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Old 02-03-2010, 07:30 AM   #1
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Default First Grooming Visit

Really, really sorry for the long novel I just wrote. I think I just needed to get it all out.

I am in need of some advise about a situation that occurred when Bella went for her first grooming. The groomer works in her vets office. I had been working with Bella since day one on being brushed, combed, bathed and touched in general. I had her to the point that she would just lay down and go to sleep while brushed or combed her. I decided to take her to the groomer when her hair around her eyes was poking her.
When I dropped her off the the groomer came out, told me to take off all her harness and leash. I told her that I brought her blanket so she would feel more comfortable. She refused to take it and told me it wasn't necessary. Bella has separation issues so I was fully expecting a little bit of whining but it was more of the shaking that occurred. The groomer told me she would be ready by 5pm (It was 10am when she was dropped off).
At 5pm I picked her up and she was completely over joyed to see mommy. I asked if there was anything that I need to work on with Bella's grooming at home. I was told that the groomer was gone for the day, so she didn't know. I got her in the car and she refused to sit in her spot but wants to climb into my sweater. I figured it was her way of saying "your not leaving my sight, again." The first thing she did once inside the house was head to her food and water bowls. She spent the next 10 minutes drinking and eating. I had to take it away so she would make herself sick. Of course, the next action was the potty. I found all of this a bit odd. The next day I went to brush her and she completely freaked out when she saw the brush. She started shaking, tried to jump out of my arms and then curled up into the tightest ball hiding her head. She has never reacted like this.
I keep trying everyday and with the same reaction.
The following week Bella had a vet appointment, so decided to discuss it with the vet. Upon parking in the lot Bella went into a shaking fit and refused to leave the car under her own power. I packed her in shaking and all. The vet immediately asked what was going on with her. I told her what occurred in the parking lot. I then explained the grooming episode. She told me she would be right back. She came back to let me know that the grooming session was a typical first timers visit. She did tell me that Bella wasn't given any food while she was there, I said is that normal? I was told that I would need to bring food for her next time.
A month has gone by and Bella still curls up into a tight ball and hates bath time. The shaking has stopped but she still is not the relaxed puppy I had before. Everytime we go to the vet now she refuses to get out of the car.

Is this a normal reaction to first time grooming? I hope not. Should I have been told to bring food for her, as the little ones get low blood sugar easily? Am I over reacting? I don't want to take her back to this groomer and I don't know what to look for at a grooming facility.

Any response and advise would be greatly appreciated.
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Old 02-03-2010, 07:53 AM   #2
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I really have no advice.. I just wanted to say I was sorry that Bella is having such a hard time. This is really sad.
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Old 02-03-2010, 10:59 AM   #3
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Poor baby.... she definitely had a bad first experience. Just keep working with her on it at home, and make it fun for her. She needs to understand that grooming time with Mama is a good and loving thing. Before you're ready to groom her, try placing the brush, comb or whatever you use on the floor while you're watching TV. Let her discover them by herself and when you see her go over to them or sniff them, give her a treat and lots of praise. She'll soon learn that the brush/comb equals a treat. It's also better for it to be a gradual process and not forced upon her since she's scared. Maybe try giving her a 10 minute massage before hand too, as this always relaxes and calms my baby girl.
Speak softly and lovingly to her while you're at it. Again always a yummy treat afterwards.....

I had a really bad grooming experience with Harley the second time I took her in. Some people are there for a check and a check only and don't care about the welfare of the animals. I would think you need to be a very patient and understanding individual when grooming, and some people just aren't. I posted a reply to another thread recently which described my experience and I'm not going to post it again, because it's SO long but Harley acted strange for almost 3 days afterwards and I was so worried and upset. Finally she came around and I've since found a new groomer that she loves. Luckily, for me, she grew out of it and LOVES to be brushed now. But just be patient and persistent.

I'm not an expert, but I think word of mouth on a good groomer is far better than searching the internet. Call and ask questions. I think a good groomer is proud of their service and facility and should be willing to show you around as well as listen to your concerns. As far as food goes, that's up to you as well. I never leave Harley at the groomer for more than 2 hours. Most places allow for appointments, so I always book Harley on a Saturday morning so that I'm available to pick her up as soon as she's done. For their small size, it doesn't take that long and I just hate the idea of leaving her in a crate all day in a loud noisy "salon."
Maybe post a thread asking other members if they could refer you to a good groomer in your area??

