USING STYLING AIDS IN PET GROOMING-EXAMPLES

Every hair stylist utilizes a selection of hair styling aids such as mousses, setting gels, sprays, and pastes. These products have become the fastest growth segment of the human hair industry.  In my grooming practice at Transformation Pet Center, Tucson, Arizona, I like to use styling aids to give my doggie clients that out-the-door pizzaz.  Styling aids can add extra flair or glam to a grooming, or help to temporarily correct stubborn problems like wonky terrier eyebrows or limp, floppy topknots.  Here are some examples:

Scamp is a little yorkie mix that belongs to my mechanic.  We use a little setting gel to tousle the top of his head and give him what I call the "little dude" look.  I just use the gel on the dried and trimmed hair as a finishing touch.  For this tousled look, I like to use a firm hold gel, such as Tresemme Extra Firm Gel.  

Setting gel is also very helpful for Cairn Terrier heads.  This is "Buddy".  He would have a very flat and square shaped head without the gel.  For best results, use on damp hair and dry to give more shape to the whole head and face.  For a whole head gel, I would go with Chris Christensen Thick n' Thicker Volumizing Gel.  Good news!  CC now offers this product in an 8 0z tube as well as the (rather messy) jar.  Just spotted while preparing this post, that I can't wait to try out: TRESemme Styling Glaze -a fast drying, long-lasting formula that will not build-up or flake. Super hold gives precise control for sculpting, roller sets, wet sets and blow drying.  

Bichon heads thrive on a serving of mousse.  It adds volume and body and helps the stylist achieve a full, round head.  Not all Bichon heads need this kind of help, but when the head is a bit straight or soft, the mousse can really help achieve a great look.  Mousse is also great for terrier furnishings, especially legs where the coat won't stand out to achieve a good "column" look.  

Buddy is a toy poodle I've been grooming for years.  His coat is soft and fine and hard to scissor.  I use Chris Christensen "Bottoms Up" to give the coat more structure.  On the topknot, I use a flexible spray, such as Chris Christensen "Thick n' Thicker."  Note that there is a range of setting sprays, from flexible-hold or working sprays, that allow for combing and working the coat, to very firm finishing sprays that lock a style in place.  

 Schnauzer eyebrows always get a dab of gel at my table.  This gives them terrific definition.  After applying a little to the eyebrows, I rub the remainder between my palms and apply in downwards strokes to the beard, helping to achieve that "brick head" look we like.  For this work, I often choose Chris Christensen styling gel, a product made for canines that has no added fragrance.  The biggest, and perhaps only, difference between styling products sold for people and those sold for dogs is the amount of fragrance. 

Westie heads actually do well with BOTH gel and mousse.  Mix together in your hands and apply through the whole head.  This will help you get a more full, round shape to the head.  Tuffy would be a total "flat head" without his styling products! This is another application where I am going to try out the TRESemme Styling Glaze.  I'll let you know how it works for me.  My ex-boss, Chris Christensen refers to styling products as "liquid tools", and I am always eager to add to my tool box.

A note about using chalk on westies.  I did that for a short period.  It was messy, and you can't scissor chalked hair without damaging your shears.  With mousse/gel, you can easily clean and restore your shears with an alcohol wipe.  Also, I talked with a westie breeder who told me she stopped using chalk for the show ring after paying a $1700 vet bill for eye damage due to chalk in the eyes.  That stopped me cold in my tracks!

Zelda has a natural mohawk.  We use colored chalk and set it with a fairly stiff spray to give her a traffic stopping look.  Isle of Dogs "Isle Style" is a favorite of mine.  It's also good for westie and cairn heads as an alternative to gel and/or mousse.  

Click here for the technical article PDF on Styling Aids for the Canine Coat, as published in eGroomer Journal. 

Barbara Bird is an International Certified Master Groomer, and owner/operator of Transformation Pet Center, Tucson, Arizona.  She has been grooming since 1971.  She is a world renowned groomer educator and consultant to the pet grooming industry.