As this is my first year in business I am still a newbie to the dog grooming world and as there is endless knowledge of making it in this “dog eat dog industry” (pun intended)of grooming I find it vital to have someone to look up to and to aspire to be as good as if not better. I found my inspiration in Isabellas work and teachings
As soon as I was shown a picture of her work on a pristine white standard poodle I knew I had to go to the then upcoming seminar been held in Collooney Sligo which was only a half hour away from home it made the day a little bit easier having it only down the road as the previous seminars I have attended have been in either Dublin or the north and makes for an extremely long day if you love your sleep like myself.

I got to talk with Isabella while we waited for everyone to arrive and found her very easy going and extremely friendly and bubbly. Seminars overall I find important to mingle and get to know other groomers there’s no nicer feeling been in the company of a room full of people all having the same loves and interests as yourself.

Isabella started on the lovely standard poodle Darla to demonstrate to us how to turn a poodle coat in to a spiral masterpiece I must say she made it look so easy I felt I could leave right away and perfect the look. She chatted while she worked filling us with knowledge as we watched on in awe of her flawless technique. She made me feel comfortable in ways not be afraid to make mistakes and that everything takes practice and a little patience and eventually things will come at ease.

What I liked most Was that she didn’t promote expensive product’s or equipment that’s it’s not the scissors that makes the groom but the person behind the tools and that she washes all her dogs three times the first wash been with diluted original fairy up liquid which I never knew does wonders for lifting dirt grease and killing fleas.

Next she worked on a bichon and I have to say personally my bichon grooms have come on leaps and bounds from watching up close how she done them especially my bichon head and legs. I was always nervous of new clients coming with bichons but now I can’t wait to get them in the door. Even the way I hold a scissors now has improved from watching Isabella work and also the way I stand, this practical advice, although simple sounding will have substantial long-term benefits to me as a groomer on the mind, body and soul.
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Isabella also worked her creative magic on the lovely Maltese mix Zoey this time with colours. Zoey had the most beautiful pinks and purples doggy dye on her legs that really made her stand out. I have had the opawz chalks in my shop and have always wanted to try them but have always been afraid so I asked Isabella how would I go about convincing an owner to let me put some colour in the dogs coat to make them stand out as I groom in the lovely west of Ireland I know I would cause some funny looks and sideways glances and she told me just do it don’t tell them do it and if they don’t like it offer them a free wash in a week time that the chalk washes out. So I done just that I went for it in work and now have people coming back on a regular basis to have the colours put in their dogs coat which I love. its always nice to have something different to do to brighten up your day and watch the colourful tail or ears bounce out the door.

Overall isabellas carefree attitude , friendly face ,and professionalism stood out for me she made me feel comfortable and confident and that I look forward to learning more from her in the future and may even travel to Spain to pay her a vist as she said herself we are all welcome .

Written by:
Emer Mac Hale
Topdogz dog grooming Drumshanbo 

​What is CPD?
CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. It refers to the process of tracking and documenting the skills, knowledge and experience that you gain both formally and informally as you work, beyond any initial training. It's a record of what you experience, learn and then apply. The same is true for professionals with many year’s experience in the workplace. Continuing professional development is important because it ensures you continue to be competent in your profession. It is an ongoing process and continues throughout a professional's career.
 
Why is CPD so important?
CPD is a known buzz word used around all professional organisations and is now widely adopted across all sectors.  Many historical professions realised how archaic some of the older members had become and how techniques within those professions had moved and changed with the times, mostly for the better on the part of the consumer. So in order to keep those professions moving with the times and to educate and assist longer members of profession up to date the concept of CPD was developed.  Take for example the electric adjustable height table you take for granted, it wasn't even invented 25 years ago when I started grooming. Regular hydraulic tables were extremely expensive, and in today’s money you would have needed to groom 60 Westie’s before you could afford one. So you learned to work from static tables, if you were lucky you had two tables a low one for larger dogs and a taller table for the small dogs.
 
just when you finally saved up all the money after grooming 60 westies, newer tables where available and are seen as a must now for even for those new to the industry AND you got to choose the colour. That is just one example of how little things can make such a big change within a profession. Where did I learn about tables? Again back in the dark ages your mobile phone made calls that was all.
 
CPD has been around as long as me but in a different format.
I recall going to professional events, seminars, dog shows and competitions picking up catalogues and looking at trade stands, often after a having taken a plane journey to get to an event.  I borrowed grooming magazines that came from America from my friend Mary, who in turn had been given them by Betty when she had finished with them.  So using a network of professionals we shared information and introduced each other to new trends, concepts and equipment. We were continuing our professional development.
 
How will you benefit from attending CPD Event?
Well, consider this, do you want to go to the hairdresser that is known as the granny stylist, give you a great shampoo and great at the blue rinse, perm or would you rather the one who knows how to do the long lasting curly blow dry or the get the colour that’s the new trend out there? Your clients want the same, they want to be able to chit chat the latest fad that they have seen on Instagram and expect you to be in tune with that and able to turn your hand to it.  They expect you to be up to date with the latest training methods so that little FiFi won't get her little furry knickers in a twist as her mummy abandons her for the day.  People love those extra finishing touches, personalised bandanas, feather extensions even colouring and stencils. These little finishes can be easily applied once you learn how and are chargeable extras your clients will pay for.  As you the professional can apply your new CPD knowledge on little FiFi and make a difference, they will be impressed and happy to pay for your extra professional skills. So think about it for a minute.  
 
IPDGA Seminars & Events
It is only by attending events within your profession that you can see and experience some of these skills up close and personal. Meet the people who teach these skills or sell these products mostly within a maximum 3-hour drive from home.  It doesn't have to be an IPDGA event though we would expect you to attend at least one of our
events a year, if only to get the value of your membership.  Keep your attendance certificates or even receipts of other events in a little folder so you can look back on the different experiences you have had and the nuggets of information you have learned. Remember, these are tax deductible expenses too, bonus!  Lastly and sometimes most importantly improving your skills and gaining knowledge,
you can't help chatting to the other likeminded people you will encounter at the event. It's great to have a day where you can talk pure 'dog' all day, and show all
your doggy snaps, only groomers get that -they very rarely want to see a photo of your 2-legged child ;-) unless it is with your dog. 
 
Karina
IPDGA Chairperson

Experienced Dog Groomer required for busy salon in Raheny, Dublin 5, close to dart and bus links.
Must be able to work independently with ideally 2 years plus grooming experience, City and Guilds, or Fetec level 5 desirable but not essential. 
Must be able to groom to breed standard.
State of the art grooming studio all tools etc are provided.
Flexible working week.
Excellent Customer service and people skills required.
Contract basis, with highly competitive rate of pay, competitive daily rate plus performance related bonus's.

Email: [email protected] or Phone: 086-3800993