Over 175 Videos Now Available!

In This Issue
Contact Us!
Having Trouble Watching Videos on Your iPad or iPhone?
NDGAA and IPG Discount
Complete Video List Now Available
Recommended Reading
Introducing our Newest Training Partner, Jeri Hoppe
Grooming the Poodle Like a Kerry Blue Terrier
Showcase Salon: Bridgeview Grooming Salon
Grooming a Mature Golden Retriever in a Puppy Cut
What Do You Do With a Wire Coated Doodle?
Shop Maintenance 101
Creating a New Trim Style on a Full Coated Shih Tzu
Grooming a Black Russian Terrier
What Do You Do With a Sparse Coated Wire Doodle?
Grooming a Pet West Highland White Terrier
How to Effectively Line-Brush an Old English Sheepdog
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FINALLY!

Complete Video List Available!

Learn2GroomDogs.com now offers
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Scroll to the bottom of the Home page and click where you see
   

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Recommended Reading

 
If you like
"Notes from the Grooming Table,"
you'll love
"Theory of 5" and "Notes Pocket Pal!"

 
Introducing our Newest Training Partner
Jeri Hoppe

 

Jeri purchased her first show dog, an Old English Sheepdog (OES), in 1981. As breeder, owner, and handler, she has shown numerous OES to their AKC Championships under her kennel name "Foursquare". Her dogs have earned the honor of being recognized with wins at regional and national specialties. Jeri also entered the world of Norwich Terriers in 2006.

 

Jeri's skills and attention to detail have been recognized by breeders of the country's top OES and Norwich. Dogs that she has groomed/conditioned include a top ten/multiple Best in Show OES, two multiple Best in Specialty Show OES, and the number one Norwich Terrier. In 2011, Jeri groomed the OES that won the Puppy Sweepstakes, Reserve Winners Dog and Reserve Winners Bitch at the Old English Sheepdog Club of America's National Specialty, plus the Norwich that won Best Veteran and Best Stud Dog at the Montgomery County Kennel Club show.

 

 

Jeri began her professional dog grooming career in 1981, and opened her salon, A Brush With Greatness, in 2005. She regularly grooms many Norwich and OES that are brought to her from far and wide. Jeri's time and talents have also benefited unwanted OES in the Chicagoland area for the past twenty five years.

 

In 2004, Jeri entered her first grooming competition. Shortly afterward, she won Best Groomed Dog at the Celebration of Style in 2005. In 2010 and 2011, Jeri earned a place on GroomTeam USA as a Top 10 Stylist. Her recent wins include a first place in the all other purebred group in Denver, first place in the terrier group in Atlanta, and a first place in the all other purebred group in Hershey.

 

Jeri resides in Barrington, Illinois, with husband Brian, children Mason, Mitchell and Caroline, and an extended family of Norwich and OES.

How to Make Generous Acts a Way of Life
- 10 Thoughtful Practices -

Priscilla Parham

 

Have you ever experienced an unexpected kindness? To have a neighbor rake the leaves off of your driveway as they are doing theirs. Or the highway driver that slows down to let you pass lanes in front of them. These small random acts of kindness are wonderful to give and receive. They also make us feel more connected to each other as a society. It reawakens you to the fact that people are all the same deep down and are quite good at heart.

 

In this fast paced world it seems like people are misinterpreting the amount of time it actually takes to perform a random act of kindness. Most acts of kindness are spur of the moment. The kind act occurs to you and you do it: it is really that simple.

 

We can all make generous acts a way of life. Once you realize just how good it feels to perform random acts of kindness, you will want to do them as often as you can. We've taken some of the guesswork out of what is possible by offering 10 Thoughtful Practices to help get you on your way.

 

By the time you move through our list of thoughtful practices you will have come up with some of your own. So bon appetit!

 

Practice 1. Get a $5 or $10 gift card, add a little thank you note and leave it in your mailbox for your mail carrier. Boldly write for the mail carrier or for the postal worker on the envelope and don't forget to put the flag up on the side of the mailbox.

