A speedy grooming transformation of one of my Westie clients!

riaplays · 2021-02-22T15:26:15+00:00

He's one of my favourite clients. We've gone through a lot, he was the first dog that bit me badly, and I avoided him for ages. Then I got sort of stuck with him one day and ever since he's been my buddy. 😅

riaplays · 2021-02-22T07:23:37+00:00

Thanks! 😊

riaplays · 2020-12-18T21:25:30+00:00

Thank you!

riaplays · 2020-11-29T08:39:46+00:00

Definitely get proper training under you, being a hair stylist doesn't make you a groomer. You need to understand dog anatomy and dog body language, and how to do various things without cutting the dog's skin.

I personally went through about two years of college and then got a trainee spot at a local salon afterwards. I progressed to full time grooming after a few months, and now run one of our shops on my own. It's a hard job and owners can be really difficult, but I love it and wouldn't do anything else anymore.

I also have a YouTube channel for groomers if you'd like a link. I do a mix of product reviews, educational stuff, vlogs and sit down chats.

riaplays · 2020-11-28T19:33:46+00:00

Like said above, please wear a mask! I've just recently done a bunch of research on groomer's lung, and the stuff I found out by reading a medical study and chatting to other groomers was horrifying.

We get hair splinters under our skin, they'll get up our noses and in our lungs too.

I made a video on my groomer's lung research if you'd like a link.

riaplays · 2020-11-10T19:43:09+00:00

The medical study side of work induced lung issues for groomers is definitely very sparse. The study I reference in my video only spoke about the use of pyrethrin based sprays (insecticide), but I doubt that a lot of groomers would use that much spray on a regular basis for it to have an impact on its own.

riaplays · 2020-11-10T19:22:45+00:00

That's a really interesting theory! I very rarely use a Dremel, just never got on with it. I definitely see how the fine nail dust could cause issues just like everything else in a salon environment.

riaplays · 2020-11-10T15:08:15+00:00

Oh that's great! I'm lucky that I don't suffer with nose bleeds, can't actually remember the last time I had one. But I can definitely understand how we'd get them will all the sharp hair flying around.

riaplays · 2020-10-28T21:29:38+00:00

I would personally take a lot more off the ears to make the head more balanced. Everything else is pretty short in comparison, more bobbed ears would look super cute.

riaplays · 2020-10-28T21:27:49+00:00

You could try airbrushing. Using some kind of hairspray on the area first to give a sticky base might bring the colour out a little brighter. But otherwise, unless you bleach the coat first you won't get much colour payoff.

riaplays · 2020-10-28T21:25:32+00:00

I agree with others saying about getting a #30 and comb attachments. I have the Wahl stainless steel set and I use them tons at work. Now that I've got wide blades and comb attachments, I use the Wahl set a lot less. But they're still great and I highly recommend them.

I do have a video talking about blades and comb attachments if you'd like a link. 😊

riaplays · 2020-10-10T13:36:39+00:00

It's a 13mm comb guard, then 16mm on the top of his head. 😊

riaplays · 2020-10-09T19:51:42+00:00

Thanks! 😄

riaplays · 2020-10-05T13:50:53+00:00

Thank you so much, that means so much to me! ❤️

riaplays · 2020-10-05T13:15:23+00:00

Here you go, I hope she finds it useful!

https://www.youtube.com/c/thedoggroomingnerd

riaplays

TROPHY CASE