The FREE biweekly newsletter for the professional and aspiring pet groomer.
In This Issue
Learn How to Groom the Italian Truffle Dog
Ingredients for a Successful Business
Grooming the Pet Pomeranian like a Show Dog
Grooming the Cairn Terrier
Dog Body Language Basics #1
Making $Money$ with Feline Grooming
Grooming the Pet Hungarian Pumi.
Tips for iPad and iPhone Users
Come See Us!
 

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 242 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!   

 

Like us on Facebook  Visit my blog  View our videos on YouTube
Melissa Verplank's Blog



 






 Sneak Peek Previews

Learn How to Groom the Italian Truffle Dog:

Lagotto Romagnolo (pet version)

Kendra Otto      

  

When Kendra first suggested she show our members how to groom one of these breeds - we honestly had no idea what kind of dog she was talking about. What was a Lagotto? This is a 'rustic coated breed' that is supposed to look 'messy.' In this grooming lesson, Kendra shows you how to get the correct look for the breed. Much of the work is done in the coat preparation (see the video Maintaining a Rustic Coat by Kendra Otto) If a coat is correctly cared for - this trim is a snap. Kendra uses a snap-on-comb to set the length of the coat. Then tidies up the outline of the dog with a variety of thinning and blending shears. The end result is a thorough groom that still looks 'messy' as the breed standard requires.  

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



In this session, Kendra shows you how to set the body work and legs with a snap-on guard comb. She also shows how to trim the feet and shape the correct tail for the breed profile. 


Part 2:  

Trimming the Head and Finishing the Coat    
 
 

The head style of the Lagotto is rounded but not like some of the other breeds. In this lesson, Kendra shows you how to shape the head, trim the ears, and blend in the muzzle to get the correct expression for the breed.

   

Ingredients for a Successful Business

Danelle German, CFMG and  

Melissa Verplank, CMG       

  

 

Is your business running as smoothly as it could? Are you living week-by-week from the revenue being generated? Or maybe you are struggling just to make ends meet. Melissa and Danelle are both successful multi-business women. In this informal session, the two sit down to talk about the keys to their success. Both women agree, owning your own business can be one of the most rewarding adventures you'll ever experience - but it can be one of the most challenging as well! You'll hear how they both got started in the grooming industry, which elements they attribute to their successes and why. They share years of wisdom about what it takes to grow a business and keep it going strong.   

 

Click Here for the Sneak Peek 

Grooming the Pet Pomeranian like a Show Dog

Lisa Leady, CMG

  


Getting a Pomeranian show-ring ready takes work. Most people are amazed with the amount of trimming it takes to make them 'ring ready.' In this lesson, Lisa Leady turns this typical pet Pomeranian into a little show dog. He is oversized with a prolific coat. Using scissors and thinners, she creates the illusion of a shorter bodied dog. A few nips and tucks in strategic locations opens up the expression on this cute little pooch while making him appear to lose a bit of weight to boot. This is a great lesson for any pet stylist that grooms their fair share of Pomeranians.
    

 

 

Click Here for the Sneak Peek 

Grooming the
Cairn Terrier

Suesan Watson, CMG  

  


Are you just starting to learn how to hand strip a coat? Cairn Terriers are one of the easiest dogs to work on when learning this technique. In this video, Suesan Watson helps you master some basic hand stripping techniques. This is a typical little dog with a harsh - but blown - coat. If you are you trying to get your Cairn Terrier to look the way they do in the show ring, this is the lesson for you! She talks about how to finger pluck the coat, the ideal time frame between grooming sessions, and how to work with a blown coat to bring it back to its full glory.
 

 

 

Click Here for the Sneak Peek 

Dog Body Language Basics #1

Kristi Swan, CPDT    

 


Kristie Swan had a long career in broadcast journalism. However, her passion was dogs. She actively fostered many dogs over the years. Kristie learned that a very large percentage of pets were given up due to behavioral issues. This was the trigger she needed to change careers. She knew in her heart she could help owners and their pets. For over two years, Kristie has been working with Melissa Verplank at Whiskers Resort & Pet Spa. Melissa has seen tremendous improvement in her own staff's interaction with pets due to Kristie's wealth of knowledge. In this session, Kristie brings a snippet of her experience to the L2GD members. 
 

 

 

Click Here for the Sneak Peek 


Welcome to Learn2GroomDogs.com.   

 

Select from 242 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.

 

  • Making $Money$ with Feline Grooming - Danelle German, CFMG
    • Part #1: $$ Formula for Potential Revenue:  How you can grow a business in less than one year
    • Part #2: Dispelling the Myths about Cat Grooming:  How to turn roadblocks into opportunities
    • Part #3: Before & After Images of the Groomed Cat:  How to get a sweet expression from a cat
  • Grooming the Pet Hungarian Pumi - Kendra Otto
    • Part #1: Setting the Body Pattern, Tail, Feet, and Legs:  How to trim the tail at the base to ensure light comes through 
    • Part #2: Trimming the Head and Finishing the Coat:  How to create the wedge-shaped head
 

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

  • Learn How to Groom the Italian Truffle Dog: Lagotto Romagnolo (pet version) - Kendra Otto
  • Ingredients for a Successful Business - Danelle German & Melissa Verplank
  • Grooming the Pet Pomeranian like a Show Dog - Lisa Leady, CMG
  • Grooming the Cairn Terrier - Suesan Watson, CMG
  • Dog Body Language Basics #1 - Kristi Swan, CPDT
 

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

Making $Money$ with Feline Grooming

Danelle German, CFMG      

 

The Paragon School of Pet Grooming hosted a grooming clinic, but this time instead of dogs, the focus was on cats. These are excerpts from the opening lecture. Even if you don't groom cats, you  will gain some valuable insights. Not only is Danelle German an extraordinary cat groomer, she's a savvy business owner as well. Much of her information easily translates between dog and cat grooming.  


