PetEdge

PetEdge Groomer's Showcase: 2011 Yearbook Edition

Now that 2011 has come to a close, we thought this would be a good time to look back at this year's groomer's showcase photos and pick some of our favorite before and after transformations to share with you.

While these are some of our favorites, there are many more photos that we loved this year. 

We're grateful for every groomer who took the time to send in photos and descriptions of their work, and we look forward to featuring many more amazing transformations on our blog in 2012.

In addition to marveling at your grooming skills, we love to see pets with tangled, matted and dirty coats come out of your shops looking cleaner, happier and healthier.

We're proud to work with such a talented and caring group of pet care professionals. Thanks again and keep up the great work. :)

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Brittney Gregory
Pampered Pets
Berlin Center, OH
Natalie the Miniature Schnauzer

Natalie before:

Natalie after:

Brittney writes: "This is my grandparents' mini schnauzer. They don't brush her a lot, so I have to take a long time on her. I used a pin brush, a dematting tool and a greyhound comb to demat her.

Then, after she was dematted, I used a #10 blade on her back, head, sanitary area and ears. I used a #40 blade on the pads of her feet. Then I used a #2 comb on her skirt and legs. She is a senior dog, so we have to take breaks during the groom for her to sit. She is a wonderful dog." 

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Meaghan Edwards
Pussy and Pooch
Long Beach, CA
Pixie the Shih Tzu

Pixie Before:

Pixie after:

Meaghan writes: “This is Pixie. She was matted all over. Instead of shaving her down, I put her in a modified Schnauzer trim to get rid of the worst matting, and then picked out the rest of the tangles. Her owner loves it and calls it a 'Pixie Cut'".

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Mary Byers
All Breed Pet Salon
Chambersburg, PA
Lucy the Lakeland Terrier

Lucy before:

Lucy after:

Mary writes: “This is Lucy, a twelve-year-old Lakeland Terrier. I had not seen her for three years and this is what walked through the door. Let's just say she was not thrilled to see the brush, but with patience and persistence, I got the job done.”

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Joy Cummings
Rock Star Grooming (inside Catnip & Biscuits)
Savannah, GA
Murphy the Shih Tzu

Murphy before:

Murphy after:

Cathi Denham (the owner of Catnip and Biscuits) writes: "Joy is formerly from Western Massachusetts and now lives in Savannah by way of Raleigh, NC. Joy has worked in Catnip and Biscuits since our opening day May 1, 2010. She has done a great job building her grooming business by giving customers more than they asked or hoped for.

"This dog is Murphy. He is a Shih Tzu who belonged to a neighbor of our business. The dog had not been groomed for 6 to 9 months and was tangled, matted to the skin, and very uncomfortable.

"Joy used a Wahl KM2 Clipper with #10 blade. Her major challenge was not to cut the dog! The other challenge was to leave as much hair as possible and still put the dog in a haircut.

"As you can see, she succeeded. Murphy and his parents were very pleased with the results."

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Melissa Ford
Comfort Dog Grooming Salon
Myrtle Beach, SC
Emma the Toy Poodle

Melissa writes: "My name is Melissa Ford and I have been a groomer for 10 years. I was a mobile groomer for 5 years, and then went to a shop looking for something different. I really enjoy being in a shop and having great co-workers.

"Today my challenge was this 8-year-old toy poodle named Emma.

Emma before:

"Emma's previous owners were going through a divorce, and she was not an important priority. She had not been groomed for a year and was matted all over her body, legs and ears. Her legs were so matted it was like cutting off a cast from her little legs.

Emma during:

"I used a small pair of ball tip Oster scissors to help me remove the mats on the legs. I had to shave her body and face with a #10 Wahl blade, and once I removed all the mats from her legs, I went over them with a #10 Wahl blade as well. I was able to only save her top knot by using Geib curved shears.

"I worked on her very slow to make sure I didn’t cut or clipper burn her.

"The new owner of Emma was very pleased with the results. I believe Emma even felt better, too!"

Emma after:

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Who Will Be the First Showcase Superstar of 2012?

Are you feeling inspired yet? It's time to send in your before and after photos for our first groomer's showcase of 2012. Just email your photos along with a brief description of the tools you used and the challenges you faced to blog@petedge.com. Thanks and happy grooming :)

Introducing the First Annual PetEdge "Edge-y" Awards

This is the time of the year when the academies of arts, music and television get together to celebrate the best of 2011.

We've already had the Golden Globes Awards, and the Grammys, the Emmys and the Oscars are soon to follow.

Here at PetEdge, it's time for us to trade in our grooming smocks for some tuxes and ball gowns and celebrate our most popular products of 2011. The following grooming essentials were some of our best sellers from the past year.

