  That is a lot of money by any  standards, but this is a tool that will not only pay for itself but will enable groomers to EARN MORE MONEY.  Let's look at the numbers:

Investment:  $999.

Now, let's say that your average groom rate is $35. And let's also say (conservatively) that using a vacuum system will allow you to increase your efficiency so that you can groom just ONE MORE DOG per day.  If you work a 5 day work week, using the vac system will increase your weekly income $175. This means you can pay off your investment in about 6 weeks!  Now, your vac system is paid off but you are still reaping the benefit of added income.  If you work 50 weeks a year, this tool will give you a pay hike of $8,750. per year!  And this does not even take into effect the health benefits and the ways your grooming will improve. 

Now, onto bathing systems.  I have been using a recirculating bathing system for many happy years. It was a bit tricky to convince me that a bathing system would be a good idea, but once I tried it I was hooked.  Some of the advantages of bathing systems are:

• Less water usage (good for the environment and for your budget if you pay for water usage.)
• Huge savings on products (you will use far less shampoo when you use a bathing system!)
• Pets get cleaner, faster.  Much faster!
• Pets seem to truly enjoy the feel of a hydro massage.

I have used and loved the model sold by Oster.  Prices vary, but average around $500.

You can use the same math that I used above for the vac system.  If using a bathing system allows you to groom just ONE more dog per day, (and that is conservative!) you will pay off a bathing system in just three weeks.  And the savings will go on endlessly, as well as the benefits of less wear and tear on your body and cleaner pets! 

Purchasing tools that help us work more efficiently is, indeed an investment in our craft, our future and ourselves. Have you cconsidered giving yourself a raise by purchasing an "expensive" grooming tool?  

 

One of my favorite things...

 

As a certifiable tool junkie, I have more than my share of clippers and other electrically powered tools.  This means that sometimes I have a veritable rats nest of cords knotted up and making my work more challenging.  (It does cause some colorful language sometimes! Bonus points!)

When I heard about Monkey Cords I was a bit skeptical. I had tried a similar product from the office supply story had been dissapointed.  But, (did I mention that I am a tool junkie?) I went ahead and got a Monkey Cord to try.  It was a most excellent investment!  Although the Monkey Cord takes a bit of time to install, it stays put and does exactly what it claims to... prevents the dreaded cord tangle. 

If you suffer from tangled cords (and colorful language) do yourself a favor and try a Monkey Cord.  You can learn more here: www.monkeycord.com/shop.htm 

(In case you are wondering, I am not affiliated with this company. I just like the stuff they make!)

An Industry Icon...

I spent the weekend in Hershey, PA at the amazing Groom Expo show. The lights, the glitz the excitement and laughter (and all that CHOCOLATE!) that are the hallmarks of this show still glow in my memory.

 I well remember as a brand new groomer in the mid 1980's reading the Groomer to Groomer magazine that would arrive free in the mail.  It was so exciting to me to have some contact with other groomers, and Sally Liddick and Gwen Shelley who put the (then much simpler) magazine together were my heroes. When I would read in issues about Groom Expo,(the show these women put together each year) I used to fantasize that I might someday get to go to a show where groomers rubbed elbows for an entire weekend, looked at the latest and greatest tools in the industry, and attended educational seminars. 

Fast forward 26 years and I was there.  The show is now familiar to me, and not only do I get to attend but I work in a booth showing off one of the latest and greatest tools and I get to GIVE one of those educational seminars.  It is more than a dream come true, because I would never have been so audacious to dream something this amazing.  But I digress....

One of the unique and marvelous things about Groom Expo is that Sally Liddick and Gwen Shelley host a Gospel breakfast each year on Sunday morning.  It is always a treat to attend, with beautiful music and inspirational talks.  This year Sally Liddick made an announcement, she is retiring.  Although her spirit is as feisty as ever, she is experiencing some health problems that have forced her to turn the helm of Barkleigh over to the capable hands of a younger crew.  It will take a CREW to replace her work, and those of us in the industry who admire what she has done for groomers everywhere know that she can never be "replaced." 

