Jodi Murphy

On The Road With Jodi and Danelle

Last year at Groom and Kennel Expo Danelle German and I had dinner together.  We laughed about the fact that I don't groom cats and she doesn't groom dogs and how fun it would be to do something together.  Since I'm a mobile groomer, Danelle and I thought it would be fun to go on the road together for a day of mobile groomining.

Cat grooming is foreign to me.  I have never been a cat person.  I like cats and absolutely love my cat but I just felt that you really need to feel comfortable handling cats in order to groom them.  So I choose not to!   Danelle, on the other hand is a "cat person".  She is definitely more comfortable handling cats than dogs.  In fact, when we were on the road I was trying to pry a leash out of a golden retrievers mouth in the van and  she was a little nervous that I would get bit.  She didn't realize how common it is for Goldens to love to carry things in their mouth.  It's amazing how differ our comfort levels are.

Danelle came to New Jersey and I scheduled a day with three of my regular client dogs.  Since I don't groom cats I had to "round up" some cats.  I asked a local mobile groomer, Patty Mitchell, to help me out.  She lined us up three of her client cats to groom that day.  We spent an entire day grooming cats and dogs together.  I was able to drill her with questions that I had about cat grooming that I'm sure she felt were elementary.  In return, she questioned me about dog grooming in the same respect.  This day on the road was a learning experience for both of us. 

The day was going pretty smoothly and I was feeling more comfortable with the cats.  She made it look so easy.  At one point she asked if I could help her scruff a cat while she stepped away to turn on the dryer. I was thinking to myself "do you really trust my scruff?"  One fast move and I'm sure that cat would have been dancing on the ceiling!  So I said "You scruff, I'll turn on the dryer!". 

By the end of our day on the road Danelle was feeling pretty confident that she could help me with the Golden Retriever.  I had her scissor the feet and she did pretty good for the first time!  Although I remember when she was working on the long haired cat I asked her if she was going to scissor the feet nice and pretty and she said "NO!  You never want to scissor toe tufts!"  OK so why does she want to scissor my Golden's toe tufts?  That's not fair!  We had so much fun doing this DVD together and I'm sure you will all enjoy it as well.  Danelle's camera girl even snuck in a blooper section which I'm sure will make you all chuckle (at our expense)!

We discussed so many important topics throughout the day including, routing, scheduing, pre-booking, the importance of regular grooming, handling techniques, client relations, educating clients and so much more.

This full day on the road with Danelle and I is available in a two dvd set.  

 

The Most Comprehensive Mobile Grooming Book is here!

"Mobile Pet Grooming" the book is now available!

I am happy to announce the arrival of my first book "Mobile Pet Grooming", "The most comprehensive guide to starting and maintaining a successful business".

This book covers all aspects of starting and maintaining a mobile grooming business.  Over the past 15 years I have started and successfully operated three mobile grooming businesses in three totally different areas of the country - the south, the mid-west and now the northeast.  After just a few months of starting up each business, I was unable to take on new clients and have had long waiting lists, allowing me to pick and choose my clients.

Making the right decisions when starting a new business is vital.  Maintaining your business properly is just as important.  Grooming tips and techniques will be discussed that will help you be a more efficient groomer.  I will share with you experiences that I have had with clients and with my van that have taught me valuable lessons.  For all you cat fanciers out there you will surely enjoy the chapter written by Danelle German, "Grooming Cats in a Mobile Unit". 

The book retails at $59.95 plus $4.50 shipping/handling.  Orders can be placed via email jodimurphyonline@yahoo.com for $49.95 plus $4.50 shipping/handling until January 1st!

 

 

 

 

 

What's new!

I am so excited to say that I have two new products available on my website.  The first one is The Original Monkey Cord!  I know how frustrating it is when my clipper cords are tangled up, not only just one clipper but several clippers can become tangled up together.   The Original Monkey Cord has eliminated this problem completely!  Available soon on my website.

