Paw Prints

By Animal Behavior College

ABC is very proud of our graduates and loves to hear stories about your successes. Our students have moved on to have successful careers working for other companies as well as many becoming their own boss and starting their own business.  However, the endless opportunities haven’t stopped there.  Over the years, we have had graduates go on to start radio shows and podcasts about dog training. Still, others have had articles published in newspapers, magazines, and blogs.

We have had grooming graduates go on to win grooming awards and also publish grooming articles. Some of our graduates have appeared on TV and some work with animals for motion pictures. In addition, ABC graduates have started animal rescues, and thousands have volunteered at animal shelters and rescues across North America. To put this another way, ABC knows that many of our graduates have taken what they learned at ABC and built on that foundation as their paths led them in a variety of directions.

It is because the pet industry has so many options and ways to specialize that we want to make all alumni aware of some of our lesser-known courses and offer a significant discount to any alumni wishing to enroll in one of these programs.

The first one is ABC’s Cat Training Program (CTP).

The CTP is an 11-stage course and covers the following topics:

• Basic Overview of Cats: Covers feline characteristics, cat breeds, coat types, and cat socialization and development periods.
• Learning Theories and the Feline Mind: Introduces you to cat psychology, behavior, and communication.
• Cat Training Tools, Behavior Modification Products & Essential Cat Care Items: Describes various cat training tools and explains cat care essentials.
• Preventing Unwanted Behavior: Explains why and how prevention can steer kittens away from unwanted behavior.
• Basic Cat Training: This teaches you training cues to get a cat to sit, down, and off to name a few.
• Cat Behavior Management and Treatment: Explains why cats engage in certain behaviors, such as cat spraying, and teaches you how to manage them.
• Cat Nutrition and Basic Care: Provides you with detailed knowledge on cat care, including health and grooming.
• Safety Concerns, Techniques & Practices: Instructs you on proper cat safety protocols, such as cat-proofing a home and handling reactive cats.
• Business Building: Covers business building tips to help you start a cat training business upon graduation.
• Shelter Experience & Pet First Aid and CPR Certification: This allows you to spend time in an animal facility and observe cat behavior as a volunteer.
• Final Exam & Graduation

Who should take this?   

Any graduate who loves cats wants to help them and the people who love them. This includes groomers, dog trainers, and veterinary assistants.

Why should I consider taking this?  

Dog trainers can add a vital skill set to their repertoire, making them more marketable and more easily able to establish an online presence and network. Simply put, there are a great many dog training experts out there but far fewer cat behavior specialists. So becoming one might be an intelligent business call, not to mention that the ability to train cats means you can widen your net to help even more animals in need.

Dog groomers who understand cat behavior can offer salons the chance to accept more cats, a relatively untapped market.

Veterinary assistants who understand cat behavior can offer valuable expertise to their hospitals.

Dog training, pet grooming, and veterinary assisting are competitive fields, and becoming a cat trainer might help you stand out in getting hired, promoted, etc.

ABC feels very strongly about supporting our alumni and assisting them in being the best they can be. Toward that end, all Alumni enrolling in the CTP between May 31st, 2022, and December 31st, 2022, may take this course for $997.50. This is a discount of 50% 

If you are interested in taking advantage of this special offer for our alumni only, just drop an email to our Director of Admissions at: Candace@animalbehaviorcollege.com  She will make sure you get taken care of immediately as one of our valued alum.  For more information about the CTP, visit: https://v2.animalbehaviorcollege.com/cat-training/

Next, let’s talk about our Aquatics Maintenance Program (AMP).

This course is designed for fish hobbyists who want to take their interest and passion to the next level. Can you make a living designing and maintaining aquatic environments? Many people do. Think of all the hotels and businesses that have beautiful aquariums. Who do you think designs them and helps maintain them? This skill set isn’t typical business knowledge, which means it’s a specialty, which means it is usually outsourced to a trained professional. Also outsourced is the maintenance (and sometimes) the design of advanced, high-end aquariums for high-net-worth individuals.

Still, others don’t wish to design aquariums professionally but absolutely love maintaining them and simply can’t learn enough about this fascinating topic so they can more effectively enjoy their favorite hobby.

The AMP is a 10-stage program that covers the following topics:  

• Aquarium Maintenance Basics: Introduces you to topics such as aquarium chemistry and the nitrogen cycle, principles of animal husbandry, routine aquarium maintenance requirements, troubleshooting and water parameter guidelines.
• Aquarium Setup Basics: This stage covers how to meet clients’ needs and expectations as well as how to build a system, aquarium sourcing, tank sizing, aquarium installation, how to establish an aquarium and adding livestock.
• Freshwater Aquariums: This stage discusses all types of specialty freshwater aquarium setup and husbandry requirements, with a focus on the following topics: requirements for a fish-centric display setup, breakdown of freshwater fish types, “monster” fish systems, cichlid systems, tropical fish systems and troubleshooting freshwater fish tanks. You will also learn about planted fish tank layouts, aquascaping, hybrid paludarium setups, fish tank design, freshwater fish care and husbandry.
• Saltwater Aquariums: Topics include fish-only tank design, how to setup a saltwater aquarium, understanding reef aquariums, saltwater species compatibility basics, coral care requirements, troubleshooting saltwater tanks and husbandry considerations.
• Pond Basics: Topics include the basics of pond care, pond maintenance procedures and schedule, pond equipment, long-term pond maintenance, troubleshooting, species information and pond fish care.
• Species Guides and Sourcing: This stage will provide in-depth care requirements and compatibility information for a variety of freshwater and saltwater species. Topics include freshwater species guide, saltwater species guide, sourcing livestock, husbandry requirements, compatibility information, healthcare, acclimation, feeding, and long-term care. You will also learn how to establish a breeding/reproduction fish tank setup for customer sales.
• Equipment Maintenance: You will become familiar with equipment purchasing considerations, evaluating equipment for client needs, and long-term servicing of aquarium equipment. This stage also covers setting up and maintaining aquarium equipment, scheduling and performing long-term aquarium equipment maintenance and basic aquarium service equipment needs.
• Commercial Aquariums: Learn how to scale an operation and begin maintaining large and more elaborate systems for commercial clients. Topics include advantages of commercial clientele, commercial aquariums as advertisements, considerations of building larger commercial aquarium setups and aquarium maintenance requirements and scheduling.
• Business Building: Covers how to take what you have learned and apply it to building your own business.
• Final Exam and Graduation

