Contents | September 2024
30
by Kelsey Ann Sexton
52
ALSO INSIDE
todd@barkleigh.com
adam@barkleigh.com
gwen@barkleigh.com
rebecca@barkleigh.com
luke@barkleigh.com
laura@barkleigh.com
brandi@barkleigh.com
carlee@barkleigh.com
evan@barkleigh.com
cassidy@barkleigh.com
allison@barkleigh.com
james@barkleigh.com
karin@barkleigh.com
britany@barkleigh.com
Daryl Conner
Lynn Paolillo
Jennifer Bishop Jenkins
ALSO INSIDE
ON THE COVER
its advertisers for their continued support.
- Andis2
- Animal Photography6
- Artero43
- Aussie Dog Shears45
- Bandanas Unlimited17
- Barkleigh Store – Groom Curriculum62
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- Barkleigh Store – Promote & Market65
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- Best Shot Pet35
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- Cosmos Bathing Systems42
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- Electric Cleaner Company38
- Envirogroom15
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- EZ Groom Pro49
- Governor Insurance Agency24
- Groom Team USA, Inc.64
- Groomer’s Best13
- Groomer’s Choice4
- Groomers Mart23
- Groomsoft29
- Happy Hoodie28
- Heiniger47
- IV San Bernard | Pet Skin Academy50
- Jodi Murphy46
- Laube63
- Metrovac20
- Midmark58
- New England Grooming Show39
- Odorcide25
- Paragon41
- Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo37
- Pet’s Playground51
- PetBizInsurance.com14
- PetLift19
- PetskedDigital
- PetTubs.com57
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- Quadruped Pet Care7
- Ryan’s Pet Supplies68
- Ryan’s Pet SuppliesDigital Only
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- Stazko18
- Super Styling Sessions31
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Correction
Elizabeth Johnson’s placement in the ‘Wire Coated’ category was misplaced from the 2024 Northwest Grooming Show Contest Results in the July 2024 issue of Groomer to Groomer magazine.
Why is it overwhelming to react to a situation you have not prepared for? The keyword here is “react.” When you don’t have a plan, you can only react to the circumstances because your body is dumping endorphins such as adrenaline in your body. Adrenaline is responsible for fight, flight or freeze—there is no thinking; only reacting. However, taking a deep breath to force oxygen back up to your brain and getting the “If This Happens, Do That” checklist to follow will take thinking out of the equation.
Your policy is only in effect as it appears on the insurance company’s end. Don’t make assumptions. It’s also important that your insurance company knows if you are changing your business structure, such as going from an LLC to a C corporation; otherwise, you don’t have insurance coverage.
Take a hands-on human and pet first aid class at least every two years. Hands-on programs create muscle memory in the body. You are more likely to remember those skills when faced with an emergency because your body remembers the motions.
- Watch them walk. Do they appear to be favoring a limb that may be painful? (Bite risk)
- Walk in front of them. Are they tracking you or do they appear lethargic? (Sick, possibly contagious, or drugged pet)
- Discharge from the nose. (Highly contagious respiratory illness)
- Run your hands up the body, watching for subtle changes in body language. They may indicate a pain response. (Bite risk)
- Look for matting. (Possible open wounds or irritations underneath)
- Discharge from ears. (Infection)
- Gum color. Anything other than pink or normal mottled gums should be sent home. (Pale gums indicate poor blood flow; possible heart condition. Yellow gums are a jaundiced pet; liver failure. Blue gums are poor blood flow or trachea issues. Red gums indicate heat stroke.)
The most crucial part of check-in is knowing when to say “no.” You should say no to a pet that is a bite risk or has a medical concern that you don’t want to exacerbate, or a client that is not respecting the boundaries of your business by trying to dictate what you will do. A thorough check-in also opens up the lines of communication between yourself and owners.
My personal philosophy of assuming the best (optimist) but preparing for the worst (realist) allows me to stay strong and take on any challenge that comes my way in my business.
by Dr. Cliff Faver
First, an allergic reaction is when the individual (pet or human) has an overreaction to normal stimuli. This needs to be differentiated from a normal reaction to a toxin or irritant. If the pet is exposed to a strong acid, toxin or spoiled food, then any animal would react to that. This is in contrast to a pet being exposed to pollen or a certain diet, where only a rare few would have an adverse reaction. However, it is important to note that a pet can be allergic to anything. In practice, I even had a dog react to a cortisone shot, which is what we treat allergies with!
