We pamper them. We bring them wherever we go. We surprise them with something new on special occasions. They even get holiday presents. They are our pets!

From high-end items to high-tech items, products for our companion animals now extend beyond traditional necessities. The American Pet Products Association (APPA) presents top pet product trends for 2011.

Reducing Your Pets Carbon PAW print
Around the world people are making conscious efforts to help our planet Eart, and the pet industry is no exception. From natural litters to toys, accessories and organic food options, earth-friendly pet products are sprouting up everywhere.

Going to the Dogs
More and more companies traditionally know for human products are going to the dogs, and cats, and reptiles. Big name companies including like Paul Mitchell, Omaha Steaks, Origins, Harley Davidson and Old Navy are now offering lines of pet products ranging from dog shampoo, pet attire, and name-brand toys to gourmet treats and food.

Pets Welcome
Many hotels across the country are adopting pet friendly policies. Several chains have announced new pet-friendly policies that include everything from oversized pet pillows, plush doggie robes, to check-in gift packages that include a pet toy, dog treat, ID tag, bone and turn down treat. Some even have a licensed dog masseuse on staff.

Pet Products Sold Here
Shopping for pet products is becoming easier than ever with an increasing variety of retail outlets now selling pet products. Right along side fertilizer and shovels, shoppers can now find pet products such as doggie doors and yellow lawn spot removers sold at many lawn and garden stores, nurseries, and major home improvement stores including Home Depot.

Ultra-Clean…
Pet-owners take grooming one step beyond a haircut, a quick bath and a nail trim. Mouthwash and an electric toothbrush for canines are routine steps in a beauty session for some pooches. Birds receive daily pedicures with special cage perches, while others enjoy manicures complete with nail polish. Pet-owning homes stay cleaner with automatic, self-flushing litter boxes, cleaning cloths for muddy paws that mimic traditional baby wipes, and scented gel air fresheners to keep rooms free of pet odors.

Dinner is Served
Today’s pet foods include complete and balanced diets that tantalize our pets’ taste buds and satisfy their tummies. Formulas for puppies and kittens, specialized meals for reptiles, birds and fish and diets for senior pets ensure a long and healthy life for our beloved companions.

State-of-the-Art
High-tech products including computerized identification tags, digital aquarium kits, automatic doors and feeders, enhanced reptile terrarium lighting systems and touch-activated toys help pet-owners take care of companion animals with ease and precision.

Loosen Up
As pet owners meditate in yoga class, cats relieve stress by frolicking in a toy gym or relaxing in a feline spa before enjoying herbal catnip packaged in a tea bag. Dogs sip fresh water from flowing fountains after a soothing rub with a doggie massager.

Help Yourself!
Products designed with convenience in mind lead this trend. Programmable feeding and drinking systems, automatic and battery-operated toys, self-cleaning litter boxes and self-warming pet mats let pets virtually care for themselves!

Straight from the Catwalk
Faux mink coats, hipster lumberjack vests, designer plaid jackets, matching jeweled and leather collar and leash sets, Halloween costumes, and holiday outfits keep pets in fashion throughout the year. Upscale leather carriers complete with a cell phone and water bottle holder are the perfect accessories to keep the pet owner in style as well.

Keep on Truckin’
Whether it’s a quick trip to the supermarket or a long ride to the beach, companion animals are now traveling animals too. Buckled up in a harness, seat belt system or a portable carrier, these pets stay safe and secure while on the road. Food and water along with safety supplies are on hand in all-in-one kits, waste disposal systems make for easy clean-up on quick stops and motion sickness aids are available too.

Hello, My Name Is…
From monogrammed sweaters and personalized food and water bowls to digitized collar tags and hand-made treats, owners embrace their pets as true members of the American family celebrating their fluffy, finned and feathered companions with their very own belongings.

GroomTeam USA is now accepting applications for the Lonnie Lange Memorial Scholarship Fund. There are two levels of awards: one for college education, and the other for grooming education. The deadline for application submissions is April 30, 2012.

Level 1 will provide two recipients with $1,000 in college money. These funds may be used toward college education in any field and will be paid directly to the school. The only stipulation is that the applicant must be the child, stepchild or grandchild of a bona-fide professional groomer.

