How soon should I get my baby Bear a haircut? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

BearBear · 04-29-2008, 02:08 PM

Hello all! I was wondering if anyone knows at what age should I take my baby to get groomed?...and what is a good way to choose a groomer? Are pet stores reliable groomers? Like petsmart?

Thanks,
BearBears Mommy

LoveMyJake · 04-29-2008, 02:18 PM

I've heard good and bad reviews about PetSmart. You might be better off posting this in the Grooming section, you will hopefully get better responses there.

I think the best way to choose a groomer is to make an appt. and go in person to check them out. I would avoid groomers who use cage dryers. I know there are reputable groomers who use them and know what they're doing, but they scare me. Also, talk to people in your area who use groomers to see who they might be able to recommend.

I trim and cut my boys' hair myself. Hubby helps me, and it's really not too hard. The first time is always worst. We wait until they are sleepy so they are more cooperative. Now that I've been doing it myself for awhile, it has become much easer.

yougetthesmiles · 04-29-2008, 03:11 PM

I do my own grooming....

I have only clipped Kibbles nails, trimmed the inside and outside of the ears. I'm letting his coat grow out. He is almost 6 months old.

Gracie2006 · 04-29-2008, 04:15 PM

As soon as baby has vaccines including bordetella, take him to a groomer. 4 months if you can. I found my groomer on a recommendation from someone here at YT. Go to the regional forum for where you live and post a request for recommendations there. Personally, I would never take my babies to a chain store groomer, though I hear some are good. Again, get a recommendation of a name from someone you trust. You might also ask your vet for a referral. You want the first grooming experience to be a good one. A good groomer won't do but the bare minimum the first time (bath, nails, shave down bum and trim ears). You want baby to get used to the grooming thing before having a major hair cut.

melanie daley · 04-29-2008, 04:29 PM

I took Roxi for the first time at 6 months.... A friend of mine owns a pet shop by me so I take her to be groomed there... Plus they don't "cage" the dogs, they all have little play areas w/ toys ect. But I would defenetly pick a groomer thru recommendations!! I have heard a lot of horror stories about Petco & Petsmart unfortunately.... I was SOOOOO nervous when I took Roxi for the first time, now I totally don't mind since I trust my groomer.. Hope that was helpful!!
Happy groomer hunting!!

Sloan · 04-29-2008, 05:00 PM

I totally agree with the above posts. After your puppy has had his entire series of puppy shots then he can go to the groomer but not before. I take my puppy to a groomer that a friend recommended because her yorkie loves it there. I would go on recommendations from friends.....absolutely.

KathyinCali · 04-29-2008, 05:07 PM

Welcome. Your baby is adorable. Okay, I will tell you what happened on Friday when I was at PetSmart-keeping in mind to be fair that all groomers are not the same.
I went to buy some pee pads and noticed there were two Yorkies getting groomed so I stopped to watch. First they were scared to death and the groomers were not even paying attention to them, they were just shaving and talking to each other. Then, and this is what sent me over the edge, there was a third person there, a shampooer and she was standing across the table talking to the one groomer and the Yorkie reached up and tried to kiss her (like they will do if they are frightened and come to you for reassurance) and she slapped him on the nose! And I don't mean a little tap. And gave him a really dirty look! I called for the manager and made an ass of myself in front of the whole store giving them and those groomers a piece of my mind.
It was only my experience, and just my opinion but I would NEVER let any Petsmart touch any of my pets - EVER. I'm so mad I don't know if I will ever go back there because of this experience and will take my business elsewhere.

ellie81 · 04-29-2008, 05:41 PM

I think around 6 months old is a good time to start the first grooming experience. I took Bengi a few times during his first year, but then started to do it myself, as our groomer kinda dissappeared and I didn't want to look for a new one.
I would stay away from Petsmart or Petco groomer. I had heard pretty bad stories, with sad endings... unless you personally know the groomer there and you know how they work, I wouldn't recommend it.

BearBear · 05-01-2008, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KathyinCali

Welcome. Your baby is adorable. Okay, I will tell you what happened on Friday when I was at PetSmart-keeping in mind to be fair that all groomers are not the same.
I went to buy some pee pads and noticed there were two Yorkies getting groomed so I stopped to watch. First they were scared to death and the groomers were not even paying attention to them, they were just shaving and talking to each other. Then, and this is what sent me over the edge, there was a third person there, a shampooer and she was standing across the table talking to the one groomer and the Yorkie reached up and tried to kiss her (like they will do if they are frightened and come to you for reassurance) and she slapped him on the nose! And I don't mean a little tap. And gave him a really dirty look! I called for the manager and made an ass of myself in front of the whole store giving them and those groomers a piece of my mind.
It was only my experience, and just my opinion but I would NEVER let any Petsmart touch any of my pets - EVER. I'm so mad I don't know if I will ever go back there because of this experience and will take my business elsewhere.

I would have done the same!! My doggies are my babies and I get offended when I see other babies being hurt!! I probably would have taken it further and sent a email from there website!!...

BearBear · 05-01-2008, 09:54 AM

Hi everyone! just want to say thanks for all the great advice and I think I will wait to have my baby groomed until all his shots are done...My neighbor took her shorkie to a local pet store here and they ended up having to take him to the after hours puppy hospital due to a allergic reaction to the shampoo they used...so I have been kinda concerend about grooming. But now I know what I should do....so I will be waiting....Thanks again everyone!!

