1st going to a groomer.

[starry8740]

Okay well back in June we were in a pet parade and this older lady and I bonded and became friends and our dogs were licking each other. Well she gave me this gift card for "her" grooming salaon. I had no idea she was a groomer. It was for 30 dollars. Well my mom and I don't want her to think we didn't appriciate that so we made an appt for him to have it done in August. We are not going to let her bathe him or trim his fur, she is just going to brush out his fur and cut his much needed claws.

Well here is my problem...I AM SCARED TO DEATH.... I never ever have let my baby go into the arms of somebody without my being right there beside him. What if she cuts his nails to short and they start to bleed? What if he needs me? Uh, maybe I am over protective but he is all I have and I wanna make sure I do everything possible to keep him around. Another thing that scares me is when my mom trained him, she trained him to only listen to her. Then as I got older she trained him to listen to me and her. If somebody else tells him to "sit" he will not do it until either my mom or myself ask him too. This could cause a big problem for her too.

Okay, I need to stop thinking and worrying about all that could go wrong. Please tell me I am not alone in this, and others worried too?

[Shara]

I used to go to the groomers to get my dogs nails done. My furbabies hated it, they knew what was in store the moment I put the car into park. They often 'braced' themselves to not go any futhor and I always had to pick them up and carry them in. Yes, the groomers office was quite clean and she kept everything tidy. You wouldnt really known it was a bording place or groomers as far as the lack of smellyness...anyways...
I always stood there while she did thier nails. They would yelp scream and wiggle around in the restraints. The lady had no care about the STRESS factor my dogs were under, to her it was just another customer, another nail trim.
Now I invested in my own slings, my own table, and a grinder called 'peticure'. IN ONE SESSION I taught my dogs the table was a POSITVE thing, by giving them treats and praising them the whole time. They were practically jumping up to try to get on the table. They had NO fear of the table NOR what I was doing to them.
I spent about 600-800 bucks on my 'groomers' stuff...but you know what, 20 bucks a month for my dogs nails...driving there...the hassle of 4 dogs...and the STRESS and total...lack of care....like she was so COLD to us...I know there are people who are not people persons....there are people who are just dog people...but she was cold to ME, and cold to my dogs as well.
This lady was awful but then again I live in a small town and not much you can do, you can go to the vet and have them charge 20 bucks a nail. No lie, our vet office is so expensive. Its rediclous. But now I am happy to have invested in this, and now my dogs dont have to go through that, and I dont have to pay that lady anymore. =angry about this the more I think about it=

Im sure your groomer will do great, see this is the WORST case scenario I think....
Im sure she will do a good job, I would stay there and watch at the least the first time. I always stayed and watched, but she only did nails wich took 5mins a dog...so ya...=)

Bring some small bite sized treats and give them to the groomer, and ask that you reward her constantly for her good behavor...thats my idea...

IMHO My groomer was a cold hearted bish ... I dont know why I kept going back to her, but like I said there isnt that much option for us. My baby Taz would litterally defficate and pee everytime in the sling, I swear if I wasnt there she would have hit my dogs, she was that angry and cold. Im sure shes making ALOT of money, I mean 20 bucks and in 20mins I was always out the door. AND sometimes she didnt do them well enough, to where I was going back every 2 WEEKS...instead of 1 time a month. While doing nails and such, she has dogs in the back for bordering, Im sure shes making 400-500 a day...I would LOVE to get into this bussiness...because I would make a point to make it a positive experience for the dogs.

[Lola_Joy]

We are going to a new groomer ,because the one at PetSmart does not to a very nice job.

And,when I go,I always watch my babies first 3 cuts.So,I get to know the groomer,and watch very carefully.I also like a groomer who doesnt do everything at one time,that is to much stress. But, would rather have Lola have a few breaks to,move around.
Lola is a very nice groomer pup,every one of our groomer says she wonderful. Which doesn't suprise me because she doesn't care and wont move for even toe nails.She loves getting her "itchyies" out.:p I am looking for a grooming salon,as we speak,and I think Iv'e found one.Lola is due for her Cocker cut. e ususally never get her shaved unless it bad,which it usually isn't.

[cockermom93]

I am a groomer and think you are over protective. There is nothing to worry about and if you are worried about star being healthy you should let the groomer bath him for you as a groomer can give a much better bath than the average owner. I would say just let her do her thing and leave it at that! Star would look sooo beautiful all trimed up and neat! Star will be fine! Even if she did quick one of his toe nails, if and when this happens the dog often doesn't even notice. Good luck!

