DOG GROOMING PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA COURSE Assignment Three BUSINESS BASICS TUTOR TALK: The Learning Outcomes for this assignment are: Learn which equipment to use for removing knots, tangles and dead hair, the correct selection and techniques for their use. Learn which equipment to use for removing excess hair, its selection and correct techniques for use. Know how to clean equipment and correct storage methods. Know the protective equipment and clothing required when bathing a dog, its purpose and why it is important to use it correctly. Know how to assess and plan the work to be done within an agreed timescale. Understand the work which the client has requested. Know the types of tools and equipment for the work. Know the necessary condition of the work area for the work. Understand why it is important to use protective clothing during the drying process. Know the different types of drying equipment available, their purposes and to which dog and coat types they are most suited. Understand the correct temperature and velocity of drying equipment, how to adjust them and the potential dangers of incorrect setting. Location Deciding where you re going to groom the dogs is an important decision; it needs to be light, well ventilated, big enough to move around in and easy to clean. Deciding on where you groom will depend on whether you re grooming for yourself or business. Dog Grooming Professional Diploma Course Assignment Three Page 1
If you re grooming your own dogs at home, then a spare room, bathroom or the kitchen may be good choices. How much cleanup will the grooming session require? For example, a long-haired dog whose coat stays in the comb is easy to groom indoors, but brushing a shortcoated dog may release lots of tiny hairs into the air, so you may prefer an outdoor location. With your own dog or dogs, it is best to keep their grooming location the same so you can establish a habit. Your dog will soon associate that location with grooming and will be comfortable and secure in knowing exactly what is going to happen in that spot. Sticking to one grooming location makes it a lot easier. If you are setting up business then there are a number of choices on where you groom dogs. Firstly, you could have a salon specially designed and kitted out with everything that you need. You will need it to be large enough to house all your equipment. It needs to be easy-to-clean, professionallooking and bright. This type of salon could be a converted garage, an industrial unit, or a shop. You should pick a location where it is easy to get to and have plenty of parking. The other possibility is that you have a purpose-built grooming vehicle, which has been converted from, say, a transit van or something similar. Being mobile has advantages as the overheads are lower than those for premises, and it can be quite nice to be out and about, and simply close the van when you ve finished. You might simply decide to make home visits and carry your equipment with you, and use your customer s bath etc. With this you need to be organised and have everything that you may need with you. Also, your customer has to appreciate that you will make a mess in their home. Obviously, you will make some attempt to clear up, but it will be impossible to leave it exactly how it is found. It is a good idea to use a customer s bathroom and utility room or kitchen, as this can be swept once you have finished. It is also quite nice to use their gardens on sunny days. The dogs can also be more comfortable and less stressed when they re at home, but sometimes dogs are more likely to become aggressive towards you as you have entered their territory. Equipment Although every groomer has different preferences on tools you need, there are some basic tools and supplies that you will need to make dogs look clean and smart. Dog Grooming Professional Diploma Course Assignment Three Page 2
Grooming table The grooming table with an arm is recommended. The arm can help you prevent dogs jumping off, and keep them in certain positions. To keep the dog in the sitting position, you can just use a neck collar. For the standing position, you will need to use a body leash as well. Having a hook on the table is handy for your dryer or clippers. Grooming loops Grooming loops are made from different materials. The most common is a flat nylon type with a metal clip. A grooming loop is used for the pets safety and for your safety. These are used to attach the grooming table arm to the dog. They need to be adjusted so the dog can stand comfortably, but has very little slack in the tension of the loop. Dog Grooming Professional Diploma Course Assignment Three Page 3
Clippers Professional clippers with detachable blades are expensive, but are worth spending the extra money on. They come as a single or double-speeded variety. Occasionally, a variable-speeded clipper can be found. They can be corded or rechargeable, but please note that rechargeable ones are very heavy if you spend a long time clipping. To make sure that your clippers always work properly, they should be well maintained. Hair should be regularly removed from the external moving parts with a small brush, and the blades should be lubricated regularly. The electrical cable should be checked regularly for any signs of damage or wear. Flexibility of the wrist is important when you are clipping the dog. By following simple guidelines you can avoid clipper nicks, as well as mistakes in coat styling. Work carefully Keep the clipper blade flat against the skin Always move the clipper in the direction of the grain of the hair, unless grooming instructions specify another method Do not dig into the skin with the clipper, as it produces burns and cuts. Learning how to use a clipper is easy, but mastering it is more difficult. Dog Grooming Professional Diploma Course Assignment Three Page 4
