THE FIRST THREE WEEKS OF CLASS

Proper Handling and Control of the dog; Psychology and Understanding Body Language;Anatomy and Muscular Structure. Students are given a chart on Anatomy, showing pointsof control and bone structure.

Students work on sparse and heavily-coated dogs so as to understand how best to workwith each type of coat, as well as develop their handling and control techniques.

Proper Brush-Outs and Baths are covered, along with proper angles of equipment; i.e., SlickerBrush, Pin Brush, Comb, Scissors, Thinning Shears, Nail Clippers, Mat-Splitter and Clippers.

Proper angulation of equipment is extremely important and takes some working, as well asobservation, time to develop a “feel” for it.

Cleaning Ears Properly -- which cleanser is best-suited for the “normal” ear, as well as “stinky,”or infected ear.

Clipping Nails -- always a “white knuckler” for the student, but, an absolute MUST, tolearn. Proper angle of nail clippers will insure the closest trim without “nicking” thenerve. Proper use of styptic powder is also taught, should a nail be clipped too close.

The Use of Corn Starch -- and the reasons why -- is demonstrated along with Coat and SkinStudy of the Terrier, while in the process of the grooming demonstration.

The Canine Intelligent Quotient Test is given. This is a Non-Graded test, and is for thepurpose of acquainting the student with many various aspects pertaining to the Canine;such as brief summaries connected with the Show Ring, Obedience Trials, Health, Diet,Vaccinations and Grooming Information.

It is recommended to all students that they make an effort to attend at least one formallysanctioned dog show, and also attend dog-training/obedience classes, as a spectator, toobserve the various methods of showing and training of the different breeds. Also, thiswill help the student begin to understand how dogs of different temperments and dispositionswill tend to behave. This will give the student exposure to a wide variety of breeds earlyon, from the typically “friendly” breeds, such as the Golden Retreiver, to the moreconfidentbreeds, such as the Akita, Rottweiler, and the Terrier breeds.

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A Seminar is held toward the end of the first three weeks, to discuss Animal BehavioralProblems; the finesse of controlling different breeds (Breed Characteristics), and which breedsdo not have a “pack instinct.” A chart is given to each student for further study of “BodyLanguage;” whether in play posture of fearful, friendly or aggressive, confident or submissive.

Handling Clippers and Blades is done during the last part of the first three weeks; studentswill practice on clipping pads and “potty patches,” or the top of a foot.

Reviewing “Prep Work;” Proper Brush-Outs, Bathing, Cleaning Ears and Pads, Nail Clippingand Checking for Fleas.

Proper Use of Flea Dip/Shampoos is shown; understanding the difference between Butoxideor Petroleum-based dips, comparison with the organic, or Pyrethrin and Citric-based Dips/Shampoos.

De-Matting is worked on, showing de-matting techniques with various pieces of equipment,including the mat and tangle splitter, thinning shears, pin brush, comb and clippers. Alsostudied are the reasons why de-matting must be accomplished before bathing or dipping.

Various Pure-Bred Dogs and Mixed Breeds, are introduced for grooming with clippers. Also,Clip-Downs, or Clipper-Stripping are experienced by the student.

More Controlled Use of Scissors is practiced; such as the “Winter Cut” -- or “4/Scissor Cut,”properly rounding the foot, and checking the pads for “straggles” or “Rock-Foot.”

Use of Thinning Shears, for blending into body furnishings, removing clip marks, makinga more natural look to feet and eyebrows; also, effective us in removing certain other typesof mats.

Proper Expression of the Anal Gland and their Function, along with what to look for insofaras internal parasites and diet are concerned.

Experiencing the Older Dog -- or Health Problems -- where it is more comfortable for the dogto be groomed while standing on the floor, rather than be placed on a table. Also, theLarge Dog, such as the Rottweiler, Old English Sheepdog, German Shepherd, or Bouvierdes Flandres, who are, occasionally, easier to groom on the floor. This is where the studentbegins to learn that different dogs must be groomed from different angles, for their comfort-- not that of the groomer.

THE SECOND THREE WEEKS OF CLASS

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Clipper Burn, and how to avoid it, is discussed during the second three week period.

Scissoring the Ear Edge, is demonstrated during the first part of the second three weekperiod, and the student performs this maneuver toward the end of the second three weekperiod. It can be somewhat stressful; therefore, the student is given ample time to be madeto feel comfortable with the equipment and the dog being worked on.

Endeavoring to make the student feel comfortable and relaxed with the equipment and itsvarious uses are of prime importance. Criticism and finessing are not stressed during thisinterim; helping the student overcome nervousness and lack of confidence is the importantfactor.

Depending on the ability of the student at this point in training, further review is done onAngulations of Equipment, and its usage; De-Matting Techniques, and Handling and Controlof the Animal.

Proper Blow-Drying is practiced, including breeds which MUST be blow-dried, and thosethat can “Air-Dry.”

