Maybe it wasn't Buddy's fault after all
 

I brush Buddy's teeth and comb him every morning. I have not combed him
since last Fri because he was groomed last Sat.
I posted a thread telling all of you he bit the groomer, which surprised me
because he has never done this before. She mentioned to me also that she
did not hit him. I found that strange to say because why would you hit someone's else's dog. I let it go because I was just shocked he bit her.

Tell me what you think about this?
I haven't combed him until this morning since he was just groomed.
This mornig I got the comb out ,dropped to my knees, like always and
his ears went back and he looked so frightened! I said, Buddy what's the
matter and he jumped into my arms. What the heck! He never minds being
combed, ever. I found that very strange and couldn't help wondering if
something happened BEFORE he bit the groomer! I put the comb away
right away and let it go for now.
I really like this groomer she is full of spunk and seems so sweet.
Maybe if it's too good to be true, it is!
Is it me or would you feel the same way thinking possibly something happened
before to make him bite. It's upsetting to think maybe he was hit making him
so frightened. No sence in calling her because i will never get the truth if something did happen but Buddy has never reacted like that in the 3yrs
of me combing him.
What would you think?

omg it sounds like she hit him and hard to make him scared like that
i wouldnt take him back there or ask if you can stay and watch ....if not then leave and i saw on the other thread she wants to muzzle him i wouldnt allow that not only is it gonna make grooming a bad thing for him then if she does hit him again he cant defend himself !!!

i always say if a dog bites theres ALWAYS a reason they dont just do it for the fun of it

I can't believe this could have happened! She seemed so very sweet.
I guess I'll use the in home groomer next time and see how she is.
There is one in the area. This groomer is a very good one but now I'm
not so sure of how she treats those she is grooming.

grooming bite
 

I agree. Both of my dogs go to the groomer every 4 weeks and they come back happy and not fearful. If one of them suddenly became a biter or came home fearful, I would never take them back. There's a reason your Yorkie suddenly bit the groomer. I also would not consent to using a muzzle. If he's that fearful, there's a reason.

Carol - I had a similar experience with a groomer. I didn't SEE what she did but I knew in my heart she was too rough with Chanel and hurt her - it was 3 years ago (maybe less) but it took me 6 months to get her to like going in the car again. the day she was groomed she whimpered when I held her on the way home - and her side was very sore - I don't know what that groomer did but my baby was hurt and fearful when I picked them up and I was SO livid. That was when I started grooming myself. I don't trust anyone anymore....there is one groomer that I stop in and cold call on and HE would be the only one I'd take my girls too - he always seems so gentle and has his table set up where you can stand outside and see what he's doing - Vets refer timid dogs to him he's that gentle.

I think the groomer DID do something to Buddy - Most dogs are a bit intimidated by strangers grooming them and ususally act very docile. This doesn't sound like buddy at all and we really don't know what these people are like behind closed doors. If hes showing signs of fear then chances are she caused it. I hate to thing ANYONE would ever strike a dog and especially YOUR dog - but I know it happens. Poor Buddy....For now - I'd try to groom him your own self or start finding a new one. You probably won't ever know what happened but you know him better than anyone and if you think she did something - chances are she did.

I think there's a lot of rough treatment going on at some groomers...mine won't let me touch their feet AT ALL...I believe their nails where cut too short & it was painful for them...about 2 yrs. ago, it was the second groomer I had been to & I know she drugged my dog w/o my consent...a few weeks a go I went to Petco & stopped to watch the groomer through the glass, she was grooming a small dog & he jerked his foot away from her, she raised the brush & she had a very angry look on her face she looked toward the glass & saw me & my DH standing there then lowed the brush I think she was going to bop him on the head....I don't take mine in anymore...I believe you need to follow your gut at times...