04-29-2008, 02:08 PM	#1
BearBear Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 25	How soon should I get my baby Bear a haircut? Hello all! I was wondering if anyone knows at what age should I take my baby to get groomed?...and what is a good way to choose a groomer? Are pet stores reliable groomers? Like petsmart? Thanks, BearBears Mommy

04-29-2008, 02:18 PM	#2
LoveMyJake I love Jackson too! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,772	I've heard good and bad reviews about PetSmart. You might be better off posting this in the Grooming section, you will hopefully get better responses there. I think the best way to choose a groomer is to make an appt. and go in person to check them out. I would avoid groomers who use cage dryers. I know there are reputable groomers who use them and know what they're doing, but they scare me. Also, talk to people in your area who use groomers to see who they might be able to recommend. I trim and cut my boys' hair myself. Hubby helps me, and it's really not too hard. The first time is always worst. We wait until they are sleepy so they are more cooperative. Now that I've been doing it myself for awhile, it has become much easer. __________________ Selina, mommy to Jake and Jackson. RIP baby Lily

04-29-2008, 03:11 PM	#3
yougetthesmiles The Brat Pack Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,108 Blog Entries: 3	I do my own grooming.... I have only clipped Kibbles nails, trimmed the inside and outside of the ears. I'm letting his coat grow out. He is almost 6 months old. __________________ Is your being a Pee Pee Brat? Think of me and get a Wee Wee Wrap! Specializing in custom made Harness Vest, Dresses, WeeWee Wraps & Poochie Pants! TAIL WAGGERS

04-29-2008, 04:15 PM	#4
Gracie2006 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 3,565	As soon as baby has vaccines including bordetella, take him to a groomer. 4 months if you can. I found my groomer on a recommendation from someone here at YT. Go to the regional forum for where you live and post a request for recommendations there. Personally, I would never take my babies to a chain store groomer, though I hear some are good. Again, get a recommendation of a name from someone you trust. You might also ask your vet for a referral. You want the first grooming experience to be a good one. A good groomer won't do but the bare minimum the first time (bath, nails, shave down bum and trim ears). You want baby to get used to the grooming thing before having a major hair cut. __________________ I love my precious babies Gracie and Holly! Gracie Wuvs Bailey!

04-29-2008, 04:29 PM	#5
melanie daley Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Belmont Shore SoCal Posts: 579	I took Roxi for the first time at 6 months.... A friend of mine owns a pet shop by me so I take her to be groomed there... Plus they don't "cage" the dogs, they all have little play areas w/ toys ect. But I would defenetly pick a groomer thru recommendations!! I have heard a lot of horror stories about Petco & Petsmart unfortunately.... I was SOOOOO nervous when I took Roxi for the first time, now I totally don't mind since I trust my groomer.. Hope that was helpful!! Happy groomer hunting!! __________________ Melanie & Roxi & introducing Rocco Born 2/16/08 Last edited by melanie daley; 04-29-2008 at 04:30 PM.

04-29-2008, 05:00 PM	#6
Sloan Love My Lil Derby Dog! Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Luis Obispo, CA Posts: 1,034	I totally agree with the above posts. After your puppy has had his entire series of puppy shots then he can go to the groomer but not before. I take my puppy to a groomer that a friend recommended because her yorkie loves it there. I would go on recommendations from friends.....absolutely. __________________ Derby , Jockey & Baci's Mom

04-29-2008, 05:07 PM	#7
KathyinCali Love My Li'l Lucy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,640	Welcome. Your baby is adorable. Okay, I will tell you what happened on Friday when I was at PetSmart-keeping in mind to be fair that all groomers are not the same. I went to buy some pee pads and noticed there were two Yorkies getting groomed so I stopped to watch. First they were scared to death and the groomers were not even paying attention to them, they were just shaving and talking to each other. Then, and this is what sent me over the edge, there was a third person there, a shampooer and she was standing across the table talking to the one groomer and the Yorkie reached up and tried to kiss her (like they will do if they are frightened and come to you for reassurance) and she slapped him on the nose! And I don't mean a little tap. And gave him a really dirty look! I called for the manager and made an ass of myself in front of the whole store giving them and those groomers a piece of my mind. It was only my experience, and just my opinion but I would NEVER let any Petsmart touch any of my pets - EVER. I'm so mad I don't know if I will ever go back there because of this experience and will take my business elsewhere. __________________ Kathy and Lil' Lucy Buster and Jammies Member of the Spoiled Rotten Club Last edited by KathyinCali; 04-29-2008 at 05:11 PM.

04-29-2008, 05:41 PM	#8
ellie81 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Florida Posts: 4,456 Blog Entries: 1	I think around 6 months old is a good time to start the first grooming experience. I took Bengi a few times during his first year, but then started to do it myself, as our groomer kinda dissappeared and I didn't want to look for a new one. I would stay away from Petsmart or Petco groomer. I had heard pretty bad stories, with sad endings... unless you personally know the groomer there and you know how they work, I wouldn't recommend it. __________________ Ellie and Bengi President of the Spoiled Rotten Club and VP of the Little Gentlemen's Club Bengi's site Coming Soon! www.pawprintsart.net Bengi Koda Jade

05-01-2008, 09:54 AM	#10
BearBear Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 25	Thanks for all the advice!! Hi everyone! just want to say thanks for all the great advice and I think I will wait to have my baby groomed until all his shots are done...My neighbor took her shorkie to a local pet store here and they ended up having to take him to the after hours puppy hospital due to a allergic reaction to the shampoo they used...so I have been kinda concerend about grooming. But now I know what I should do....so I will be waiting....Thanks again everyone!!