Styling the Head of a Brussels Griffon Terrier & How to Chalk (Part 1 of 2-part Series)
To watch the full video, either Login or Explore Membership today!
When was the last time you had the opportunity to groom a Brussels Griffon? For most stylists, this isn’t a breed we see very often. Like most Toy breeds, it’s a head breed. Get the head correct and you’ve mastered most of the groom. In this lesson, awarding winning stylist, Amy Triezenberg shows you how to hand strip the head of her own little Brussels. She also gives you options if you have a pet owner who requests their pet be clipper cut instead. As Amy says, “this breed is supposed to have a ‘human like expression.'” She’ll show you step-by-step how to get that correct look.
Chalking a coat can give the illusion of a richer color coat. The illusion of more fur. The illusion of more bone. This is not a procedure you would do for pet clients. It’s a method used in the show ring and the contest area to bring out the best in the dog for the judges. In the second part of the lesson, Amy shares how to correctly chalk a harsh coated hand stripped coat. She tells you tips and trick on how to apply the chalk- and how NOT to get it all over you or the judge!
In Part 1 ‘Hand Stripping the Head’ you will learn:
- What shape you need to show off on the top of the head.
- What tools work best around the ears.
- The proper beard shape.
- Options for clearing the eye area.
- What you are looking for in the profile from fore-skull to nose.
Amy Triezenberg
Ever since Amy Triezenberg can remember, she has always love animals and wanted to work with them. She grew up in South Holland IL, and was home schooled her whole life. Amy attended Great Lakes Academy of Dog Grooming when she was 17.
She competed in her first grooming contest while still in grooming school and won 3rd place. After competing in regular classes for a while, Amy started competing in creative styling.
She went on to win multiple awards in creative including, the People’s Choice Award, and the cover of Groomer to Groomer magazine 2007, with her three- legged poodle ‘Falore’ with her Fallen Solider design.
After success in the creative styling arena, she resumed her focused on regular grooming classes. With hard work, she earned her slot as a Top 10 GroomTeam Member in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2016. Amy has also won, The Liz Paul Best Scissored Poodle Award, multiple Best All Around Groomer Awards, and Best in Show at the 2012 Atlanta Per Fair with her signature ‘Poodlington’ trim.
Amy was the manager of an exclusive, high volume salon, which she loved. However, she made the difficult decision to leave that role with the birth of her first child. She chose a grooming job closer to her home. Three children later, she and her husband decided to open a home-based grooming salon. The flexible hours allow her to spend quality time with her family and dogs.
Amy has written articles for Groomer to Grooming magazine and enjoys sharing what she has learned with private coaching and seminars.
Amy has shown her Kerry Blue Terrier in AKC conformation shows and working on her IPG Certification. She has always appreciated all the people that have helped her along the way. She looks forward to helping others the way that others have helped her.
Currently, she pursues her passion; the education side of grooming. “I love pouring my heart into helping others learn.”
Brush-Out Techniques
Communicate with Pet Parents About Matted Dog
Creative Abstract Design on a Poodle