The Hair of the Dog that Bit You

Just for Fun:

 

 

The Hair of the Dog that Bit You – Have you heard this saying  before?  What does this mean?  Where did it come from?  You usually hear this in reference to curing a hangover.  Well, from my research, it seems that it comes from the philosophy that like cures like.  The best cure for something that makes you sick is to have some more of it.  So if you have a hangover form drinking too much, you should drink more of what you drank.  Note:  Do not try this. In ancient times, it was believed that you should put hair from the dog that bit you on the wound to help heal it.  Some explanations said that it was specifically a rabid dog.  Note:  If you are bitten, do not try this either.

As a dog groomer, I like to hear jokes about dogs and hair of course.  Here’s two that gave me an agreeing nod and a chuckle:

• Cats are the ultimate narcissists. You can tell this because of all the time they spend on personal grooming. Dogs aren’t like this. A dog’s idea of personal grooming is to roll on a dead fish.” — James Gorman
• You know your a groomer when: You see a good looking guy walking a dog in the park and you are checking out the dog’s haircut.

My First Dog Show

 

Yes, that’s right-I went to my first Dog Show last weekend at the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship, MD.  I had only seen the famous Westminster Dog Show on TV and watched some on Animal Planet.  I recently met poodle breeder Mary Watson of  Amid Air Poodles in Fulton, MD.  Mary was so kind to accompany me to the show and show me the ins and outs of the dog show.  For Dog Groomers, going to dog shows is a great way to see how different dog breeds are suppose to look-grooming at it’s best.  Check out a few pictures…

 

prep area for dogs

poodles getting groomed before entering the ring

showtime!

ok ok ok- last poodle i promise. hey, i was with a poodle breeder remember-lol

a miniature schnauzer waiting his turn

see, no more poodles

german shorthair pointers

i couldn't resist this great dane-magnificent!

"winner's circle" - winners get their picture taken here

 

 

Grooming 101 – Part 2 Tools of the Trade

Ok so your ready to take the plunge and start brushing your dog at home.  Great!  Now lets make sure you have the proper tools to do so.

Hair Type – Smooth Coated or Short Coated

Breeds – Pointer, Vizsla, Weimaraner, Basenji, Greyhound, Boxer, Doberman, Great Dane, Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Boston Terrier, Dalmatian, French Bull Dog, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Beagle, Coonhound, Foxhound, Bullmastiff, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Rottweiler, Pug, Australian Cattle Dog, Belgian Malinois, Smooth Fox Terrier

Tools –

The Furminator – de-shedding tool to remove loose hair (comes in small, medium, or large)

Curry/Rubber Brush – use to remove dead hair, massage skin

Hair Type – Combination Coated, Double Coated, or Heavy Coated

Breed – Brittany, Flat Coated Retriever, Golden Retriever American Water Spaniel, Sussex Spaniel, Australian Shepherd, Belgian Tervuren, Border Collie, Kuvasz, Borzoi, Tibetan Spaniel, Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Anatolian SHepherd, Siberian Husky, Norwegian Elkhound, German Shepherd, Smooth Coated Collie, Cardigan Welsh & Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Finnish Spitz, Shiba Inu, Bernese Mountain Dog, Great Pyrenees, Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, Samoyed, Rough Coated Collie, Shetland Sheepdog, American Eskimo, Chow Chow, Keeshond, Pomeranian

Tools –

The V Rake – removes mats, removes undercoat on thick coats

Heavy Duty Rake – breaks up mats and tangles, pulls out undercoat while protecting the outer coat ( comes in different sizes)

Hair Type – Silky Coated, Natural Log Hair, or Curly or Wavy Coated

Breed – Cocker Spaniel, Afghan Hound, Bearded Collie, Briard, Old English Sheepdog, Skye Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Tibetan Terrier, Havanese, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Silky Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Irish Water Spaniel, Kerry Blue Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Bedlington, Portuguese Water Dog, Bichon Frise, Poodle, Bouvier des Flandres

Tools

Slicker Brush – remove mats, debri and loose hair

Flexible Slicker Brush – flexible handle for less stress on hand and wrists

Greyhound Comb – fluffing, detangling, & removing dead hair; great to use to “check” for mats & tangles after brushing-if the comb does not glide through easily go over with brush again

Learning Never Stops – Groom Expo 2010

I went to the fabulous Groom Expo this weekend in Hershey, PA at the famous Hershey Lodge.  Groom Expo is an event that features a trade show, seminars, demonstrations, and contests for dog groomers.  I got a chance to learn about new trends in grooming, new products, and learn some new skills.  The Groom Expo is a must for dog groomers.  I think it is important to continue to learn  and improve your skills in your industry.  Its also great to interact with other dog groomers in other areas.

One of the highlights of Groom Expo was meeting in person Jodi Murphy.  Jodi Murphy is a Certified Master Groomer with the National Dog Groomers Association of America and Pet Stylist with the International Society of Canine Cosmetology. Jodi has been a Groom Team USA Member competing in the States as well as in Europe winning many medals.  Now she is the owner of the Puppy Spa Mobile Grooming in New Jersey. She also dedicates her time to educating groomers and sharing her experience in the pet industry.  Jodi was very approachable and so forthcoming with sharing her knowledge.  Thank you so much Jodi!