 Who should take this?   

Any alumni who love designing or maintaining aquariums and are looking to learn more or start a career designing and maintaining aquariums.

Why should I consider taking this?  

Because you love keeping fish or designing aquariums and want to learn more. Because you are looking at other business opportunities, and this one intrigues you.

ABC feels very strongly about supporting our alumni and assisting them in being the best they can be. Toward that end, all Alumni enrolling in the AMP between May 31st, 2022, and December 31st, 2022, may take this course for $997.50. This is a discount of 50%

If you are interested in taking advantage of this special offer for our alumni only, just drop an email to our Director of Admissions at: Candace@animalbehaviorcollege.com  She will make sure you get taken care of immediately as one of our valued alum.  For more information about the AMP, visit: https://v2.animalbehaviorcollege.com/aquarium-maintenance/

Finally, let’s talk about what many of us at ABC consider our most amazing new program. That’s not quite right. Let me put this another way. When ABC management and staff look at our programs, the reactions are usually something like this; Everyone likes the courses and believes they can help those who take them. Some folks at ABC are interested enough in a specific program that they want to take it themselves, but not everyone. Do all the dog trainer people wish to take AMP or the CTP? Nope. Many do, but not everyone. This is true of our groomer and veterinary graduates as well. Yet, everyone who heard about our Zookeeper Assistant Program (ZAP), and I mean every single person, had the same reaction. “Oh! That’s so amazing! I want to take this!” “Do you want to learn to be a zookeeper assistant?” we asked. “No, but I have always loved and been interested in wild (exotic) animals, and this would be a great program to take even if just for fun and learning about these amazing animals!”

The ZAP is a 10-stage program that covers the following topics:

• Introduction to Zoos and Zookeeping: Students will learn about zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, and accreditation. This stage also covers zoo regulations, zookeeper responsibilities and what working at a zoo is like.
• Exotic Animal Housing and Exhibits: Information all about housing animals at the zoo including how to build an animal exhibit including horticulture, furnishings, substrate, guest and animal safety, pest control and enclosure maintenance.
• Animal Health: Students will learn all about exotic animal health including animal nutrition and diet, animal restraint and capture, the warning signs of illness or stress, and all about routine medical care and treatments for exotic animals in the zoo.
• Zoo Conservation and Breeding Programs: Learn how zoo employees and volunteers make a difference in the world of animal conservation. This stage covers Species Survival Plans, animal reproduction, Studbooks and population management, animal re-introduction programs and research.
• Exotic Animal Behavior, Enrichment and Training: Explore the basics of training philosophy including classical and operant conditioning, as well as, how to solve behavior problems. This stage also covers the natural behaviors of zoo animals along with different types of enrichment such as food-based, physical, sensory, and social, for a myriad of different species.
• Daily Zookeeping Routines and Husbandry: This stage reviews the different ways zoos and wildlife sanctuaries keep track of their animal inhabitants.
• Zookeeping Safety: Subjects in this stage include legal requirements, work hazards, zoonotic disease prevention, zookeeper assistant safety, guest safety, animal safety, emergency response and evacuation plans for both guests and animals.
• Zoo Visitor Education and Relations: You will learn how to educate different audiences that visit the zoo, including children and adults. Emotional, intellectual, and behavioral education techniques, as well as community outreach is also covered.
• Building your Zookeeper Assistant Career: Learn about the next steps in your zookeeping assistant education and how to find work at a zoo or wildlife sanctuary.
• Final Exam and Graduation

Who should take this?   

Any alumni with a passion for exotic animals or wildlife conservation and anyone interested in getting involved in this part of the animal industry.

Why should I consider taking this?  

Because you spend more time watching wild animal shows than you do with your family. Because you have a deep interest and passion in this topic and want to learn more. Because you have a genuine desire to work in a zoo or wild animal rescue environment and would like a foundational understanding of exotic animals and zookeeping in general.

ABC feels very strongly about supporting our alumni and assisting them in being the best they can be. Toward that end, all Alumni enrolling in the ZAP between May 31st, 2022, and December 31st, 2022, may take this course for $997.50. This is a discount of 50%

 If you are interested in taking advantage of this special offer for our alumni only, just drop an email to our Director of Admissions at: Candace@animalbehaviorcollege.com  She will make sure you get taken care of immediately as one of our valued alum.  For more information about the ZAP, visit:  https://v2.animalbehaviorcollege.com/zookeeper-assistant/

 

 

 

By Steve Appelbaum, ABC President & CEO

Hello everyone. I hope all reading this are healthy and happy as we move into the summer. Here is what’s going on at ABC.

