Bad groomer tales...

[pomtzu]

Sandie - I changed the wording - from bad grooming, to bad groomer. That better defines it.

[Pam]

Ellie I am shuddering just reading what you wrote. How awful!!!! I started out 30+ years ago with two toy poodles and hubby and myself began grooming them ourselves just to see if we could do it and also to save some money. We have just kept at it. When I got Bella I was older and thought that it might be nice to see what a groomer could do since grooming a standard poodle is a big job. I started grooming her initially but began using a groomer maybe when she was six months old. Almost from the first visit she developed a yeast infection in her ear. Her ear canal on the left side is smaller and consequently when she shakes her head the water doesn't all come out and that bred the yeast. I was careful with her when I bathed her, not to get water in her ears, but apparently the groomer wasn't. It was quite a job to get it under control and she even had to be put under at the vet's for an ear flushing procedure. Needless to say, I have been grooming her myself since then.

Regarding the job that the groomer did......well let's just say I can see where they cut corners (taking a dog too close) rather than take the time to work with a mat, of which Bella seldom ever had one. I was one of those people who thoroughly brushed her BEFORE her visit. I also hated the way they did her tail pom. It was never round and they only did the very tip rather than using 2/3 of the tail for the pom. I always thought...."oh well, it will grow and maybe next time they will do better." Then one day I ran into the breeder of my third poodle who looked at Bella with horror and said to me "who did her pom?" I quickly said "not me!" LOL! I am a firm believer in doing my own grooming. It is a great bonding experience with your dog and you know what has gone on. It saves money too! If I make a mistake, it grows out!

[Taz_Zoee]

The very first time we took Zoee to the groomers she had diarrhea for 5 days after. She went back to this groomer a few more times because I liked how she cut it very short without shaving. Then I began taking her to PetSmart. I took her there a few times and they could never get it short enough. I'd take her home and cut it shorter (mainly her rear area). So since I purchased the clippers I just do it myself. I take her every great once in a while to the groomers. The last time she was groomed, my 15 year old niece did it. It didn't look the best but it was her first time and she did an okay job.

Thank goodness Taggart doesn't need clipping on his coat. Whew!

[Medusa]

This is so scary, Ellie. I guess I was lucky when I had my peke-a-poos, Charmin and Daisy and my border collie, Heidi. I went to the same groomer always and she was wonderful w/them. She even had a senior day when she worked only on senior dogs because she said that she needs to take more time w/them because she has to be more careful. When I called to tell her that I would only be bringing one dog in for grooming next time, she cried. I wish you success in finding a good groomer that you can trust w/your furbabies.

[Pam]

When I called to tell her that I would only be bringing one dog in for grooming next time, she cried.

Wow! That's the kind of person anyone would want working on their dog. What a gentle soul and true dog lover. When I was selecting Bella at the breeder's she was asking me about my former poodles. When I told her how Whitney died her eyes filled up and she never even met her. Yep, there are some people who really love dogs and some who use dogs to make a buck. Sad.

[pomtzu]

I really wish I could find a one person operation, like someone that works out of their home, rather than a multiple groomer shop. There is a girl here locally that has a mobile grooming operation - she has a van equipped with self contained water, water heater, hydrobath, etc, etc, etc, and she comes to the house and just works right in the driveway. I sent her an email with info on both my furkids, requesting rates, but I'm sure it will be more than I can afford - but nothing ventured/nothing gained I suppose. All I know for sure at this point, is that they will not go back to the 2 previous groomers.

I would like to be able to do them myself, but unfortunately I don't think I could handle the clippers with the lack of sensation in my hands. Just combing them is an effort. I can't imagine what they would look like after I was done trying to use clippers on them.

[Medusa]

I can recall when I first got my dog Charmin and I was researching groomers. I went to one place and the man seemed nice enough and I was seriously considering him when one of the little dogs in a cage, a cute little peke-a-poo or lhasa, not sure which, barked and the guy whipped around and slapped that cage really hard and yelled "Shut up!" My husband and I turned on our heels and walked out. I'd thought about calling the police but there was no evidence that he hurt the dogs but I'm sure he scared them to death. My Charmy was such a little luvvie. There's no way that I would've subjected her to that treatment.