Red Carpet Ready for Rover

Oscar fever is in the air as they approach on Sunday February 26th, and even I can’t help but get excited to see the show. Of course my vote is for The Artist, with that adorable Jack Russell terrier stealing every black and white scene. But it’s not the days of Lassie, when her soft hued “bedroom eyes” could make the other dogs swoon. Today’s high definition cameras show under eye tear stains that can make a dog look more like your last hangover! While we can dab on some cover up, your dog’s tear stains can be a little bit trickier to handle.

A dog’s tear stains are caused by a number of factors; nutrition, external irritations, or even simple genetics. The discoloration that happens under the eyes is most often caused by bacteria growth. Each dog is different, so the remedy for each will be different as well.

Your dog’s diet could be affecting bacteria growth in their system, so changing their food could help. I believe natural is always better, so make sure to check ingredients. Sometimes a daily dose of calcium carbonate, like that found in an antacid, will be enough to adjust the pH of their tears, making it harder for bacteria to grow.

It’s not hard to imagine the environmental issues that could affect your pint-sized companion, walking side by side with your fabulous Manolo Blahnik’s puts Fifi right on level with dust, dirt, and car exhaust! All of that debris could cause even the happiest pup to shed some tears. Wiping her face after each walk will help to keep the tear ducts clean and ready to work properly, keeping your pup’s eyes clear and bright. When tearing does occur an all natural way to kill bacteria and microbes is colloidal silver water, found at most health stores. Daily application with a spray bottle or cotton pad can prevent staining from ruining an otherwise great face.

Whatever the reason for your dog’s tear stains, these tips should help you and your dog leave that runny mascara look in the past and, just like the pros, be ready for your close up in no time!

By Jorge Bendersky,

Celebrity Dog Expert and Groomer

Bright Lights, Dog City: Westminster Dog Show is Here Again

In New York City this Valentine’s Day, you might see the Empire State Building glowing purple and gold. Celebrating gay marriage rights? Lovely thought, but no. Purple and gold are the Westminster Kennel Club’s colors and a sign that the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is back again. This competition is a chance for the best breeders in the world to show off their breeding program, and compete for a title. A dog with champion parents or even having a celebrity owner, doesn’t mean he’s a sure thing though, because this show is reserved to dogs already holding American Championship titles, and competition is fierce.

A prancing poodle with perfect bracelets and a nice round pom might look more like something seen on Toddlers and Tiaras, but that primping is about more than looks. A pretty face but imperfect specimen of dog need not apply, because being picture perfect goes deeper than a nice coat and a hot trot. Grooming is, of course, a key element, but the right diet, trim look, training, and relationship with the handler are important factors when it comes time for a dog’s turn in the ring. Who better to understand the pressure of being physically perfect than former dancers from the New York City Ballet, Heather Watts and Damien Woetzel? They were owners who could understand the pressure, but that doesn’t necessarily help when a dog takes a twirl in the ring, facing being compared to the standards of perfection for the breed. Tutus aside, crowning a champion is serious business.

That serious business will get a little more interesting in its 136^th year, as the WKC is making sure the competition isn’t getting predictable by introducing six new competing breeds, in a variety of shapes, sizes, and show groups. From fluffy, like the Finnish Lapphund, a reindeer herding dog, or hairless, like the Xoloitzcuintli, the national breed of Mexico, this change shows dedication to preserving purebred recognized breeds.

A champion dog’s show life might be short, whether bred from a Westminster winner, or with a celebrity sugar daddy, like Bill Cosby, and eventually, each dog will retire to the ease of a pet dog’s life. But while the lights are bright at Madison Square Garden on February 13^th and 14^th dog lovers everywhere have the chance to see what this sport’s favorite spectacle is really all about.