New Programs. 

Service Dog: Our service dog program continues to move forward. We have outstanding writers and editors working on this course.  We are incredibly excited about its progress and how much this program will help people who want to make their dreams of working with and/or training service dogs a reality. We will announce launch dates when we get further along—still shooting for Q4 2022.

International Programs: Our international research has narrowed the countries down to three. We are considering the United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany as of this date. This doesn’t mean that we won’t consider other markets, just that we will start by selecting one nation for our first international launch and then move on from there. The question still unanswered is which of the above three countries will be the first place outside North America in which we export our programs? Stay tuned.

Current programs.

 Short Term Programs. 

Remember that all Alumni get a 33% discount on any of our STPs. Here is our current list of available programs:

• Training Shelter Dogs
• The Art of Selling and Teaching Private Lessons
• Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
• Pet Nutrition and Diet
• Pet Massage
• Doggie Daycare
• Pet Fostering

Classroom.  

 

Our previous classroom program class graduated on March 14^th, 2022. This class had the first Marine graduate since we started offering the program in 2010. Most of our students have either been Army, Navy, or Airforce. We hope that more Marines and students from all branches of our Armed Forces who are transitioning back into civilian life continue to attend our school.  We are honored that so many elect to do so. I love speaking with the students in all these classes, and I was particularly impressed with this group. I have been in the pet industry for a long time, and I have a pretty good sense of who is ready and most likely to succeed after speaking with them. In this class, everyone I spoke with was impressive, and I look forward to hearing great stories about their success as time goes by.

Our next classroom program commenced on April 18^th, 2022, and I have already received positive reports about this group. I am looking forward to meeting them and for our classroom program to continue to grow.

Toward that end, we are spending time and efforts marketing this program to civilians as well. The truth is that this course was always designed to be taken by anyone wanting a more traditional classroom experience. It became popular with military veterans because the Veterans Administration approved the program. If any alumni refer a student who takes our classroom program, we will pay a finder’s fee of several hundred dollars.

Here is more information about this program.

https://v2.animalbehaviorcollege.com/gi-bill-dog-trainers/

https://v2.animalbehaviorcollege.com/dog-training-los-angeles/

That’s all for now, and thanks for reading!

 

• What’s Waggin’: The Latest News at Animal Behavior College
• 5 Dog Collar Safety Tips for Clients
• What to Expect After Grooming School
• Helping Clients Ensure Their Kittens Get Optimal Nutrition
• Making Crate Training Easier for Clients
• Safely Storing and Dispensing Grooming Shampoos & Conditioners
• ABC’s Newest AMP, CTP, DOP, GIP, VAP and ZAP Graduates

By Steve Appelbaum, ABC President & CEO

Hello! I hope you are healthy and happy as we head into the holiday season. Here is what is going on at ABC. 

Programs

Our new program development continues. For example, we are making excellent progress on our service dog training program and still plan on a late-2022 launch. In addition, our international research is coming along. To date, we have screened more than 100 countries in our quest to find our next market. This is an exciting project, and we should know where we will be expanding relatively soon.

Canada

Our Canadian website is now live, as is our ability to have our Canadian students pay for their courses in CAD. Enrollments are already up as a result. I look forward to more improvements in our outreach to prospective students in Canada for the remaining months of this year and next. 

Department Updates

We have big plans to improve many of the operating systems in which our departments operate. Some of these will be technical; the results of which will allow our staff to spend less time on data entry and more time working with students. Over the last 3 years, we have made incredible changes and improvements to numerous departments within our school. These changes have allowed the school to remain operational during Covid, streamlined our admissions department, and enhanced our finance department. The challenge with a company, the size of ABC, is that while we often want to make changes right away, they have to be done in stages and in a fashion that allows us to measure results. This takes longer, but the result is advantageous, in my opinion. 

Next year will be all about helping the PMs and ECs to work with our students more efficiently. We are very excited about this. 

Current Programs

Year to date, ABC’s most popular program is our veterinary assistant program. This is followed by our Dog Obedience Trainer and Pet Grooming programs; the Zookeeper Assistant program is fourth, which is impressive considering we have launched it just 12 months. The Aquarium Maintenance and Cat Training programs are also growing. Some staffers predict that Zookeeping will surpass Grooming, and while that is possible, I think it could be a few years before that happens. Our Short Term Programs are also extremely popular. Here is a list of our current offerings, which are available through the Alumni Center, ABC’s website or by contacting an admissions counselor.

• Training Shelter Dogs
• The Art of Selling and Teaching Private Lessons
• Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
• Pet Nutrition and Diet
• Pet Massage
• Pet Fostering
• Doggie Daycare

Classroom

Many of you might not know this, but we offer two classroom programs per year. The course is taught at our Southern California facility and runs for 5 months with students attending five days a week. This program is excellent for those looking for an immersive dog training experience. Approved by the Veterans Administration, the classroom program typically comprises 80 percent of military veterans looking to transition back into civilian life. 

We just started our first class in October, which will run until late March 2022. A new class will begin in April 2022. For more information about this program, go to https://v2.animalbehaviorcollege.com/gi-bill-dog-trainers/

That’s all for now, and thanks for reading!

 

By Coastal Pet Products Staff

We put collars on our dogs to keep them safe. They hold valuable contact information should a dog go astray, giving anyone who finds them an easy way to reach us. However, collars can be dangerous. Every year, some 26,000 dogs are injured or killed in a collar-related accident, according to research conducted by PetSafe®.