[starry8740]

Star only had his nails trimmed once at the vets which was last year. He was so itchy and miserable then he didnt even notice he got them cut.

We cant get him bathed there because our vet has star under a certain shampoo type. If he is on any others it will cause him dandrift and break out in itchies. The vet told me that he don't want me using anything but Oxydex on Star.

Thank you all for your support. I think I understand now, how my mom is with me lol. Star is my baby and I am a worry wart.

[Jr_K9_Expert]

Hehehehe Carrie you do worry to much! The groomers aren't going to be some novice that you need to worry about, I'm more than sure that they'll take care of Star well enough. If bleeding occurs when they are cutting the nails, they'll have the right equipment to settle it.

I've heard that sometimes its best not to be in the grooming room, makes the dogs more ansy(sp).

I'm sure everything will be fine.

[cockermom93]

Star only had his nails trimmed once at the vets which was last year. He was so itchy and miserable then he didnt even notice he got them cut.

We cant get him bathed there because our vet has star under a certain shampoo type. If he is on any others it will cause him dandrift and break out in itchies. The vet told me that he don't want me using anything but Oxydex on Star.

Thank you all for your support. I think I understand now, how my mom is with me lol. Star is my baby and I am a worry wart.

Why don't you just bring Star's shampoo with you and let the groomer use it on him?

[snazyminis]

Your dog will be fine, just take your shampoo along. i don't mind one bit if clients bring a prescription shampoo to use on their dogs, or some just prefer a particular shampoo that is different to the range I use.

A bath will get out a lot more of the dead coat, make him feel so much better and the groomer will be able to tidy up his feet and any other stragly bits so much better after the bath.

[zorasdad]

My guys run in the woods swim in the river and get muddy. I had long haired dogs that I took to the groomers and they did a great job. Cleaned them up and looked for ticks if we just got back from a trail run. My boy buck would get bows and I thought it was funny he had a bandanna no collar. But he sported his bows and liked his spa day. Summer was sweet and i think she liked spa day more then the run.!!!

[TTBALLMOM]

Star will be just fine. :) What a good mommy for worrying. The more you take him to be groomed the more he'll get used to it. I wouldn't worry about the sit command since I don't think he'll be doing much sitting while being bathed, dried or clipped. Toto does great at the groomers. He licks her face while she cuts his nails and his groomer always laughs at that. Says he's the only dog that does that. (Thats because he can't pass up a good lick and her face gets close to him while she clips his nails)

I wouldn't recommend staying and watching the whole session. I believe that will just make your dog distracted, and if you are nervous your dog will sense it.

I would go a few days before and ask to see the "back-room" where your dog will be groomed and check for cleanliness. Also observe some of the groomers or helpers with the dogs. Observe the dogs that are there. If the dogs are stuck in wire crates with nothing to chew on or no towel or bedding or if they appear frightened or cold or too hot, that is an indicator of how your dog will be treated.

If the other dogs are calm or sleeping thats a great sign. Let the mannerisims of the other dogs be your guide.

Post pics when he is all prettied up!!!:D

[k9mania]

I agree that you are worrying too much. Most groomers are well trained and care dearly about the animals they groom. It will be good for you dog to go off and be away from mom. It is good socialization. Sometimes, like kids, dogs are better when their owners are not there. Taking your own shampoo is a good idea and most groomers will not be offended. Your dog is much better off if it gets it's nails trimmed regularly. Go for it and enjoy. Yes, put up a picture after the "doo.":)

[Papillonpup]

I had a groomer I met a the vet's office I was working at. She had 6 dogs that she rescued...So when I got my lhasa apso I took him to her because I could see how much she loved animals...She was great...My dog would be trying to jump out the window as soon as we pulled up into the parking lot...After a few years..She moved she sold her business to someone else I took my dog there 1 time he came home so unhappy I thought it was because he missed our groomer...When I went to take him there again he put on the breaks and started to cry...If you ever met Louie he loves going everywhere and loves everyone..So I knew something was wrong I canceled the appointment...I tried grooming him myself for awhile...He loves to be grommed..He behaves so well..but grooming is not something I am very well at I got tired of the terrible cuts and started searching for a new one...We found one and the cuts are cute and my dog is happy to be there...He is a Ham and shows off for like 2 weeks when he gets groomed...It is hard to find the right person to do the job...Give your friend a chance she sounds like she is an animal lover to...Your dog will let you know whether she likes her or not. I usually let my dogs my their choice, You can tell by their behavior whether that person did a good job or not.