Blades Clipper blades are the most important parts of the dog groomer s toolkit. They must be properly looked after for best performance. Always make sure your blade is dry before using it on a pet, and that they are properly assembled with the right tension and alignment. With constant use, tension on the blades can vary, causing the blade to drag. Blade drag can occur from hair stuck between the blade parts, generally caused when the clippers are pulled too quickly through the coat. Dropping the blade is a sure way to break it. Routinely cleaning the blades will help them keep cool and work efficiently. Cooling lubricant sprays are available and are very useful for quick cleaning. For more thorough cleaning, separate the blades from the clippers and clean them with a blade wash, spray or oil. Blades chatter occurs when the blades are not aligned properly. In many cases, you can realign them with a screwdriver. However, if the blades do not cut properly after these adjustments they should be sent away for a professional to look at them. During usage it is very important to keep the blade from overheating caused by friction. A hot blade can burn a pet. So, use a spray coolant or simply switch to a different blade to allow the first one to cool. In general, uses for each blade can be categorised into three areas. They are Body Cutting, All- Purpose Cutting and Speciality Cutting. On the next page you will find a list of popular blades, but there are additional ones not listed here. Dog Grooming Professional Diploma Course Assignment Three Page 5
BODY CUTTING Size Cut Description 4 3/8 / 9.5 mm Skip Tooth blade, ideal for short-legged dogs Westies, Scotties, Cairn etc. 4F 3/8 / 9.5 mm Full Tooth finishing blade, version of the Size 4. 5 1/4 / 6.4 mm Skip Tooth blade, for body work leaving a shorter cut than Size 4. 5F 1/4 / 6.4 mm Full Tooth finishing blade, version of the Size 5. 7 1/8 / 3.2 mm Skip Tooth blade, popularly used on many breeds. Ideal for matted coats. 7F 1/8 / 3.2 mm Full Tooth finishing blade, version of the Size 7. ALL-PURPOSE CUTTING Size Cut Description 8 7/64 / 2.2 mm Head, face and neck, commonly used on some Terriers and Sporting Breeds. 8 1/2 5/64 / 2.0 mm Ideal for various uses on Terriers. 9 1/16 / 1.6 mm Smooth finish commonly used on Spaniels and Schnauzers. T-84 3/16 Wide cutting surface for medium length. Large dogs and dense coats. 10 1/16 / 1.6 mm Under-body areas such as the stomach and genital areas. Short, popular blade. 15 3/64 / 1.2 mm Poodle feet and pads, face, as well as Terrier and Cocker faces. Close cut. 30 1/100 /.25 mm Closer than Size 15, often used in show trimming. Can use under Guard combs Guard combs These are plastic snap-on combs that add an extension to your metal blades. They can be used by snapping over the top of the clipper blades, and they allow for longer clipping. The size range will leave coats from about half an inch to almost 2 inches. These tend to work better over a 40 blade. These will never take the place of scissors, but are a welcome addition to the toolkit. Dog Grooming Professional Diploma Course Assignment Three Page 6
Brushes Brushes come in all sorts of types, shapes and sizes. Some of them have specific purposes. Common ones include the slicker brush, pin brush and rubber curry brush. The slicker brush is a favourite for most professional groomers. It comes in various sizes and can be flat or curved. It has bent wire teeth that are either stiff or firm. A heavy slicker brush is ideal for dense, wiry, curly or wavy coats. It is also useful for removing the dead coat on double-coated breeds such as Arctic breeds and shepherds. The soft slicker is useful for more delicate skin found with puppies and small dogs with fine hair. The slicker is considered an all-purpose brush that can be used on everything except very short coats found on breeds like greyhounds and Dalmatians. It is important you take care with this brush, because you can cause injury by scraping the skin and causing brush burn. The pin brush preserves long coats by preventing hair breakage. They are available in many different styles and sizes. They have rounded tips to minimise scratching of the skin. Pin brushes are mainly used for breeds with long flowing coats in good condition. Bristle brushes come in various shapes and teeth configurations, and are excellent for fine-coated and sure-head dogs. They are useful in the bath for removing dead hair. Dog Grooming Professional Diploma Course Assignment Three Page 7