But just like the best awards shows, we wanted to blend artistic integrity with commercial success. Not only are these products popular with our customers, they also meet the seal of approval from our on-staff groomers for quality, performance and price.

Without further ado, here is our inaugural list of PetEdge "Edge-y" Award winners.

Best Ensemble Performance
Master Grooming Tools Rainbow Shears Value Kit

The Edge-y award for best ensemble performance goes to our Master Grooming Tools Rainbow Shears Value Kit. Each value priced kit includes two straight shears (one 7 1/2" and one 8 1/2") and one 6 1/2" 42-tooth thinning shear.

Our groomers love these shears because they make great “training wheels” for a beginning groomer, but offer excellent performance for experienced groomers as well. They come shipped in a zippered carrying case, and each shear has its own pouch inside the case for double the protection against drops, dings and damage.

As an added bonus, the distinctive rainbow design helps to ensure that other groomers won't accidentally walk off with your shears while you’re in the shop.

If that wasn't enough, these shears cost less to buy as a kit than they do to purchase individually. You can get all three shears plus the carrying case for 18% less than it would cost to buy them separately. 

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Most Well Rounded Performance
Top Performance Ball Tipped Curved Shears

Our staff groomers think that our Top Performance Ball Tipped Curved Shears are one of the best values in the grooming market today.

Groomers love these shears because they have a nice tight curve and a lot of versatility. They are great for scissoring top knots or for general-purpose scissoring, and they have rounded tips to prevent accidental pokes and jabs.

Plus, at a price of only $24.99, you won't find curved shears that perform better for less!

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Best Supporting Performance
Master Equipment Electric Grooming Table w/ Foldable Arm

Our groomers would put this electric grooming table up against any other table on the market. There may be grooming tables out there with more bells and whistles, but you won't find one that's sturdier or easier to maintain.

This table has a 3/4" thick plywood top that stands up to heavy use and won't warp or bend if it gets wet. It has a very smooth lifting mechanism and foot pedals on both sides for easy operation. The table has a "rock solid" z-style frame and a pebbled tabletop surface that is easy to clean.

As an added bonus, the table comes with our heaviest, sturdiest grooming arm.

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Most Refreshing Performance
Top Performance Fresh Pet Shampoo

Our groomers say that one of the best things about our Top Performance Fresh Pet Grooming Shampoo is that the scent is made to last, and last—and last. Even up to two weeks after the pet is bathed, you can bring the scent back by wiping the coat with a damp cloth.

In addition to wowing customers with its long-lasting scent, this shampoo cleans well, has added conditioners to soften the coat, and won't dry out the skin like many other highly fragrant shampoos.

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Other award winners...

In a private ceremony that took place before this blog post was written, Edge-y awards were also given out to the following products:

• Top Performance 256 Disinfectant 
• ProSelect Flat-Sided Stainless Steel Pails 
• Master Grooming Tools Power Nail Grinder 
• Master Grooming Tools Ergonomic Slicker Brushes

Your Turn

Is there a PetEdge product that you love? Nominate your candidate for an Edge-y award by posting a comment here on the blog or on our Facebook wall.

Kick off 2012 with our Sneak Peek Sale

Want to get a head start on next year's Edge-y award balloting? Check out our February Sneak Peek Sale, where you can get our hottest new grooming products (including new purple and pink slicker brushes) for up to 24% off. Check out the complete selection at www.petedge.com/sneakpeek.

Hurry, these introductory prices won't last!

PetEdge Groomer's Showcase: January Jamboree Edition

Welcome to the first PetEdge Groomer's Showcase of 2012!

We are proud to kick off the new year by featuring the work of these talented groomers.

Valerie Provost
Val's Four Paw Spa
Worcester, MA

Baily before:

Baily after:

Valerie writes: "Baily was not in terrible shape when she came in, however she was definately overdue. She was pretty dirty and had a little bit of matting.

I started by dematting her with a standard dematting comb and the Aaronco V-Rake Mat Breaker as well as a Master Grooming Tools Flexible Slicker Brush and thinning shears where necessary. This was followed by my prebath nail clipping and grinding and plucking and cleaning the ears.

Then it was off to the tub. She was bathed in my favorite shampoo for dirty dogs with a greasy texture —Groomer's Edge Grimenator Shampoo—and then Groomer's Edge The Solution to help lift and soften any mats I may have missed. Then I completely hand dried her.

I used the Andis AGP Super 2-Speed Clipper (the purple one) and a variety of my favorite blades with Wahl Stainless Steel Clip-on Combs to shape the cut. Then a variety of shears to complete the groom and my Aussie thinners for fine tuning.

