Dog Grooming Woes!

[critter crazy]

Why is it no matter what breed of dog i own, it is difficult to find a groomer! I just spent the last half hour calling groomers, and getting told No! What the heck?? Why is a Saint so hard to find a groomer for??? Petsmart will do it, but gosh they seemed so pricey, and on top of it, i have heard some people comment about how bad a job they do( Not this particular one, as it is new, but Petsmart in General) Does anyone get their dogs groomed at Petsmart?? If so how good a job do they do???

[borzoimom]

I only took Hottie to petsmart once. My regular groomer was on vacation. I picked up hottie who acted exhausted! I later found out they kept him standing on a table for people to see for 4 HOURS! I was outraged! ( got my money back too).
Getting a large dog groomed is expensive- Hottie is 65 dollars. I have him done every 3 months- do the rest myself with my sprayer. However- I do not have the equipment ( now with 4 that will have to change) to get a good dryer and hydro surge..)
IF you take the dog to petsmart- you stick around... or pop in and out etc.. A good groom is worth the weight in gold with removing dead hair etc- but this lets them know- I am watching you... Another option might be your vet. Our vet does large dogs only- no clips but a good bath and blow out- all I really need.. ( but I have been using the same lady for 8 years for hottie..)
Too bad you do not live in Virginia- I have an excellent one!

[borzoimom]

By the way- to get that white really white and soft and conditioned- this is the mixture I use- half mane and tail ( also in a dog formula- but not the people type), mixed with " Blue" dog shampoo- ( equal halfs-) Not only does this make the white gleam but also takes out the stains in the colored areas to shine! Look at the gleam in zubins coat on my website ( our dogs- zubin is the first page)... Soft, flowing and dirt resistance..

[critter crazy]

Thanks Michelle! Unfortunately our vet dosent do anything like this, he is an old fashioned guy, good at what he does, but no grooming or bathing. Okay Petsmart quoted 66$ So I guess that isnt too high, but the last dog i had to get groomed was 20$ of course it was a rotti, not half as much fur, nor size! I will continue to shop around, if I cant find anyplace else I guess i will take him to Petsmart and just stay there, to make sure he is being taken care of.

[borzoimom]

Thanks Michelle! Unfortunately our vet dosent do anything like this, he is an old fashioned guy, good at what he does, but no grooming or bathing. Okay Petsmart quoted 66$ So I guess that isnt too high, but the last dog i had to get groomed was 20$ of course it was a rotti, not half as much fur, nor size! I will continue to shop around, if I cant find anyplace else I guess i will take him to Petsmart and just stay there, to make sure he is being taken care of.

Honey- do what I do- one good groom with a good blow out, goes a long way. Otherwise- you could wash the dog afterwords with a hose, or even as I do in a large tub with a excellent sprayer.
For his size ( and he is BIG!) I would consider 66 a good price..

[critter crazy]

Honey- do what I do- one good groom with a good blow out, goes a long way. Otherwise- you could wash the dog afterwords with a hose, or even as I do in a large tub with a excellent sprayer.
For his size ( and he is BIG!) I would consider 66 a good price..

well what i figured is I would get him one good grooming, and then just stay on top of it. and once it gets warmer i can get him with a hose outside. I just figured it would be easier just to start from a clean slate you know?? get rid of the few Mats he has and stuff. He loves to be brushed, so that isnt hard, and I also have a grooming spray, and deoderizing spray as well. Then this summer, we will see how he does,a nd probably have to get him clipped. I imagine he will get hot quick.

[borzoimom]

Get yourself a collie rake ( link attached) .. If you use this daily after the groom, or at least once a week afterwards- it sure does go along way.. http://www.jbpet.com/Shopping/produc...omingDematting
Saints have a much thicker coat than borzois, but this is what I used on my collies as well.. ( have one for major already to go...)

[jenluckenbach]

Some groomers are just not equipped for a dog that size. Maybe they don't have enough help to lift him into a tub, or they have no cage large enough to house him for drying. They might just not be able to physically DO a large, heavy breed (it gets a LOT harder as you get older).
As for the price, $65 and UP depending on condition of the coat/behavior of the dog. Some coats are a lot thicker than others, and some owners don't have a clue that their dog is not brushed out properly at home. And a dog that behaves at home for a brushing might put up quite a fuss at the groomers (or vice verse)
As for petsmart.....it will depend on the groomer more than the salon. While pet store grooming shops tend to have lesser experienced groomers, that is not always the case.

[areias]

Here...
Vicki's Dog Grooming
341 Pleasant Hill Rd.
Port Crane, NY 13833
(607) 648-3941

I called on it, she said no more than $60, maybe less. I think that's kind of close to you. Half of the places have answering machines instead of real people! What kind of business is that?

[critter crazy]

Here...
Vicki's Dog Grooming
341 Pleasant Hill Rd.
Port Crane, NY 13833
(607) 648-3941

I called on it, she said no more than $60, maybe less. I think that's kind of close to you. Half of the places have answering machines instead of real people! What kind of business is that?

Omg you are awsome!! I will be calling her!! that is so close to me, thank you very much!!

[areias]

lol, no problem. The other option is mobile groomer, but that's probably more expensive.

The lady sounded VERY nice on the phone, and professional.

[critter crazy]

lol, no problem. The other option is mobile groomer, but that's probably more expensive.

The lady sounded VERY nice on the phone, and professional.

I cannot believe you actually called her, talk about going above and Beyond!! You are awsome!!!

She is only about 10mins away! Now i just have to wait till after thursday to get him in, he has his first vet appt. on thurs. to get his shots and a checkup. I want this done before i take him to any groomer.

[borzoimom]

I cannot believe you actually called her, talk about going above and Beyond!! You are awsome!!!

AMEN TO THAT ONE! (Bows to the 'diva of information'..) What did she say critter crazy?

[critter crazy]

Well I just talked to her, and she does sound realy nice. I set up an appointment, but she cant get me in till the 22nd. But that is okay, Gives Rocky more time to adjust and get used to things.

[borzoimom]

I agree!