Grooming
 

Any tips for finding a good groomer?
My mom suggested Petsmart, and I don't want to sound like a snob but I'd like to take her to someone with a little more...experience? The lady I used to take her to is no longer grooming, and my sister lost the name and number to the lady they took her to...which wasn't very often anyway.

Petsmart is not where you want to take your baby. I've had a lot of problems with groomers so I suggest you try out a few. Haven't been to Petco and don't think I want to. Good luck.

BTW ... welcome to Yorkie Talk.

Hi and welcome to YT

Petsmart would probably be my last choice for groomers (too many horror stories here). Keep looking....don't just call, go by their shop and observe how the dogs are handled, the personality of the groomers, bathers, shop owner, etc.

Also, ask friend's for their recommendations and then check them out.

I agree. Sometimes the best ones are discovered by word of mouth. I too have been through some groomers that I did not like. Fortunately, I don't have any horror stories like some, Ask around, or ask the groomer for a few names to contact to inquire about their services. Good luck and welcome to YT!

Groomers
 

I have used Petsmart. DON'T Go there. They don't know what they are doing... I have found a mobile groomer who comes to the house and are very friendly. Everyone loves them and they treat them good and love them.

Mom, loves them too.


Cheryl:animal-pa

by the way I have 5-dogs 3-schnauzers, 2-yorkies.

If your vet has a groomer, i would check that out, its much easier if your baby needs to be updated on any vaccines, or if something happens while being groomed, they can have the vet take a look at your baby. I used to be a vet tech for 7 yrs and in the process of being one, i was a grooming assistant for about 2 yrs and the groomer i worked with was WONDERFUL, and we used to see the groomers at petsmart, and we would be MORITIFIED at what they were doing to the dogs! so its really up to you!

Welcome to YT... I still haven't ever took my baby to a groomer because of all the horror stories on here, but I do agree about using one at the vets office. If I ever get her done, that's where I will take her... She is so nervous when I groom her. I can't imagine what she would do if it was a stranger doing it.. Good Luck.....:)

I agree w/mommaofmia...I haven't ever taken my Jack to a groomer either. I would like to have him groomed, but I've heard horror stories too and would rather do it myself. Plus, he's not a show dog so I don't mind if his fur is straight or not.;)

:welcome4: to YT!!!

I would ask around at vet offices (if your vet doesn't have a groomer)....ask others you may know w/ small dogs....if you see someone with a small dog, don't be afraid to ask them where they take their babies. Look in the phone book, go visit these places and see how they are.

When I took my babies to the groomer...I originally met her through the vet...and the plus, I got to stay there and watch her, talk to her, etc. I never had to leave my babies there alone. Which is a plus in my book...but many may prefer to drop off and pick up.

I haven't taken mine to a groomer in YEARS! I do it all at home now....if this is something you are comfortable with, it may work best for you. Feel free to ask for grooming advice in the grooming section or here...I will be glad to share what I use and how I do everything....although, everyone is different and you can tweak your grooming to your needs.:love-hug1

Side note: I would NEVER EVER use PetsMart grooming!!! (not to offend anyone)....but we were shopping there once and watched the cutest little baby maltese getting groomed. The girl (and she looked YOUNG) got sooo upset with the dog watching people walk by (I guess),she just whacked him really hard, knocked him down (on the table) and whacked him several times. My DD and I were just sickend....the manager of the store said they were not over the grooming part....and to be honest...I do not think we have even been back to a PetsMart after that. I felt sooo horrible...I wanted to go in there and take that baby in my arms....needless to say....that girl had no patience or apparantly love for furbabies!! :(

Ya, I was pretty sure you guys would say that....
I didn't really think it would be this easy...:cool:

you need to ask around because in our area where i live, there is a lady that is great. and she got that reputation from word of mouth.

i haven't ever used her. i groom Tyke myself....i agree with some of the other post. he's nervous when i do it, so i can't imagine if a stranger did it.

good luck on finding someone.

welcome to YT!!!!

