I'm a dog groomer- AMA

[one2three4five]

If you want Maybe no one is interested, but I get a lot of questions in real life, so I figured someone might be interested!

Have you ever had to refuse a naughty pooch? My dog was at a grooming pod and was so naughty the lady rang me to say could I come and get him! I'd only nipped to the shop across the road! I was mortified

Every groomers around me has refused my German shephard is it a breed you try to avoid?
He's a great soppy bear not aggressive at all i even offered to muzzle him out of desperation when he lost his winter coat it's awful I had a stroke earlier this year so couldn't keep up with grooming

My collie cross had her first groom today and now feels and smells amazing! How do you do it??!!

Bella- Oh no, poor you In my salon we always try whatever we can to avoid sending dogs home, and try really hard to work with the dogs and owners to make the experience positive and keep the dogs happy. We have had one dog that we worked extensively with, and tried various tactics, but eventually we had to refer him to a behaviourist because he was just so terrified that we felt he needed expert behavioural help. Other than that, we have had dogs where we've had to devise a de-sensitisation plan to help them get to grips with the grooming process. We usually find that with a lot of patience and the correct handling, we can usually win dogs round, even if it takes a few visits

Needle- My colleague and I would never refuse a dog based on breed, we love all dogs! I have heard of groomers refusing certain breeds though, which I think is really sad. The most aggressive dog we have on our books is a tiny Pomeranian, who looks like a little teddy bear! We have a lot of people contact us who say that they cannot get their staffies in anywhere I have only ever groomed lovely GSDs, so your pooch would be very welcome at my salon!

Gribbie- Aaaaah that's lovely! Groomers genuinely have a huge passion for dogs, and we adore spending time with them. It sounds cheesy, but seeing clients is the best feeling, I just love welcoming dogs into my salon and making a huge fuss of them, and it's the best feeling in the world when they are excited to see me! As for the smell, it's likely due to good shampoo and a spritz of doggy cologne

How do you really feel about poopers? I've a super anxious dog and he always does it! I've found him a new groomer who understands his anxieties and is willing to work with him but I'm terrified the pooping will put her off!

Do you muzzle dogs while you groom them?
I have a small chihuahua who is a lovely dog but gets dreadlocks behind his ears and they hurt so he doesn't like them touched.
I sent him to the groomers (not the 1st time) and they had lost their small muzzle that they usually use and the did all of him bar the ears!

Minor- I genuinely don't mind in the slightest! It's all part of the job, and It's like water off a ducks back to us The only time you will see a poop induced panic in my salon, is if my colleague or I have a freshly washed/groomed dog who poops, and then we will spring into action to ensure that no poop gets on their freshly clean and trimmed fur, as we want them looking and smelling lovely I always feel bad for owners as they get so embarrassed and apologetic if their dog poops, but we only tell you so that you are aware they've been, not because It's bad or we want an apology! Trust me, when you've had anal gland fluid in your hair...poop is a walk in the park!

Espoleta- We have muzzles, but we will only use them as a very last resort, or at the owners request (although even if the owner has requested we use one, we usually work with caution and do what we can to avoid it if possible). We very rarely use them in my salon, and if we do then we will limit the amount of time they wear them. Our personal approach is to try and work with the dogs to build their trust and make the grooming process positive and enjoyable so that hopefully a muzzle isn't necessary. Sometimes it is unavoidable, for example if they have a painful Matt that we really need to release and they won't let us, but it is always a last resort for me personally.

That's good to hear! Hopefully he will calm down with time and a long walk before she comes!

P.s espoleta - Dreadlocks/Matt's behind the ears are REALLY common! if a dog didn't like them being removed, we would usually work as a pair with one of us distracting the dog, while the other one whips them off with a pair of mini clippers. It usually leaves a little short patch, but it's quick and leaves the dog comfortable

I took one of my very placid and laid back dogs to a groomers. They said that because he hadn't been before, I was to get him some sort of mini groom first and then bring him back 3 weeks later for a big groom.

They also wanted a letter from my vet because he has a dodgy hip.

Is this normal practice? We couldn't make the mini groom and never rescheduled as i just thought it was odd.

He had had some matts clipped from behind his ears (why I went into book a groom for him) and was absolutely fine having that done so not sure why the need for the mini groom and then the main one a few weeks later.

camel- For puppies, we usually recommend short introductory visits of around an hour (we offer a puppy plan of 4 visits spaced 3 weeks apart), because we find that the experience can be overwhelming for them and their attention span isnt quite up to a full groom when they are babies. However, with all dogs (puppies included), if the dog is new to the process, but the owner wants them groomed and thinks they will be okay, then we will always try, as you know your dogs better than we do! If someone makes an appointment with me for an adult dog that has never been groomed before, I will always be honest and say that we will be led by the dog and won't do anything that may cause them stress, and that sometimes it takes a few visits before they are completely comfortable with the process, but we will see how they get on and work with them to make it a positive experience. That said, all groomers will deal with this differently, so the suggestion to bring your dog for an introductory visit first (assuming he had never been to a groomer before), while quite cautious, isn't necessarily bad

The hip thing may be to do with insurance, or they may just be being cautious. In my salon, we ask you to declare any existing medical issues when you sign a grooming contract, and we make you aware that we don't accept liability for pre-existing conditions, however, we wouldn't ask for veterinary sign off prior to grooming (unless it is something like a recent operation or something contagious, although we would accept verbal confirmation from you that the vet is happy for the groom to go ahead). We also ask to be made aware so that we can ensure that we deal with the ailment appropriately, and don't do anything to aggravate the problem.

