Where I worked, if a puppy (or adult) came in that was very difficult to groom or wouldn't be still enough to groom, someone else helped to hold the dog while the groomer groomed it. There is usually an extra charge for that because it takes two people to groom the dog instead of one, but its worth it because the dog usually feels more comfortable if someone is there holding it and rubbing it while the groomer works on it and it's safer for the dog. A lot of times with the difficult ones, the groomer will work on it for a while and then put it up for a while for a break and then continue to work on it. I think that helps a lot of them to not get so stressed out because they get that break to calm down and relax. If they are really so difficult that it is impossible to groom them (even with extra help) then the owners are called and the dog is sent home - it's not worth stressing a dog out that much and risking its safety (or the groomers). I've seen some dogs come in that were nearly impossible to groom at first (with even three people working on it) and then after a few times one groomer is able to do it. It takes a lot of patience on the groomers part and really working with the dog.

I just hate hearing stories like the one above. I just do not understand why a person would choose a career in grooming dogs if they don't like dogs, get impatient with them easily, etc. There is also no liscense to be a groomer so technically anyone can say they are a groomer. That's why it's so so so important to search for the right groomer.

In larger cities there are mobile groomers. They have large vans and they come to your house and groom your dog in their van in the driveway. A lot of people are using these now. You might look into that - then your dog will be right there at your house.

I groom mine myself, I would be far too nervous to leave them with someone.

I'm looking for a good groomer in my area too. Cody needs the hair between his eyes trimmed and he WON'T sit still. i'd also like his hair in a bow to get it out of his eyes.

a friend of mine has a shih tzu she took it to the groomer and dropped her off. they called her and said they had to take her baby to the vet. its eye popped out. thank goodness the vet was able to get her eye back in. and she is doing good.

i believe the groomer tried to say water got up her nose and she was choking that her eye just popped out.
the owner thought they might have had the collar they use on those tables around her too tightly.

but anyways thankfully she is doing GREAT and they found a different groomer to go to.

If you have to take your dog to be groomed, I wouldn't consider leaving it at all. I would insist on watching EVERY part of the process. Ellie is groomed at home and has never been to a groomer. She never will go to a groomer either.:) There are way too many horror stories. I tried using clippers on her once but I made her bald in a tiny spot and she hated them. She has a cottony coat that doesn't part down the middle so her hair is wild. I just use scissors and cut her that way. It takes about 2 hours every 2 months but who cares. She is worth it. There is too much of a chance of something going wrong when you take them to a groomer. Some groomers use drying cages incorrectly (I think all use is incorrect actually), they are put in a noose and if the groomer turns the dog could jump and get strangled, some people hit uncontrollable dogs. It is just not worth it.

:eek: It's eye popped out - OMG - I've never heard of such a thing.

dont do it your self .. im so sad i did that .. and now shes at the groomers getting fixed ..

Yeah her mom who watches the dog while she is at work was telling me about it and was in tears. i was like OMG noooo. im like did they get it back in.
i was in tears. cause im close to that doggie.

but she is doing good and she doesnt even have any scars where they put it back in. but that is soooo freaky.

I've just recently started grooming myself. If you do send yours to one, just make sure you speak directly to the one who will be doing the job herself. Let her know what you want. Here's a tip...even though several times, I told them not to touch the hair on her head, just trim the pads and bottom, I'd still get Chloe back with her eyes and nose shaved, and bangs cut in her hair. They think that doesn't count. So if you don't want your yorkies eyes and nose trimmed (they do that because it is easier to shave off goobers than to clean them) tell them "Do not shave her nose or her eyes, and do not trim anything on top of the head. No bangs, not even a little trim."

It took a while, but Chloe's regular groomer finally understood that I didn't want anything trimmed. She even pulled back Chloe's hair and pointed to her nose and eyes and said, "see this, you're sure you don't want me to trim that cuz these hairs are going to poke in her eyes?" They'll only poke until they grow all the way out!!