Much Love,

Jorge Bendersky

Heart to Heart

This year, as Valentine’s Day nears, I have been thinking a lot about relationships, well, the relationship between a dog and his person that is. (What can I say, I’m not a romantic and my life has literally gone to the dogs!) My own Pomeranian, Tito, for example, is not just my dog, he lets me watch trashy tv, and wakes up to get coffee with me in the morning. Tito listens when I just feel like talking – we all know texting can be exhausting! - and he is always happy to see me after a long day of work.

It’s not just me though. In my line of work, grooming the dogs of New York’s elite, I see that whether you live uptown or downtown, everybody gets stressed. But when a little pup comes in the room, even a fashion diva or a big shot lawyer can’t help but smile. What if you don’t have a career in high fashion and carry your dog around in Gucci? Well, my experience says the positive effects of a dog are universal.

This is not just my opinion. Many studies, by doctors and psychologists, prove that owning a dog can actually help make you a happier and healthier person. Petting your dog calms you down and reduces your anxiety, which helps lower blood pressure and reduces heart related diseases. Having a dog to come home to, play with, and take walks with can help fight off depression or loneliness and will lead to a more active lifestyle. Being out with your dog could even help you get a date!

When it comes down to it, having Tito around might actually be making me a better person. Don’t tell Tito though, we don’t need his ego getting any bigger!

With Love,

Jorge Bendersky

PS/ Don't forget to check my TOP 5 Grooming products at PupStyle.com

In Memory of John Nash (1951-2009)

As everybody in the pet industry probably knows, on January 30^th, 2010, at the First Presbyterian Church of Englewood, New Jersey it was held a Service of Celebration of the Life of John Nash.

John Nash was the founder of Nash Academy of Animal Arts, as Joey Villani described it, the Ivy League Grooming School.

As I was driving over the George Washington Bridge on a very shiny and extremely cold morning I asked myself, “ Why do I’m going? I didn’t know Mr. Nash”, but I knew that deep inside my heart it was a reason for me to be there.

It has being only a few times in my life that some internal force drove me to different sites just following my heart. On September 11^th, 2001, I watched the Twin Towers fell to the ground from just a few blocks, at that moment, I knew that I needed to walk to ground zero because the city and the country I love was hurt, and I made my way there.

On April 2^nd, 2005, when Pope John Paul II died, some inner force took me to Rome to assist to his funeral, my faith was hurting.

On January 20^th, 2010, I received an e-mail from Sally Liddick inviting me to join in the celebration of John’s Life, without thinking it twice, I clear my schedule for that day, and again that inner force took over, I just knew that I needed to be there.

I didn’t asked myself the reason behind my trip to New Jersey, I just knew I was on my car driving on a almost perfect winter day. I tried to find a connection, a reason; I start making mental notes of all I knew about John Nash. Suddenly all the dots connected, and right there, over the George Washington Bridge I knew. John Nash didn’t teach how to groom; he gave groomers the tools to turn their passion into a piece of art. I wasn’t going to celebrate his life, because I didn’t know anything about it, I was going to celebrate his legacy, because I become the groomer that I’m today thank you to my mentors that learned the art of grooming and the passion for their profession from John Nash, and that passion was passed to me. That is what a real educator does; they teach how to channel your passion, not just to follow a pattern.

I didn’t have the opportunity of benefit directly from John Nash teachings, but I did benefited from his Legacy. I really enjoyed lessening to the remembrances shared by Mike Rosado, John Nash childhood friend, Joey Villani, Friend and partner, and Nubar Nakashian, John’s older brother.

The chapel was filled with friends and family who shared memorable moments.

I must say, Following my heart, one more time, filled my heart with joy, knowing that I learned a little more about one of the pioneers and more influential leaders in the pet industry.

Thank you John Nash for the years that you have dedicated to educate and inspire generations of dog groomers.

Love and blessings,

Jorge Bendersky

AMBUSH DOGGUIE MAKEOVER !!!

