27 April 2008

Groomer Has It

I spent so much time writing the comment on this week's show I just had to share it with you:

First issue: Ears. I've tried the cotton in the ears, but mostly I don't find it necessary. Only when the dog has tiny rose ears do I attempt the cotton, and usually they shake it out before the first rinse anyway. Jorge did give the wrong answer when the vet asked him about it, though. The thing to do if there's a chance water got in the ears (which it won't if you hold the ear canal closed while rinsing which J could have also explained to the vet), is to put a drop or two of ear cleaner in and let them shake it out in the tub. Malissa knew it was a mistake to leave powder in the ears and she admitted it, but she was wise to not say that to the judges. This is a game, and I may not like her, but she played her hand well by covering up her oversight. Sometimes you just forget something. With Artist's puppy, I have to wonder if he did everything in his power to make the plucking less painful. I could see that he was yanking quite fast (like you would to remove a bandage or eyebrow wax). This works for some dogs, but some need to have the hair pulled three strands at a time and in a very slow motion. He did not give the right answer to the judge when asked if the puppy would be likely to enjoy the next grooming. He could have said that the next ear plucking would be less painful now that the deeply rooted hair was gone, so yes.

One thing Malissa did which no one seemed to pick up on was when she told the owners they should not stay and watch her work on their dog. These are the babies of the family and of course the owner wants to stay! I see no reason they should not be allowed and even encouraged to watch their baby being groomed for the first time, or every time if they wish! They should be taught to follow the rules, though: no touching, no talking to/using the baby's name, and no direct eye contact; in sum, they cannot do anything to attract the dog's attention. Every groomer here is going to scold me for saying that, but there's no better way to earn your client's trust that you are caring for their baby the best you can than to let them stay. It may be harder for some dogs to pay attention to the groomer if Mommy is right there, but the dog WILL relax and even forget the Mommy is there. I'd prefer that to a pet-parent refusing to groom Fluffy for 12-18 months because she can't bear to be separated.

The time limit is reasonable. Go ahead and hate on it if you will, but that's what the trade calls for. At my retail chain-store job, we were expected to groom any dog under 6 months old for $15 in 30 min regardless of breed. That was the norm. I know they are puppies, but let's face it: they're puppies. No one expects the first groom to be flawless, but it should be complete. If you could spend 90 min on just one dog and not worry about answering phones, checking dogs in or out, or working on the other five or more dogs that are barking their heads off in the crate, what a wonderful world you would live in. I fought with other groomers constantly not only about the time, and the cost, but I had to prove to them time and again that you CAN put clippers on a first time pup without them freaking out. I feel that Jon had ample time to, at the very, least get a brush through his dog, and if the dog was truly matted and it had been impossible to brush out in the time given he could have done a shave with that glorious clippervac you can see at each station. And let's talk about his stressed demeanor. Part of the job is keeping cool under pressure. If all the other groomers kept their composure and he didn't, all other things being equal he'd be out. That may be one of the things that kept Will in it last week. He did not let his yelping dog get him flustered. I'm sorry he had to go, but I think that since his groom was incomplete it was the right choice.

I do disagree about his dog's eye. If you look at the dog before grooming he had tear stains. After grooming the stains were apparent in only one eye (to me). I don't think the vet was fair with him on that. I'm glad that Xavier stood up to her on that point.

If you've made it this far, thank you. I'm almost done. Will seems so over dramatic and calculated to me. I find it hard to trust him. Talking to Danny B. he sounded like a 4 am infomercial. Then the way he was overtly coddling and kissing on his dog made me wonder. Not that I think you shouldn't be affectionate while grooming, especially pups, but something about him seemed contrived.

Jonathan is still my favorite!

21 April 2008

Oh My Dog!

I wish wish wish I had been able to go on "Groomer Has It" I so would have rocked the whole show.

The first challenge was the one where they had to name the breeds of several dogs blindfolded..I totally would have won that...well I might have missed the Aussie. I'm not sure I would have gotten that one. The next challenge was the model dog "creative" trim. Let me just say that no one could have beaten my creative vision on that challenge. I also have an advantage because I competed with the yarn dog before and I won THIRD PLACE! I know, I shouldn't sound so excited over 3rd, but I BEAT a Groom Team USA champion, 2nd place went to another Groom Team Vet and First went to a girl who was at the Las Vegas model dog show. Oh I soooooo would have won.

Then the second week was the sheep shearing challenge.. I had sheep and I know how to handle them even if I've never actually sheared one. Also, no one does a smoother shave down than me! NOBODY! The beardie challenge would have been no contest again! I've been grooming full coated briards regularly (2x a month) for over a year! Oh I wish I wish I wish!!! I could win that contest I know it!

Oh well.... next year.