 I have been a local certified groomer for 10 years with over 14 years in the animal care industry. I spent a grand total of 7 years as the manager for a local high volume salon.

Although I enjoyed my time working for a corporation, I knew at the end of the day that line production grooming was not for me. Together with Fuzzy Pants Pet Stop, I opened Val's Four Paw Pet Sap in August 2010.

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Trista Gabrielli
Grandpaws Place
Youngstown, NY

Mac before:

Bud before:

Bud and Mac After:
 

Trista writes:  "Two new customers. The toughest part about grooming this pair of dogs was that they had a few mats in their legs and under their belly that they didn't like having brushed out ,and they also had some matting in their paw pads. Other than that, they were perfectly well behaved dogs!

I used a #7 Andis blade on their backs and scissored their feet with my Master Grooming Tools 5900 Series Shears (the value kit). I love those shears because they're such a good value for the quality.

I love that the shears and blades that I order from PetEdge always come super sharp and the sharpness lasts a long time. I get all my grooming supplies from you guys.

The owners loved the grooms and said it was the best they ever had.

I own a boarding/grooming facility in Youngstown, NY and have been grooming for about two years.

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Jill Logan

Hair Off the Dog Groming
Woodlawn, NY

Babs before:

Babs after:

Jill writes: "I just graduated from the American Academy of Pet Grooming in New York City in September and groom from home in Woodlawn NY.

Babs is a mix between a King Charles Spaniel and a Cocker Spaniel. I used an Andis One-Speed Clipper with a #7F blade over the body and ears as there was some matting on the legs and behind the ears. The #7 blade removed this easily. I used a #10 blade to dematt the armpits.

I finished off by scissoring the ears and outline of the body so she looked lovely and neat. Babs was also treated to a blueberry facial, which she loved!"

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Stay Tuned for More Photos

Our January Grooming Jamboree is just getting started! We have lots more before and after grooming photos to share with you this month. Plus there is still time for YOU to join in on the fun. Email your before and after grooming photos—along with a brief description of the tools you used and the challenges you faced—to blog@petedge.com.

Thanks and happy grooming :)

PetEdge Grooming Question of the Week: What Are Your Plans for 2012?

 
Happy New Year to all our groomer friends!

Now that 2012 is here, it's a good time to take stock of your grooming business and make some plans for a profitable and productive year.

Since the months of January and February are traditionally slower than the busy holiday season, here are a few things you can think about as you gear up for the year ahead.

Taking A Break

Although it's tough for many groomers to admit they need a break, taking a vacation or spending a few days relaxing at home can go a long way to recharging your mental and physical batteries.

If going away isn't in the budget this year, you can always spend an afternoon getting a massage or relaxing at the spa. Even a quiet few days at home reading and catching up on errands can be a welcome change of pace.

This is also a good time to take a close look at your workload.

If you are a solo groomer who is working flat out (and we know plenty that put in 15 hour days), it could be worth your while to hire a bather/brusher for the new year. The time you save in doing these tasks yourself will allow you to groom more dogs, which could generate the additional income you need to cover the cost of an additional employee. It's worth a thought.

Besides, it's a pretty good feeling to start the day with a batch of freshly bathed dogs who are all ready to get groomed.

Taking Stock of Your Shop

Did the holiday rush reveal any shortcoming in your equipment or the layout of your shop?

Could you use an extra folding table or another force dryer?

Do your shears and blades need sharpening or replacing?

Are you low on shampoos, conditioner, disinfectant or finishing products?

When it comes to grooming equipment, are there any major purchases or investments that you're looking to make this year?

If you think you'll need a new grooming tub, a new electric or hydraulic grooming table, or new cage banks, now is the time to identify those needs and start saving. If you put aside a little money each week, you'll be ready to make a big purchase before you know it.

If major changes are not in the cards this year, you can take a look at adding some small, moderately priced items that will nevertheless be big time savers. Here are some of the small time savers that the groomers on our staff recommend:

• Our Turn and Trim Grooming Table or our Small Pet Grooming Table (above), both of which rotate to make it easier to groom small dogs
• Anti-Fatigue Mats to cushion your knees, legs and feet and make your workday more comfortable
• An Overhead Grooming Arm to provide an extra measure of control when grooming active dogs.
• A Grooming Table Support System to provide additional support for older dogs that have trouble standing through an entire grooming session
• Business Software to streamline your business operations.

Making Sure You Have a Backup Plan

A good way to start the new year is to give all of your equipment a once-over to see if there are any parts that need to be replaced. You should also double check to make sure you have a backup plan in case your equipment fails while your on the job.

We spoke to one groomer this year whose table broke down during the busy season. Since she didn't have a backup folding table on hand, she wasn't able to continue grooming while she waited for repairs to be made.

