Dog grooming parlour celebrates 50th year

Now Christine Cadger is celebrating 50 years of running a pooch-pampering salon, attracting four-legged customers from across the globe.

Christine, 68, who once bathed and groomed the star of Disney’s Greyfriars Bobby, has since had thousands of dogs in her Gorgie Road salon.

She established Christine’s Dog Grooming Parlour in 1964, where she still works today with daughter Emma McGarry.

“I didn’t think I would still be cutting dogs 50 years later but I couldn’t think of doing anything else,” she said.

“It’s been right down the family tree. My uncle had greyhounds, so I started working with him and would go down to the racetrack when I was 13, and my other uncle bred Scotties.

“Now I run the business with my daughter – it’s in the blood. I still love it but it has definitely changed over the years.

“Folk are now going more for the fancy dogs like the cockapoos, the labradoodles, schnoodles, the jackadoodles, but I prefer it when they stick to the one breed.

“Some breeds have gone out of fashion but it’s nice to see them coming back in again like wirehaired terriers and Scotties.

“When I think we used to charge two and six, or five shillings and ten shillings, it shows how long it has been.”

Grandma Christine started training at plush department store Kenneth Gibbs in Shandwick Place, which had its own animal grooming section.

It was there the producers of the Disney blockbuster brought “Bobby” to get him looking his best for the 1961 premiere.

Christine said: “It was getting shown at The Regal, and Walt Disney’s trainer came over with the dog and some other people. I got to wash and bath it.

“It was a mongrel, not a Skye, it didn’t have the long body of a Skye. There was a chief constable who got the dog when they all went back to America and left it and they would bring it in regularly.”

Three years later, she had bought her own shop, where she built up a reputation for being one of the best in the business.

Now dogs from as far away as New York – whose owners were staying at The Balmoral – have had been given the VIP treatment at her premises.

She has regulars from the north and south of England as well as other parts of Scotland, who go on monthly trips to the Capital.

Christine has even adopted dogs abandoned at her parlour.

Emma said it was her mother’s caring side that had kept the business going for so long.

She said Christine had taken on mistreated dogs and even adopted pets that owners never came to collect.

“I grew up in the shop with my mum and I couldn’t wait for her to teach me how to do it,” she said.

“With the shop being there for so long, we have done different generations of people on their dogs which has been great. It’s still nice when you see them going out and how happy the dog is.”

Customer Shirley-anne Cook, whose family has been taking dogs to the salon for ten years, was full of praise.

She said: “Both of my dogs love going to get their hair cut, and I always know when I leave Benji he is in safe hands.

“They do a fantastic job, I’m sure there’ll be many more happy days to come.”


Durham Dog Grooming

dog grooming


 Whitby This Week

It's always nice to pamper yourself every once in a while, and the same goes for our dogs, too!

If you're looking for a grooming service in the Durham region that you can count on, look no further!

Durham Dog Grooming is a professional groomer offering high quality service and products at an affordable rate!

Durham Dog Grooming offers exceptional, compassionate care for your four-legged friend!

With a team of full-time, certified professional groomers, Durham Dog Grooming offers a unique bathing system, ensuring your pet receives the highest quality grooming.

The Hydro Surge Bathing System includes a superior deep cleansing and conditioning system, followed by a style and clip!

Each grooming session includes a complete brushing out of your pet's coat, a deep cleansing bath, conditioning using products that are specifically suited to your pet's skin and coat needs, personalized drying methods helping to remove loose undercoat and dander, use of the Furminator, trimming of the underbelly and privates, nail trimming, paw cleanup, and ear cleaning to eliminate wax, dirt and odour.

In addition to dog grooming services, Durham Dog Grooming also offers grooming for cats.

To make the process as simple as possible, Durham Dog Grooming also offers early morning drop-off, and pick up and drop off services.

All clients are rewarded with complimentary services between grooming appointments as part of Durham Dog Grooming's Loyalty Program. These services include nail clipping, face trims, ear cleaning and reminder calls!

The team at Durham Dog Grooming are dedicated to providing you and your pet a memorable experience. Most clients who visit are return customers, as Durham Dog Grooming strives to build lasting relationships with every client, and every beloved pet!






