This might be a good time to mention to new owners that it is really important to totally check out your groomer. Never leave your pup alone with a groomer you have never used. Make sure you are able to tour the actual grooming facility, where the dogs are kept and where they are groomed. Watch how they handle the dogs, especially new pups.
It takes a true professional to train a young pup to love being groomed. People who groom show dogs generally are very good at this since a show dog has to be willing to be handled by strangers. The newer chain grooming stores hire people off the streets and "train" them in house. There are no standards for grooming a dog. A groomer is not required to be trained to groom pets. There is no licensing for grooming pets so know whose hands you are putting your pup into.
There is a website called petedge.com that sells grooming supplies at very reasonable rates. They also sell a little tabletop grooming stand for small dogs. If you are new to grooming you can set it on the floor or a coffee table so your pet is safe.
I started out holding my little ones in my lap and casually snipping here and there as we watched TV. Pets are generally feeling safe and secure when snuggled up with their people. We worked up to the grooming stand but we had developed trust by then. (treats are important, too)We do have a very good groomer that Gracie goes to every few months but for in between we do quite a bit of trimming up here at home. |