Xavier Blogs: Ep. 10 - Green on the Go

June 14, 2009

What do you know, the groomers actually have to do some exercise. This quick sniff challenge was quite a bit of fun. Making the groomers have to ride a bike to power their clippers is again, deliciously evil! I love it! If there is one thing we could all use (including myself) it's more exercise. Danielle was spot on with her taking the initiative on the bike. Spin class isn't easy, but she's no Lance Armstrong. Unless you are used to biking, running or any continuous high impact cardio routine, you aren't going to last. Why didn't we use the versaclimber (go on and Google it)?? Both teams were having a tough time, but it was Lisa and Huber who pulled it off. Good job!

Now the challenge: the groomers had to visit clients in the new "green" Wag'n Tails mobile grooming van. They each had to deal with cats and dogs, too bad it wasn't raining. For me, working with your clients, and not the four-legged kind, is part of the job. I've had some real show parents ... back seat handlers. What can you do? It's about managing expectations and mitigating the risks. You have to make judgment calls and determine what the opportunity costs are for each situation. For me, the goal is to finish the championship on the dog. But for the groomers, it's to deliver good service.

Beyond being late, with Bill and Danielle it came down to "who" did "what" portion of the dog. Bill is a talented groomer! But if Joey can't drop a comb through it, then there is a problem. If I screw up in the ring, then the onus is on me and in my case, the consequences are financial -- politics aside, of course.

So, it's down to Danielle, Lisa and Huber. This is getting tough! I have to say it wasn't easy for me to see Bill go. At this stage, it's all about respect and trying to pick out the slightest mistake.

Xavier
www.xavierasantiago.com

Comments

[Emily and Allison]

OMG i have a few things I would say to Danielle right now. She should have gone home last week insead of Cassandra but she didn't. This week, she said that the back of the dog was not her responsibility, putting Bill on the chopping block. If I were the judges, I would have sent her home this week. I can only hope that next week with induvidual challanges, she won't find anyone else to blame for her lack of skill and will be sent home once and for all!

[Tom]

It's the point of the show, to judge the groomers work, but using superlatives like "Train Wreck", "Terrible", "Titanic" and "Horrible" to describe a professional groomers job just undermines the professionalism of the judges. To be totally fair, there should be categories and each judge should assign a numerical value for each of the categories for each of the grooms. That should be summed up and used to rank the grooms.

I really enjoy the grooming challenges and the "Quick Sniff" challenges, but when it comes to judging, I just don't enjoy the non-professional way it's done. It just seems amateurish and I know the judges know so much more than is coming across.

How is this done in judging dog shows? Perhaps some of their techniques could be adopted to give this show a more professional air.

Enjoy (most of) the show, Tom.

[Kent]

I like Doc H. She is firm but reasonable, and is constructive in her criticism, not condescending. Xavier is just pissy, petty and patronizing. He acts as though he is THE only person on the planet who adores and knows how to handle dogs, and the only person worthy of owning one. Of course, you never want to hit the quick when trimming nails, but it DOES happen to the most experienced groomers and vets from time to time. Yes, it smarts a little and should definitely be avoided but to hear Joey and Xavier tell it you'd think they had ripped the dog's legs off and enjoyed doing it. Anyone can make an unintentional mistake (they're human) and probably feels terrible about it. Quick stop was not made because people, (even big shots) never make mistakes. I doubt if you will find any reputable vet that doesn't keep it on hand and it isn't because they'll never need it. When Xavier judges the dogs, I'm surprised he doesn't carry his scepter with him.

[Marie]

I like Xavier, but is this really how he pronounces his name? (Zbigniew Brzezinsky put up with the mispronunciation for ever)

He made a big deal out of quicking the dog and Lisa (?) said the right thing - some of the competition is to see what the groomers have to say for themselves when things go "wrong".

I was sad to see Bill go too, he had so much fun with the "people" activities - the yarn dog and the Look Alike - and with the whole thing.

[Kate & Zena]

The quick sniff was great. I'm glad it wasn't a Versaclimber! I would have hated seeing them on a Versaclimber; talk about painful!

Bill is a great groomer and I do think he should have done something to get all those knots out. Yes, it's hard to deal with a nagging customer but his job was to make sure the rear end was tangle and mat free. It was really sad to see him go (I'm definitely going to miss his hilarious commentary). We're down to the Huey, Dewey and Louie.

[michelle hayes]

i love all 3 judges. they each have different careers with animals and that is what makes them well rounded. as for clipping nails too close it does affect them. I had my chow groomed every 6 weeks and the groomer would clip her nails and she did not mind it until they clipped it too short. The groomer did not notice it and I noticed with her bleeding. After that time they had to literally knock her out because even sedating her wasnt enough. It ruined her even letting them groom her. Yes it does have a big impact on the animal.

[J.C. DogHero]

Since I've never heard of the versaclimber, I went ahead and Googled it... hehe, that would've been something to see! Huber really had a lot of weight to carry in that challenge, since Lisa had problems with the bike. I was amazed when they beat Bill and Danielle, who were both able to pedal without problems like Lisa's - now THAT'S dedication for you!
I felt a little panicky when Lisa quicked her kitty, remembering last season. She handled it properly though, and is to be commended - very professional!
I was sad to see Bill go, his commentaries were the best! However, like you said last season, "One irate customer can do you in," and Valentino's mom was no exception. From the scenes shown, the overall groom felt very rushed; again, the pressure got to the groomers.
At this stage, it'll be sad to see any of the top three go. It's down to the wire now... kind of a bummer that this season's almost over, but exciting at the same time - someone's gonna be Groomer of the Year soon!
As always, looking forward to next week!!
~J.C.

