Groomer question - do they groom in front of you?

[Namrata and Rowlfy]

Hello Everyone,  Just had a quick question.  First of all does anyone have a groomer recommendation?  I live in NYC (Manhattan).  Rowlfy is 14 weeks old and he moves a lot so I am afraid to trim his paws.  Though we have made a lot of progress with brushing.  He is almost ok with it! :)

I took Rowlfy for paw trimming and sanitary cut to Spot on Upper West Side.  I was not able to see him get groomed.  They took him somewhere in the back and asked me to come back in 30 minutes.  That made me uncomfortable.  Is that normal?  Does anyone here has a groomer that lets them see while their dog is getting groomed? 

[Trudy Harlow]

Yes.  If the groomer won't let me stay, then Paddy doesn't stay.  I try not to interfere when I do stay, but since my dog is terrified of the dryer (and I would never let him be put into a dryer cage), I do help hold and calm him during that part of the process.

I also never let the groomer touch Paddy's face -- I do that.  If the groomer isn't okay with that, then we leave.

I've been fortunate to find a local groomer who works from her home and is happy to have me there.  She asks me continually throughout the clipping and trimming if it's what I want, and I tip her generously.  Paddy loves her.

Don't be afraid to state your needs and stand up for yourself.  You don't ever need to see that groomer again if you don't have a good experience, so who cares what s/he thinks?  The important thing is that your dog and you have a good experience and a good outcome.  That's what you are paying for, and it's your money.

[Namrata and Rowlfy]

Thank you so much!  I am going to ask to be there next time and if they say no then I will find someone else.  

[Bonnie and Kona]

It seemed as though Kona was more nervous when I was there... trying to convince me to take him home! I ended up doing my own grooming. I hated to leave him at the groomers for hours, and he seemed so scared when I left him and when I picked him up. I know each dog is different, but it was not good for my big boy.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

This was my experience too. Tara wanted me to rescue her! I couldn't stand it and ended up grooming her myself too.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

In most cases the dog behaves better when the owner is out of sight or not present. I know my Gracie Doodle is much better behaved when I am not there.  I am pretty sure this is why the groomer asks you to leave.  I'm sure if there is some issue with your Doodle and that your staying is a positive thing for everyone the groomer would let you stay.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Nancie, our former groomer didn't want me to stay with Tara, using that reason-she behaved better without me. But how do I know that is true when I am never there to see how she is when I'm not there? LOL  Sometimes I wondered if it just made the groomer nervous to have an owner watch so she blamed it on the dog just to get rid of me!!!

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

Believe it folks. Most dogs are way better behaved when mom or dad are not there. The dogs accept the grooming better and calm in the experienced hands. Dogs can play us like a piano. Most dogs will play the 'don't leave me here mom!' and as soon as you are gone they turn around and say 'got any treats here?' Some dogs just cannot build a relationship with the groomer while being distracted by their owners.

 

[Bonnie and Kona]

This makes sense to me, Barb. We had a dog whose nails had to be trimmed when DH wasn't home. She would cry and carry on if he was there when I did the clipping. Arrgh!

[Stephanie]

There are very very very few dogs that behave better with the owner watching.  Occasionally having an owner hold a dog for nails is all I've ever done.  In fact, if the owner shows up early while I'm working on their pet..the dog goes home half-done.  It's for the dogs own safety.  I can't take sharp shears and blades to your dog with him or her jumping around to see mom in the window.  It's not safe.  In fact, I have to stop grooming when people stop to stare through the window, or tap on the glass, etc... I will usually sit there and stare at the person until they leave. 

I can certainly understand wanting to watch, but most groom shops will not allow it.  It's not because we mistreat animals or anything like that.  I've been grooming a long time and I've never witnessed anyone mistreat an animal.

Also, many owners feel bad leaving their dog for grooming.  The dog may cry, try to come back to you, but really once you are out of sight...they don't care.  "out of sight, out of mind" works great with dogs!  It's also good training for them to spend time without you and a good way to curb separation anxiety.