 

Practice 2. If you are a coupon clipper take all of your unwanted baby item coupons and deliver them to the nearest childcare facility or unwanted pet coupons and deliver them to the nearest animal shelter or vet office.

 

Practice 3. Gather up your, I just don't want to watch them again DVD's and donate them to a senior center or a nursing home.

   

Practice 4. Bake or buy cookies or muffins for your local fire or police department, to thank them for the hard work they do.  

 

Practice 5. When you have just gotten great customer service, make sure you get the individuals name. Upon leaving ask to see the manager and tell him/her what a fantastic job their employee is doing.

   

Practice 6. Buy funny or sentimental cards; address, stamp, and mail them to each individual living at home with you, especially any children. It feels so good to get personal mail, don't wait for a special occasion.

   

Practice 7. If you are a pet owner, the next time you are at the grocery store buying pet food, pick up one extra bag and donate it to your local animal shelter.  

 

Practice 8. Take your faithful barber or beautician a sandwich and a drink to your next appointment. They often have a hard time getting away for meals.  

 

Practice 9. Do you know a young newlywed couple? Make a nice care package filled with gently used household items you no longer use or want. This also works great for any young college students you might know.  

 

Practice 10. One afternoon call your local shelter, mission, hospice, senior center or nursing home ask them if it would be okay if you just come by and sit with someone who might need a friend to talk to for a little while.  

 

We create magical moments for both the giver and receiver of these generous acts of kindness. A divine blending of energies takes place as people work together, supporting and encouraging each other in ways that are fulfilling and productive.  

 

Gandhi once said, "Whatever you do may seem insignificant, but it is important that you do it." Remember this as you add your own thoughtful practices to your way of life.

 

  

 


November 21, 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 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, the 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 a Mature Golden Retriever in a Puppy Cut with Misty Fowler: A simple clipper technique to give you a smooth finish
  • Shop Maintenance 101 with Marc LaFleur: What to look for that indicates you have potential problem a breaker box
  • What Do You Do With a Wire Coated Doodle? with Jennifer Hecker: Which stripping knives work best
  • Showcase Salon: Bridgeview Grooming Salon with Courtney Ramstack: Why they allow clients to stay with their pets when requested  
  • Common Groomer Physical Aliments that Plague Our Industry with Misty Fowler
  • How strategically scheduling appointments can have a huge impact on how you feel
 

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.

  • What Do You Do With a Wire Coated Doodle? - Jennifer Hecker, CMG
  • Cutting Down a Full Coated Shih Tzu - Lisa Leady, CMG 
  • Grooming a Black Russian Terrier - Suesan Watson, CMG 
  • Grooming a Pet Westie - Courtney Ramstack, CMG 
  • How to Line Brush an Old English Sheepdog - Jeri Hoppe

 

 

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  

 

 

 

Common Groomer Physical Ailments that Plague Our Industry
Misty Fowler, CMG

  

Professional pet grooming is a far cry from a cushy desk job. It's physically demanding and dirty. The dryers are loud -- and occasionally the yapping dog in the corner even louder. There are days when you leave the shop mentally and physically drained. Despite the negative components of grooming pets -- most of us wouldn't trade it for any other career. It can be one of the most rewarding jobs we have ever done. Unfortunately, the demanding elements can take a toll on our bodies. Join longtime stylist, Misty Fowler as she shares her extensive list of problems she has learned to overcome through the years. She'll share many solutions that have allowed her to stay at her grooming table for well over 20 years.   

