Dog grooming…?
12 Sep 2008
So my terrior shnauzer mix is going in to get groomed for the first time and because it is a 3 hour visit, I’m going to be leaving her with the groomer. This makes me extremely nervous as she was an abused animal and gets very skiddish around new people. (I won’t even leave her alone with a vet!) I know I’m crazy, but she’s been through so much I don’t want to start over with her. What are some things to look for that would tell me the groomer will be okay with her and to tell me that I can trust her with my dog? I just don’t want her to be rough with her or get impatient. Please help!
Won’t the groomer get mad about checking in on her? I don’t want to make her mad and she take it out on my dog. I know I’m paranoid, but my dog means everything to me!
dogs still remember…since taking her from the man’s home she has seen him and freaks out when he comes close, especially to me. Oh and I should mention muzzles are not an option so you get a thumbs down! Muzzles are for animals who you think will bite! Shame on you!
14 Responses
2008 Sep 13
I would wait an hour and then go back and check on her, if she is getting stressed then take her home, if not leave her another hour and check again.
2008 Sep 16
well if u want to start over stop looking at her as the dog who got abused animals live in the present if u keep thinking about what happened you’ll just be encouraging her anxiety take care of her as if she was a regular dog u just got… and for the groomer just tell them shes nervous so they’ll put a muzzle
hope this helped
2008 Sep 19
the groomer should let you stay till you know your baby is settled and no one is going to hurt her that way if its to much you can take her home have you tryed looking for a groomer that comes to your home a little more expensive but worth it believe me mine always get done by a mobile
2008 Sep 20
a grooming visit is ALWAYS stressful on a dog.
My dog hates those dryer cages! Hes terrified of them. I cant blame him!
There are some groomers who hand dry and pamper your pooch instead of the traditional…tie em up, wash em, stick em in a blow dry cage and so forth.
Why dont you try grooming her yourself? Some cities have self-svc dog grooming facilities or groom her at home.
I hose my dog down and scrub him, haha! He’s a big boy though.
Rememeber, for the most part dogs live “in the moment” meaning even if her grooming trip IS stressful, when she sees you walk through that door she will forget all about it…well… until the next time, hehe.
EDIT: btw….you shouldnt encourage her “bad” behavior (and I use that term loosely) by babying her when you “think she is uncomfortable or having issues. You will only encourage that anxiety ridden behavior….
watch the Dog Whisperer!!!
2008 Sep 22
if you feel uncomfortable with the groomer find another. i went to 3 differant shops walked into the one i use now and it felt like home. my dogs get excited when we pull into the driveway. go with your gut!
2008 Sep 23
I know exactly how you feel because our recently adopted shih tzu just recently had her first day at the spa (dog groomers) and she had a similar background. I would tell the groomer about your dog’s background and be honest with him/her that you are a bit nervous about leaving her. A good groomer should be sympathetic and willing to do whatever is necessary to alleviate some of your anxiety. They will take time to talk with you about what kind of cut you expect or want, explain what services they will be providing and answer any questions you have. You’ll be able to tell by how he/she interacts with your dog too.
It might help you to just pop back by in about an hour or two and just tell them you want to make sure your dog is doing ok. Chances are she’ll do just fine like our shih tzu did.
2008 Sep 25
You can trust a groomer with your dog, based on how he/she is with the other animals around you. If the groomer was recommended. Lastly trial and error. The time that I truly realized that I can truly trust my groomer was when he nicked my dog with the clippers. When I came to pick her up he showed me the small nick and apologized also he had applied anti-biotic on her cut and told me how to care for it. He apologized again. I told him it was okay accidents happen. I WAS JUST HAPPY HOW UPFRONT HE WAS ABOUT IT. Also this place has camera’s where the groomers are so you can see what goes on.
My dog was very shy too, but you need to show your dog she can trust again. Also this will let your dog see other dogs as well. I say go for it and also see if friends can recommend a groomer to you. I live in Los Angeles and I go to Hills Pet and Feed and I go all the way to Glendale for the vet. If I trust someone that was recommended by an animal lover, then I will go out of my way to take my dog to them.
ANYWAYS BEST OF LUCK TO YOU. IT GETS EASIER TO LEAVE YOUR DOG THERE.I DROP MINE OFF AT 9AM AND GET HER BACK AT 1PM. WHILE SHE IS THERE I TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CLEAN OUR HER DOGGY AREA.
2008 Sep 28
When I was grooming, I had a couple of dogs who were a bit skittish - one because she’d been abused. The owners in both cases told me about the dogs’ problems ahead of time so I’d be aware. Those dogs got a bit of extra time spent on them - a bit more time talking to them and they didn’t get a cage dryer put on them.