The second new product is Laser Lites WOW! Detangler.  Laser Lites is a company from Australia.  I have shown and competed with American Cocker Spaniels for many years now.  I have a client's retired show dog that was getting matted on a weekly basis.  I happened to be at a local dog show looking for a product that would help me manage his coat when I came across Laser Lites.  It was more expensive than I expected but I figured it has to be good if it costs that much, so I bought it.  Well I can't even begin to tell you how absolutely fabulous this product is.   I contacted Laser Lites in Australia and begged them to let me distribute this product.  I wanted to bring groomers a product that I felt they should never groom without.  After several months of emails Dr. Hewitt agreed to let me sell his product. You will be amazed, as I am, every time I use it!

I am off to Groom Expo September 10-12 in Hershey, Pennsylvania.  I will have both of these products in my booth so be sure to stop by!  I will also have my full DVD series consisting of 37 TITLES!  I will have a full inventory of my Grooming Apparel line as well.  Be sure to stop by for show specials!!! 

 

Finally Professional Apparel For Groomers!

 
My Grooming apparel is now available on my website at www.jodimurphy.net. Finally a reason to say no to smocks! We all know when we look good we feel good. Look nice and professional and your clients will notice. Tops for all shapes and sizes. The best news is there is much more to come! This is just the beginning of a great thing! This line was designed by groomers for groomers.  I am always open for suggestions on styles YOU want to see. Together we can change the way our industry looks.  Here is just a glimps.....

          
 

      

Available at these upcoming shows:

All American Grooming Show

Pet Pro Classic

Groom Expo

Fun In The Sun

New England Pet Groomers Association

Hope to see you soon!

Jodi

Dog Days Of Summer

Summer is here and the heat is on.  Our clients are very concerned about keeping their pets cool and comfortable.  If you are having trouble removing the undercoat from those double coated breeds be sure to check out “Deshedding: Theory & Techniques” on DVD.  My techniques will not only save you time but will keep the hair from flying around your shop or grooming van as well as in your lungs.  These techniques will prove to you and your clients that shaving down these breeds is not always the answer.  Educating your clients is the first step.  In the theory portion of this session I will explain why it is important not to shave them as well as explain the shedding cycle.

 

In the end, the client is always right so if they insist on shaving these breeds be sure to check out “Smooth Road To Shavedowns” on dvd which will help you get a smooth finish on your shavedowns.  I demonstrate shaving a double coat, a poodle coat and a spaniel coat.  Shaving dogs is not as easy as it seems.  Learn how to get rid of that corduroy look and how to achieve a smooth finish.

 

When temperatures are pushing the 90’s it is difficult to keep our shops and vans as cool as we would like so be sure to give the dogs a cooler bath.  Always be cautious with your dryers.  Dogs can overheat very easily.  Be safe this summer and keep our dogs safe as well.

 

For a complete product line visit my website at www.jodimurphy.net

 

Have a great summer!

 

Jodi

RAISING THE BAR ON HOME STUDY

I am very pleased to announce that JKL has now incorporated my Instructional Series DVDs into their curriculum to bring the highest level of education to the grooming industry,   This program allows people that are not able to attend grooming school for various reasons to learn at their own pace.   JKL is a Certified and Internationally Accredited program.   Joy Waters of JKL and I have been working together to bring our two programs together over the past year now. I have had the pleasure of talking to many of JKL’s students and met several of the students at various trade shows.  They have all been extremely pleased with the program and were ecstatic that JKL has included the DVDs into the program.  If you are looking to become a professional groomer be sure to go to jklgrooming.com.  JKL is also a proud sponsor of petgromer.com. 

Winding Down 2009

Another year has come and gone for trade shows.  We are such a small family and look forward to seeing each other at all the shows.  Some of my very best friends live hundreds of miles away and I only get to see them at shows.  We talk on a weekly, sometimes daily basis and when we finally get to see each other, while months have passed, it is like we just saw each other yesterday. 

This fall ended the year with a bang with several back to back shows.  It started in September with Groom Expo in Hershey, Pennsylvania.  Hershey is always an exciting show.  It is very hard to walk by all the chocolate filled fountains but you just have to think about your hips and keep walking!  Hershey always brings a great crowd, especially all the groomers from Petgroomer.com.  It's so nice to finally put faces to names.  I was a little under the weather after flying in and out of Vegas from Superzoo within 48 hours to get to Hershey.  I had terrible bronchitis and just about made it through the show.