In the grooming world, there is often talk of hypoallergenic products (food and shampoos), which usually signifies that some of the known common allergens (substances that cause an allergic reaction), like scents or certain proteins, are removed to minimize reactions. We must realize that this does not mean some pets will not also react to these products.
The diagnosis of allergies is a guess based on very limited information. However, the tests can show a rise in the eosinophils (blood cells that rise with allergies and parasites), the biopsy can show an inflammatory response, and the allergen test can show that the individual may be allergic to certain things but does not guarantee the dog is itching due to these allergens. The allergens they are positive for may not even be in the pet’s environment.
The major rule-outs that most veterinary dermatologists use in working with itchy skin are environmental allergies, food allergies and parasites. Common sense says they have overlooked the most obvious rule-out—dry skin! But why is this left off the list? Mainly because we are not directly taught this in school or seminars. In almost all teaching platforms I have attended, they talk about the need to repair the skin barrier (sebum or oil layer), but yet in their treatment protocol, rarely is this addressed.
In order to replace hydration and oils back to the hair and skin, we must be able to condition the coat with products specifically designed to do that—and shampoo is not the answer. Shampoo is made to strip oils, not add them back. Some shampoos may include oils, but the function of the shampoo is to strip off at least the top layer. This means the detergents and the added oils would work against or negate each other.
Groomers commonly complain about their dry, itchy hands and skin every spring and fall, and they will often say their lips are very dry and chapped. Does that mean all these groomers have allergies? Unfortunately, if you went to a dermatologist and said you have itchy skin, there is a good chance that “allergies” would be their diagnosis. Why bring this up? Most consider spring and fall allergy seasons. My question is, is it truly allergies, or have we been missing the boat all along? This is also the time of year when the seasons change, which can have a drying effect with the transition of heating/cooling systems, pets swimming (hunting or pools), changes in humidity and temperatures, etc.
In order to deal with either of these conditions, it is important to be aware of the time of year these problems occur within your area and plan to get a jump on it. My typical recommendation is to start with a super-hydrating (humectant) conditioner a month before the “allergy”/dry season. I also encourage groomers to shorten the grooming cycle during this time. Instead of every four weeks, consider every two weeks. Because if the reaction is associated with pollens, by shortening the cycle, you can remove them before they create too much inflammation. Remember, the solution to pollution is dilution.
Educating the client and preparing them for the next cycle is a vital aspect of the process. This little extra work on your part may save the client thousands of dollars with the veterinarian. In this scenario, veterinarians often treat “allergies” the same as they did last year (which didn’t work) and expect different results this time, all at a price.
A strong skin barrier is an amazing thing and often the answer to the successful treatment of “allergies.”
Dr. Cliff Faver graduated with a BS in Biology/BA in Chemistry before getting a Veterinary degree in 1987. He is the past owner of Animal Health Services in Cave Creek, Arizona and now the US distributor for Iv San Bernard products, teaches the ISB Pet Aesthetician Certification program, and speaks internationally on hair and skin. His passion is to merge groomers and veterinarians to aid in helping and healing pets. He is also a member of AVMA, AAHA, AZVMA, Board member with Burbank Kennel Club, and has served on Novartis Lead Committee, Hill’s International Global Veterinary Board, and a Veterinary Management Group.
Heather Roozee’s Journey to
Photos provided by Heather Roozee
eather Roozee began grooming twenty-four years ago and has owned and operated A Groomery Pet Grooming in DeKalb, Illinois for twenty-one of those years. However, she made a name for herself in the grooming industry by competing with her Airedale Terrier, Zeppelin, in grooming contests nationwide.
This team of two has won many Best in Show awards, including twice at Intergroom and at Groom Expo, earning a coveted Groomer to Groomer magazine cover shot. In 2017, Heather was named the number-one Hand Strip Groomer in the U.S. Outside of the grooming industry, Heather also competed in AKC conformation shows and achieved the title of Grand Champion with Zeppelin.