Anyway, sorry this was so long.... I hope something I've said helps Good luck and don't worry too much. With lots of love and attention from Mama, I think she'll be fine.
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Old 02-03-2010, 11:39 AM   #4
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I'm sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience. I can say that I think it's pretty typical for groomers not to feed your dogs while they are there because it causes them to have to use the bathroom and most groomers don't have time to take them outside. If you decide to take your puppy to the groomers again you might see if you can find one that will allow you to set a specific time to bring them in so that you can pick them up as soon as they're done so they don't have too spend all day there.
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Old 02-03-2010, 01:06 PM   #5
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I had done the same thing you did - prepping Sully for his first official groomer visit since we brought him home. Brushing him every day, touching his paws, cleaning his face and sanitary area each night with a warm cloth before bed. All with the thought that when he went for his first "big boy cut" he'd be a good client. Well, after a 4 hour "appt", I picked him up and he looked like he was scared to death, shaking and everything. I asked the groomer if he was okay and she said "oh he did fine - he's probably not used to hearing the other dogs barking and being in a new place. I proceeded to put him in his crate and take him home. When I got home and took him and the little blanket out of the crate - I saw blood on the blanket and then he walked on my kitchen floor and one of his back paws was bleeding! I freaked out - she must have cut him really bad when when she clipped his nails. Since then, it's like a nightmare trying to get him to sit still to cut his nails and it's been about 9 months. As soon as he sees the clippers he runs.

I've been working on getting him to get use to them again and have a handful of treats in sight so he knows as soon as his nails are done he gets a treat.
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Old 02-03-2010, 02:09 PM   #6
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i just decided that I am not going to be taking my baby to the groomers ... i am going to learn how to groom myself, I don't want my baby to go thru that...
I am so sorry your little one went thru that... some people just don't understand that they have to be nice to these little guys..
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Old 02-03-2010, 02:26 PM   #7
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I found a new groomer for Max. He didn't necessarily have a bad experience at the first groomer, but I wasn't happy. I don't want him crated and I don't like the idea of dropping him off in the morning and picking him up at the end of the day.

I looked around for a place I liked and although most groomers want you to drop off and pick up later, I asked if it was possible for me to take him in and wait so that he won't be crated. They agreed, so I believe some places will make the exception if you express your concerns. I make an appointment and they call me when the groomer is finishing up. Since I'm waiting in the car, I go in and pay and then he's ready.
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Old 02-03-2010, 03:27 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yorkielover916 View Post
i just decided that I am not going to be taking my baby to the groomers ... i am going to learn how to groom myself, I don't want my baby to go thru that...
I am so sorry your little one went thru that... some people just don't understand that they have to be nice to these little guys..
This is how I feel too. I've heard too many bad stories on here to ever let my girls go and get groomed. I just trim them myself.
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Old 02-03-2010, 04:01 PM   #9
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This really concerns me now.
Alfie is going to a groomers for the first time on Friday. He is 4 and half months and needs a tidy up really. The fur on his pads and his legs and his face just needs tidying. I just don't want him to be out of my sight now though. I have tried to do it myself but I get a bit done and then he gets fed up. Oh what to do.
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Old 02-03-2010, 04:25 PM   #10
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I think at home groomers are worth thier weight in gold, I would NEVER EVER leave Laci at a groomers in a cage for hours and hours.. Its really not that much more money to have a groomer come to your house.. there are always ads on craigslist for mobile grooming... the groomer my daughters fiance has kennel free grooming which I think is fantastic.. its only for small dogs tho... I still dont go there, he has to come to my house.
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Old 02-03-2010, 04:35 PM   #11
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If you're uncomfortable with your groomer and she still is having those reactions you might want to find a new one. We had a groomer that was at our vets which was great for "just in case something happened" and we trusted her. Unfortunately she moved out of state. She was great with Bandit and would let us bring a blanket and made sure he ate (our fav vet tech was there too, she she would always check up on him too). Now we have a groomer we really like and allows Bandit and Nala to share a crate, but I naver thought to ask about bringing a blanket for comfort. She's really soothing and works with the dogs, and even though they don't like going there (they still don't like even me giving them a bath) they are at least comfortable and I am comfortable with them going there.
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Old 02-03-2010, 05:22 PM   #12
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Thanks to every one for the replies. I have been considering learning how to groom her at home. I didn't even think about a groomer coming to my home. I guess I assumed that since the groomer was in the vets office that they would have fed and pottied her. We all know what they say about assuming and this just proves it. I will try the treat idea tonight and see if she will relax some. I consider myself cautious and a protective mommy. Others would say obsessive, but I say until you have a little one you will never know. After reading the thread on cage dryers I am starting to wonder if something happened during the drying process. I will ask at our next vet visit about there drying methods. I was told that the groomer only uses hair dryers but I know that even a hair dryer can get too hot.

