VENTING about GROOMING!!

[bijoux1]

I am soooooo very very frustrated!! I do not envy the hard work that I know that grooming is, and I know hat it has to be a difficult job to do and keep everyone happy. Having said that, I was not in any way expecting miracles. I have two little poodles, and since getting them this past year, I have tried repeatedly to get them groomed in nothing super complicated or fancy. The simple fact is that I just don't want them shaved down like a true poodle cut. This looks good on others, but for them I personally don't like it on them at all!! They are very small, and they look like little drowned rats when they are shaved down like that. I just like them really full and fluffy, and I comb them every day so it isn't an issue for matting either.

Good news is that I am able to go about 4 months in between every grooming they have had bc it takes that long to grow back out to a length I like. By then, their faces are really needing grooming which is what I go in for ...that and shaping. I went beforehand and brought pics of the face and asked if it was possible etc.They said yes. I booked appt, brought many pics, the girl spent much time looking at them, and repeatedly asked me why I didn't want the legs cut down short bc having them long was upkeep etc, and even thought they had no mats, she thought this had to be alot of work for me. She also thought it was a "messy & scruffy look." I assured her it wasn't too much upkeep for me, and that I liked this look. I thanked her for her advice, I told her that her poodle she was showing me pictures of was beautiful but insisted that no, I did indeed want very much to keep them long. I also explained that I would MUCH rather them be left too long than to be too short and that this was important bc they had a Christmas photo the next day.

I showed up to my two dogs being cut literally shorter than they have ever been, and the 4 month growth that I told her I worked to grow out was all gone!! In addition, I had both filled out and gone over that they could not have any shampoo other than the prescription one I brought bc of EXTENSIVE skin issues. I explained to please NOT use any perfume, conditioner , etc. They were covered in perfume. I am stopped up with my own sinus issues, and I didn't realize that until later that night when their skin began getting raised patches and they began itching uncontrollably. The itching was so severe that they both drew blood in several places.

So in addition to looking horrible, they are MISERABLE!!! I got up at 3 am and bathed them and treated their skin to try to calm it down, but once they are irritated, it can take WEEKS for it to go down. I am so annoyed! And both of my dogs woke me up multiple times during the night, which they NEVER do, and every time it was to go outside only bc they were frantically eating grass bc there stomach is bothering both of them. This has NEVER happened after a grooming!!

This was their first Christmas together, and I had, as do all of you, I had little Christmas outfits that I am so excited about, and I am just so upset!! I know this is so small in the scheme of things in life, but it is really upsetting! And what annoyed me the most was that I politely called today, and when the owner answered I politely explained that although I had written it on their card re: their allergies, they were still given extra scented perfumes and or conditioners and that could for next time she please make an additional note so this never happened. I was extremely polite and I really just wanted to see her reaction.

She never once apologized, and even though I didn't even mention the horrible uneven, awful grooming job...only the allergies and that they had severely irritated places from it, she only asked me what I wanted her to do about it now?! Seriously?!! And then she said that maybe I should have informed someone! I explained I wrote it down on the cards they provide that are now on file, spoke with the groomer, and brought my own shampoo labeled with this instruction. She offered nothing whatsoever and said if there wasn't anything else I needed she would just write it down for next time.

I don't expect perfection the first time I am visiting a groomer bc I know it takes time to learn each other, but surely, I should be able to find somewhere that won't look at the pics, go over the instructions, and then still just cut them into a poodle cut?! Ugggggggg!!! They just don't even look like themselves right now. Sorry for this long ridiculous rant, I am just really upset!!!

[katy-yorkie]

I think I'm going to start grooming my two. I really hate taking them and leaving them even though she does a good job. The last couple of times they have gone in, I seriously wonder if they have been given some kind of drug to calm them down. They sleep for hours after I pick them up and this last time Maggie was sick for a few days afterwards. I've got to start working on trying to groom them myself.

[MandiesMom]

Ugh! I'm so sorry you and your babies went thru this!

I'm really going to learn how to groom Mandie when she needs it. I've just heard too many horror stories of groomer visits. I'd rather just learn what I need to know myself and know that if a bad haircut is given, it's by me and that no allergens will be touching her.

I totally feel for you. No, groomers can't be perfect but they are paid to LISTEN and give you what you PAY for.

[abbey46923]

So sorry you and your babies have gone through this. I hope they feel better soon from the itching. I have read so many stories of this happening time and time again.
I guess i lucked out because i love my groomer, she is awsome. What i do is, i bath and brush my guys out before i take them to her, thats the easy part, it's the cutting and trimming of the coat that is difficult for me, getting it even around the face, feet ect. I usually bath them the night before, then as soon as i get off work i go home grab whoever is to get groomed and off we go, she will brush through them making sure i didn't miss any matts, then she cuts them how ever i want them cut and does their nails. She almost cried when i took in my fully coated girl to be cut down, she was so funny, i told her it would grow back if i did not like it, but i loved it and she followed my pic excatly how i wanted her cut. By doing it this way my dogs spend 1hr tops at the groomer, i stay right there but outside in my car so my guys will pay attention to what she wants them to do on the table, but i can and do pop in at times if i can't see her from my car, but i have learned to trust what ever she does and she has no problem with me being there.
OP try finding a small groomer and see if they would be willing for you to bath your dogs in their own shampoo by you and they only cut them to your directions. This not only saves me time but saves me money cause she has to do only the things that i have a hard time with. I know groomers are doing this for a living and need to make money, but there are ones out there willing to work with you if they know they make their cutomers happy they will contine to come back, therefore making more money.

[gontygirl]

O.M.G. Your poor little babies!!! Why did't the groomer take NOTES on your requests so they can be more careful?? Horrible!!