“Honestly, once I learned that hand stripping some dogs was even a thing, I wanted to learn the skill,” Heather shares. “I didn’t want grooming to be a job; I wanted it to be a career. I fell in love with terriers, Airedales specifically, and once learning they were a hand-stripped breed, I had to learn how.”
So, in 2005, Heather began her quest to master the technique.
Her first Airedale, Layne, was the dog that started her down the path towards perfecting her skills.
“It was a lot of trial and error,” Heather confesses. “I started competing with him in a strip-and-clip-type trim way back in the day and got critiques to get me going in a better direction. When I got Zeppelin, my second Airedale, his breeder helped me learn, as did some tricks and tips from handlers like Adam Bernardin at dog shows.”
“I waited two years for the right puppy from Susan Kuhn, Timberwyck Airedales,” Heather says. “She knew I wanted a dog I could attempt to have a successful specials career in the show ring with. We have far exceeded every goal I wanted to achieve. I never dared to dream of winning a National show, much less our National at Montgomery. And he won our floating National just a few months prior to that. I still find it hard to wrap my head around such incredible wins.
Heather does all of Hudson’s grooming and handles him in the show ring. The bond between the two of them is apparent because he is not only a show dog, but also a daily companion and cherished pet.
“Hand stripping is so unlike all we are taught while learning to groom pets,” she says. “You don’t cut hair to length; you have to pull hair to get hair, and it’s a lot about timing and consistently working the coats. But for any groomer wanting to have a niche, it’s a great skill to learn. If you learn and are adequate at it, the clients will come. I hear all the time, ‘No one near me wants their dog stripped.’ Simply not true. They just can’t find someone to do it. Learn it and they will come.
“Hand-stripped terrier breeds are double coated. Cutting their coats is no different than cutting double-coated Arctic breeds, Golden Retrievers, etc.,” she adds. “The coats are ‘ruined’ just the same, and they lose the ability to have a double coat that insulates and protects. While this isn’t going to cause a health issue in either instance, it does make the coat ‘ugly,’ with a loss of color and texture. Carding out the coats before and after clipping can help unclog follicles and keep the skin healthy. Every pet groomer should know how to card and should be doing so to the appropriate breeds as part of every groom.”
So what’s next for this talented duo?
“We are enjoying being home! I am a homebody by nature, so these last few years were a lot,” Heather says. “We did some barn hunt last year, and he titled up through Open (RATO) in just a few trials with no prior training. He loves it, and we are going to do some more of that for fun. He gave me so much for three years in the show ring, now it’s time to let him be the perfect pet he is and enjoy all kinds of fun.”
Tools and equipment used to aid in behavior are not always straightforward. While there are a few that are commonly used, others might be more surprising. For example, when working with a dog that exhibits problematic behaviors during grooming, a well-fitted basket muzzle might be conditioned as a part of the training plan. But other items such as reward pouches and even target sticks that are commonly used in animal husbandry training are becoming more frequently seen in training dogs for grooming, too.
Training dogs for grooming involves motivating owners to work with their dogs at home. However, most pet owners lack professional tools and should not attempt certain techniques. An excellent skill asset for dog trainers is the ability to come up with easy-to-find items and teach pet owners how to use them to improve their dog’s behavior during grooming.
Loaded with a lickable dog snack, the mat makes pairing bath time with something the dog enjoys (food) simple. While every case is different, this tool might be helpful for trainers to suggest when providing homework specific to training dogs for the bath. The method and plan for implementing the enrichment mat, such as whether it will be phased out, all depends on the individual dog’s case.
Trainers offering group classes should consider investing in a grooming dryer to be used during classes. A networking idea for groomers is to reach out to trainers in the area who don’t have grooming services available at their location. They can discuss the advantages of having a grooming dryer for training purposes and offer a complimentary demonstration of the drying process to their students. The groomer can do this in exchange for leaving cards for the puppy students. This could be a great way to connect with new puppy owners looking for a groomer.
Many dogs react to the sound of the nail trim. With each clip, their anxiety seems to build. Using ear protection to muffle the sound, many dogs will immediately react less to the nail-trimming process. Pet owners at home may hesitate to trim their dog’s nails. However, they can introduce more helpful paw-handling by touching each nail while exposing the dog to the sight and sound. A wooden skewer works well for this. You can clip the skewer with nail clippers, which will sound just like a nail being clipped. Use inexpensive nail trimmers or ones that are already dull to save good nail trimmers from becoming dull.
