Truth about yorkies and groomers...

[Cidney]

I have associated the dog brush as a good thing for my Yorkies. When I get the brush out, they try to move each other out of the way so they can get brushed. I given them bath's every 2 weeks but brush out once a week or more. I have a groomer who comes to my house and he is wonderful.

I always tell people my Yorkies are "fur with attitude".

[tpaxton23]

I took my two, 9 month olds to the groomer today for the first time. I was so worried how they would do at the groomers after reading this post yesterday. She said that they were angels and that they didn't have any mats and I was doing a good job brushing them, Yeah!! I brush them both every morning and put in their topknots. They smelled so nice when I picked them up. They just got a little trim since I am growing their hair out. I think they both had a positive first experience at the groomers (I took in their favorite treats to reward them for sitting still). All the ladies at the Animal Hospital were oohing and aahing over them and they both loved it.

I also brought them back in to work with me to show them off since they looked so good. Of course everyone here loved them also and they didn't even bark so the big boss didn't even know they were here. LOL

[ILovePenny]

Hello,

Can anyone recommend a good Yorkie groomer in Toronto? I have heard that you should really go to someone who specializes in working with Yorkies. Any suggestions are appreciated!

Thanks

[SamiNFurbabies]

i don't like where you posted "We do not allow owners to stay and watch" not all of our dogs flip out when they go to get groomed. some people DO need to be educated and take the time to get their dogs use to being handled and groomed but some people also don't trust someone who won't let them stay.
__________________

I agree. I always stay during the first groom so that I and my dogs feel comfortable with that person... they are fine with me there---in fact they are more comfortable.
I would like to take grooming classes for myself though--considering that I have 2 poodles, one yorkie, and I plan on having many more "fluffy" dogs... i think that it will be worth it. Does anyone know how long it takes to get through classes and how much it costs? I'm not looking to be a professional groomer---just looking to groom my dogs well.

[browniesmom622]

I do mine myself.

[Potter]

Surprise to see an old old thread that I have posted 2 years go I no longer go to the groomers except for the cutting nails part...I groom him myself now.

[iluvkst]

My yorkie is having her first groomin appointment next week. I brush he about every day. We'll find out how I am doing!

[Misti1]

Originally Posted by k2p1e

Okay my eyes have been opened...
I have never taken my yorkies to the groomers b/c I have always doen their hair at home, a passion of mine.
I decided to go to school to learn dog grooming and after reading so mnay posts about the horrors of the dog groomers and yorkies I thought, no problem! I will be the type of groomer people wish for....LOL!!!!!

Right...then reality bit me (literally).
So, far at school I have done a yorkie almost everyday. Most of the girls at the shop (I study at a really busy shop with several groomers) do not like to handle the small dogs, whereas I prefer them.

The owner wants them to look cute, only take off an inch or less...look like they did when they were a puppy only with a longer cut.
9 out of 10 of these yorkies are matted, not just a little knot but to the skin with pink sore skin underneath.
They have been bathed in overly harsh shampoos at home and have not been rinsed very well (when the water hits them they have bubbles coming off their coat and no shampoo has been added by me) and they skin pays for it (flaky, sore in spots).
Nails are so long there feet are splayed...argh!!!
I refuse to dematt if it takes more then 5 mins. I know I could spend 2 hours dematting their dogs and make them look sweet but it is TOO PAINFUL!!!! Humanity before vanity! I shave it off to ease the poor dogs suffering.

Or my favorite, there are no matts but huge gaps where the owner chopped the matt out and now the haircut is all uneven and funny looking...so we go shorter to make the dog look decent.

Of these dogs 50% or nasty, spoiled, or a biter. We are very firm, we tell them no, some then lash out and attack our hands. So we humanly muzzle them with a correctly fitted muzzle. Funny thing is the majority of the dogs them completely stop, calm down and are angels for the rest of the grooming. With new dogs or puppies we only muzzle for a minute, take the it off and try again without it, some learn not to bite others must be remuzzled. A lady today was horrified to learn I muzzled her yorkie...the dog started to growl when I picked up the brush, it then lunged at me when I stepped forward. I explained that I cannot get bit...she then asked if that was not part of my job! Ah..no..if I get bit I can possibly be out of work, get an infection and teach the dog that it is acceptable to bite...ah no it is not part of the job to get bit.

We do not allow owners to stay and watch because the dogs go nuts when they are there!!! people have a hard time believing us but once they leave most of the dogs calm down, are angels, stand still. When they hear mommy's voice it becomes dangerous...they bounce around, try to find them...and we are trying to not cut them with out very sharp scissors..

And fat dogs! Good lord I know they are loved, no question but it is sad when they cannot stand for more then 5 mins and collaspe from shear exhaustion! I have never seen rolls on a dog till now!

When people buy a yorkie they are thrilled they they are no shed but that means they are more likely to matt!!!