I've had my 2 and a half pound yorkie now for almost 3 weeks, he's 1 year old. I'm NOT looking forward to leaving this little baby boy at the groomer. I love my groomer too, she takes great care of my shih tsu mix (16lbs)...but not too sure about little tiny ones like my boy. I'll send them off together so they have one other but I'd sure like to get good on "styling" him myself but I have no clue about that. I'm putting all my bets on the two of them having eachother... :P

[horsnaround]

That's why I do it myself. Then I know they are being treated properly. So sorry poor pups.

[KazzyK810]

Originally Posted by bijoux1

I showed up to my two dogs being cut literally shorter than they have ever been, and the 4 month growth that I told her I worked to grow out was all gone!! In addition, I had both filled out and gone over that they could not have any shampoo other than the prescription one I brought bc of EXTENSIVE skin issues. I explained to please NOT use any perfume, conditioner , etc. They were covered in perfume.

And what annoyed me the most was that I politely called today, and when the owner answered I politely explained that although I had written it on their card re: their allergies, they were still given extra scented perfumes and or conditioners and that could for next time she please make an additional note so this never happened. I was extremely polite and I really just wanted to see her reaction.

She never once apologized, and even though I didn't even mention the horrible uneven, awful grooming job...only the allergies and that they had severely irritated places from it, she only asked me what I wanted her to do about it now?! Seriously?!! And then she said that maybe I should have informed someone!

I'm not meaning to attack you, so please don't perceive my response as such

It seems on almost all threads I read about grooming problems, that people pick up their dogs with cuts other than they requested, pay for the grooming, go home, think about it and then call to complain.

Why didn't you say something as soon as you saw your dogs? Why did you not speak to the owner right there & then?

I can kinda see from a business owners perspective why complaints at the time are given alot more credence that those they receive after the fact.

[mamaj]

So very sorry this happened to your poor babies. Hope they feel better soon.
I guess II am lucky. My groomer is at my vet complex. Trinket has only been there 4 times, but they remember her. She just asks me if I want the usual. She remembers just the way I want her to look. She does a great job. I know the shampoo she uses. She asks if I want cologne. They do appointments, so she is usually ready to start on her right away. I usually come back in 1 to 1/2 hours to pick her up. They have chairs if I want to stay. Windows so I can watch without Trinket seeing me. I am so confident with Keri, I just leave and come back. They love her there. Maybe you should shop around for another groomer. There are good ones out there.to All Creatures Animal Hospital.

[Yorkiemom1]

I was taking mine to a very hi dollar, experienced grooming boutique....they really did a super job. Then one day, they had a new receptionist, who messed up on scheduling appointments, and they were severly over booked, and running WAY behind! I had a little boy that had hypo glycemia issues and could nOT be without foor all day long...I usually took him in, they did hm first, and I picked him up after about 3 hours. Never had a problem...this particular time, it was going on 5 hours and I had not gotten the call to go get him. I told them they were going to have to give him Nurta-Cal immediately, which they did....but I guess they gotr that sticky stuff all over his little clean face, got angry, and just held that baby under a faucet to get his face washed off....he was NEVER the same after that day....he was absolutely terrified of running water and would run and hid if I even turned the faucet on in the kitchen! Needless to say, I went out and bought all my own grooming equipment and I do my own dogs now. It is ceretainly nothing fancy, and I keep them all cut down short, but I would rather shave them bald, then have a groomer drown my baby in a sink or hold them under a running faucet, and essentially "water board" them to the point they are terrified if they hear running water! Thank God they didnt CUT an ear or skin....

[LILBIT1]

Wow that's horrible. I love my groomer. She's great with waffles, does what I want, uses shampoo that's ok for pup and my son with life threatening allergies. I take in water for her (Gerber) and snacks (grain free, fish free, nut free) they are great with pup and us. Groomer has even offered to babysit pup. LoL I feel bad for your pups. Hope the skin issues mellow quickly.

[AngelFae]

Oh your poor babies! =(
After reading SOOOO many horror stories on here and not really liking the price tag of having Blazer groomed, I have started grooming him myself. I already was giving him regular baths, brushing him daily, clipping his nails and trimming him here and there, so why not go all the way and pull out the clippers? I'm still learning, and far from perfect at it but he looks cute (even if I did clip him too short yesterday) and he trusts me so I see it as a total win win. =)

[Maximo]

I am so sorry for your babies and you! Poor little ones having to suffer skin problems, and then to have the disappointment of being shaved. Ugh!

Looking back on when my family used groomers for our previous dogs, I see how lucky we were to have found great groomers. I suppose it is like any other profession where you have to look hard to find good ones and then cross your fingers that they don't move or retire.

[brezofleur]

How awful! I'm so sorry this happened to your babies. What a bi**h and irresponsible owner. This is when Yelp is helpful. Do you have other groomers in the area that you can change to? Obviously they don't care for the dogs there. I would also tell all my doggy mamas too and warn them about this place.

[Yorkiemom1]

I do want to add that I did find another groomer who is absolutely precious and is not only a WONDERFUL groomer, she is compassionate and caring and a wonderful loving dog person, and the dogs adore her!....I highly would recommend her to anyone looking for a groomer in Houston area....she is in Pearland, Pink Paws Spa and Salon, out in Silver Lake area.....and I do take my babies to her to be groomed before they go to their new homes.....and I try to get there with some of the others when I have money left in the "spa account"!!!

[CouversMom]

I'm sorry to hear about your horrible experience. This is why I groom my two. It really isn't that difficult and they don't have to leave our home to sit in a cage all day at the groomer's. I prefer not having to drop them off and I like controlling how they look. Have you thought about grooming them yourself?