But since I got a little trimmer (the Wahl Peanut that Mary (mardelin here) recommended) I've been doing it all myself.

With dogs like shih tzus, pekingese, and others that have bulging eyes, you do have to be more careful with them. When they get extremely nervous or stressed their eyes can actually pop out. The groomers I worked with taught me that. If one of those breeds seemed really really nervous, they really pay attention to it's eyes and make sure they don't start bulging more - because like I said, they can actually pop out from the dog getting too stressed. Dog's that nervous need to be given a break to calm down. With those short muzzels, they tend to not be able to breath as well either so you also have to make sure they are breathing okay. A dog can become overly stressed and pass out on the table from not being able to breathe normally.

You have to find a groomer that has a lot of patience and is willing to work with the difficult ones. The dog's safety has to be the number one priority.

i like harley to have a puppy cut... but how do i do it myself? ive done it before but he never lets me do his legs or feet.... thats why i brought him to petsmart. my experience was nothing but wonderful. he looked so cute! and he smelled liked cherries! but im interested in doingit myself...

I do have to say this about grooming yourself - I have seen so many people try to groom their dog themselves or cut out matts and then bring them to the groomer to be fixed. And then they expect the groomer to perform a miracle and make the dog look fantastic - and they usually came in with very uneven hair and holes in their coat from the haircut they got at home. If you are wanting to start grooming your dog yourself, it would probably be best to find someone who can teach you how to groom the way you want it done. Grooming can be really hard. The groomers I worked with taught me how to groom Lacy (I just tip ears, trim feet, and sanitary areas) and it's hard to get her to be still for me, although she will be still for another person. You need to have someone teach you how to use the scissors and blades - holding them the wrong way (and using the wrong way) could result in bald spots, cuts, razor burn, or putting an eye out. It's really harder to groom that you'd think it would be. That's why I said earlier that if you're picky about your dog's hair don't do it - because you'll probably make mistakes at first - but practice makes perfect.

i am so glad i totally trust our groomer. and they always look awsome when i get them back. for 5 dogs it takes her 6 hours. and i have found that if i stay to watch they freak out more. so i sneek up and peek in to ck and they all look alot more relaxed.i do groom them at home also but after a while i dont have nice lines to follow so i bring them bk to her.

talk to your groomer
 

when i lived in elk grove i found a groomer who worked at the groomer in town and i asked if she wanted to groom at home she jumped at the chance my dogs loved her she chatted with me and laughed when tamale peed on her wall :rolleyes: she never minded me staying and she taught me how to groom and alot of great tricks on grooming imho i think if they dont mention extra step to take with a new to grooming baby walk away

Grooming
 

I have not purchased any clippers but I have been clipping her toes; I would like to groom myself because Mim's freaks out going to Petsmart, she loves the lady but the other doges make her nervous;:mad: she pooped in the car on the way home from there she was shaking etc; so I am letting her grow out until I can find a way to do this my self. Please keep the therad going on this for us newbees;)

I used to take Muffin to a groomer. Silly me. I thought I couldn't do it myself. But, lo and behold, I picked her up at the groomer one day and she had been drugged. Needless to say, I did her for the rest of her life - many years. It's easy. She always looked beautiful. Of course, it depends on your yorkie's personality. It usually works better with most to do a little at a time, because they do get tired. I got lucky with Kacee and found a groomer that I could take her to for a specified appointment time. That means she didn't sit in a kennel waiting to be done or afterwards. I could stay or leave. I chose to stay until she was older. I started taking her as soon as I got her to get her used to going. It's important to start early. Unfortunately, my dream groomer moved a couple of months ago. However, Kacee is a dream to groom - thanks to her early training with it. I don't need a loop. I keep her in a pretty long coat, so grooming is not that detailed. Not all of them will let you do whatever you need to do with them. You have to decide if they have the type of personality where your doing them stresses them worse than if a groomer does it. Good luck with whatever you do.