Another sound of nail care involves the nail grinder. While nail-grinding solves the problem of sharp nails, not all dogs are cooperative during the process. To practice at home, owners can use an electric toothbrush. The toothbrush sounds like the nail grinder and it helps acclimate dogs to the feeling of one as well. It is a useful tool for trainers in puppy classes, showcasing successful nail-care preparation for puppies.
One tool trainers can use to help teach dogs how to behave for being brushed, which they can teach to owners, is a brush with the pad of pins removed. This is an easy way to teach dogs to settle for brushing and teach puppies that the brush is not a toy. The key is for the owner to practice brushing without using a brush on the coat.
Dogs and puppies should learn to be brushed without inspecting the brush. Many owners feel the need to show their dog every tool. This can become problematic if the dog continues to sniff and follow the tool. Presenting a brush to a puppy is too similar to presenting a toy. It is more helpful for the puppy to learn to look forward instead of following the movement of the brush.
Not all grooming training tools need to be obvious. To find the best tool, it’s helpful to think about the end goal and take into consideration the behavior of the dog. This will tell you at what level the dog needs to be introduced to the aspect of grooming that is being addressed. Helping owners train their dogs for the grooming salon can be a challenge but is well worth the reward.
Identity Theft
“I believe that everything that happened to me was because hackers were able to get into my Yahoo account,” Mindy shares. “A few days after I had my daughter I noticed a weird sign-in on my Yahoo account. I immediately went in and changed my passwords.
“The next morning, I was signed out of my Facebook account and I couldn’t log in. My Facebook also had my business page attached to it. I had over 2,000 followers. Because THEY got into my Yahoo email account, THEY were able to take over my Facebook account.
“For Facebook, if you say you forgot your password, the email account they have for you is where they send the reset information. THEY were able to reset my password and take over my Facebook.
“Once THEY got control of my Facebook account, THEY started to message my husband on Facebook Messenger and also to call him. THEY told him that THEY were going to delete all my content and pictures (I had 16 years worth of pictures) if THEY did not get a certain amount of money. We knew better than to send them money.
“THEY were able to get into my phone system and began texting and phoning my customers trying to get them to send THEM money. My older customers who were not very tech-savvy were the most vulnerable. I lost a lot of customers because of that.
“When THEY hacked my Facebook business page, THEY changed my salon phone number to THEIR phone number. When new customers would message an inquiry, THEY would tell them that they had to put down a deposit to get an appointment. Someone inquired about boarding and THEY had her send a $200 deposit, and later, others told me they called me and I never returned the call. This all really hurt my business.
“I had to call and shut everything down—my credit cards and banking accounts. I was unable to pay my employees for a week. I had to contact Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian and put freezes on all my credit.
“The only account that was not hacked into was my Groomsoft account. I called Groomsoft and talked to a real person. They were great! I told them what happened and they helped me. They changed my email and secured it down. They changed all my passwords and fixed it so I was able to send a mass message to all my customers telling them what happened.
“I called our local police department and had to file reports. I was told there wasn’t much they could do since most of this kind of crime is being committed by people who are overseas. THEY are using our internet and our phone systems to hack us, but since THEY are not in the United States, it is very difficult to locate and prosecute them. These people just sit behind a computer in another country and have no fear of repercussions.
“I had to have a police record of having my identity stolen, which I had to send to the Internal Revenue Service in case the hackers try to use my social security number in the future to file and get my tax refund. I was unable to change my social security or driver’s license numbers. I was told they would only change them in the most extenuating circumstances, and, apparently, having your entire identity stolen did not qualify.
“Now I have super-encrypted passwords that I have to write down because I don’t trust saving them to my Google account or my phone. I’m still worried about it happening again. Because THEY have my social security and driver’s license numbers, I have to watch all of my accounts like a hawk.
Mindy’s story is a real wake-up call for all groomers. Identity theft is real and can happen to anyone. She urges you to take every precaution possible to keep yourself and your identity safe—because THEY may be out to `get YOU!
- Slowly tilt your head to one side, bringing your ear towards your shoulder.
- Hold for 15-30 seconds and then switch sides.
