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Truth about yorkies and groomers... 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!!!!!:eek: :eek: :eek: 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! |
I am sorry you have had such bad exeriences with people. My groomer had t dematt Jewels once and I asked the groomer what her recommendation was on how ooften we should come in with her. She said every month and so we have been taking her every month and havent had any more matting problems |
Every single thing you have just said I have heard a groomer say before, LOL. I know it is alot of work - I can only IMAGINE. Stedman gets brushed every single day, sometimes twice a day...and bathed once a week. We use a great shampoo, although I do groom him myself. I am TOO picky about the way I want his hair done - I don't even bother with taking him in anymore :p I'd probably drive a groomer CRAZY explaining how I want his hair, so I figure it is just easier to do it myself :) And I know they say that dogs are usually better for other people rather than their owners when it comes to grooming - however, I guess he is so used to me doing it now he just sits there, still as can be for mommy ;) I think it is GREAT that you are taking an interest in this and learning all about it. It is great to know that there are groomers out there who really DO care and who are in it for the love of the dogs :) |
groomer I never met a dog I did not like, but I certainly have met alot of owners I could do without...since I got the same dogs over and over to groom, they leanred to trust me...the best thing you can do is develop a good relationship with the dog..teach it manners and how to behave while being groomed...it used to take me about 3 groomings to get them to know I was incharge..and once that happens, they change into sweethearts...good luck |
That was very interesting.. I am also studying to be a groomer .. so far I have not experience what you have.. But recently a groomer cut the tip of my baby ear.. and she had to call the vet to stop the bleeding.. I am upset.. BUT.. very angry at:mad: ..she did not call me..and she charged me.. I can understand dogs move.. but come on.. my husband pick the pups up and paid her.. I would not have paid her ....I HOPE I DO NOT HURT SOMEONE ANIMAL... But.. if I do I will not handle it like that groomer did.. My husband wants me to let it go.. IT STILL BUGS THE HECK OUT OF ME |
Thanks for sharing, k2p1e. I always get a little irritated when I see posts about how horrible groomers are... I really do not think they're given the credit they deserve. Every day they're peed on, barked at (by both dogs and rude, unhappy owners), growled at, snapped at, possibly bitten..... And I'm sure that's all in the first hour they're there!! I could go on, but for the sake of keeping it simple, I won't.... Personally, I sympathize more with your average groomer than your average pet owner. (NO, not all bad haircuts and nicked ears/toes/tongues are their fault!) They deal with A LOT more than you realize. |
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. |
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How about 50% are spoiled, nasty or a biter? If that is true, it sure doesn't say much for us as owners.:( |
I groom in a very busy pet salon and as a yorkie owner I tend to get all the yorkies. I rarely get a matted one. Maybe it's because most of our clients are repeat customers and we have trained them well. When I do get one that is too matted to brush out I explain to the owner that "Fluffy needs to go short today". Most are pretty understanding and don't want their baby to have to suffer through dematting. But again, it's rare that I shave down a yorkie. Now maltese...another story...those little buggers get sooo matted. I think just about every maltese owner has to go through at least one shave down before they realize that they need to brush their puppy daily (down to the skin, not just the surface). As far as owners that post here about how the big bad groomer shaved their baby down and it "wasn't even matted"....maybe true sometimes (especially if they go to a big box type PetSomething place) but I often wonder if the puppy was actually very matted. Many pet owners think they are effectively brushing their dog and don't even realize that there are matts underneath. The reason most groomers don't want parents to stay is not because they are going to torture the dog. It's because the dog behaves better when they are gone. I would never tell a pet owner that they are not allowed to stay and watch. However I will tell them that their dog will behave much better it they are not in the dogs view. Most people are understanding and don't want to stay anyway. Occasionally they come back early when their little one is on the table and as soon as they witness their dog's excitement they scram pretty quickly. I have parents so well trained that they call from the parking lot to see if it's ok to come it. Or some will walk in the door and see their dog on the table and immediately turn around and go out without a word before the dog sees them. I would like to get a two way mirror so they could watch without their dog being able to see them. I've also heard of groomers using webcams. So you could drop off your dog and go home and watch it get groomed on your computer. |
I brush my dogs every day, plus they get a weekly bath with Plush Puppy shampoo and conditioner. I also take them to the groomer once a month. I have no problems with our groomer. She's wonderful with my babies and I am allowed to watch the entire procedure -- sometimes I even help by holding my babies while she's working on them. |
I comb Sadie out every day and still occasionally find a little mat - can't imagine what it would be like if I only combed her once a week. She gets her bath in the kitchen sink every Sunday and just adores being blown dry!!! Crazy puppy!! :p |