 

In this video you will learn:   

  • How physical therapy can re-energize or even save your career  
  • How strategic appointment scheduling can have a huge impact on how you feel
  • How diet and exercise kept Misty at the grooming table
  • How regular massages promotes activity
  • The simple things that can easily be incorporated into your everyday routine that will extend your career

Approximate running time: 15 minutes     

Showcase Salon:
Bridgeview Grooming Salon
Courtney Ramstack, CMG
 
Bridgeview's mission is to provide the highest quality veterinary medical care and grooming salon services in a friendly, relaxed setting. They sincerely care about owners and their pets!  That is what Bridgeview Animal Hospital and Bridgeview Grooming Salon is all about. Join Courtney Ramstack, the director of the grooming department, as she personally shows you through this well-designed grooming facility. This 2000 square foot salon imparts an uncluttered 'spa' atmosphere. It was designed to be bright and airy. The styling area has room for 6 styling stations. The bathing area boasts three tubs at various heights. The abundance of holding spaces for the pets allow the Bridgeview's grooming department to streamline their day to maximize productivity in a relaxed, caring manner.
 

In this video you will learn:    

  • How to get a "spa" feel in the salon
  • How to maximize productivity levels with strategic appointment setting procedures 
  • How to track over 30 dogs through the bathing process
  • Why they allow clients to stay with their pets, if requested  
  • Unique options for electrical outlets

Approximate running time: 15 minutes 

 Grooming a Mature Golden Retriever  

in a Puppy Cut

Misty Fowler, CMG 

  

Do you have Golden clients that insist they want a haircut for their pooch? We know, we know... it's considered a cardinal sin to trim a Golden, but some owners just won't give up - they want their dogs shorter! If you don't do it, the groomers down the street will - and happily collect the money for doing it! What options do you have? The simplest trim is a shave off, but it's not all that appealing. Misty shows you two versions of a super cute trim. The first one she calls a "sporting trim." The second one she terms a "puppy trim." On both trims, Misty uses guard combs to set the length of the body coat. With one trim she leaves the feathers longer. In the second version, she trims the longer furnishings shorter. The differences are slight but both haircuts turn back the clock of time on this dog. The Golden looks like a puppy again. The end result is a trim that is appealing and easy to care for
 

In this video you will learn:    

  • Why it's important to card the coat prior to trimming
  • A simple clipper technique that gives a smooth finish
  • Various trim length options
  • Ways to remove clipper marks in the coat
  • Why it's important to check with owners prior to trimming ears

Approximate running time: 49 minutes 

What Do You Do With a Wire Coated Doodle?
 Jennifer Hecker, CMG
 

 

How many of your have been faced with a Doodle type dog with a wiry coat? They are out there. In this video lesson, hand stripping expert, Jennifer Hecker, shows you some great styling options. This dog has a coat similar to a Bouvier des Flandres. It has not been groomed in about five months. Jennifer shows you how to rake out the coat, cutting down the time it takes to hand strip. Finally she shows you how to detail the haircut with shears along with styling the head. The end result is a tidied up rough coated dog. The look is natural and appealing.  
     

In this video you will learn:

  • General techniques for working on a hand stripped coat
  • How to find out if you are applying too much pressure to the stripping knife
  • Which products to use to make a coat 'tacky'
  • Which stripping knives work best
  • Which pattern style you should follow when grooming this breed

Approximate running time: 24 minutes

Shop Maintenance 101

Mark LaFleur, CMG   

      

Many of us are guilty of this - we ignore basic maintenance of our salons. We're just too busy grooming dogs! But overlooking these items will slow down your productivity or - worse yet - could be just down-right dangerous! Marc shares with you some of the more routine items that need to be addressed to keep your salon running smoothly. We are headed into one of the busiest grooming times of the year - the holiday season! Is your shop ready to handle the load? In this lesson, Marc rolls up his sleeves to tackle dryers, tub drains, laundry dryers, hot water heaters, vents, hydraulic tables, and much more.  
     

In this video you will learn:    

  • What type of filter works great on many kennel dryers
  • How often should you look under the cover plate of electrical outlets
  • How to spot potential problems in a breaker box
  • A great option for laundry machines
  • How often should you have your duct work cleaned
 
Total approximate running time: 24 minutes 

 

Click here to see the full video!