Collars can get caught on fences and gates, furniture, dog crates, loose branches and roots, and even while playing with another dog. If someone is not there to free them immediately, they risk serious injury to their necks. And, in the worst cases, death by strangulation.

Does that mean your clients should toss their traditional buckle collar out? Of course not. A buckle collar is perfectly safe while a dog is out and about and under supervision. That way if the collar does get caught, they can take action right away.

To ensure every client’s dog is safe wearing a collar, Coastal Pet Products has compiled this list of dog collar safety tips.

Choose the Right Size

One of the top causes of neck injuries in dogs is wrongly sized collars. Both collars that are too tight and too loose present a danger. Collars that are too tight can lead to skin irritation, inflammation, and infection. This is common in puppies when owners forget to resize their collars as they grow. In the worst cases, the collar can cut deep into the dog’s neck.

Collars that are too loose present an entirely different danger. For instance, a dog wearing a too-loose collar might get a paw stuck in it while scratching. If the dog pulls hard enough to try and get free, the leg can break. Dogs that get their teeth or tongue stuck in a too-loose collar often end up with mouth injuries.

When sizing their dog’s collar, tell your clients that they must be able to fit two fingers—and only two fingers—between their dog’s neck and the collar. Have your clients do a size check when their dog is standing and sitting to ensure it does not tighten up when he lies down.

Remove the Collar at Home

The vast majority of dog collar-related accidents happen while a dog is unsupervised. To ensure clients’ dogs are safe at home, tell them to take the collar off if they are not going to be around and at night when sleeping. If their dog will be crated for any length of time, they will need to take the collar off entirely.

This is particularly important in homes with more than one dog that enjoy playing together. Many tragic accidents happen when one dog’s teeth or ID tags get entangled with the other dog’s collar. Their natural reaction is to jerk, twist, and try to pull away, but this is what leads to strangulation.

Pay Attention at the Dog Park

Dog collar accidents most commonly occur when a dog is playing with another canine, such as at the dog park. A dog’s tooth or tongue gets caught in the other’s collar during a sniff and greet. Or the dangling I.D. tag on one collar gets stuck in the other’s while wrestling. Because they cannot reason out how to fix their problem, they panic, twisting and pulling to try to break free. Unfortunately, one dog will be on the choking end of that struggle. It only takes about 3 minutes for a dog to choke to death by collar strangulation.

Remind your clients to always keep an eye on their dog so that they can intervene quickly should something happen. (Let them know that they might need to cut the collar to get it off. Carrying a small pair of scissors or Swiss Army knife is a good idea.)

Avoid Dangling Name Tags

We appreciate a bone-shaped I.D. tag as much as the next dog lover. However, dangling tags are a common cause of collar-related accidents. They can get stuck in other dogs’ collars, as well as in crate wires, fences, and on tree branches and roots. The resulting struggle to break free can cause neck lacerations and, in the worst case, strangulation. Personalized collars are a great option if you want your dog to go tag-less.

Get Dogs Microchipped

Although collars can be a fashion statement, their primary use is to carry I.D. tags in case a dog runs away or is lost. It is why many owners are hesitant to leave their dogs without a collar, even at home. Dogs can be masters of escape. One quick slip past their legs when heading out to get the mail is all it takes. Getting dogs microchipped allows owners to keep the collar off, but still know their dog can be identified if he gets away.

Note: All images are courtesy of Coastal Pet Products
Top: Life is Good Styles Adjustable Dog Collar
Middle: Morris Animal Foundation Styles Adjustable Dog Collar
Bottom: Circle T Double-Ply Fashion Leather Collar

By Shannon Tupes, NCMG, Andis Global Educator

After finishing grooming school, you might be a bit overwhelmed because of the abundance of information you have been given to start your new career, but embrace your journey into the fabulous world of pet grooming by keeping an open mind and absorb as much information as possible.

Grow Your Toolkit

One of the most important things you can do is invest in good, reliable equipment. Clippers are one of the first investments to make after grooming school. After graduating from grooming school, you will want to start upgrading your equipment. You will be grooming more dogs, and you will need some additional tools to add to your arsenal of grooming supplies. Having the proper equipment allows you to groom safely and efficiently while allowing you to put a beautiful finish on the pet as well.

My personal favorite is the Andis Pulse® ZR II clipper (image right). This cordless, detachable blade clipper has a 3-hour run time, allowing me the ability to groom dogs all day without having to charge them. They are a workhorse of a clipper with the ability to get through the thickest of coats with ease. And at the same time, they are a great finishing clipper by being able to pay attention to the finest details on a soft, silky and luxurious coat. The versatility of the Pulse ZR II makes them a must-have in the grooming salon.

The Andis Vida™ clipper is another favorite of mine. It is a 5-in-1 clipper where you can adjust the blade length from a #9 length to a #40 length (see blade closeup on the right). It is my go-to clipper for shaving pads, sanitary work, poodle feet, face, and tails, tipping ears, cleaning out the hair between the eyes, and a great choice when working with puppies. It is lightweight yet durable and has a natural, comfortable fit in my hand.

If you immediately start adding to your equipment and take care of what you already have with routine maintenance, such as disinfecting and oiling blades, you will be able to grow your tool kit in a reasonable amount of time.

Grow Your Client List

Not only do you want to grow your tool kit, but growing your client list is just as important. Finding new clients is a necessity, but also make sure to keep the clientele you already have. It is important to develop good working relationships with your clients and know that everyone deserves a great groom with excellent customer service. If you can build these relationships with your current clients, you will get most of your new business through referrals. One of the best things about being a pet groomer is when you do what you love and are passionate about what you do, it never seems like work.

