Long sad story: Choose your groomer carefully.....

[Safire]

OMG, I'm so sorry for Keisha, I hope she feels better soon. Good thing you didn't bring Ralphie there too! What a horrible witch.

I had a similar experience with my Bichon several years ago. He was buzzed (but I knew they were going to do that - it was kinder than trying to get out the mess of mats) but something bad must have happened because he too was freaked out when I picked him up and wouldn't sit right for weeks. I took him to the vet and they seemed to think it was razor burn on his tushie. I never took him back to that place.

Now I have a wonderful groomer that I wish I'd found years ago. She works out of her home and Tetley is always so happy and upbeat when I pick him up.

[irbrenda]

Originally Posted by Safire

OMG, I'm so sorry for Keisha, I hope she feels better soon. Good thing you didn't bring Ralphie there too! What a horrible witch.

I had a similar experience with my Bichon several years ago. He was buzzed (but I knew they were going to do that - it was kinder than trying to get out the mess of mats) but something bad must have happened because he too was freaked out when I picked him up and wouldn't sit right for weeks. I took him to the vet and they seemed to think it was razor burn on his tushie. I never took him back to that place.

Now I have a wonderful groomer that I wish I'd found years ago. She works out of her home and Tetley is always so happy and upbeat when I pick him up.

I think that's Keisha's problem too. tushie razor burns plus she has severe razor burns under her neck, behind her ears and between her legs. She's purple and as of right now, she is still moaning and laying in one spot. I can't tell you what I wish for this groomer, and I'm not usually vengeful! It's very hot here and I have Keisha wearing a t-shirt. I have 2 more dogs with her...my 2 chihuahuas and usually they are all attacking each other. They are actually sitting next her keeping her company and licking her. Ralphie, my Yorkie, never goes near Keisha. But since she's so quiet these past few days, he actually takes a peek at her! He's afraid of all 3 dogs.

[Yorkiedaze]

What a horrible terrible thing to have happen to that little baby. I would report that place to the police and to the better business bureau. I would also picket her place with flyers to pass out. I'd ruin her business in everyway possible!!
Please give Keisha lot of love and hugs, and see if you can start grooming her yourself to save her anymore trauma.

[angelyorkie]

Dear irbrenda,

Thanks for the condolences. My condolences to Keisha. It is a traumatic problem. It was a sad story. But, out of it came Tullie. She is the most perfectly little angel. I would report the incident not only to the police but also to the Humane Society in your area. Mine didn't do anything, but maybe yours would be more willing to help. Grooming is not so hard. I work 40-60 hours a week and still have a little time to Tullie. If you do a little a night, its not so bad. I do, however, have yorkie friends that take their babes to groomers and have absolutely no problems.

Hug Keisha, kiss Keisha and just thank God you still have her in order to NOT take her back to that person who claims to be a groomer.

[JENNGENE01_]

That is soooooo horrible. You should post signs outside the grooming place and make her loose business. and you should also look into getting her licensed suspended. I'm always scared when I change groomers the first groomer I had couldn't handle my penny. Then the second one just didn't know how to handle small breeds and finally the third one is actually really swweet to my little one. THank go

[Anna Banana]

This is a sad story. Once you are through this difficult time, please get her back as best you can. I'm not one for revenge, unless the health and safety of our innocent little ones are at stake. I'll be praying for Keisha, and hoping that she gets relief from her pain.

[Anna Banana]

Originally Posted by angelyorkie

I am so very sorry for you and your little one's ordeal. I had a similar ordeal about 2 years ago when my groomer called me and said, "You can pick up your dog's body at the local vet hospital - He's dead". According to the groomer, my dog fell off the table and the table collapsed on him killing him. My vet had an autopsy done and drug screening - to no avail. I called the local Humane Animal Abuse Agency and they "looked into it, but found nothing". I was sooooo devastated. I do understand how you feel though. Please spread the word about the groomers. Call the local TV station and let them know. Maybe they would be willing to do a special on it.

My hugs and my thoughts and my prayers are said for you and the baby today. My Tullie sends her good thoughts and prayers also.

I cannot imagine the pain you must have endured. God bless his little soul. Thank goodness little Tullie came to ease your suffering.

[MaxwellHouse]

Maybe you can ask your vet if there is a lotion that would work on a dog like aloe lotion; it soothes razor and sunburns on people. If it can be used for your poor girl, she could get some relief.

