The FREE biweekly newsletter for the professional and aspiring pet groomer.
In This Issue
Grooming the English Cocker in a Show Style Type Trim
Slope Side Chats: Independent Contractor vs. Employees
Interview with Pina
Double Feature! Grooming the Bichon in a Show Style: Part #1
Double Feature! Grooming the Bichon in a Show Style: Part #2
Fabulous Finishing Touches - Leopard Spots
Preparing a Full Coated Cocker for the Show Ring or Contest Arena
Grooming the Pet Airedale Part 1
Grooming the Pet Airedale Part 2
Personal Interview with Judy Hudson
 

Hundreds of Videos to Watch At Learn2GroomDogs.com (and cats)!


For the first time ever, you can expand your educational horizon - and never leave home to do it! 

Did you know Learn2GroomDogs.com (and cats) now has over 221 videos in the streaming video library? We have hundreds of grooming demonstrations where you have a front row seat as award-winning stylists demonstrate how it's done. And grooming demonstrations aren't our only topics. Oh no. If it has anything to do with the pet grooming industry, we are seeking it out and bringing it to you.

  

With so much information on the site, finding the exact lessons you're looking for can be a bit of a challenge. For the first time ever, you can expand your educational horizon - and never leave home to do it! You've told us - and we've listened. You now have multiple ways to find titles that interest you.      

  

3 Simple Way to Search the Learn2GroomDogs Site

 

  1. Use the Learn2GroomDogs website search engine
  2. Search for lessons hosted by your favorite Learn2GroomDogs Trainer Partner
  3. Review all the titles on Learn2GroomDogs using our NEW PDF Master List

 

Using the Learn2GroomDogs

Search Engine

 

Learn2GroomDogs has a powerful search engine. You can find the Search Engine on the Home Page of the site. Simply type in a few key words of what you would like to learn more about. Do you want to learn about a particular breed? Type in the name of the breed you're looking for - such as 'Poodle.' All of the videos on the website that feature a Poodle will show up in the drop-down box. Are you trying to master a particular skill, such as scissoring? Type in the word 'scissoring' and you will be amazed at the number of videos at your fingertips. When working with the search engine, we suggest you limit the number of words. This will allow you to see the widest variety of videos available while focusing on your intended subject matter.

 

Learn2GroomDogs.com  

Training Partners

 

Our Training Partners are some of the best in the business! All of the grooming demonstrations are presented by Certified Master Groomers from one of the voluntary national testing organizations. Many of the L2DG Training Partners have earned the right to be members of GroomTeam USA. We are constantly on the lookout for knowledgeable presenters in all aspects of our industry, whether it be pet massage, sales and marketing, product knowledge or a wide array of other topics.

 

To make it simple for you, all of our Training Partners are listed in just two groups - Grooming & Styling or Business & Management. Simply click on the name on the Home Page. The site will take you to their full bio. At the Biography area, you will see a listing of all the videos that particular Training Partner has on L2GD.com. Remember, many of our Training Partners are multi-talented. You'll find their names listed in both areas based on the content of their videos.

 

Learn2GroomDogs.com  

PDF Master List:  

Table of Contents

 

The Master List is a PDF list of all the videos currently available. We've included those video lessons that are in the process of being edited, as well. Technology is great, but sometimes having a hard copy in your hands just works better!

 

We have added key information right on the page. With just a quick glance, you can isolate the subject matter, title, Training Partner, release date, video length, and general category as it is listed on L2GD. With this easy-to-use reference guide, you can now navigate the site with ease.

 

The Table of Contents  

consists of...