Make sure to have back ups for all clipper blades and shears. Have a contingency plan in case a clipper, a table or a dryer fails. If you haven't replaced the carbon brushes, blade drives, filters or other key parts of your clippers or dryers in a while, make sure you have the parts on hand so you won't have to wait for an order to arrive.

Boosting Your Online Presence

You may also want to start the new year by increasing your online presence, either by building a simple promotional website or starting a Facebook page for your business.

Facebook is a fun, informal way to interact with your customers. It's relatively easy to get started, and you can build your network of followers by handing out a card or a pamphlet with each grooming job.

Here are some ways you can use Facebook to promote your business:

• Give customers tips on maintaining their pets' coats between grooming jobs
• Post before and after photos of pets that you groom (a great way to showcase your skills)
• Make announcements about open slots in your schedule (a great way to cover cancellations)
• Provide updates about special sales and promotions

Connecting with your customers via Facebook helps to keep you fresh in their minds. If they see a post from their groomer in their news feed, they may remember that they're overdue to have their pet groomed and call for an appointment.

Seeing photos of other pets that look great after being groomed may also inspire them to call for an appointment. They'll want their pets to look that good, too!

Your Turn

So what are your business plans for 2012? Let us know by posting a comment on our blog or on our Facebook wall. Thanks, happy grooming, and best of luck in 2012.

Advice for First-Time Pet Groomers from our PetEdge Facebook Friends

A while back on our Facebook page, we asked our followers to share some of the advice that they would give to first time groomers.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts, tips and advice. We've learned a lot from what you wrote, and we hope that our blog readers will, too.

P.S. We received so many great responses to this question that we couldn't possibly fit them all into one post. Stayed tuned for Part II later on this week.

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Q: What advice would you give to a first-time groomer?

"Never show fear" — Kerriann Monteferante

"Keep your schedule light. Six dogs a day is plenty if you have no help or no bather." — Rae Clemmons

"Have patience with every dog! They can sense it!" — Carrie Eisenhauer

"Talk to the customer to make sure you are on the same page when it comes to the haircut. Don't give a time frame that will get you stressed out. And stay calm. If you're frazzled, the dog will act up and make your job harder." — Rachel Chrisman

"Great customer service goes a long, long way. I believe I get a lot of my requests because of the extra time and attention that I give to my customers. It really does make a huge difference. — Eveyln Boles

"Don't let a naughty dog ruin your day. Stay calm, walk away for a short break if you have to, but never let them win. For every bad dog there are at least a hundred sweetie pies." — Cheryl Nugent

"Communication with clients is CRUCIAL! Good customer service has to be synonymous with good communication. Secondly, know that every groomer has made mistakes. Be up front and honest about them." — Laura Lindeen Craig

"Stay away from gimmicks! Magic shampoo, conditioner, sprays, magic tools, etc." — Lori Baumann

"Forget almost everything you learned at grooming school!" — Dan Hayes Valdez

"Never ever give up on a dog. They may be muzzle dependent, inexperienced or traumatized. Take your time every week if need be to make that poor animal easily groomed by anyone!" —Lisa Hanlon

"Remember that dogs are nervous, too. We are touching them all over their bodies. Respect the dog, and you will get the respect and trust back that we all need to get along...and get the job done."
— Elizabeth Desjardins

"Be open minded. There are so many different ways to groom! Learn from everyone, and you can decide what works best for you!" — Beth Cornell Rex

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Your Turn 

Do you have some advice that you'd like to share with first time groomers? Post your comments here on the blog, or put them our our Facebook wall. The more the merrier!

Thanks and happy grooming :)

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The Week Before Christmas: A Survival Guide for Pet Groomers

‘Twas the week before Christmas
And in all  grooming shops
Clippers were buzzing, dryers were humming
And busy groomers were pulling out all the stops"

For many groomers, this is the busiest time of the year.

The week leading up to Christmas is a time when you're booked solid with regular appointments and have lots of regular clients looking for last minute rush-jobs.

Plus, you get a lot of walk-in pet owners who have never been to your shop before but are desperate to get their pet groomed before the big day.

Yep, this can be a crazy week. But it can also be a hugely profitable one for your salon. It’s a great opportunity to close out the year on a high note, take steps to start the new year off right, and win some new customers, too!

That is, of course, if you manage to survive the hectic holiday rush without losing your marbles.

So here are some tips from our staff groomers on how to stay sane.

Call in the Reserves

It may be too late to hire a new groomer or bather, but you could bring in someone just for the week to answer phones and sweep up hair.

Keeping the shop clean and taking away the hassle of answering phones is one way to make things a little less crazy. Plus, hair can be slippery under foot and having someone to sweep it up can create a safer work environment. Injuries don't help when you're trying to beat the holiday rush.

