groomer ever make you feel bad?

[Leigh0918]

Guess I'm just looking for a little moral support... Brought my little Henry into the groomer this morning and I was told "Oh, girlfriend. He's a mess." I was crushed and am feeling so guilty. He's a Shih Tzu, so he mats very easily and his hair has gotten pretty long because he's only 7 months old and the groomer (I've brought him twice already to the same place) hasn't wanted to shave him yet because I was told he was too young. It was the winter, so I thought it best anyways to leave it long. Well, now with spring time here he's rolling around outside and having a blast. He IS a dog. So he was more matted than normal when I brought him in today (it's only been 6 weeks since his last grooming). I brush and comb and detangle almost daily, but lately his hair length has gotten out of control. She said they HAD to shave him, there was no other option. I knew he was messy, but didn't think he was THAT bad. DH and I take such good care of him - he's our baby!! But this makes me feel like such a bad Mama. Anyone else ever feel like this?? :( I'm kind of nervous about what he's going to look like when I pick him up.

Here's a pic of Henry after a recent bath. I call it his "school boy" portrait :)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b224/debogue/Henry.jpg

[GeekGirl]

I'm sorry your groomer made you feel so badly. I'm sure you're an awesome doggy mom, and Henry looks very happy! Cute dog. :)

[SingleWhiteFemale]

Don't feel bad! Funny you brought this up, I took my saint to the groomer yesterday for his summer haircut. When I picked him up, the person remarked that he had a wound near his eye that I should have checked out if I cared about him. I remarked that I was quite aware, and because of his health history, there is nothing that can be done. She let out the largest "UGH!" at me. I just walked out. Lovely attitude woman. Had she brought up the concern to the person who has groomed him numerous times before, she would have been informed he has a eye condition, and we've done all we can (to the tune of a few thousand dollars) but he rubs the area raw.

Dogs are suppossed to get messy. Stuff happens. He wasn't painfully matted, was he? I highly doubt he was. Sometimes, people need to keep their comments to themselves and actually think before they speak. Your pup is well taken care of, loved, and happy. That's what matters. He doesn't have to have the perfect coat/be fresh from the groomer to be happy. Maybe she was attempting to guilt you into having to bring him in more frequently (more money for her)?

If you could delight me, could you please post a picture of his new 'do? I've got to show my guy he's not the only one running around naked ;)

[linekelei]

Well, that last time our mobile groomer came, our smallest dog (toy poodle) got scared and peed all over the groomer when she picked our dog up. I could tell she wasn't happy. Then a week later we got a letter saying that she hurt her hand and can't groom our dogs anymore. :rolleyes:

I'm sure it had to do with the peeing incident! And yes, I was really embarrassed.

[Pineknot]

Years ago, a miniature schnauzer 'adopted' my family. She was just a pup and laying at the bottom of our drive, hiding in the ivy, crying. We worked hard to whip her into shape so she would be adoptable. We couldn't find anyone to take her, so she became ours.

She was a basketcase when she had to go to the groomers. She cried, peed, and had to be drug in. We later found a 'do-it-yourself pet wash', but for the first few times, we tried everything else.

One trip, to a new groomer, proved the worst. It was in a pet store and when we dropped her off, the children and I browsed the store. They started her right away and within 5-10 minutes she was 'screaming.' I immediately told the store I wanted my dog back. I told the clerk that was the worst I had ever heard her and I couldn't take it. (I had told the store the dog had definite bathtime anxiety) I NEVER accused the store of anything, yet it seems the groomer took it personally.

The groomer came out with my dog, insinuated I was abusive to my dog and told me she was apprehensive to give the dog back. I explained to her how we had come about getting the dog, knowing she was very gun shy around people and had high anxiety. The groomer wasn't buying it and said she was thinking about calling the humane society. :eek: My poor kids were scared.

I had my dog for many years and a couple of years ago, had to be put to sleep. It's still hard for me to talk about it because she was the most loving, loyal dog I have ever had.

Ya know, she loved outside and even though she was supposed to be a shee shee la la dog, I didn't get her groomed regularly. With how she loved to run our property (an acre) plus her anxiety, I couldn't see the sense in it. I kept her clean, but not a schnauzer cut.

Don't feel bad...really. It sounds like you are letting your dog be a dog. :p
As long as she can see, is clean, and isn't having health problems, I would say you are doing everything right. :)

[Leigh0918]

Thanks for making me feel better and sharing your own stories. Glad I'm not alone ;)

Pineknot - How horrible!! I can't imagine being accused of abusing my own dog. It sounds like your pup had years of fun times with her family :) . Henry was a rescue, as well. A coworker found him roaming the city streets in snowy, 20 degree January (he was all of 7 pounds and an estimated 3 months old). We think he was a Xmas present noone wanted any more - tried all sorts of ways to find his owners, but to no avail. Makes me so ANGRY just thinking about the person who abandoned him.

SingleWhiteFemale - LORD NO! He was not painfully matted. Like you said, just being a dog doing normal dog, messy stuff. And I will be brave and post a pic... DH was horrified and I couldn't stop laughing. At least it will grow back!

BEFORE
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b224/debogue/final1.jpg

AFTER
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b224/debogue/final22.jpg

[{b}]

I wuoldn't take it too personally. Kind of like when you haven't had dental insurance and you go a year between cleanings, the dentist always comments it's been too long, you know? Or your own hairstylist when it's been too long between cuts.

