Grooming....

[jdczekaj]

Hi,

Today I took my one year old golden, Whipper, to the groomer for the first time. I've never been to a groomers before in my life and have extrememly mixed emotions about how it went. I mean, he looks beautiful, but just the whole experience was just something that I have never been exposed to. Parts good, parts just gave me knots in my stomach.

So before I tell you how it went (maybe it is just typical!), could you guys please share with me how a typical grooming session should go?? Including environment, # people working on your dog, how many dogs going at once, ect. Just anything and everything.

Thanks so much,
Debbie * Whipper * Cocoa

[goldenjack]

What does "Parts good, parts just gave me knots in my stomach" mean?<img border=0 src="http://www.topgoldenretrieversites.net/smiles/204.gif" />

<img border=0 src="http://www.topgoldenretrieversites.net/smiles/021.gif" />&nbsp;Anyway, I would suggest establishing a relationship with a groomer that is in private practice. In other words, avoid those "chain stores" that have a grooming departments within them. Why? Well, it's been my experience that the ones in private practice ultimately do a better job, are less expensive, and they are easier to talk to regarding how you want your dog groomed.

[Goldenheart]

<span style="font-family:georgia; color:green;">What does "Parts good, parts just gave me knots in my stomach" mean?

I am still trying to figure that one out<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/laugh.gif" /> I don't get it<img border=0 src="http://www.topgoldenretrieversites.net/smiles/054.gif" />

GoldenJack, now that this is brought up I have been wondering about it for a little bit. Bi has never been groomed, well outside of a little snipping from me maybe.

I am wondering though how one really knows who a good groomer is on a golden retriever....any pointers out their to help me with this.<img border=0 src="http://www.topgoldenretrieversites.net/smiles/003.gif" /></span>

[jdczekaj]

Sorry if it didn't make any sense...I was fresh back and still upset.

Well, the actual groomer I liked and she did a good job. But her assistant or whoever he was I wasn't too crazy about. I had told them that Whipper had weak front legs and that he had previously had surgery for hip dysplasia on his rear, so to please be gentle. Well, the noose they put around him while bathing him was more for a little dog then for Whipper. He could barely breathe. I know they have to hold him still, but Whipper couldn't even sit down. And the guy was just kind of pushing him whatever way he needed, not being very gentle.

Now, I know it is a bit of a pain because Whipper sits or lays during baths. In addition to his HD, he just couldn't get his grip on the slipperly tub.

And while he was being dried and brushed out, the guy just wasn't the nicest to him. He had a deep, mean sounding voice. I wouldn't listen to him if I were a dog. Sounds like he is mad and yelling.

The place I went was a private one. And she had her 2 young children running around. There were also a few other dogs in this same small room at the same time. One on the grooming table, one on a drying table, another in the tub, then they bought another one in. And it was just the groomer, her mother, and the guy. It was quite crowded. All this is strange, and the two kids are just running about trying to pet the dogs. One dog was a snappy dog and I was scared the kids may get bit. The mother (the groomer) told them that the dog may bite them, but they didn't listen.

I think the actual 'grooming' part went well. Just the bathing/drying part was rough. And the atmosphere....it just was not what I expected.

Not sure if this is just typical or not. But I felt so bad for Whipper....he just had such a sad pathetic face as he sat there uncomfortably.

~Debbie

[GoldenGirl]

Oh Debbie! I am so sorry that you had such a terrible experience! :( No dog (or human) should ever have to go through that. :(
I personally have never taken my dogs to a groomer. I have always brushed, bathed, cleaned teeth, trimmed fur, and done the nails myself, so I cannot give you any tips on groomers. But I definatly know that was down right terrible! :(

My best wishes sent your way in finding a different groomer. :)

Give your poor Whipper a hug for me! :)

GoldenGirl :925
http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL11/875879/1590093/18973399.jpg

[emmysourgolden]

I agree with Goldengirl. We have never been to a groomer but that definately didn't sound like a great place. I can't imagine those two little kids getting snapped at and nothing being done about it. At least you know that you don't HAVE to go back there. There's got to be a better groomer!

[emmysourgolden]

And I forgot to mentions poor Whipper!!! Give him an extra treat tonight!!

[jdczekaj]

Oh, don't worry about that part (giving him an extra treat).....he got a bunch of new toys (well, he has to share with Cocoa still! LOL) and I even got him a cheeseburger from McDonalds. Yah, can you tell I felt horrible about putting him through that!

My problem is that this is the very first golden I've ever had. None of my other dogs have ever had longer hair. So as hard as I try to keep his hair matt-free, Whipper is still always getting mats, and his butt was way too shaggy and so was his tail. So I figured I had to go to the groomer.

