Would you appreciate this or would it anger you?
 

Hey Yall!

I am about to take my girl in for her FIRST groom!!! I am scared to death! She has always had her ears and feet done but NOTHING else!

I have heard pure horror stories in regards to grooming. I met a lady I trusted and at over a year old - the groom is way past due. I just havent had it in me. :(

So - I thought I would try to make my experience less stressful and in the process make the groomers job easier.

But after writing this all out... Im wondering... will this piss her off? And if it did - wouldnt I need to find another groomer?
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Notes On Grooming:

I SHOULD NOT be able to tell my girl has been cut. SCISSORS ONLY please! Otherwise - you are going far too short.

No clippers AT ALL! TOO SHORT and not where I am trying to go with this. Clippers only on her feet and ears.

Only shape her up to look more 'groomed' but I DO NOT WANT a 'hair cut'. I only want her hair to be TRIMMED - not SHAVEN - to be more even and nice looking.

My girl CAN be a NIPPER! She will even nip the hand that feeds her if you pull a knot or hurt her! So please be aware of that. She acts all sweet but she DOES have it in her to nip when aggravated.

Thank you so much for taking care of my little girl! You have put me at ease enough to allow someone to finally touch her - thank you very much!
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How will this be perceived? Because to be honest with you - TALKING it out doesnt seem to work out all that well. Does this seem like a better idea for both me and the groomer?

Or would it offend?

If it DID offend... I dont much think I would want the one offended by this approach touching my dog.

Im not above touching someones head so Im trying desperately to stay out of jail.

What you think?

I haven't met a groomer who is offended by written instructions. I've given those plus pictures of the cuts I expect.

There are different blade lengths for clippers....clippers are used on yorkies because being cut with scissors tends to make them look choppy. So she can be clippered and still look...neatened up without taking off too much length.

Really hope she doesn't nip the groomer...while they have all probably experienced a nip or two...they aren't real keen on grooming a dog that bites.

Good luck and usually our dogs are much better behaved for a groomer than when being groomed at home.

Thank you! Thats what my husband says... that she bullies me but when he takes her to get her nails and ears done she is an angel. :eek:

If I yank a knot hard enough though she will nip 'at' me - no real intentions but I felt I should add that juuust in case. Then if she nips I can then say: Yeah - and? We spoke about that... see? Right here *point* :D

xoxo

Try using detangler to get her mats out at home...saturate the mat and work it in with your fingers. Then seperate it into three sections if possible and comb out.

On really bad mats...you can clip into the mat with scissors....you aren't cutting it out..you're just seperating it.

A yorkie show friend tells me the wooden bristle brush from Chris Christenson...takes out mats like butter. I haven't gotten mine yet...but I can't wait to try it.


And I agree...it's better to tell the groomer about the nipping, than let her discover that on her own. They have lots of experience so it may never be an issue and she'll report your baby was an angel.

I DID THE EXACT SAME THING. I also put a little header on the letter stating "that yorkie owners were a strange breed that never fully grasped that thier dogs were not actually human children" it helped break the ice and she told me that she deals with lots of yorkies and that had come to realize this about thier owners.

We had a good laugh

Yall are so nice this morning! I appreciate all of the support! Welp - appt. is at high noon! I will of course share before and afters!

Until then - Im watching this thread like a hawk! So please add whatever you feel important - Ill be here! :animal-pa

xoxo

I also sent a couple of notes when Mazee first went to the groomers. I believe I also said at the end that Mazee was a Drama Queen and drew a picture of a crown LOL The drama queen name came from her acting like I was killing her trying to clip her nails..it was awful! My groomer said she loves to have notes, gives her guidelines as to what is expected of her. Be sure to post before and after pics!!!

I'm not a dog groomer but I am a hairstylist. I can tell you this, I don't know what a person wants if they don't tell me. Some are so vague and then when your done they get upset because it's not what they wanted. I would rather someone be specific with me so I can give them what they want. If your dropping your baby off for the grooming and not staying then leaving a note with written instructions could be of help. They may have to do a dog or 2 before they get to yours and by that time have almost forgotten what you wanted done. You can go over the instructions with the groomer before you leave or before they start, that way if there is a reason for some trimmers to be used they can explain to why they will be using them. Sometimes they use them on the pads of the feet and so on. Those are my 2 cents. Not sure if it's of any help. Good luck and let us know and see pics of how it turns out!!

Yall really have came through for me today! I feel so much better. Honestly - I felt kind of like a 'B' but knowing in my heart the notes arent meant that way... it just seemed like the thing to do.

I just dont want to be upset. I want to find a groomer THE FIRST time lol. Probably unrealistic but Im sure praying!

Now my husband REQUIRED her to go to a 'poodle parlor' type place. Very upscale. I would have probably done a chain store knowing no better. We are paying a pretty penny. :eek:

Ashamed to say how much but I can tell you this... if she messes my dog up... my bail will be more. I only wish I were kidding. :mad:

Post just to get OFF 13

Just a little superstitious, huh? I would want off 13 too especially since you are already sweatin' the grooming. :) I noticed earlier today one member was on post 666, I almost sent them a PM to encourage them to make another post quick. Did not like that combination!

Ben went for a grooming today too. He pretty much just gets a trim. She neatens up his feet, face, and privates. Today I asked if she would take off a little of his length as he was walking on it. I think she did a pretty good job. His pics are in an album on my profile page. The first time I took Ben there, I told her that I did not want any length removed, just tidying. I didn't put it in writing but I think it is a good idea -- especially since most shops have someone else check the dog in besides the person that is actually going to groom them. Sometimes the groomer doesn't even come in til the shampoo person has a few ready for them.

Good luck -- I will be looking for your pics!

Don't feel bad, I gave written instructions to my groomer too on the first visit. I hoped she wouldn't be offended and she wasn't. It is a nice Boutique and I figured if they were mad I wouldn't go back.

I have had groomers call me to ask how I want the ears done etc after I dropped them off. This way, everything was written down and no need to call. She said she appreciated the instructions and I think she did. They are still grooming my pups and I just tell them "same as last time". lol

Hope yr little girl has a 'spa' like day today! Mommie needs to get pampered too, after all is over from worrying. Really hope all turns out great! Keep us posted.

Yep, that happened to us this week. I will definitely leave a note and photo for the groomer next time.

This tactic did not go over so well with my former vet though. I handed the vet specific requests for spaying, a collection of "lessons learned" from other YTers. (Use a heated surface, use only this kind of anesthesia, only this kind of painkiller, etc.)

The vet said, "Someone has done too much reading!" :eek: Since then we have fired that vet, and found one who appreciates educated clients.

Anyway, hope the grooming went well.

Works for groomers, not for vets!
 

oops double post