New groomer for Bella

[deedeebear]

Originally Posted by pstinard

The past few times Bella has been groomed, she has shown signs of stress and possible abuse. The last time, she had diarrhea, and she was terrified of bath times.

Yesterday, we took her to Petsmart for the first time and had her groomed there. We figured that since there are glass windows onto the grooming area, Bella would be safer from abuse. Bella came back MUCH happier. The groomer said that Bella was nervous, but a sweetie, and she let Bella lick her during the grooming process to make her less nervous. We will take Bella back to Petsmart in the future for grooming.

The Petsmart groomer wasn't perfect, and the hair on Bella's head was a little asymmetrical, with a wisp of a curled bob pointing forward on one side, like Australian detective Phryne Fisher (see below). It was nothing that a quick snip with the scissors couldn't fix, though . I'll post a photo of Bella's new haircut (without the Phryne Fisher bob) later.

Petsmart can be good and bad! I was having trouble getting her into her regular groomer and needed Sophie to be groomed before we left on a trip and I was happy enough with the cut but when Sophie kept licking herself which I know is normal after she has been clipped but not for a week after she had been groomed. I looked at her and saw she had been cut with either clippers or scissors and I have not taken her back since. If really is who does the grooming. I have taken her to her regular groomer and just book in advance. I know that it can happen but the groomer at Petsmart did not even tell me it happened. Would I try them again in an emergency probably would so long as it was a different groomer.

[MauiGirl]

Bella looks great. I don't think the face is too long, it is the part that gives her Yorkie personality.

[CoopersMom89]

I was nervous about taking him to Petsmart as well! Luckily we had an awesome groomer and I didnt know that they would let you schedule with a certain groomer! He did so good and the groomer was so good with him! Here is his before and after photo

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by CoopersMom89

I was nervous about taking him to Petsmart as well! Luckily we had an awesome groomer and I didnt know that they would let you schedule with a certain groomer! He did so good and the groomer was so good with him! Here is his before and after photo

Cooper looks great! Every time I look at Bella, I see little grooming irregulaties, such as small patches of hair longer on one side of her face than on the other, but I'd rather have that than have her abused. I can fix the tiny mistakes. We'll get the same groomer the next time we take her to Petsmart, and I'll give her a little more instruction on how I want her face to look.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by pstinard

Cooper looks great! Every time I look at Bella, I see little grooming irregulaties, such as small patches of hair longer on one side of her face than on the other, but I'd rather have that than have her abused. I can fix the tiny mistakes. We'll get the same groomer the next time we take her to Petsmart, and I'll give her a little more instruction on how I want her face to look.

I'm really concerned that anyone even abused Bella while being groomed. That is absolutely unacceptable. I hope you complained about it.

[CoopersMom89]

Originally Posted by pstinard

Cooper looks great! Every time I look at Bella, I see little grooming irregulaties, such as small patches of hair longer on one side of her face than on the other, but I'd rather have that than have her abused. I can fix the tiny mistakes. We'll get the same groomer the next time we take her to Petsmart, and I'll give her a little more instruction on how I want her face to look.

That is crazy because I do not see how anyone could want to hurt these precious babies!!!! I noticed a couple things but that was his first time to the groomer so he was a little squiggly!!!! I am glad you got Bella away from those not so good people!!! This guy that cut hair at a local vet office was fired because he walked away from the table and the dog jumped off and well you know...... I was just horrifed by that!!! But thats why I liked Petsmart as well because you can watch them!!

[maggiefromnj]

Just take your photo of her recent groom with you and explain what you would like done differently. Maggie has never had a bad experience at PetSmart, though some groomers do a cut that I like better than others. They keep my preferences right in the computer, and I can get the same person if I want.

I think that the windows do force them not to mistreat them during the cut. I also think that corporate tries to keep things run properly with surveys etc. One time I complained that she still had some eye gook and some other minor detail and they gave me my money back, I didn't even ask for that!