Well, the groomer did give me a better comb to use. I was using the 'Love Glove'. :lol That's the name of it. It is a rubber glove. I guess it wasn't getting the undercoat. So this new comb seems to do pretty good. I've also heard a lot of people use something called the Zoom Groom that I'm going to look into. I've also started some research on grooming a golden on my own. Then maybe I just have to take him somewhere to get his butt hair cut and his tail when they get too shaggy.

I'll definitely chalk this one up to a learning experience.

~Debbie * Whipper * Cocoa

[ChicagoCanine]

Here is a typical groomers visit for my dogs:

First, I call the groomer to let her know I'm coming in. If she's still working on another dog, she might ask me to wait a little. My groomer owns her own shop, she is the only groomer there. Once in a while, her young son will be there also- if she knows the dogs being groomed are friendly (he is well-behaved and doesn't run around or bother the dogs) and sometimes her older daughter will come in or will be helping with the dogs.
The shop (she just moved to a new place) is rather small and all the grooming is done in the front. It might be kinda hairy.
My groomer only does one dog at a time- some groomers have all the dogs to be groomed come in the morning and then leave after all the dogs are done, but ours has people bring their dog when they think they will be finish with whichever dog was first. The previous dog might still be there, waiting to be picked up. If she knows the dogs are friendly they will be loose in the shop, not caged.
As for the actual grooming- well, Ginger looooves her groomer! She is always happy when I take her there. After I got to know the groomer, I would sometimes stay with the dogs while they were being groomed (she would let me wash my terrier while she was working on Ginger) and she is always very nice to the dogs- you can tell she loves dogs! While she is brushing/trimming Ginger, she talks to her in a nice voice and tells her what a great dog she is.
My terrier does not like the grooming process- he's pretty good about bathing but does not like drying or nail trimming. She also talks to him, in a soothing voice, while she works on him. If that time he REALLY doesn't want to be dried or to have his nails done (if he continues to pull away when she's trying to clip his nails, etc) she won't force him- she'll just towel dry him, and will let me know which nails she did.
She doesn't use a drying crate or leave a dog on the table to dry. She uses a force dryer and dries the dog while brushing and checking to be sure all the fur is even if it was trimmed.
Once in a while, she has still been working on another dog when I came in, so I've gotten to watch her work with other dogs as well. She is always very nice to the dogs, and very patient- she sometimes has dogs come in who have been mistreated by other groomers and don't want anything to do with the clippers, and it's great to watch how patient and soothing she is with these dogs- never raises her voice or tries to make them stand still, just coaxes them until they will allow the grooming.
Here is a photo of Ginger that was taken fairly soon after she was groomed-
http://www.chicagocanine.com/dogs/Mountain.jpg

[rockcp21]

:032 I have the best groomer! I have looked high & low. We have tried several(I can tell when they have been good to my dog)The last one blow dryed her like the pekinese on westminister, she looked like a ball! The groomer I have now, I got her name from a dog trainer. She works from home. Has the whole basement(grooming sink, table, dryer just like a shop. She has her license, but decided to work on her hours and usually 3 or 4 dogs a day, a few days a week .She is the sweetest person & my dog Amber is very comfortable there. I can even stay if I want to. Her rate is so reasonable(I give her a big tip) She has 4 cats that just love the dogs. I have started taking grooming classes at our vocational school on Saturdays to pick up some pointers so I can clip her in between groomings. Just keep looking & try asking at some shows or dog schools who they can recommend.

[Goldenheart]

<span style="font-family:georgia; color:green;">I'm with Goldengirl<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif" />

If you told this so called groomer that your golden had HD he never should have been pushing and shoving on this golden. Goldens don't even need that kind of treatment anyway.<img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/frown.gif" />

I would look for another groomer as mentioned, find one you know and trust with your golden. As well as one that has a little more of a personality and won't be so harsh with them.

Give your golden baby a great big HUG for me<img border=0 src="http://www.topgoldenretrieversites.net/smiles/003.gif" /><img border=0 src="http://www.topgoldenretrieversites.net/smiles/003.gif" /></span>

[timberwolfe13ca]

Just a thought. Do it yourself with the right tools. We were using the wrong kind of brush on Clancy when we first started. Our trainer actually made us all bring in our brushes which she then criticised. (Our dollar store special didn't impress her :204 ) She told us to get a "slicker" and a rake would also be good.

I bought the slicker, and it worked wonders. It would work out mats and knots that before I had to cut out if I let them get out of hand. Also you should always brush out the mats before washing your dog.