Jeez I feel so bad for him now! Here I am repremanding him all weekend
telling him he has to like the groomer because she makes him look so
pretty. After thinking about it, of couse there is always an afterthought,
she is the only groomer I ever used that I could not see from the front
She is behind shelves of Science Diet dog food! Oh well hopefully he will
forget and I will not be able to use her again for sure. He looks so
great. Cut was great, price was great but here handling of the dogs may leave something to think about.
Sorry V your pups went through an awful experience as well. If only
they could talk. I think Buddy did talk to me this morning glad I listened.

I agree. :mad: If a dog bites, there is always a reason WHY ... and I hate to say it but I think now we know why Buddy bite the groomer.

Buddy has never bitten a groomer before and he has never been afraid of you brushing him before. Then for the first time he bites a groomer and now he's afraid of the hair brush ... way too suspicious for me! I bet anything that the groomer got rough with him. Maybe she even hit him with a hair brush and that's why he was so scared and cowered right in front of you. Poor baby. :confused:

:mad: :mad: :mad: I TOTALLY Believe that. We don't know what goes on behind closed doors and thats one reason I'm glad Petco has that glass - I don't take my girls there but at least they (Petco Groomers) know they're being watched. You really have had bad experiences....I'm so sorry. I only had one but man it stuck with me for a long time and I know if I was face to face with that groomer that hurt Chanel again I'd want to really let her have it ....Words just didn't seem enough at the time LOL

Carol - Hugs to Buddy. I'm with you - something happened.:(

It's kinda funny how we judge someones character on how "nice" they appear to us....as if being pleasant qualifies them to preform any type of job or service for us.... we give them our complete trust just for being "nice"...serial killers can be nice at times ;) ...

Children & animals can't speak up to defend themselves so all we have to go on is their behavior...listen to it...I would rather error on the side of safety for my pet, rather than give some one another opportunity to possibly hurt them again...

Carol,
I don't know what to say. A while back, Chloe went to the groomer and came back and started cowering under people's hands. She has never been the same since. :(

Even if that groomer didn't do anything, it's still best to change because he will associate whatever feelings he had with that groomer.

The first groomer I took Loki to traumatized him. Most of the other dogs she did were probably fine with her methods (she clipped them all and caged them, then bathed them all at once - it was like a 4 hour long process). He would shake when I dropped him off AND when I picked him up.

The groomer we have now is AWESOME. She cuddles my dogs and gives them treats. They run into her shop to see her. Loki stands better on her table than he does for me at home! She lets me stay and chat while she clips them.

Don't be afraid of muzzles though. Loki gets grouchy when I cut his nails and even though I know he won't bite me, he sure acts like he wants to. If a groomer felt safer muzzling him than worrying about him possibly biting, I would be OK with that. Luckily he only does that TO ME and he lets her do it just fine (little brat!). Wouldn't you rather the groomer be relaxed when cutting nails, etc. than being all anxious and having your dog pick up on that?

POOR BUDDY! Definitely don't go back, Carol.

Last spring, my mom took Ozzie to a new groomer. It was someone she has known forever who opened a new shop and she was being supportive. I know the lady is very nice and I really don't believe she would do anything to purposely hurt my boy, but ...

they apparently have some kind of weird tub (my mom's description wasn't very helpful) and Ozzie was terrified of it. As a result he was "difficult." I think that set the tone for the rest of his experience. She expressed his anal glands :eek: (something I NEVER knew anyone did, much less that a groomer was doing it to my dog). Shortly thereafter is when our butt troubles started.

The vet said it could have been because she was too rough or because Oz was struggling.

Needless to say, he will never go back. That said, I wouldn't take Buddy back either.

That's so sad. Poor Chole! Oh how I wish they could talk to us.
I bet there would be more groomer's out of business than in!
I hope in time she will get better towards people. Poor pup.

Poor Buddy:( :( I couldn't use that groomer ever again, either!

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. . .

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.

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:rolleyes: I hope Buddy is okay. What a cutie he is, how could anyone be mean to that face!!!:confused:

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

Poor Buddy! :(

I am sorry that this happened to you two.

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.

I would never use that groomer again!!

groomer
 

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...

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

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)

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.

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.

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:aimeeyork 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:aimeeyork