Harlequin Creative Grooming LIVE Tutorial
by Wendy Pegoda
Watch Wendy Pegoda create a bold Harlequin-inspired creative grooming design using OPAWZ pet-safe dog hair dye. If you missed the live demo, don't worry — we’ve recapped everything Wendy shared, from prepping with OPAWZ deep cleansing shampoo to creating crisp lines using vet wrap and string. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, this creative grooming tutorial will help you master OPAWZ pet-safe dyes.
Colors used: OPAWZ Super Black + Hot Red
During this live demo inside the OPAWZ Facebook Group, Wendy showcased how to create bold red-and-black patterns using OPAWZ pet-safe dog hair dye while keeping the process safe, comfortable, and stress-free for the dog.
Whether you’re exploring creative grooming for competitions, themed events, social media content, or salon artistry, this tutorial offers valuable insights into color placement, preparation, and design execution.
Products & Colors Used
Wendy used the following OPAWZ creative grooming colors for this design:
The dog was first prepped using OPAWZ deep cleansing shampoo to ensure the coat was clean and ready for optimal color absorption.
Creative Grooming Preparation Tips
Before starting the design work, Wendy emphasized the importance of preparation:
1. Cut hair FIRST, then dye
“For me, I like to get the hair cut first and design how I want it. That's just how I do it. And it's less dye that you have to waste.” — Wendy
Wendy prefers to complete the haircut and shaping before applying color.
Completing the haircut and shaping before applying color helps groomers better visualize the final design while creating cleaner, more balanced pattern placement. It also reduces unnecessary product waste since color is only applied where needed, allowing for more precise detailing and sharper overall results.
2. Start with a Clean Coat
A properly cleansed coat helps the dog hair color absorb more evenly and appear more vibrant.
3. Use a Calm, Comfortable Dog
Journey, the model dog for this demo, is experienced with creative grooming and remains calm throughout the process. Wendy also gives the dog regular breaks during long coloring sessions.
Key Techniques from the Live Demo
Using String for Straight Design Lines
Wendy soaked a piece of string in dye and laid it along the dog’s body to create a perfect guide line before painting. This simple but effective technique helped reduce mistakes, improve symmetry throughout the design, and speed up the overall pattern mapping process for cleaner, more professional-looking results.
Creating Crisp Lines with Vet Wrap
To maintain sharp, clean edges around the legs, Wendy used vet wrap as a guide for color separation during the grooming process. This helpful technique keeps lines more symmetrical, prevents accidental color overlap, and improves the overall precision and polished appearance of the final design, ideal for crisp edges.
Groomer Q&A (Highlights)
Question: Short-haired dog like a Belgian Malinois — can this be done? Temporary solution for Halloween?
✅ Wendy answered: Yes — Super Black works well on darker coats for leopard or tiger stripes. For temporary: use pet chalk (lasts 2-3 days) or airbrush (lasts about a week).
Question: Can Creative Grooming Be Done on Dark Dogs?
✅ Dark haired dogs can absolutely participate in creative grooming. Strong shades like Super Black work especially well for:
- Leopard prints
- Tiger stripes
- Accent designs
- Pattern enhancement
For temporary effects, chalks and airbrush techniques can also be used, although the colors appear softer and pastel-like compared to permanent or semi-permanent dyes.
Question: “Do you have to be good at drawing?”
✅ Wendy answered: “If you can draw diamonds and straight lines, you can do good. You definitely have to enjoy it — it takes a lot of time and patience.” Also mentions stencils are an option for wiggly dogs.
Question: Where to learn creative grooming classes?
✅ OPAWZ offers in-person seminars at HQ + online courses coming soon.
Pro Tip: Give Your Dog Breaks
Wendy normally applies one color, rinses, gives a break, then does the next color. For the live demo, she changed it up to prevent color mixing — but she still let Journey rest throughout.
“Because the process takes so long, I like to give them breaks in between.”
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