Cute dog!

[2kCougar]

I have the same problem. One groomer I went to told me that my sheltie was so heavily matted that she needed to be shaved by the vet. The vet told me that she wasn't bad for a sheltie at all. He actually wouldn't even think of putting her under to shave her. It's really hard to keep them mat free, especially when you have one (like mine) that likes to lay in puddles so she gets terrible belly mats.

[Sabriel]

Henry looks cute with his new haircut! I wouldn't worry about it too much. If he really gets that matted in just 6 weeks, I would just keep him cut short all of the time. Even if the matts aren't painful, they are uncomfortable and brushing the matts out is very painful, which I'm sure is why she shaved him. I am really bad about brushing my dogs (mini poodle and bichon), so I just keep them cut short all year round. If they get matts between groomings (every 6 weeks), I just cut them out. You have to be really careful if they are close to the skin, though. In the winter they wear sweaters so they don't get too cold. :)

[Leigh0918]

Why would a dog need to be sedated in order to be shaved? Is it painful, or is it just that some dogs may fight it too much? Henry was apparently fine with being shaved, but put up a big fight when it came to trimming around the face.

{b} - thank you :)

2kcougar - Henry had bad belly mats, which was the main problem. I feel horrible when I have to comb out the tough mats on his sides and I know it isn't fun for him, so I understand why he needed to be shaved.

Sabriel - The weather here has been damp and chilly and I'm tempted to go buy him a sweater. He was fine all winter with long hair and would spread out on the hardwood floors to sleep. But last night he'd curl up into the fetal position under my or DH's arms or legs on the couch. That's the only unsettling part of the haircut. Other than I think he looks like a goofball ;) We'll just let it grow in over the new few weeks and see what length we'll keep it at. I don't think with the nicer weather and fun to be had outside that we can keep it long.

[greenbunny]

We get mats shaved off my cat's belly all the time. We try to brush her daily, but she doesn't like having her stomach touched. The lady is always very nice and says it's just how Birmans are.

However, I won't be going back there, since I think she got ear mites from her last visit. She has a vet appointment tomorrow to get a slide done to confirm the phone diagnosis. I am NOT happy with Petsmart.

We recently bought a cordless trimmer and a stripper and greyhound comb, and I plan to try to groom her myself. If you think it's something you might want to take on, the site for supplies is www.petedge.com, and it was recommended to me by a groomer.

[KarenS]

Hm. Obviously I wasn't there to hear how she said it, but "Girlfriend, he's a mess!" doesn't seem to be to be really insulting or rude. I mean, you're bringing him because he's a mess right? :) I would have laughed and said "Yeah, he is! I hope you can make him pretty again" or something like that.

Karen

[2kCougar]

The groomer said that she would have to be sedated b/c she thought that there was no way my pup would sit for the clipping. She has a very rough coat, so her mats are more like clumps. They can be combed out with a stripping knife. Most of the mats that she gets are superficial and do not wind up close to her skin. This groomer only I'm going to try to take her to another groomer that the vet tech recommended.

[pride&prejudice]

That's excatly why I take our animals to the vet I do, they understand that all animals are not "perfect". They actually have a sign that says "We understand animals may pee when excited, please inform us so that we may clena it up." They don't make you feel guilty about your animals. Thankfully we have a shorthair, so the only thing we have to bring her in for is nail clippings. She won't let us do it, but gets so anxious at the vets, that she'll stand still there.

I wouldn't take it personally, but he does look cute with his new cut.

[BerBer]

I don't have much to add except that I have a Shi-poo named Henry too!!!:D

[curlyjr]

I have had this happen. I have a persian cat who hates to be brushed, especially the back half of him. We do our best but he just seems to get matted all the damn time! We bring him in to get shaved down in the summer and the first time, the groomer was like "you know you have to brush persians right?" And "he is full of lea dirt under the mats on his back, you might want to treat him for fleas once in a while" well we do brush him and treat him with frontline and take wonderful care of our furbaby and I'm sorry we can't afford to get him groomed every couple of months, I cut the mats off every month but some are too big and that is when we bring him in to be groomed.

[Rose]

Hm. Obviously I wasn't there to hear how she said it, but "Girlfriend, he's a mess!" doesn't seem to be to be really insulting or rude. I mean, you're bringing him because he's a mess right? I would have laughed and said "Yeah, he is! I hope you can make him pretty again" or something like that.

I agree. Your dog is adorable and I am glad he got cleaned up. I think we just get sensitive about our pets.

[mimieliza]

I have a dog from the Humane Society, who is a total sweetie, but super fearful about being groomed - he was horribly matted when we got him, and must have had a bad/painful experience with grooming. I brush him superficially, to gain his trust and get him used to all the treats and praise he gets when he's brushed, but he still gets pretty matted. I take him to our vet, which has a groomer. They give him a doggie downer so he's nice and mellow while they clip and work out the tough parts. I would be outraged if someone tried to insinuate that I was neglectful because of the condition of his fur.

Besides, he's a dog. Dogs are messy. :)

[Daniel's Kitty]

They would hate to see my dog! He can't stand long enough to be brushed and likes to sleep under trees so there is sap in his fur. We try to work on peices a little at a time, but with his health I don't want to torture him for the last few weeks or months of his life.