 

Grooming

  • Core Grooming Skills & Techniques
  • Sporting Group
  • Hound Group
  • Working Group
  • Terrier Group
  • Toy Group
  • Non-Sporting Group
  • Herding Group
  • Mixed Breeds
  • Miscellaneous Grooming

 Business & Operations

  • Sales & Marketing
  • Equipment & Grooming Supplies
  • Groomer Health & Well-Being
  • Pet Health & Well-Being
  • Repairs & Maintenance
  • Cats
  • Facility Tours
  • Creative Pet Styling (Color & Bling)
  • Personal Interview
  • Miscellaneous

So how do you use this as a tool? Find a video that catches your fancy and type in a few key words of its title into the search engine. If the title is "Grooming the Pet Bichon in a Modified Show Trim," just type "Bichon" or "Pet Bichon" to narrow the selection. The search engine will find all the videos on the site matching your search criteria. Or, you can simply type in the training partner's name. All of their videos currently available on the site will come up.

 

The wealth of knowledge packed into the Learn2GroomDogs.com site is simply amazing - and it's growing! Every month we add 10 new videos. Never before has learning been so easy - and so economical! It's like having a grooming show right on your computer!   

 

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Melissa Verplank's Blog



 






 Sneak Peek Previews
Grooming the English Cocker in a Show Style Type Trim

Karen Tucker, NCMG   


The English Cocker is a sporting dog that was bred to work in the field. In this lesson, Karen shows you how to accentuate their athletic attributes. She uses carding, hand stripping, and thinning shears to groom this dog. As Karen says, "When you have fur, you can create optical illusions." This dog has nice structure but has some less than ideal features, too. Throughout the entire lesson, she shows you how to pull out the best points of the dog while camouflaging faults. She molds the coat to create the proper illusion of a well-built dog. This is a great lesson for anyone looking to start hand stripping a sporting dog coat or who wants to learn how to correctly groom an English Cocker.

Slope Side Chats
Independent Contractor
vs. Employees

Kathy Rose, Melissa Verplank, and Teri DiMarino

 
All of these women have operated very successful salons and businesses -- and some still do. With experience, comes wisdom. All three agree 100% on how to build a team. The most successful salons play within the rules of the IRS. Although it is tempting at times to think about using independent contractors -- in the long run (and for the short term) - none of them think it is the best way to build the business. In the short session, they share with you what experience has taught them.

Interview with Pina
Irina (Pina) Pinkusevich, NCMG
 

   

Irina (Pina) Pinkusevich has made it to the very top in the pet grooming world. How she got there is fascinating. Pina emigrated with her family from the Soviet Union when she was 19 years old. She had her fair share of challenges adjusting to life in the USA. One of her largest hurdles was mastering the English language. Next, it was earning spending money while she was on scholarship to the university. While she was working at a small salon, the owner got violently ill and could not work. Pina went from bather to groomer with no formal training -- just a full roster of dogs to room. At one stage she found herself as a single parent. Her immediate family had moved from New York to Florida. She had no one to help her and infant son. In this interview, Pina shares with our members what led her into dog grooming. She tells you firsthand how she learned and what keeps her motivated today. This is a great life story about overcoming obstacles, doing what you love, avoiding occupational burnout and remaining passionate about your career options. 

Double Feature!   

Grooming the Bichon in a Show Style

Part #1: Setting the Pattern, Body, Legs, and Feet  

Lindsey Dicken, NCMG

 
This is the video you have all been waiting for! You've seen Lindsey Dicken win multiple Best in Show awards with this dog. In this lesson, she shows you how to groom a Bichon Frise in a show style trim. Zoey is the gorgeous Bichon Lindsey has been competing with for over five years. Lindsay shows you how to groom this breed to breed profile. She uses a variety of shears to sculpt the coat - there is no cheating anything off the guard combs in this demonstration. As she hand scissors the coat, Lindsay talks about the importance of coat preparation, conformation trimming, and lots of tips for how to get the correct look. Even though this is a complicated trim, Lindsay's directions are simple and easy to follow. This lesson is so packed with useful information, we have broken it into a double feature. 
 

In this section, Lindsay discusses how to set the pattern including: how to outline the dog, cut in the angulation on the front and rear assembly, round the feet, and shape the legs to accentuate the proper confirmation and movement of the breed. 