Tattle Tails Dog Grooming relocates to Spring Grove area


dog grooming
Tattle Tails Dog Grooming recently relocated at 5598 Ambau Road near Spring Grove after being located for over a decade in a private home on West Market Street in York.
"I have found the perfect place to fit all my needs. We are now conveniently located with easy access off of State Routes 116 and 516," business owner and groomer Jordan Stauffer said,"My new location provides me the opportunity to still remain small and give personal attention to every dog, but with more space to do it in."
Stauffer owned and operated a highly successful dog grooming salon for 12 years at 2115 West Market St., in the basement of her home. In December Stauffer and her husband Kevin Stauffer purchased a 7 acre farmette on Ambau Road, just west of its intersection with Jefferson Road.
For the next two weeks after the settlement on their new home, Stauffer said, her husband worked tirelessly to completely renovate and reconstruct a tool shed and a tack room in the adjacent horse barn into a large charmingly appointed doggie salon.
"My husband did most of the work himself and boy did he do a fabulous job!" Stauffer declared,"Its so beautiful that I am a little afraid to get it dirty."
The pristine dog salon will be kept that way, Stauffer said, as she prides herself on being extremely clean and neat. A washer and dryer are located right in the grooming area, Stauffer said, so that each and every doggy client has fresh clean towels ready and waiting.
The new salon, which opened Jan. 6, is complete with a comfy'people' reception and waiting room with free Wi-Fi, a unique office area carved out of old barn wood, and a sparkling new grooming room with a top-of-the-line stainless steel doggy wash tub which has steps and an easy access, no stress opening for large breed dogs.
Right next to the office is a large and airy indoor kennel area with spacious separate quarters for dogs waiting to be groomed or to be picked up by their owners. Tattle Tails owner Jordan Stauffer gets a kiss from longtime black lab client, Kade, on Jan. 22, 2014 at the new business outside of Spring Grove. Clare Becker - The Evening Sun
"My goal is to provide a casual stress-free environment with a spa-like atmosphere for the dogs being bathed and groomed," Stauffer said,"I play relaxing music and talk to them so the dogs feel comfortable and safe during their whole experience here."
Jordan Stauffer grew up near New Oxford and is the daughter of Idora and Shane Eisenhart. From the time she was a small child she knew that she wanted to work with animals, Stauffer said, and after graduating from New Oxford High School in 2001 she apprenticed with a dog groomer in Carlisle.
She has always been a big fan of dog shows, both as a spectator and in showing dogs as competitors, continually learning the fine art of expert dog grooming from the experts themselves.
After she'graduated' from her apprenticeship, Stauffer said, she opened her own practice plus worked with the locally well-known dog groomer Diane Redding, at Bath and Shave Boutique which was located in New Oxford at that time.
"She taught me a lot. She was great," Stauffer said of Redding,"I really learned a great deal from her."
At Tattle Tails she specializes in grooming and clipping all types of terriers, noting those breeds have specific styling needs which are sometimes overlooked or unknown by the department store type groomers. She is also quite adept at grooming all other breeds, Stauffer said, and works patiently with clients to find that perfect look.
One of her own dogs, Seamus, is a champion Kerry Blue Terrier which she co-owns with Margarey Good, who is a world renowned and highly successful dog show exhibitor.
Stauffer and her husband also own a 10-year-old Airedale Terrier which they do not show but who is an important and valued family member, Stauffer said.
Stauffer shows Seamus, and a Scottish Terrier owned by her father and mother, at up to 10 dog shows per year. Her mother, Idora, also helps with the dog handling and showing, Stauffer said, and was also the person who came up with Tattle Tales as a cute and memorable name for the business.
Seamus's grooming and quality handling by Stauffer has evidently gone quite well as attested by his many Champion ribbons and awards that hang proudly in the new salon.
The grooming salon is open by appointment and clients can either drop their dog off or wait in the reception area for the bathing and grooming to be complete.
It takes about two hours to bathe and groom a small dog, Stauffer said, and about three hours for a large dog. Specialty dog grooming shows may take longer, depending upon the type of dog and the owner's specific instructions.
In the near future Stauffer and her husband also hope to add high quality care horse boarding to their business. The barn attached to the doggie salon has six huge wood paneled horse stalls with safety bars, floor mats, heat lamps and a security camera system.
An extra large horse wash stall, a huge tack and hay area, plus five separate pastures, all with heated water supplies, complete the array which originally housed a thoroughbred foaling establishment, Stauffer said. IF YOU GO:



