Jodi Murphy

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

It’s Way Too Cold Outside……

There is no reason to be cold inside!  We all know how important it is to keep our vans toasty.  There is nothing worse than frozen pipes and water heaters not to mention cold gloppy shampoo that makes dogs just cringe.  Over the many years of being a mobile groomer I have gone through multiple electric fan operated ceramic heaters each winter.  Since my hot water heater is run by propane I prefer not to use my furnace to reduce my propane usage.  Due to the fact that the generator is in use all day I have found the most cost efficient way to stay warm would be to use an electric heater.  However, the ceramic heaters as well as electric fan operated heaters have a heating element and fan which pull the dog hair into the heating element.  This significantly reduces the lifespan of these units, not to mention the foul smell of burning dog hair.

 

Through years of trial and error I have now found electric oil filled radiators to be the “bomb”.  The low profile model sits very nicely underneath my grooming table.  This radiator is thermostatically controlled.  There are no moving parts to get clogged up with dog hair.  Once the oil in the radiator warms, it produces the most even radiant heat very similar to baseboard hot water heat in your home.  If you are using a stand dryer or a dryer of similar amps you may want to turn the radiator off.  The oil will continue to stay warm even in the off position for quite a while.  After I finish drying the dogs I turn it right back on.    I always found that even when using ceramic heaters my feet always seemed to be cold during the day.  With the oil filled radiator I am never cold. 

 

I also use the same heater when I plug the truck in at night.  One radiator in the grooming area is all I ever need.  I open my towel hatch (Wag n’Tails model van) which allows warm air to reach the

back of the van.  The average winter temperature here in NJ can range from the single digits to the teens.

 

There are two models that I have seen, the regular radiator and the low profile radiator.  I prefer the low profile radiator which I find more suitable for the mobile environment due to the fact that it is less likely to shift between stops.  I purchased mine at Home Depot for about $59.  I have seen them at Bed, Bath & Beyond for slightly more.

 

The ice and snow can be a challenge during the winter season.  Staying warm and keeping your truck warm can be as simple as the right heater.

 

Stay warm..........Think Spring!           Jodi

 

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to email me at

jodimurphyonline@yahoo.com

 

In And Out With Style, Mile After Mile

Hi everyone, welcome to my blog page.  I am very excited to share with you articles that I have written as well as tips and techniques that I feel will help you become the best groomer that you can be.  I am also planning on sharing topics that I speak about at trade shows for those of you who are unable to attend.  My first article is geared to the mobile groomer although I strongly suggest that everyone take a look and apply it to your shop as well.  Happy Grooming!!

Mobile grooming should be all about convenience.  The more convenient we become to the pet owner the more often they will have their dogs groomed.  I can remember many of my clients that started their dogs on a six, eight, even ten week grooming schedule.

After just a few appointments they came to realize just how convenient this service truly is and then gradually moved to a four to five week schedule. The fact that they did not have to be home was even more appealing.  Now we have them on great schedules, let’s modify their trims to fit their individual lifestyles.  Many of my client’s dogs are cute little lap dogs that very rarely touch the grass.

Then we have the majority which are very busy outdoors. There are many breeds that love to be in the water during the summer months.  Many people love to bring their dogs to the beach and even camping.  You have to take all these things into consideration when putting trims on their dogs.  In these situations I will tighten my trims for the summer.

Leaving hair in the wrong places will only contribute to matting.  You can put style in your trims by leaving hair in the right places. I prefer to maintain stylized trims rather than spend endless hours dematting and setting lines all over again at each visit. Maintenance is the key word here.  Maintaining a good trim is my goal.

Adding style to your work is easier said than done.  It takes an artistic eye. Groomers are very artistic people in nature.  Although it does take time, experience and practice to develop that artistry.  It is very important for groomers to visit dog shows to see how these breeds should look as well as how the breeds are being stylized. Just as our hairstyles are always changing, so are the breeds. Our objective as mobile groomers should be to custom tailor our trims to bring out the best qualities in our pets as well as keeping our trims practical and manageable for the pet owner.

If the client’s pet is consistently matted every time you go to their home, than adjustments need to be made. The first thing I recommend is to modify the trim.  It may take a few visits to find the right trim for their dog.  If you are still having problems with matting and the client is happy with the trim, at that point I would recommend changing their schedule by one week or possibly even two weeks.

You may also want to take a hard look at the products you are using.  Products will make a big difference in how your trims hold up. If you are using a shampoo that is deep cleansing at every visit and you are not using some form of conditioning the coat may become dry and begin to mat. There are many leave-in conditioners that work great on areas that are prone to matting, i.e. tails, ears, and beards to name a few. 

Your bathing, drying and coat preparation can either make or break your trims. Everything from bathing systems, dryers, clippers, blades, brushes and scissors all play a major role in your efficiency.  Investing in good equipment is vital in the grooming industry.  When your grooming appointments become lengthly, you will become inconvenient to that client.  Taking all these things into consideration is quite a task but just remember it’s all about style, mile after mile!