 

  
5 New Sneak Peeks!  

 

Creating a New Trim Style on a Full Coated Shih Tzu That Is Stylish & Easy to Maintain

Lisa Leady, CMG

 

You've seen Pandy in our video lessons and in Melissa Verplank's book, The Theory of Five. She's that black-and-white Shih Tzu with an overabundance of long, flowing coat. In this video lesson master pet stylist, Lisa Leady, creates a totally new look for Pandy. As she has aged, caring for Pandy's long coat has gotten a bit challenging for the owners -- and uncomfortable for the dog. Lisa shows you how to create a unique trim that gives the illusion of a long flowing coat. But it's just that, an illusion. She shows you how to create this trim with a combination of guard combs, shears and blending shears. This is fun trim for a senior pet. The main goal is to make her look good while minimizing the amount of time she's on the grooming table or being brushed at home.

   

   


 

   

Grooming a Black Russian Terrier 

Suesan Watson, CMG

 

The Black Russian Terrier is a relatively new breed to the American Kennel Club. The breed originated following WWII. It was created to provide working dogs for the armed services in the Soviet Union. This is a large, robust dog. It is extremely muscular and strong. In this session, seasoned stylist, Suesan Watson demonstrates the basic grooming pattern used to accentuate the physique of these dogs. The breed sports a standard Terrier type pattern -- yet has a number of unique attributes that we don't typically see with other dogs. This dog was shaved down a few months prior to this grooming. Still, there is enough coat to show you how to set in the "tuxedo," create the "top hat," carve out the rear angulation and set the lines on the large blocky head.

     




What Do You Do With a 

Sparse Coated Wire Doodle?
  Jennifer Hecker, CMG
 

Do you have Doodles in your client file that just don't have the traditional soft, wavy coat? In this session, Jennifer Hecker shows you how to work with the dog that has a very sparse, wiry coat. He has an abundance of long, harsh coat over his spine making him look a bit like a hunchback. Yet, he is  sparsely coated on his legs. Jennifer shows you how to make this dog look fabulous with some very basic hand stripping techniques. She gives him loads of personality by playing up his tiny eyebrows, accentuating his beard and giving him tassel ears. By the time he is done, he is a much more balanced dog. The finished look is much more pleasing to the eye. This is a super easy trim to do, even if you are a novice at hand stripping!         

    




Grooming a Pet West Highland  

White Terrier

Courtney Ramstack, CMG

 

The West Highland White Terrier in this video is absolutely beautiful. Even though she's older, she's the perfect demonstration dog. Award-winning pet stylist, Courtney Ramstack shows you how to groom this breed. She has an amazing ability to explain, engage, and demonstrate what she is doing as she grooms this dog in a breed profile pet trim. She uses a longer clipper cut to emulate the look of a hand stripped coat. Courtney has a number of tricks up her sleeve when it comes to rounding the head. It's entertaining to watch her get the proper look and expression from this gorgeous dog.

 

It is obvious Courtney is passionate about what she does with pets. If L2GD had a rating system for its video, this lesson would certainly have a 5 Paw rating! If you're struggling on how to set the Westie pattern, how to shape the head or create a carrot tail -- this video will bring clarity to what you're doing.  ...And if you are in any position that involves teaching or mentoring -- this video is a must!   

 




How to Effectively Line-Brush an Old English Sheepdog

Jeri Hoppe

 

Jeri Hoppe has gained respect for beautifully presenting Old English Sheepdogs in both the conformation ring and the grooming area. In this lesson, she shares her secrets for maintaining the OES's coat. She walks you through the art of line-brushing this type of coat. Her methods minimize coat damage. She'll share the tools, products, and methods she has used for years to keep her dogs in peak condition. One of her favorite phrases is. "You have to brush your dog where the sun doesn't shine." In this lesson, she'll show you how that is done.