Grooming 101- Home Coat Care Part 1

Common questions of dog owners are How often should I get my dog groomed?  Why does my dog have to be clipped short?  What can I do at home in between professional grooming? These are all great questions!

All dogs shed!  Surprised?  Did I hear Scooby Doo say “Huh”? Smile.  Let me explain.  Shedding is a process by which your dog’s coat releases hair and allows for a new healthy coat to grow.  Dogs like Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Collies and Beagles are high shedding dogs.  I’m sure you  may find small piles of hair in your house or on your clothes after petting your dog.  Dogs like Poodles, Maltese, and Cocker Spaniels shed as well.  However, the hair that is released stays in the coat and has to be brushed out.  Your dog’s coat can form tangles and mats.  Mats are formed from dirt and friction. Regular combing and brushing will prevent mats from forming.  Mats pull on the dogs skin and can cause skin problems.  Removing mats can be a very painful process.  The best and most humane thing to do is to clip the coat short.  Don’t worry-It will grow back!

Most dogs should be groomed every 4-6 weeks to maintain a healthy, matt free coat.  That works out to be 8-12 times a year.   To maintain the coat between professional grooming, you should brush your dog at least 3 times a week.  The most common mistake is to just brush the top layer of the coat.  Make sure to get to all the layers of the hair down to the skin.  If you and your dog are new to this start with short or brief sessions.  You may want to use treats for good cooperative behavior and lots of praise.  After you finish use a comb to go through the coat.  The comb should slide though without any snags if the coat is free of mats.

This may sound like a lot at first but you will build your own routine and it shouldn’t be a burden.  Your dog may even enjoy the bonding time.  What dog doesn’t like attention from it’s owner.  It will also keep your dog looking and smelling great and reduce grooming costs in the future.

I pledge allegiance to the DOG!

I often frequent the Groomer’s Lounge which is an online bulletin board for and by pet groomers.  I came across the International Internet Groomers Alliance.  There I found a The Pet Grooming Professional Code of Ethics written by Ravenna Oakes.   I liked  it and I’ve decided to take the pledge.

As a Pet Grooming Professional, I promise:
1. To keep concern for the welfare, health and safety of the pets under my care the topmost priority of my work.
2. To treat the pets in my care at all times with vigilance, kindness, patience and respect.
3. To conduct my business with honesty and integrity, toward my customers and their pets, and toward other grooming and pet care professionals, and toward myself.
4. To continue to seek knowledge and resources that will contribute to my skills and to my ability to care for my client pets.
5. To contribute, when and how I can, to the growth and improvement of the Pet Grooming profession.
6. To offer other pet groomers, whenever possible, the human support and encouragement that we need to feel a part of this professional community.
7. To provide education to my customers and to the public on proper grooming care for their pets.
8. To treat all others as I would have them treat me.

Hello world!

Hello Dog Lovers!  Welcome to Pupscale Grooming Blog.   I have decided to start a blog to inform the conscious dog owner about the upkeep and proper care of their pup who deserves upscale treatment without the upscale price.  This blog will feature:  news, info on special dog related events, grooming service promotions, trends in dog grooming, featured dog of the month, and educational info.  Check out the “About”  page to learn a little about me. Please subscribe to the blog;  I promise I will not share,sell, or trade your email address or saturate your inbox .

Enjoy a little dog groomer humor:

Contrary to the above cartoons, I am blessed with very well-behaved dogs. Some, I think, enjoy the process.  I, and I’m sure many other groomers have been asked the question:  ”Why does it cost more to get my dog groomed than my own haircut?” Well, over the years there is a growing list of answers.  Here are some that I have come across.  Have a little laugh.

• Your hairdresser doesn’t give you a bath.
• Your hairdresser doesn’t give you a manicure and pedicure.
• You don’t try to bite or scratch your hairdresser.
• You don’t wiggle, spin or try to jump out of the hairdresser’ s chair.
• Your hairdresser only cuts the top of your head, not your whole body.
• You don’t try to hump the hairdresser.
• Your hairdresser doesn’t wipe boogies from your eyes.
• Your hairdresser doesn’t pluck and clean your ears.
• Your hairdresser doesn’t squeeze your anal glands.
• You don’t poop or pee while you are getting your hair cut.
• Your hairdresser does not remove fleas or ticks.
• You don’t go 6 weeks (or more) without brushing or washing your hair.
• Your hairdresser doesn’t brush your teeth.
• You don’t try to bite the clippers. scissors, brush, nail clippers or dyer.
• It doesn’t take 3 people to trim your nails.
• Your hairdresser doesn’t have to de-matt your hair.
• Your hairdresser would never wash your butt.
• Your hair dresser doesn’t give you a “sanitary trim”.
• Drying your hair doesn’t blow hair on  everything.
• You don’t howl or bark while having all this done!