If you have some extra folding tables tucked away in your shop, this is the time to get them out, dust them off and set them up. You’ll be surprised by how quickly that extra work space will come in handy.

Be Flexible:

This is one week that you might want to throw your regular shop hours out the window. If you’re usually closed on Mondays, you may want to open up to take in some of the overflow. You can also consider starting early and staying late.

Take advantage of the boom in business while you can. If the demand goes down later in the year, you’ll be glad you got the bookings when you did.

Take Short Breaks:

While you may not be able to step our for a leisurely hour-long lunch, you'll have a more productive and enjoyable workday if you take a few minutes to eat, breathe, stretch and drink.

It's always a good idea to have a drink on hand in the shop, but remember to keep a cap on it to keep the hair from getting in. It's not fun to find fuzz in your water.

Create A Team Atmosphere:

If you’re leading a staff of groomers, bathers and brushers, try to create a sense of teamwork in the shop and make each day fun.

You can give out a small prize each day for the worker who performs the best, or promise to take everyone out for pizza after the holiday craziness is over.

Even just taking time to say "thank you" for a hard day's work can go a long way toward building camaraderie as you take on the increased workload.

Call Your Customers Ahead of Time:

It’s a good idea to place reminder calls to all the customers coming in this week, even if it's not your usual practice. During the craziness of the holidays, it’s all too easy for customers to forget about a grooming appointment. You want to make sure that if you have space blocked out for an appointment, there will be a pet for you to groom.

Plus, if a customer can't make an appointment, it's great to know in advance because you can offer that space to one of your last-minute requests. You can keep a waiting list of customers to call if one of your scheduled clients can't make it in.

Don’t Forget to Rebook:

When customers come in to pick up their pets, try to book their next appointment before they leave, even if they aren't one of your regulars.

That way, you can keep their pets on a regular grooming schedule, which means their coats will be more manageable the next time they come in. This will also ensure a steady stream of clients during January and February.

Remember to Smile:

Sure, the last thing you may feel like doing on a busy holiday week is fitting in a grooming job for a first-time customer who shows up out of the blue. But this is an excellent time to grin and bear it.

If you’re pleasant and flexible and do a good job grooming the pet, you could win that new customer over for life. Add a holiday bow or bandana before sending the dog out the door, and you can make the experience an unforgettable one.

Your Turn:

Do you have a tip for surviving the week before Christmas? Leave a comment here on the blog, or post your suggestions on our Facebook wall. Thanks, good luck and happy grooming :)

Good luck and happy grooming :)

The Electrifying Truth About Groomers and Voltage

With the rapid growth of online shopping over the past few years, we here at PetEdge have had the chance to work with more international groomers than ever before.

On our Facebook page this year alone, we've talked to groomers from such far-off locales as Australia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Kazakhstan.

While we’re thrilled to be part of the global grooming community, we have noticed an increase in the number of questions we get concerning voltage and grooming appliances that are being used overseas.

So we thought we’d take some time on the blog to give you the basics.

(First, a quick disclaimer. The information provided here is intended to be informative but not authoritative. If you have any questions about the use of electrical appliances in your shop, please consult with a licensed electrician in your area.)

Different Volts for Different Folks

Many countries in the world operate on different voltage systems.

Two of the most common are the 110 volt system (used here in the United States, as well as in Canada and Mexico), and the 220 volt system (commonly used in Europe, Australia and many other places).

Note: When we use 110 and 220, we are using generalized terminology for the sake of clarity. AC electrical systems actually fluctuate (thus the term alternating current) in a range of voltage. 110 can be expressed as any combination of 110/115/120, and 220 and can be any combination of 220/230/240.

Click here to see a list of voltage by countries from Wikipedia, and please double check with local officials if you're not sure what electrical system your shop is operating on.

Unless otherwise specified, all of the products in the PetEdge catalog and online at Petedge.com are designed to work on the 110 volt system. This includes clippers, trimmers, dryers, electric lift grooming tables and tubs, grooming shop signs, and just about anything else that plugs in.

We do have some 220 volt appliances that can be ordered directly from our site, such as the 220 volt Andis AGC Clipper shown below, and the 220 volt Metro Air Force Dryer at the top of the page.

 
Click here to see our selection of 220-volt appliances at PetEdge.com.

Did you know that many of the items that are only available on our site in 110 volt models can be special-ordered in 220-volt versions as well?

If you see something on our site that you like, but don’t see its 220-volt counterpart, please give us a call at 800-PetEdge (1-998-978-8100). We’ll be happy to help!