 

Click Here for the Sneak Peek 

Double Feature!   

Grooming the Bichon in a Show Style

Part #2: Bichon Head Styling and Trimming Details   

Lindsey Dicken, NCMG

 
As Lindsey says, it takes her as much time to do the head as it does to trim the entire body to get the correct expression! In this lesson, the head and the neck are combined. She shows you step-by-step how to trim the correct head on a show style Bichon Frise.   
 

Click Here for the Sneak Peek 


 

Welcome to Learn2GroomDogs.com.   

 

Select from 221 training videos - all available with just a few simple mouse clicks!

 

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! All of our Training Partners are at the tops of their fields. L2GD.com  

(and cats) is a unique way to get the edge on your competition.  

 

Join us!

 

Learn2GroomDogs.com (and cats)  

is for you if:

  • You want to learn simple tricks to make every day pet grooming easier
  • You struggle to complete 6-8 grooms a day with ease  
  • You want to know how your work compares to other stylists
  • You are looking for an easy way to enhance your current grooming skills
  • Want to train with top professionals in the pet grooming industry
 

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

  • Judy's top 4 tips to get started on the right path in the pet grooming field - Judy Hudson, NCMG
  • How to shape full Cocker bevels so they are smooth and balanced - Irina 'Pina' Pinkusevich, NCMG
  • What blades to use on the head, neck, shoulder, thighs, and body of a pet Airedale Terrier - Lisa Leady, CMG
  • Guides used to establish the lines on the sides of the head of an Airedale Terrier - Lisa Leady, CMG
  • Where to get images to perfect your leopard spots - Angela Kumpe  

 

We have some amazing footage  

to share with you. See what is on our editing table in these fabulous Sneak Peeks for our latest releases


  • Grooming the English Cocker in a Show Style Type Trim - Karen Tucker, NCMG
  • Interview with Pina - Irina 'Pina' Pinkusevich, NCMG
  • Double Feature: Grooming the Bichon is a Show Style - Lindsey Dicken, NCMG
  • Slope Side Chats: Independent Contractor vs. Employees - Kathy Rose, Melissa Verplank, and Teri DiMarino

Membership pricing as low as $33.60

  

  Click Here for 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

 

 

Videos Going up for Full View Today
Fabulous Finishing Touches#3 (Leopard Spots)

Angela Kumpe

 

This is a great video for anyone looking to add temporary creative pizazz to a pet. Angela shows you two ways to instantly dress up any dog. These easy to apply neck decorations are super for any dog, but especially short coated ones! The best part - they only cost a few pennies, but deliver a huge WOW factor. The third demonstration is a bit more time consuming, but is really fun. You DON'T need to be an artist to do this. She shows you step-by-step how to apply glitter designs on short coated pets. The bonus - they wash off with a bit of warm water!

Private, hands on classes are available at Angela's Grooming in Little Rock, AR.  Please contact us for availability at 501.888.3647 or [email protected].
  
In this video you will learn:
              
  • What types of products to use
  • Tips to make mixing the color with the developer a breeze
  • Tools that you will need
  • Products to use for cleanup
  • Where to get images to perfect your leopard spots
Approximate running times: 17 minutes

 

Key Word Search:  Creative styling, Angela Kumpe, leopard spots, add-on services

 

Click Here to See the Video

Preparing a Full Coated Cocker for the Show/Contest Ring
Irina "Pina" Pinkusevich, NCMG 
 

 

As Pina says, the prep is the most important part of this groom. You've seen how to get a full coated Cocker squeaky clean, how to blow out a coat, how to get the jacket to lie tight to the skin, and how you can flat iron the furnishings to get them straight and shiny. Now watch as Pina pulls this entire trim together for a show stunning look. She shows you how to style the head. You'll know how to get those classic 'mushy' lips on a Cocker. Pina shows how to card the coat and set the pattern. She teaches you the techniques to set those beautiful bevels that seem to make the dog float across the floor. If you want to see how to prepare and style a show trim on an American Cocker - this is not a video to miss!   

