Petsmart Groomers?

[dray]

Well the mobile vans a pretty expensive , so I would think that some one like that might have enough experience if they own the van and haven't hired some one to groom for them. Ask some questions, check out the BBB . At least you would be close by to monitor things. I also looked up grooming shops for your area, go to them and check them out. Watch them for a while if they will let you. If they wont let you , something may be wrong at that shop. When I first started grooming I went to many shops to watch different groomers groom and I was the first one to think that if you saw blood from the toe nail they were not so nice . But blood on a toe nail is not a bad thing, it is just a vein that runs down a toe nail, it can be stoped by some quick stop. Not the end of the world, but I still remember how I felt the first time I saw this happen so I try very hard not to do this in front of any clients. Some of my clients like their dogs toe nails to be trimmed very very short so I know all about quick stop.....

My daughter lives in Chicago and took her Yorkie in to be groomed for the first time there , I had been grooming Joey for almost a year so I know it wasn't his fault. She took a recommendation from Oprah...the Oprah ...and Joey came home with a cut on his butt and could not walk for about a week and the hair cut was poor to say the least . So we ordered all the equipment and I flew to Chicago and taught her to do him herself. He has never been hurt again. For dogs to behave properly they should be groomed when they are young and need to be done regularly , so find a groomer and stick with the same one, do not keep switching around unless you or your puppy are very unhappy. Don't forget to show your appreciation with a nice tip. Good luck and keep us posted.
Debbie Ray

[LauraMichelle]

Originally Posted by mylittletigger

I think her being Bitten by a dog or whatever is a PERFECT reason to leave. Let me ask you this.. If you were bitten would you stay there and bleed all over an animal and possibly get infected or would you have brains enough to go to the hospital. It's not fair to call the groomer a liar and say she probably just wanted to leave early. They get paid by commission, my friend. If she did that she wouldn't make anything. and I know for a fact that Petsmarts groomers do not make that much.

I Love my groomer and YES I do take him to Petsmart. I have since he was a pup. My groomer does a wonderful job!!! You have to be VERY specific on what you want done. Why not make a detailed list or take in pictures of what you'd like done. My groomer will actually let you in and help hold your pet if it's being a little out of control and won't stop moving.

It's not fair to say that EVERY petsmart groomer does a bad job. You just haven't found the right one and maybe Petsmart isn't for you. You can't be vague on what you want done to your pet regardless of where you take him. YOu MUST be specific. sorry.

First of all maybe I should have been clearer, I was not mad at the groomer, I was calling b.s. on the girls that did not bother to call, THE OTHER GROOMERS that were working! The groomer (the one scheduled for my dog) was bit, fine, thats awful. No, I do not expect them to "bleed all over my dog"! I didn't believe them (the girls), since the story changed several times, they (the young girls) thought they had already groomed my dog, and didn't bother to call with the cancellation. I took my dog back for the free groom I was offered in compensation, the cut was OK. I still was not happy.

This is not the first time I have had awful cuts either. My Grandparents have tried to take their dog (a yorkie-poo) to PetSmart several times, all times, but 1 (out of 5) have been awful. It takes a Godawful amount of time, read: they tell you 2 hours, but it goes for 4 sometimes with no call! It is not just one either, it seems the entire Oklahoma City area has just poor PetSmarts!

And as far as bringing pictures and being specific, I am! I did/have/do bring pictures with me and illustrate CLEARLY what I would like done. The point is, I have had bad experiences, with their groomers. I am happy you are pleased with them, thats great! I am not.

[bren]

I have not had good experiences at Petsmart or Petco. I'm not saying that ALL Petsmart and Petco groomers are bad, but Max had received 4 butchered cuts from different groomers before I finally decided that I needed to find him a better groomer. I could have 'cut' his hair better than they had and it would have been FREE! I also took Max to get his nails trimmed and they left him bleeding. He was bleeding the entire ride home! (I didn't realize it until we were already in the car) Fortunately I had styptic powder at home to stop the bleeding. I now take him (and Abbie) to a pet spa that is an hour away. Max has been going to the same groomer for the past 2 years and Abbie has gone to her since her first groom. They get such great care there, they are groomed beautifully, they get massages while they wait, and it's CHEAPER!