I'm so excited !!!
On Monday, July 6th I'm going to be teaming up with Dara Foster, Pet Fashionista Extraordinaire to take over Rock Plaza and choose 3 dogs that deserve the ultimate Makeover experience.
How great is to be able to groom in the heart of New York City!!!!.and How fabulous is that you can watch all that in nothing less than THE TODAY SHOW on NBC !!!.
If you are on the
If you missed the chance to meet me there, you can always stop by New York Dog Spa & Hotel and book an appointment to get Fido summer ready, if you mention my blog,you will get a $10 off.

APB: All deserving pups in the tri-state NYC area come on down to 30 Rock on Monday July 6th for an AMBUSH DOGGIE MAKEOVER. Bring your dog to the TODAY show plaza and by 7am they will begin scanning the crowd for three lucky dogs to get a makeover!!

See you there!!!!
Jorge Bendersky

" Groomer Has It" is BACK!!!

I’m so excited that finally, after so much expectations, Animal Planet announced that “GROOMER HAS IT Season 2” is going to premier on Saturday, April 11^th. When, again, we are going to watch 12 new groomers from around the country fighting to find out who’s clipper will still be running and who is going to get “shaved out” from the show every week. 

My secret informers have told me that they are going to be some funny new challenges, and drama is not going to be absent…

I have to say that watching the preview teaser it brought back lots of memories, and for a minute, I could feel the pain of the anticipation that the whole new Groomer Has It gang must be feeling right now. By this time last year I was about to explode!!!

I was surprised to see a few familiar faces, so I know whom I’ll be ruling for. Not that I’m going to make it public, since I’m planning to have a very active blog, maybe even a video blog. 

Since I mention familiar faces, Jai Rodriguez is again the leading men trying to keep those very opinionated Judges on their chairs. By the way, Jai looks quite buff on the promo picture, I guess with the longing of his music career he has hit the gym, Way to go Jai!!!

Stay tune not only to Animal Planet, but to my blog, where I’m going to be sharing not only my point of view, but commenting on the e-mails that I’m sure I’ll be receiving a soon the show hits the air.

Let me tell you a little bit of the GROOMER HAS IT 2 contestants:

CASSANDRA “The Spunky Chic”

Hometown: Akron, OH

Age: 25

Experience Level: 5 years

DANIELLE “Groomer from the Bronx”

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Age: 25

Experience Level: 11 years

 

HUBER “Groomer with a Heart”

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Age: 42

Experience Level: 33 years

 

JESSICA “The Girl Next Door”

Hometown: Jefferson, MA

Age: 22

Experience Level: 4 years

 

JOE “Chicken Joe”

Hometown: Wells, ME

Age: 58

Experience Level: 50+ years

 

KRISTA “Vegas Girl turned Groomer”

Hometown: Sherwood Park, Alberta, CAN

Age: 28

Experience Level: 2 years

LISA “Veteran Groomer”

Hometown: Genoa, IL

Age: 42

Experience Level: 30 years

 

MARCO “All Business”

Hometown: Redondo Beach, CA

Age: 25

Experience Level: 3 years

 

MICHEAL “Confident Groomer”

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Age: 39

Experience Level: 5 years

 

SHERRI “The PTA Mom”

Hometown: Medina, OH

Age: 28

Experience Level: 8 years

 

VANESSA “The Animal Communicator”

Hometown: Long Grove, IL

Age: 27

Experience Level: 10 years

 

WILLIAM (a.k.a. Bill) “The Fashionista”

Hometown: Delray Beach, FL

Age: 41

Experience Level: 16 years

 

Well, as we can all see, it is a pretty colorful bunch, and they have big shoes to fill J.

I just want to be the first one to welcome them to this fabulous journey.

Good luck fellow groomers !!!

You can post your comments here or contact me trough www.planetjorge.com

Much Love,

Jorge Bendersky

DOGS 101 or DOGS 911

Last night after a long day running around with friends, going to the gym and trying to enjoys what they could be the last nice warm days of the year I set myself at home, in front of the TV with Tito, my Pomeranian, to watch the new Animal Planet’s show DOGS 101, I was not only exited because I just love any show that include or is about dogs, but because Jonathan David, fellow contestant of GROOMER HAS IT was going to be featured as the Grooming expert, and my long time friend, Andrea Arden was featured as a Expert trainer, so I prop myself up and  waited for the show to came on.

