Notes from the Grooming Table

[cajuntank]

Why is this book so expensive? Is it really worth the price?

[allpaws]

notes from the grooming table

seems like it is very much worth it. I had to do a scottie, from scratch, no advise and no experience...and was able to do a passable groom just using the book. Its the groomers bible my goodness well worth it at twice the cost lori

[Peaster]

Simply put Yes its worth it. I have never seen another book that can hold a candle to it in terms of quality.

[Giselle]

Absolutely!

Hi cajuntank,

I am currently in school. And this book is awesome! It is very detailed and shows you how to set the pattern, etc. It is well worth it. If you can try to get the book. I know Petedge has them and maybe cheaper that some other suppliers.

[Poodlefluff]

I think it is worth the price if you would like to have a very detailed book on how to groom every breed. I had one girl that bathed for 1 year then bought the book when I began to train her how to groom and I never had to show much after that she learned to groom by just reading the book and she was good too. I really liked the first 70 pages on bathing and brush out techniques. It was standard issue at the school I taught at.

[ejmj30]

I'd say it's worth it. I use it a lot, and I feel I have a good grasp on most breed patterns. The only complaint I have about it is I'm not sure what they plan on doing for new breeds that are accepted into the AKC after the book is published. I'm hoping they do a small additional book that people can buy to add to the "old" one. I need her instructions on a Black Russian Terrier.

Hey, Melissa, if you're reading this...can you publish the new breeds, and maybe some that are going to be next??? At least the trimmed breeds. Thanks!

[Helly]

Among other reasons, the book is expensive because it costs a lot of money to set up and print a book, and the book has limited appeal. The general public isn't going to be interested, and isn't going to buy it. It's not going to sell a million copies in 6 weeks, like a book that is a best seller. So the printing costs don't get spread out as much.

Is it worth the price? I think that might depend on whether your relatively new to grooming, or whether you've been grooming since Fluff was a kitten, cut your goomer's teeth at dog shows, and was trained to groom by a professional show handler. It's a nice reference, though, and the pictures are great to show customers when you're suggesting different options for their dog's groom.

Personally, I was disappointed with some aspects of the book. For example, on the wire coats, it states they should be stripped to maintain the proper texture and color of the coat. But many of us don't hand strip, and there are no real instructions for clipping these breeds, no suggested blade sizes for the different areas of the dog. Personally, I don't need those instructions, but my assistant groomer does. Which means I can't just tell her to use the book. I still have to tell her how to do it and what blades to use where.

[neanea]

Personally, I was disappointed with some aspects of the book. For example, on the wire coats, it states they should be stripped to maintain the proper texture and color of the coat. But many of us don't hand strip, and there are no real instructions for clipping these breeds, no suggested blade sizes for the different areas of the dog. Personally, I don't need those instructions, but my assistant groomer does. Which means I can't just tell her to use the book. I still have to tell her how to do it and what blades to use where.

I have used it numerous times and it does give the breed standard grooming, but it also gives the pet styles suggestions. (Blades, combs, etc)

To me it was worth the investment and I just received "Theory of 5" today. Can't wait to have time to really go thru it.

[Crystal]

This book was a huge relief for me. I use it all the time, and many times I go back just to read it. It is very well illustrated, and each breed is thoroughly explained.

WELL WORTH IT!!!

[Chicken]

I love this book & feel it's worth twice what they ask! We refer to it regularly & at a former very big shop it got passed around all day long between groomers. It shows you how to set unusual patterns, unusual breeds, suggestions on blades or combs, where to focus your attention, etc.

[Helly]

I have used it numerous times and it does give the breed standard grooming, but it also gives the pet styles suggestions. (Blades, combs, etc)

To me it was worth the investment and I just received "Theory of 5" today. Can't wait to have time to really go thru it.

Check the German Wirehaired, Spinoni Italiano, and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon...there's very little if any instruction on clipping or doing a pet groom on these breeds. Just stripping...which IMO people should not be attempting without one on one instruction anyway.

[foxhound lady]

It is so worth the money.

I luv the whole book mine is ear marked and highlighted it looks like it went through the ringer.

[Peaster]

It wasn't around when I learned to groom but I really like it for when I get a breed that I have never done or rarely do. I wished it had illistrations of terrier heads straight on not just from the side. But it looks like there is in the Theory of 5

[JJk]

yes, yes, and yes

[k2p1e]

When I was in school I mostly did all shih-tzu. Nothing else. I learned scissor control, how to spot the stickies and neat clippering but that was it.

Now I am in my own shop (there was no opportunity to work for another groomer, nearest shop was 1 hour 45 mins away too far!) and I am on my own and getting in clients that want specific patterns I have never done but guess what? No problem! The book is wonderful, it is the best out there. Yes now and then I come across somehting I wish had more detail or more info for the pet clip but by far it is worth the money. I use it to show customers what I can do and it is well laid out.
I wish we had used this book, it makes everything so much more clear and precise and I feel I am a step above due to it, thank you Melissa! being on my own is not as scary!