In This Issue
Contact Us!
Becoming a Successful Groomer
Grooming the English Setter
Grooming the Smooth Fox Terrier
Using Style to Bring out the Charm in a Lhasa/Poo
Grooming Demo on a Daisy Dog
Grooming the Scottish Terrier
Grooming the Westie
Animal Photography
The Sister Act
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What You Really Need to Know to Become a Successful Pet Groomer

 

 

 

I hate to break it to you, but you need to know a lot less than you might think before you have a waiting list of clients.  If you have a positive personality and can work with an animal safely, you're probably going to succeed in this business.  However, that doesn't excuse you from learning and getting better - personal growth will always give you the edge over your competition.

 

Over the years I've seen phenomenal stylists that could out-groom me tenfold -  yet they struggled to pay their bills.  I've seen other groomer's work that made me ache to go over their pets one more time  to smooth out the rough spots before they turned it over to the client.  Yet their client roster was always full and their tips plentiful.  What is the difference between the two professionals?  Compassion and trust towards the pet.

 

When a client chooses a grooming service, they are not necessarily buying your credentials, your reputation or your industry importance. Nope -- the client comes to you based on the personality of you and your salon.  It's kind of like being back in high school and voted 'Most Popular.'

 

Service businesses are based on relationships.  People choose a business based on feelings -- on perceptions -- on trust.  Their little four-legged 'child' is at the center of their universe.  If you do not convey the feelings of compassion and build a trusting relationship with that pet, you're not going to have very many clients.

 

Can you be successful if you can only master one trait - either be exceptionally talented or be exceptionally compassionate? Sure. But think of the success that you would have if you could master both traits.  Sometimes we have to dig deep and remind ourselves why we got into this business.  Bottom line, most of us stepped into the professional pet grooming world because we had a passion for animals. There is nothing more rewarding than helping a pet while watching an owner admire how incredible their dog looks and feels.

 

50% of success is based on skill.  The other 50% is based on compassion and trust.  Combine the two and you have an unbelievable recipe for success.


Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be.

George Sheehan 

 

Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.

Anthony J. D'Angelo

 

"Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in."

Bill Bradley

 

 

 

 

 

 
























May 31, 2011

Welcome to Learn2GroomDogs.com, the first streaming video library for the professional pet groomer and stylist!  Select from over 100 training videos - all available with just a few simple clicks of your mouse!  L2GD.com (and cats) is a unique way to get an edge over your competition.

 

Stay curious.  Challenge yourself.  Let your drive and creativity increase your success and earning capacity.  L2GD.com can help.  All of our Training Partners are at the top of the field.  For the first time ever, you don't have to travel to shows or clinics to learn the secrets of the masters - we bring it right to you - computer side!

 

Learn2GroomDogs.com (and cats) is for you if:

  • You are a solo stylist and want to see how your work compares to top level stylists
  • You work in a small shop and want to know how your work compares to top level stylists
  • You struggle to complete 6-8 or even 12 grooms a day with ease  
  • You are looking for an easy way to visually enhance your current grooming skills
  • You struggle with efficient tool use
  • Handling difficult pets drives you crazy

Here are a few of the items you'll learn in the videos that are going up for full view today.

  • Grooming the English Setter in a Show Style Trim (with Misty Fowler)   
    • Session #1:  Trimming Feet and Hand Stripping the Sporting Dog Coat
    • Session #2:  Working with Thinning Shears, Styling the Head, and Detail Finishing
    • Session #3:  Q & A on Grooming the English Setter
  • Who Says a Smooth Fox Terrier Doesn't Need Grooming?! (with Lisa Leady)  
  • Using Style to Bring out the Charm in a Lhasa/Poo (with Suesan Watson)  

We have some amazing footage to share with you.  See what is on our editing table in these fabulous Sneak Peeks for our latest release.   

  • Grooming Demo on an adorable Daisy Dog (with Misty Fowler)
  • Grooming a Retired AKC Champion Scottish Terrier in a Pet Trim (with Lisa Leady) 
  • Grooming the Pet West Highland White Terrier (with Suesan Watson) 
  • Go Behind the Scenes with Ren Netherland and Animal Photography at Intergroom to see how he gets those amazing pet photos
  • The Sister Act: Personal Interview With Lisa Leady and Suesan Watson

 Membership pricing as low as $33.60     

   

 Membership Information   

 

Please take a moment to check out our "Membership" tab and be sure to share this link with all of your friends and associates!

 

  

Happy Trimming,

Melissa Verplank   

 

Great Videos Going Up for Full View  

 

Grooming the English Setter in a Show Style Trim 

 by Misty Fowler, CMG   

   

Misty Fowler leads you through the process of show style trimming an older English Setter.  These techniques are suitable for everyday pet clients, contest grooming, and certification testing.  Learn how to use a wide variety of tools to hand strip the coat for a natural look that accentuates the structure of the dog.  We hope you enjoy the Q&A session from the live audience!   

