I accidentally cut Ludo while grooming and I feel terrible.

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

You guys,

I feel absolutely horrible.  I don't think I've ever felt so guilty or bad in my life.  Ludo is 10 months old and has been matting like CRAZY despite frequent brushing.  I've been working on learning home grooming and up until the last week or so, I'd been able to keep him totally under control with just a few occasional mats that I could brush out or trim out with thinning shears.

Well today, I brushed him out (using the Activet red/purple) before I bathed him and when I was blow drying him, he  had a mat behind his ear and a few mats on his side.  I cut them out with regular shears and finished drying him, he looked super patchy, but I resolved to buy a shorter clipper guard to blend him in a little better.  but as I was checking his ears for cleaning, I noticed a gash near the base of his ear about an inch long-- not deep and not actively bleeding.  It was right where I cut out the mat.  He didn't move or whimper or anything to let me know I hurt him.  He just laid there.  I really don't think he needs to go to the vet, but I'm still going to call in the morning.

I just feel horrible. I feel like he should hate me.  How could I have cut him?? I'm literally holding back tears, feeling so awful about it.  

I think I'm resigning from my home grooming role.  My groomer is great, I just liked doing it myself at home as it was cheaper and less stressful on Ludo.  He actually seemed to enjoy it at home, so I'm really really bummed, but I don't want to risk cutting him or hurting him again :(

[Kamela & Beckett]

I'm in the same boat. Lucy, our schnauzer gets so anxious when left anywhere that I hesitate to start going back to a groomer. Hopefully in 4-6 weeks when she's due for her next trim, I'll have calmed down enough to attempt it again. :)

[BG and Gavin]

I would bet that if you did a search you would find all kinds of good videos on grooming techniques that you can watch to learn new skills that will improve your confidence.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Don't feel  so guilty. I am sure Ludo is fine and does NOT blame you.  I use nail scissors to cut into mats - opening them away from the skin and slicing outward.