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Let’s Celebrate #NationalLittlePamperedDogDay!

National Little Pampered Dog Day was first celebrated on April 27, 2016, and has been every year since then. It was initiated by the founders of “Little Pampered Dog” magazine to celebrate dog owners who treat their pooches exceptionally well, and also to bring awareness to the plight of dogs around the world who are not lucky enough to be living in loving conditions. It puts forth the importance of keeping dogs happy and healthy, as they should be. As Professional Groomer educators, the Paragon Team knows that proper grooming plays an essential role keeping dogs happy and healthy! Here’s a quick round up of three sweet trims for the “Little Pampered Dogs” in your client base! Not a Member? Sign up here.


New Spotlight Sessions: Cocker Heads, Faster Drying, and Shaping Ears

How to Clip the Muzzle, Cheeks, Throat, and Ears on an American Cocker Spaniel

Irina “Pina” Pinkusevich shows you how she uses her clippers to block in the trademark “dome” shape for the head on an American Cocker Spaniel.

This Spotlight Session is from the full video: Extreme Makeover on an American Cocker Spaniel

Watch the Spotlight Session

How To Speed Up the Drying Process

Judy Hudson shares her expertise on how to dry a dog’s coat more efficiently after bathing, speeding up the grooming process.

This Spotlight Session is from the full video: How to Groom a St. Bernard Doodle in 90 Minutes

Watch the Spotlight Session

How to Give a Masculine Shape to the Ears on a Drop Coated Dog with a Round Head Style

Lindsey Dicken shows you how to use your comb and scissors to safely create the perfect ear shape.

This Spotlight Session is from the full video: Thinning Shear Personality Trim on a Yorkie Mix

Watch the Spotlight Session

JZ10: Customer Experience Factor (CX) Episode Two – Touch Points

Joe Zuccarello’s latest video is live for L2GD Members!

In this JZ10 Groomer Business Tip, ParagonPetSchool.com president Joe Zuccarello explains what you can do to make a good first impression and follow through at various touch points in your customers’ journey. An incredible customer experience starts with understanding that your front line is your bottom line.

Joe is also the host of the “Hey Joe!” podcast where he interviews a wide range of pet industry subject-matter experts.

Each month, members get a BRAND NEW JZ10 on a broad range of topics, from keeping your staff happy to nailing your finances. Stay tuned for more!


Cutting in a Show Continental Trim on a 13 Month Old Poodle Puppy

In the American Kennel Club show ring, Poodles are unique. They are the only breed once they turn a year old, who must have a completely different look than they did previously, going from a “Puppy” clip to one of two “approved” trims. Both of these trims are elaborate, fancy, and complex.

Even if you do not aspire to exhibit show Poodles, there are still many lessons to learn from Certified Master Groomer Brittney Valle in this video where she confidently produces a Continental trim on this lovely dog. If you are seriously looking to expand your grooming skillset, whether in the salon or for competition, this a wonderful lesson!

In this video you will learn:

  • How to get smooth clipper work on close work
  • How to get all four bracelets the same height
  • What shape to create prior to rounding everything
  • On a Continental trim, how do you set the most difficult line so it is correct
  • Where is the correct placement for rosettes so they are placed correctly for the dog

Start Learning with Brittney

If you’re a member, be sure to Log In and check out the video HERE so you can add it to your favorites and get the full details! If you’re not a member, click below to watch a free preview of the video.

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New Spotlight Sessions: Bathing & Drying, Pads & Nails, and Body Clipper Work

Many Steps of Achieving a High Quality Finish Prior to the Haircut

Misty Fowler walks you through the process of thoroughly bathing and drying a dog before grooming and how important it is, especially on a curly coat like a poodle’s.

This Spotlight Session is from the full video: How to Get the Perfect Fluff Dry on a Curly Coated Dog

Watch the Spotlight Session

Trimming the Pads & Nails on a Cavalier Spaniel

Jennifer Hecker shows you how to trim away hair from the bottom of the feet to reveal the pads. This also gives her a better view while she trims the nails, explaining her process for doing this safely as she works.

Watch the Spotlight Session

Body Clipper Work on a Pet Welsh Terrier

Colin Taylor demonstrates how he does clipper work on a Welsh Terrier strategically, maintaining the color of the coat while fast-tracking his scissor work later in the groom.

