Where should a dog be placed when it is waiting to be groomed?

[Courter Family]

We recently took our Labradoodle (Rudy) to a highly recommended, home-based, licensed groomer. While he was waiting to be groomed, the groomer let him play freely their backyard with another dog. As a result, Rudy had access to a wet deck, where he slipped, fell and injured his left rear leg. The injury resulted in two veterinary surgical procedures, several follow-up visits, and related treatments. Needless to say, we weren't very happy. So... My question to the groupis this: What is the typical standard of care for a dog waiting to be groomed? What type of environment is considered the standard? A kennel? Isolated area? Would allowing a dog to play in an unrestricted fashion be considered acceptable?

[Kyoko]

Charlie goes to the grooming section at PetSmart. So, all of the dogs who are waiting to be groomed and waiting to be picked up are in a crates / kennel. I am not sure if it is a good idea for the dogs to be playing with another dogs that they don't know, especially unattended. You never know what could happen between the dogs too, besides the injury like it happened to Rudy....I am so sorry that Rody had major injury like this....I will be praying for the fast recovery.....

[Katie and Murphy]

I'm sorry to hear your pup was injured. I hope he's feeling better, now.

I also take my dog to the Petsmart groomers. I've never been back there, but my groomer is a family friend, and she told me Murphy waits in a kennel whenever he's not being worked on. She said they do that so the store can't be liable for any injuries sustained while he's not directly under their care.

Did your groomer offer to pay for the veterinary services? Since he was the one who let the dog out and since it was at his place of business...

=/

[Deanna Marsh]

I don't think it's acceptable. Unless you are aware of it before hand and accept the liability, I would think the groomer would be responsible for your dogs veterinary bills. Poor Rudy, I hope he'll be alright.

[Anthony & Lori Jacobs]

In both bad experiences I messaged you about they paid for everything all vets bills were covered.

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

At a grooming shop, dog would typically be confined to a crate until it was their turn. Some groomers allow dogs to roam in the shop, although this could be considered by some to be high risk.
I think to play unsupervised is not really a good thing to do. I am sure the groomer was trying to make the best environment possible and not make any part a 'bad' experience. How unfortunate that something like that had to happen. A lack of foresight on the groomer's part. I guess my take on it is that playing dogs need to be supervised to make sure the play stays safe and I assume they were not.

[Diana Allen]

I have never been yet to a groomer to give an answer to your question but I did want to say that I am very sorry to hear your story.... Sincerely Diana

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I do the ziip groom at PetSmart. You pay a little extra, but the dog is never put into a kennel, and there is no waiting. They take him at the appointment time, and I'm allowed to stay with him during the grooming. It works well for us because Guinness is more comfortable when he can see me, and he doesn't get nervous about being in a strange crate surrounded by other crated (and barking) dogs.

[Lynne B]

our groomer puts Beck in a crate, or puts him on his leash and tethers him near her while she is working on other dogs

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

We use the groomer at our vet's office. She keeps the dogs in crates while she is not actively working on them. Poor Rudy. Hope he feels better.


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