Originally Posted by Chrissy0277 (Post 1145725)

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

Originally Posted by Rhanna (Post 1145732)

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.

Originally Posted by Chrissy0277 (Post 1145771)

Maybe I should take pictures of my hand and wrist from dematting a shih tzu just the other day. I feel its less traumitizing to shave them shorter then to rip knots out of them. Or I should of taken pictures of the infection I had in my thumb from a dog biting me also during dematting. I had to take several rounds of antibiotics to clear that one up.
And just yesterday I got kicked across the room in my stomach by a golden retriever while dematting his tail. I have an enterra device implanted in my and he just missed it. The pain alone from that will knock anyone to the ground and not be able to move

Originally Posted by Dan & Corinne (Post 1145954)

I wish one of you fabulous groomers lived near me! Maybe because you are in the business and good at what you do, you don't realize groomers of your caliber who also is compassionate is a rare find, that why you have so many loyal clients and lots of referrals.

I can flip open the yellow pages and there are bunch of groomers listed but finding that special gem within the list is a tough thing to do. How do you know they are talented or caring? I don't want to go through a trial and err process with my babies, but we don't really have a choice and sometimes the result can be disappointing or even horrifiying.

Many of the frustrating stories are because of the trial and error process. But on the other hand...

I completely agree that shaving is sometimes the kindest thing a groomer can do. Allowing a pet to become matted is cruel and inhumane and the best way to give relief is to shave it off and start over. Trying to comb out sever matting is just as cruel as letting them get into that state in the first place. Their skin is already tender from all the pulling the matting is causing. - Imaging if your arm-pitt hair was long and matted to your skin, can you imagine the pain of raising your arm? What if someone was trying to comb it out? OUCH! That what matted dogs and cats feel but it's all over thier bodies! So shaving is the best option for their comfort.

Originally Posted by sat93us (Post 1146156)

I have just read about the abuse of your little yorkie and it scares me to death to even think about taking my little Topaz to the groomer. Can someone tell me < is it hard to learn to do the grooming yourself? I would just die if anything happened to him.

Originally Posted by sat93us (Post 1146156)

I have just read about the abuse of your little yorkie and it scares me to death to even think about taking my little Topaz to the groomer. Can someone tell me < is it hard to learn to do the grooming yourself? I would just die if anything happened to him.