"This is the worst dog"

[Toby]

So I took Toby to the groomer for the first time. Waited until all shots done so I am at the four month mark. They tell me it will take two to three hours ( I guess equivalent of full highlights for us ladies) . Three hours later no call, so I call them . Toby still not ready. Another hour. Two hours later ( five hours now total- that's the equivalent of full spa day for us ladies), they finally call me. Groomer tells me he was a "tough one" and it took three people to hold him down ( now thinking this will be equivalent cost to a girls weekend ). So now I go get him. They are still working on him so I go in the back where they are . Yes they are struggling with him and I hear the groomer say, "this is the worst dog". Of course I apologize (although not sure I really did anything wrong). Groomer was nice but I understand he was a handful. Anyway, after paying the near equivalent of full highlights on us ladies, I left with one well groomed , handsome, good smelling puppy. ( and I can now even see his eyes ).

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

He is a puppy and it will take time for him to learn proper grooming behavior. Whether you take him back to this groomer or not, do take him to the groomer regularly so that he will learn how to behave.  That being said, when our first Springer was a puppy and a wild child, the groomer told us how bad she was etc.  We never went back because I felt that she should have been experienced enough to handle a wiggly puppy.  That Springer did fine with a different groomer - still a wild child for a while, but....   With our second wild child Springer, we gave a small dose of an over-the-counter calming medication for the first few grooms - to help him stay calmer. 

[Allen and Pamela Kerstetter]

I take Duke to Petsmart, and he only spent 1 time almost a whole day.  Now we just have him bathed and shaved down totally and it cost $80.  He weighs a little over 70 lbs. and gets a report card saying he is a charm to wait on.  I feel that is high since no combing is required. I have tried a personal place once and tested it by just having his nails clipped, but he was having none of this place and while shopping in a store next door, they literally brought him to the business door as he was panicking and not behaving.  I think he enjoys the big box store because he can shop for a toy or treat afterward before going home. He never has the same groomer there twice.  But you can watch thru windows in the store to make sure they are being kind to him.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I would be concerned - I don't like the sound of 3 people "holding him down". I can understand a groomer's dilemma when a dog is badly behaved, but 5 hours is a long time, and I am sure that 3 people holding him down was making him incredibly stressed. Maybe you could try finding someone to groom him in a less stressful environment, or even take on some grooming yourself? 

Maybe you could also work with him to get him more accustomed to grooming (brush - treat, brush - treat)

[Jennifer and Jack]

I have gone through more groomers then I can count..I am super super strict with who I let touch him..jack was bad at the groomers when he was a puppy but I was brand new and didn't know what to expect.....I dropped him off at7 am and picked him up at 3...he was crated and apparently on a top crate and had to go potty and well he peed on the dog below him who just had their bath....he was only 16 weeks old.....overall I loved how he looked but I do t want him gone all day......and I was worried about the big dryers ...the shop was too busy...to many dogs.....

We went through a few others Including a mobile groomer who was just too expensive and was annoyed because I wanted to stay in the trailor

Now I go to a place where I am not a fan of how he looks when he is done but I drop him off first..he is done first....and is there no more then two hours....

Now with his tail broken.. It healing really well..he will be home groomed for a good while until I have proof of total healing on x ray..

That groomer should have had more patients with a puppy...one bad grooming experience can scar then for life....I used to take Jack for puppy cuts and baths too to try to get him used to going.....

He hates the shower, baths..and being groomed......but he is a little guy so I am hoping to be able to maintain him for a while.......

I would find a different groomer....one who is patient...I would rather them not finish then spend hours wrestling with him......

If you get a new groomer..have your baby go for nail cuts and face trims only.....ease him into it....

[Ellie and Cooper]

It takes my groomer 3 hours to dry Cooper and I drop him off around 11 and pick him up around 5:30pm.  Cost is $65.00 and is worth it to me as I am not able to bathe him he now weighs 95 pounds.  I'm sure that Toby is glad to be able to see daylight again to.....LOL.....  The price we have to pay.  But they are worth it.  Give that beautiful baby a hug for me.

 

[Doris]

Don't go back.  I hated leaving Bodi for 5 hours and he hated it too.  Now I have the mobile groomer come to my house. 1 hour 15 minutes and he is back in my arms. This groomer also had appointments that you could make to do your dog exclusively at their shop. (she no longer does this)  It was worth it for me to drive almost an hour to get him groomed there - he was there for 1 hour 15 minutes and she only worked on Bodi.  I think grooming can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be!!  Good luck!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

The Title had me worried and frankly the remarks of the groomer that you "over heard" makes me uneasy.

You might want to consider strongly Jarka's helpful hints.

I don't think having a groomer that said "worse dog" is a good place to take him back too. Good Luck and hoping the next grooming, where ever that is, goes better than this one.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Awww, I feel for Toby, it had to be hard on him too:(   I think with time and the older Toby gets it will be better.  I am shocked the Groomer would say something like that and not talk with you about a plan to make it easier on Toby.  Shame on her!  Hoping for a better experience next time!

[Sue]

He will in time probably settle down after he has a few more grooms under his belt, lol

Puppies that age are bound to be wiggly, but the groomer should never have insulted you by saying he was the worst dog!

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

What was the main issue? He would not stand still or did not like to be touched? You can work with him at home, putting him on some kind of table and brush, and touch all over.  I'm not sure what else is there to do. Just like you said, you did not do anything wrong. My boys are natural spa lovers, so I've never had an issue like this. Toby is still very young, so perhaps it's just beyond his abilities to stand still right now. At least the haircut was good.