From my experience, dogs have varying sensitivities to human touch. I say this after almost 40 years of handling between 20 and 30,000 dogs. Some dogs don’t like being petted. Some dogs don’t seek physical affection (I owned one for almost 15 years).
Rubbing A Dog The Wrong Way Read More
My first cattle dog was named Megan. When I met her, she was four months old and on “death row” at my shelter. She was about to be killed because of the heinous offense of chasing livestock—a task she was genetically designed for. Go figure.
Let’s be honest. When we see an owner lugging an ultra–heavy carrier into our salons, we know the odds are good that the cat inside is smushed in there like a jelly filled donut. When I think of the voluptuous pampered cat, I’m reminded of the feline in the movie of Cinderella. Do you remember Lucifer lying flat out on his belly as he dips his front paw into his bowl of milk and waits for it to drip into his open mouth? I know the meaning of the movie was symbolic of patience and optimism, along with a great looking slipper, but to me, the cat was hysterical.
Feline Nutrition And How It Affects You As A Groomer Read More
“My mother was a public school teacher,” said Debi Hilley. “She taught first grade and Head Start. She instilled in me the importance of education and went over and above teaching her kids. Maybe her work has something to do with me wanting to help teach other groomers.”
Every family is unique. An outsider could flip through the pages of a family’s scrapbook and only imagine the feelings attached to old ticket stubs, pressed flowers, scraps of paper, and photos. For the family that created those memories, every piece gives them the chance to live the memory again.
Grooming As A Family: Alexis Sanches’ Story Read More
We groomers have a real soft spot for an underdog. Just walk into any of our country’s animal shelters and you will see that they are overflowing with the unwanted, unloved, and neglected—shelters full of underdogs. That’s why countless groomers already donate their time and grooming services to help them.
National Rescue Round-Up Invitational Read More
You may have had this breed of dog on your table before and never known it. English Shepherds, also known as “farm collies,” “old time collies,” and “farm shepherds,” were brought to America by early British settlers. They put the dogs to work on farms and homesteads, guarding both livestock and property, as well as herding and hunting.
Grooming The English Shepherd Read More
The following story is true. The names have not been changed to protect the innocent, because it was me and this guy that came to give me a quote on doing some work at my house, and I don’t remember his name anyway. We’ll just call him “the guy.”
The Courage to Charge More Read More
Pet foods that contain new ingredients seem to appear almost daily on store shelves. Have you ever wondered why a particular ingredient is chosen for inclusion in a food? While the nutrient composition is the primary reason for ingredient selection, there are also other factors that need to be considered. Trends in the human and pet food industries can impact the appeal of an ingredient. Novel ingredients that serve a specific function can also influence selection. In addition, ingredient certifications are becoming increasingly common because it allows pet food brands to clearly communicate with consumers about the methods used to produce a food.
Dog Food Ingredients: Past, Present & Future Read More
Apparently my career in the dog grooming world is coming to an end. I don’t know the exact date, however, as no one has informed me yet. I rely on the “Doggie Grapevine” to let me know the scoop on the poop.
“Dear Michell, I have tried and tried to develop speed in my daily work and as hard as I try, I am still only doing a fraction of the work of my co-workers. Do you have any advice for me on how to get faster?” -Lilly
Speed-Up Your Grooming Read More
A good portion of my “Bread & Butter” clients are Poodles. With that said, they seem