 

In this video you will learn:              

  • Where to set the pattern line on the ears
  • How to create the classic 'mushy' muzzle
  • How to set the body pattern
  • How to shape the bevels so they are smooth and balanced
  • How long to leave the feathering on the ears
Approximate running times: 60 minutes

 

Key Word Search:  American Cocker, Irina (Pina) Pinkusevich, show trim, carding

 

Click Here to See the Video

Grooming the Pet Airedale Part 1:  Setting the Pattern, Body Work, and Rear Legs
Lisa Leady, CMG
     

In this lesson, master stylist Lisa Leady is working on an Airedale in a typical pet trim. This ol' girl looks just like the dogs you get in your salon. Lisa shows you how to set the pattern to accentuate the breed's profile. She explains why it's important to rake through the coat prior to clipper cutting. She uses a wide variety of blades based on the location and the look she is trying to achieve. In part one, Lisa blocks in the head, clips in the bodywork and styles the rear legs. Throughout the lesson, Lisa shares with you many shortcuts to get the job done in the least amount of time while retaining the essence of the breed
.

     

In this video you will learn:              

  • Where to set the pattern lines
  • What blades to use on the head, neck, shoulder, thighs, and body
  • A great speed trick for the feet
  • What you can do to help build angles in the rear assembly when they don't exist
  • How to create visual plumb lines
Approximate running times: 46 minutes

 

Key Word Search:   Airedale Terrier, Lisa Leady, pet trimming the Airedale

 

Click Here to See the Video 

Grooming the Pet Airedale Part 2:  Grooming the Front Legs, Head, and Final Finish
Lisa Leady, CMG
      

In part two of this lesson, Lisa continues with shaping the front legs. She shows you how to separate the leg from the body. Lisa also gives you fabulous reference points for establishing the parallel lines of the front legs.  On the head, she talks about the 'brick shape' typically associated with many of the Terrier breeds. Lisa tells you her favorite type of thinning shear for the head work and why. To finish out this dog, Lisa addresses the undercarriage line. Even though there is not much there, proper length and placement is key to a balanced trim on any pet.

     

In this video you will learn:              

  • How to get a nice tight foot
  • How to visually see the parallel lines on the front legs
  • Guides to use to establish the lines on the sides of the head
  • Tips on how to set the eyebrows
  • Why it's important to leave fill in the loin area
Approximate running times: 33 minutes

 

Key Word Search:   Airedale Terrier, Lisa Leady, pet trimming the Airedale

 

Click Here to See the Video 

Personal Interview with Judy Hudson

Judy Hudson, NCMG    

  

Judy Hudson is a breath of fresh air. She is a self-taught groomer with over 20 years of experience in the field. Early on, Judy recognized the importance of finding great mentors like Richard and Susan Cleveland and Chris Pawlosky. Armed with a get-it-done attitude and a solid foundation of basic skills, Judy went on to become one of the top pet stylists in the country. Even after a rich career, Judy has never lost her passion for grooming. As she says, "There is always a mountain to climb -- always something new to learn. I am as excited today as I was 20 years ago about my career."  

     

Judy is available for Private Consulting & Coaching.  Please contact her for cost and availability. 615.506.9571 [email protected]

 

In this video you will learn:              

  • How she got started grooming
  • Her most memorable accomplishment
  • Judy's top 4 tips to get started on the right path in this field
  • Why she choose mobile grooming over a salon based business
  • Her favorite type of dog to groom
Approximate running times: 18 minutes

 

Key Word Search:   Firing a grooming client, releasing a client from your grooming services  

 

 


It is never too late to be who you might have been. 

- unknown    
"If a dog jumps in your lap, it is because he is fond of you; but if a cat does the same thing, it is because your lap is warmer." 

- Alfred North Whitehead     
"The dog represents all that is best in man."

- Etienne Charlet      
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