Questions about grooming and doggie psychology?


Hi, Here is the newest blog site to one of the best grooming facilities and grooming schools in the country.

I am the owner, DuAnn Chambers, and also the primary grooming instructor for the Pet Grooming Academy. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. I moved to northern Idaho (Priest River area) in 1994 and did not feel that I could support myself in this rural area with a psychology degree. So, I went back to school and received my grooming diploma in 1997 and have been grooming ever since.

I am childfree by choice and I live with my husband (whom I adore) and my 3 dogs, Mini Schnauzer, Annie-12, Monte-std pdle - 3, and Marli- Rott. cross-6.

My 4-legged dogs come to work with me and it’s a wonderful way to spend my days and make a living. I get to use both of my degrees every day in the grooming shop and I work with talented and fun dog-loving people. I now own 2 shops, and employ 6-8 groomers and bathers.

I start one student at a time, and have graduated dozens of students that have gone on to become hugely successful groomers and business owners. I love being a groomer! And I love being a teacher!

I have started this blog so that I can assist groomers with grooming questions, and dog-owners with dog psychology questions. In my 11 years of owning 2 shops and grooming thousands of dogs, I have come to notice a LOT of really cool things that co-exist for dog and owner.

Please help me to start my blog by sending me your questions regarding your dogs. Thanks a bunch for visiting my site, and I hope to be a service to you!


DuAnn Chambers




Thursday, September 30, 2010

How do you know if your cat is having a groomogasm?

Cats typically are not thrilled by the grooming process if they have any kind of mattes or knots to contend with. However, there is the occasional cat that really enjoys the grooming process.  When this cat is being groomed, they purr, they meow, they arch their backs and necks into the clipper and against the groomer.  This is called a groomogasm, and about 10 % of the cats that come in for professional grooming, experience this!

Look for the groomogasmic cat next time your in the grooming shop.  They will be arching, stretching, mewing, giving love nips, needing their claws, and pushing themselves against you.  Trust me, you want this kind of cat over the opposite when it comes to grooming!

DuAnn Lustig-Chambers
Pooch Parlor Tribune
Professional Tips to Pamper Your Pet

Monday, September 27, 2010

my dog rolled in an animal carcas, what do I do?

It happens at least once a week at the grooming shop.  A customer comes in with a dog they have washed 3 times at home and cant get the stench out of.  What did they roll in they ask us!

Well, here in northern Idaho, the answer is, an animal carcass.  How do you get the smell out?  The same concoction as for a skunk bath, hydrogen peroxide, dawn, and baking soda, mixed immediately before using it.

If the dog has had the stench on him for more than 24 hours, and has had at least one bath, you won't be able to remove 100% of the smell, but you can remove 90%.  Check out the videos on the website for skunk bath to remove the stench of dead flesh from your dog!  Good luck, and keep some citris spray for your own nose on hand.

DuAnn Lustig-Chambers
Happy Pooch Tribune
Professional Tips to Pamper Your Pooch

Friday, September 24, 2010

Airedales and grooming

Today we groomed an airedale named Gilda.  She is a gorgeous speciman!  She may have suffered from ADD however, so we renamed her as Gilda, the airehead dale.



DuAnn LustigChambers
Pooch Parlor Tribune
Professional Tips to Pampur Your Pooch

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Dogs can get nosebleeds during the grooming process

Today I had a student ask me, is it normal for some dogs to get nosebleeds during the grooming?

The answer is this, it does happen fairly regularly, however, it is not normal.  Nose bleeds can happen from a number of different factors.  Typically, it is stress induced and the dog's breathing increases enough to create friction on the air passage.  A little extra snort, or sneeze, or breath can create a bloody nose.  As a groomer, or pet owner, you want to be sure and monitor the amount of blood, the length the nose bleed lasts and the color of the nose bleed.  If the blood is clumpy or darker than fresh blood, it is likely that a tumor in the nose, throat, or lungs has burst.  In this event, you may have an emergency.  If the nose bleed is a tumor that has erupted, the behavior of the dog will tell you if you should call the vet or rush to the vet.

Fortunately, a simple nose bleed that is not an emergency is what happens 95 percent of the time.  Do you best to calm the dog and quiet his breathing.  The bleeding should not last longer than 60 seconds.  Call the owner and let them know about the nose bleed and see if they know why it happened.  You may just be surprised when you hear the owner say, 'oh, don't worry! Charlie goes diving in the mud for frogs every day!

Nose bleeds are pretty common, be sure you follow them up with the owner.

DuAnn Lustig-Chambers
Pooch Parlor Tribune
Professional Tips to Pamper Your Pooch

Friday, September 17, 2010

Can husbands and wives work together in the grooming room?

Today a future student asked me, 'Can husbands and wives work together to run a grooming business?"

The answer is absolutely yes.  As with any job, coworkers need to be aware of each others needs, and duties to keep the grooming shops running smooth.  When your co-worker is also your marriage partner, the need to communicate on common ground, doubles.

I have recently worked with a husband and wife team that do an admirable job at running the shop together.  Bringing the marriage into the workplace is never an easy task, but since I have seen it firsthad, the answer is yes.. with hard work, consideration, and more praise than complaining, husbands and wives can make and operate a successful grooming business together.

Check out the website, www.thepoochparlor.net and see Sara and Jim Goss.  They are an amazing couple that are successful at working together in the grooming shop that they own and operate.


DuAnn Lustig-Chambers
The Pooch Parlor
Professional tips to Pamper Your Pooch

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The dog that picks you is the PERFECT dog!

Today I had a customer bring in their new puppy, Tucker, after having lost their 6 year old poodle cross to a freak accident last month. I told her how impressed I was that this 11 week old pup seemed to know me and know the grooming process.  It was very amazing to see.  She almost whispered it to me as she left with her new puppy, "I think Charlie told this puppy to pick us!  He would NOT leave us alone when we visited the litter".  I believer her.  When  puppy picks a human, it is MAGIC.

DuAnn Lustig Chambers
The Pooch Parlor
Professional Tips to Pamper your Pooch







  

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

New tool used at the Pooch Parlor today!

Matt loves the new Furminator.  Matt also loves Arnold Swortzenegger!  Matt is the new Furminator man!

DuAnn Lustig Chambers
The Pooch Parlor
Professional Tips to Pamper your Pooch