At the breakfast, Sally gifted each attendee with her new book, Taking A Different Path.  On the long, (LONG!) ride home last night I read the first half of the book aloud to my husband as he drove.  We were both fascinated.  I think this book is a must read for groomers everywhere. Not only does it capture much of the history of our industry, it is an inspirational guide to entrepreneurs.  Sally created an amazing business in a time when women were not welcomed to do such things, and she did it in an industry that was fragmented and lacking guidance.  She truly changed the lives of thousands of groomers for the better with the educational opportunities she put together for stylists across the country. 

Sally may be retiring from grooming, but I suspect she will still have a hand in all things Barkleigh, and I also think she and her lifetime friend Gwen still have some wonderful adventures before them.  I wish for her good health and much joy as embraces retirement.  And I am forever grateful for the opportunities she has given to groomers everywhere. 
 

Another flower for the canine garden...

We needed another dog like a fish needs a bicycle.  But Blossom was at the local shelter because her elderly owner could no longer care for her.  Our shop (www.yankeeclipperpetgrooming.com) offers free makeovers for shelter animals in our area.  Since I am a pug-a-holic, I took one look at her and knew her fate would be to come join my gang, the paperwork was a mere technicality.  She is 6, obese and has breath that could peel paint.  But she has melded seamlessly with our gang... two black pugs, a toy poodle, a standard poodle and an ancient boxer.  The sheep and chickens? I doubt she's ever seen any but they were accepted by her in her typical unflappable way.  She is learning potty protocol, has heartily embraced the idea of a raw food diet and is a champion snuggler.  Blossom, an unlikely flower but a sweet addition. 

Rescue grooming; key to a good day...

It was an unusually hot and muggy day in Maine.  Our schedule was full. The phone call went like this:  "I have two badly matted Shih Tzu's that I want to have shaved.  Is there any possible way you can do it today?"  I had a feeling these dogs needed us, and wiggled them into the days work load.  

The condition of them nearly took my breath away.  They had not been groomed in two years.  It was a good job for the German Red Clipper.  I had to carefully peel a turtle-shell tangle off the body, (you can see the solid mats hanging off the sides of the dog) and then slice through the cast-like matting on the legs.  That part was slow, scary work.  The dogs caught on fairly quickly and were quite cooperative. 

This was some of the most severe matting I have seen in many years.  I have NOT missed grooming dogs in this condition.  Both dogs were in remarkably good shape under their horrible coats. They were in good weight, had no external parasites, and the skin was not terribly irritated, either. 

Some of the girls in the shop were in an uproar... horrified to see the neglected state the pets were in. I reminded them that we do not know what the story might be.  There could be physical health issues, mental health problems, severe financial stresses or other difficulties with the dogs owner.  Or, she could just be a neglectful person.  We will probably never know.  All we do know is that dogs went home clean and without all that hot, matted hair pulling on their skin.  It was a good day.

 
  

 
  

Eye irritations in the grooming environment...

It has been said that the eyes are the windows to the soul, and for those of us who love to gaze into our own dogs eyes, these words ring true.  (This photo is of my sweet Poppy pug.  I find her eyes to be oh-so-beautiful!)

Over the 26 years of my grooming career there have been a handful of times when a dog has suffered an eye injury as a result of the grooming process.  Although even one accident is too many, it is sometimes inevitable that while we are working with shampoos (and in the bad old days, DIPS!) and tools on moving animals that sometimes injury does occur. 

From my own experience and from talking to other groomers across the country it seems that the most frequent form of eye injury that groomers encounter is that of a corneal abrasion.  The cornea is the clear dome shaped structure that covers the front of the eye.  It consists of three layers;

• Epithelium- the thin outermost layer
• Stroma- the center layers
• Descemet's membrane- the innermost layer

Corneal abrasions most often occur when the eye suffers some sort of trauma.  In the home environment, this could happen if a pet has its eye scratched when it is in the yard by grass or foliage, if the family cat gets a little too close with its claws, or even by the pet rubbing its face on carpeting or upholstery.  (Note: A deeper irritation that goes to the second layer of the cornea is a corneal ulcer, and is more serious than an abrasion.)
 

In the grooming environment, corneal abrasions may occur if shampoo is accidentally splashed in the eye, if a brush accidentally comes in contact with the eye, or even by a dog vigorously rubbing its face on a towel left to provide cushioning in a cage. 

Symptoms of eye irritation are:

• Squinting or refusing to open one or both eyes
• Pawing at the face
• Excessive tearing of the eye(s)

As a caring groomer, what is the best way for you to prevent eye injuries?