- Repeat 2-3 times on each side to release tension in the neck muscles.
2. Shoulder Stretch:
- Bring one arm across your body and gently press it towards you with your opposite hand.
- Hold for 15-30 seconds, feeling the stretch in your shoulder and upper back, then switch sides.
- Repeat 2-3 times on each side to loosen up the shoulder muscles.
- Extend one arm in front of you with the palm facing down.
- Use your other hand to gently press your fingers up and back towards your body until you feel a stretch in your wrist and forearm.
- Hold for 15-30 seconds and then switch sides.
- Repeat 2-3 times on each side to alleviate tension from repetitive motions and gripping of tools.
- Sit on the floor with your legs extended in front of you.
- Slowly reach forward, aiming to touch your toes or grasp your ankles.
- Hold the stretch for 15-30 seconds, feeling the release in your lower back and hamstrings.
- Repeat 2-3 times to improve flexibility and relieve tightness in the lower back.
- Kneel on one knee with the other foot flat on the floor in front of you, creating a 90-degree angle with your knee.
- Gently push your hips forward until you feel a stretch in the front of your hip and thigh.
- Hold for 15-30 seconds and then switch sides.
- Repeat 2-3 times on each side to counteract the effects of prolonged standing or bending.
- Stand facing a wall with one foot forward and the other foot back, keeping both heels flat on the floor.
- Lean forward, bracing yourself against the wall, until you feel a stretch in the calf of the back leg.
- Hold for 15-30 seconds and then switch sides.
- Repeat 2-3 times on each side to relieve tension from constant standing and walking.
While we don’t have exact data, historians speculate that it is likely that we human beings owe much to the terrier whose talent for digging, and their tenacity in going after rats, mice, moles, voles and other vermin, has no doubt saved many human lives and enhanced our food supply. Terriers are often credited with dramatically reducing the vermin population of Europe that carries disease. They were also used in the trenches of World War I to control the rat population, which limited the spread of rat-borne disease, saving hundreds of thousands of lives.
Pet or show, no wire-coated dog groomed with any clipper blade length will get what is needed for their best health with this unique coat type.
At first, clipping leaves the paler, thinner, softer mostly undercoat hairs. Later it can cause itchiness, discomfort, thinness and even comedogenic bumps, sometimes called “canine acne” or “schnauzer bumps,” which are caused by clogged hair follicles.1 Over the years, if the clipping is repeated, it can clog and eventually kill the entire follicle, leaving some wire-coated dogs virtually hairless on their backs later in life.
Wire coats evolved to be much tougher than other coat types. Even their skin is thicker, especially in the outer layer of the epidermis called the stratum corneum. This also means that, compared to other coat types, the follicle in a wire coat is deeper, further from the surface of the skin. This is why keeping the follicle healthy requires a little gentle tugging on the wire hairs to get them to come out.
The most critical difference in the grooming requirements of this extraordinary coat type is that, because of these bigger, thicker, more voluminous hairs sitting inside a deeper follicle in thicker skin, they do not shed out when they reach the telogen phase without some help. They will sit inside the deeper follicle, sort of stuck, unable to fall out because of their size, volume, texture and depth, unless they are gently pulled out. This is called a “blown coat.”
Hand stripping involves holding the stripping knife at a 90-degree angle to the coat and, while maintaining a straight back and using your arm in a row-boat-like motion, you lightly allow the knife to find and feed into your thumb the longest hairs. You then brace those hairs lightly against the blade with your thumb and, holding your wrist flat, pull back from your elbow to remove them. This is a light, easy motion that takes no more work than holding a full-sized clipper and moving it over the dog’s body.
These descriptions are no substitute for a hands-on class. All groomers need to be trained in person in proper hand-stripping techniques. If you have questions about what coat type a particular breed is, you can read their AKC breed standards.2 Each breed standard has a link to the parent club for that breed which almost always gives great information on that breed’s grooming requirements.
Start by letting the coat grow a little longer. For example, only use a ½” or ¾” guard comb instead of a blade. With enough length you can use fine de-shedding tools and carding techniques to start pulling dead hairs out of the follicle. Carding, de-shedding and stripping should be done before the bath because it will release dirt and oil, making a clean coat dirty again.
