|
Contact Us
Learn2GroomDogs.com
110 Chicago Drive
Jenison, Michigan 49428
616.667.7297
Customer Service Questions?
customerservice@learn2groomdogs.com
Billing Questions?
teresad@paragonpetschool.com
Technical Problems
and Suggestions?
joellea@paragonpetschool.com
| | |
|
Learn
Anywhere
- Any Time! -
Learn2GroomDogs.com
| | |
|
Introducing Our Newest Training Partner
Debbie Beckwith, CMG
Debbie Beckwith directed and taught at the Southern Institute of Pet Grooming for 20 years. In 2011, she returned to business operation and opened Southern Comfort Groom and Board in South Carolina, which features grooming, styling, and pet boarding. Debbie has had many career highlights since entering the ring in 1979. She has multiple Best All Around contest wins, was an Intergoom Creative Stylist Champion, and was a GroomTeam member in 1992 in Milan, Italy. Ms. Beckwith won the Clipper Vac Championship Title at GroomExpo in 1997. Though now retired from grooming competition, she was a versatile competitor. Debbie served on the board of Professional Pet Groomers Certification (PPGC) Inc. She was instrumental in developing the testing methods still used today. She also served as a Certifier for many years. Debbie is a well-known grooming contest judge, speaker, and is a published writer for trade magazines. She enjoyed a radio spot on Pet Talk, an NPR program broadcast from Clemson University. A recognized AKC Lure Coursing Judge, Debbie, her daughters, and son also enjoy competing in AKC Conformation and Performance events with Sighthounds, Australian Terriers, and Border Collies. Ms. Beckwith also manages a horse boarding facility, "Wanda Rin D Acres." She enjoys trail riding and staying closer to home. |
| |
|
The Foundation of all Great Grooms
Have you checked out the archives in the Learn2GroomDogs.com (and cats) library? We have loads of fabulous videos lessons. If you are just starting out - or are finding your trims just are not coming out like the pets in the demonstrations - go back to your basics. The foundation of ALL great grooming stems from proper coat preparation.
In the bathing process, the coat needs to 'squeak' in the tub. As you are drying a coat, all loose fur need to be removed. Mats and tangles are eliminated prior to the finished trim. Curly or wavy coats are light, fluffy, and straight. Sporting dogs or many Terrier-type coats lie close to the skin. When you sink your comb into the fur and pull, it should glide easily through the coat, from the skin out. Do your dogs pass this test?
A clean coat is the foundation of quality work, at any level of grooming. It does not matter if you are a home groomer, produce high volumes with shop grooming, are a mobile stylist, if you're considering certification testing, or contest level styling. It all boils down to the same thing - quality work comes from great bathing and drying techniques.
If the prep work isn't right - nothing will be right. You will not win, pass your test, or win the trust of pet owners who build repeat business.
As you watch our talented Training Partners, observe how the dog is prepared for the final trim. Do your pets look that good? Come on - be honest. It doesn't take any more time to do it right. Besides, if you don't take the time to do it right the first time, you'll have to MAKE time to do it right a second time. If you don't master these techniques, you have everything to lose - you will not pass your test, you won't place in the contest arena, and clients will not use your services again.
Check out these great video lessons from the L2GD.com archives. They will help you achieve the top quality you need with all foundation work to put you in the ribbon, pass your test, or win the trust of your clients.
Our Bathing and Drying series is broken into coat types and parallel the bathing and drying sections of Notes from the Grooming Table. Find the breed that most closely resembles what you are working on, then sit back and hit "play." These lessons are perfect for the novice or if you simply need a refresher for mastering techniques with each coat type.
Bathing and Drying Series
by Coat Type
Bathing and Drying...
On a Smooth or Short Coat
- Pit-Bull Mix -
On a Heavy Coat
- Shetland Sheepdog -
On a Silky Coat
- English Springer Spaniel -
On a Curly Coat
- Standard Poodle -
On a Wavy Coat
- Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier -
On a Natural Long Coat
- Shih Tzu -
On a Wire Coat
- Dandie Dinmont -
On a Combination Coat
- Maremma Sheepdog -
|
| |
|
Patience is the companion of wisdom.
-Saint Augustine
| |
"Patience can't be acquired overnight. It is just like building up a muscle. Every day you need to work on it."
-Eknath Easwaran
"The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it." -Arnold H. Glasgow
"If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking."
-Buddhist Proverb
| |
|
|
 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 mouse clicks! L2GD.com (and cats) is a unique way to get the edge on your competition. Stay curious. Challenge yourself. Let your drive and creativity increase your success. As the saying goes, 'the more you learn, them more you earn.' L2GD.com (and cats) can help. All of our Training Partners are at the top of their 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 them right to you from the comfort of your computer! 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 Demo on a Daisy Dog - Preventing an accidental trim of those long eyelashes (with Misty Fowler)
- The Sister Act: Personal Interview - Find out how they avoid professional 'burn-out" (with Lisa Leady and Suesan Watson)
- Grooming the Pet Scottish Terrier - Learn how to style the classic Scottie head (with Lisa Leady)
- Grooming the Pet West Highland White Terrier - How to style the head to get the 'chrysanthemum' flower look (with Suesan Watson)
- Animal Photography Infomercial at Intergroom -Learn how he makes 'magic' in his mobile studio (with Ren Netherland)
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 the pet Springer Spaniel (with Misty Fowler)
- Presenting the Dog for Inspection/Judging (with Lisa Leady and Suesan Watson)
- Showcase Facility Tour: National Cat Groomers School (with Danelle German)
- Up-Selling Spa and Teeth Services Infomercial at Intergroom (with Joe Zuccarello from Tropiclean)
- Hand stripping the Australian Terrier (with Debbie Beckwith)
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 Demo on a Daisy Dog
by 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.
