I never bang what kinds of lead I ’ll get for consultation , but one affair is for sure – they ’re always with really interesting people . Lisa Parsonsis a professional frank groomer located in Ontario , Canada , and her rottweiler Laush is also helping her make a name for herself in the professional dock jump existence . I was fortunate enough to be able to have a conversation with Lisa this week , and she share a lot of majuscule professional dog grooming entropy with me . I hope you bozo like what we got out of this interview !
Lisa is the majestic possessor ofCanine Styles by Lisa . She has been dress for over 25 years , with experience in both pet and show dressing .
Lisa is a member of both theOntario Dog Groomers Association(ODGA ) and theNational Association for Professional Creative Groomers(NAPCG ) .
Lisa ’s grooming philosophy is that creating a stress - loose atmosphere is important for everydog ’s spa experience . She only use natural products in her salon , and her clients can receive uber relaxing services like a Jacuzzi vat , sugar scouring or a pes soaking . She takes her time with eachdog that she groomsto help calm down anxiousness – if a whelp require a break , she gives him one .
Lisa got into grooming and showing dog at about the same time . She was showing rottweilers and Siberian huskies , and of course the dogs take to be neaten for the shows . Talk about multi - tasking – she was con to be a professional show handler and aprofessional groomerat the same time .
Lisa was n’t raised in a wienerwurst showing family , and she never worked for a professional handler . She simply pass to a wiener show and call back it looked like a sight of fun . She accept a few class and studied under a show justice to check the In and outs of the industry .
Photo: Lisa Parsons
When it was time to obtain her first cad she went to aprofessional breederwho claimed they had a show timber pup . regrettably the pup was n’t show caliber . Lisa explained to me that like anything else , there is a with child acquisition curve when getting into the business of dog showing .
hound need to be groomed for shows , but when you ’re on a budget you’re able to salvage yourself a mountain of money by learning to groom your dogs yourself . Lisa go to school and took professional training form . She used to groom other dogs for show as well as her own , but she does n’t do that anymore .
In fact , Lisa order that she no longer has any desire to professionally handle dogs . The confirmation side of dog bear witness just does n’t appeal to her . She say that it ’s very trying , and she ’d rather be involve in show her dogs for performance . That ’s where Laush comes in . He ’s a 130 - pound rottweiler who is make a great splash in the human beings of professional canine bob jump .
unluckily , dock jump does n’t pay the bills . That ’s why Lisa owns and operates Canine Styles by Lisa . She is the only groomer , but she does have an assistant that help tobathe and brushthe dogs . Lisa spoke with me about owning her own professionaldog grooming businessand gave me some great tips for pet parent .
The Scoop on Professional Dog Grooming
As interesting as showing dogs is , I really require to know more about the grooming aspect of Lisa ’s career . As she cite , she did haveformal groomer ’s trainingand she took professional brute grooming classes , but Lisa also tell me that most of her teaching came from hands - on experience .
She explain thatdog groomersget more experience when they ’re actually working with the dogs in a grooming adroitness than they do in a classroom . At Canine Styles by Lisa , she grooms all breeds , and she specializes in originative grooming . She pore on skin and pelage diseases and helps train pet parents on the best way to care for their special pawl .
I ’ve detect thatskin and coatissues seem to be becoming a much more prevalent problem for pets and their proprietor . Lisa enjoin that she ’s see it too . She believes that this increase is due to more environmental toxin , more required vaccinations , and more allergic reaction to preferred foods .
Photo: Lisa Parsons
Lisa was distinguish me a news report of awheaten terrierthat came into her shop latterly with skin yield . The dog ’s veterinarian had given her something for her cutis , but during the same visit had also afford her a heartworm handling , multiple vaccines , and Revolution ( a topical discussion ) . The possessor were cross as to why the skin term was n’t clear up , and Lisa knew it was due to all the chemical that were latterly put in the dog ’s system and onto her pelt .
With all due regard to veterinarians , they do n’t specialize in skin and coat conditions . worldwide practicing veterinary surgeon are educated on a dog ’s overallhealth and well - being . They watch about their organs , their cutis and pelage , their eyes , etc … They can name most common issues , but they do n’t receive any specialized training on specific areas of the canine body .
