About Me:

I am a professional Pet Groomer. I have been grooming for 28 years. This Blog is a kind of diary of my work. I wish I had started years ago, writing some of the experiences I have had while grooming. Most days are fun, some can be sad, some can be just down right crazy. If you are a pet owner and come across this blog, I hope it helps you understand how your pet is groomed. If you are a Pet Groomer, I hope you can relate to some of the stories. Maybe even learn a grooming tip or can leave a friendly grooming tip for me. There is always something to learn, no matter how long you have been grooming.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

A Question For My Blog Readers

I was wondering if my readers (whoever is left after my long absence lol) would be interested in me doing posts on each and every step of the grooming process.

I mean in very detailed steps.
From beginning to end.
One post for each step.

I don't claim to be a teacher.
I am always learning new things myself.
I don't clam to be better than other groomers, but I would love to share what 30+ years of grooming has taught me.
I have had people tell me I am a fool for writing this blog and showing how I groom for free.
I just want to share and help other groomers to groom safely and gently.

My only concern is that dogs are groomed gently and safely.
Some may not agree with some of the ways I groom, but if I can help instruct new or beginner  groomers on some of the safe ways to groom, or maybe even teach a veteran groomer a new trick here or there it would be worth it.

I watched an awful video on facebook last week of a groomer mishandling a dog.
The groomer was fired.
I couldn't help thinking that if someone had just taught this groomer another, gentler way to handle the situation that video would have never happened, and that groomer would still have a job.

If there is an interest in 'teaching posts' from the beginning of a groom to the end please comment below. 
If you are not able to comment, but you are interested, just check off the interesting box at the bottom of this post.

I look forward to hearing your opinions. :)



24 comments:

  1. I'd love to see this. If I could put in a request as well - could you do one on how to find a good groomer?
    I think the non groomers out here (like me!) would appreciate knowing how to find their very own Lisa. :)

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  2. Please! I've loved following your blog!!

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  3. I am very much interested in what you have to say about grooming.I am a new groomer,4 year of expirience,and I am always happy to learn more.Thnx for shering your experience with us! Ana from Serbia,Europe

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  4. I would love it if you posted stuff like this. I greatly enjoy reading your blog -- it's not only entertaining, but extremely helpful as well. I've been grooming for only 3 years now, so I'm still learning a lot. Many of your posts have helped me learn new grooming techniques, new ways of dealing with difficult dogs (and customers), and so many other things. And I think it's great you're willing to teach and share your experience for free. Not enough people are willing to do that, and I think it's stingy. So please, write some teaching posts. I for one would love to see them. :)

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  5. I'm a beginner so I would greatly appreciate it if you covered all of the steps including the very basics!

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  6. I would love to see instructions on anything you would want to teach!! I have missed your posts so much!!!

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  7. Yes, please! I think even experienced groomers should learn how other groomers do things because you just might learn something new, something you never thought of doing that could be helpful!

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  8. I know that video. I work for that company, and let me just say that being a corporate groomer does NOT mean we are bad groomers. I love (most) of the dogs that i see and i can believe someone would handle a dog like that. I do think its all in how you are trained. A lot of up and coming groomers could benefit from this. I know personally ive learned a lot from this blog and i really do appreciate it. I vote yes.

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  9. Yes, it would be great to learn more. :) Maybe you could include how to keep your equipment sanitized in between grooms too?

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  10. That would be great! I would love tips. I have been helping my mother with amateur grooming her scotties at home. I have always managed the faces and "skirts" since one of the two wiggles and jerks her head to much for my mother (we do own a true grooming table and the reason we groom our own is due to our first scottie had her hip dislocated from a groomer. We never knew if it was an accident, falling off the table, or if the groomer was rough). Anyway, I am specifically curious about cleaning up a shaved area after surgery/IV treatment. My Mini Aussie doesn't need to much other then cleanliness scissoring but I am not sure about the best approach to minimize the appearance of the obviously shaved leg (she looks like a chinese crested! EEK!). Would it be to thin/feather the partially shaved leg with thinning sheers or a regular pair of clippers? Also, would it be a good idea to trim down the other leg as well so she is less lopsided? I know it will take awhile for the fur to grow back in...

