Fifteen Things for 2015

With the New Year, I was inspired to write a blog entry, something I haven’t done for a while. Then I couldn’t think of a topic, so I will just post some information and reminders about me and the house-call grooming service. Fifteen things for 2015!

1. You are welcome to pre-book standing appointments, up to a year in advance. As I write this, there are already eleven appointments pre-booked for December 2015. Appointments are booking about four to six weeks in advance, so I highly recommend pre-booking as a way to avoid disappointment.
2. Easter this year is Sunday, April 5th. It moves around, and sometimes catches folks by surprise. Christmas is December 25th every time, people. I can’t help you if you forget that one. I will be taking this year’s March Break as a holiday.
3. I do my best to be on time, but I have to add this caveat. Due to the insane traffic and construction in the GTA, all appointment times have to be considered approximate. 11 a.m. has become 11-ish. I also will no longer drive in snow storms. People are maniacs.
4. You may contact me via phone, text, email, Facebook message, Twitter, or Instagram. I will always reply to you via the same method you contacted me. Technology isn’t perfect, and neither am I (I once emailed an invite to my dentist to a family gathering), so if you haven’t heard from me within a couple of business days, please get in touch again.
5. I don’t answer the phone while I’m grooming or driving but I will check messages between appointments.
6. Payment is cash, cheque, or e-Transfer. I’m not interested getting into debit or credit transactions. I can always come back if you have forgotten to get cash, so long as it is just an occasional occurrence. You all know I’m pretty relaxed about that part, as several of you have chased me down the driveway waving funds because I’ve forgotten to get paid.
7. I am pretty flexible and can groom your dog in nearly any location, provided there is a power source, and adequate light. That said, certain things do make it more difficult. A damp, cold location means that the drying process will take much longer. If the lighting is poor and I can’t see, that will affect the quality of the finished work. Try reading your vitamin bottle in certain light, you’ll see what I mean. Also, if events occur within the home that make me uncomfortable, I will be unlikely to return.
8. I have strong People-Pleasing patterns and try to accommodate everyone and make them happy, so if I say no, be assured that I really can't say yes.
9. I am not a veterinarian. I can not diagnose or give medical advice. I can only point out issues or behaviours with your dog that I think are unusual or cause for concern. I’ve seen a lot of dogs over the years, so I may have some applicable anecdote, but you should always check with your vet regarding any health issues.
10. Your vaccine protocol is between you and your veterinarian. I do not require proof of vaccines before grooming your dog. Due to this policy, I will not be able to groom aggressive or biting dogs.
11. I’m an old groomer. Did you know that at one time the average career life of a groomer was thirteen years? I’m at nearly twenty! I also crested a birthday hill with a zero in it last year and am now on the downward slope. I have a standing appointment with a massage therapist and a chiropractor so that I can move. I can no longer ignore it when I am ill and just carry on working, nor can I groom as much as I used to in a day. If I want to keep grooming until I’m eighty, I will have to pace myself. Not to mention, you really don’t want me bringing my germs to your house, sniffling all over your clean dog.
12. I am not accepting new clients at this time. Thank you for all your referrals and for thinking of me. I will let you know when I can take on new customers.
13. I often take photos of your dogs, purely for fun. Most people enjoy seeing photos of their dogs, all clean and tidy. I also have a few clients where my picture of the dog was the last photo taken before the little soul passed on. The pictures are always posted on the Pets Are People Too Facebook page. If you would like the original files, just let me know. If you don’t want photos of your dog either taken at all, or posted on Facebook, just let me know. I’ll be sad though, just saying.
14. 
    I currently own three dogs that were adopted from clients, given up for various reasons. I call them my little hand-me-downs. I am also listed in two wills as the beneficiary of their dogs, should the worst occur. I love your dogs like they were family. Although I honestly can’t keep adopting more dogs, if you are client and something should happen in your life and you can’t keep your pet, please let me know. I will do my best to help, and I am acquainted with several wonderful local rescues. Similarly, if you are looking to add a new family member, the rescue groups are a great place to start. If you would like to be involved with dogs but aren’t able to permanently add another to your household, most of the rescues are desperate for volunteers and foster homes. I also live about a five minute drive from the Humane Society of Durham Region. If you have any items that you would like to donate, I can pick them up from you and drop them off at the shelter.
15. I only know the best people. I have been shown so much kindness and generosity over the years, and I am deeply grateful. Thank you for everything, and have a wonderful 2015.