All dogs deserve to have their groomer care for their skin and coat with the same high standards for a pet dog as they would for a show or competition dog, especially our unique wire-coated breeds.
Another expert and educator in hand stripping, Heather Roozee, who has been owner/groomer/handler of wire-coated breeds for a long time, powerfully articulates an important point that hand stripping and carding are not just for show dogs: “Carding can benefit all wire-coated breeds, even if clipped. It helps to remove the undercoat and clear the follicles, helping skin to remain healthy.”
All dogs deserve to have their groomer care for their skin and coat with the same high standards for a pet dog as they would for a show or competition dog, especially our unique wire-coated breeds.
References:
- Schnauzer Comedone Syndrome. (2018, November 27). Veterinary Partner. https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=8814015
- AKC. www.AKC.org
Delegating can also provide relief in your personal life, like meal planning or delivery, wash-and-fold laundry services or lawn care. Taking tasks off your plate not only helps you manage your time better but also ensures that all aspects of your business are well taken care of.
Time management is an ongoing process that requires attention and adaptation. By prioritizing tasks, setting realistic goals, creating a schedule you will actually use, delegating tasks and using technology when possible, you can maintain a good work-life balance while giving your professional skills room to flourish. Effective time management not only boosts your productivity but also ensures a better experience for your feline clients and their owners.
by Louise Dunn
Conflict has many sources, including the following:
- Dispute about inequities or preferential treatment
- Competition for resources or battle for supremacy
- Unfilled expectations
- Different personalities or attitudes
- Different goals or priorities, or different methods to achieve goals
- Resistance to change
- Unclear job expectations
- Poor communication
- Poor work habits
- Toxic work environment
- Personal problems
- Differences in perceptions and values (e.g., upbringing, culture, education, socio-economic class, previous experiences, etc.)
- Enter into combat mentality (want to see a winner and a loser).
- Oversimplify the problem (because it is too difficult to tackle several issues at once).
- Lack of respect (lack of respect for the other person and perhaps even yourself).
- Lash out or shut down (respond aggressively or rush to smooth things over).
- Thwarting ploys (threats, stonewalling, sarcasm, silent treatment, etc.)
- Hooked and sucked into conflict (found your weak spot, where you are vulnerable and lose control).
- Rehearse a script (play it out in your mind, don’t listen and just recite the rehearsed script).
- Make assumptions about intentions (assume the other person has ill intentions).
- Lose sight of the goal (winning the argument is not the goal; you must have clear, realistic outcomes).
- Use “I” instead of “You” to express your feelings (“I understand…,” “I feel…,” “I want…,” etc.)
- Pay attention to body language since 55% of communication is body language (7% is words, 38% is tone of voice).
- Ask questions trying to understand the other person, including how to improve the situation.
- Define the problem; do not assume intentions.
- Create a follow-up plan.
- Validate their feelings (“I’m sorry this hurt you.”)
- Explain the consequences and the benefits of the actions taken.
- Explain how the actions conflict with your values or are hurting you or others.
- Manager meets with both parties involved in the conflict. (Set the ground rules, each person completes the standard complaint form and summarizes his/her point of view.)
- Clarify the disagreement and conflicting views (reflect, reframe and listen).
- Describe specific actions each party would like to see the other party take to resolve the differences. (Stop doing, start doing, do more of, do less of, etc.)
- Get a commitment to making changes and monitor follow-through.
Other formal policies to create are Anti-harassment and Complaint Procedure, and Code of Ethics and Business Conduct. For a complaint procedure, steps should include:
- Outline the steps to go through the process (as noted above).
- Include the standard complaint form.
- Have a statement about guaranteeing protection from being retaliated against.
- Be specific about time frames for processing (e.g., acknowledging complaints within three days of it being filed).
Conflict has a reputation for being negative—impacting productivity, morale and the wellbeing of pets being cared for. Having a procedure for conflict resolution can help nip negativity in its early stages. It can also turn it into a positive experience by managing the discussion and working toward a resolution. Put the tools in place to effectively handle situations and turn negative conflict into positive growth.
