Groomer dilemma - YorkieTalk.com Forums

harleychick · 02-12-2011, 03:44 PM

I have been taking Miki to the same groomer for about a yr. now after my first groomer (a friend) let me down after the 3rd visit. I have really come to like and trust this new groomer. She was always the only groomer in her shop except for an occassional helper to answer the phones. When I took Miki in the other day, there were 2 new women there, one greeted me as soon as we came in, the other was working on grooming a dog along with the owner. The one at the door immediately took Miki from my arms and walked behind the counter and as I watched in horror, she dropped Miki on the counter!!!!

I don't know if Miki wiggled out of her arms or what, but it made me very uncomfortable right away! She asked me when was the last time Miki peed??????

I said, I don't know, she was at work with me and she has pee pads there, I know she pee'd, but I don't know how long ago. She said, "well, I'll take her outside to see if she has to go." I said "I" will take her out if you have a leash to use." The owner, who always groomed Miki, had never asked me this question before. Luckily, Miki happened to have an outfit on that had a D-ring. Her shop is on the main Street of town.... if she had not had a D-ring on her dress, I would have told her, it's not happening! So, I took her outside on the borrowed leash and of course she wouldn't go potty, but this woman follows me outside, all the while talking and asking questions. She asked if I used a crate with Miki or if she had the run of the house, so to speak. I said she is allowed to run around the house uncrated. So, she starts to tell me how she crates her dog and why, like I should be doing this also, which really sent me over the edge! I said, "She is doing just fine the way she is!"

I know my tone was heard, because right away she said, Oh, I'm not trying to tell you how to do things..... well, that's how it sounded to me! When we walked back inside, the owner walked over near me and I grabbed her arm and whispered in her ear, "Please promise me that you will be the one to groom Miki!" She assured me she would and made the announcement to the other two women that she would be grooming Miki.
I can't stay while Miki is being groomed because she acts up all the more when I'm there, so I very hesitently left, but with a very sick feeling in my stomach! I went back to work, with a sense of dread hanging over me. I recently read on YT about the poor baby that was dropped at the groomers and died from a broken back. I did a lot of praying at that moment & continued to do so until I had my baby back in my arms.
I am now very leary about taking Miki back to this groomer, or how I should handle the whole situation. I realize that the owner is very busy and that's why she hired the help, but I am just not comfortable with these strangers, especially after the way things transpired when we came in.
I'd like to know what you would do in my situation. Please advise!
I think I know what I need to do, but I'd like to hear from all of you, am I just being an overprotective Mom, or should I start seeking a new groomer? Miki is like a human child to me and you all know how "Mama bear" will defend her young when it comes to protecting them.
I would appreciate your feedback. Thank You

yorkieusa · 02-12-2011, 06:10 PM

No, you're not being over-protective. I would be very leary taking her back there without having a very serious discussion with your groomer about your concerns.

kjcmsw · 02-12-2011, 06:11 PM

Understandably scary and I don't blame you for being hesitant; however, from now on when you book your appointment state you want the one groomer to do it. Period. You're the paying customer. If she won't oblige your request find another groomer.

smyrfette · 02-12-2011, 06:36 PM

No your not being over protective at all.

My husband had groomers hang up on him when he called groomers to interview them for our Binky.

He wanted a tour to see how clean the facilities were...wanted to drop her off and have her groomed while we had lunch close by and pick her up immediately.

needless to say binky only went to the groomer twice in her 11+ years she was in my life I did it myself.

You are paying for this service and have a right to be as picky as you like.

I myself wouldn't have allowed someone who told me to crate my dog and why touch my dog either.

My poor rescue i have now crated odds are over 90percent of her day for 4 years.

My open concept house scared her to death for the first week or so.

The 2nd groomer we used was a friend who used to buy dog bows from me and had a mobile grooming which is also an option for you to look into.

She picked up a lot of business from my neighbors they loved it.

Presto · 02-12-2011, 06:47 PM

You are not being over protective at all

its natural. I would never forgive someone who treated my poochums like that. I think we all have the tendency to protect our little ones and there is nothing wrong with that.

Lil Sis · 02-13-2011, 03:50 AM

wow.. the owner is so busy she can't groom your baby but she has time to follow you outside to tell you how to treat you baby at home??
Don't think so... I kind of got a bad feeling myself. I know it may be from the two post of baby's that died at groomers idk
Have you though of a mobile groomer.. I have been. Well I have been after I tried to groom Remy..

myself.