Why It’s Important To Match Up Voltage

If you are an international groomer with a shop that operates on a 220 volt system, we strongly recommend that you order appliances that are designed to run on that voltage.

There are plug adaptors that will allow you to plug a 110 volt appliance into a 220 volt outlet, but these adaptors do not alter the voltage. They only change the configuration of the prongs on the plug.

Running a 110 volt appliance on a 220 volt current can quickly burn out the appliance and leave you with a sparking, smoking appliance and potentially dangerous mess on your hands.

There are transformers available that will convert the current from 220 volts to 110 volts, but we'd also recommend against using these with your grooming equipment.

For one thing, using a transformer will likely void any warranty that you have for the product. And if the transformer fails to operate correctly, you'll be left with the sparking, smoking mess described above.

Domestic Uses for 220 Volt Appliances

In the United States, 220 volt circuits do exist, and they can be an energy-efficient way to operate a high-powered appliance like a grooming dryer or an air conditioning system.

Depending on the cost of installing a 220 volt circuit, the savings that you realize on your electric bill could make it a worthwhile investment for your grooming business.

Adding a 220 volt circuit is also worth considering if you are building a grooming shop from scratch, or renovating your existing grooming shop. Just make sure that you locate the circuit in a spot where you'll have access to all the equipment you'll need to operate at the higher voltage.

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Do you have a question about a PetEdge product or a grooming product that’s available on our site? Call us at 800-PetEdge and ask to speak with one of our product support specialists.

 Thanks and happy grooming :)

Announcing the Winner of the PetEdge Professionals Photo Contest

We're proud to announce the winner of our first ever PetEdge Professionals Photo Contest!

Groomer Elsebeth LaForge of Maine won our $200 grand prize of grooming shampoos, tools and supplies.

We loved what Elsebeth wrote and the way she displayed PetEdge products in her photo. How many can you spot?

Thanks to everyone who participated in our first contest, and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get updates on our next one.

See below for Elsebeth's winning photo entry and writeup, plus some before and after grooming pictures from her shop.

Elsebeth LaForge
Coastal Creations Pet Salon
Bucksport, Maine

Here is Elsebeth's winning photo and writeup:

"PetEdge offers an extraordinarily diverse line of products that help me take care of my pet clients on a daily basis. As the owner of Coastal Creations Pet Salon in Bucksport, Maine, it is wonderful to be able to provide my clients with a complete grooming package without sacrificing on quality. Whether I'm looking for a beautifully fragrant shampoo or an economical drying machine, the PetEdge-brand product line has it all."

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Here are some before and after photos from Elsebeth's salon:

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

About Elsebeth: Professional pet stylist Elsebeth LaForge has 10 years of experience in the pet grooming and boarding industry and a proven track record of success in pet styling and the humane handling of animals.

As a graduate of the University of Maine's Department of Animal Sciences, she has an understanding of the animal industry that encompasses the farm, veterinary, and animal industries alike.

Additionally, Elsebeth has had the opportunity to work closely with veterinarians at a local animal clinic for four years, thus enhancing her understanding of common pet health concerns and small animal emergencies.

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About the Author: PetEdge, Inc. is your source for discount dog grooming products and wholesale pet supplies. Visit us online at PetEdge.com to shop from over 17,000 products at the guaranteed lowest prices. Plus you can get $5.99 flat rate shipping on qualified orders of $150 or more. See our website for details.

Thanks and happy grooming :)

PetEdge Groomer's Showcase: Post-Thanksgiving Edition

Welcome to another edition of the PetEdge Groomer's Showcase. It's been a few weeks since we've shared some photos with you, and we're thrilled to return with the work of these talented groomers.

Carmen Troyer
Farmer City, IL

Yorkie Before:

Yorkie After:

Carmen Writes: I use Andis clippers and blades for most of my work. I use Scorpion shears, Heritage Stiletto curves, Razer thinning shears and Fromm finishing scissors for tiny areas that are hard to reach.

I have several shampoos depending on the pet's coat. For the Yorkie, I used Silky Almond shampoo, towel-dried the coat, sprayed on a little Top Performance GloCoat, combed through the coat, and then finished with the blow dryer.

I was amazed how well this groom turned out considering how he looked when he came in.

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Jessica Budney
North Haven, Connecticut

Before:

After:

 

Jessica writes: This little girl came in severly matted all over. I used a #10 Andis UltraEdge Blade with my Andis AGP Super 2-Speed Clipper to cut those tight mats off of her. I used my Wahl Bravura CordlessClippers also for her sanitary area, pads and her armpits because she is a smaller dog.

I was able to save some of the hair on top of her head by using the blue Master Grooming Tools Flexible Slicker Brush and then trimmed the hair with my 7 1/2" Geib Gator Curved Shears.