GROOMING PRICING as of January 2014

dog grooming
FULL GROOM: Includes full body cut or shave down; anals, ear plucking, ear cleaning,  and nails.
 (Baths - See other page for price.)
Note: Extra charges for matting and bad behavior.  NO CATS.

CLASS              WEIGHT                                                                     PRICE
Puppy Intro    1 Time only; less than 6 months old;                               $30
                           never been groomed     
Class I                 App. 0-25 lbs                                                               $40 & up
Class II               App. 25-50 lbs                                                              $45 & up
Class III              App. 50-75 lbs                                                              $60 & up
Class IV              App. 75 lbs and over                                                     $100 & up

Class I; App. 0-25 lbs include:  $40 & up
Shave down Bichon, Cairn terrier, Cockapoo, Cotton De Toulier,
Lhasa Apso, Maltese,
Papillon, Peekapoo, Pekinese, Pomapoo, Pomeranian, Shih Tzu, Silky,
Scottish terrier, West Highland Terrier, Yorkie.

Class II, App. 25-50 lbs include: $45 & up
Bichon with Specialty Cut; Boiken Spaniel, Brittany Spaniel, Cocker,
English Cocker, English Springer, Field Spaniel, Munsterlander,
Labradors Cross long hair (small), Miniature Schnauzer,
Tibetan terrier, Wheaten (coated), Teacup/Mini/Toy Poodle.

Class III,App. 50-75 lbs include: $60 & up
Afghan, Airedale, American Eskimo, Bouviers des Flandres, Briard,
Chow Chow, Collie, Golden Retriever, Husky
Keeshond, Labrador Cross long hair (large),
Mixed Breeds (large),
Samoyed, Shelties, Giant Schnauzer, Setter,
Standard Poodle, Wheaton

Class IV, App. 75 lbs and over include: $100 & up
(Check with groomer for time spots needed)
Akita, Bermese Mountain Dog, Great Pyranese,
Newfoundland, Old English, St. Bernard.




BATH, BRUSH, AND WORKS (SHORT HAIR):                                      
 Nails, ear cleaning, ear plucking (if possible), and anal glands.

WEIGHT           PRICE             Breeds (No B&Ws for Poodles or Bichons)
0-10 lbs             $25 & up             Chihuahua, Chihuahua Crosses
10-25 lbs           $35 & up             Beagle, Dachshund, Jack Russell, Lhasa Apso, Min Pin,
25-50 lbs           $40 & up             Australian Cattle Dog, Basset, Corgi, Dalmatian, Husky,
50-75 lbs           $45 & up             Bloodhound, Doberman, Labrador Short hair,
75 lbs & up        $55 & up             Bullmastiff, Great Dane, Smooth St. Bernard

BATH, BRUSH, AND WORKS (LONG HAIR):                                            
 Nails, ear cleaning, ear plucking (if possible), and anal glands.

WEIGHT         PRICE               Breeds (No B&Ws for Poodles or Bichons)
0-20 lbs          $30 & up               Papillon, Pelomese, Pomeranian, Yorkie
20-50 lbs        $40 & up               American Eskimo, Cavalier King Charles,
50-75 lbs        $55 & up               Belgian Sheepdog, Chow Chow, Collie,
75 lbs & up     $80 & up              Akita, Great Pyrenees, Alaskian Malamute,



SPECIAL SERVICES:

Anal Glands      $10 (All dogs)
Bangs                $10
De-matting        $25/hour
Brush Outs       $25/hour
Brushing           $6 Small
Teeth                 $12 Large
Nails                 $12 or $8.50 w/discount
NT & Anals     $15

Grooming Dogs staying 4 hours or more in average size kennel: $7/each per dog
Grooming Dogs staying 4 hours or more in XL kennel: $10/each per dog
Grooming Dogs staying over 8 hours: $12/each per dog.


