New Groomer Nerves

[Llewellyn]

We are trying out a new groomers today.

We had a good one, really good, then moved and had one which shaved her all over, she looked like a shrunken black Lab! (she is a black working cocker)

So having moved again we are trying another new one lets see what we get...just keep repeating it WILL grow back! I have gone for PAH on the basis they 'should' know which bits should go and which ones should stay! May post pictures if it is acceptable! And doesn't embarrass us all.

 

[Red30563]

Hope it goes well! Can we have some pics?!

I must admit that it took me so long to find a good groomer that, when the one I went to for years gave up due to tendonitis, I asked her if she would teach me how to do my dog myself. I just couldn't face the search again!

Luckily she had become a good friend and gladly agreed to teach me the basics, enough to do Dougal myself. I spent about £75 on some tools (the cost of about 3 grooms) and have been doing it myself for a year or so now.

 

[PucciNPoni]

We are trying out a new groomers today.

We had a good one, really good, then moved and had one which shaved her all over, she looked like a shrunken black Lab! (she is a black working cocker)

So having moved again we are trying another new one lets see what we get...just keep repeating it WILL grow back! I have gone for PAH on the basis they 'should' know which bits should go and which ones should stay! May post pictures if it is acceptable! And doesn't embarrass us all.

Oh dear, good luck with that!

My best recommendation is just that - get recommendations. Word of mouth is by far a groomer's best friend (particularly if they're good ) in terms of gaining new clients. I would never go for the *cheapest* groomer because often those groomers will need to groom more dogs per day to make their overheads, which could mean mistakes and less individual attention per dog.

You don't necessarily need the most expensive either, but someone with a good reputation. However, even a groomer with a good reputation will sometimes shave a dog naked, particularly if it's in the dogs own best interest to be clipped short occasionally. If a dog's coat has become matted it can be very painful to have it brushed out and restyled -- and in which case the kindest thing is to shave it down and start from scratch (bearing in mind, I wouldn#'t suggest this for *all breeds* like collies or newfoundlands unless there was a medical reason or the dog was very old).

Anyway, I'm babbling on a bit.

PAH often employs groomers for a rather low wage, so I'm not sure what standard you'll get. Regardless of where you go, I do hope that you'll find one that is good and can communicate effectively with you.

 

[PucciNPoni]

Well how did you get on with the new groomer??