Level 2 is open to any and all applicants and provides one recipient with a full scholarship to a GroomTeam USA-approved grooming school. GroomTeam USA will also provide up to $1,000 toward the purchase of the standard grooming tool kit available through the selected school. The participating schools include Maser’s Academy of Fine Grooming (Kenmore, Wash.), Merryfield School of Pet Grooming (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.), Nanhall School of Dog Grooming (Greensboro, N.C.), Paragon School of Pet Grooming (Jenison, Mich.) and the Pennsylvania Academy of Pet Grooming (Indiana, Pa.).

The Lonnie Lange Memorial Scholarship Fund is intended to help the families of hard working pet stylists. It is made possible through the generous contributions of our Premium Sponsors, Andis, Wahl, LambertKay, Shark Fin Shears, 4420 Shears, Groomers Helper and Natures Specialties, as well as the continued support of the numerous manufactures, distributors and groomers.

GroomTeam USA employs the aid of The International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. of Nashville, Tenn., a professional scholarship selection company. The use of this outside source insures that the selection of the recipients is professional, fair and unbiased.

For more information, visit www.GroomTeamUSA.com.

I am always amazed by the amount of groomers who refuse to do cats? And while I understand that it takes a certain kind of ‘cat’ person to really have a passion for it, there is a lot of money to be made grooming cats. And while some groomers specialize in feline styling, all groomers can benefit from working with cats.

The majority of groomers I speak with are not at all enthusiastic about working with cats. They say they are too unpredictable and downright frightening. In my opinion, nine out of ten cats are afraid of their own shadow. But it is that one devil cat from down below that keeps nine out of ten groomers from working with cats. And yet, cat grooming is an incredibly profitable part of the business.

There are many cat grooming experts in the industry, as well as, cat grooming organizations that promote the safe grooming of felines and offer tips and tricks for stylists who want to offer cat grooming in their salon. Many successful salons now offer a ‘cats only’ day which helps to keep the cats calmer since they are not mixed in with canines. (Ever hear the phrase ‘fighting like cats and dogs?’) You can find a ton of information online about the proper way to groom a cat.

But what many groomers don’t know is they already have an incredible tool for cat grooming available to them. The Groomers Helper Professional Set is the answer! I have demonstrated this to thousands of groomers who now have the ability to groom cats with ease and safety.

Using the Professional Set with a cat is different from using it with a dog. First of all, the grooming loop is placed around the cats shoulders at table level, rather than around the neck and connected to the grooming arm. By placing the mini-arm with hook at table level, and lowering the Groomers Helper to table level on the grooming arm, a groomer is able to place the loop on the table, open it and secure it around the cat’s shoulders. It is quite effective and an amazingly simple way to safely hold a cat in position while grooming.

You can watch the Groomers Helper training video online to see this set up in action. Just CLICK HERE to begin. The demo for using Groomers Helper with cats starts at nine minute mark.

And remember that we are still offering special holiday pricing on Groomers Helper Professional Sets including free shipping. Click here to order.

So please consider cat grooming as an excellent way to boost your profits in 2012. If you don’t already offer this service, now is a great time to start and Groomers Helper is a great tool for success. CLICK HERE TO SHOP ONLINE

What better gift to give a groomer than the gift of safety?While many spouses and significant others can also call themselves “Groomers Helper,” the Professional Set is that extra set of hands that every groomer needs to groom smarter and not harder. It is now being used by the top professionals in the industry and taught in the top schools. Can you imagine not having to struggle anymore?

I often ask groomers why dogs do not want to be groomed. They reply that the dog doesn’t want to be there, or that the dog is remembering a bad experience, or that the dog just doesn’t like being groomed. That said, I tell them the real reason is that dogs struggle at home with their owners and win, so they think it is normal behavior. By the same token, groomers struggle and wrestle with dogs because they think it is the normal way to groom!

But can you imagine an artist hanging a canvas from a rope and spin it to try and paint it? And would a woodworker roll a log down a hill to try and carve it? Of course not! But groomers chase dogs around a grooming table with razor sharp scissors and clippers without thinking twice. In that respect, the Groomers Helper is the easel that holds your pet canvas and it allows you to unleash your grooming art!

One of the biggest problems facing new groomers is FEAR. Whether they fear injuring the dog they are working with or fear of being hurt themselves, confidence in the grooming salon is very important. Perhaps you have seen the handlers at Westminster and other dog shows chewing gum or sucking on a mint. They do this to cover the smell of fear and nervousness they are feeling in the ring. Because we all know that dogs can smell fear from a mile away.