BASIC DOG GROOMING

BASIC DOG GROOMING
It’s important to start early grooming your dog and to make it a daily habit as part of a lifetime commitment to quality dog care. Some of the basic areas of dog grooming are as follows:

Ear cleaning
    •    Use an ear cleaner for dogs to loosen dirt, then wipe with a cotton balls or baby wipes.
    •    Make this a weekly event for most dogs, or a daily event for floppy-ear dogs, or dogs that do a lot of swimming.
    •    Some breeds that have a lot of ear hair may need to have it removed to provide good airflow and reduce chances of infection and ear mites.
    •    If you see redness, excessive buildup or smell an odor, see your veterinarian immediately.


Brushing teeth

    •    Use a toothbrush, finger brush and toothpaste made for dogs and remember dog’s gums are more sensitive then ours, and human toothpaste can make a dog sick.
    •    For dogs that will not permit brushing, try giving them bones to chew on, but also check for tartar build up and swollen gums and, if needed, schedule a dental cleaning with your veterinarian. 


Trimming nails

    •    Make this a weekly event and just clip the tip of the nail. Try not to go any longer than a month in-between nail trimmings.
    •    If you are unable to trim the dog’s nails, seek professional help from a groomer or your veterinarian. Don’t allow the nails to grow too long or the dog may develop problems walking and standing.


Coat Care

    •    Some dog breeds need more brushing than others; some will need regular grooming from a professional groomer.
    •    Get into a routine of brushing your dog weekly.  It’s a great way to develop a bond with your dog and also become aware of any problems that may develop such as sores, lumps, fleas, ticks, coat matting etc.


Bathing dogs

    •    Use a PH balance shampoo (preferably tearless) made for dogs.
    •    It is an individual preference how often to bath a dog.
    •    Use care around ears, eyes and nose.
    •    Check anal glands.  If you notice they are impacted, have the dog checked by your veterinarian. 



Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants

dog grooming certificate
Q. What are the qualifications about?

A. The NPTC Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants is the 7763 02, this gives you the basic skills you need to start working in dog grooming. You could go on to qualify for the Certificate in Introductory Dog Grooming or the Diploma for Professional Dog Stylists these are the 7763 03 qualifications.

Q. Who are they for?

A. A Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants is for anyone who wants to work in the dog grooming industry and work their way up. You don't need any previous qualifications to take this course. The Certificate in Introductory Dog Grooming 7763 03 or the Diploma for Professional Dog Stylists 7763 03 (Diploma) is suitable for those who have experience of working in the dog grooming industry or have completed a related qualification.

Q. Why choose City & Guilds?

A. A City & Guilds qualification is proof that you have the right skills to do your job well - which is why so many employers look for people who have one. You can be confident your qualification is well respected within your industry, the 7763 02 and 03 is the Dog Grooming Industry Standard and is recognised in many places around the world.

Q. What is covered in the courses?

A. Depending on the qualification, you'll cover things like the follow plus other information:
o    trimming and styling different types of coat
o    preparing a dog for grooming
o    bathing a dog
o    shampoos and their application including specialist shampoos
o    de tangling
o    types of equipment and their use
o    canine behaviour
o    reception duties & meeting the client
o    handling payments
o    health and safety.
o    health checks
o    administration used in a commercial grooming salon
o    parasites, disease and skin problems
o    effective cleaning the working environment & equipment

Q. How will I learn and how will I be assessed?

A. You will learn the skills you need to complete the course in a learning environment rather than on the job. At the Canine Studies College we are a dedicated teaching centre dedicated to providing you with the skills and theory you need to pass your qualification.

For the Level 2 Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants, you'll do an E-assessment (on-line multiple choice questionnaire) practical demonstrations, written assessments and case studies. 

For the Level 3 Certificate in Introductory Dog Grooming, you'll do a practical demonstration, case studies and a written test.

For the Level 3 Diploma for Professional Dog Stylists, you'll do a practical demonstration, case studies, a practical test, and a written test.