Pet First Aid

Have you ever considered what you would do in an pet emergency? Have you ever had a circumstance where your dog was injured, choking, or ill and you didn’t know what to do? A veterinarian is your pet’s best chance for survival or treatment, but how do you keep the dog alive or comfortable until you can get to the vet? We all love our pets, but is there ever a situation where it isn’t safe to interfere or assist?

As a dog groomer and pet owner, I highly recommend taking a Pet First Aid course. I have certified in Pet First Aid several times, and now hold a American Red Cross Pet First Aid certificate. I have rarely had to use the skills I learned, but I have been grateful for the training when I needed it. For example, two of my dogs have choked, and required immediate assistance or they would no longer be with us. A neighbour’s dog was hit by a car and was badly injured.

A Pet First Aid course can take anywhere from 4 to 12 hours, usually on a weekend. A Google search for your city will yield class providers and dates. Groomers can also usually attend certification classes at most of the major trade shows. It is a small amount of time to spend on something that could have a profound result for your family. Ask your pet caregivers, the sitters, walkers, trainers and groomers, if they have taken a Pet First Aid course.

I have also purchased a terrific resource for home and travel. It is an app for your phone or tablet that contains nearly all of the information you would need in a pet emergency and includes excellent videos on how to perform the techniques. For the minimal cost of $3.00 you can have your reference textbook on hand at all times. Find it at: http://jive.me/apps/petfirstaid/

Drying at Home

I was just chatting with a client today about the gorgeous weather and I mentioned that I finally put away all of the winter coats on Sunday. I would normally feel embarrassed that I had left this little task until June but we have had such bizarre weather this spring that I truly feel I was justified in leaving the parkas in easy reach.

Now however, we are well into the start of summer. Many lucky souls have begun enjoying their pools and sharing the joy with their canine companions. Cottage season has begun, and the dogs are dock diving. Many more folks who would not normally consider bathing their dog in the cooler weather break out the hose and kiddie pool and give it a go in the backyard. Naturally, all of this results in a wet dog, otherwise known as the  friendliest creature on the planet.

It may be that you are a free spirit and the prospect of a soaking wet dog doesn’t trouble you in the least. True, physics is a wonderful thing and a dog can shake a great deal of the water off of its fur but, depending on the type of coat your pet possesses, it can take many hours or even days for the dog to dry completely to the skin. This can be problematic for some breeds, leading to itchiness, hot spots, and bacterial or yeasty, smelly skin infections. It is important to note that matts that are allowed to wet and dry undisturbed also become even tighter and more difficult to remove.

You can speed the drying process by using an absorbent cloth or towel to remove as much water from the coat as possible. I like to use chamois cloths to soak up the water, squeezing them through the fur rather than rubbing. A particularly good type of chamois style cloth is called The Absorber. When the cloth is saturated, wring it out and keep sponging. You will be amazed at how much moisture is removed. I always follow up with a traditional towel dry because I think it is the part of grooming that all dogs enjoy the most. Many dogs love it if I lay the towel out flat and allow them to rub and roll themselves along it. For this reason I usually have two towels, one under the dog and one for towelling off. If you are reluctant to use your good linens on Rover, check out Value Village or the Salvation Army stores for used towels. They might be 70’s chique, but your dogs won’t care.

Air and towel drying is best suited for smooth or short coated dogs. All other coats will require a little mechanical aid to dry properly. A hand-held human hair dryer can be used on many smaller dogs, but you must be extremely careful with the heat settings. Most of those dryers are TOO HOT and I have seen the results of what one careless owner did to their poor dog with a hot hair dryer directed too long in one spot. Use one with a “Cool” button, and use an elastic to hold the button down if your hand gets tired. Keep one hand on the dog beside where you are drying, and do not stay too long in one spot. There can really be no excuse for burning your dog.

