HELP.........Groomer Trouble:(

[Tamara & Giada]

My poor bay is afraid to go to the groomer:( She is absolutely terrified!!!!

Today she slipped out of her collar, and I panicked, which set her right to toward the busy street:( Luckily I got my conposure and got down on my knees and she came to me without going into the street. The groomer advised me to put a chock collar on her next time, but this does not sovle the initial reason...why is she so afraid.

There are two large German Shepards that are in a cage at the entry.....the groomer thinks she is afraid of them. I'm not sure. She is fine to get out of the car, walk up to the door, but then as soon as I open the door she FREAKS out!!! My older dog has been going there for years and never had issues, so I don't think she's being treated badly, but ya never know. It could be the pulling the hair out of her ears...my other dog gets this done, but maybe Giada is more sensitive.

Do any of you have this problem? What are your thoughts?

[1knme66wzgv4k]

That is a scary story! I'm so glad that she came right back to you!

I had a really bad experience at a groomers. They made me cry : ( Puddles was terrified and unlike most dogs, I guess, he gets scary aggressive when scared. I had a real issue with this groomer because he made it all about Puddles and didn't consider that he was just 6 months old, that this was his second grooming experience and that his shop is miniscule with barking dogs and loud dryers. I think Puddles was scared beyond reason! The energy level was really horrible in his shop. Plus, the groomer charged me double what he quoted and lectured me about my dog and that it was the worst dog he had ever seen in 26 years and that I should take a fly swatter to him!!!! Anyway, enough of my pathetic story.

Just recently, I went to see the groomers at Petco who are so nice and completely willing to work with Puddles. I went on a Sunday morning and the salon is so quiet and I think the windows really help. I think it's all about finding the right groomer. They said that if he gets too stressed that they would call me right away to come get him. I'm going to try one more time in September and if I have another bad experience I'm going to learn to groom him myself! I think you should probably look around for another groomer or see if they will let you stay with her. I believe a lot of Puddles' fear is his age. Our doodles are still pretty young even though they've had a lot of socialization.

Good luck!

[Tamara & Giada]

I am so sorry about your experience. I too was in tears, because I was feeling a bit guilty for leaving her when she was so terified and also because she had almost run into a busy street:(

So, they suggested a fly swatter???? That is terrible!!!! Aren't they suposed to be trained in this area??? Glad you found Petco. I could go to Pestsmart, but it is so far away.we shall see. Thanks for sharing:)

[1knme66wzgv4k]

Just wanted to let you know that Puddles went to Petco for grooming and it went so well!!!! He was happy to see the groomer and walked back with her with a happy tail and when I picked him up, he looked great and they said they didn't have any problems with him : ) I'm so happy!!!! It's definitely all about finding the right groomer. The woman who worked with Puddles has a standard poodle at home and just handled my Puddles so perfectly. She did put a goofy bow in his hair, but considering he's such a brat, it was kind of funny!

[Adina P]

Definitely time to find a new groomer. Even if THIS groomer didn't do anything wrong, Giada now has a bad association and, I, personally, would be too lazy to work on training her through it.

Or you can become a do-it-yourself at-home groomer, which is actually not too bad. It's kind of fun actually =)

[Tamara & Giada]

Yes, I think both of you are right:) Thanks you guys. I love this site!!!

[KJ]

this is why I'm just going to let P's hair grow until he looks like Cousin It.....

[1knme66wzgv4k]

Ha ha!!!!! We've been calling Puddles "The Beast"...he so needs a haircut!

[1mzns1erua5gt]

I know what you mean about being leary. Bella has only gone once but a little part of me would like to put in a nanny cam before I leave her again ; )
I am thinking of learning how to groom.

[DANYELL]

I came back to the groomers finding Rocket completely shaved down the second time i took him. What a shock to have them hand you a dog and me thinking this is not my dog where did all his hair go? Come to find out from another groomer this is what happens whenthe groomer is too lazy to brush your dog out.

[nfu7f0foes3r]

Oh my gosh! What an experience for the both of you!! I would probably try a new place. Even if my puppy would overcome the fear, I probably wouldn't be able to overcome the fear. We were looking at PetSmart for our grooming. We watched them with a goldendoodle through the window and the environment appeared very calm and the dogs looked relaxed. Especially the doodle they were working on! I had to laugh because her personality was so non caring.... like as if she was saying " do whatever you need to do.... I don't care!" Doodles are great aren't they? Hah! Good luck with your next grooming experience. Please keep us posted.

[Tamara & Giada]

UPDATE!

Well, I tried another Groomer today (Petsmart). Giada was fine, but all she had done were her tonails and I stayed because it only took 5 minutes.......just wanted her to get use to the place. On the other hand my older dog, Summer didn't want to go in, but was ok once in, and her fuss was not dramatic. So, I think we might stay with Petsmart, although it is more expensive.

[amy]

Hi,
I am a dog groomer myself. I am glad you took your dog to another dog grooming place. I was reading your story. I was very upset. I know that some dogs just don't liked to be groomed, but this case it is a sure sign that the groomer was not very nice to your dog.
I never use to be a fan of petsmart grooming dept.I don't mind it so much now, they have them go to grooming school to learn the trade. It's not easy to groom dogs.It is an art..:)I have been a dog groomer for 9 years.. I love it!!!!

Amy
Tustin, CA