For instance , when our boxer was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy our vet was able to name the way out , but she recommended that we see a canine heart specialist for advice on treatment . alas , canine pelt and coating issues can be because of many things , and unless you see a dog skin doctor you may not get straightaway answers .
Photo: Lisa Parsons
Since groomers work out so nearly with a pet ’s skin and coat , they often can give pet parent insight into any proceeds that may move up . Of naturally , they wo n’t diagnose anything , but they will evidence you a flake about what ’s going on and ways you may be capable to help your dearie .
Lisa recite me that commercialdog foodis one of the leading drive of skin and coat issues in hot dog . She say that if one of her node is shedding overly or accept health issuing with his skin or coating , she always advocate that the owner count at the food they are feeding . She hopes they come after her good word , but obviously not everyone does .
I was curious as to which come out Lisa sees most often that pet parents overlook . She say most dog owners are n’t aware of ear issues . Lisa explain that the first indication of a food for thought allergy is a problem with your pet ’s ear . She enunciate that a yeasty spike is a good sign that your dog has a grain sensibility . She also told me that tear stains , whichare commonwith many dogs , are a polarity that your dog has a protein sensitiveness .
Photo: Lisa Parsons
I asked Lisa what advice she would give her client whose deary were put up with these number . She say that many fourth dimension when a positron emission tomography has a skin stipulation , owners will quest an oatmeal shampoo – even if the cutis condition is because of a metric grain allergy . They do n’t realize that oatmeal is a grain and putting it locally on the cutis can be just as harmful as ingesting it . She advise her guest to be mindful of the ingredients in every ware they use , not just the intellectual nourishment they are feeding their favorite .
She also explained that if a dog has tear stains it is important to switch the protein germ in his food , but not the brand name . For exemplar , if you feed your best-loved Call of the unfounded dog food and you normally get him the bison blend , try switching to the salmon blend alternatively . By swap the protein source you will likely clear up the tear stains , and your frank wo n’t have to get used to an solely newdog nutrient .
All blackguard call for professional dog grooming . No matter what engender your beloved pup is , he ’ll need some professional care from a well train groomer . All dogs need brushing , nail clipping , ear care and other general grooming . Of course , you may do some of this at home , but Lisa recommends all favored parent bring their Canis familiaris to the groomer once every 6 to 8 week .
Photo: Lisa Parsons
eventually , I need to know what advice Lisa would give to preferent parents who are looking for a groomer for their dog . She said that due to very lax regulations onprofessional groomers , favorite owner ask to be serious about asking doubtfulness like , “ where did you go to schoolhouse ? ” and “ can I see your installation ? ”
Lisa advocate that you take the air away if a groomer tells you that you ca n’t see the adroitness or ca n’t pop in at any time . She cautions pet parents to remember that chinchy is n’t always good , and more expensive is n’t always well either . You ask to be cautious when looking for a groomer . I guess Lisa said it well when she told me :
“ You would n’t drop your child off to have their haircut without remember that the person was absolutely capable at the other remnant of the scissor hold or clippers , and that you ’re going to get your child back with both their ears . We get revulsion account about dogs having their ear cut while dress … So cultivate yourself properly on how to find a beneficial groomer . ”
She also told me that it ’s the groomer ’s obligation to school pet parent on the right creature to use on their pet in between professional dog neaten – a job that she take very seriously . She recommends that every pet parent haveat leasta brush , comb , an appropriate shampoo , a get out - in conditioner for dogs that have hair , and a rubber brush for dogs with pelt . Unsure if your wiener has fuzz or fur?Fur grows to a predetermined duration and then stops , and tomentum keep to keep grow ( like human hairsbreadth ) .
frump groomers are a great resource for pet parent . Even though you may not be capable to afford to take your dearie in every 2 calendar month , you should still consult with a groomer . They can give you advice and tips for worry for your firedog ’s grooming needs at plate , and they ’ll be able-bodied to give you a good theme of how often your pet really need to be see . Some breeds , like a Shih Tzu , need to be seen more often for regular cutting , but others may be able to go longer without professional grooming as long as their needs are being satisfy at rest home .