Hairs of the Dogs

April is Pet First Aid month...

April is Pet First Aid month.  In honor of that, I want to tell you about a favorite product, Vetericyn.  If you have not tried Vetericyn yet, let me tell you why you should!

I first was introduced to Vetericyn while on a weekend horse camping trip.  My horse developed a sore area under her girth.  It was quite red and angry looking.  My friend brought some of this spray down to my  horses stall and spritzed some on the sore.  Within moments the irritated area looked less inflamed. I applied the Vetericyn twice a day and the sore healed up more swiftly than I could have hoped. 

We then got some to keep at the grooming shop.  We end up using it more on the staff than on any pets; if we get scratched by freshly trimmed claws, a spray of Vetericyn takes the burn, redness and swelling out almost instantly.  And I know using the product has reduced scarring on my arms when I get a scratch or scrape. 

We also use it if a closely clipped area such as a poodles face or feet looks a bit pink after trimming.  It soothes existing irritations that dogs come in with, as well. Have you ever cleaned up dried crust from the corner of a dogs eye and found the skin under that build up is red and sore?  A dab of Vetericyn calms the inflamed skin down in seconds.  We carry the product to sell to customers, and they report it works wonders on seasonal "hot spots."

I see the product on the shelf at my favorite Veterinarians office, and all my horse friends have it in their tack box.  I think groomers would like to have it in their bag of great tools,too.

You can read more about the product and how it works at www.vetericyn.com 

We call them "Wackers!"

It has been a couple of years since I discovered this type of scissors.  I love them... to a rather ridiculous degree.

My first set was wonderful. When they worked.  But they were tempermental.  The slightest little thing would cause them to jam, or cease to cut properly. If I scissored through a "too thick" coat, they'd jam.  Heaven forbid if they dropped to the floor! Sometimes they would stop cutting for no apparent reason at all. And then I'd have to send them away and I'd miss them.  To a rather ridiculous degree.

Then Randy at Precision Sharp let me use his version of these wide tooth thinners.  Some people call them "chunkers."  At our shop we fondly call them "Wackers."  Randy's version of the shears are different because they are 7.5'' long , not 8'', and with 21 teeth. The shorter blade makes them sturdier.  Randy told me, "They are micro serrated on all teeth, with the last 7 teeth at the tip being fully serrated. All manufacturers when talking about scissors or thinners overpolish the edge from the start, causing the hair to push.  Serrating or microserrating holds the hair and won't let it slip off the top of the tooth." Randy told me that his method makes the scissors a bit more tiring to use, "harder on the wrist," he said,  but in my book the difference is worth it!  His scissors stay sharp a long time, and don't get all cranky on me when I need them most.

I don't know a thing about "serrating" or "microserrating" but here is what I do know... these scissors not only earn my love, they keep it! 

We use them to create adorable teddy bear faces on mixed breeds and Shih Tzu's and such. They save an amazing amount of time while creating a fabulous look. They do a great job blending the edges on terrier faces.  I have even scissored entire poodles and bichons with them, leaving an incredible, velvety finish.  Trimming up the underline on a drop coated breed is fast and lovely with these shears. I find myself reaching for them on almost every dog I groom.  Any tool that makes my work faster, better and more fun is worth a lot in my book.

If you have not tried these amazing "wackers," I strongly suggest you do.  If you have some and love them, but wish they were a little sturdier, you should try the ones from Precision Sharp.  You can get yours at www.precisionsharp.com.  They are under $150. and a great bargain! 

 

 

 

Breathe Healthy...

 

Mike Vahey is a hero.  He is a veteran who served our country in the U.S. Army, and as if that were not enough, he moved on to become an entrepreneur who helps people live healthier, happier lives. 

 

As a lifelong allergy sufferer, Mike was delighted when he met a man who had invented a comfortable fabric mask designed to filter out dust, mold and pollen.  If you have ever tried to wear a filtration mask you probably remember that they are generally not particularly pleasant.  The inventor of the masks was ready to retire and wasn't interested in marketing the product, so Mike bought the rights and went on to embrace his dream of creating a career that helped people. 

He marketed his masks on the Internet.  Soon Mike realized he was selling a good number of his product to pet groomers.  He began attending grooming trade shows and soon found he was reaping an added benefit... stories of happy groomers thanking him for his product. 

Breathe Healthy masks are made from a special fabric that is designed to be worn against the skin.  This fabric wicks moisture away from the wearers mouth and nose to the outer layer where it can then evaporate, and offers just the right mix of breath-ability and filtration.  The masks also boast very soft, wide straps that don't cut into the skin. 

In our industry we are constantly exposed to air filled with hair fragments, dander and other unpleasant particulates that do not belong in our precious lungs.  To have masks available that help filter a large percentage of that out is a blessing.  For an added bonus,the fabric is coated in a special anti microbial agent called Aegis.  This is the same anti microbial used in hospitals for decades to prevent microbes from growing on pillows and other fabrics.  It is effective for up to 100 washings, (unless you use bleach.)  And these masks are even kinda cute!  Breathe Healthy  products come in a variety of fun prints.

Breathe Healthy won the prestigious Barkleigh award for new grooming product of 2011.  We have them in our shop and they are the best masks we've ever tried.  Protect your lungs and your health, support a hero.  Buy Breathe Healthy masks.  You can find out more at: http://www.breathehealthy.com/

 

 

One of my favorite things...