Combs Combs are produced in a huge variety of styles, shapes and lengths. Some have handles and some don t. A comb is generally used in conjunction with a brush to untangle the coat when preparing the pet for a bath. The comb can also be used with scissors, in finish grooming. The best combs are made of metal and have strong, tempered teeth with rounded tips to prevent scratching. The most popular is a widetoothed comb, which can be used for longer, dense coats; however, it can miss small tangles, So it is best used in conjunction with a fine-tooth comb. Combs with handles are far more comfortable to use than the double-headed type. Clipper vacuum Fits on the clippers and sucks up the hair as you use the clippers. Shedding tools These are used mainly for removing loose coats. There are a few different styles, shapes and sizes. With proper use these become an excellent tool for removing loose undercoat from double-coated breeds. An undercoat rake is another excellent tool for shedding a dog. They normally have shorter, specially designed teeth to provide proficient removal of the undercoat. Dog Grooming Professional Diploma Course Assignment Three Page 8
De-matting tools De-matting tools come in many types, and they can be used in conjunction with brushes and combs. These tools are to remove mats from the coat by cutting through the mat and breaking it into smaller pieces. De-matting tools can be very sharp, and procedures require the utmost attention to prevent injury to the pet and you. Scissors Again, there are many types of scissors. There are a select few that are particularly useful in dog grooming. Bear in mind that high-quality scissors hold an edge for longer than inexpensive ones. Scissor maintenance is also very important; keep the scissors clean, oiled and dry to ensure long life. They are made in three basic types: straight, curved and thinning. Straight scissors are the all-purpose tool of the groomer and can be used for cutting straight planes, general body scissoring and finishing. Curved scissors also come in a variety of sizes and degree of curve. These scissors do best on key areas of the dog such as the top knot and the feet. They are very useful for removing mats that are close to the skin, as the tip of the scissor always points away from the animal s body. Dog Grooming Professional Diploma Course Assignment Three Page 9
Thinning scissors are also available in various shapes, sizes and teeth configurations. The most preferred thinners are made with a straight blade on one side and a toothed blade on the other. The amount of fur that the scissors will cut is dictated by the number of hairs trapped in the top of each tooth when the blades are closed. The smaller the teeth, the finer the blend. Usually a coarse scissor with a few teeth is useful when bulk-thinning a thick coat, and a fine-tooth thinner is favoured for top thinning and blending. Stripping knives Stripping knives have several purposes and are available in different styles; most groomers have a collection of them. Some are used to strip out the top coat of the terrier type. Others are used on carded coat and undercoat and can be used in a variety of breeds. The only way to learn which tools work best in a particular job is to try them out and see what kind of results you get. Nail Clippers Nail clippers are available in two basic types, the guillotine and the scissor. It is a matter of personal preference as to which can be used. However, the scissor type can be more adaptable in many different situations. Extreme caution should be exercised when using any nail clippers, as it is possible to cut the claw too short and make it bleed. Dog Grooming Professional Diploma Course Assignment Three Page 10
Dryers High velocity dryers are used in all stages of grooming and drying. The high air velocity blows water off the coat and straightens the hair shaft. It also adds volume and height. In de-matting and shedding it is highly adaptable to many coat types and is extremely safe to use with most pets. Care needs to be taken however, as it is quite frightening for some animals. It blows water down the hair and off with tremendous force. However, it has no heating element, uses very little electricity and cuts down tremendously on drying time. Stand dryers are normally a heat element hairdryer attached to a stand, so it becomes hands-free. These dryers are generally used in the final phase of drying. Kennel dryers are an enclosed space that you put the pet into while gentle air is passed as a stream over the animal. It is not meant to be the only drying tool in the salon, but it can aid in the final drying of certain pets. A kennel dryer can speed up the process of grooming. A dog has to be constantly monitored while in the dryer for the safety of the pet. Very little or no heat should be used in the kennel dryer. Cages Use a cage or crate for the dogs that are waiting to be groomed or to be picked up. Make sure the cage is big enough for the dog. Remove the dog s collar before leaving the dog in the cage, as there have been some nasty accidents with dogs hanging themselves. The cage should be cleaned and disinfected between each dog that is placed in it. Bathing equipment This includes equipment that is needed in the bathing area, such as a bath tap, shampoo and more. There are two types of bath tub: the first type is called a walk-in bus, which is ideal for big breeds as the dog can just walk into the bath. The second type is the sink-style bath, which is like the bathtubs we have, where the dog will have to be lifted into the bath. Some salons have both types. Mobile dog groomers tend to just use the owner s bath tub or shower area. It is better to have a shower available, as this is a lot easier to use to rinse the dog. It is very important to make sure that you test the water temperature on your forearm before showering the dog. Regularly check that the temperature hasn t changed. Dog Grooming Professional Diploma Course Assignment Three Page 11