In this video you will learn: - The benefits of working with thinning and blending shears
- Multiple soft techniques for dealing with a dancing dog on the grooming table
- How to create parallel lines on the legs
- How to trim the eye area while NOT trimming off the long eye lashes
- How to work with cowlicks in a coat
Approximate running time: 55 minutes
|
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.
In this video you will learn:
- Why a skip tooth blade works well on this breed
- How to shape the tail and rump
- How to use thinning shears to correct a top line
- How to shape the classic Scottie head
- Tricks to get the ear tufts correct every time
Approximate running time: 46 minutes
|
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.
In this video you will learn:
- Why raking out the coat prior to clipping is helpful
- Proper methods for setting in the thigh area to expose the muscle
- How to round the feet, including great safety tips
- How to shape and style the front legs
- How to style the head to get the 'chrysanthemum' flower look
- BONUS! Great handling tips are sprinkled throughout the entire video
Approximate running time: 63 minutes
|
Animal Photography at Intergroom
Ron 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!
In this video you will learn:
- How Ren works across the country
- How he makes his 'magic'
- How the digital age allows higher quality finished products in a short amount of time
- How you can bring Animal Photography to YOUR clients
- How you can learn to become a pet photographer yourself
Approximate running time: 15 minutes
|
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!
In this video you will learn:
- How they got started in the grooming business
- Their transition point from single breed to all breed grooming
- When they discovered their first pet grooming competition
- How they got started in the pet contest ring and why
- What made grooming shows worthwhile, even if they didn't win
Approximate running time: 32 minutes
|
|
5 New Sneak Peeks!
Grooming the Springer Spaniel
Misty Fowler, CMG
 In the perfect world, all Springers would be hand stripped. However, this is not a reality for professional pet groomers. We clipper cut many breeds that should be hand stripped. In this session, Misty Fowler guides you through clippering a Springer. She'll show you how you get a natural look that emphasizes the breed standard. Typical pet grooming techniques using clippers, thinning shears, shears, and simple carding methods are used. She also highlights some tips for eliminating common problems such as pattern setting, minimizing corduroy tracks, and blending.
|
|
Presenting the Dog for Inspection/Judging
Lisa Leady, CMG
and Suesan Watson, CMG
 Are you thinking about entering the contest area or considering certification testing? Your presentation can make a huge difference! You can also learn a great deal about your OWN grooming if you pay attention to what the judge is seeing as they comb through the coat. Let these seasoned competitors and award-winning contest judges give you their best tips on how to present your dog to the judge or certifier. If you are new to the ring or thinking about taking the leap, you don't want to miss this session.
|
|
Show Case Facility Tour
- National Cat Groomers School -
Danelle German
 Danelle German is your guide through a video tour of her educational facility, The National Cat Groomers School - the only cat grooming school in the world! Located in Greenville, South Carolina, this facility was once a private home built during the early 1900's. The original hardwood floors and other preserved features have been coupled with state-of-the-art cat grooming equipment. This unique combination makes all the difference when it comes to grooming felines. Check out some of the highlighted features:
- The bathing room outfitted with Forever Stainless Mini Tubs.
- The drying room is complete with Catty Shack Vac™ drying systems and Romani dryers.
- The grooming room has ten stations with cat grooming tables, Clipper Vacs, and storage for grooming equipment.
To learn more about the school, training, classes, cat grooming products and Danelle's blog, please visit: http://nationalcatgroomers.com
|
|
Upselling Spa and Teeth Services
Infomercial at Intergroom
Joe Zuccarello with Tropiclean
 Would you like to earn an additional $4 - 10,000 (or more) each year? What if you could do this without adding more hours or days into your schedule? Joe will show you a simple way to make more money without losing valuable time - and in our business, time is money.
Join the master of selling extra services as he shows you how you can increase your daily revenue for only pennies a day. In the first session, Joe talks about the Fresh Breath product line that addresses the oral and dental hygiene needs of your pet clients. His tips for battling bad breath are simple and easy for the groomer or the pet owner to use on any dog - and they'll help you earn more money.
In the second session, Joe discusses the Tropiclean Spa product line. Learn the benefits of adding a luxury line of spa products that can easily increase earnings with every pet that comes into your salon.
|
|
Grooming the Australian Terrier
Debbie Beckwith, CMG
  Long time stylist and trainer, Debbie Beckwith, takes you through the process of correctly grooming an Australian Terrier. She uses hand stripping techniques, combined with thinning shears to get the proper look on this harsh-coated dog. You may not have Australian Terriers walking through your salon door, but if you do, this is the video for you! As a bonus, she'll show you how you can easily apply these grooming tactics on any Terrier or mixed breed dog with a similar coat type. The simple techniques Debbie uses promote a harsh coat that is rich with color. Throughout the video lessons, you'll hear tips and tricks to make your grooming job quick and safe.
|
|
|
|
|