Let’s face it – everyone has some fear and nervousness in their life. Perhaps it is the fear of working with a new client or the nervousness of grooming a nasty dog.

Bu a lot of fear will go away with time, as confidence levels build and grooming skills are honed.

Instinct also plays a part in overcoming fear. How many times have you heard a groomer say, “I just had a feeling about that dog! I knew it was going to try and bite me.” People can’t see into the future, but they had a feeling about something and they were right. Trusting your instincts will go a long way to relieving your fears.

Another weapon in the fight against fear are the tools that you use. Knowing that you have quality clippers and scissors that will help you get the job done will be a big boost to your confidence. And having a Groomers Helper on your table will help, too.

When the dog’s bite radius is reduced, your confidence level goes up. Knowing that a dog can’t spin around and bite you when you are working on its back nails is a real confidence booster. And knowing the dog can no longer walk off the table, back off the table, or hang itself will give you peace of mind that the dog can smell and will submit to.

Right now, I am offering free gifts with the purchase of select items in the Groomers Helper line. Give the gift of confidence this Christmas and receive some great free gifts to boot. In addition to the free gifts, I am offering free shipping, too.

And remember – you can always walk away from the grooming table to regroup if you are dealing with a particularly nasty dog. We are our own worst enemies when it comes to drawing the line and will try to power through difficult grooms. This only serves to increase tension and is a formula for disaster.

The greatest skill a professional groomers can possess is knowing when to stop.

Click here for holiday specials.

Do you know why dogs struggle and wrestle with us when they are on the grooming table? The top reason is that they struggle and wrestle with their owners and win, so they think it is normal behavior. By using products like the Groomers Helper, dogs learn their limitations on the table and calm down.

But another important part of this process includes the grooming arm and clamp. Nothing beats a sturdy arm and clamp when it comes to teaching dogs their limitations. A solid arm that is firmly held in place with a solid table clamp is a key to success.

Many manufacturers use inferior materials that bend and break easily, or distribute round grooming arms (round stock is cheaper then square stock) that swivel in the clamp. Groomers also have problems with their table clamps as bolts break and bend. Many are frustrated with the equipment they have, but Groomers Helper can help.

We manufacture top of the line products including our stainless steel grooming arm, which is guaranteed never to break or bend. We know it won’t bend because we ship them all over the country and even the shipping companies can’t bend them! Click here for more information.

Groomers Helper table clamps are also the best on the market, with built in spring steel so the arm will not come crashing down on you when you adjust it. The clamps come in two sizes and it is very important to purchase one that fits your grooming table properly. The correct clamp for your table is important. You do not want to put the non-standard clamp on a standard table as the length of the bolts will offer leverage that will eventually cause them to bend and void the warranty. Call us if you have questions on the size of clamp you will need.

And you can save when you purchase an arm, clamp and Groomers Helper Starter Set, the best system for safely positioning a dog on the grooming table. Most groomers have never experienced how easy it is to groom using Groomers Helper products and think that struggling and wrestling with a dog is normal. That’s just not true as anyone who has tried our system will testify.  Click here to see this and other specials.

According to Darren Hayward, “Just a quick note to say that after purchasing the Groomers Helper my work has become less stressful. This truly is a groomer’s dream!” And this is just one of the many terrific testimonials we receive every day.

So if you are looking for a replacement for a worn out arm and clamp, give us a call. Our equipment is guaranteed not to break or bend, or we will replace it.

Click here to see our complete selection of grooming arms and clamps.

• It doesn’t take a dog 45 minutes to get ready to go outside in the winter.
• Dogs don’t know how to lie.
• Dogs never skip their nap time.
• You don’t have to get an extra phone line for your dog.
• Dogs never pester you about getting a kid.
• Dogs really don’t care if the peas have been touched by the mashed potatoes.
• The average cost of sending a dog to school is $52.00 and your kid costs $150,000.00.
• Dogs are housebroken by the time they are 12 weeks old.
• Dogs will pretty much eat ANYTHING you give them.
• A dog will not be embarrassed if you sing in public.
• If your dog is bad, no one can blame it on your genes.

Hello! I have one more stop to make on the seminar trail this year, and it is in sunny Florida at the upcoming Fun in the Sun Show. If you haven’t checked out this event, it is a great way to end the year. You can combine some business with pleasure at this groomers gathering. CLICK HERE to visit the NDGAA web site and learn more about the show.