My husband and I and our new "baby" were in PetSmart just before Christmas. Our Odie has a medium length coat and he is beautiful ... he's a darkie ... black coat. A lady came up to us with her little dog and remarked on how beautiful our Yorkie was and to our amazement her dog was a Yorkie too but looked way different. It was very shaven with a longer snout. She said sadly, " I just brought my baby here to be groomed and he looked like your dog. I asked for a trim and this is what I got." She was not happy!
I take Odie to our local Bark& Fitz. They have a groomer there that let's me stay while Odie gets groomed! I bathe him ahead of time because he does not like blowdryers, so she clips him just the way a want ... take a little here and there ... lol
I did have to call over a dozen groomers before I found the girl who said I could stay no problem.

go watch them groom thru the window! I almost cry when I see how rough and uncaring our Petsmart groomers are!:(

We've tried Petsmart as well and just didn't like the service much, not horrible but wasn't happy that's all.
I've ask other people who I see with small dogs around the neighborhood. I would also say try the regional section of YT as well.
Good luck

Thanks to the hash treatment my 3 month old puppy got at petsmart I groom myself. I refuse to trust people with my little babies.... At least they trust me!

Aww this makes me so nervous. My little girl is only 4 months. I have not yet taken her to the groomers yet. But I guess I need to start looking seems like is going to be a hard thing. I keep reading about all kinds of horror stories here.
Is there anyone in NY that can recomend a groomer.

Hmmm....I have an appt at PetSmart for this Saturday! :eek: Olivia's been there twice; although I didn't stay they said she did great and she looked and acted fine afterwards. Maybe I will stay and watch through the window? I wish I could find an individual that grooms - my local groomer (who I really liked) relocated about an hour away. :(

I can do the bath (duh), trimming and nails - it's the anal gland that I can't do. How often does that really have to be done on a yorkie? My schnauzer mix had to have it done every grooming or he would start scooting.

I would drive the hour to the groomer you liked! I would NEVER leave my dogs with ANY GROOMER!!!

Great experience at Petsmart
 

I took my baby Jayla (5 months old) to Petsmart today for her first "real" grooming. The young lady that groomed her had such a gentle touch and manner. She looked me right in the eyes and listened to my concerns and turned out my baby Yorkie looking amazing!!

I got there early to watch her finish up and my little Jayla was doing just fine!! I'm sure she would have rather been doing just about anything else (who loves to go for a root canal? It must feel kind of like that.)

She called me twice during the grooming just to keep in touch because it turned out Jayla had a tick, which the groomer tried to remove since I don't know how and I wanted it out as soon as possible. She notified her manager of the tick too.

This young lady was so patient and sensitive (to me as well as my pup) that I tipped her and thanked her and told her boss what an excellent experience we had.

Hi and welcome to YT! :)
I would suggest to look for grooming places that are smaller then the commercial ones. I also would suggest to stay the first time and watch so you know what kind of environment is there. Of course the best way is to groom yourself, that is if you can do it. ;)

On the anal gland issue....I take Mojo and Lily to my vet and they will do that....whether I take them in for a check up or just to have it done...and most of the time, there is no charge for it...but my vet is special...and all vets may not be like that! ;)

Visit different grooming shops and interview the groomer. See if they have been trained at an accredited school. Also see if they will allow you to see the grooming area. You could also ask vets if they know of any good groomers. Sometimes vets have a groomer at their clinic (I used to work be the groomer at a veterinary clinic). That way if anything ever goes wrong during grooming, the vet is right there to take care of any problems that could arise right away.

I had a dog once that collapsed on my grooming table that had been sedated (very aggressive dog that was shaved down once a year) and his heart stopped. I was able to have a technician give him chest compressions while I found the vet and he was able to revive him and saved his life! It was very scary! Another time I had emptied a dogs anal glands an noticed something didn't look right, so I had one of the vets take a look at her. Turns out she had gotten cancer and they caught it so early that it saved her life.

Oh please don't take her to any of the major dog outlets. There have been such horrible reviews about them. I'd call around, and ask if you could come in and look around the groomers place. If they say no, forget it. If they're willing to let you go and see what kind of feeling you get.