[LauraMichelle]

YES! Bren, I have found that some of the best pet salons in Okc, are far cheaper than PetSmart! That is my big thing, if I have to pay $35 to have a 3lb dog groomed, I want it done right. Getting Melvin and Marilynn's hair done is no different to me than having my hair styled. Of course right now they both look like the wrath due to the fact I have been uber busy lately, but whatever.

[karen171]

I called every groomer in the book and found one that sounds very nice. I'm going to take Ziggy to her for just a trim...no bath so I won't worry about those dryers, etc. Best of all she was very understanding about my bad experience and has agreed to let me help hold Ziggy while he's being groomed. All the others said I would have to just drop him off. Thanks again for all your help and suggestions.

[Dragonfly]

First I tried Petco for two of my bigger yorkies (6 &7 lbs) the very next day I had to take them to the vet they were fleas everywhere they didn't have them when they went in, the cuts I didn't like. The second time I took them and a 12 week old puppy to a groomer I knew well guess what I waited 12 hours for them so I was pissed and the cuts sucked, So I thought I try this new place that people liked, well hell I had to take them to the vet the next day with stomach virus. I guess I'm going to learn to do myself.

[jodyrph]

I think it depends on the petsmart and groomer you use. I personally do not use the petsmart near me bc I use my vet. If you are thinking about using a groomer ask if they have any certifications or pictures of babies that they groomed, or refers from other clients. My vet's assistant does all the grooming 3 days a week, so i am very luck there. Good luck and I hope your baby comes back looking just as you want it.

[marlynn]

I have used Petsmart once and had a bad experience, but this isn't to say Petsmart is not a good choice, I really think it depends on the individual groomer. They cut Bella REALLY close between the eyes and it took FOREVER to come back...this was when she was only 4 mo's and I was just taking her for a wash, NO CUT at all...so needless to say we haven't been back. However, I did find a FANTASTIC groomer who happens to be retired also, but takes a few little dogs in her home. It's worked out wonderfully for us, so maybe try calling the woman that you like who is now retired and see if she takes any dogs and if not, I bet she can recommend you to someone who is just as good!
Good Luck!

[KiKiPie]

I have not had good luck with PetSmart the past few times I have taken Tiffany. I will have to find her somewhere else.

[karen171]

I canceled Ziggy's appointment with Petsmart....thanks to you all, I feel that Ziggy was saved from a possibly very bad experience..or worse. I took him instead to Camp Canine where I was allowed to hold him while he had his trim. I love this groomer and will definitely go back. She works out of her home and also boards dogs. I noticed that the other dogs she had groomed seemed very happy and content. She was so gentle and talked baby talk to Ziggy the whole time...he loved it.

Marlynn, so happy you found a good groomer. I did try to call my other groomer who is retired, but no luck so guess she is no longer in town...thanks for the good idea.

[dray]

Sounds like a happy ending and a very new beginning for your little man. I am glad you got to stay and very glad you found a groomer you can trust with your baby. Sometimes we just have to do our homework!!! Good job!!!

[Nikki+2]

Now we need....... PICTURES!

[ARCHIE]

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

I have been using Petsmart since I got Buddy 2yrs ago. I have always
had luck until the last two times. The time before the last he was there
for 6.5 hrs. I had a fit! This last time I read them the riot act and he was
the first one in the morning. I picked him up 2.5 hrs later and he wasn't
touched except for his face and paws. I left without saying much I was
so mad. After calming down I called and complained and will be taking him
back on Sat for a free groom. If this don't work out I will have to find
another groomer. Funny thing is my daughter is a groomer and she is
so busy no time for me! (free bee)

I did take Buddy back last Saturday for the free grooming. My regular
groomer was there and she did a wonderful short cut on him. However,
I have to say, this is the first time I have ever witnessed another groomer
screaming at a boxer he had on the table. I mean screaming and cursing.
Seemed the boxer was stressed to begin with and his screaming at him only
made him snap at the groomer which is why he was cursing. I was going to
report him but kept quiet. This did open my eyes for the future. If I cannot
get Rosemarie in the future I will no longer go to PetCo.

[dray]

Please think again and report the behavior you witnessed, next time it may be a small dog he looses his temper with. There is no place for a person like this in any grooming shop!!!

[baby03]

I've only used Petsmart once and I never went back. I have never taken my yorkies, because this experience was before I got them, but my poodle came back shaved with long ears. She did not go in with mats so it was uncalled for.