First Trip to the Groomer!

[Star and Goldie]

First trip to the Groomer's... quite the adventure!

It was off to a rocky start right from the get go...

• Call to the Groomer to talk about pricing, what I wanted etc... I didn't get good vibes on the phone. The woman was not friendly- never even told me her name. When I asked her how often she would need a full groom once she's ready for it she responded so RUDELY with "well that's up to you and how much maintenance you want to do" followed by a lecture on how important maintenance is.
• Arrive at the Groomers and am taken back by DISGUST for the place. It smelled like urine and 100 wet dogs in there. It's a tiny shop and yes of course there are wet dogs in there all day but should it smell like that first thing in the morning? Light a candle... create a nice atmosphere, something! I fought my gut instinct which was to turn around and walk out and I went ahead and checked Goldie in
• Go to pick Goldie up and I try to hand the woman my card. She says "Um, we don't take cards. Cash or check only".  She said it in a tone like DUH you should have known this.  Payment methods are not posted anywhere in the shop and she didn't mention this on the phone so I had to get back in my car and go to the nearest ATM- UGH...
• Come back to pay. She takes the cash and instead of a 'thank you' or' sorry about the inconvenience' she says "Do you own a comb? I thought you said you comb her. Do you know what you're doing?" OMG OK LADY!!! Cue the lecture about how I'm not combing her properly
• Resist the urge to jump over the counter in a fit of rage
• Smile and nod while thinking bad thoughts
• Finally, she brings Goldie out and alas, my blood boiling starts to calm when I see my sweet baby's face. She was so excited to see me and she looked so....so... DOODLY!

So this was not what I expected our first trip to the Groomer to be like. I still don't even know the woman's name. She is NOT friendly to humans but she talks to the animals in her shop in a super sweet voice. Goldie seemed to love her and she did a good job.

So my question, would you look past the look (and smell) of the shop and put your personal feelings for her aside and continue using her based on her skills or would you look elsewhere?  Finding a reasonably priced decent Groomer in this area has proven to be a challenge.

Todays bill was $20.  Petsmart quoted me $65 to have the same thing done.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

In defense of groomers, I think there are many great groomers. In every profession there are a few horrible stories.

A few weeks ago, I had these rescue puppies.  When I picked them up, I found that my harnesses were not going to fit.  We drove to the groomers with some ill- fitting collars.  I was nervous to just drop them off. They were scared too.

The groomer asked, " Would you like to stay?"  My husband and I both stayed.   It was a fantastic experience.  She told me, anyone is welcome to stay as she likes the company anyway.   They do one or two dogs at a time. That's ALL.  Not 15 dogs all over the place. 

I later called her boss. Told him she restored my faith in the profession and I would not hesitate to use his services again.

I like the fact that she welcomed any owner to hang out and wait. She was awesome, enjoyed her job, was completely relaxed. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I posted three other links earlier, but this recent story says it all  (2013)

http://www.capitalbay.com/latest-news/311628-how-your-family-pet-co...

And don't forget the story from last year where the groomer super glued the ear back on for one dog. 

Like I said above, in defense of groomers, most are great, but in everything, Buyer beware. Do your homework. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

What horrors in that article. I just don't know whether I'll be able to trust anyone again.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I completely understand--especially for you. I agree.  While I love the photos here of beautiful groomed dogs, there is a waiting period of two weeks, were after I groom Spud, I show no one.  It is pretty bad  :)

Then he looks just fine.  I'll just do it myself.

As a matter of fact, I'm waiting on my Geib Dog Grooming Shears right now.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I have a set of Geib shears. Love them, especially the curved ones.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

What length 7.5 or 8.5.  I went for the 7.5

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have two of them, regulat and thinning. The regular is a it big for my hand.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Gator or Crocodile?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Gator I think. Are there crocodile or are you kidding?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Gator looked bigger. Crocodile looked leaner.... but twice the price

Now, not kidding

http://www.buttercut.com/es1/pc/viewCategories.asp?pageStyle=h&...

[F, Calla & Luca]

I see, well, I've had mine a long time. But smaller sounds better. Somewhere I have a never used C Christensen shears that I bought when it was being discontinued. I guess I'll have to dig them out.

[F, Calla & Luca]

You want to see expensive? And I've seen some for more. You've got to be nuts.
http://www.lespoochs.com/shears-no54.asp