- Faludi, O. (2014, July 9). Difficult Conversations: 9 Common Mistakes. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140710032505-55905022-difficult-conversations-9-common-mistakes/
- Miller, E. Creating a Conflict-Management Plan. Systems Thinker. https://thesystemsthinker.com/creating-a-conflict-management-plan/
- Strategies for Managing Conflict – Communication Tools. https://www.vistacampus.gov/strategies-managing-conflict-communication-tools
ow of course we have gorgeous Papillons named after their distinctive butterfly ears, but what about giving other dogs this cute and expressive look? Here I’ll demonstrate this ear style on a yorkie, but it can also be executed on other breeds that possess long, flowing coat on the ears.
Fig 1) Start by tipping the ears, but less is more here. You basically want to shave less than ¼” down the tip of the ear. Here I’m using a #15 blade.
Fig 2) Make sure not to edge the ear into too pointy of a shape. A curved ear tip grows out a little cuter than a pointy ear will, which will be more foxlike.
Fig 4) Next you’ll create a clear delineated line that separates the head from the neck. Here I’m using a #7F in reverse on the throat latch.
Fig 6) Here you can see the distinct line with the ear pulled back.
Fig 8) Use a fine-toothed comb to lift the hair towards the eyes.
Fig 10) To finish, thin the face down and blend it together. Think short and smooth like a Papillon’s face because that will help the ears to pop.
This works great on yorkies, of course, but I find a lot of terriers kept in pet trims can grow ear hair like this, too. Most may be more wiry and not as flowy but the shape and expression still remain. Give it a try!
by Anjie Coates
Photo by Anjie Coates
- litz is a German Shepherd I have groomed since he was a puppy. He always enters the salon with his tail wagging in anticipation and his owner in tow, trailing behind him.
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“Hi, buddy!” I greet.
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Blitz’s entire body breaks into fitful, joyous wags: “Spa day! It’s spa day!”
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“It is! Alright, c’mon, let’s get you set up so your mom can go to work,” I say.
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Blitz dashes toward the half door as his owner tries to say goodbye.
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“Buddy, your bed is already set up for you. It’s not going anywhere,” I assure him.
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Blitz runs to his usual crate that he dives into as if jumping into a pond: “My bed!”
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“Happy now?” I ask.
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Blitz: “Yeah. This is good.”
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“OK, why don’t you take a nap? When it’s your turn, one of us will wake you up and take you out,” I tell him.
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Blitz: “OK, but no touching other dogs.”
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“Buddy, I have a lot of dogs to groom today; you’re not the only one, I’m afraid,” I say.
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Blitz gives me a side eye but lays down and begins to doze off.
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When I finish the dog I was working on, I return them to their crate with a smooch on the top of their head.
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Blitz: “Hey! You can’t smooch on him! Only me!”
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“That’s not really fair. He’s a good boy, too. He can have smooches,” I tell him.
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Blitz: “I don’t like him.”
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“You don’t even know him!” I counter.
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Blitz: “So?”
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Finally, it’s Blitz’s turn. Just before I go to get him, someone walks by with another dog, and he startles them both by barking at them.
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“Why do you do that?” I ask.
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Blitz: “I like to see them jump.”
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“C’mon, let’s get you finished,” I say with an eye roll.
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Blitz bounds to the table in three hops and plants himself into a sitting position: “Finally!”
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I call my assistant Angie to be his emotional support human while I get his nails done.
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Angie rubs his head and mutters sweet nothings into his ear and I chuckle as he rests his head on her shoulder.
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Blitz: “It’s awful! Just awful!”
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“It’s a nail trim, buddy. We do this every single time. You’re going to be OK,” I reassure him.
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Blitz: “I think I need treats. I don’t know if I can do this.”
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I stifle a laugh as Angie gives him a treat, and he wags.
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“Does that make it better?” I ask.
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Blitz: “Yes.”
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“I love you, buddy, but you’re big on the drama regarding nails,” I tell him.
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Blitz: “It’s terrible.”
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“Your nails are done. You’re going to live,” I say as I pat his head.
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Blitz: “I think I need another treat.”
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“You are a huge goof,” I tell him as I brush him out.
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When he’s finished, we head into the picture room.
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“OK, what do you want to be?” I ask as I offer him a few costume options.
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Blitz: “A fierce dragon! I’m very brave!”
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I hide my grin thinking of the nail trim and get his dragon costume on as I utter,
Thanks for reading our September 2024 issue!