I’d suggest talking to the groomer first. Most would be willing to spend a bit of extra time. If you don’t feel comfortable, then keep looking.
By the way, I really don’t think it’s a good idea for you to drop in while your dog’s there. Your presence would really upset your dog if she saw you - especially since you can’t take her home if she’s not done yet.
2008 Sep 29
I would try not to worry about taking your dog to get groomed so much, I’m sure the groomer will be very gentle and patient with your dog, they must love animals else they wouldn’t be in that field of work! but you could always tell the groomer that your dog may be a little nervous as it has never been groomed before and they will definitely keep that in mind. I also agree with some of the other people that you should try not to think of your dog as a dog who was abused but as a dog who is loved now, and a regular dog. hope this has helped but if you’re still worried I’m sure the groomer would not be offended if you wanted to stay with your dog for 5 minutes or so to see if it is alright, then go and check before the 3 hours is up.
2008 Sep 30
It sounds like you’re more stressed about the visit than anything. And the dog will sense this and begin to stress as well.
A couple minutes before you take the dog into the groomer pop a mint in your mouth and walk in with your dog like it’s a routine event.
Your dog, if abused by a man, will probably have more issues with men than women. If the groomer is a woman than it shouldn’t be a problem.
Have confidence in your dog, don’t get stressed out yourself, and take it from there.
Talk to the groomer and express your concerns. She’ll probably make every effort to be extra gentle. After the grooming you can speak with the groomer and she should be able to provide complete details of the dogs behavior. Certainly a groomer doesn’t want the job of grooming a dog with a nasty temperament.
And if it just doesn’t work out you can easily learn to groom the dog yourself. A simple task really.
2008 Oct 02
You need to ask for recommendations from other dog owners. Especially ones that have tried a variety of groomers.
I’ve had many new clients tell me ” This is the first time he’s come home from grooming and wasn’t stressed”.
2008 Oct 04
As a professional groomer my words of experience are these:
1. Dogs don’t really have a concept of the time, you are the one worrying about the 3 hours, not her. Don’t create anxiety in yourself that you can transfer to her. Be calm and confident and she will be. DON’T Baby talk the dog when yu drop her off. Things like” It’s ok, it’s ok, don’t worry, don’t worry” only actually worry the dog as if you are upset they will feed off of you.
2. Ask around about groomers. If you see someone with a nicely groomed dog, ask where they got it done. Or go to petsmart/petco and watch through the window and see who handles the dogs they way you like.
3. Checking on your dog (if it see’s you) will only work it up again. Anxious, past abused, and skittish dogs tend to settle down pretty fast and will stay that way if handled with a calm and gentle manor by the groomer. I don’t act like anything is wrong and my energy is transfered to the dog.
4.IF the dog gets so upset she jumps, flails, and seems to panic at simple touching, brushing or trimming then there are a couple of options:
a. Your vet could perscribe some antianxiety for your dog that she could take before grooming (petsmart and petco will not knowingly take a animal on medication, I did say “knowingly”)
b. The groomer depending on their level of expertise could have some help holding your dog, going slowly (which may require breaks and more than 3 hours but it would be worth it) and at times your dog may need to wear a muzzle.
Now hang on, before you get upset that I say that..
I had a small terrier mix that came in one day..nasty past abused dog. I needed to use a humane muzzle on him durring the whole groom, he had a bath I spoke to him the whole time, he was dried, I spoke to him and patted him the whole time, I used my clippers and trimmed him, all with the muzzle as he was trying to bite and panic…
when he was done and I took the muzzle off…I was kissed all over by the dog. He became a regular for 8years untill he passed away of old age. I was the only one who ever gave him firm yet gentle love. He was a wonderful dog, he just needed some redirecting.
Let the groomer do what they need to do, choose your groomer wisely (as some are not what they seem) Don’t worry. This is what the groome does for a living.
I know I have never woken up and said “I can’t wait to go to work and hurt animals today”. We do it because we love it.
Relax and your dog will relax.
2008 Oct 06
I would hope that all groomers would have a love of animals and would not be cruel or else why would they choose that profession. I don’t think they would mind you checking up on them; I’m sure your not the only over protective dog owner..ha..I use to take my dog to Petsmart; they did a fine job and they have glass windows that you can just stand their and watch as they groom your dog. But I have recently switched to a groomer that is closer to my home and they are great. They let the dogs run around and play together while waiting their turn and my maltipoo loved it much better than waiting her her turn in cage.
2008 Oct 09
I am a groomer, mobile. Try to find a mobile groomer in your area, that way it only takes about an hour (depending on the groomer) and they never leave home, just go out to the van or trailer. You can usually peek in the windows to check on him. It is much less stressfull, no other dogs around, no caging, no interuptions such as phones, checking in and out other clients. That is my suggestion.