 Barked: Thu Sep 29, '11 3:23pm PST |
 | |  | | This morning we only had 6 dogs scheduled and were looking for a light day.
Well, I am typing this with one hand cuz my left arm has TWO muscle cramps from trying to hold on to these dogs AND get them groomed!
First was a spoodle, second groom, first here. She has not had ONE bit of training, not a sit, walk on a leash, NOTHING! The previous groomer only brushed over the tops of the ears and tail and legs and otherwise just semi-shaved the face because, as she complained to the owner "the dog wouldn't let me do her." She also refused to attempt the dog again. OKAY... Both ears were about two inches thick with nasty, soaked matted hair and I had to shave them with a 7F, and they both had NASTY staph infections all along the edges. They were sooo itchy that the dog had them bleeding within a matter of minutes so we had to use an e-collar on her to stop her from scratching them until they were bathed and dried.
It took FOUR of us to hold her in order to clip her anywhere, fortunately, she is a GREAT dog and chose to lick us to death instead of bite us! Did I mention the fleas???? NO EXCUSE with a white dog, IMO.
Second dog was an 8 month old cocker, first groom. She had 8 months worth of puppy fuzz completely matted because, according to the owner, "she won't let me brush her." She had been told by TWO other groomers that a cocker didn't need to be groomed until it was about a year old...HUH?? And, I have NEVER seen as many fleas on one dog in my entire grooming career... the water was blood red when she was bathed.
She was going to bite whenever I touched her back legs and/or feet but somehow I convinced her that she was going to LOVE having those nasty, urine soaked matts off her back feet and she agreed and decided I was pretty nice.
Next two dogs (cockerpoos)had been to the groomer of the first spoo... she had shaved a strip down their backs and the top of their heads but left EVERYTHING else long and completely matted up. Imagine how nasty 8 inch hair matted between the legs can become...especially after being bathed...everytime the poor dog urinates it runs down the skin UNDER the matts!
Last two were GREAT...two maltese, regular clients, regular appointment, thank goodness.
The good news, ALL these owners rebooked 6 week appointments and agreed to do some basic home brushing. They all understood about the shorter cut, especially after I showed them the actual matts that I cut off. They all had treated for fleas "earlier in the Summer", and had NO IDEA their dogs were infested, the other groomer didn't mention it at all. (I did have pictures of all the fleas floating in the tub as well as photos of the nasty, dead skin buildup under the matted ears... owners had NO IDEA, according to them, and I actually do believe them!)
My point of this long rant is to PLEASE make sure the groomer you chose is really qualified to groom. Ask to see some photos or ask for the names of some previous clients. Better yet, ask your vet for their opinion OR referral.
We do not have licensing or schooling requirements in NH, but you can still ask for some referrals. All four of these dogs have been suffering for a minimum of 8 weeks since they saw this groomer, and probably before that as well.
When you pick up your dog from a grooming appointment check the ears and check the underbelly and the tail...there should be NO matts. Anyone can make a dog smell good with some cologne, but your dog should at least be clean and flea and matt free! |  |  | |  |
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My friend has to spend extra time working to fix problems that if they had come to her first never would have happened.