Q. Which Level is right for me?

A. You can attend a one off taster day to help with both study and career guidance or attend the following Levels.

Level 2

You have little or no knowledge of the dog grooming industry and want to learn the skills you need to work under supervision in a dog grooming salon. You may also want to become a dog grooming stylist and own your own business. This course is the starting platform for you to succeed.

A. Level 3

You have experience of dog grooming and have completed the Level 2 Qualification
or
You have worked in the dog grooming industry for some time - you have plenty of experience. You want to develop your skills further, learn how to style different breeds of dog and perhaps move into a more challenging role.

By attending one of our taster days your Tutor will be able to assess your individual needs and provide you with the most appropriate guidance on your study pathway.

Q.    How long do they take?

A.    Guided learning hours are the hours you spend learning with us or on your own. The guided learning hours for this qualification are:
o    Level 2 Certificate: 183 hours
o    Level 3 Certificate: 150 hours
o    Level 3 Diploma: 250 hours.

The Canine Studies College are experts in intensive courses and are able to design a package to suit your individual schedule, we understand how learning new skills may sometimes have to fit around existing commitments. Please discuss your needs with our grooming tutor to ensure the best timetable for you.


•    What jobs could they lead to?
   
A.    There are a range of different situations you can apply dog grooming, not just in a grooming salon, such as in a rescue kennels or specialist grooming for the show-ring, for photographic productions and film etc. As well as starting your own business from premises, several grooming salons rent tables or table space and this can be considered as an option for progression or full time.

The Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants could help you get a job as a dog groomer or assistant dog groomer. It is the basic starting point to achieve skills and knowledge to work for yourself.

The Certificate in Introductory Dog Grooming could help you get a job as a dog groomer, kennel worker or veterinary nurse and with additional business skills training, if needed you may be able to start your own business.

The Diploma for Professional Dog Stylists could help you get a job as a senior dog groomer or manager in a dog grooming salon or you will be able to start your own business.
Once you have completed these qualifications, you could also go on to do a Level 3 work-based Diploma in Animal Care or a Level 4 QCF  in Animal Management depending on your working environment and length of time grooming, you can also continue to take your Level 4 Dog Grooming Foundation Degree.





How to Trim a Dog’s Nails

When you think about dog grooming ,you probably consider bathing him,brushing
his coat, even cleaning those floppy ears, but it’s a good idea to give dogs
a pedicure every few weeks as well. If you’ve never trimmed a dog’s nails, ask
for some help from a more experienced person, and keep these instructions
nearby.


1: Stay Sharp
A few different tools are available to help you
trim a dog’s nails, including those that
resemble miniature pliers and those with
replaceable sliding “guillotine” blades.
Use whichever model makes you and
the animal most comfortable, but be
sure to replace the blade frequently
to make the job easier and prevent
the dog from feeling any
discomfort.






                                                                                                                                          
 2: Pull Their Legs                        
 Dogs are often pretty cooperative
when it comes to having their
nails trimmed, and those who
were handled often as puppies
are even more likely to
comply. Still, you may need
to work a little to keep the
animal still. If you’re working alone, have
the dog sit or lie down on the floor or
examining table, then trim the nails,
one paw at a time.






3: Pull Their Legs,
Part II
If you’re grooming a larger dog
or if the animal is apprehensive,
have someone sit him down
and hold out his paw, then get
to work with the clippers. Have
your helper scratch behind the
dog’s ears to reassure the animal
and help move things along a
little more quickly.



4: Take the Edge Off
Remember that you should only
remove the very end of the dog’s
nails. You may be tempted to trim
off all of the excess, but that would
be a mistake. In dogs, the quick—the
nerve endings and blood vessels inside
the nail—continue to grow as the nail
grows. That means long nails must be
trimmed bit by bit, over weeks or months, until
the quick gradually recedes. Because it’s so difficult to see the quick in dogs with
dark nails, you’ll need to look at the nail straight on (see diagram below)and keep trimming
until you see a small dark circle. If you
accidentally clip too far and the nail begins
to bleed, apply pressure to the tip of the nail
or dip the nail in a bit of styptic powder,
then make sure the animal is kept inactive
for a short time.

5: Thank Them Very Much
Give the dog a treat or a pat on the tummy to thank him for his
cooperation, and things should go at least as well the next time
around.





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