When Maxwell went for his first trim at 5 mo. the groomer called him a maniac on the table, I'm worried about taking him back. It was his first trim from a fur ball to a shaved schnauzer style -- later heard the groomer referred to as "mean Harold". I am such a chicken, I can't even trim his nails as I'm afraid I'll hurt him - getting him to hold still for a trim at home seems out of the question. I hadn't thought of the possibility of staying with him at the groomers. I'm wondering how many groomers would even allow that. Very scary, if they don't. Our area's mobile groomer isn't taking any more clients, has enough to fill her month. sigh...

I feel so sad for the little sweeties that don't get treated gently and properly that I could just cry.

[dray]

Since Keisha's fur was one big ball of knots, the groomer said she needs to cut her short, but for some odd reason, she made my daughter sign papers about this so-called "short" haircut. I don't think my daughter really read the papers well but I just had a sinking feeling this was not going to be good.



I am not going to defend the groomer but I am going to defend groomers as a whole . A lot of people bring dogs in in such a mess that there is no alternative but to shave them off. That means under the matting and sometimes this has to be very close. One thing I have found is that when you shave off a dog that close there can always be problems with the dog and owner. First of all the dog that is that matted is not groomed well at home or it wouldn't be in this condition in the first place. So sometimes they are very hard to work on, just getting the hair off is sometimes a challenge. Then once you get it off the one thing that can happen that I try and tell everyone is that now there is no hair on the body and the tail will tickel the dog and make it walk funny for a few days, almost sideways and it will be a bit uncomfortable. That is the reason for the signing of the release papers. Some dogs have been so neglected that they are in such bad shape that there are sores and sometimes even maggets under the hair and matts. The owners do not stay and watch if they did they would see how much work it is to get a mess like that cleaned up.
There have been many times I wanted to call the Humaine Society on owners, a big ball of matts is no way to keep your dog.







I do not believe the groomers just sat there and beat your dog, why would they do that??????



It is easy for a vet to be shocked at seeing a dog after a buzz cut, but it is not fair he did not see the before, at our shop we also take pictures before for this very reason and when I tell the clients the dog is going to get a short cut I explaine to them it is going to be under all the matts down to the skin in some cases. We are only groomers not miricle workers.....



The groomer did tell you she was going to cut her short , and you signed a paper to release her.....






I sure hope you girl is back to normal in a few days, I know every one is being very supportive of you and I am too I just feel sorry that your dog was in this condition in the first place. There are always two sides to every story, and yours is the way you saw it. I always want to hear the other side of the story too.


If she had you sign a paper it must have been pretty bad.

I am just defending groomers, not all of us are bad and we do a lot of good work to take care of your beloved pets. Again I am sorry your dog is not feeling well I do hope in a day or two when the hair starts growing back that she gets back to normal.

[Dan & Corinne]

I've had a bad experiance too. As soon as I picked up Jazzie and I saw immediately that her top knot was soooooo tight she couldn't even blink and her eyes were bloodshot! I took it out while I was in the shop, while complaining to the owner and the groomer. Then as soon as I got her in the car, she started to throw up and had diaherra. I think they either left her with shampoo on and she licked or drank the soapy water!
I was sooo mad! I let the owner know and put a stop payment on the check! They never tried to collect.

Another time at a different groomer, Jazzie must have not gotten any water. She came home and wet straight to her water bowl and just about emptied it. Need less to say, I didn't take her back there either.

I usually groom her myself but do take her to a professional 2 times a year. Thankfully, I found a wonderful gal who does a fantastic job. It helps that she is the daughter of one of the managers at my work and her fiance works with me too!

[Chrissy0277]

Since Keisha's fur was one big ball of knots, the groomer said she needs to cut her short, but for some odd reason, she made my daughter sign papers about this so-called "short" haircut. I don't think my daughter really read the papers well but I just had a sinking feeling this was not going to be good.

Im so sorry this has happened to your little girl. Im not trying to defend this groomer but it sounds like your daughter has signed a shave down contract. Which intails that the dog will be short and you are risking the dog getting razor burn and possibly nicked, if she was as knotted as you think.
Heres a paragraph I found on the internet on one grooming shop's contract

While *********** will exercise all necessary precautions during the grooming process, OWNER is aware that if pet is matted, it may be necessary to shave or dematt pet and that these procedures may have unpleasant consequences such as clipper burn, brush burn, or nicks and cuts. ********* will use all precautions during these procedures but will not be held responsible for the aforementioned side effects.