I recently discovered a wonderful blade cleaning product that is available to groomers, and wanted to share it with you.

Ralph Whitman from Whitman’s Sharpening has invented a liquid blade wash that far less toxic than any other blade washes currently available to our industry.  He came up with this new wash after his young son developed severe skin irritation from coming in contact with a petroleum based blade wash.  Whitman thought that if the blade wash could irritate his son badly enough that a trip to the emergency room was required, that it seemed plausible that that product could cause injury to groomers and pets as well.  He worked with a chemist to invent something that is safer for all of us, as well as “greener” for the environment. 

Redip cleans and lubricates blades.  Clean blades are less likely to harbor bacteria that can transmit illness.  And Redip is all pet safe by volume.  Whitman quipped, “I don’t say you should drink it, but you’ll live if you do!”  Redip is used in correctional facilities and military barber shops because of its safety factors. 

Take a look at the warning label on the blade wash you currently use.  It likely  will say something about the product being hazardous to humans and domestic animals.  It will warn you to use gloves and work in  a well ventilated area when cleaning your tools.  In contrast, the Redip label says, “Redip is the first and only clipper blade maintenance product composed of ingredients that is FOOD GRADE by volume.” 

I have added ReDip to my list of favorite things.  In the interest of the health and safety of the pets and people in your grooming environment, maybe you should, too!   For more information go to www.whitmansharpening.com

 

#1 Diagnosed illness in dogs...

 

Did you know that oral disease is the #1 diagnosed disease in dogs?  This is according to Dr's. Foster and Smith (www.drsfostersmith.com) and other sources. 

I make it a habit to take a look into the mouth of every dog I groom.  Sadly most pets over the age of 3 have some level of problem lurking in there;  anything from a light tarter build up to a full blown case of green, fizzing, rocking teeth-that-reek-of-death mouth.  I am consistently amazed when the pets owners are suprised when I point out a problem.  I often hear, "Oh, I thought his breath smelled a little funky."  This leaves me thinking to myself, "A LITTLE funky?  It nearly burned off my eyebrows!"

The majority of pet owners I know are unwilling to commit to regular brushing of their animals teeth.  In the past several years there have been some great new products introduced that really help improve pets oral health care. For the most part the products can just be squirted into the mouth. You can find out  more about these products by going to their web sites.  Each brand has a different active ingredient, but all seem to work well. I have first-hand experience using two of the three, and a friend has used the third with good results. 

Fresh Breath www.tropiclean.net

Plaqclenz www.plaqclnz.com

Petzlife  www.petzlife.com

Keep in mind the fabulous fact that you, as a pet stylist, have your hands on more animals in a week than most people do in their entire lives!  This gives you an edge of experience that enables you to often notice changes or concerns in a pets health long before the owner might.  And that offers you a chance to educate your customer so that they can choose to purchase and use tools that will help keep their dog or cat happier and healthier so they can be wonderful companions for as long as possible.

Becoming familiar with and using one of these products can be a good step... and you can also sell the product at retail prices to interested customers.  This creates a winning situation for all concerned... you can increase your bottom line while improving animal health... and hopefully breath!

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

 

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!)

Drying tip...

 

Tip:  Paper towels, they are not just for dishes anymore!

There is something about the hair on dog’s ears that just seems to resist our efforts to dry them more than any other part of the pet’s coat does!  To make things worse, most dogs are not too excited about having the dryer blowing around their sensitive ears, anyway.  You can easily speed the drying process up with this simple trick.  Gently squeeze the ear with a dry paper towel to absorb moisture.  Repeat this process a time or two while you are working on drying the head and you will find that you can get those ears dry in record time. You might also check out a new invention called Happy Hoodie. www.happyhoodie.com. This terry cloth band absorbs moisture while also dulling the sound of the dryer, a good thing for sensitive pets!

**Bonus hints:  If a dog is resistant to having its head dried, try gently placing cotton balls in its ear canals to dull the sound of the dryer.  Remember to hold your hand over the ear opening as you dry so air does not enter the sensitive ear canal. Be sure to remove the cotton when you are finished drying.

This tip is an exerpt from my new book, Practical Grooming Tips, 100+ Illustrated Ideas for Pet Stylists.  For ordering information, go to www.darylconner.com

Rule # 67...

 

 Rule #67.  Never, Never, NEVER trust the owners equipment!

This leash belonged to a large, bouncy, strong Standard Poodle.  He was in the shop for grooming on a rainy day.  You know how rainy days are... lots of owners don't bother to walk their dogs.  This dog was clearly telling me he needed out. Now! I grabbed his leash, and thankfully, my fingers noted something amiss.  The owner had managed to get the dog into our shop with this chewed up leash, but I certainly wasn't going to take the risk!  One good tug from this boy and he would have been dancing out in the middle of Route 1 at rush hour. 

I strongly recommend that groomers use a strong, reliable slip leash or other sturdy, properly fitted equipment when they have to take a pet outside. Pet owners often bring dogs in with collars that are so loose they easily slip off of doggy heads, and as shown in the above photo, some leashes are far from safe. Chasing a loose animal is a nightmare that none of us want to experience.  Never trust the owners equipment, choose gear you know is safe and use that if you have to take a dog out of your work space.