Maybe it wasn't Buddy's fault after all

[MaxwellHouse]

Maybe it was something as simple as pulling too hard on his hair and not actually hitting with the brush. I would hate to think a groomer would do that. I always hate to see Maxwell go into the "back". Maybe the place with the glass is a better idea. Sigh. . .

[Kodak]

Take him back like you want to ask her a question about grooming and see how your pup reacts to the groomer. I would ask her how he was the last time she groomed him. I would judge it on how he reacted to her and her responses. I would then find another goomer, good luck.

[Tiger's Mom]

Carol, it looks like the comb triggered his mind about a memory that frightens him . . . since you think this groomer is wonderful, perhaps it is best that you don't leave him alone again. Or find another groomer, but hopefully not for a while. You need to try to get him to love being combed again

I took my babies to the groomer and waited till it was their turn and watched the entire time . . .it took about 4 hours total to do both. I was scared for them being their first time and I want to make sure they are safe as well.

[ARCHIE]

Originally Posted by Kodak

Take him back like you want to ask her a question about grooming and see how your pup reacts to the groomer. I would ask her how he was the last time she groomed him. I would judge it on how he reacted to her and her responses. I would then find another goomer, good luck.

The last time, 7wks ago and the first time with this groomer, she did tell
me he was a "good boy". There was another Yorkie there and she stated she
charges more for him because he dosen't hold still and it causes her to loose
time on the next grooming client. That Yorkie was larger than Bud he was
18lbs.

[LuvtheCooper]

Poor Buddy, I have been thinking about him all day. I don't take mine to groomers anymore and just when I think, "well, maybe I might make an appointment" I read something like this and know that I can't. Cooper has fear issues anyway, so I know I couldn't take him, he would be a basket case. Carley probably would be fine, she is so laid back, but I just hear too many things like this to feel comfortable. Guess my babies will always have the "homemade" grooming look I hope Buddy is okay. What a cutie he is, how could anyone be mean to that face!!!

[yorkiemalt]

I'm so sorry.....please give Buddy a big from us!

[Judy in Waco]

Poor Buddy!

I am sorry that this happened to you two.

[MissPinkBarbie]

that's awful! Gosh, this only makes me more nervous since Daisy still has yet to groomed the first time...

I'm so sorry for this to have happened to Buddy and you.

Btw, I found a little boutique place that a neighbor of mine's maltese goes to get groomed, not far from me. Let's see how that goes.

[ImCKN]

I would never use that groomer again!!

[YorkieRose]

I don't recall ever telling a grooming/boarding/stud client that their Yorkie bit me..I got bit, but worked it out with the dog...if they were difficult I would tell the owner I needed extra time because the dog found grooming stressful and I kept them all day, grooming in 2 or 3 periods of time, instead of one non-stop grooming. When a groomer is working to earn a living, it is a matters of numbers and $$$...and groomers burn out so fast.

I never told an owner I used a muzzle because it only takes 1 or 2 times using one and the Yorkie settles..and few needed it..mostly bitches to be bred, not grooming dogs...talking to the dog in a calm voice, carrying on a conversation as with a human seems to distract most..and a bit of peanut butter on the roof of the mouth or yogart drops, chicken bites..makes most look forward to grooming..but not all groomers have the option of running a "Yorkie spa" as opposed to an assembly line work place..
If a dog reacts like Buddy, look for another groomer...perhaps one who does it as a side line...

PS..I did have one boarder who was a "Pit Bull" disguised as a Yorkie. Her owner came into the kennel to see where she was going to be penned..it was a 4x6 PVC pen..she put her in it...about an hour later I went in to spend some time with her...and she all but torn my arm off..I still have scars..

For the next 7 days my husband had to throw a quilt over her and pick her up while I cleaned her area..I had to toss the food at her because her attacked the side of the pen if I got near..
When her owner came I let her in the kennel to pick her up from the pen...THEN the owner tells the Yorkie to give me a good bye kiss..I told her I had already kissed her bye...and jumped back..Never have I ever seen a Yorkie I could not win over with patience and peanut butter until then...