[Frank]

I have been watching and recording Groomer has since the first episode of last year. I would like to know if anyone sees that Xavier is being "clipped" as the term the host of the show uses so regularly. The editing is a mess this year. On the last show they looked to Xavier for an opinion and they cut his whole sentence to look like he was saying “Duh”. What was the reason for that? I have also noticed that Xavier is getting less exposure on this show during the season. Are those people on the set crazy???? I have news for you people XAVIER MAKES YOUR SHOW!!!! You all have seen Simon on American Idol. Xavier has the same passion for this competition as Simon has for his. That’s what drives people to be viewers. It’s the mixture of the passion that stirs within us.

If a groomer can’t take his professional opinion then stay home and weep and don’t bother to compete. That is what competing is all about. There can only be one winner. You all remember Artist. He was at first, not as good, as the rest but he did not whine when he lost challenges he overcame and followed the directions of Xavier, Joey, and the Doc. That’s what makes a winner. Artist has become an American Dream. Now he has his own show. That’s the kind of entertainment that I love. Happy endings!!

The other reason why we love this show so much is because of Xavier. He tells it like it is and if your feelings are hurt you need to thicken your coat and get with the program. The first year Xavier told a contestant who was tearing the coat out of a weeping dog (just so he could get the dog done on time), "My number one concern is the dog." I do not know the exact quote but the gist of his comment was you hurt that dog you are going to have to contend with him. I respect that and I think that most of the viewers see his loyalty to his profession.

I sincerely hope that Season 3 will be back strong and we will get to SEE more of Xavier and HEAR what he has to say instead of this bogus editing job they are doing this year. Who is the editor? Maybe he/she should be “Clipped”. You have the potential to have a great show. Don’t blow it.

[Marie]

I agree with the editing comments. It seemed laast season it was a lot easier to comprehend what the judges were saying, how they judged the dogs, even what they saw or felt when they assessed the dogs. The judge assessments are the real meat - they explain why and how someone won - I know ZIP about grooming and with Basenjis I never will - so I need to hear and hopefully see the observations and thought processes to appreciate the show at all -

[stacy]

I agree 100/0

[Leesa G.]

I think so too. I would love to hear more of what the judges' opinions are. I know that some editing has to be done but if pertinant info is being cut then the public watching the show is being misled. We don't have the ability to touch, comb or even really get to see the finished pets. Just like watching Westminster or any other dog show, unless you get to really understand what it is that the judges have based their opinions on, then you just have to trust they made the right one.

[Xavier A. Santiago]

Everyone: Good God!!!! Such passion. Frank: you completely get it! Leesa G.: thanks for chiming in. I wish we could give more reasoning in the cut but TV is a blend and very difficult to accomplish. Stacy, thanks for the support! JC Doghero: always appreciative, as you always know how to find the point-very astute. Marie, Kate & Zena, emily and allison, and michelle hayes: i am glad you guys are enjoying the show... and btw, i am used to the mispronunciation of my name. Tom: actually at dog shows, they don't even give you a reason. I wish they would. We do give reasons, but not all of them make it and that is why our blogs are here. We try to answer as much as possible in the blogs, after the cut. Hopefully dog shows will follow along the same lines as thy are done in Europe.
Cheers everyone!!!!

[Leesa G.]

Well next year, when I'm on the show (I HOPE!), maybe they'll give us an hour and a half so veiwers can see more of the grooming, the finished dogs, and your (the judges) comments on what makes these dogs well or not so well groomed! Just a thought!

[K9 Care]

Hi Xavier, Wow, all I can say is I'm glad I didn't have to pedal the bike!!! Huber is in great shape to have been able to accomplish the whole challenge while Lisa did the grooming. Who says groomers lack physical conditioning!!! Bill & Danielle did very well with this challenge also.
Was really sorry to see Bill go, as I think he was a very good groomer. Now it is down to the nitty-gritty of grooming! Stay on your toes groomers, pay attention to the small stuff!!!!! Good luck!!! Carol.

[Shellie A Wayne]

Hello! my name is Shellie Wayne, I'm a state of california Pet Instucter/certified and used to own my own shop Grooming Galleria. I've groomed for 26 years and I was a mentor for high school students. I'm a very compassionate groomer and always followed through by talking to clients about their pet everytime they came into mine or other peoples shops and vets. I'm very aware of what important in the pet grooming industry and I miss it so, so much and I hear all the time when will I come back or I should start it up again because the knowledge and the grooming and talking to the pets and so fourth. Because of the devorce a couple of years ago I lost everything, except my car and furniture. I lost my home and before the devorce I had to sell my shop/my love to another groomer and it just killed my heart everytime I had to drive by it. I miss all the workers I had and students I had and most importantly the animals. I always told them because I treated them and talked to them that if they ever had to go to doggy heaven please put in a good word for me. I would love for anyone who reads this to please contact me to get on the show Groomer Has It or Artist Knoxs about the school he wants. I would love to be a contestant on Groomer Has It, I'm hoping I haven't lost a posssiable chance of a life time to miss out on a oppertuninty to win maybe so I can pervide for myself and not be unemployed. Email me at: shellieslife@hotmail.com, once you've emailed me back I will give out my number. Thank You! Hope to hear from you all soon.

[netta]

Out of all the shows on Animal Planet this is the one I like the least.

[banjo]

I think Cassandra should have one!