If you have a larger, hairier dog, it is possible that your pet will still be damp from its last swim by the time it goes for the next one. If you want to avoid the notorious “Wet Dog Smell” (which is caused by bacteria on the skin, among other things), I would recommend first rinsing your dog after it swims in a pond, lake, or chlorinated swimming pool. If your dog is crate trained, one excellent drying method is to use a large box fan in front of the crate to dry your dog with the volume of air. With a wire crate you could place several fans around and on top of the crate. Simple plastic fans are inexpensive, fairly quiet, and safe, but you should make certain that the cords are out of reach and that your dog is never left alone. Never, ever use a heater or heated dryer for this purpose. My favourite fan to use for this is actually a carpet dryer, used for when you have a flood.

If you are short on time and really need to speed up the drying process, consider using a high-velocity dryer. These dryers “blast” the water off the coat with the force of the air speed. They tend to be a bit noisy but have the advantage of drying the dog right down at the skin. You will need to be careful around the eyes, ears, genitals and backside of the dog. There are reasonably priced high velocity dryers for sale at most big box pet stores. You might also check your shop vacuum to see if it has a blower function. You can use that just as well, but make sure there is no debris in the hose or it will blow out onto your dog.

High velocity dryers can be used on any dog, but your dog may need a gentle introduction to the experience. Use patience and bribery, but be assured that it really isn’t a big deal. My dogs don’t seem worried about it at all.

Random Advice For Aspiring Groomers

Things You Need to Know About Being a Groomer, Totally Off the Top of My Head

• Toenails will always end up in your bra (if you wear one) and in your hair. You may want to jump up and down and all around before you go home.
• Never chew gum while grooming unless you want to floss at the same time.
• Never wear your favourite anything to work. I once even had a puppy eat one of my earrings. I declined to wait for its return.
• A subset of this would be to avoid light colours and wear a protective apron or smock. Some products like Qwik-Stop will stain fabrics, as will some animal bodily functions.
• A subset of that would be to not spend too much money on your protective apron or smock. It will, guaranteed, get snagged or snipped or clippered. Pockets always catch on corners and rip. I don’t even know why they have them. The only thing that ever ends up in them is nasty hair and occasionally dog poop.
• Have a set of undergarments strictly for work. Hair weaves into the fabric no matter how well they are washed, making them a bit prickly for other wear.
• Regular coffee mugs are unwise. Use travel mugs with a lid unless you want to be horrified when you reach the bottom of your beverage.
• If you have sensitive skin and eyes think twice about wearing make-up to work. It attracts all the fly-away hair to your face. It can actually drive you insane.
• The humidity and blow-drying will ensure that you never have a good hair day for long at work.
• If you can’t wear make-up and your hair doesn’t look great, wow clients with your smile!
• Always put the lid back on everything immediately. Dogs find it highly amusing to knock over open containers.
• Always buy the most expensive shears that you can afford to drop on the floor.

Why In-Home Mobile Dog Grooming?

An in-home mobile dog grooming service is, in my opinion, ideally suited to two particular groups of people. That is not to say that others would not find the service convenient and beneficial, because I believe they certainly would.  For example, I have busy clients who work from home and are happy to be able to conduct their day without interruption. Others simply like my grooming style. However, there are also those whose pets may, for whatever reason, find leaving the home difficult, inconvenient or stressful. Then there are those owners who themselves have the same challenges.

Many pets are not suited to the scheduling requirements and hustle and bustle of regular grooming salons. Often the most efficient schedule for the salon requires a longer stay for the dog. Some salons can arrange “Express” appointments, but some can not accommodate that request. For safety’s sake, most salons will cage the pets. I don’t disagree with these arrangements as they are often necessary for the business, but they are not ideal for some dogs. Very young or old, ill, sensitive and nervous pets may find a traditional salon stressful. Many are not crate-trained and dislike the cages. This can make some dogs noisy, which can in turn stress others. Some dogs are uncomfortable or fearful in the car, or have motion-sickness.

I have a number of customers who are perfect representatives of the second group. One customer is recovering from surgery. Another is very pregnant with twins. A customer who works shift work was just eating their “breakfast” as I arrived. One poor lady is hobbling around in a boot cast after breaking her ankle. A family’s little girl gets wickedly carsick every time she gets in the vehicle. A few of my older clients don’t drive or are becoming uncomfortable driving. Some clients have had an unfortunate negative experience at another salon and prefer to observe their dog’s haircut, or at least remain nearby.