I have never used a groomer. I enjoy washing Clancy and brushing him seems to be a bonding thing. I bring him to the bath tub and he will hop right in and wait while I am filling it. He usually gets impatient with the rinsing though, as I rinse him very thoroughly. :067

[debandmaggie]

Maggie is 7 months old and she doesn't like to have anything "done" to her, like brushing, ear cleaning, toweling off, etc. Is this something that she will outgrow or will she always be a squirmer? I'm just not sure if its a puppy thing. I always read how grooming is a bonding thing but I don't think that Maggie has read the same articles I have! :\

[timberwolfe13ca]

With Clancy we have always touched his ears, his mouth, played with his paws, etc. since he was a little guy, so he lets us do a lot now. Although clipping nails is pushing his patience. I don't think it is something they will outgrow, but something that if you do it often enough, they will let you. For Clancy's nails, which he enjoys the least, we wait until he is very tired, like after his daycare which he goes to once a week, and used lats of treats while we trimmed them. Now he lets us do it.

[ChicagoCanine]

Maggie is 7 months old and she doesn't like to have anything "done" to her, like brushing, ear cleaning, toweling off, etc. Is this something that she will outgrow or will she always be a squirmer?


This is generally something that needs to be worked on actively- if a dog "doesn't like" being touched in certain places or ways, this is not likely to be something they're just grow out of- you need to work on teaching her to enjoy the handling. When you (meaning anyone) bring a new puppy home, you should star handling their ears, feet, body, and mouth as soon as they are adjusted to the new home. This should be done in a positive way, with lots of praise/treats.
You can still work on this when they're older, although it's easier the sooner you start... I would suggest you start with the thing she hates the least- let's say it's brushing. Get a nice soft brush. Wait until she's had a chance to play so she's not too hyped up. Get some yummy treats- this works better with 2 people- and feed her the treats as you praise her and brush her. If you have 2 people, have one feed the treats and the other alternately brush her (start with wherever it bothers her the least to be brushed) and pet her- brush with one hand, pet with the other. Do several sessions like this, and start moving the brush to other areas that she likes less.
For teeth brushing, you can start by just putting something yummy on your hand and having her lick it off. Then, start touching her mouth before/during the time she's licking your hand (or use your other hand to do this). Once she's comfortable with that, start lifting her lip, and so on...

[ChicagoCanine]

Maggie is 7 months old and she doesn't like to have anything "done" to her, like brushing, ear cleaning, toweling off, etc. Is this something that she will outgrow or will she always be a squirmer?


This is generally something that needs to be worked on actively- if a dog "doesn't like" being touched in certain places or ways, this is not likely to be something they're just grow out of- you need to work on teaching her to enjoy the handling. When you (meaning anyone) bring a new puppy home, you should star handling their ears, feet, body, and mouth as soon as they are adjusted to the new home. This should be done in a positive way, with lots of praise/treats.
You can still work on this when they're older, although it's easier the sooner you start... I would suggest you start with the thing she hates the least- let's say it's brushing. Get a nice soft brush. Wait until she's had a chance to play so she's not too hyped up. Get some yummy treats- this works better with 2 people- and feed her the treats as you praise her and brush her. If you have 2 people, have one feed the treats and the other alternately brush her (start with wherever it bothers her the least to be brushed) and pet her- brush with one hand, pet with the other. Do several sessions like this, and start moving the brush to other areas that she likes less.
For teeth brushing, you can start by just putting something yummy on your hand and having her lick it off. Then, start touching her mouth before/during the time she's licking your hand (or use your other hand to do this). Once she's comfortable with that, start lifting her lip, and so on...

The goal with all of the above is to make these things enjoyable for the dog. If they already have decided that these experiences are no fun, they won't want you to do these things to them and it will be harder to get to the point where they will allow it...

[Addies Mom]

<span style="color:purple;font-size:medium;">Addie will be one year old on Saturday. She thinks home grooming is very exciting . . . the brushes are fun and she likes toothbrushing as well. We're still working on nails and I've borrowed a friend's dremel tool to try. Only problem is that we still have to work in frequent, short sessions because she is one big "wiggle" through all of it!</span>

[goldenloverof2]

http://www.isselhoeve.nl/grooming/ here you go I found this site very helpful to teach me how to groom myself. Just in case you do want to do it yourself. Their are a few other good sites to but this one I remember. It tells you what tools to use how to do it and pictures of how and what the ending result should look like. I feel terrible for your dog. that was just mean for that man to do. I don't know how anyone can be so rough. I have it pretty easy. Both of mine just sit there. anyway I hope you find a nicer groomer. good luck!!

[jdczekaj]

Thanks for the site. I've been researching this online and came across this site as well! I have no qualms at all about brushing, bathing, ect. I do that anyway. But the trimming part I am scared of. I guess it's something I'd get used to....and if I do mess it up, well it will grow back. Still not sure if I'm brave enough to try. :\ But I am definitely interested in learning, so I'm sure I will eventually tackle the job!

~Debbie