OMG...Im Scared!

[IWAY]

Not defending Petsmart or Petco but there are groomers who work for both of these businesses that are wonderful caring people. I guess the problem is when quantity gets in the way of quality.

[ralphthepoodle]

I am sure that they are not all bad, I just wish there was more regulations for dog groomers

[RileyDC]

I do all my grooming to Riley!! I started him Early and he lets me do absolutely Anything to him!!!! I will lay him on his back to groom his tummy and the hair in between his paws....and he usually falls asleep!! LOL!!

I think he looks good when I'm done, and if not I only have myself to blame!
I have heard waaaay too many stories from friends and people here in DC.

My sister has grooming business, so perhaps it is in the blood!!??
But it really does help that he is very very cooperative.....

[beachdog]

I groomed Paris myself also. He didn't seem to care that I got the sides different! I NEVER go to Petco or Petsmart. For anything.

[IWAY]

Originally Posted by ralphthepoodle

I am sure that they are not all bad, I just wish there was more regulations for dog groomers

I agree, there was a bill several years ago that would have made it mandatory for groomers to be licenced but it never made it through congress. My daughter started out at Petsmart but left as soon as she was able because of the reasons listed in your 1st post. Some groomers stay,trying to make a difference. They (Petsmart & Petco) operate on the # of dogs groomed not the quality of the groom or if the groomer has a working relationship with the client.

[ralphthepoodle]

Originally Posted by IWAY

I agree, there was a bill several years ago that would have made it mandatory for groomers to be licenced but it never made it through congress. My daughter started out at Petsmart but left as soon as she was able because of the reasons listed in your 1st post. Some groomers stay,trying to make a difference. They (Petsmart & Petco) operate on the # of dogs groomed not the quality of the groom or if the groomer has a working relationship with the client.

I agree, I googled and basically anyone could be a groomer. If my hair dresser needs a course, and hours, and a test, I think dog groomers need the same thing. I feel like finding a good groomer is so hard now a days

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by ralphthepoodle

Okay,

Even though I know Ralph's groomer I have decided that I do not think I am going to get Ralph groomed again, i think i will take a class, or learn how to do it, because this scares me. They say at the end that this is NOT the first time this has happened! This is just scary and saddening to me! PetsMart Sued Over Alleged Grooming Death Of Puppy At Downey Store CBS Los Angeles

I have heard of this happening frequently...they walk off and leave these babies in thosE ties, the dog jumps from the table, and then hangs until they notice or get back...I ALWAYS CAUTION MY BUYERS DO NOT USE PETSMART OR PETCO FOR GROOMING SERVICES UNLESS YOU STAY RIGHT THERE AND WATCH IT BEING DONE.....EACH TIME, NOT JUST ONCE OR TWICE....

[ralphthepoodle]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

I have heard of this happening frequently...they walk off and leave these babies in thosE ties, the dog jumps from the table, and then hangs until they notice or get back...I ALWAYS CAUTION MY BUYERS DO NOT USE PETSMART OR PETCO FOR GROOMING SERVICES UNLESS YOU STAY RIGHT THERE AND WATCH IT BEING DONE.....EACH TIME, NOT JUST ONCE OR TWICE....

I agree. Its just so sad these groomers let it happen!

[gracielove]

Everyone needs to be very alarmed about this situation. PetSmart trains their own groomers. They hire someone off the street and do all the training themselves. In most states there are no requirements to become a groomer. Anyone can start being a groomer by getting hired by another groomer. Now the shop has to have a license to be a business but that does not put any restrictions on how they treat the animals. So when you go to a grooming shop you really need to know who you are dealing with and find out what their training and experience is. Don't ever assume that your groomer went to an accredited school because there are no real guidelines on even training a groomer.

My groomer was telling me recently that if a groomer harms your pet that there is not a lot of legal recourse for you because animals are considered "property" and not something of any value. I hope these people at least get something from their lawsuit but it is unlikely. I imagine that PetSmart has their lawyers ready for this.

[IWAY]

"I imagine that PetSmart has their lawyers ready for this."

They do

Since the grooming industry is pretty much self regulating just do your homework. Use the same rules that you'd use before visiting a Dr. or any other service provider. Ask people who care for their furkids the same way you do for references. If enough pet parents do this at least SOME of the 3rd rate shops & salons will be run out of business.

[carmen in nj]

I would NEVER take my dogs to petsmart for grooming, I had a HORRIBLE experience when Harrison was only 9 months old and took him to the petsmart on RT.4 in bergen county, NJ for grooming. it was the worse experience ever, since then I started looking for private grooming and for the longest time I sat and waited for my dog to be groomed.. so sad..
hugs,

[IWAY]

A shop or salon that displays membership with an organization like this is always a good sign.

National Dog Groomers Association for Professional Pet Groomers


The requirements for membership are different for each of the groups but if they (shops & salons) care enough to belong to one of them that's a good sign.

Also, some of the best most compassionate groomers around never went to a "school" but apprenticed with an expirienced teacher.

[gracielove]

I did a search on the internet to find out about grooming schools. It was an interesting experience. There is a wide variety. I used to know a groomer many years ago, she was an older lady at the time. She had attended a school that required that they learn how to groom all the AKC registered breeds besides knowing the basics of bathing, doing nails, being able to identify certain diseases that can effect dogs etc. She said they did hours of grooming on each breed and only under the supervision of one of the "teachers." That woman could make my very thick coated Shih Tzu look fantastic using only a pair of scissors. She knew what she was doing. I'm sure what ever school she went to is long since gone but from what I saw online some of those "schools" do very little in the way of actual hands on experience for those "groomers." I think working with a very good experienced groomer for several months would be better training than what some of those schools are offering.

There are so many people that are willing to abuse animals in order to make money. An industry that someone can make money without having to invest time and money in training and equipment is bound to attract some people who have little interest in the welfare of the animals. Of course accidents can happen anywhere but are more likely at a place where the people have little experience. I'm not trying to bash all groomers. I do have a very good groomer right now but I had some bad experiences before I went to her. I didn't go to her at first mainly because she was quite a bit more expensive than the others. Now I am more than happy to pay the extra to have peace of mind when walking out the door not just because I know she will do what I ask but also because I know Gracie is safe.

I just think it is wrong for places like PetSmart and other so call professional grooming salons to pretend that they know what they are doing when so many of them are hiring inexperienced people off the streets. Unsuspecting owners entrust their little dogs to these people not realizing that they could probably do a better job themselves if they tried. This is not the first dog to be injured at a grooming salon. You don't usually see people starting a law suit because it is so costly and the chances of wining are slim. If they win what will they get? The cost of the dog? Maybe. I doubt they would get their legal fees back though.

[concretegurl]

Originally Posted by IWAY

Not defending Petsmart or Petco but there are groomers who work for both of these businesses that are wonderful caring people. I guess the problem is when quantity gets in the way of quality.

Or when acceptable profit loss in reality equates to dead animals etc.
It's all an insure write off anyways so who cares right?

I find that hard to beleive people working there truly care I've been to several of them and the state of the stores in basic inspection shows me otherwise-if someone really cared would they work for those places.

I find it odd one grooming death and ppl jump ship-I already boycott both these places due to the thousands of deaths they have caused.

Mistreated birds, reptiles and rodents.

Birds smuggled in and reptiles too from massive operations where most die.
Chinchillas from chin farms-same as pup mills.
Fish yeah who cares about fish right?

So as long as they don't sell or abuse dogs we as pet owner should be okay with them and buy stuff for our dogs there right-I for one don't get that logic at all.

[Jesslmetz]

Omg!! How horrible!!!