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

how did it go? I like that you gave written instructions . If they mess this up, then I'd be livid if this were my baby. :mad:

Can't wait to see pics of the baby. I once gave them a picture of what I wanted...worked very well and they appreciated it.

With the experience I have had with groomers. I hope you found one who could read AND follow instructions!!! And actually had a clue what clippers were used for!! Good luck. I can't wait to see your baby.

Don't have her groomed at a chain store. Your husband knew what he was doing. Tucker's Mom

grooming ...NOT...
 

I took romeo to his first grooming a few days ago at petco.the guy seemed nice and that he was interested in grooming my baby,then i just walked around the store because they don't let you stay and watch them.When i got him back he did not look like he was even touched.I looked him over and i just took him home and said to myself i will learn how to groom my own baby.I don't have the heart to keep putting my baby through alot of people handling him.Hey who knows mabye after i learn how to groom well enough i will do some side business of home grooming of only small dogs.:animal36:animal-pa:D

Are you going to share pics of the new haircut? I'm curious how the groomer did. I hope that all went well!

I love my groomer - but the last two visits, Bailey was trimmed REAL short!! I kinda think that someone else might be doing the grooming?? it just doesn't look like her style. So, on the next visit, I'm going to talk it over, give her a note and pics...if she doesn't like it, then its time to make a change.

I dont get too upset, because I like the short puppy cut and it does grow back - but I don't want my baby passed around to strangers and I want what I want...bear face puppy cut (not complete shave!).

Good luck!!

I personally think the written instructions were a good thing. Why would you drop off a living soul to an unknown person without instructions? And why should an owner accept a botched job as nothing? If a hairdresser ruined by hair, I would be upset.

I think the written note is fine. I have only taken Cali a few times and Roxie once Pixie never to the groomer and she knew what I wanted after talking to me for a few minutes then she went over it again to make sure. I just like to do it myself since I hate leaving mine with anyone. A side note, my pom would bite me at the drop of a hat but was always on her best behaviour at the vets and groomers. She would even let me clean her eyes if we were in the vets but not at home. So hopefully your baby won't be nippy with the groomer.

I'm looking for the update. How did it go? I need to take Ginger for her first groom and I'm anxiously waiting to see how it went. :p

All I have at this very moment is crappy cell pics from the second she was picked up!

She DIDNT take too much off - at least. And said if I wanted more just to bring her - no charge.

Yall know more about this than I do! I think she looks A LOT better! What do you think!?

I have taken better pics and will post those too if yall want to see them? I just need to size them down? My pleasure!

You can tell though that she VERY UPSET!!! I dont believe for one second it was because of anything that happened... she was still giving kissies to Kristen, the groomer. She was upset because we NEVER separate. Ever. At all.

Welp! Here she is! How'd it go!? Yall want me to post the better images as well when I size those down? They are MUCH better!

Forgot the before! Sorry! Here we go! :animal-pa

I thought my baby was stout - shes only 4.2 pds :(

I think she looks great. If YOUR happy with it, that really all that matters!!

I think she looks beautiful. Love to see more pictures.

She is very beautiful :)