After launching On The Go Grooming with his wife Jessica in 2006 and Alpha Grooming Products in 2013, Troy Ratliff has finally earned a U.S. Patent for creating the first-ever water-proof grooming loop called the AXL Grooming Loop.
On The Go Grooming is a full-service mobile pet studio, while Alpha Grooming Products was born out of frustration with inconsistent and unreliable grooming products. Ratliff created the online store and immediately began developing products to remedy the exasperation.
“We are excited about getting this done,” Ratliff said. “We knew there was a possibility they could not approve it. We started the process 3 years ago, so it has taken some time. Our other pending patents should be approved in 1 to 2 years.”
The AXL Grooming Loop comprises biothane, a form of coated nylon that is worn around the dog’s neck as a harness. There is a stainless steel slide for adjusting the size, a cam lock to keep it in place, and a stainless steel o-ring for secondary tethering.
Ratliff has patents pending for his magnetic mats, a suction cup tie-down point, and a belly band to help dogs battling old age or bad knees stand.
In 2022, the grooming industry voted him the best new product of the year for the suction cup tie-down point.
“Now that we have the patent, we can work on licensing,” he said. We are already noticing competitors who have taken our designs and created their own versions; it’s frustrating. Now, no one can enter the market with a similar design.”
Ratliff said he’s seen several knock-offs from overseas at trade shows and that the quality never compares to Alpha Grooming.
“The quality of our stuff exceeds that of those trying to copy it,” he said. “They don’t have the vision to obtain that quality because they’re so worried about dollar signs. What separates us from other companies is that I do this every day.”
Ratliff currently has distributors in Los Angeles, CA; West Palm Beach, FL; Canada; and Australia and is potentially expanding to Brazil.
From May 17 through May 19, he’ll be front and center at the convention center for the RW Groom X Grooming Competition and Expo. Ratliff will have a signature display at the entrance, and several of his products will be displayed.
Click here to learn more about Alpha Grooming Products.