Social Behavior of the Animal is observed while the dog is on the floor to further understandBody Language. Also, how to properly pick up the dog, place it on the table, or in the tub,in a manner suitable to the size, age and health of the dog.

Students“trade off,” with each other, working on each other’s dogs to gain further knowledgeof certain breed characteristics, coat and skin conditions, textures of coats, and, requirementsto properly handle and control various breeds, and/or mixes of breeds.

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THE THIRD THREE WEEKS OF CLASS

Primary attention is given to the Pure-Bred Dogs; primarily, the Schnauzer, the CockerSpaniel, and the Poodle. Advancement to more exotic breeds, such as the Soft-CoatedWheaton Terrier, Bouvier des Flandres, etc., depends upon individual talent and confidencedemonstrated by each student.

Critiquing of Work performed by each student is more detailed; however, confidence inworking with the equipment and handling and controlling the dog are still of primaryimportance.

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Those students who are still lacking in confidence at this point are not “pressured” intodoing more in the way of Styling, than their capacity, or confidence, will allow them.

The Grooming Text Book is emphasized more during this period. There are over 360 breedsnow listed with the American Kennel Club -- not to mention the International KennelClub -- and the student must understand how to look up information and be able to followthrough with the necessary action. In this manner, they can accomplish a groom on, say,a Havanese, a Portugese Water Dog, a Puli, a Bedlington Terrier, etc., without faintinginto a dead heap if one of their future clients walked in the door with one of these exotics!

The student will read portions of the Grooming Text, which refers to the breed dog they areworking on at a given time. In this manner, the student not only has a better understandingof the breed dog, but also, it makes for a more confident and better equipped student, astheir retention of how to groom that particular breed is more concentrated.

Understanding the Snap-On Comb, positions of its use on the dog for various lengths of cut,“skimming,” etc., are practiced.

At this point, the student should have good, basic knowledge as to proper Angles ofEquipment. Prep Work should be “second nature” at this point also. If the student has notprogressed to this point, review work will continue until the student successfully understandsthese important basics, including utilizing time available on non-regularly scheduled classdays to accomplish this. Any student having trouble and expressing an unwillingness toexert the extra effort to accomplish these items may be subject to expulsion from theAcademy. In this manner, the student is assured (as are we), that correct grooming methodsare being accomplished and utilized by our students and graduates.

A Seminar is held at the end of the second three week period, which is our Video SeminarNight, showing Certified Master Groomers at work on various Terrier Breeds, CockerSpaniels and Poodles, and a hand-scissor study of the Bichon Frise. These tapes may beborrowed from the Academy, by signing a “Check-Out Sheet” in the office so they may betaken home and be studied by any of the students wishing to do so. A discussion period isheld at the end of each of the tapes shown. Finesse work is discussed during tape showing,as well as breed-detailing in conjunction with the video tapes.

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THE FINAL THREE WEEKS OF CLASS

Critiquing of Every Detail produced by the student on each given breed, is done. Short-cutsin Clipping and Scissor Work are demonstrated, and the students (the ones capable) areasked to use the techniques demonstrated. This will be done; however, only if the studentfeels confident. Correcting Body Lines and Faulty Coats are demonstrated on individualdogs being worked on by the student.

Proper Cleaning and Maintenace of the Work Area is critiqued. Sanitation with animals ismost important and needs to be done in a proper manner.

Finesse in Scissoring and Clipping are shown and worked on by each student, in accordancewith each one’s capabilities. Stress, on the part of the student at this time, can work intheir favor by being properly “coached,” and confidence has been allowed to build. Dogsworked on, primarily, in this segment, are hand-scissored; such as the Poodle, Bichon Frise,Lhasa Apso, and the Shih-Tzu.

Reviews of Breeds already worked on by each student are examined. Should problems havearisen with a particular breed, or, the student lacks confidence with a particular breed, it isre-done during this time frame, in conjunction with the Grooming Text.

“Speed Scheduling” is held, with each student having scheduled as many dogs as has beendeemed he/she can handle in a given, four-hour period. The student is to consider theneeds of the various dogs scheduled for him/her; bearing in mind coat texture, blade-work,disposition, age, amount of clipping; necessity of blow-drying, etc. This benefits the studentin their organizational skill, for the time when they will need to think on their own regardingtheir daily scheduling of pets for grooming.

Business Night, this helps the student understand the importance of certain informationbeing obtained pertaining to the dog, how to book appointments for maximum efficiency,rates, how to evaluate inventory and keep records. Telephone presentations are given forgood communication with the pet owner. Promoting a new business is discussed, alongwith advertising on a budget.

Final Testing in Skills and Academics, are done the final two-three days of the class. Thestudent is allowed to choose a breed from the approved breed list they wish to have fortheir Final Skills Examination.

Diplomas are given to those students qualifying with a Grade Average of no less than 65%,including the Final Written Exam; and a Grade Average of no less than 65% on the FinalSkills Examination.