Good luck

harleychick · 02-13-2011, 09:29 AM

Thank you all for your advise. I love this site!!!

I love the idea of a mobile groomer, but live in a small town and there are none here.

I have recommended this groomer to several people, so I think I will try to contact some of them and see what they think of the new arrangement & share my concerns with them as well.

I do have to respond that it wasn't the owner that followed me outside, it was the woman that had greeted me at the door & took Miki from me.

I will have to contact the owner & talk to her, and then decide if I am going to be looking for a new groomer.
Thank you again everyone!
Hugs

Purplehaze · 02-13-2011, 01:21 PM

You have every right to be protective of your baby. I worked for a groomer for a while. We never went and took animals out of an owners hand unless that owner handed their animal to us first. Normally, we would let the owners walk their dog over to us. It would normally make the dog feel a little bit better when he could walk and can "sniff" around. We also never gave any personal advice to the owner unelss they asked a specific question! How dare she try to tell you how to reaise your baby!

If someone asked for a specific groomer to pretty their dog up, that groomer would do the job! Unless they were overloaded, but we would tell the owner "So and so has x# of dogs today, is there anyone else you would like, or would you like to set an appointment for them tomorrow?" or "She is swammped today, but so and so does (breed) very well!"

In the shop I worked in there were some very talented and kind ladies. But I also saw alot of bad things happen. Some people are just not cut out to be groomers. Not all dogs enjoy being worked on by a stranger and they squirm, bite, pee themselves, try to jump, etc. and some people don't really know how to properly respond to that. So if you feel uncomfortable about a shop DO NOT hesitate to find a new groomer. If your baby appears to be more shaken up than happy to see you after a grooming you should enquire what has happened and consider moving. Normally yolu can find reviews on a groomer online

LoALAnna · 02-13-2011, 04:41 PM

Your gut instinct is never wrong! Something is telling you to beware and should be heeded! Better to be looked at as "overprotective" than have regrets later!

BanditSocks2 · 02-13-2011, 04:58 PM

You are not being too overprotective! It's your baby furbutt!! We all have gut instincts for a reason!

02-12-2011, 03:44 PM	#1
harleychick Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Kingsford, MI USA Posts: 63	Groomer dilemma I have been taking Miki to the same groomer for about a yr. now after my first groomer (a friend) let me down after the 3rd visit. I have really come to like and trust this new groomer. She was always the only groomer in her shop except for an occassional helper to answer the phones. When I took Miki in the other day, there were 2 new women there, one greeted me as soon as we came in, the other was working on grooming a dog along with the owner. The one at the door immediately took Miki from my arms and walked behind the counter and as I watched in horror, she dropped Miki on the counter!!!! I don't know if Miki wiggled out of her arms or what, but it made me very uncomfortable right away! She asked me when was the last time Miki peed?????? I said, I don't know, she was at work with me and she has pee pads there, I know she pee'd, but I don't know how long ago. She said, "well, I'll take her outside to see if she has to go." I said "I" will take her out if you have a leash to use." The owner, who always groomed Miki, had never asked me this question before. Luckily, Miki happened to have an outfit on that had a D-ring. Her shop is on the main Street of town.... if she had not had a D-ring on her dress, I would have told her, it's not happening! So, I took her outside on the borrowed leash and of course she wouldn't go potty, but this woman follows me outside, all the while talking and asking questions. She asked if I used a crate with Miki or if she had the run of the house, so to speak. I said she is allowed to run around the house uncrated. So, she starts to tell me how she crates her dog and why, like I should be doing this also, which really sent me over the edge! I said, "She is doing just fine the way she is!" I know my tone was heard, because right away she said, Oh, I'm not trying to tell you how to do things..... well, that's how it sounded to me! When we walked back inside, the owner walked over near me and I grabbed her arm and whispered in her ear, "Please promise me that you will be the one to groom Miki!" She assured me she would and made the announcement to the other two women that she would be grooming Miki. I can't stay while Miki is being groomed because she acts up all the more when I'm there, so I very hesitently left, but with a very sick feeling in my stomach! I went back to work, with a sense of dread hanging over me. I recently read on YT about the poor baby that was dropped at the groomers and died from a broken back. I did a lot of praying at that moment & continued to do so until I had my baby back in my arms. I am now very leary about taking Miki back to this groomer, or how I should handle the whole situation. I realize that the owner is very busy and that's why she hired the help, but I am just not comfortable with these strangers, especially after the way things transpired when we came in. I'd like to know what you would do in my situation. Please advise! I think I know what I need to do, but I'd like to hear from all of you, am I just being an overprotective Mom, or should I start seeking a new groomer? Miki is like a human child to me and you all know how "Mama bear" will defend her young when it comes to protecting them. I would appreciate your feedback. Thank You