 Continue Your Education

Never stop learning. To stay relevant in this fast-growing industry, it is imperative to continue your education. Regardless of how long you have been grooming, you can always learn something new that might help you in your day-to-day grooming. From grooming conferences with grooming competitions (image right: a grooming event at SuperZoo 2019), live in-person seminars, virtual webinars, Facebook Live instruction, monthly on-line educational subscriptions, private lessons in-person or online, and private group lessons, you can choose the right path to fit your schedule.

Continuing education also affords you the opportunity to stay on top of new trends in the industry, introduce you to new, innovative tools, technology and equipment to keep you on top of your game, and show you ways to keep your clientele and expand your business.

Happy grooming!

About the Author: Shannon Tupes is a certified master groomer for NDGAA as well as IPG, and a board member of Groom Team USA. She has owned several successful grooming salons throughout the U.S. and is currently a global educator for Andis. In addition, Shannon is a successful breeder, owner, handler of Bichon Frises.

Helping clients ensure their felines get started the right way.

By Tiki Cat Staff

Nothing is cuter than a baby kitten, playful and full of energy. Then in the blink of an eye these frisky little fluff balls become full-grown cats. If it seems like kittens grow up very quickly, it is because they do. A kitten’s body weight may double or even triple during its first few weeks of life. This explosive growth continues, although at a slower pace, until maturity is reached at around one year.

Kittens Need More Calories, Energy and Fat

This rapid growth and development, along with a kitten’s constant frenzied activity, requires a diet that contains more protein than other species and huge amounts of calories, energy and fat. Kittens burn up even more energy than puppies, and they may require up to three times the energy intake of adult cats. At least 30 percent of this energy should come from animal-based protein. Meat is essential to a kitten’s diet, because like all felines, they are obligate carnivores and cannot get all their essential nutrients from plants.

Kittens also need very specific levels of certain amino acids, minerals and vitamins compared to adult cats to support their rapidly developing organs and immune systems. For example, they require more calcium and phosphorus for proper formation of their bones and teeth. Kittens also need large amounts of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), an omega-3 fatty acid that supports brain, nervous system and vision development. At the same time, their tiny tummies cannot hold much food, so a kitten’s diet must be extremely nutrient dense.

Tiki Cat^® Baby^™ Life-stage Nutrition for Kittens

Balancing the complex—and changing — nutritional requirements of a kitten during its first year can be a challenge. Veterinary assistants and other pet professionals can help cat-owning clients by alerting them to their kitten’s nutritional needs at each stage of life and helping them choose foods that best satisfy these requirements.

Tiki Cat is offering help in getting the littlest felines off to a good start. The company has come out with a new range of life-stage nutrition for baby cats from newborn to 12 months. The Tiki Cat Baby^™ line includes four products with the perfect blend of ingredients to take kitties from nursing, through weaning, to eating whole foods on their own:

• Tiki Cat Baby Thrive: An energy/weight gain supplement for kittens, newborn and up, that are underweight or losing weight
• Tiki Cat Baby Mousse & Shreds: An easy-to-eat and digest starter food for weaning kittens 4 to 8 weeks
• Tiki Cat Baby Chicken & Salmon Recipe and Tiki Cat® Baby™ Chicken & Egg Recipe: Two whole wet foods recipes that provide complete and balanced nutrition for kittens 8 weeks to one year, with ultra-high protein and fat content to support growing carnivores

Newborn to Weaning: The Nursing Stage

Each stage of a kitten’s life requires different types of nutritional support. The earliest, of course, is the nursing phase. For the first weeks of its life, a kitten drinks its mother’s milk, which contains just the right balance of fat, protein, and nutrients, including essential ingredients such as DHA and taurine, to advance the little one’s growth and development.

Even with this “complete formula,” however, sometimes tiny nursing kittens need extra help beyond mother’s milk to grow and gain weight at a normal healthy pace. According to feline veterinary experts, a newborn kitten should gain at least 10 grams of body weight per day on average. If your client’s kitten is not achieving this normal weight gain or is losing weight, a veterinary exam should be given immediately to rule out any underlying conditions that might be causing the problem.

If there are no underlying medical issues, Tiki Cat^® Baby^™ Thrive offers a perfect solution to get kittens up to their ideal weight and keep them on a healthy growth target. Baby Thrive is an easy-to-lick liquid energy supplement that even newborn kitties can consume and digest. It is high in protein from real chicken, liver and easily digestible egg, which also makes it delicious to baby carnivores. Each tiny packet contains 28 percent fat and 25 calories to give the littlest felines the early boost they need.

4 to 8 Weeks: The Weaning Stage

Kittens normally begin weaning off their mother’s milk at around 4 weeks, with this process typically being completed by the time they reach 8 weeks. Your clients should not try to wean their pets too early, but should wait until the kitten’s eyes are open and focusing, and it is steady on its feet. Some kittens let you know they are ready to stop nursing by trying to eat their mother’s food.

Of course, a weaning pet—or any kitten—should never eat adult cat food. As outlined above, kittens need higher levels of animal protein, amino acids and minerals, as well as certain vitamins, to support their rapid growth and development. And, because a kitty’s mouth and tummy are so tiny, its “first food” must be very easy to eat and digest.