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  11. IMO, that kind of instruction is your greatest strength. I've used many of your detailed pictures and processes to help me be a better groomer. You would be helping so many new and experienced groomers. Go for it. We would all love it!!

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  12. Always interested in learning a new technique or improving an old one. I'm right handed and always find the left hind leg awkward to trim or scissor and also to shape that foot, does that happen to others ?

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  13. Found your blog today. Enjoying the read. I came across the brush reviews first and completely agree with your opinions. Love my Matt zapper and my universal. I will try to find the time to continue to "follow" you.

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  14. First time reader of your blog. A great read. Look forward to seeing what you have to say in the future. Loved your brush review.

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  15. Please do nail clipping and grinding! Especially with how to find the quick in overgrown/curly black nails. That would be great!

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  16. Hi, I just came across your blog today while searching for the best brush to use on my pom. I went through your pom blog post and noticed it was from 2013 so I figured I'd comment on something more recent in the chance that you don't go back to old posts. Anyways, here's my question: I was looking for a better, possibly easier brush to remove my poms shedding undercoat. Right now I am using a simple two-sided brush, one side has metal bristles and the other side has softer, hair like ones. It does the job but I feel like I tend to rip out his undercoat more than remove it nicely. Luckily he doesn't complain but I still think there is a better option. I at first was looking at the Furminator but I read in one of your comments that those aren't good for pom coats. Any suggestions or possibly even a link to a brush I could buy would be greatly appreciated.

    Thank you in advance!

    P.S. Great job with the blog! It's extremely detailed and helpful. Love it.

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  17. I would love to see how you groom Yorkies and Malteses! Their fine hair drives me crazy. I can work with the body but the faces always look silly. I've been grooming for a year and have been following you for at least that long. Any tips?

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  18. I'm a new groomer. Went to grooming school but finding I still have tons to learn and I'm staying up late learning lots ...I keep coming back to your blog. Your blog has been very helpful and fun.

    I would love it if you would go over in detail all aspects of the grooming process. I'd like to hear more about the dos, don'ts, and ideas for sanitary clipping too. No one seems to talk about it and yet I keep thinking this is a delicate area and what are my clients seeing when their dogs roll over for a tummy rub.

    I have tried to contact my instructor to ask questions but he has not returned my email or my call. He may be away on holiday or something has happened.

    I do have one urgent question. I'd really appreciate any help. One, how to get a nice smooth sanitary clip on non poodle type coats. I was taught to use a #10 blade but sometimes I just can't seem to get a nice smooth look and I'm concerned if I over do it I'll harm the dog. Two, I'm concerned about clipper burn, especially as I just did my own dog (poodle-x) and he got clipper burn. He is white and sensitive but I checked that the blade did not get hot, and I was trying to be very careful. Could my blade be dull? I did his ears with #10 too and one ear bled later - like a bad bruising or hair pulled out. I don't see any clipper lines or gouge marks. I feel so badly and now I'm worried I'm doing something wrong and will hurt another dog when I do a sanitary clip or short clip.

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  19. Please. My pup's first experience was traumatizing, such that I cannot get him to walk by on the same side of the street of the shop. He is training as a mobility service dog and is doing profoundly well, so this is a big deal. When it comes to his grooming, it's still a battle of wills to comb his back leg where he was burned and nick with clippers.
    What I've learned from others, and you will in particular, is helping in his recovery. What over learned, including where I've gotten the help, I pass on to others with service animal's. Many of us cannot afford or access professionals. Also, it's one more thing we can do.

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  20. I too would love step by step instructions. I'm new and still overthinking things that are second nature to more experienced groomers.

    I love your blog! And you! I hope to someday be a kind, patient, talented, and yet still somehow efficient groomer like you. Is it possible??? :)

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  21. I've always loved your blog and I am so glad you're back!
    I would really appreciate more step by step tutorials!
    I attended a lecture by Dave Campanella from Best Shot for Drying techniques at Fun in the Sun grooming show in Orlando yesterday.
    Mr. Campanella asked if any in attendance followed your blog and about ten of us raised or hands.
    Then he demonstrated your HV drying technique and how you remove your nozzle to increase drying speed.
    I will definitely be trying this out as soon as I get back home!

    Again, I am glad your back and I'm very thankful you provide this blog, time and knowledge! ☺


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