• Use shampoos and other products that are designed for use on the animal you are grooming. (ie, dog shampoo for dogs, cat shampoo for cats.)
• When possible, use a very mild or tearless shampoo when washing heads and faces.  No matter how careful you are to keep shampoo away from the pets eyes, one good shake and shampoo can go flying!
• If you suspect that shampoo has come in contact with the eye, flush the eye with a gentle stream of cool water for several minutes. 
• Keep sterile saline solution on hand and rinse the eye with saline.  Use a lot, the more you flush, the better chance you have of washing the irritant out of the eye.  (Note: never touch the tip of the saline applicator to the eye or any other surface.  To do so could contaminate the bottle. Contamination could allow bacteria to grow inside the solution. If you accidentally touch the tip to any surface, discard the bottle. We keep several on hand at all times, they are not expensive!)

What about eye ointments?  There are differing schools of thought on the use of protective eye ointments.  During an interview I did several years ago, some veterinarians suggested that a drop of protective ointment be used before every bath.  Other veterinarians disagreed, stating that there are potential problems associated with the use of eye ointments:

• Most eye ointments leave an oily residue around the animals face area after use.
• Ointment applicators can become contaminated with repeated use in the grooming environment, possibly introducing bacteria from the contaminated container to an otherwise healthy eye.
• If the ointment is added after shampoo has been splashed in the eye, the ointment can actually seal the irritant against the cornea. 

If a client dog exhibits symptoms of eye irritation, contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.  The cornea is rich in nerves and any damage to it is very uncomfortable for the pet. The animal may paw vigorously at its eyes, causing further damage.  In most cases the veterinarian will use a special dye and light to show the abrasion for diagnosis.  Treatment typically consists of pain killing topical drops and antibacterial drops to prevent infection. Most abrasions heal in 3-5 days. 

Of course, as with any health concern, keep good records of how you proceeded and inform the customer of what you noticed and how you handled the situation.  Never send a pet with a suspected injury home without discussing the problem with the customer. 

In an ideal world the beautiful "windows" of a dogs soul will never suffer any injuries, but if they do, immediate care and professional handling are keys to a positive outcome. 

When bad things happen to good groomers...

I consider myself to be a very competent cat groomer. In fact, I am proud to say that I recently became a Certified Master Cat Groomer through the Professional Cat Groomers Association of America (www.professionalcatgroomers.com)

In the last 26 years I have groomed countless felines, and currently I sometimes groom 5 or more per day.  One of my customers fondly refers to me as "the cat mutterer." I like to joke that God gives different people different gifts; some have the gift to teach, some the gift to create, some to make buckets of money.  My gift? I have a way with cats.  (God does have a sense of humor!)   Skill and experience aside, yesterday I let my guard down and was bitten.  It wasn't a bad bite, really.  I was just doing a final comb through on a very sweet long haired cat when he suddenly decided he'd had enough and gave me one quick bite to middle finger on my right hand.  He bit with no real warning, and his fang went deep. 

I put the cat in his carrier and practiced good first aid.  For animal bites the following procedure is recommended:  wash the wound with very warm water and soap, antibacterial soap if you have it.  Flush the wound with betadine.  Encourage bleeding (to flush bacteria out.) Do not attempt to close the wound, allowing it to drain is best. Apply antibiotic ointment and bandage.  I did all of those things, and the wound did not hurt much. 

However, a few hours later it began to ache and my finger was noticeably swollen.  Cats carry a bacteria called Pasteurella multocida (and sometimes Staph, as well) in their mouths, and those long narrow teeth of theirs inject the bacteria deep into our tissue when we receive a bite.  One source I read said that up to 80% of cat bites result in serious infection, and 6% require hospitalization. 

My message here?  Don't mess around with cat bites.  If you are bitten, take immediate proper care of the wound and if you notice pain, swelling or redness, seek medical attention.  I am not a real fan of going to the doctors, but I went yesterday.  I am taking a walloping dose of antibiotics and he was adamant that I not work or use my hand for 72 hours.  I have not missed a day of work due to illness in 10 years or so, but today I am home on the sofa surrounded my snoring dogs and typing with one hand.  The doctor said to me, (and I pass on to you,) "This is your livelihood.  Don't take your injury lightly."