Tiki Cat® Baby™ Mousse & Shreds was formulated to meet the specialized needs of this sensitive period. It is the perfect starter food to help kittens transition from mommy’s milk. Made of delicate layers of mousse and tiny poultry shreds, it can easily be handled by little mouths. High protein from real sources such as easy-to-digest liver and egg is yummy to eat and gentle on young tummies, and added prebiotics further aid digestion. The formula also includes supplemental taurine and balanced calcium and phosphorus to support healthy early growth, as well as DHA for brain development.

8 Weeks to 12 Months: The Whole Foods Stage

A kitten’s extreme growth spurt begins to level off at around 12 to 16 weeks of age. During this time, its adult teeth will start coming in and its digestive system will mature, making it easier to chew and eat solid foods. But these adolescents are still in growth mode with greater energy requirements than adult cats. They need a nutrient-dense, easily digestible whole food that is high in calories and animal protein—and so delicious they will want to eat it.

Tiki Cat Baby Chicken & Salmon Recipe and Tiki Cat Baby Chicken & Egg Recipe are two soft, wet whole food recipes that offer complete and balanced nutrition for growing carnivores up to one year. Both are made with small tasty pieces of shredded chicken as their first ingredient and are high in calories and fat to support growth. The Chicken & Salmon Recipe also contains flaked salmon, while the Chicken & Egg Recipe includes easily digestible egg, enhancing the flavorful formulas. DHA and taurine are also included. Both recipes also offer extra hydration, since cats are not big water drinkers, but have evolved to get most of their moisture intake from their prey (or food).

Tiki Cat’s other wet diets are also formulated to provide the necessary hydration to felines. When a pet parent chooses to feed a dry cat food, it is essential that they continue giving added hydration.

With kittens under one year of age making up 13 percent of the cat population, according to Packaged Facts, pet professionals should take the opportunity to educate their clients about the specialized nutritional needs of this large group. By meeting young felines’ high calorie, animal protein and fat requirements, and providing nutrients that support organ development, in formats appropriate for each life stage, your clients will be assured of getting their kitties started on the right paw.

For more information on Tiki Cat Baby, please visit Tiki Cat® Baby for Kittens – Tiki Pets

Help clients teach their dogs that crate time means fun time

By Kong Company Staff

As pet professionals, owners look to you for tools they can use on their own to help enhance their dogs’ lives at home. For example, crate training can help with several of the top issues owners struggle with: housebreaking, safe travel, keeping dogs out of mischief when left alone and separation anxiety.

Relationship Building

As you know, the key to successful crate training is helping dogs create a positive association with being inside it. Giving them a food-stuffed toy, such as a Kong, helps satisfy instinctive need to chew while providing enriching mental and physical stimulation.

If your clients are not yet familiar with the toy-stuffing strategies, they could use their dog’s favorite treats to create a long-lasting interactive puzzle. To start, they can loosely stuff the toy with small pieces of a high-value food that will easily fall out as the dog plays. They could also seal the toy’s opening with dog-safe peanut butter or a squirt of Kong Easy Treat to keep the treats inside and to entice dogs to play. Owners could also make the toy more challenging and time consuming by stuffing it with a mixture of wet and dry food. The variety of textures keeps things interesting, as each bite is differently delicious. It helps to alternate wet and dry in layers. For the ultimate challenge, owners could freeze the stuffed toy for 3 to 5 hours before giving it to their dog.

Before introducing their dog to her crate, they should show her the stuffed toy, letting her sniff it to ensure she know it is filled with goodies. Next, they should place the toy in the back of the crate. As the dog enters the crate and settles into a tasty chewing session, they should keep the door open. Letting their dog enjoy a treat-filled toy inside a comfortable den, helps build a positive association with the crate.

Have your clients repeat this a few times until their dog does not hesitate to go into the crate. Once she happily settles into the crate, her owners can practice closing the door and leaving the area for a short time. Be sure to remind them to not make a big deal of their departure or return to the crate area to avoid creating anxiety.

Owners can gradually increase the amount of time they spend out of sight while their dog is in her crate. Once she can spend about half an hour in the crate, her owners can begin to leave home for short periods. Gradually, they can increase the time spent away.

Remind your clients to always leave the crate out so that their dog can retreat to her “den” on her own to relax in a quiet, comfy spot. This also helps dogs develop a positive relationship with their crate. While food-stuffed Kong toys help build a positive relationship in a dog’s mind between her crate and happy chewing, it also helps develop the positive relationship between the owner and you. Giving owners a variety of tools and strategies, they can use on their own helps cement their trust in your expertise—and make their lives with their dogs even better.

How to maintain shelf life and prevent spoilage 

By Dave Campanella, Best Shot Pet Products International

With over three decades in the grooming industry knowing what I know, some folks have deemed me as a pet shampoo guru of sorts. Admittedly, I sometimes get frustrated by any lack of shampoo common sense I observe within our growing industry. For instance, many groomers not only do not understand how their shampoo and conditioner work, but do not know how to properly care for and dispense them day to day. Allow me to explain.

Those of you who frequent online grooming forums may have noticed occasionally someone venting over their surprise, dismay, even anger concerning a spoiled bottle of shampoo? Often the assumption made is it was a “bad batch” or “the formula was changed.” Immediately others jump in to reply, “Off with their heads” or to say, “Try brand X instead.” Yet seldom is the subject of “proper dispensing and care” ever considered or even mentioned in any comments. Please hear me out.

Recently I had a discussion with a dog handler/groomer who would prep in advance by pre-diluting gallons of shampoo with tap water before heading out on the road to shows. She was surprised by how they smelled awful, separated, and became moldy after 1 or 2 months. My jaw dropped. I tried to explain what had happened without sounding judgmental but to no avail.