You said you think her butt is bothering her. My Mimi I cannot do a sanitary clip on her butt because no matter what I do (even using a brand new blade) she still gets a little rash on her butt and sits funny for a week or so, i have even had to use a med cream from the vet on her butt. So I no longer shave her butt I trim the area with scissors very carefully.
I personally would ask the groomer for a copy of the contract your daughter has signed.

[paulapoo]

I have never had mine groomed. I once walked into a shop to inquire about pricing. There were 2 dogs on tables with 2 employee's. There was no receptionist so when one of the girls saw me, she left the dog, on the table, IN THE NOOSE, and came through a door to talk with me in the front reception area. If that was my Otis, he would've tried to jump off and hung himself. I guess there's a chance she knew the dog and was confident he wouldn't leap, however, that is unacceptable. I said, "Nevermind, sorry to interrupt" and left. I cut their hair myself, and sometimes they look a little rough, but they are beautiful to me, and I'm not taking chances. I've heard mobile groomers are great, maybe someday I'll look into that.

[Chrissy0277]

I know every one is being very supportive of you and I am too I just feel sorry that your dog was in this condition in the first place. There are always two sides to every story, and yours is the way you saw it. I always want to hear the other side of the story too.
If she had you sign a paper it must have been pretty bad.

I feel so much better knowing Im not the only one here who feels this way too. Not all groomers are bad
I had a dog come in a few months ago who was so bad that I had to shave him down with a 40 blade (yup I said 40 blade), it was the only one I could get through him. I was in tears grooming this dog I had felt so bad for him and what made it harder emotionally was he was kissing me the entire time. He looked horrible when he left but looked much more horrible when he came in. He was soaking wet and not from water, it was urine soaked all the way through to the skin. It took everything I had not to rip the owner a new a**
I hate it when people come in with a severly matted dog and refuse to shave them down. Why dont people understand its pure torture to pull those knots out of a dog?
Im always seeing people online complaining about the horrible job the groomer did or they shaved my dog down. Most Groomers dont shave dogs down to the skin without a logical reason and without signing a shave down form.
I take alot of pride in my work and it kills me to see people tearing groomers apart (and yes some do deserve it) and it gives us good groomers a bad name.
Im so thankful my regular yorkie customers all take excellent care of their dogs and most of all trust me with their dogs. I should of said all my regular customers, I groom alot of yorkies but also groom alot of other breeds

[Rhanna]

I have a shihtzu and I have let him get pretty long and messy sometimes. I have had to spend a few hours getting his mats out. Not proud too admit this. Since I have experienced my own dog being matted and had to groom him now I believe there is no reason for groomers to shave them so short that they get razor burns or nipped. I took our dog 3 times to different groomers when he was younger and they all cut him too short. He would stay in his kennel for days afterwards. So I decided to buy expensive clippers and try to do it myself. I have done my shihtzu for over 4 years and not once trimmed him too short or nipped him. For those of you who sound like you are defending the groomers, I have to disagree. There is no need to shave them so short or traumitize the dog even when they are badly matted. Yes it does require more time and patience. I have been able to groom my badly matted shihtzu in a couple of hours in a morning. Yes he doesn't look perfect but he is always happy and he still has coat left. There is no need for groomers too scalp.

[irbrenda]

Originally Posted by dray

Since Keisha's fur was one big ball of knots, the groomer said she needs to cut her short, but for some odd reason, she made my daughter sign papers about this so-called "short" haircut. I don't think my daughter really read the papers well but I just had a sinking feeling this was not going to be good.

I am not going to defend the groomer but I am going to defend groomers as a whole . A lot of people bring dogs in in such a mess that there is no alternative but to shave them off. That means under the matting and sometimes this has to be very close. One thing I have found is that when you shave off a dog that close there can always be problems with the dog and owner. First of all the dog that is that matted is not groomed well at home or it wouldn't be in this condition in the first place. So sometimes they are very hard to work on, just getting the hair off is sometimes a challenge. Then once you get it off the one thing that can happen that I try and tell everyone is that now there is no hair on the body and the tail will tickel the dog and make it walk funny for a few days, almost sideways and it will be a bit uncomfortable. That is the reason for the signing of the release papers. Some dogs have been so neglected that they are in such bad shape that there are sores and sometimes even maggets under the hair and matts. The owners do not stay and watch if they did they would see how much work it is to get a mess like that cleaned up.
There have been many times I wanted to call the Humaine Society on owners, a big ball of matts is no way to keep your dog.




