Do you do your known grooming or have a professional do it?
 

Well, I just grooming my adult Yorkie for the first time and I am pooped. He's 7 years and did good with his bath but, obiviously hasn't been use to being properly groomed. he hated the brushing, toenail clipping(They were very long), and the hair clipping around the ears(good lord), I thought I would have to take off running, jump on his back and hog tie him. I couldn't pull the hair out of his ears, so I had to clip it. Now from now on, I'm going to the groomers!! Who else only uses the groomers?

I do some of the maintenance (bathing, nail clipping, trimming pads of feet and ears) myself, but I am all about the groomers!!! Tino is in a long coat now so we don't have to go as often. If you havent used a groomer before make sure you get a good feel for them. I personally havent had any safety issues with the groomers that I have used, but some of the members have and its soooo sad. The best thing would be to find a groomer that will let you stay during the appt. That is what I did and am ecstatic...we are going next week!

I just did Chico's hair cut or let's say balding. He is 4 monhs and not had his rabies yet so a groomer was not an option yet. MY goodness was it an experience! I useally bathe him every Saturday but since we just moved I ignored that weekly bathing for about 2 weeks and in that time he became very matted everywhere! I was able to brush out 80% of it within 2 baths but some were just impossible so I just scissor trimmed him everywhere! It kinda looks like a puppy cut if I took him to the groomers. I left his entire face alone so he is a little wierd looking right now but still soo cute! BUT I'm with you on taking him to the groomers next time! LOL :D

I have taken the babies to the groomer twice. I hated it. You have to leave them forever it seems. I didn't care for the cut either. I started doing mine myself a couple of months ago. They don't like it, but Zowie is already getting better. Bronx, also has to be hogtied. Villette put up a great grooming website just yesterday. Red98vette is her username.

Hi, I see you don't live to far from me. I'm from Kannapolis. What are some health issues I need to look for? I have smooth coat Dachshunds so I have never needed a groomer before. I hope I don't hear to many horror stories!

Camarolynn, see if your groomer will give you a break on the fee if you bathe him yourself. I haven't done it yet but I have asked and the nearest groomer is okay if I do it that way. I can clip the nails and pull the ear hair and even buzz the butts but that hair between the pads!!!! Non-cooperative little brats!

They'll let me do the nails altho it makes them nervous which in turn makes me nervous which in turn makes them more nervous. By the time we're done we're tired. Except with Pirogue. Someone at one of the groomers must have gotten him good. By the time I'm done with him we are both shaking like leaves. No kidding! And he hasn't been to a groomer in, um, I don't know how long. Can you believe that? He's just a year old. So I guess it's been at least 6 mos. Really seems like he should know I'm not going to hurt him by now. Sylvia

What is Kannapolis near? I am horrible with the area bc I have only lived here for three years! Sorry!

As far as what to look for... honestly I havent had any problems, so I cant really say anything from experience except that Tino got a BAD haricut and we are still growing out his hair on his face!!! But other people have complained mainly abt groomers being rough with their babies and their yorkies coming home afraid... one of our members yorkie started hating to ride in the car after the trip to the groomer. Then I have heard stories of groomers letting someone other than the owner pick up the dog and come to find out it was stolen!

I think I would call around and make sure that you tell them that you have never used a groomer and that your yorkie hasnt been to one either and never been left alone and that you dont feel comfortable leaving him. I make sure they know that I am completely neurotic bc then they will know that there will be hell to pay if anything happens to my baby. I even tell them that this is my CHILD! I don't care if they think I'm crazy!

Another option is mobile grooming. I tried this a few times too. The reason why I stopped was bc of the temp in her van this winter...way too cold! But at least you could see if you can sit in the van while she grooms.

If you are not too far from me, I can refer you to the people that I am going to use. I also know of a woman in Greenville, SC that has been highly recommended by one of my friends!

p.s.... My groomer does let me bathe mine at home and bring them in for the stuff that I don't do! I prefer to bathe & dry at home bc I don't trust anyone else with a blow dryer on Tino. Plus giving weekly baths is one of the highlight of my week! They love getting all clean and pretty! BTW... she does cut me a break on the cost!

Groomer
 

I wouldn't even try to groom Stomper myself! I don't trust him or me!! I leave that to the professionals!!!!

I groom Missy and Max myself, I do just about everything but the anal glands. I save that for the groomers or the vet :D

http://www.ytca.org/grooming_clips1.html - there you are - new day, looked up the link for you.

I was going to take Brutus to the groomers but he doesn't even like when I brush him so I couldn't imagine how he would be with a stranger. I did groom him myself but it took a while. I take him to get his nails cut though.

I have Sammi groomed...We use a mobile groomer...She comes at 9am, parks in front of the house does Kasey (my moms malt) and Sammi...They love her :) they are both done by noon :)

lol..I LOVE reading about all these hogtied yorkies ! They are soooo stubborn - I wanted to say - Groomers are great IF you find one you love....I found one great trimmer that makes trimming between their eyes a DREAM....so I thought I'd post trimming tools again....in case anyone missed the last pics....

These 3 tools...along with baby sizzors ...have made my life so much easier -

The PERSONAL Trimmer w/the little comb on the end is SO QUIET & GREAT for between their eyes - even Cheri lets me do her face

The Wahl is great for their ears, feet and butt...

and the 3rd is also good for under the eyes....

I have seen that small clipper from Wahl, they are only about 14.99, I need to order one.

Villette - do you trim between their eyes? I was beginning to think that if I let their hair grow, I could pull the in-between part up into the pony tail, and comb the nose with a part to go down each side? Of course, Bronx can't wear a ponytail, he even takes Zowie's out. I am sure the only reason she is wearing one now is because since the babies, they will not play (understatement of the year!)

Yes...I do on both mine now - for a long time I didn't cause I do bows and wanted that hair to grow - but it always seemed to be in their eyes and I find trimming it is much neater looking - just a personal preference....

Here's Chanel - the area with the ARROW is where I use the PERSONAL Trimmer - it works SO GREAT because it only removes a little hair at a time and you can't cut chunks cause it's a tiny comb - Sally's Beauty sells these - I think they're for Bikini areas or faces ...but I love mine !

I took this pic right BEFORE I groomed her to show how much I trim....