At that moment I realized she honestly and simply did not know any better. This got me thinking, “What of self-accountability?” In any grooming workplace, being accountable is a paramount quality. It mindfully works hand-in-hand with trust, reliability and responsibility.

In the healthcare industry serums, plasma, blood, vaccines, medicines, and other essential liquids are managed strictly, with precision and specific protocols. So where are the established codes of procedure within the grooming industry for safely caring for and dispensing pet shampoos and other grooming liquids?

While the COVID-19 world has certainly reinforced the importance of cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing in our salons; the same cannot be said for caring for grooming liquids. Sadly, the reality of shampoo spoilage often comes down to genuine ignorance and neglect by the user.

I would like to help remedy this by sharing some important facts, a few tips, along with some handy guidelines to follow. After all, “You don’t know what you don’t know.”

Water Fosters Bacteria Growth

Leonardo da Vinci reportedly said, “Water is the driving force of all nature.” Unfortunately, this includes harmful bacteria, too. Groomers must realize bacteria are the No. 1 enemy of shampoo and conditioner. Bathing areas are ripe breeding grounds for contamination.

For example, folliculitis is a common skin infection you may have come across characterized by small clusters of itchy bumps. These are typically caused by bacteria that amass in contaminated shampoo bottles due to unsanitary storage, dilution, and dispensing practices.

Pseudomonas is another bacterium that is responsible for many canine skin and ear infections. These bacteria are easily transferred in water and damp environments like wash tubs. There is an endless list of harmful bacteria that could amass in your on-hand inventory of grooming liquids. I will spare you from any further fear mongering other than to say how most claims of spoilage, and even client skin reactions from a product correlate to some lack or failure in one’s daily sanitation practices.

Preservatives Only Do So Much

Water volume can account for anywhere from 30 to 98 percent of a shampoo or conditioner’s formula; the remaining ingredient volume is referred to as “solids” or “percent of solid.” Did you know that conditioners have up to three or four times more water than a shampoo?

Shampoo and conditioner solids include plant-based detergents, conditioners, and fragrances, as well as polymers, minerals, and vitamins. It is important to acknowledge how plant and animal derived ingredients ultimately succumb to spoilage. There is no way around it. Even minerals and vitamins can oxidize and diminish in potency over time.

The role of a preservative is to postpone spoilage from overtaking a mixture within a reasonably designated time. This period is often referred to as a product’s “shelf life,” and is largely based on the products intended use and dispensing methods. A shampoo’s shelf life is not etched in granite given there are so many variables affecting them. They are nothing more than guidelines. Water alone will not spoil, but it will amass bacteria and other contaminants. These include dander, hair, condensation, heat, and oxidation. The presence of these pollutants rapidly exhausts the preservative far before ever reaching its anticipated shelf life.

It should come as no surprise that greater storage and dispensing care are required for ‘premium blends’ given they are more sophisticated formulas. These liquids have a higher percent of solids boasting more active proteins and extracts making them more susceptible to the spoilage variables I just mentioned.

Remember how the handler I spoke to said, “After 1 to 2 months” her gallons smelled rank. I assure you that within only 24 to 48 hours of pre-diluting her gallon mixtures they were teaming with bacteria. That is well before they notably began to smell foul.

Storage Guidelines

Fact: Grooming liquids contain proteins, botanicals, fragrance, essential oils, and other ingredients susceptible to heat, moisture, and pollutants. It’s not a matter of if they will spoil, but when.

1. Wash and dry your hands before opening and closing shampoo bottles.
2. Always store grooming liquids in a climate-controlled room (preferably well below 80^oF, the cooler the better) because prolonged exposure to heat rapidly exhausts any preservative within the mixture, leading to premature spoilage.
3. Freezing temperatures may also affect liquid performance. Upon receipt, examine your product packaging for damages or cracks due to freeze expansion. Compromised packaging typically leads to contamination, oxidation, and rapid spoilage.
4. Always secure the lids tightly to prevent humidity and air borne debris from contaminating contents.
5. Keep unused/unopened product in its original container. Avoid combining contents in unsavory bulk containers.

Water Quality and Dilution Guidelines

Fact: Tap water will vary by region and can sometimes hinder bathing results. High alkaline pH levels can be challenging for some shampoos. Call your water utility provider for a free quality assessment report or consider testing it yourself. Water testing strips are available online or at pool supply stores. It is important to know what you’re working with.
Adding water to shampoo compromises the mixtures overall preservative balance.

1. Water quality factors like pH, mineral content, and bacteria levels influence product performance. This explains why many competition groomers and handlers often use bottled distilled water for consistency in results.
2. Dilution rates are merely guidelines. It is not uncommon for most shampoo products to successfully stretch beyond what is recommended. Be encouraged to dilute to preference and to experiment with results.
3. When diluting with water, only mix what is anticipated for each scheduled work session.
4. Discard all unused diluted shampoo/conditioner within 24 hours.

Simple Dilution Guide

(N:1 means N to 1, or Add N parts water + 1 part shampoo)

Gallon Bottle Example:

Let us look at 10:1 dilution. In this case using a gallon bottle with 11 parts (10 parts water + 1 part product). Since there are 128 ounces in a gallon, divide 128 by 10, which will net a total of 12.8 ounces. Assuming you had 10 to 1 shampoo, you would add 12.8 ounces of shampoo (a tad more than 3 cups) to a gallon bottle, then fill it the rest of the way with water.

