1st Visit to the groomer

[Jellybaby]

Hi everyone. Pebbles is my first yorkie. She is 5 months old and she's my little ray of sunshine. I brush Pebbles every day and she is happy to let me handle her feet, ears, tail but she doesn't like anything other than my hands near her head. She had an ear infection a while back and she really didn't like it when the vet tried to check her ears, clean and treat them. She hated her eardrops medication. So now she is a bit skittish when something goes near her head/ears. She is very relaxed when it's just my hands on her ears and face, I'm slowly trying to get her used to other things near her head. For instance I've been holding a tiny scissors and opening and closing it so she can hear the sound of the scissors and get used to it. She attempts to chew up the cotton wool that I try and wipe her eyes with and also tries to bite her brush and comb! She is teething and tries to chew on anything near her mouth.

Last week I brought her to a groomer. I arranged for a short visit to introduce Pebbles to the groomer. I wanted her to have a positive experience so it would be less stressful when she eventually goes for her first full grooming. We agreed the groomer would cut her nails, check her ears etc.

I waited at the end of the room while the groomer worked on Pebbles. Cutting her nails went pretty well. But the groomer was too rough cleaning her ears and Pebbles yelped in pain. She then tried to trim the long hair around Pebbles eyes with a huge scissors that was bigger than Pebbles whole face. Pebbles wouldn't let her (kept trying to bite the scissors) and the groomer gave up. She seemed irritated by Pebbles unwillingness to stay still and told me that at her next visit she might have to muzzle her.

She also brushed her and was amazed that she was mat free. I told her that I regularly brush Pebbles and give her a bath every 7-10 days. She seemed really surprised at that and said a dog should only be washed every 2-3 months and that I would ruin Pebbles fur by washing that often. ( I know a bath every 2-3 months is fine for most dog breeds but I thought it was ok to wash a yorkie every 7-10 days since they have hair???)

I had an uneasy feeling as I left, if she showed slight irritation in front of me and made Pebbles cry out in pain what might she do when I'm not there? At one stage she also answered her phone and turned her back to Pebbles, leaving Pebbles on the high table with the noose around her neck. Of course Pebbles immediately started wriggling and trying to escape. I thought she might injure herself so I moved towards the table and stayed until the groomer got off the phone. Surely you shouldn't turn your back and walk away from a puppy in that situation when the puppy isn't used to it?

The following night Pebbles let me trim the hair around her eyes using a tiny scissors. I certainly won't win any awards for my hair cuttting attempt, it's a little ragged looking! But at least Pebbles doesn't have any hair irritating her eyes now and she was very good and quiet as I cut. I really think it's just a matter of time and patience to get Pebbles used to having implements near her head and keeping her head still.

I'd love to hear what other members think about all this. Should I bring Pebbles back to this groomer? Maybe I'm just worrying too much, this was the first time I had ever met a dog groomer so I don't know what is normal practice. I don't want Pebbles to be injured or frightened though. Do any of you have any tips on how to recognise a good groomer? Thanks and sorry for such a long post.

[KazzyK810]

Sounds like your groomer isn't very familiar with yorkies. If it were me, I'd look for another (actually, if it were me, I'd just do it myself, as I've never taken mine to a groomer....but if you don't feel comfortable with that...I'd look for another groomer).

[Mistymillar]

I would look for another groomer, Pebbles must be thinking I better let Mommy do her thing or she will bring me back to that mean Edward Scissor Hands lady.
I haven't found a groomer I like yet, I have brought Alfie to a few just to ask daft questions so I can see them with the dogs and how they talk to or pet him.
I visited one on Friday I quite like as she checked his feet and coo'd over him and the other groomer was chatting away with dog she was working on (another Yorkie) but I will talk to a few other customers to see what they say.

Alfie is not ready for his first cut yet, you know he is only recovering from his baldness.

[Marhcarter]

That comment about the frequency of baths makes many think she knows next to nothing about yorkies, so I would be looking for a different groomer. Certainly I would not let anyone muzzle my dog unless I knew he was a vicious biter and I thought they would be in danger otherwise.

[rubynrosie]

In the middle of your post all I could think was....don't bring her back there!!!! I am so fortunate to have found a wonderful place...Ruby n Rosie...while I have only had them professionally groomed three times wiggle their tails at their groomer and give her kisses each time they have seen her...hope that means they like her!!

[Ldyrev1]

I would definitely find a different groomer. I know it's hard to find a good one sometimes but if you know anyone in your area that has a yorkie or another small breed day, they may have a recommendation. I would never take one of my dogs to a breeder that at any time caused my pup pain. I'm sure you can do much better for your baby. Keep looking and good luck!!

[Jellybaby]

I too wondered how familiar she is with yorkies, I don't think she is very used to grooming puppies/young dogs either. I was a bit shocked when she mentioned the muzzle because she admitted herself that Pebbles behaviour is just puppy biting, not in anyways aggressive. I think the only reason she mentioned muzzling her is so she could get on with the job and get her work done faster. Each day that goes by I can see that Pebbles is becoming more tolerant of grooming, I think patience is required and I don't think the groomer has the patience to deal with a puppy. Pebbles is a very sweet, affectionate little dog, she loves meeting people and other dogs and animals and gives puppy kisses to everyone. She even gave puppy kisses to the groomer at the end of the session and tried to play with her. She's so forgiving! Pebbles isn't in any way vicious so I don't want her muzzled, that might be traumatic for her.

My gut feeling was not to go back but as I'm so inexperienced with groomers I wasn't sure if this was normal procedure and should expect the same treatment at every groomers. Which is why I thought I would ask here.
I will be looking for another groomer and in the meantime I will trim the hair around Pebbles face as needed. She doesn't need a full groom for a while yet, the hair on her face needs a bit of a trim but the hair on the rest of her body is growing quite slowly. There aren't many groomers to choose from where I live so if I don't find a suitable one I'll just have to learn how to cut Pebbles hair myself!

Thank you all for your responses, you have been such a great help

[Jacksmom052709]

Originally Posted by Jellybaby

I will be looking for another groomer and in the meantime I will trim the hair around Pebbles face as needed. She doesn't need a full groom for a while yet, the hair on her face needs a bit of a trim but the hair on the rest of her body is growing quite slowly. There aren't many groomers to choose from where I live so if I don't find a suitable one I'll just have to learn how to cut Pebbles hair myself!

Thank you all for your responses, you have been such a great help

I was so glad to read this. Yes, my advice along with the others, find another groomer. You need to feel comfortable leaving Pebbles with a groomer and if you walk out feeling any other way besides comfortable and happy with what you saw, then yes, time to move on to the next one and like you said, if all else fails, you can learn to do the grooming yourself. Honestly, I take Jack to the groomers twice a year and that is to get a puppy cut/shave - once in spring and once at the end of summer. I let his hair grow all winter to keep him warm. Not sure how often we will be taking Izzy, but she will be 1 in May and we have not taken her in yet. I do all of their grooming in between taking them to the groomers. And yes, giving your Pebbles every 7-10 days is fine. Good luck in your search for a good, reputable groomer.