My baby got butchered yesterday :(

[kkephart]

Ok... I have seen many threads lately about groomer issues... well I am still so upset I have to post my own. I left my sweet little fluff ball and when I went to pick him up I didn't even recognize him. His whole body had been shaved and he was bleeding bc they had cut him . His head looks so huge compared to his body and he looks like he has 4 pom poms for feet!! They didn't charge me for the visit... but I'm still so upset. I have been there several times before and he left beautiful. He said he decided to do a summer cut and Oliver moved too much and he got cut What do I need to say to a groomer to prevent this in the future

[Perrella]

Oh, I'm so sorry, I know that has to be very upsetting. I'm sorry, I can't offer any advice since I have always groomed Zhoie. If she gets a screwed up cut.....umm, it's me.

It does seem there has been some many threads with groomer mess ups. I'm sure others can give you some tips.

[JESSY_RN2B]

I am so sorry! I bet he still looks handsome. Does he wear clothes? They help

[RileyDC]

Ohhh No... I'm sorry you had to go through that!!

There really seem to be a lot of horror/groomer stories, of late....
It makes me nervous about possibly taking Riley to a Groomer.
He just turned 1-year and I have trimmed him up a few times, with
just some grooming shears. I am going to trim him up, again, tomorrow,
after his bath.....but it is starting to get sooo Humid here, I
was starting to think about taking him to get a shorter puppy cut.
I did purchase 2 Grooming books a couple months ago..... I may just
read them front to back..... purchase one or two of the videos out there
and do it, myself......?!?!

The only thing I would think to do is take a photo in of what you want it to look like....and then after that, they are in their hands.
I know I am going to be a nervous wreck if I decide to take him to a Groomer.

[Ringo1]

I wouldn't be too happy if :

1. They shaved my baby without asking
2. They cut him during the process

I do believe I'd be finding me another groomer. Lucy got shaved this week-end as well; but the groomer prepared me (she was very matted from in the area of her harness) AND she didn't get cut.

I still hate the way she looks but will have to live with it for a while.

[kkephart]

Exactly... shouldn't I have been asked??? I'm sure its for the best bc its going to be getting really hot... but still and then CUT him We will be on the hunt for a new groomer.. Maybe I will start researching how to do it on my own.

[jadabug]

I am so sorry your baby was hurt by the groomer. I would be hunting a new groomer or try doing your own grooming. It isn't that hard and at least you know your baby is well taken care of. I actually enjoy grooming my two.

[ladyjane]

These stories make me so sad. It is hard enough on these pups to go to a groomer and then to have an idiot not know how to handle them??!?! Ugh. I have watched my groomer for years and have never seen her not be able to handle any pup. I guess good groomers are hard to find and I know I am so lucky.

I can tell you this: I would never leave my pup with a groomer. If the groomer is not comfortable with an owner there, well then bye bye groomer. If I lost the one I have now, I would probably groom mine myself. I do know how after all of these years, but I still would rather she would because she does an awesome job.

OP, I hope you find someone wonderful.....and that your pup learns to enjoy being groomed. If handled properly they do like being done ... some of mine sit like angels and afterwards they strut. It's like they know they look good!

[beader]

I use to go to a groomer and I would stay with Cooper while he was getting groomed. He was always wiggly and he would shake. The groomer moved and I thought I would do it myself. I found out that he was a good boy and didn't act up for me. Now if I don't like the cut I am the only one to blame. I have cut my husbands hair for 35 years (no training) so I think I can give my dog a trim Try it,the hair will grow back and you will do better the second time.

[kkephart]

I feel bad that I never thought about staying with him... very good point! Believe me the next cut he gets will by me or I will watch! My baby keeps hanging his head like hes ashamed Poor guy has been through enough with the puppy mills!!! Lets just say Mommy will be spoiling him rotten!

[kjcmsw]

Originally Posted by kkephart

Ok... I have seen many threads lately about groomer issues... well I am still so upset I have to post my own. I left my sweet little fluff ball and when I went to pick him up I didn't even recognize him. His whole body had been shaved and he was bleeding bc they had cut him . His head looks so huge compared to his body and he looks like he has 4 pom poms for feet!! They didn't charge me for the visit... but I'm still so upset. I have been there several times before and he left beautiful. He said he decided to do a summer cut and Oliver moved too much and he got cut What do I need to say to a groomer to prevent this in the future

Maybe say something like, "Under NO circumstances are you to shave him" --- I do most of mine's grooming myself, but about three x's a yr I take them in for a good clarifying/conditioning/"trim" (one gets the schnauzer cut though) I spell out everything each time I go in...no cutting of the snout/eye hairs... don't touch the topknot, pluck the ears, trim only the tips, only "blend" stray hairs, no major cutting, etc., etc. Even things that should be a given, I don't leave to chance. The schnauzer cut one is the only one I leave them to do as they feel best.
Sometimes groomers do a really good job a few times and having so many clients they can mix up who is who...best to just tell them - nicely of course because we all know how hair dressers and groomers get rid of annoying customers: one less than perfect cut usually does it.

[gidget529]

That is terrible! Poor Oliver!

Unfortunately, I had bad experiences w groomers - Cricket got an ear fungus from one, shaved by another that cost me an arm, etc. I just started grooming myself years ago.

I scissor cut for years. I just recently (this weekend) tried the modified "Joey/Zoie" cut that YTer's were nice enough to share the how-to's for the rest of us - turned out pretty good!

I would watch the cut for infection. Ladyjane has a great idea to find a groomer that is comfortable w you staying and watching. I would find a new groomer if I were you.

I'm sure as cute as Oliver is, he can carry off any haircut! They can't stifle his cuteness!

[ladyjane]

One thing I should add about staying while the groomer is working on your pup. You need to assure the groomer that you will not interfere. I sit there and talk with the groomer and other people in the shop, but I never speak to my pup that she is working on....and I don't hover over them. You should allow the groomer to handle your pup...as long as no danger is coming to the pup. I seriously doubt that any groomer who is willing to let people sit there is going to be rough with a pup.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Finding a good groomer is so hard. I have been through the bad experiences myself. Picked Rosie up one time and all the hair on her back legs were shaved off. Only the back legs!! Her daddy called her turkey legs for a month! Never understood and never went back.

Luckily I have found a wonderful groomer. She has a shop but also does a few clients at her home. Rosie is groomed at her home. She lets me stay if I want or I can leave her. She always ask me what I want done. Everytime! Even though she has been grooming Rosie for years. Rosie has run of her house and she spoils her! Look at the picture below. This is Rosie after she has been groomed!

I would make sure I clearly stated what I wanted each time. Even if it is the same thing. I agree with Ladyjane as well. Any groomer should allow you to stay if you want as long as you are not interfering.

I had to go through a few groomers before I found the one I am really pleased with. If you like your groomer, maybe you should discuss how you feel and give them one more chance. I will be honest, I did not give the lady that shaved Rosie's legs another chance. But it was our first time to use her so no loss!

Good luck on deciding what to do! Just remember your babies hair will grow back. Give him extra attention and treats.

[angelsdancing]

I am so sorry to hear this. These groomer stories I have heard are too scary. I took Kiki to her first grooming paid $40 it didnt look like the groomer did anything BUT she did say she used a furminator on her. To find out that yorkies shouldnt have this used on them because they are a non shedding dog I was so upset. She looks fine but I will never return there again. I might try this other place 40 mins from me and if that dont work, I guess I will learn to groom her myself.