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My puppy is now almost 17 weeks and I gave him a bath just the other night. I called around to several groomers in my area and had a hard time finding one that allowed me to stay and watch. It was always "we only accept that they're dropped off in the mornings between such and such time". I understand that they can get fidgety when they hear the owner but I can sit in a corner somewhere, I guess. So I gave up and bathed him myself and found that he was very calm and well behaved throughout the whole ordeal. When the time comes to have him cut, I hope to have found someone who will let me hang around. I have a great vet and I think I've found a great mechanic. Now I need a great groomer for Max and ME!:p |
I would imagine that my groomer deals with unruly dogs, because she is always so excited to see Logan. And everytime I come to pick him she tells me he was perfect as always. She did cut his foot once. But she told me as soon as I arrived. Showed me the spot. & told me the on hand vet had looked at it & it didn't need stitched. I understand accidents happen & I was just happy she had told me up front. My neighbor has a s**tzoo (sp) that is banned from my groomer because of his nasty attitude so I know that not all dogs are good grooming prospects. |
I do love working on yorkies, I did one today that looks like my Reggie. He was sweet, well behaved, smelled terrible but he was so happy after his bath! I just adored him! His woner was great too. I just got so down after reading so many posts about the horrors of groomers. Groomers take so much that people have no idea, you need more patience then a saint, good reflexes like someone who works with electricty (or animals)... I have yet to cut a dog or even nick but it is amazing! We are wielding sharop scissors and the dogs are fidgety, boubncing, licking, curious, shaky...argh! Amazing more accident don't happen. I have no probelm when working on a nasty dog and the owner knows it is nasty and knows that they need to work WITH you...nad it happens. I witnessed yesterday a yorkie, who once needed to be muzzled before the owners got him in the car cause he would start then! But he was groomed yesterday with no muzzle. He tried to act up but was reminded with a stern voice to behave and voila! Wonderful behaviour, dog and the owner was tickled. SHe has been bringing him every 3 weeks to get used to the grooming. She take shim on a good walk before the grooming so he is tired...and it all works out. That was satisfying to see! |
Very interesting to read! I groom my dogs myself, but I can just imagine that everything you said was all-too true. |
I personally think we need more good groomers out there....I just perfer to do it at home now. I think that a big part of the dogs temperment is in the groomer themselves. If the dog feels comfortable w/ that person and trust that person, they will generally and naturally be relaxed. Mojo went to a groomer when we first got him that I had used w/ our Shih-tzu (RIP). I trusted her w/ everything. And you could tell Mojo did too....she had to leave her passion because of cancer. She was a "drop off" salon, but she also incouraged you to stay, which I always did because we knew each other for several years. I do miss her grooming........her health is well, but she didn't go back to her business. I have only had two "bad" experiences w/ groomers and it was the same one, (which was two too many), so we just now do it at home....Mojo is more comfy and I love to do it. Plus, that is more bonding time w/ each other. We brush him every day w/ a boar bristle brush, use a good shampoo/conditioner and even some leave in conditioner every so often. I say, if you can do it at home......go for it.....and if you have a good groomer that you trust, that is great too! I wish you luck w/ your schooling and soon to be career! Just wanted to add my thoughts! |
I was glad to come across this thread. I was told that I can not take my puppy to the groomers until she has had all of her booster shots. She will be caught up by next week and then I am in the clear. As a result she is now pretty matted, and I fully expect she will need to be shaved. I have been bathing her weekly, but am guilty of not brushing her daily. I am hopeing that she will not be a terror for her first grooming visit, but I would not be offended if she was muzzled for the groomers protection. I was going to try and work-out the mats myself, but I don't want to tramitize her, so shaved it is. I guess she will look pretty silly for awhile, but it's just hair and it will grow back. Any tips for prepareing her for her first visit? I dont want her to be bad :eek: |
Chewy just got his whole body cut down to get off all his black and to shorten his hair to a puppy look again and now he s getting matted under his arm pits! it seems that with the shorted hair he matts more easily... Does this sound right? I brush him every day still and a lot of the time twice but the poor thing never had a knot the whole time his hair was on the longer side!!!! He is like... What the heck MOM!!!! My new groomer lets me stay and help hold him and I am happy to report that he was as good as gold (A shock to me) right up till the front nails were getting trimmed. We put muzzle on to finish the job and he was really good with it on... Like he knew he had to just give in and get it done. thought the whole visit worked out great and it only cost 20.00!!! I thought that was very cheap!:) |
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Excellent post :thumbup: It is nice to read your experiences in school. I take Gabby to the groomers about every 6-8 weeks. I keep her in a puppy cut. With a full time job, 2 active teenagers, and a house to maintain, I just don't have the time Gabby requires to keep her in a longer coat. I feel I'm doing her more good in keeping this cut - no mats, easier to bath at home, and best of all SHE loves it!! She thinks she's so beautiful with the shorter cut (and she is!). When she does go to the groomers, I'm one of those owners Dawn mentioned - I call from the parking lot to see if she's finished (provided my groomer hasn't called me already). Gabby has no problem at the groomer but she gets so "antsy" when she sees me and won't be still for them to finish. It's easier on her and the groomer if Gabby does not see me until she's done and ready to go. When I go pick Gabby up, I take Gage with me and the groomer will trim his nails and shave his belly - takes her less than 5 minutes - the rest of his grooming is done by me at home - but I'm getting him used to the groomers so it won't be long before he is going on his own. |