[mizzwanned]

I'm so sorry this happened to you! I wouldn't take him if you can't watch her groom him

[tjdmom]

I always like to give people the benefit of the doubt and lets hope that maybe he just got his hair pulled a little and it was a total accident however, I have a rule with my kids and my dogs. If I ever feel nervous or suspicious about someone, that's it. I don't give people a second chance when they are involved. I'd never forgive myself if my suspicions proved correct and you rarely hear someone say, "gosh I wish I didn't go with my gut feelings" it's always the other way around and I try to trust those feelings. However, I probably wouldn't go around bad mouthing the groomer either since I only had suspicions. (not that you're bad mouthing at all)

[MyFairLacy]

I wouldn't neccessarily jump to conclusions that the groomer hit him or did something terrible to him. There are a lot of bad groomers out there but there are also a lot of good ones too. You are the only one here that truly knows your dog - you know how often you bathe and brush him and how well he does with that, how often you take him to a groomer and how he's done before with that experience, and only you will know if something has changed about your dog. If your dog is used to very frequent baths and brushing and always does great with those without any fear and he is now that afraid when you pick up a comb, then something bad definitely might have happened. I do have to ask - was your dog matted when you took him in? I'm asking because we have so many people that do not brush their dogs enough at home and bring them into us to dematt. These dogs first of all aren't fully comfortable with being brushed and second of all, are now subjected to having their hair pulled for an extended period of time to get the matts out. We had a couple dogs today that were really bad and even freaking out some just when we tried to brush them....we had one that was SEVERELY matted....but it's not the dog's fault or even the groomer's fault that the dog was so upset - it was the owners for not brushing their dog and getting them used to being brushed and groomed. Anyways - my point is, these dogs are of course not going to enjoy going to the groomer if they aren't used to being groomed and have to go in and be dematted everytime and it's going to be a stressful experience everytime. We have so many dogs that come frequently that are so happy the whole time they are there and when they leave and it's because they are bathed, brushed, and groomed regularly.

I'm definitely not saying that something bad didn't happen to your dog. Like I said, I don't know how your dog normally acts or what it is used to, and I don't know the groomer you used. What you are describing is strange and I honestly would wonder if the groomer did something to cause my dog to bite them as well. I have a story about my ownd dog: I've had Lacy for 2 1/2 years now. I bathe her every week, brush her at least twice a day, and groom her about every 4 weeks. So she is used to being groomed and is bery well behaved every time. Yet, she still shakes when I bathe her and when she's put on a grooming table. I've always wondered why because she should be completely used to it and has never been left at a grooming place without me (I work at one so I'm right there if one of the groomers grooms her or now I usually do it myself). The only time she was ever left anywhere was when she was 4 months old. I took her to Petco (before I even knew about the place I work at now) ...just took her for a bath because my parents were coming in that day and I was in classes all morning and wanted her and my house to be clean and perfect. When I picked her up they told me she had diarhea and they had to bathe her several times...I've always wondered if they were frustrated with her and caused her to have a scary experience. I really wonder now because I've heard a lot of bad stories about the Petco groomers in College Station...

I really hope that groomer didn't hurt your dog. You know your dog and should trust your gut feeling. If you truly feel like something bad happened there, don't take your dog back. Look into another groomer. Like I already said, there are a lot of bad groomers out there that have unfortunately given all groomers a bad name. Even I, who work at a wonderful grooming salon, am terrified to take my dog somewhere else if I ever move away from here just because I've heard some bad stories from our clients that had bad experiences before switching to us. But there really are some great groomers too...ones that will really try to work with your dog the best they can and will try their best to give your dog a good experience.

[GREENLEESNANA]

ohh poor Buddy..that is sad and rotten. I am so glad that both of my dogs LOVE LOVE LOVE their groomer..all I have to say is "you want to go see Micki?? and they go beserk and jump and run to the door.

[Thea]

oh poor Buddy! I am so sorry that Buddy had a bad experience. I agree that I wouldn't leave my baby with this groomer alone or I would have to find a new groomer. I wish I could groom Roxee myself. I will keep reading to learn.
Please give Buddy hugs and kisses from Roxee and I. Maybe you could give him extra play time with you (trick learning)! Since I read your reply about lessons with Buddy, I have been spending at least 30 minutes a day with Roxee learning tricks. I need help with roll over, Carol!!! She won't get that one.
I hope that with a little time and mommy's love, Buddy will be fine with brushing.
Thea and Roxee