I am outraged at Petco!

[AIM]

My husband unexpectedly had the day off today so he thought that he would try to get Lucky in for her second grooming session since we adopted her in February. The only place that had any cancellations was Petco.

To give you a little background, Lucky had been shaved just prior to us adopting her and she looked ridiculous, not to mention she was very cold since that was February and we live in Wisconsin. Her hair finally grew long enough for us to have her groomed in June, at which time we took her to Petco. We explained the groomer that we wanted to grow her her long enough for a topknot so that we could keep it out of her eyes. So what did they do? They cut all of the hair that you would pull into a topknot incredibly short!

Anyway, after six months, Lucky's hair finally grew to a nice length and she looked adorable. We thought we'd give Petco another chance today, since they have several groomers there. We gave her new groomer specific instructions that we wanted a top knot and to keep growing her hair out. Well, my husband just called and told me that they got the top knot right this time, but they nearly shaved her body! We do brush her fairly regularly and we had gotten most of the matts out of her before today except for one near the top of her back where we apply her Frontline flea medication. There was no reason for this! Now poor Lucky will freeze all winter!

[orinskye]

the hair usually grows out pretty fast.... it should grow out some by the time december rolls around
i groom my baby myself, that way if he looks stupid, i have no one to blame but me

[troubletb]

Thats horrible... That is why I decided to trim Bell myself.. Why don't you give it a try, If your going to keep her hair long, you would only have to trim her rear end under her tail, and her hair between her pads..

[FireFish]

Complain in writing.

This is crazy. How many people write about poor experiences with groomers.

I have done my Scotties and will do Roxy too as she gets older. I would have a hard time keeping my cool if I had to go through something like that.

[Joy]

I don't know why some of these groomers go clipper and scissor happy but I hear this same thing often.. I only took Ellie to the groomers once and though they didnt much like it I stood right there in the store the Whole time.. (lol) I wanted to make sure that she was handled gentley and they did as I had asked.. She looked so pitiful behind the glass that I couldnt bring her again. I learned in a hurry how to do it myself..
Sorry you had another bad experience..

[Wolftrap]

This is why I REFUSE to go to PETCO for grooming. When I first got coco we lived in Maryland and I took her there and the butchered her. Then when I moved to New York I took her to one and they did the same and not only did they butcher her but they called me and told me that my puppy was too hyper and they couldn't groom her and I needed to come and get her. So they said they did nothing to her but when I got there she was SHAVED and completely in distress! They also told me she was so hyper because I must let her do whatever she wants to do at home. I was like umm NO she is a puppy they ALL are hyper! I will NEVER go to PETCO again.

[sarahr]

oh thats too bad!! why can't people just listen. if you want her hair to grow faster give her some omega 3. Nobella (vainchick5) suggested a product called Grizzly Salmon Oil for Dogs in this thread http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14901

hey now you have an excuse to go shopping for some clothes!

[milliecorrales]

that way by any means. I had a great groomer at Petco that did exactly as I asked on both my boys, she then was transferred to another store (her name was Kelly and if any of you live in Westminster CA, there is the gal to go to) so I decided to try and find one I liked that was closer than her new assignment store. I tried three different ones and none of them did the boys the way that Kelly of Petco did. (one was Petsmart and then two private ones). So this next time, I will be spending about 45 minutes each way to drive to Kelly, cause she is the only groomer that listens to what I want on my babies and yes she is at Petco.

[red98vett]

Awww....the hair WILL grow but I know how you feel - we so far have used 5 groomers till I started doing them myself....It's a shame that people just don't listen to what you ask for and go ahead and do what they want. I bet your baby looks cute - just wear lots of clothes and she should be fine till it grows in.

I take directions in writing but it's too late for that in your case and doesn't guarantee they will follow your wishes.

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

It is shame. I think after all the horror stories I have heard I would stay while the grooming was happeding. I have a mobile grroomer who comes to my house once a month to do all of mine including my westie, my poodle and my cat!

[bkessler]

Man, thats horrible.. i can't believe it.. i agree with Firefish, complain in writing

[Marie]

error. Trying to edit.

[Marie]

Since you are dissastified complain to the store in writting. I think it was Reconsmama who recommended that when we take our babies to get groom to have the instructions in writting with 2 copies, one for the groomer and one for you. If the groomer doesn't follow the instructions you have the proof in writting. I know is to late now, but remember her hair will grow back. Also like others mentioned you can give her supplements.

[BradsDad]

I have had Brad shaved at PetCo four times. I will never bring him there again. The first 2 times they said he was too matted. The other times two they said he moved too much to do anything else. This was after giving specific instructions after the first time that if the felt they could give him a normal Yorkie cut for any reason to please stop, and let me know. I even told them that if they felt they had to do it that I would pay for them to do nothing at all instead of shaving him. All 4 times were with different people who didn't seem to really know how to groom a Yorkie. I think the last time I even got a book from the store and showed them. I had them write all of my requests on a card, and he still was shaved. Needless to say I have never paid them for any of the grooming jobs. I've always refused to pay for a job that clearly wasn't what I asked for. I had the proof on the card. Now I go to a local groomer/pet store. I never leave Brad at the groomers, and never will again.

[schatzie]

It can tend to be so frustrating to take the time to explain what you expect and the complete opposite is done. I hope they didn't charge you for this visit.

Maybe next time (once Brad has grown his hair out and needs a groom) you can take a picture in that shows the cut you desire. Hopefully they will get it this time.

Luckily his hair will grow back and even better yet, Brad probably still thinks he's cute even with short hair, heheee. Luckily our fur babies don't mind when the grooming goes awry.