Extreme Makeover on an American Cocker Spaniel (Part 1 of 5-Part Series: Roughing in the Head and Raking out the Jacket)
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Ace is an American Cocker Spaniel without any recognizable pattern. He had been placed with a competitive pet stylist to be used in US grooming competitions.
He was going to be a challenge. He was growing out from a shave down and was a wooly beast. Luckily for him, makeovers like this is one of Pina’s specialties.
Is a lot of work? Absolutely. Pina explains each step simply, making it easy to apply to dogs coming into your own salon.
Pina shows you how to set a pattern on an American Cocker Spaniel when you have nothing to follow. Using bone structure, Pina shows you what to look for, the reference points to use, and how to place all the pattern lines.
Do you struggle with trimming an American Cocker’s head correctly? This dog has a beautiful head. We especially enjoyed watching her bring out his beauty as the excess fur fell away. Her directions for the head are clear and concise.
This is an extreme makeover dog! Yet, the actual grooming was not that difficult. What’s the trick to make short work of all this unruly hair? Knowing the correct tools and techniques to use to get through this coat in a timely fashion.
This entire lesson is filmed before a live audience.
In this lesson, you will learn:
- how to create a soft, mushy lip.
- an easy trick to set the pattern lines on the side of the dog.
- which carding tools work best for different coat types.
- how to create a nice full eyebrow.
- great tips on how to trim the hock coat.
Irina "Pina" Pinkusevich
Irina "Pina" Pinkusevich immigrated from The Ukraine in 1989. She realized her passion as a Pet Stylist while working part-time as a bather. In the earlier part of her career Irina worked as a Pet Stylist at some of the most high-end grooming salons in New York.
Looking to improve her skills & expand her horizons, Irina entered the world of Competitive Grooming in 2006. In her competitive career Irina has won multiple BIS & Best All Around Groomer awards. She is a two-time recipient of the Lynne Carver Award for the most Best All Around Groomer wins in 2008 & 2010. Irina was also honored to win the Liz Paul Memorial Award for the most Best in Show wins in 2010. She is the winner of the Winner’s Circle Jackpot 2011 where she won $32,500 for grooming Lucas, her champion American Cocker Spaniel. In 2013 she was the winner of another Jackpot & in 2017 she won The World Dog Show’s World Champion Award.
Irina was a member of GroomTeam USA from 2008 through 2013. She competed in the World Championships for the United States in 2009, 2011, & 2013 helping the U.S. team bring home a Silver & two Golds.
Currently, Irina is a national & international judge & lecturer as well as an ambassador for Artero. Irina was awarded the Cardinal Crystal Award for Judge of the Year 2014 & the Barkleigh Honors Award for Up & Coming Speaker of the Year 2014. She has also been nominated for multiple Cardinal Crystal & Barkleigh awards in 2015.
Irina is a National Certified Master Groomer (NCMG) with the National Dog Groomers of America. She is also a Certifier for their company.
Dedicated to improving the industry, Irina teaches at Merryfield School of Pet Grooming in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She travels the world educating through conferences and seminars. She is also an integral part of Artero’s Jornadas events in Spain and the USA.
Irina is associated with Kiyara Poodles, owned by Michael Lamb and Bill Jividen Jr.. Kiyara is a top breeder of miniature poodles in the United States. She is also associated with Kerryfield Kennels, owned by Virginia Harding & Krizma Kennels owned by Lois Grier, top breeders of Kerry Blue Terriers. With these kennels, Irina has bred and co-owned numerous champion Poodles and Kerry Blue Terriers.
Irina is co-owner of a high-end styling salon in Oakland Park, Florida: Päsh the Canine Boudoir. It is here where she is most often found grooming the amazing show dogs that are her passion.
Asian Fusion Pet Styling (Part 1 of 3-Part Series: The Body)
Asian Fusion Pet Styling (Part 2 of 3-Part Series: The Legs, Feet, and Tail)
Asian Fusion Pet Styling (Part 3 of 3-Part Series: The Head and Ears)