Poor Buddy... my groomer doesn't bath Zeke she only cuts and styles, so if you really think your groomer wouldn't have done something like that then maybe check out the dog washer:confused: how awful

True..at our shop we have two bathers and two groomers. The bathers initially brush out the dogs and dematt them if needed, bathe them, dry them, and brush them out to get them ready for the groomer. The groomer then gives the dog its haircut. A lot of time bathers come and go quickly at shops and a lot of times they don't have a lot of experience before starting their job. I know our bathers normally come off as the "bad guys" to some of the dogs because they are the ones that have to dematt, bathe, and do anal glands (which are the things that most dogs dislike most about the grooming experience)..and sometimes the dogs can get stressed out from that and take it out on the groomer.

So if you've used this groomer several times before and were happy with her and she has someone else do the bathing, ask if there was a new bather this time. It is a possiblity that the bather did something to stress your dog out...

I'm just trying to think of reasons he may have been upset other than being hit or something .... I just hope your groomer wouldn't do something like that.

Thank you all for your input. I have not tried to comb him this morning, I think I'll let it go another day.
Yorkie Rose you have some wonderful ideas for grooming a pet. Wish you
were closer to me. I am sorry you were attacked by that one pitbull/yorkie.
How frightening that must have been for you.
I am not bad mouthing this groomer or even blaming her, I have no evidence except the way Buddy reacted with the comb which to me was completely
uncalled for.
He was not tangled! He is cut short on top with longer hair beneeth. Much like a modified schnauzer cut. I am just so confused as to what may have
happened. The bath tub and grooming table are about 5ft from each other.
Both groomer and dog washer are in the same room. Very small operation
but clean.
I agreed to a muzzle for next time but after this episode with the comb and me how could I possibly have him muzzled if he really does need to defend
himself. Your all right, can't take the chance I just won't go back.
I really thought I hit pay dirt with this groomer. Guess not.
Thanks again for all your points of view. I guess you just have to trust
your dog and your own instinks on something like this.

Poor Buddy! Whatever happened, it sounds like it probably wasn't his fault.

Max says that Buddy needs a new toy, or a people food dinner to help him get over this!

LOL I am sure Buddy would agree with Max:p

Oh no, poor Buddy :( That's so sad and I hope she didn't do anything to him. I wish these little ones could talk and just tell us whats wrong. I hope Buddy is ok and doesn't get scared again when you brush him. ;)

Poor Buddy! To me, it sounds like she did hit him. Why would she immediately say she didn't, like she was covering her butt, if she didn't lay a hand on him? I wouldn't automatically assume if Tucker bit someone that they had hit him first (I mean, I'd know there would have to be a reason) but she offered that up all on her own.

I'm a certifed groomer with a small business and very select clients. I am disturbed that everyone assumes the groomer has done something wrong. I'd like to offer a few thoughts.
A dog going into a grooming shops smells numerous other dogs - no matter how well we clean a dog sense is so acute it can smell everything. The shampoo scents are strong for the dog, the grooming table has smells, the bath tub has smells, then cleaning products smell and even the groomer having handled other dogs during the day smells to your dog. Additionally if your groomer kennels dogs the kennel will smell and if other dogs are barking it offers more stress. Certain dogs handle the stress better than others. The entire experience is concerning to the dog. We cannot reason with them or tell them we wont hurt them. As a groomer I offer a calm exterior, clean environment and as few distractions as possible in my shop. I never leave the dog alone on the table, in the tub or answer my phone in the middle of a groom.
My best advice to you (if you really want to use this groomer) is return with your baby to the shop. Call and make a 15 min appt with her to discuss what happened. Tell her your concerns and ask her if anything out of the ordinary happened. If she doesnt offer reasonable answers or you feel she is not forthcoming - get a new groomer! Give her the chance to offer a true answer rather than speculate. Don't leave Buddy with this person until you are sure he is safe. I would never want my clients assuming that I harmed their pets - I am always willing to answer any questions and if this is a good groomer she will be as well. Either way, you will be protecting your Buddy and allowing her the chance to clarify the situation.
Good luck!

My best advice to you (if you really want to use this groomer) is return with your baby to the shop. Call and make a 15 min appt with her to discuss what happened. Tell her your concerns and ask her if anything out of the ordinary happened. If she doesnt offer reasonable answers or you feel she is not forthcoming - get a new groomer! Give her the chance to offer a true answer rather than speculate. Don't leave Buddy with this person until you are sure he is safe. I would never want my clients assuming that I harmed their pets - I am always willing to answer any questions and if this is a good groomer she will be as well. Either way, you will be protecting your Buddy and allowing her the chance to clarify the situation.
Good luck!
__________________
Zsa-Zsa and Eva Darling Mine

Thank you for your suggestion, I thought of that and I plan on calling
her as the time gets closer to discuss the situation and perhaps stay
in the outer room where I can't be seen but I can hear. I would feel
much better because I really like her perfessionalism. If she says
no then I'll have to say goodbye.

Keep in mind that if this person sees lots of dogs this incident might not have been as big a deal to her as it was to you and she may not even have a clear recollection of what took place. How many dogs has she groomed since she last saw Buddy?

That being said, whether you use her again or not, I would ask to stay next time. (with her or with whatever groomer you choose) Why not stay right in the room? (unless you think that'd be worse for Buddy). If you see anything you don't like, leave.

Poor Buddy and poor you. It's a horrible feeling not knowing what happened or what's going on. Good luck to you no matter what you decide. Buddy is a real sweetie, he deserves the best.

P.S. Ginger sends Buddy hugs!

you know, i have never watched my dogs be groomed...
maybe i should next time. i'd like to see how the groomer reacts. the dogs don't seem to mind her, but now i'm SO curious!

i don't use petsmart (clearlake area near houston). i did once, but they make me uncomfortable.

groomers
 

Been to a lot places to teach grooming...there are many wonderful groomers..but I found far too many under pressure to show a profit for the salon owner...too much noise, big dogs, barking dogs..
Do you have any groomers in your area who come to your house to groom Buddy? I have started a small business here..I go to the owners house, they are free to sit and watch me groom their Yorkie...so many Yorkies get sick from stress in salons...others are just fine..I cater to the ones who do not do fine...there is enough business for all to go around.