By: Sue Zecco
In the event you’ve chosen pet grooming as your profession, continued training is without doubt one of the most necessary elements of success and happiness.
I keep in mind being that younger groomer going to my first commerce present; speaking to individuals with the identical love and pursuits as me and being blown away at my first seminar. I assumed I used to be a fairly first rate groomer and had already discovered quite a bit…till that day.
After that present, I used to be hooked and located studying extra about grooming was a unending habit. Even to at the present time, I take pleasure in studying new breeds and strategies and particularly making an attempt new instruments and provides to make our grooms actually stand out from the norm. It helps save me from burnout.
Listed below are a few of my favourite methods to proceed grooming training:
Books – Pre-internet I bought each ebook I might discover by Sam Kohl, Shirlee Kalstone and Melissa Verplank. I additionally purchased each version of the AKC’s “The New Full Canine Ebook” and subscribed to “Groomer to Groomer” and “Groom and Board” magazines.
Now, most of that is out there on-line, though I nonetheless love having the books to have the ability to have a look at as a fast reference.
Commerce Exhibits – There are such a lot of extra trades reveals across the nation, and attending as many as you may afford is invaluable.
When my salon first began attending reveals again within the early ’80s, we’d take images and show them on a bulletin board for purchasers to see. We included a “Thanks in your ideas. They assist additional our training to assist us higher serve you.” message. This labored for 2 causes, 1) It let our purchasers know the way devoted we had been, and a couple of) We acquired extra ideas.
On-line Packages – For individuals who can’t appear to get away, on-line applications have change into a godsend. Jay and I began our Tremendous Styling Classes as a one-day seminar, which changed into a collection of DVDs, and now it’s a web based membership, all the time rising in members and content material.
One of many nicest compliments is groomers saying, “I discovered to groom by watching your movies.” Then I really feel like we’re doing one thing proper and giving again to an business that has given us a lot.
There are different on-line applications on the market, and the extra information you get, the higher your expertise will change into.
Webinars – A big number of webinars can be found in your enjoyment. Plus, you get to study from the comfort and privateness of your individual residence.
Jay and I host eight to 10 of our Tremendous Styling Classes per 12 months. Social media is a superb useful resource for locating webinar dates. Ours are additionally listed with Groomer’s Selection, who’s our most important sponsor.
When deciding on webinars to attend, simply beware! Not all content material is right or legitimate, so decide and select rigorously.
Canine Exhibits – Going to canine reveals is a really large eye opener for groomers. I keep in mind years in the past watching my first Terrier group at a breed present and pondering “I don’t do my Terriers like that!” I needed to replace an terrible lot of what I used to be at the moment doing.
I do know plenty of present individuals appear arduous to strategy, however the bottom line is to by no means strategy with questions when they’re preparing to enter the ring. Wait till their breed is finished, they usually can breathe lengthy sufficient to speak to you.
Most individuals actually need their breed to be groomed accurately in order that they’re comfortable to assist. I’m a breeder who LOVES speaking about my breed with anybody who will hear.
Breed reveals are additionally a wonderful strategy to discover good breeders if you wish to strive grooming competitions. The higher-quality canine you discover, the extra it’ll improve your groom.
Competing – It’s not for everybody, however you probably have broad shoulders and a aggressive spirit, getting within the ring is without doubt one of the greatest types of training. Each time you compete and get a critique out of your choose is a superb studying expertise.
My clients felt I used to be the very best round once I first started my profession. Then, I entered my first contest grooming towards my friends and located I nonetheless had a lot to study. Every contest made me a greater groomer than the one earlier than, till I ranked No. 1 within the nation on GroomTeam USA.
A number of ladies from my store had been all in favour of competing as properly. We might use our tip cash to rent an skilled from no matter breeds we had been competing with. A high Terrier particular person, Poodle particular person, sporting breeds particular person, and many others. would come for one-on-one personal classes. This concept may be very helpful with the best individuals.
Outreach – The ultimate instrument is to personally attain out to a groomer you admire who’s keen to assist by merely answering questions in a textual content or e mail. I don’t know any top-ranking groomer who wouldn’t be comfortable to assist in any approach they will. All you must do is ask.
Please keep in mind Jay and I and the fantastic individuals at Groomer’s Selection are all the time comfortable to assist. Your success is our success.
Joyful grooming!