This Spotlight Session is from the full video: Grooming The Welsh Terrier

Watch the Spotlight Session

JZ10: Customer Experience Factor (CX) Episode One – Culture

Joe Zuccarello’s latest video is live for L2GD Members!

In this JZ10 Groomer Business Tip, ParagonPetSchool.com president Joe Zuccarello prompts you to think about why you do what you do in your salon. This will not only focus your attention on what’s most important about your work, but also serves as the basis for your business’s culture.

Joe is also the host of the “Hey Joe!” podcast where he interviews a wide range of pet industry subject-matter experts.

Each month, members get a BRAND NEW JZ10 on a broad range of topics, from keeping your staff happy to nailing your finances. Stay tuned for more!


New Release: General Table Handling for Pet Grooming & Special Needs Dogs

Don’t you wish all dogs had excellent table manners? Poor behavior puts any pet at a higher risk for injury and makes grooming more time-consuming.

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to promote and train proper table manners, and much of it stems from you! Khris Berry has been a canine behaviorist her entire working career of over 35 years, and is an excellent teacher. In this Double Feature, she shares many of her best-kept secrets on how to win the trust and cooperation from a pet in a grooming setting. These ideas are easy to understand and apply instantly.

In this video you will learn:

  • How to compare a dog’s brain to a rubber ball
  • How to effectively manage canine energy
  • Why heart placement is critical in dog body language
  • What is the key form of communication with a dog
  • Highly useful holds to support the pet allowing you to groom easier

Start Learning with Khris

If you’re a member, be sure to Log In and check out the video HERE so you can add it to your favorites and get the full details! If you’re not a member, click below to watch a free preview of the video.

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New Spotlight Sessions: Rounded Feet, Balanced Legs, and Practical Heads

Trimming Full Round Foot

Lindsey Dicken shows you how she uses thinning shears to create a rounded foot on a drop-coated dog.

This Spotlight Session is from the full video: Thinning Shear Personality Trim on a Yorkie Mix

Watch the Spotlight Session

Achieve A Balanced Haircut & Setting The Focal Point

Suesan Watson walks you through grooming the legs, thinking strategically about what hair to trim away to make the legs look longer.

This Spotlight Session is from the full video: Easy Shih Tzu / Bichon “Designer” Pet Trim

Watch the Spotlight Session

How to Style the Head on a Practical Asian Fusion Haircut

Megan VandenBerg shows you how to keep the face of this groom nice and tight, paying attention to the eyes to maintain visibility while keeping the rounded muzzle.

This Spotlight Session is from the full video: Creating a Practical Asian Fusion Trim

Watch the Spotlight Session

JZ10: TGFD (Thank Goodness for Doodles)

Joe Zuccarello’s latest video is live for L2GD Members!

In this JZ10 Groomer Business Tip, ParagonPetSchool.com president Joe Zuccarello suggests taking a second look at grooming Doodles. Widely-thought to be unprofitable, Joe explains how they can be a big opportunity for your salon. Follow along in this latest video!

Joe is also the host of the “Hey Joe!” podcast where he interviews a wide range of pet industry subject-matter experts.

Each month, members get a BRAND NEW JZ10 on a broad range of topics, from keeping your staff happy to nailing your finances. Stay tuned for more!


New Release: Personality Pet Handstrip on a Small Black & White Mixed Breed

What do you do with a dog who has a sparse, wiry coat? Shave it close with a clipper? Leave it slightly fluffy with a guard comb? Handstrip? All three options could be the right choice for the dog – and the client. However, if you know Jennifer Hecker, she will ALWAYS head down the handstripping route.Why? It’s the easiest option for her with this type of coat. It allows her to bring out the true characteristics of the pet to the forefront. Plus, she gets to have fun with a quirky head style the owners love. An added incentive, this method lasts a long time for the owner. But best of all, it’s the healthiest way to maintain this coat texture. Bonus – it’s fast!

In this video you will learn:

  • How to avoid blisters if you are not used to handstripping
  • Which tools are her ‘go-to’ tools for handstripping
  • How to work with a fussy pet
  • When and how often to bath this type of coat
  • How to play up key points on the dog

Start Learning with Jennifer

If you’re a member, be sure to Log In and check out the video HERE so you can add it to your favorites and get the full details! If you’re not a member, click below to watch a free preview of the video.

Read the rest of this entry »