I will let you know how the grooming goes tonight.
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Old 02-03-2010, 05:38 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ArabellasMom View Post
Really, really sorry for the long novel I just wrote. I think I just needed to get it all out.

I am in need of some advise about a situation that occurred when Bella went for her first grooming. The groomer works in her vets office. I had been working with Bella since day one on being brushed, combed, bathed and touched in general. I had her to the point that she would just lay down and go to sleep while brushed or combed her. I decided to take her to the groomer when her hair around her eyes was poking her.
When I dropped her off the the groomer came out, told me to take off all her harness and leash. I told her that I brought her blanket so she would feel more comfortable. She refused to take it and told me it wasn't necessary. Bella has separation issues so I was fully expecting a little bit of whining but it was more of the shaking that occurred. The groomer told me she would be ready by 5pm (It was 10am when she was dropped off).
At 5pm I picked her up and she was completely over joyed to see mommy. I asked if there was anything that I need to work on with Bella's grooming at home. I was told that the groomer was gone for the day, so she didn't know. I got her in the car and she refused to sit in her spot but wants to climb into my sweater. I figured it was her way of saying "your not leaving my sight, again." The first thing she did once inside the house was head to her food and water bowls. She spent the next 10 minutes drinking and eating. I had to take it away so she would make herself sick. Of course, the next action was the potty. I found all of this a bit odd. The next day I went to brush her and she completely freaked out when she saw the brush. She started shaking, tried to jump out of my arms and then curled up into the tightest ball hiding her head. She has never reacted like this.
I keep trying everyday and with the same reaction.
The following week Bella had a vet appointment, so decided to discuss it with the vet. Upon parking in the lot Bella went into a shaking fit and refused to leave the car under her own power. I packed her in shaking and all. The vet immediately asked what was going on with her. I told her what occurred in the parking lot. I then explained the grooming episode. She told me she would be right back. She came back to let me know that the grooming session was a typical first timers visit. She did tell me that Bella wasn't given any food while she was there, I said is that normal? I was told that I would need to bring food for her next time.
A month has gone by and Bella still curls up into a tight ball and hates bath time. The shaking has stopped but she still is not the relaxed puppy I had before. Everytime we go to the vet now she refuses to get out of the car.

Is this a normal reaction to first time grooming? I hope not. Should I have been told to bring food for her, as the little ones get low blood sugar easily? Am I over reacting? I don't want to take her back to this groomer and I don't know what to look for at a grooming facility.

Any response and advise would be greatly appreciated.
I had similar experience, only my dog had little cuts on her after seeing the groomer. My dog hid and shook for 3 DAYS. She didnt do that before. I have to trick her to brush and comb her now. I have to get her while she is sleepy, brush softly only on her back to get her to relax....and when she's nice and asleep is when i work on the other spots...I have to be so gentle and careful not to pull at all. Sometimes she wakes and wants me to stop and sometimes not.

As for baths....I get the water a good temperature. When I put her in, i have to massage her back and try to keep her focused on her back rubs. I'm as quiet as a mouse with the water and work slowly up her back. I never run the water with her in the sink anymore so not to scare her. I also cuddle and dry her with a warm (out of the dryer) towel. Its a pain in the butt, but I'll do anything to keep her comfortable.

She has me trained! She'll beg for me to brush her back and begs for treats and want me to quit before were done She really hates going to the groomer, but doesnt hide for 3 days anymore.

Maybe your dog was at the groomer too long..You could try just stopping by the groomers and giving her special new treat that she'll only get while at the groomers and maybe one day will look forward to going. I'd keep going..keep going..keep going until she's used to it.
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Old 02-04-2010, 06:33 AM   #14
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Listening to these tales, I should fall down on the ground and kiss my groomers' feet. I have yet to see a dog that didn't go in there with their tail a'waggin' and happy as can be to be there.

They wanted to know if it was the first time and booked time accordingly, like twice the amount of time. They spent a lot of time with them, playing with them, cooing and making them feel special. They got massaged during their baths, and played with in between "treatments". All they really got done the first time was a bath, nails trimmed, ears shaved, sanitary area cleaned up a bit and scissor trimmed. In other words, they got the opportunity to see what was going to happen to them, but it was like a day at the spa with playtime and treats .

I'll have to really remember how good they are with dogs ... they earn their $$$.
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