Continuing Education is one of the pillars that makes any pet professional successful. As a Master Candidate Dog Groomer, making sure I am maintaining my existing skills and continually learning new techniques is what makes my grooming stand out among the pack. As part of this mission, I attended the Northwest Grooming Show with several fellow stylists this year.
This grooming show is our region’s premier pet grooming educational and competitive event. Featuring seminars from industry leaders and competitions in all standard breed groups (as well as some competitions to show creative flair), this show has been a staple for northwestern groomers for over a decade. It also features a tantalizing trade show complete with all the best, new tools of the trade so groomers can stock up on the essentials, and maybe try some new and fun gear as well.
I've interviewed the stylists I attended the show with to see what they learned and bought at the expo, and added my own answers in as well! Read on to learn all of the exciting things you can expect from local groomers going forward.
What was your favorite seminar at the grooming expo?
KATY: It’s definitely hard to choose, but as I am still learning the craft, I really enjoyed the “Essentials of Pet Grooming: Understanding your tools” presented by Jonathan David. It gave background information on the tools we use daily as well as some tools to avoid.
ALISON: I really enjoyed the Faces series. This series was split into 4 different seminars in which different presenters shared their tips and tricks on creating beautiful faces. I enjoyed seeing the similarities and differences that each stylist uses, and I’m excited to integrate some new techniques!
KARLY: I really enjoyed Jess Rona's business class. I appreciated her calm and confident vibe while talking about the rewarding and often difficult parts of running a successful grooming business that just made me feel like anything is possible if you're driven enough.
WILLOW: My favorite seminar focused on community outreach. The presenter, Pine Lane Consulting, was very informative and well spoken. She gave me a ton of great ideas for how to collaborate with other businesses and how to bring dog-centered education to the greater Whatcom County community.
What was the most helpful thing you learned?
KATY: I took a presentation on brachycephalic dogs which better helped me understand and address the challenges of grooming dogs with variable levels of obstructed breathing.
ALISON: The most helpful seminar that I attended was the first aid and cpr certification class. Safety is one of City Dogs’ top priorities, and I am happy to have the knowledge on how to respond to a medical emergency should one occur at the shop.
KARLY: I really enjoyed the hair and skin 101 class. I've consumed the online version before but I feel like I absorbed more of the how, what, and why's of taking certain steps to care for a dogs skin and coat that I know a lot of dog parents aren't aware of.
WILLOW: The most helpful thing I learned was how to bring enrichment into the salon and how to help switch a dog’s mindset from stress to play.
What technique or skill are you most excited to try out? If you've already tried something, how did it go?
KATY: I watched a presentation about enrichment (for the dogs) in the salon setting. As I have been a dog trainer for the past 10 years, I am really interested in the “how and what” integration of enrichment and to explore the various options.
ALISON: I'm not sure, there's so many to choose from!
KARLY: I'm excited to try "coat restoration" which is essentially hand stripping/deshedding the coat before cutting the hair, to help keep follicles clear and healthy. This is important for wiry coated breeds such as schnauzers, which I'm a huge fan of grooming, who would normally be almost fully hand stripped, rather than clipped.
WILLOW: I’m most excited to try silly little enrichment activities with the dogs, like reading them stories or giving them access to lick mats. But I’ve already tried out these cute little stick-on gems for dogs, and they’re adding so much flair and style to my grooms!
What purchases did you make?
KATY: I got my first Bruvara. I got a fun carding tool, and a rake. I also picked up a bottle of green (pup safe) dye for my guy’s tail.
ALISON: I bought a pair of cordless clippers, a pin brush, and a few clipper blades.
KARLY: I purchased a pretty teal grooming loop and a cordless set of clippers (willow I forgot the name of them), along with a couple of new blades to go along with the clippers.
WILLOW: Honestly I had a little too much fun at the trade show. I bought an automated air brush-style machine to make putting creative stencils on dogs easier, I bought my second cordless clipper, and some cute new combs.
How are your new tools treating you so far? Any favorites?
KATY: So far I am quite pleased with my new tools and have already got a lot of great use out of them.
ALISON: I am really enjoying my cordless clippers. The clippers allow me to groom more efficiently, as I am no longer spending time untangling or tripping over my clipper cords!
KARLY: I love the grooming loop that I got and how secure it is. The clippers I got cut so smoothly but took a little bit of time to get used to the weight and the lack of a cord, I still find myself moving an invisible cord out of my way sometimes.
WILLOW: MY favorite new tools are the creative supplies I got. They’re really helping me put that extra special finishing touch on my client's grooms, showing my dedication to completing a beautiful and unique, as well as compassionate, grooming appointment.
Did you watch any of the competitions or speak to any competitors? Did you learn anything, and if so, what?
KATY: I did not attend any of the competitions this year.
ALISON: I did not spend much time watching the competition or speak with any competitors. I spent most of my free time at the trade show looking at all the beautiful shiny shears!
KARLY: I was way too nervous to speak to any of the competitors but I really enjoyed the bits of the competition that I did see.
WILLOW: I actually worked up the courage to approach multiple competitors and seminar hosts! Networking was a big focus for me this year, and I loved getting to know different tips and tricks to help me when I (hopefully) compete at next years’ show.
Was there anything you would have liked to do or see or learn or buy that you weren’t able to?
KATY: This was my second Grooming Expo experience, but last year I was unable to attend the trade show, so this year I more than made up for it! I bought all the stuff I wanted to see and buy last year.
ALISON: Nope! I had a great time all around.
KARLY: I would love to one day purchase a full set of Evolution double swivel shears. I've tried them before and instantly fell in love with the ease of movement and the crazy angles I can achieve without geeking my wrist at an awkward angle.
WILLOW: I would have loved to have been feeling up to attending the social mixer so I could have continued networking, but after three ten hour days of learning with one more to go, I decided to reserve my energy for the last day plus the drive home.
Overall, we had an incredible year at the 2024 NW Grooming Show! I look forward to attending next year to continue improving my education level and grooming offerings.