Additional items There are many smaller items that you may find useful to have on-hand. For example, cotton wool, ear cleaners, tweezers, dental equipment etc. Organisation Once you ve found the location and have obtained the equipment necessary, it is time to organise your grooming station. If your grooming area is well organised, it will be a pleasure to work in, but if you have to spend twenty minutes looking for the comb you need you may be less inclined and less happy to groom. If you re grooming a small dog you will need a raised surface on which to groom; stooping down for an hour to comb out a Papillion is uncomfortable and not ergonomic. A grooming table can be a wonderful piece of equipment, if you have space for it and choose to invest in one. They must be covered with a non-slip surface, so the dog can stand safely. Larger dogs can stand on the floor, and you can sit on a stool if necessary. Try different ways and see which one works best for you. If you are using the grooming table, try to find a trolley or worktop space for your equipment that can be reached without leaving the dog stranded on the table. You don t want too much equipment on the same table as the dog, as dogs are very good at kicking things off. You can organise your small equipment into a basket or set of baskets, or some kind of container. You should be able to see what you need so you can reach it easily. Dog Grooming Professional Diploma Course Assignment Three Page 12
When you first start to groom dogs you will not know how long different procedures take. So it is a good idea to make a mental note of the time that you take when grooming. That way, when you start your own business, you will be able to accurately tell the owners when their dogs will be ready. You will also find it easier to plan your day. Don t try to squeeze too many appointments in one day, as there are bound to be delays that you won t be able to control. There is nothing worse than having a lot of pressure on you to finish at a certain time. When you re just starting out, you want to take your time and do a good job. Some dogs may also need a break halfway through their grooming, as they find it quite stressful. I have often found with wiggly dogs, taking them out for a short walk or putting them in a cage for fifteen to twenty minutes can calm them down. It is important when you talk to clients that you understand exactly how they would like their dog to be groomed. There is no point in grooming a dog the way you ve always wanted to, if it is the opposite of how the client wants it. Discuss and record exactly how the client wants their dog to look. Sometimes the clients will ask for something that it is not possible to achieve, so you have to politely explain to them the reasons why it is not possible, and suggest a better alternative. It is useful to have pictures of different breeds and their different haircuts so you can both look at them and know what to expect. Attire Deciding what to wear while you re grooming is not as easy as you may think. When you re bathing, you need something waterproof. When you are clipping, you need something hair resistant. When you re drying you need something cool. It needs to be easily washed and hard-wearing. To find something to suit all these possibilities is nearly impossible. There are some companies that design and make clothes especially for dog grooming; these tend to be a shell suit-type material, and can be quite expensive. I have found waterproof trousers work well as, obviously, they will be waterproof, but they are also hair resistant. You want to use sensible shoes as you tend to be standing for long periods of time. Long-sleeved tops can be annoying, and jeans and jumpers are great hair magnets. You could end up looking like a bear! TUTOR TALK: You have now come to the end of this assignment. Answer the questions relating to the work that you have just covered and return them to the College for marking. Copyright Reserved The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials. Chinese proverb Dog Grooming Professional Diploma Course Assignment Three Page 13
STUDENT NOTES: Please use the space below for recording what you consider to be any pertinent information or notes. You may find it helpful to refer back to it later on! Dog Grooming Professional Diploma Course Assignment Three Page 14
STUDENT NOTES: Please use the space below for recording what you consider to be any pertinent information or notes. You may find it helpful to refer back to it later on! Dog Grooming Professional Diploma Course Assignment Three Page 15
STUDENT NOTES: Please use the space below for recording what you consider to be any pertinent information or notes. You may find it helpful to refer back to it later on! Dog Grooming Professional Diploma Course Assignment Three Page 16