They is so much to grooming, the studying I am doing is unreal, the care and training is intense...I love making dogs feel good!!!

I am amazed at how many owners come in for their baby's first trim, a matted to the bone 8 months old cotton coat yorkie, who is terrified. And they are so angry when we say the dog will be naked. If we cannot run a comb through then there will be a problem with the owners dream of a fluffy puppy.

People please go and get your dogs groomed! If you do not know how go to the groomers! There are some good (and bad) groomers out there. Ask to see the shop, ask for referrals. If you hated the cut before go again and tell them! Let them know what you want and do not be insulted if they tell you that you have to do some work at home too to acheive your puppy's desired look!

Our yorkies should at a minimum go 6 weeks...some people say that is too $$$ well that is part of owning a yorkie!!

I did a lovely yorkie this afternoon, she was a princess, good as gold, beautiful full coat (every 4weeks), nice dog. She had been going since she was 16 weeks, and comes every month, her owners work well with the staff and the dog is is joy to see and be with.
I wish it were like that all the time!

This needs to be a permanent sticky post on this site. How very enlightening and realistic....girl you told it like it is, and I applaud you.

I recently went out and got Maya a very small toothed comb and went through her hair systematically and removed every tiny matt with as little damage as possible, and she CLOWNED... all I could think was "your poor groomer". I have pledged to be sure she is matt free each and every time before I take her.

Everything tangles them up, playing, their collar, going potty, sleeping, you name it...

I promise you that I for one am taking down everything you say, and my groomer and I are going to be best friends.

[yorkieisme]

Great thread here, I have been thinking about taking Chino to the groomers soon to get him use to other people....the thing is I do not like the fact they shove the poor babies into cages and set the dryer on them until they are dry. How can you be nice and I ask they do not do that? I prefer hand dry only.........do they even do this? I have checked around at a few places and everyone of the dogs there looked awful before they left. The thing is the clients were happy........makes me wonder what they looked like before. Also how do you explain, just a nice cleaning around the ears, face and butt but leave the hair alone? It has taken us forever to get his hair to start growing back out so we do not want his hair taken off just shaped up. His recent pictures are in my album so you can see what you think I need done. We also do not want any harsh chemicals on him, we use baby shampoo on him...will they also use this if we ask? Or am I asking too much from a groomer?

[TheTeddyBear]

I have to ask, I haven't taken Teddy to the groomers yet.. I have been shaving him (not bare about 3/4 inch long) and brushing everyday he's not matted at all I love his hair but I can never get his face right and I really want to take him to the groomers, (also because he is difficult to cut and I'm not a professional but .. should I finish obedience school first? I mean so he doesnt bite.. he's teething so he's pretty nippy.

[maddoglady]

Hi there
Do you have mobile groomers who will visit your own home to groom the dog? I have been doing this for more than 10 years and have had my share of nasty, yappy, biting dogs and owners. But I have nothing to hide in the way they are treated and the owner can see that I am not hurting their precious pup. The only rule I have is that the owner cannot interfere or talk to the dog whilst I am working with it.
I have been fighting with a yorkie girl for more than two years to try and get her to realise that the grooming is GOING to be done and that I am not going to hurt her.
She has scratched, bitten and even head-butted me over the years but I will not be beaten by her and she is getting calmer every visit. I do not own a muzzle and find it difficult to imagine how I would tidy the face with one on the dog.
The owner has said on many occasions that she is always afraid that I am going to tell her that I won't do her dog again but I'm sure that changing groomers would do this girl no favours as she has only ever been groomed by me. She only has one tantrum during my visit now and the last visit went very well - she even let me cut her nails and pluck her ears without argument, both mum and I were stunned into silence.
I love my job as I can continue to be the 'mad dog lady' that everyone knows I am, every groomer must have a love for what they do because the dogs will surely see and feel this.

[Dawn125]

Originally Posted by yorkieisme

Great thread here, I have been thinking about taking Chino to the groomers soon to get him use to other people....the thing is I do not like the fact they shove the poor babies into cages and set the dryer on them until they are dry. How can you be nice and I ask they do not do that? I prefer hand dry only.........do they even do this? I have checked around at a few places and everyone of the dogs there looked awful before they left. The thing is the clients were happy........makes me wonder what they looked like before. Also how do you explain, just a nice cleaning around the ears, face and butt but leave the hair alone? It has taken us forever to get his hair to start growing back out so we do not want his hair taken off just shaped up. His recent pictures are in my album so you can see what you think I need done. We also do not want any harsh chemicals on him, we use baby shampoo on him...will they also use this if we ask? Or am I asking too much from a groomer?

A good groomer does not cage dry a yorkie. A cage dried yorkie WILL look terrible. There is just no reason for it. Yorkies do not have undercoat and dry really quickly. Just discuss this with the groomer before you leave the dog with them. Don't be afraid to ask questions or make requests.