02-12-2011, 06:10 PM	#2
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	No, you're not being over-protective. I would be very leary taking her back there without having a very serious discussion with your groomer about your concerns. __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

02-12-2011, 06:11 PM	#3
kjcmsw YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Washington Posts: 837	Understandably scary and I don't blame you for being hesitant; however, from now on when you book your appointment state you want the one groomer to do it. Period. You're the paying customer. If she won't oblige your request find another groomer. __________________ Kendra

02-13-2011, 03:50 AM	#6
Lil Sis Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,008	wow.. the owner is so busy she can't groom your baby but she has time to follow you outside to tell you how to treat you baby at home?? Don't think so... I kind of got a bad feeling myself. I know it may be from the two post of baby's that died at groomers idk Have you though of a mobile groomer.. I have been. Well I have been after I tried to groom Remy.. myself. Good luck __________________ Shinja mom to Remy lil Sis to Bailey and Sammy

02-12-2011, 06:36 PM	#4
smyrfette Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: columbus ohio Posts: 202	No your not being over protective at all. My husband had groomers hang up on him when he called groomers to interview them for our Binky. He wanted a tour to see how clean the facilities were...wanted to drop her off and have her groomed while we had lunch close by and pick her up immediately. needless to say binky only went to the groomer twice in her 11+ years she was in my life I did it myself. You are paying for this service and have a right to be as picky as you like. I myself wouldn't have allowed someone who told me to crate my dog and why touch my dog either. My poor rescue i have now crated odds are over 90percent of her day for 4 years. My open concept house scared her to death for the first week or so. The 2nd groomer we used was a friend who used to buy dog bows from me and had a mobile grooming which is also an option for you to look into. She picked up a lot of business from my neighbors they loved it.

02-12-2011, 06:47 PM	#5
Presto Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Wilmington, MA Posts: 370	You are not being over protective at all its natural. I would never forgive someone who treated my poochums like that. I think we all have the tendency to protect our little ones and there is nothing wrong with that.

02-13-2011, 09:29 AM	#7
harleychick Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Kingsford, MI USA Posts: 63	Thank you all for your advise. I love this site!!! I love the idea of a mobile groomer, but live in a small town and there are none here. I have recommended this groomer to several people, so I think I will try to contact some of them and see what they think of the new arrangement & share my concerns with them as well. I do have to respond that it wasn't the owner that followed me outside, it was the woman that had greeted me at the door & took Miki from me. I will have to contact the owner & talk to her, and then decide if I am going to be looking for a new groomer. Thank you again everyone! Hugs

02-13-2011, 01:21 PM	#8
Purplehaze Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Moore, Oklahoma Posts: 11	You have every right to be protective of your baby. I worked for a groomer for a while. We never went and took animals out of an owners hand unless that owner handed their animal to us first. Normally, we would let the owners walk their dog over to us. It would normally make the dog feel a little bit better when he could walk and can "sniff" around. We also never gave any personal advice to the owner unelss they asked a specific question! How dare she try to tell you how to reaise your baby! If someone asked for a specific groomer to pretty their dog up, that groomer would do the job! Unless they were overloaded, but we would tell the owner "So and so has x# of dogs today, is there anyone else you would like, or would you like to set an appointment for them tomorrow?" or "She is swammped today, but so and so does (breed) very well!" In the shop I worked in there were some very talented and kind ladies. But I also saw alot of bad things happen. Some people are just not cut out to be groomers. Not all dogs enjoy being worked on by a stranger and they squirm, bite, pee themselves, try to jump, etc. and some people don't really know how to properly respond to that. So if you feel uncomfortable about a shop DO NOT hesitate to find a new groomer. If your baby appears to be more shaken up than happy to see you after a grooming you should enquire what has happened and consider moving. Normally yolu can find reviews on a groomer online

02-13-2011, 04:41 PM	#9
LoALAnna YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Elberta, AL USA Posts: 919	Your gut instinct is never wrong! Something is telling you to beware and should be heeded! Better to be looked at as "overprotective" than have regrets later!

02-13-2011, 04:58 PM	#10
BanditSocks2 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Crofton, MD, USA Posts: 1,522	You are not being too overprotective! It's your baby furbutt!! We all have gut instincts for a reason!