From Hershey Pennsylvania we were off to sunny Orlando Florida with National Dog Groomers of America.  I had a huge crowd in my scissoring/thinning shear all day program which was a lot of fun.  It was so nice to see new groomers as well as long time groomers learn about shears and technique.  Thanks so much to Lindsey Berry for supplying me with some awesome dogs for the program.  I worked for Andis the rest of the weekend and did demos in the booth with Murphy (LOL) the Bichon.  He was such a great dog and a real  crowd pleaser.  The show was on Halloween weekend and Jeff had a halloween party that was a blast.  The weather couldn't be more beautiful.  Dave and I spent the next four days after the show in Siesta Keys thanks to a local groomer who gave me the hot tip of where to go.  We basked in the sun during the day and ate dinner on the beach at night.  It was so relaxing. 

From sunny Florida I was off to chilly Canadagrooms in Toronto.  Pet Supply House has a fabulous show every year.  I really look forward to seeing all my Canadian friends.  On Sunday when the show came to a close at 5:00 we had a cocktail party with hordourves and wine in the trade show.  It was the perfect end to a busy first day!  The Canadians are always so appreciative and thirsty for knowledge.  I just love them as their enthusiasm is so contagious. 

No sooner did I get home from Canada when I already started getting calls and emails from show managers for next year!  Wow, they never rest!  Always planning for their next show.

Trying to wind down from the shows only brings me to the holiday rush at home.  No sooner did I turn around and Thanksgiving was upon me.  I try really hard to keep my client's on their regular schedule so I don't get swamped....so far so good! 

The DVD business is booming as always.  I try to do my best to get orders out in a timely fashion and return emails as soon as I can.  Thank you all for your patience.  The winter months are approaching.  It is the best time to catch up on your skills with popcorn and a movie!

We have a great holiday special this year, Buy 3 Get 1 Free so don't forget to place your orders before the 17th if you would like your orders for the Holiday.

To end the year we have developed a payment plan to help groomers be able to afford my Instructional Series.   Three $200 payments plus one $25 sh/h charge...take up to 6 months to pay!  Email me for details. 

A payment plan is now available on my thinning shears; Three payments of $200 plus $25 sh/h.....take up to 6 months to pay!  Email me for details.

We have had so many people take advantage of this offer.  I am so happy to be able to help groomers become their best!

Thank you all for all your kind words on Petgroomer.com.  I appreciate all your support. 

Keep checking my website as I have so many exciting things going on for 2010 starting with a bunch of new releases coming out in January/February.

Happy Holiday!  Be safe!

Jodi

Knowledge.....Confidence......Success!

Knowledge Plus Confidence Equals SUCCESS

Certification is a great thing.  Even though certification is not mandatory I have certified with two organizations.  The first time I went through certification testing I was a fairly new groomer with only two years under my belt.  I certified with ISCC which took me two years to complete at my own pace receiving my Master Pet Stylist status (MPS).  I gained so much knowledge from the program that it just made me so eager to learn more.    Just this past weekend I certified with NDGAA at Intergroom 2009.  I took all my written tests, practical tests as well as my Master written test in one weekend.  It was grueling but it was well worth it.  I am now a National Certified Master Groomer (NCMG) as well. 

 

I know what you’re thinking, why do it again?  Why?   Well, it’s just another feather in my cap.  I like feathers!  I look at it as a personal achievement.  Certification testing forces you to read the breed standards.  That is such an important part of our jobs as Pet Stylists.  I decided to certify with NDGAA just about a month ago.  Intergroom is practically in my backyard which was the incentive for me to do the testing.  It was convenient for me to bring my dogs or my client’s dogs to the show to certify on. 

 

I began to study.  I started going through the AKC Complete Dog Book.  I found myself reading every day.  I was discovering so many things that I had forgotten as well as things I did not even know about the breeds.  Then I took Notes From The Grooming Table and started comparing each breed to the breed standard in the AKC book.  I started comparing one terrier to the other, one sporting dog to the other, one hound to the other…..I was amazed at what I was learning. The AKC book describes the dog, it’s history, utility, structure, coat types, lengths, colors etc. and Notes describes the actual grooming, it was a great pair.   I am so glad that I decided to certify again.  It was not only a great refresher but also another learning experience.   