The first breed featured was the FRENCH BULLDOG, who doesn’t love a FRENCHIE!!!!, the segment started with a good description of the breed history and soon after started mentioning a whole list of health issues. It was very disappointing to see how the breed problems were just mentioned as something that it comes with the territory.

As a former dog breeder, and a conformation dog judge I was horrified on how the breed was described. Obviously, someone didn’t do his home work and read the official American Kennel Club and UK Kennel Club breed standard, calling the breed non-athletic, and describing his hindquarters as narrow and WEAK!, yeah, maybe that is what you get from poorly breed dogs, but responsible breeders don’t take those faults as a norm, neither the breathing problems. Below is an extract of the AKC Breed standard:

Hindquarters: Hind legs are strong and muscular, longer than the forelegs, so as to elevate the loins above the shoulders. Hocks well let down. Feet are moderate in size, compact and firmly set. Toes compact, well split up, with high knuckles and short stubby nails; hind feet slightly longer than forefeet.

If we want to take a look on the UK Kennel Club, were the breed was actually created, the breed standard is very clear:

General Appearance: Sturdy, compact, solid, small dog with good bone, short, smooth coat. No point exaggerated, balance essential. Dogs showing respiratory distress highly undesirable.

 

Gait/Movement
Free and flowing. Soundness of movement of the utmost importance.

In either side of the ocean this terrible, painful faults such as breathing and conformation are taken in such as light way as Animal Planet is portraying it.

As a prove on how serious breathing, breeding and other faults are, the Kennel Club in England has taken the initiative, after years of asking breeders to pay attention to shrinking gene pools and to make an extra effort to breed healthy animals.

Last week the two leading dog organizations in the UK, the welfare charity Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club announced that they will be calling for Government support for an independent review into the registration, breeding and showing of dogs to ensure their long term health and welfare.

The review will be set up and funded by the Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club since the priority of both organizations is to promote and support the care, welfare and breeding of healthy dogs. 

Said Clarissa Baldwin, Chief Executive, Dogs Trust: “We believe an independent review is essential in coordinating the large body of research and evidence and to advise on workable, timely recommendations for ensuring the future good health and welfare of all dogs.”

The Kennel Club is launching a complete review of every pedigree dog breed in the UK in a move that will have far-reaching benefits for the health of many breeds.  It has also called on the government to give it the statutory powers to clamp down on breeders who fail to make a dog’s health their top priority.

A breed health plan will be coordinated for each of the UK’s 209 pedigree breeds and will benefit from the extensive research that has been funded by the Kennel Club in conjunction with renowned veterinary research centers over the past 40 years.  This will include updated breed standards to ensure that no dog is bred for features that might prevent it from seeing, walking and breathing freely.  Judges will be fully briefed on the new breed standards so that only the healthiest dogs are rewarded in the show ring.

 

As we can see, some organizations are taking the health issues seriously; you can read the full articles clicking on the Links bellow:

 

Kennel Club Announces New Changes to Safeguard Health of Pedigree Dogs

 

I hope Animal Planet and DOGS 101 producers will pay more attention and become part of the solution, and not part of the problem, after all they always broadcast some of the greatest dog shows. Do I need to remain them that the purpose of a dog show is to price and select the breed specimens that are healthy to keep our beloved companions happy and healthy for years to come? It is up to responsible breeders not to turn dog shows into “freak shows” selecting the best specimens to assure that we can all have the dogs we love, and they are not only cute, but also healthy. Gasping for air doesn’t scream healthy or happy on my book.

Other than that, the other breeds were fairly portrayed, and all the experts look and sounded great!

I’ll be looking forward for more Dogs 101 next week, and then you can stop by here so we can dish about it.

Much Love,

Jorge Bendersky

www.planetjorge.com