Grooming excuse??

[Brattina88]

I was just wondering if anyone else had this problem...
I have a Cocker Spaniel that goes in for professional grooming whenever I think she needs it. I groom her and touch her up at home all the time, I brush her out all the time because she enjoys it and its *qaulity bonding time* for the both of us [img]tongue.gif[/img] Because of this she's never had a mat in her life lol but this is the second time I've taken her to the groomers and they shaved her completely down, despite me talking to them so they understood what I wanted. When I complain, they say that she was too matted and there was nothing else they could do, but I KNOW this isn't true! [img]graemlins/flamingmad.gif[/img] Don't they know its cold outside?!

[Dawn]

The exact same thing happened to me!!!

They shaved mine and my mom's poodles. It had been almost a year exactly since mine had had surgery and her legs had just grown back in to a respectable length. I've never been so mad. Plus they insisted that we pay above the normal price. This was at the very beginning of December. So they've been freezing.

[Kimmer]

I've been a groomer for 10 years now and I'm going to try to clue you in on something. Owners may THINK they have the dog brushed out. I've seen it a million times. If you can get a COMB through the dog's coat from the skin all the way out to the tips of the hair then the dog is brushed out. When you bathe a dog at home and there's tangles in the coat then you make them worse and they tighten up. And I've seen owners just brush out the top layer and then whine and moan when I have to take the dog down short. If you want the dog's coat to be left long (because I'm not in the business of torturing an animal for aesthetic reasons) then be more vigilant with the brushing and/or bring the dog in to the groomer REGULARY so that we can take care of it. I'm tired of being blamed for the owner's neglect of the animal.

Kimmer

[Lucky Puppy]

Good Point Kimmer. I have a Great Pyrennes/Wolf Mix. Often times his top coat 'looks' groomed but when I start brushing I there are matts lying underneath them. He is such a big dog, 120 lbs with alot of hair it's an ongoing daily job. The best way to keep a handle on it is to have regular professional groomings and daily mini groomings.

[Dawn]

I realize that happens, and I'm not sure with the top post. I know that mine wasn't though. She gets very aggresive when she has matts, so we have to be very diligent with her grooming. I have taken her to the groomer to get a matt out before that we just couldn't.

[Brattina88]

I understand what your talking about, but this is not the case with my dog/s, and I'm deffinatly not blamming you for anything, Kimmer. Maybe you're a great groomer, but that doesn't mean all groomers are.

I talked to another groomer that I used to take my dogs to before we moved and she was telling me about how she's heard bad things about the groomer that I was originaly talking about - the one who shaved my dog down. Now maybe she just wants me to come back to her for bussiness, but I KNOW that my dog wasn't matted.

[cscalise]

I think Brattina88 and Kimmer are both correct. Having owned a cocker spaniel for 8 years. I have experience with this same issue. I had a groomer who would always shave mine down to the bare bones almost everytime, saying she was too matted to keep long (even though I know she wasn't). I got very frustrated and switched groomers. The new groomer did explain to me that I needed to make a committment to bring my dog in every 5-6 weeks and we would probably be able to keep her looking like a cocker. Well, I did as asked and she never got shaved down to the bare bones again. It did cost a little more bringing her more ofter. However, it was well worth it. Also, My cocker had a silky coat which was prone to matting more than coarse coats. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ January 16, 2004, 12:39 PM: Message edited by: KiKi ]

[Anika85]

I have been a groomer for 2 years and have experienced alot of owners claiming the dog wasn't matted, but when you get working on him your realize he really is. But even if the dog is bad enough that you have to shave him. I NEVER would until I have talked to the owners and they have agreed that is the best thing for their pet. Then if you explain that if they start bringing the dog more regularly he won't have to be shaved next time. I have found most of the time, (unless the dog is really matted) You can just cut the mat out and save the rest of the dog or you can work the mat out(leaving no evidence there ever was a mat) then you can charge a little exta for your extra time spent on him.
Karlie

[LoriAnn]

I see this a lot as well. However I would NEVER shave a dog down until I've contacted the owner-I wouldn't have very many customers left if I didn't. Sometimes the type of brush you use isn't right for your dog as well. A slicker brush works well for dogs that don't have a real fine silky coat. A pin brush is better for those that do.

Personally I'd rather leave a longer coat than do a complete shavedown any day. A shavedown is more time consuming. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but I can't understand why a groomer would take the time to shavedown a dog they didn't have too. If this is all they know how to do, I'd get a new groomer.

I've gotten in the habit of carrying a comb in my pocket when I greet new clients & clients that come in every 6 months & want a long flowing coat. I run it through with them right there. That way if there is matting I can show them before they leave the dog.

[ January 17, 2004, 06:01 AM: Message edited by: LoriAnn ]

[goombaya]

no excuse for a groomer shaving a dog that you asked not to be shaved. if the dog was matted they should have worked on it as best they could or called you prior to having to clip.

ive had horror stories with groomers that dont have a clue about what they're doing. When you find a good one that listens, keep going to them, if they move follow them.

As a rule , i wouldnt let a groomer from any of those chains, petsmart etc etc do anything other than bathe the dog. Many of them are not career people just kids being paid minimum wage. Stick with private groomers that have their own shops- if they have any experience with showing dogs -even better