 

It is so important to be able to identify every breed and to know what group they belong to.  How many times do your clients ask you about puppies?  What should I buy?  What dogs are good with kids?  What dogs are good watchdogs but yet are great family pets?  What’s the difference between a beagle and a foxhound or a Miniature Schnauzer and a Standard Schnauzer?  Knowing your breeds and temperaments is a great thing to bring to your clients.

 

Terriers may be good for one family and not for another.   Herding breeds, hounds, working dogs are all great breeds but knowing the utility of the breed will help you guide your clients to a breed that will fit into their lifestyle. 

 

 

Let’s look at the Portuguese Water Dog.  The standard states:

 

 

Known for centuries along Portugal's coast, this seafaring breed was prized by fishermen for a spirited, yet obedient nature, and a robust, medium build that allowed for a full day's work in and out of the water. The Portuguese Water Dog,  referred to as the Cao de Agua (dog of water), in its native Portugal, is a swimmer and diver of exceptional ability and stamina, who aided his master at sea by retrieving broken nets, herding schools of fish, and carrying messages between boats and to shore. He is a loyal companion and alert guard.

 

This highly intelligent utilitarian breed is distinguished by two coat types, either curly or wavy; an impressive head of considerable breadth and well proportioned mass; a ruggedly built, well-knit body; and a powerful, thickly based tail, carried gallantly or used purposefully as a rudder. The Portuguese Water Dog provides an indelible impression of strength, spirit, and soundness.

 

An athletic, active breed, the Portuguese Water Dog requires daily vigorous exercise. He is very intelligent and responds well to obedience training. His profuse coat is hypoallergenic, but requires regular maintenance. It may be kept in the lion clip (the coat on the hindquarters and muzzle are clipped to the skin) or the retriever clip (the entire coat is clipped to one inch in length and follows the outline of the dog).

 

Is a Portuguese Water Dog a good fit for the Whitehouse?  What do you think?  I would like to hear everyone’s opinions.  I hope they have a lake nearby! LOL.  Bo is a beautiful dog.  I love this breed and have competed with the PWD for several years.  I can only hope that the demand that will be made on this breed from pet owners will not hurt the breeds temperament.

 

 Back to certification. . . . .

 

Did you know that Boston Terriers come in two sizes and do you know which dog is known for it’s spectacles?  How about which breed is known to be the clown dog?  Do you know which breed has bat ears or the breed that has butterfly ears?

 

If you have ever thought about certification….do it!  It will bring you so much knowledge.  My motto is Knowledge Leads To Confidence, Confidence Leads To Success.  This is what certification is all about.  The more knowledge and confidence that you display to your clients, the more they will respect you and look up to you as their pet care professional. 

 

I am always so eager to learn and know everything that I can possibly know about in this industry.  I never want to stop learning.  When I stop learning I should stop grooming dogs.

 

If you decide not to certify for personal reasons, do yourself a favor and read the AKC Complete Dog Book and Notes From The Grooming Table from cover to cover.  This is your profession.  Be the best you can be. 

 

When I teach I keep the breed standards in mind.  My instructional series in conjunction with these books are great learning tools.  www.jodimurphy.net

 

April Showers Bring . . . . . . . . .