 

 

Session 1

Trimming Feet and Hand Stripping  

the Sporting Dog Coat

 

In this video you will learn:    

  • How to create a 'cat foot' with high arched toes
  • Which tools to use to hand strip the back  
  • How much pressure to place on your tools
  • How far to strip down the rear legs and set the pattern line
  • Ways to correct conformational faults in a top line

Approximate running time: 32 minutes

 

 Click here to see the full video!      

 

Session 2 

Working with Thinning Shears, Styling the Head,  

and Detail Finishing

 

In this video you will learn:  

  • How to blend the neck into the longer hand stripped coat
  • How to trim the head
  • How to shape the chest
  • How to open up the 'window'
  • How to set the undercarriage line

Approximate running time: 34 minutes

 

 Click here to see the full video!     

 

Session 3 

Q & A Session 

 

In this video you will learn:  

  • The difference between the three Setters
  • Whether to hand strip or clip a Setter
  • Why you hand thin the neck area instead of using a #7F clipper blade
  • How often a Setter should be groomed as a pet or for show
  • Whether or not you need to clip a naturally short head

Approximate running time: 9 minutes


Who Said a Smooth Fox Terrier Doesn't Need Grooming?!  

Lisa Leady, CMG

 

Lisa Leady has shown this breed in the AKC conformation show ring for years.  You'll love watching the amazing amount of coat that is removed and the subtle outline changes she was able to make.  The techniques she uses can be easily applied to many other breeds with a similar coat, such as Beagles, Parson Russell Terriers, Chihuahuas, and Toy Fox Terriers.

   

In this video you will learn:    

  • How to trim the throat area and which blade is best for sensitive skin
  • How to trim the "back pants" of the Smooth Fox Terrier while accentuating angulation  
  • Tips used to give the illusion of extended neck length  
  • How to keep the look as 'natural' as possible
  • BONUS TIP: Learn how to trim the nails to the proper length every time with this simple little trick! (Even after 30+ years grooming,  I'd never heard this before!)

Approximate running time: 40 minutes 

Using Style to Bring Out the Charm in a Lhasa/Poo 

Suesan Watson, CMG

   

One of the most common mixed breeds in the grooming salon is the Lhasa/Poodle mix.  Sue gives a detailed demonstration using snap-on combs and hand scissoring techniques on one side, then grooms the opposite side at a much more rapid pace.  This technique allows you see the grooming process twice!  You won't want to miss Sue's secrets for taking years off the pet with a few snips of the shears.

 

In this video you will learn:    

  • How to make your scissor work last longer
  • A unique way to find the correct location of the tuck-up on any dog
  • Why you always round feet before you scissor the legs
  • How to blend and skim to eliminate any transition lines
  • How to give a more youthful expression to any pet with a round head style

 Approximate running time: 57 minutes

5 New Sneak Peeks!  

 

Grooming Demo on a Daisy Dog 

Misty Fowler, CMG

 

Misty Fowler demonstrates grooming techniques that emphasize key features of this adorable little dog.  This combination coat is wiry on the body while extremely soft on the head and legs, which poses some interesting challenges.  Misty shows you how to clip the body and scissor the legs to make the most of this haircut.  She creates a cute round head style that shows off the eyes and long eyelashes.

 


 


 

Grooming the Scottish Terrier 

Lisa Leady, CMG

   

Lisa Leady has been involved with the AKC conformation show ring for years. Terriers are her specialty.  Watch as she leads you through the grooming process.  She points out highlights of the breed standard and tells you how to properly set the pattern. Lisa also provides pointers on blade choices and tools to use.  Scottie heads are one of the trickiest to trim and Lisa shows you how you can easily complete this aspect on any Scottie in your own clientele.

   




Grooming the West Highland White Terrier  

Suesan Watson, CMG

   

As with most Terriers, Westies have a trim style that is specific, yet easy to apply.  In this session, awarding winning stylist, Suesan Watson, shows you how to groom a pet Westie with typical conformational problems.  She shows you how to get a natural look using a combination of clipping, thinning, blending, and stripping.  Sue shares her wealth of knowledge about pet handling, product usage, and breed profile tactics to get 'the look' on any Westie.   

    




Animal Photography Infomercial at Intergroom   

Ren Netherland 

   

Meet one of the most respected pet photographers in the country. Ren Netherland brings out the best in any pet.  His work has been featured on national magazine covers and he has been published in hundreds of publications.  Animal Photography is mobile throughout the country!  In this session, Ren highlights how he works, the products he offers, plus classes he teaches on pet photography.  Find out how you can book a day with this leading pet photographer!  Ren also gives us a behind-the-scenes peek into his converted coach, including the editing area, shooting set, and (rarely seen) his living quarters!

      




The Sister Act:  Personal Interview  

with Lisa Leady and Suesan Watson 

Suesan Watson, CMG and Lisa Leady, CMG 

   

In this session, we chat with these two talented sisters. Their personal story, including their trials and tribulations as they rose to the top of the pet industry, is heartwarming and inspirational. You'll learn about their lives as children growing up in a 'dog family.'  Find out how they rose to the top of the professional pet styling industry, how they overcame 'groomer burn-out', and what it takes to keep the passion alive.  They also touch on their most rewarding events in the pet industry.  Surprisingly, it's not what you think - for either of them!