In no way was Keisha THAT knotty that it couldn't be gently combed out. She had very very long hair that matts very easily and we bath her ourselves on a weekly basis, shampoo and condition her hair. But this time she was her usual knotty hair and we decided it was hot and time to cut it shorter. My regular groomer has taken her time in the past and has done an incredible job with Keisha. Keisha is generally a frisky dog, very friendly but she hates anyone touching her face and in my opinion she could be hard to handle. We told the new groomer this and the groomer herself looked at Keisha's fur and said, "I am going to cut it short." FINE. SHE DIDN'T SAY, "I'm going to buzz her down to her raw skin and she might turn purple with razor burns, she will be uncomfortable, cry pathetically for a few days, be fearful, afraid to be left alone, oh, and her tail might be tickely so she'll act and sit funny." Maybe if she said that I would have brought her to my regular groomer in the first place.

I am not asking you to defend the groomer either. I have heard from others in the past that this particular groomer could be a beast and she loses her patience very rapidly. All it took was the blatant lie from the assistant groomer whom I met at the vet's office a few weeks prior who stated that what I had heard about her boss were lies and I should give them a chance on my Yorkie, Ralphie. Good thing I didn't put Ralphie thru this ordeal. He's so delicate that I'm afraid I would have lost him. Keisha is feisty and gutsy...well, she was, not anymore!!!




I do not believe the groomers just sat there and beat your dog, why would they do that??????

I didn't say she definitely beat the dog but what the heck they do when no one is around to watch is anyone's guess, esp. those stories I heard about the groomer in the past now seem to come to fruition.

It is easy for a vet to be shocked at seeing a dog after a buzz cut, but it is not fair he did not see the before,
Not true in this case. Keisha was at the vet the day before as a matter of fact for a checkup. She was as lively and as happy as could be and the vet commented that she is like a wild 3yr old and good luck to us with our other 3 dogs when she's around. Usually we brush her before we go there but we figured she's getting groomed the next day so we didn't bother.

at our shop we also take pictures before for this very reason and when I tell the clients the dog is going to get a short cut I explaine to them it is going to be under all the matts down to the skin in some cases. We are only groomers not miricle workers.....

I wish I took pictures of her when I picked her up. You would say that NO VET with a passion for dogs would ever do that! She was practically bleeding between her legs and she has a cut near her anus. I don't think you'd be able to explain "bleeding" as a normal result of shaving close to the skin. Thank god they left her face with hair. She looks like a bobble head! I don't know how else to describe her.

The groomer did tell you she was going to cut her short , and you signed a paper to release her.....

Yes, short, not buzzed to her skin. Big difference. If my son gets his hair cut and asks for a short cut, it's with scissors. If he asks for a buzz cut, he looks like a skinhead...and I hate it

I sure hope you girl is back to normal in a few days, I know every one is being very supportive of you and I am too I just feel sorry that your dog was in this condition in the first place. There are always two sides to every story, and yours is the way you saw it. I always want to hear the other side of the story too.

The groomer was speechless when we told her the dog's condition. All she said was, "I'm sorry. I'll refund your money for the vet." She looked like she was going to crap her pants when I told her she better not see us back here because it will be to summons her. She said that sometimes when a dog is shaved for the first time, he/she can be traumatized and she feels this is what happened to Keisha. Granted, that is what happened. But she NEVER SAID SHE WAS GOING TO SHAVE HER. And if she was going to do that, she should have called us first. I worked most of my life as a court reporter and this is not the first time I've experienced horror stories about groomers. I just didn't think it would happen to us.


If she had you sign a paper it must have been pretty bad.

I am just defending groomers, not all of us are bad and we do a lot of good work to take care of your beloved pets. Again I am sorry your dog is not feeling well I do hope in a day or two when the hair starts growing back that she gets back to normal.

You're right. For the most part, the groomers here are wonderful and compassionate. I know of several. I did have one other experience here with a groomer who herself was just a nasty beeyatch and I would never go back to her, but she did a nice job on my dogs. My regular groomers are two women and a young man who are the nicest warmest groomers and I've recommended them to a lot of my friends who have been repeat customers to them also. Like I said, the only reason we tried this woman again was the recommendation from the groomer I met at my vet's office. In fact, she said her specialty is YORKIES! Good thing I didn't trust her 100% or like I said, Ralphie might be a goner. He's very fragile compared to Keisha.