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Meghan Edwards
Pussy and Pooch
Long Beach, CA

Roman before:

Roman after:

 Megan writes: Roman comes in only four times a year because his owner moved out of town. She has to make special trips to have him groomed at my shop. On this occasion he was very matted.

I used Isle of Dogs Stay Clean Shampoo and 2Heal Conditioner and rinsed with Isle of Dogs Detangler. I do all my dematting with the Master Grooming Tools Flexible Slicker Brushes and slice the larger knots open with my scissors. The dematting process on Roman took about an hour and a half.

I then put him in a modified Poodle puppy trim with a #40 face and feet and scissored the rest by hand to about 1/2" on his body and 1" on his legs and topknot.

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Your Turn to Be a Showcase Superstar

Are you ready to strut your stuff in the Petedge Groomer's Showcase? Send your before and after photos along with a brief description of the tools you used and the challenges you faced to blog@petedge.com.

Thanks and happy grooming :)

The PetEdge Q&A Session: Dog Behavior With Jessica Moorhead Part 2

Welcome to Part II of our interview with dog behavior expert Jessica Moorhead.

In Part I of our interview last week, Jessica talked about her background studying dog behavior, how knowing dog behavior has helped to prevent her from being bitten, and how some common dog behavior signs are misinterpreted by first time groomers and bathers.

In Part II, Jessica gives us her tips for dealing with shy or aggressive dogs.

Thanks again to Jessica for taking the time to share her knowledge and experiences with us.

We're lucky to have such committed and involved groomers as our customers.

Maltipoo Before:

Maltipoo After:

 

Jessica Moorhead
New Rochelle, NY

Q. Do you have a go-to approach for dealing with shy dogs? Aggressive dogs?

A. My go-to approach for dealing with most dogs is the same whether they are shy, friendly, or aggressive. You always need to assess the situation and never assume you know what the dog is going to do.

If I'm meeting a dog, I will remain standing slightly off to the side at an angle, and I will basically ignore them at first. As harsh as it sounds, I don't want to rush into anything. Every move I make with my arms or legs is very deliberate and very slow.

If the dog at this point is curling its body into a C shape and is showing all the signs of "Please pet me and love me!" I will kneel on one knee and pet the dog on their chest or back thighs.

If the dog is aggressive or fearful, I will chit chat with the pet parent and let the dog come to me and sniff me. A lot of the time, the pet parent is anxious about their dog's reaction, so once the owner calms down, it makes it easier to handle the dog.

A photo of Jessica's dog, Tucker, licking its lips. Lip licking can be a sign of nervousness, and an indication that the dog has the potential to bite.

If the dog is fearful, I will slowly kneel on one knee and put my hand gently out in front of me, but not at the dog. Again, I will remain at an angle, facing slightly away from the dog. I won't look into their eyes, I won't try to grab them and I won't speak loudly or make sudden movements. I always let the dog come to me first. Once the dog accepts you, then you can move on to touching them, etc.

With an aggressive dog, I will have the owner keep the dog on the leash. If I can get near the owner without the dog biting me, I will take the leash and then continue to talk to the pet parent. Once I have the leash, I will have the dog come with me wherever I walk. Where I go, the dog goes.

I never go too far from the owner, but I will keep adding distance until the dog realizes it's me or nothing else.

I do not baby talk dogs that are aggressive, and if I start getting fearful near them I quietly hold my breath, which slows down my heart rate so I can't get the adrenaline rush. I am very direct with aggressive dogs and I refuse to tolerate anything.

When on the table, as soon as a lip goes up or they start to growl I distract them with a quick loud noise or a bell, or I spray the air with a perfume of some sort (not at them, but near them).

The same goes for the "eye challenge." If an aggressive dog challenges me in the salon, I will not look away but I won't let it drag on. I use the distraction method.

My methods may not be perfect, but they've kept me and my coworkers safe. Dogs aren't human beings and they aren't wolves. They have their very own language that we need to learn. Dogs talk to us all the time, but the majority of pet parents don't pay attention.

Most dogs aren't thrilled to be groomed, but we can try to make it the best experience possible by "listening" and understanding what they are telling us.

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Your Turn

Do you have stories about dog behavior challenges that you've overcome in the shop? What was the challenge and how did you fix it? Post your comments here or on our Facebook wall.

Thanks and happy grooming :)

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The PetEdge Q&A Session: Dog Behavior With Jessica Moorhead Part 1

A few months ago, we put a post on Facebook asking groomers for the advice they'd give to first-time groomers.

Jessica responded with some helpful hints about dog body language. We liked what she wrote so much that we asked her to expand on it for a blog post.

We learned a lot from Jessica and we hope that you will, too.

