I was trying to save money one time; Bella HAS to go to my groomer because she has long hair. But Puddie's "just" a puppy cut ... how badly could they mess it up? A LOT. It was a PetSmart, too. But they made me pay for the cut before I was even allowed to see him ... he was kept in the back until I returned with a receipt. I was assured that it was a puppy cut, and yes, he was matted (NOT!) so they had to cut him short.

They should realize that when they do that, they lose customers. Furthermore, when it's so short, it takes longer between visits than if they just trimmed him like I asked.

That was my one and only venture beyond my regular groomer. If I can't afford to get them both done at the same time, I stagger their visits. They won't go to butchers again.

After a bad experience with my groomer.(shaved noses and scared and trembling babies) I groom them myself. It is not that hard. They aren't perfect but I know they aren't traumatized. I live in a rural small town and there just aren't any good groomers. IMO

I had pet(not so)smart shave my golden retriever once. They gave the same excuse even though she was definitely NOT matted.

Poor guy ! That would tick me off too especially shaving so close to the skin and seeing him shake.

To let you know you aren't alone - many of us have had a bad groomer experience - i used to stop in and watch without my yorkies to see how they operated but after only a few trips to a couple of groomers and some BAD haircuts - I decided to do my own too.

It can be easy to groom yourself (we don't have showdogs so it's not imperitive they look perfect right?)

you can can do a little at a time and cut as much or as little as you want - if you mess it up - it'll grow back....they'll act up maybe but at least you know they're safe and so do they- eventually they'll learn it isn't so bad to get a little haircut. Mine are really good about it now.

One thing about some of these places is you really don't know how they treat their dogs - Alot of groomers are just ROUGH

If anyone DOES go to a groomer - make sure they don't use drying cages - ...also - sometimes they medicate dogs without telling people. I don't think it's common but have heard many dogs act 'funny' after being at a groomer.:(

his hair will grow back and just show him lots of love but don't fawn over him - he'll forget what happened but if you show how stressed you are - he'll feel it too.....just give him some lovin and a sweater if he gets cold

WOW....that is what happened to me as well....I thought I was going to pass out when I saw my little pup...I'm pretty he was very upset too...I was soooo mad! and now after talking to several groomers after...they never should have done that...and I will NEVER fo back again!!!

Jen...Oliver and Scout mom!:animal36:animal36

I'm sorry this happened to your baby. If you still want to use a professional, you might try a mobile groomer. That way they are right there in your driveway and you will have more control over what happens. I have had one now for a year, and she knows exactly what I want, and does not make any changes with out checking with me. My dogs love her and run out to her van, like she's there best friend. I feel comfortable and so do my dogs.

If it was due to mats as they usually say..... I really think the groomers should instead of shaving them not do anything, then inform the owner when they return to see if the owner would perfer to comb out the knots themselves or have the dog shaved.

I have always been able to get the knots and tangles out with a little work. I would freak out if someone ever shaved my dogs :mad::eek::mad: and it would be very very ugly.

One of my worst recurring nightmares is having one of my dogs shaved or a topknot cut off, lol That's how serious and upset I would be, so I groom myself.

Big hugs to the OP.

i completely agree. An evaluation is suppose to be done when the dog comes into the salon. At that point the groomer needs to discuss with the owner the options they have. If the dog is worse then the groomer first thought then they should call the dog before they do anything they didn't discuss with the client at the drop off time.

Ohhhh no, Now I'm worried.... Boomer has an appt to get a puppy cut around his body with the head and tail still long. His appt is at the smart pet place ;) The last time I went was the first time and they didn't crop him. Hopefully it'll all work out

Make sure you brush him out really good first then go over with a comb to make sure all knots are out before the appointment. If you can take a photo of the cut you want, and a sheet of your detailed instructions to leave with the groomer. Make sure they understand exactly what you want done or to call you with any questions. Make sure to tell them, no shaving under any circumstance...... Good luck! :)

"Most important" post after photos for us at YT :D

To the OP I am so sorry you and your baby had to go thru this.

Several years ago when we lived at the beach and had our Husky (RIP Casey) we took her into our normal grooming place and ask for her regular wash and brush out and to thin out her coat a bit with thinning shears. She was a fluffy husky not a smooth coat. I dropped her off at 9 am talked to the owner and said my husband would pick her up at 2:30 when he got off work. At 2:40 my husband called me and said if you don't get to the groomers right now I'm gonna be arrested. The had shaved my husky down to the skin and in some areas she was burnt by the clippers. My husband had the owner and the groomer hiding in the closet and they called 911 he was so irate. When I got there and talked to the cops and they saw the dog I told them I wanted to press abuse charges for burning my dog. It was a huge deal. Everyone was upset but no one more then my poor 13 year old husky. From that day forward we always had to take her to our vet to have her bathed where they could medicate her. My dog did not have a matt on her. I brushed her every night before bed while watching TV she loved it. It happens to a lot of people b/c its the easy way out. You have every right to also report them to the BBB. Im also sure that you could leave a comment on the site or write to the head of the company and tell them to look into the hiring of useless employees who lose business.

I think everyone that finds a new groomer or grooms outside the home for the first time should always take photos of what you expect. And make it clear that if there is any problems to call first. It's also important that you see the area they will be groomed in. And with what tools will be used. For small dogs like ours the cage dryers can be very very bad. Ask if they have groomed yorkies before ask for references. Trust me one thing I know about owners of yorkies is they love to talk about them.

While the hair will grow back, the fear may take a while to overcome. For both of you.

I would be upset too. I was thinking about taking Copper to the groomers because the puppy coat is growing out and the knots are terrible. But...after your post, I think I will continue cutting and combing him myself.
Thanks for the post. So sorry for your experience though.

I groom my boys myself too :) I'm still learning, but so far, pretty good :D I'm simply too cheap to pay $40 per dog for a haircut - that's just silly. I realize that they need to make money, but it's just too much for my 4 and 5.5 lb dogs...I went out and spent like $60 or so on a set of clippers, and not only do we do free dog cuts, but my husband uses them too - extra savings!!!

It is definitely a plus that hair grows back :) I'm sure that even hairless your baby is adorable. The growing back thing makes me feel a bit better about the fact that I've been teaching myself how to do haircuts since I got them, haha. I just do puppy cuts. Good luck to you!!!

Let me guess..petsmart!!!! They have the worst groomers anywhere!! You know groomers do not have to have training or a license like a hairdresser does?

Did you write a check? Cancel it! Use a CC or debit, call your bank and file a dispute, you will get your money back right away.

I dealt with them once and I refused to pay when my dogs came back to me looking like rats! I really gave them hell and then they said I didn't have to pay.. haha after I said I wasn't going to give them a dime!
Petco isn't any better... But petsmart you can watch and they are so rough with dogs, it makes me sick!

All you have to do is search Petsmart on YT and there are a lot of posts about bad grooming experiences and I am one of them. There are also several about pups being killed by PS groomers. My friend's dog died while at the PM groomer in IN. :eek:

We are now going to a groomer that does it out of her home and not only does she do a great job but only charges $20 each. :) My suggestion would be to call your vet and ask for a reference to groomers in your area. That is how I found mine. I called a couple of the numbers that my vet gave me and one gave me Tina's number. I made an appointment to go over and visit her with one of the boys with me. She showed me her work area and spent a little time meeting with me and talking. Now I never worry when I dorp them