These clients are able to have their dog groomed in the comfort of their own home by a groomer who does housecalls. They can still wear their “comfy” clothes. They don’t have to call a taxi, twice. They don’t have to get up at 9 a.m. to bring the dog to the groomer after getting home at 6 a.m. They don’t have to make two car trips with a carsick child. They can be confident that their dog is safe.

In-home mobile dog grooming is perfect for these customers. Is this service right for you?

Getting Wet

You can’t be too dainty and be a successful dog groomer. As I mentioned before, grooming comes with a high Yuck Factor. There are bad smells and bodily functions, oozing and stickiness. It is hairy, hot, and humid. A groomer generally doesn’t have a good hair day for long. Most especially, you can’t mind getting wet. I have had days where I end up wet clean through, even down to my socks.

There is a special kind of dog that either has a peculiar sense of humour or a keen sense of fair play. This type is determined that the groomer should be as wet as the dog or the bath is incomplete. They will shake frequently, continuously or, in the case of the smarter ones, strategically. They can not be deterred by a gentle hand on the shoulder or by lifting up one front leg. The dog might be as large as a Newfoundland or as tiny as a Yorkshire Terrier but the size is irrelevant. The big ones can drench a large area with a good shake and the smaller ones learn to slip the grooming restraint and leap into your arms or climb your body when they are at their wettest.

However, I will say that some of my worst and wettest days have been my own fault. I have lost count of the number of times I have dropped the shower nozzle and had it whip around like a wild firehose. Sump-pump style bathing systems are even worse and can make an impressive mess in just a few seconds. Why is it that we always try to catch the hose rather than turn off the water?

In-home grooming has offered a new and exciting way to soak myself. I have been in a great number of bathrooms, most of which are far nicer than my whole house. Many people have renovated their bathrooms to include spa-quality walk-in showers. These huge enclosures have rainfall showers, wall mounted jets, and handheld showers. All of them. In one. I have stood and stared at a half-dozen knobs and dials. Finally, convinced that I have figured out the controls, I make a bold choice, grab the handheld nozzle, turn on the water, and twist a knob.

Generally what happens next is that I am standing directly under the lovely rainfall shower as it comes on. I fumble with the controls, panicked, dodging, dripping, as the dog retreats to the corner of the shower (which can be several feet away in some of these bathrooms) and laughs its head off.

I’ve learned to bring a lot of towels and wear quick-dry clothing, and that's why the ponytail was invented anyway.

Artwork copyrighted by Christopher Cowley, Windchill Studios.

Bichon Frise pet styles

Because curly coats are so much fun to scissor, I have ended up with quite a few Bichon Frise clients over the years. Most pet styles are based on show grooming but are modified to suit the lifestyle of the dog owners. Bichon Frise show clips have changed quite a bit since I began my grooming career. The style has gone from a huge bell type head with long ears to a round head with invisible, incorporated ears, a "bubble" of hair over the eyes, and a neck crest. The current Bichon clip accentuates the expression of the breed by highlighting the dark eyes and nose. It is also a lot of hair for the owners to maintain. As a result, most clients request the Bichon look but without the hair. That can be a challenge.

Hairstyling preferences are also a question of taste. Some owners simply prefer long ears, or want short faces to avoid drippy beards. Some groomers are very rigid about breed styling, and are determined to groom only to the breed profile. I have always felt that my job is to do my best to provide the owners with the clip they want, as long the coat is in the condition for me to do so, and provided it does the dog no harm. The real trick is in interpreting exactly what the owner wants, as their definition of "short" or "long" and mine may not jive. I like to suggest to people that if they see a photograph of a style they like, they should show it to me just as you would your human hairdresser. A photograph at least gives us a visual mutual starting point. This has always worked well for me, with the exception of one time where the lady brought me a photograph of a West Highland White Terrier and wanted her Bichon's head to look just like it. I'm still not sure what my goal there was supposed to be, but it reminded me of the time I brought a photo of Meg Ryan to the hairdresser and the rib-cracking sigh he gave me.