You can substitute any number into the N place of the formula and follow the logic above to calculate how much product is required with water. Remember, it is just a guideline

Quart Bottle Example

Using the 10:1 gallon example above, since there are 4 quarts in a gallon (128 divided by 4 = 32). Divide the 12.8 ounces by 4, and you get 3.2 ounces. Add 3.2 ounces (a tad more than ¾ cup) to a quart bottle, then fill it the rest of the way with water.

Note: 1 cup = 4 fluid ounces.

Tips When Using a Bathing System

Fact: Most pet shampoo work safely and effectively in any bathing system device. However, conditioners may not work in every unit due to oxidation causing the mixture to congeal and harden leading to build-up or clogging.

1. Be certain all shampoo system maintenance and cleaning protocols are followed in accordance with the manufacturer’s specific guidelines.
2. When using premix application systems like Cosmos® or Prima®, only mix what is anticipated for each scheduled work session. Please understand how contents will go rank if not depleted from each system within a reasonable time. Please adhere to manufacturer’s warranty guidelines.
3. When using Metered bathing systems like BatherBox® or BathMaster® which syphon liquid directly from the gallon jug, make certain all fittings are securely fastened and do not leak air or moisture inside. Gallon jugs with loose or compromised fittings are more susceptible to contamination. Please adhere to manufacturer’s warranty guidelines.
4. Recirculating bathing pumps like the original Hydrosurge® Pump or Bathing Beauty® require ongoing sanitizing. Please rinse clean and dry filters, nozzles, and hoses according manufacturer’s warranty guidelines.
5. Please make sure there is no cleaning chemical residue left behind in your bathing system that could risk contaminating any shampoo mixture or irritating a pet’s skin.

Tips for Using Mixing Bottles

Fact: Misuse of mixing bottles is common among grooming salons and often leads to cross contamination.

1. Designate a separate dilution bottle for each specific liquid product used.
2. Do not reuse any empty bottles from another product. This helps avoid cross contamination.
3. Avoid using squeeze tops because they can suck filthy water back into the mixing bottle.
4. Use hot water and dish detergent for cleaning. The sanitize cycle on your dishwasher is most effective.
5. Do not reuse empty bottles that contained bleach, disinfectant, pesticides, essential oils, ammonia, and/or peroxides for mixing shampoo. These tainted bottles will contaminate grooming liquids and should be disposed of.

Tips for Hand Pump Dispensers

Fact: Open pumps breathe, allowing air and condensation back into the container leading to unwanted spoilage.

1. Make sure pumps are fully twisted shut or securely covered with a tied plastic bag when not in use.
2. Designate one specific gallon pump for each product used to avoid mingling with other products and cross contamination.
3. Write the product’s brand name on each dispensing pump or mixing bottle to match its designated gallon jug.
4. The best way to clean reusable dispensing pumps is to disassemble then run through a hot dishwasher cycle.
5. Do not clean plastic pumps with essential oils. Oils act as solvents, which soften plastic, making it porous and susceptible to harboring bacteria.
6. Please be sure each pump is fully dry before placing them back into a gallon of product.

Tips for Managing Shampoo Inventory

Fact: Most shampoo manufacturers guarantee their products within 30 to 45 days from purchase. Try writing both the item purchase date and the day it was opened directly on the container with a permanent marking pen to keep track.

1. Rotate your stock using oldest items first.
2. During extreme weather months it is important to order from a supplier close in proximity. Shorter delivery times reduce the likelihood of damages and premature spoilage to your product.
3. It is best to place orders earlier in the week rather than later. This reduces any likelihood of your order sitting in a delivery truck over a long weekend of sweltering summer heat or subzero freezing temperatures.
4. Hold on to receipts for proof of purchase. You can often return or exchange defective product within warranty.
5. Avoid making large bulk purchases beyond a 3-month supply. Turning your inventory more frequently reduces the likelihood of any unexpected spoilage and damage. Most grooming supply catalogs and warehouses offer very convenient 2-to-3-day delivery as well as free shipping options. This not only helps you maintain fresh inventory, but frees up your cash resources for other things.

Final Thoughts

Social media and the internet continue to influence our lives. They offer so many platforms to express personal opinions and bring common bonds together. Yet, despite all of the infinite opinions and information for us to rely upon, they typically fall short on accountability to truth and wisdom.

One of my favorite writers Harlan Ellison wrote, “You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant.” I whole heartedly agree with this statement. And Stephen Hawking even said, “The greatest enemy to knowledge is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge.” Give that some time to settle into your mind. What do you think he was referring to?

Fortunately, truth, wisdom, and integrity still manage to prevail in pet grooming so far. What better way to strengthen our industry than by sharing knowledge and furthering one’s education. I am genuinely grateful to the many group forums, podcasts, digital publications, and websites that exist specifically for groomers. However, I would argue the need for more companies to come forward and grace these streams of content with greater knowledge for everyone’s benefit. I see a missed opportunity for industry leaders.

About the Author: Dave Campanella is an informative and entertaining seminar speaker, contributing trade columnist and genuine grooming enthusiast. He is Best Shot Pet Products sales and marketing director with 30 years of pet industry wisdom. He and his wife Tracy co-owned a full-service pet salon and self-wash in Ohio prior to relocating with Best Shot to Kentucky. Together they enjoy exhibiting at grooming shows, being industry ambassadors, and showing their Kerry Blue Terriers, Samoyed, and Lowland Polish Sheepdog.

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