This is the time of year that we see all the dogs that haven’t been groomed since the fall.  These are the dogs that I like to call “birthday dogs”.  They only come once a year and the older they get the less you look forward to seeing them.  This is the busiest time of year for most groom shops.  We are inundated with Labs, Shepherds, Akitas, Goldens, Samoyeds, Huskies, well, you get the picture.  This is your opportunity to educate your clients.  Change those two times a year grooming dogs to six or eight times a year grooms.  The only way you can do that is if you have the tricks of the trade and the knowledge under your belt.  Understanding skin and coat is vital in this industry.  The more knowledgeable you are the more respected you will become in the eyes of your clients.  Our goal as pet care professionals is to get all of our clients on a regular grooming schedule.  Clean skin and coat is healthy skin and coat.  If you are bathing those breeds, putting them in a crate with a dryer and not deshedding them properly I can guarantee you that those dogs will not be back in 5 weeks.  People want to see a difference in what you can do from what they can do at home.  If their dog goes home and is still shedding they will think that it is a waste of money and they can put their dog in a baby pool in the backyard all summer and do the same thing.  However, if they get their dog home and they notice that they don’t have to vacuum for days even weeks you can bet your bottom dollar they will be back and they will be loving it.  My client’s tell me that they know when the dog is due because right around that five week mark they are starting to see tumbleweeds.  Starting to see tumbleweeds at five weeks!  Build your clientele by building your knowledge, learn the tricks of the trade.  Happy clients will bring referrals.  Your business will blossom.  More so than ever in these hard economic times it is crucial to provide a service that can be justified.   If you are having trouble with deshedding those large hairy breeds or having trouble getting a smooth finish on your shavedowns this is the time to educate yourself.  All the information you need is available at your fingertips.  Just click here http://www.jodimurphy.net/products_instructionalseries.htm and get a jump start on Spring.

Getting The "itch" . . . .

Being this time of year………..You may think this blog is about something that is “going around”.  Actually this is about the “itch” to learn, compete and become the best groomer you can. As a new groomer with very little knowledge or experience I found myself going to dog shows to see what the breeds were suppose to look like. Before I knew it I found myself almost addicted to going to shows.  It helped me tremendously with my grooming skills.  Little did I know this past weekend,  I would feel that “itch” again.

Last weekend I had to make a 2+ hour trip to a vet that was only a few miles from the Spaniel Club Nationals in Pennsylvania. As it worked out, one of my closest friends in the cocker world was showing there.  So I just had to stop by and see her.  She told me she was going to be there and I was really looking forward to seeing her as it has been way too long!  When I got there she was preparing to go in the ring and she had a gorgeous  black and tan cocker on the table. As it turns out the bitch was the daughter of the dog I took to Italy and won a gold medal with last year. OMG!  She was beautiful!  As we were catching up, a girl that I know who is a new rising competitor, came up to introduce herself to my friend.  She recently bought a puppy from my friend through emails, site unseen to compete with.  My friend had not seen the puppy since the puppy left her at a very young age.  Now he is a year old and just stunning. As they got aquainted  there was almost an instant bond . I stood back and watched and I could feel the excitement in this new competitor’s eyes, as it was only a few years ago I had had that same feeling. Being a judge and speaker now it seems I almost forgot what it feels like to be in that position.  The “newbie” told her all about her pup and her regrets that she did not bring him.  With that eagerness to learn she drove 1 hour back and forth to get her puppy. By the time my friend was done in the ring (winning not only Winners Bitch with a 5 point major but also Best of Winners and Best Bred By) the girl came back with her puppy in tote.  She was in awe as she went over the pup and was learning tips and techniques that my friend shared without any apprehension. The kind of camaraderie that goes on in the grooming industry, it is almost indescribable. I have found that teachers want to teach and learners want to learn and when you put the best teachers and the most eager students together great things happen.   Now that I find myself on the other side, being a judge and a speaker it was so rewarding to have the opportunity to see someone else with that same “itch” !!!

I worked many dog shows with my friend.  My experiences at the shows and with her have taught me so much.  Over the years of showing dogs I have picked up so many tips, tricks and techniques that have ultimately helped develop my skills and get me to where I am today.  Other than just the grooming techniques that you will never find anywhere else, I learned so much about structure, movement, breeding and handling skills and what goes on behind the scenes but probably the most important thing I received from going to shows………. the kind of bonds that last a lifetime.  How much you get out of it all comes down to how much you put into it!!  My grandmother used to say,” Life should not be measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away!” J

If you are a new groomer or a groomer of 20 years go to dog shows.  Watch, listen and learn.  It is a fabulous experience. It was so great to get that adrenaline rush that I haven’t had in a long time, although I had to slap myself into reality and realize that I have moved on now focusing my attention to training and educating groomers sharing what I have learned during those memorable years in the ring.   

To find dog shows near you visit www.infodog.com and www.onofrio.com