I know that Maggie would not be a good girl if I was there for her grooming, so there is really no way I could ever watch, even if it was done in my home. She would be trying to get to me if she saw me. They are like little kids who will cry when you first leave them, but get over it once they know you are gone and they have no choice.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by maggiefromnj

Just take your photo of her recent groom with you and explain what you would like done differently. Maggie has never had a bad experience at PetSmart, though some groomers do a cut that I like better than others. They keep my preferences right in the computer, and I can get the same person if I want.

I think that the windows do force them not to mistreat them during the cut. I also think that corporate tries to keep things run properly with surveys etc. One time I complained that she still had some eye gook and some other minor detail and they gave me my money back, I didn't even ask for that!

I know that Maggie would not be a good girl if I was there for her grooming, so there is really no way I could ever watch, even if it was done in my home. She would be trying to get to me if she saw me. They are like little kids who will cry when you first leave them, but get over it once they know you are gone and they have no choice.

Thanks for the suggestions! Bella doesn't allow me to hold her down for extended grooming either--she behaves much better for strangers, LOL!

[ironmike86]

I don't go to groomers. But to be fair to the groomer it may have been an accident?? Any may not have noticed if he didn't wince?? Probably not but.. My wife cuts the dogs hairs and sometimes they move and almost get cut. But just like ppl alot of hair cutter do a bad job. My wifes been cutting hair for 35 yrs so thats a plus. The dogs take work.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by ironmike86

I don't go to groomers. But to be fair to the groomer it may have been an accident?? Any may not have noticed if he didn't wince?? Probably not but.. My wife cuts the dogs hairs and sometimes they move and almost get cut. But just like ppl alot of hair cutter do a bad job. My wifes been cutting hair for 35 yrs so thats a plus. The dogs take work.

Bella wasn't injured--she was terrorized. She was a nervous wreck for several days after, had diarrhea, and was deathly afraid of bath time, which is unusual. I mean, she normally doesn't like baths, but she normally doesn't cringe, tremble, and poop during the bath. I think she was manhandled and/or verbally abused, but I can't prove anything since she doesn't have any marks on her body. She was her normal, happy self after the Petsmart grooming. As for the previous groomer, my partner suspected abuse after previous groomings, but the last grooming there was the last straw.

[ironmike86]

Originally Posted by pstinard

Bella wasn't injured--she was terrorized. She was a nervous wreck for several days after, had diarrhea, and was deathly afraid of bath time, which is unusual. I mean, she normally doesn't like baths, but she normally doesn't cringe, tremble, and poop during the bath. I think she was manhandled and/or verbally abused, but I can't prove anything since she doesn't have any marks on her body. She was her normal, happy self after the Petsmart grooming. As for the previous groomer, my partner suspected abuse after previous groomings, but the last grooming there was the last straw.

I wouldn't go to Petsmart for grooming anyways. I would try to find a small local place. That has there own business and care about customers returning.Whos livelihood depends on it. I try to avoid any chain if possible anyways. If you have no choice I would just try myself. Alot cheaper. JMO I guess you were talking about a different groomer and Pets mart is the new one?? I still think small business is better ime

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by ironmike86

I wouldn't go to Petsmart for grooming anyways. I would try to find a small local place. That has there own business and care about customers returning.Whos livelihood depends on it. I try to avoid any chain if possible anyways. If you have no choice I would just try myself. Alot cheaper. JMO I guess you were talking about a different groomer and Pets mart is the new one?? I still think small business is better ime

Yes, Petsmart is the new (better) groomer, and the old (abusive) groomer was the small local business . At least Petsmart has a reputation to maintain (and windows onto the grooming area).

[ironmike86]

Originally Posted by pstinard

Yes, Petsmart is the new (better) groomer, and the old (abusive) groomer was the small local business . At least Petsmart has a reputation to maintain (and windows onto the grooming area).

To bad. The small one either is going to shut down. Or hire better groomers. There is one near me that had 4h kids who work with the dogs in the shows working there. PPL say they do a good job. But I never tried. I've seen the Petmart by me.If you stay there and watch...you can at least makesure your pet if safe. Or give them the stink eye