Shih-Tzu Faces

I groom a lot of Shih-Tzu's.

So many owners come in not really knowing what they want.

Or, they know how they want their Shih-Tzu to look, but they just do not know how to describe what they want.

Whoever said mind reading was not real, has never seen a groomer in action.

How many times over the years have I had to put on that Mind Reading hat.

So, after years of Mind Reading, I had a light bulb moment.

Yes, it took years.

The old brain just doesn't work like it used to.

I have no idea why I did not think of it sooner.

What is it you ask?

My Grooming Book for my customers.

It has helped check-in go a little faster.

Mainly for those customers that just don't know what they want or how to describe it.

My Groom Book is full of grooms I have done over the years.

I tried to take as many pictures of as many different breeds and styles that I could.

All the different faces of Shih-Tzu's are just some of the pages in my book.

Here are some of them.

Note to groomers out there:

It is amazing how much you find wrong with some of your grooms when you look back at the pictures.

Long Beard, Long Ears.

#C1 on the top of the head an scissor, blend into the back of the neck.

This is the same Shih-Tzu as above.

He now has a new owner, and she likes him bald.

It makes me so sad every time my daughter grooms him.

It could just be me, but I think he looks sad now.

I think he liked his long hair.

Anyway, he gets a #7F all off.

We do use a #4F on top of his head and scissor to shape.

I hate the way the #7F looks on the top of his head.

#7F on the outside of the ears, #10 on the inside.

This little guy gets a #5F on the face and scissor.

A #4F on the top of the head and scissor to shape.

Scissor the ears up to just below the leather.

Face scissored round and tight, but not clean face tight, around the muzzle.

#C3 on top of the head and scissor.

#C3 on the ears and scissor to shape.

Scissor beard to a medium length.

#C1 on top of the head and scissor.

Scissor ears to lip line, out of food.

#4F on the face and top of the head.

Leave ears long, neaten the ends.

Same dog as above.

The owner wanted the same on the head and face.

But, she wanted the ears very short.

Ears, #4F and scissor to shape.

#C3F on the top of the head and scissor.

Beard off with a #5F.

Scissor mustache up to the lip line.

Leave ears long, neaten.

My customers love being able to pick a face from these pictures.

Some will pick a face they like, others will picks different things from different pictures.

So, if you get a chance to take pictures, do it.

It is great to have something for the owner to point at and say, "I want my dog to look like that."

Oh, if you would like to  make your own book, go to http://www.winkflash.com/photo-books/

Maybe that is what is wrong with my brain now a days.

I don't get to Mind Read as much anymore.

Lack of exercise.

Nope.
Just getting old.

Happy Grooming, MFF