Danelle encourages training and certification. Please contact her at The National Cat Groomers Institute of America, Inc. (NCGIA)   864-271-7430 or 877-302-7430 or email 
info@nationalcatgroomers.com 


 

 

In Part 1, $$ Formula for Potential Revenue, you will learn:  

  • How Danelle German got her cat grooming experience
  • Why it's important to apply show principles to everyday cats when you can
  • How you can grow a business in less than one year
  • What is the formula for success
  • Why she opened the National Cat Grooming Institute
  Approximate running times: 14 minutes

 

 

Click Here to See the Video  


 

 

"Cats don't need to be groomed - they groom themselves" is one of the typical myths a cat groomer hears all the time. "My cat hates water - you'll never be able to bathe her" is another. And the list goes on, just like in dog grooming! So how do you turn these road blocks into sales opportunities? Education. Education. Education. In this session, Danelle guides you through the process of turning a prospect into a client. How can you identify problems? How can you solve those problems? She shows you how to create a win-win-win for everyone involved - client, cat, and groomer. 

 

 

In Part 2, Dispelling the Myths about Cat Grooming, you will learn:  

  • The typical road blocks for a client to have their feline groomed
  • How to turn roadblocks into opportunities
  • How to reveal the problems
  • How to turn a prospective customer into a great client
  • The importance of top quality products and tools
   Approximate running times: 26 minutes

 

 

Click Here to See the Video


 Before

After   

 

We all know pictures speak a thousand words. In this short session - volumes are spoken. See different examples of an oily coat - and what the kitty looks like after a professional grooming. View what a matted cat looks like and one of the many appealing options clients have to solve the problem. Learn why it's important to trim some cat faces and how appealing it can become with a few well-placed snips.  

   

In Part 3, Before & After Images of the Groomed Cat, you will learn:  

  • What an oily coat looks like
  • What is "drape" and "plop"
  • Why a pelt can be dangerous to a cat
  • What a "wolfie face" is 
  • How to get a sweet expression from a cat
   Approximate running times: 6 minutes

 

 

Click Here to See the Video

Grooming the Pet Hungarian Pumi

Kendra Otto    
 
Kendra Otto shows you how to groom this rustic coated breed. The biggest difference with a Pumi over other breeds - is it should appear 'messy'. For most stylists, this goes against our grain. We want things neat and tidy. A dog with velvet scissor work. With this breed, a polished finish is NOT what you are after. Kendra shows you how to get the correct look on this adorable pet Pumi
.
 
In this session, she shows you how to clipper cut the pet Pumi to get the correct look for breed profile. Kendra does a fabulous job explaining her tool selection for this coat type.  

 
 
   

In Part 1, Setting the Body Pattern, Tail, Feet, and Legs, you will learn:

  • What to watch out for with an air-dried coat
  • Tools that work well to trim a rustic coat
  • How to band the tail to ensure you get the light at the base
  • How to trim the to set the angulation
  • How to get a Terrier front

Approximate running times: 20 minutes

 

 Click Here to See the Video

 

 

  

The head style of the Pumi is unique to the breed. Kendra shows you step-by-step how to get the wedgy head with high set, tufted ears. Exceptional camera work allows you to get right next to Kendra as she shows you how to trim this head.

 

In Part 2, Trimming the Head and Finishing the Coat, you will learn:

 
  • How to create the wedge-shaped head
  • How to trim the head to show off a high set ear
  • Why it's important to remove any extra weight on the ears
  • How to trim the ears to get the tufts
  • How to frame the eyes
 
Approximate running times: 15 minutes

 

 

Click Here to See the Video 

Just for You!
New Enhancements That You Will Love! 

Now watching your favorite videos on your device is even easier!  Simply watch using your Safari browser on your iPad or iPhone and our videos will play without distortion or interruption!

Some other improvements include:
  • The ability to "share" video links with your friends
  • Full screen mode
  • Video counter 
Come See Us at the Following Shows
                                

SummerFest 2012

Hosted by: New England Professional Pet Groomers

July 13 -15, 2012

Crowne Plaza  

Warwick, RI 

 

All American Grooming Show

August 9-12, 2012

Westin Chicago N. Shore

Ravinia Ballroom

Wheeling, Illinois

 

Groom Expo 2012

September 7-8-9, 2012

Hershey Lodge and Convention Center

Hershey, Pennsylvania

 

Superzoo West 2012

September 11-13, 2012

Mandalay Bay Convention Center

Las Vegas, Nevada

 

Fun In The Sun 

Hosted by: National Dog Groomer's Association of America

October 26, 27 and 28th 2012

World Gate Resort

Orlando, Florida

 

Atlanta Pet Fair 2013

March 7-10, 2013

Atlanta Airport Hilton Hotel

Atlanta, GA   

    
IDEAS WANTED!   
We're making improvements and enhancements to Learn2GroomDogs.com that you will love!  As we work toward making this site an even more effective learning tool, we'd like to hear from you.  What kinds of videos do you need?

Breed specific? 
Pet owner oriented? 
Is there a technique or tool that we should spotlight?  
Do you have a potential training partner that we should know about?