I take Shylah and Starsky to the groomer about every 3 months or so. I bath them about every 10 days to 2 weeks. Since I have taken them to the groomer, they are so much better about me brushing them and blowdrying them. They just sit still while I do it. Shylah, I still have to work with a little but she is still young. |
grooming I took my baby for a puppy groom today because I failed to do it on my own :( It includes a bath, cutting his nails, trimming his legs and body fur, sanitary shave, ear cleaning.I have all the supplies to do it on my own but my baby thinks that Mommy is to be bullied. He wouldn't stay still for me and he is so wriggly I am just not able to do it.Even when he is sleeping, I try to cut one nail at a time, he will jump up the instant I touch his nail. So back to the groomer, I have found one that I like in Toronto and I will surely go back there again and the prices are reasonable. They let me stayed in the shop while they do it in the room and I can see him although I tried to hide away from him so that it is easier for the groomer to control him.He is much much better when I am not around although he still wriggles a little and the groomer appreciates that I stay out of sight.I am so grateful that they tried to make me feel comfortable with the whole grooming issue. I told them honestly I have problem with groomers being rough on my baby.I can understand if the groomers are being assertive but I will not be able to tolerate if they start to get rough and I am glad that they try to reassure me that they can't be too gentle to the point that they can't do their job, they will be as gentle as possible to make him comfortable.He did got his butt cut a little, a tiny dot because he was wriggling too much but he didn't feel the pain and they put some antiseptic powder on him so that is good.Although I am nervous on them cutting his butt a little, I think overall, it is a good experience. |
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We have so mnay people bring in their yorkies and swear they brush them everyday, they look so smooth and weel kept, but then we take out our comb with metal teeth and cannot get it through, due to the matting. Some yorkies look so cute shaved (some don't ;) ) At our salon we have a policy that if they come in every week it is only $10, miss a week and the price is back to normal (starting around $23), those dogs all are in full coats and gorgeous. It takes no time for a brush out and bath. I am glad to hear the positive responses, and the fact that people are taking ownership that it is more humane to shave their matted dogs. We had a lady today who freaked when she saw the nooses, she said it was cruel. My quick response that it would be crueller not to have them, majority of these dogs bounce around on the table. What if one suddenly lunged and fell?? Yes the noose would hurt but it would only hurt for one second till one of us groomers saved the dog (picture in your mind doggy lunging wildly on table then out of the groomers hands and off the table with groomer lunging after the dog...) much better then hitting the floor. This has not happened yet to me but what if... Interesting dog today, she was coming in for her third time to the salon. She missed the last appt and the owner took her to another salon. Normally this dog is very sweet...well the moment the clippers went on she started screeching, shaking...very sad. The groomer read her card again and was sure that somehting was wrong, this dog had been here before and was always sweet. SO she took it slow, first showing her the clippers and a treat, then they went on, she shook (the dog) calmed down, treat and the grooming progressed very slowly. The groomer asked the owner about this and the owner told us about how the dog left WHIMPERING the other salon. We said nothing, b/c we are not sure and will not bad mouth anyone but the onwer said out loud her assumption that something bad happened to her dog during the last grooming. Most dogs leave the salon, are so excited to see their Mom and Dad and go home and sleep cause they have been wide awake all morning or afternoon and are exhausted. No one leaves crying! |
I brush Howie every single day of his life with a metal tooth comb. And let me tell you, it's not easy!! We sit on the couch for about 30 - 45 minutes at night and I try to comb him out. His hair isn't long (he was shaved 4 months ago as a puppy... not my fault... the groomer messed up and I wasn't charged for any of it), but he FIGHTS ME every second of it. I can understand why some yorkie owners are lazy with their coats, but I can't let Howie's go. It would be messy and matted and needing to be shaved in no time flat. Another thing that suprises me is the handfuls of hair I comb out of him! Granted it has been warm here (70 degrees) the past few days. Just because they don't shed it doesn't mean they don't need to be brushed! |
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What kind of coat? 2 Attachment(s) I don't know what kind of coat my baby has.... It's very soft (Like Cotton) But it shines... it matts more when it's short, but hardly matts at all because I do brush him every day. He gets little tangles under his armpits!!! Thats about all if he gets brushed every day. When he has long hair he doesn't seem to matt. He has pretty straight hair when it's long and kind of wavey hair when it's short. Any ideas what kind of coat this is???:confused: |
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