Jessica Moorhead
New Rochelle, NY

Jessica's dog, Tucker, a 1 1/2 year old Bichon mix

Q. What is the best way to learn dog body language?

A. Probably the best way is to spend some time with someone who really knows and understands dogs. Pay attention to what they say, but also to how they move, their facial expressions, and how they interact with different dogs.

Q. Where did you study dog behavior?

A. I didn't professionally study dog behavior at a school. I did study human psychology, though, and read a lot. Both my parents are librarians, and ingrained the art of research in my head.

I love dogs, but when I was younger I was scared of them. Although I would sit for pets, walk dogs, and worked at a pet store, I had a slight fear of dogs I thought I would never get over.

I didn't focus on reading about dog body language until I started getting serious about wanting to be a groomer. I read every book that I could and watched every show about training dogs and animal behavior that I could find. I would even watch wolf documentaries.

You can read as much as you want, but it is still nothing compared to a hands-on learning approach. I was terrified of German Shepherds my entire life, and I ended up working on an amazing sable female named Asia one day in the salon. After starting out so scared of Asia and then coming to love her, I needed to meet her owner.

It turned out that her pet parent was a professional German Shepherd breeder, and she ended up taking me under her wing to groom for her privately.

This woman taught me so much about animal behavior because she both bred and rescued German Shepherds. She would rehabilitate rescue dogs that I wouldn't go near and had little hope for, and turned them into champion show dogs.

The breed I was most fearful of has become my favorite breed. I can't thank her enough for the hands-on experience I got because I was able to use that in the salon with other dogs and pass the knowledge on to others.

Q. How has knowing dog body language helped you as a groomer?

A. It has saved me from being bitten! I've seen a bather get a forearm ripped open and a manager of mine have the tip of his index finger bitten off. These bites could have been prevented.

I know the average groomer will be bitten at some point—if not multiple times—but I'd prefer not to be. I've spent three years being a bather/dog groomer, and I have yet to have blood drawn.

Knowing dog body language has helped me deal with people as well, whether they are co-workers, employees, or customers. Once you train yourself to watch for the reactions of others, and change your body language to respond to a given situation with an animal, it translates over to people as well.

Q. In your response to our Facebook post, you said that groomers shouldn't assume that:

A.) A dog that's yawning is always tired
B.) A dog that's panting is always hot
C.) A dog that's shaking is always cold
D. A dog that's wagging its tail is always happy

What other some other explanations for these behavior signs?

A. These are some of the most commonly mistaken sign in dogs!

Yawning

When a dog is yawning, it is usually a sign of stress if the dog is in a situation besides lounging around at home. I always try to be really careful of puppies and rescues when it comes to their first time grooming. If they yawn a lot or start falling asleep, I stop the grooming process and hang out with them until they relax. Humans do something similar. I yawn when I'm stressed or anxious.

Panting

If a dog is panting heavily during a grooming session, it is probably not a sign that they are hot unless your salon's temperature is too high! Just think about other humans and yourself. What are our normal reactions when we get really scared? Whether it's walking through a haunted house or watching a scary movie, our heart rate goes up, we start to breathe very fast, and we gulp for air. Dogs do the same thing.

Shaking

Shaking goes along the same train of thought. Unless your salon is absolutely freezing, the dog is probably shaking because it's nervous. I hear all the time "Awww, he's cold," especially when the dog is wet and the dryer is about to go on or is on. Whenever I see any of these signs of stress in puppies and senior dogs especially, I treat them as critically important.

The best way to make sure you don't have an injury or a death is through prevention. I went into grooming because I didn't trust anyone with my babies, so I can't imagine having to tell a pet parent that their dog had to go to the veterinarian—or worse. 

Tail Wagging

As for tail wagging, one of the best conversations about this subject came when Emily, one of the bathers at the shop, was working with a new trainee.

They had a dog on the table, and the dog was wagging its tail and shaking slightly. The new girl leaned in and put her face directly in the dog's face.

I pulled the girl back and said "Never put your face in the bite zone!"

The girl replied, "It's OK, his tail is wagging."

Emily turned to the girl and said " A mini schnauzer once bit me pretty good at school, and that dog was acting super happy. Obviously it wasn't."

I don't know the exact "wags per second" that a dog's tail makes when it is happy versus fearful, but there are different types of tail wags for different situations and you just need to pay attention.

*****

Still to come...in Part 2 of the interview, Jessica will give her tips for dealing with shy and aggressive dogs.

*****

Your Turn

Do you have tips and tricks for understanding dog behavior? Do you have stories about how dog behavior has helped you as a groomer? Post your comments on the blog, or leave them on our Facebook Wall. Thanks and happy grooming :)