Do you dislike grooming poodle crosses? I was once told that when a groomer hears the dog is a poodle cross they wince?

Tutle - NOOOOO! I ADORE POODLE CROSSES! I am the proud owner of a poodle cross myself I also have a standard poodle, so anything with poodle in it is a favourite for me!

I would be lying if I said that there wasn't a bit of snobbery in the grooming world surrounding cross breeds (although please don't think that applies to all groomers as there are plenty who love them!), but for me personally, I genuinely love all dogs, and am never happier than when I have a gorgeous labradoodle or cockapoo on my table

Is the money good? I don’t need a specific answer if it’s too private but I’d love to be a dog groomer! I worked in one as a teen washing the dogs

My dog was at a grooming pod and was so naughty the lady rang me to say could I come and get him! I'd only nipped to the shop across the road! I was mortified
My dog was dropped back early with half a haircut by a groomer

Downandunder - That depends on a few things really. Firstly, it depends on your definition of good, I will never be a millionaire, but I am pretty comfortable. It also depends on where you work, I used to work for someone else in a grooming salon, and the money was abysmal, minimum wage and the owner kept all the tips, and we worked unpaid overtime with no breaks. However, I opened my own business last year, and there is no comparison! I now keep everything I earn (well after setting some aside for overheads and tax etc!), and how hard I work directly reflects how much I take home, which I love. In terms of figures, as an example, I worked school hours last month (9-3), five days a week, and took home £1800 + tips. So I'll never be rich, but I'm happy with that amount. I also keep my overheads down as my business is based at home in a cabin based salon in my garden (sounds horrible but it's lovely, honestly!) which means I have no rent to pay on an expensive shop, so more profit for me to keep.

You should go for it! It can be hard work, and sometimes back breaking, but I've never been happier, and it genuinely never gets old seeing dogs and puppies all day! I get so many kisses and cuddles, and I love making them all look and smell nice

@DownAndUnder
I feel your pain ha ha ha
My pooch is a cocker spaniel and very playful and this lady was very serious!!!

How on earth do you keep their bloody feet still for trimming? I have a working cocker, but I don’t like her having a full groom, I just like her feet trimmed. I always end up having to do it over a few days because she kicks her feet out when I’m trying to cut them!

Thanks @one2three4five
Is there a way I can get the dreadlocks out myself behind the ears?

Gingeum - No disrespect to cocker spaniels at all (honestly, I love them, so much fun!), but they are notorious fidgets with their feet, particularly front ones I wish I could let you in on a secret to help you at home, but unfortunately there isn't one! We do find that sometimes just being in a salon environment make them a bit less fidgety, almost like they know why they are there?! Although that doesn't help you unless you want to build a salon in your living room! Unfortunately it's just a case of lots of patience, lots of praise, and sometimes lots of treats to get the job done. It's harder at home because (I'm assuming) you don't have a grooming table and restraints (that sounds awful, I don't mean restraints where we pin them down or anything, but we have some gentle aids which can help dogs know how we need them to stand etc), and as professionals, we're usually quite quick and used to fidget bums!

Espoleta-. It depends how bad they are to be honest, if they are past being able to be brushed out, and are close to the skin, then mini clippers are probably the best tool to use, however I'd recommend getting a professional to do it (although I appreciate that you did already try to do that!) as it can be easy to catch the skin when clipping matts. If you really want to get them out at home, I'd recommend some mini clippers and a 10 or 15 blade, and make sure you get completely underneath the Matt and take it slowly, moving in the direction of the hair growth.

Yes, she’s especially bad with her front legs she’s not really the kind of dog who is ever ‘still’

She is best if I put her on the kitchen table and just firmly hold her leg still while praise praise praising which just about works long enough for the back ones. I will admit to snipping her front feet when she’s fallen asleep on my lap in the evening

She is very good at a groomers (she is obsessed with any kind of physical contact from humans so she loves the constant attention) but I can never get them to just cut her how I want!

GinGeum- She sounds like a sweetheart! No shame in snipping while she's sleeping if it gets the job done Don't be afraid to take a picture of a groom that you like to the groomers with you, that's the best way for us to understand exactly what you want, and if they aren't getting it quite right, then a picture should help to make sure you're on the same page I live in quite a rural area, so we groom loads of working cockers, and they are all absolutely gorgeous. Usually pretty bonkers, but in a lovely way I'm actually considering getting one myself at some point!

I think it probably doesn’t help that I don’t really know what I want in a way to describe it well enough! I really just want her feet kept short and for her to have a good wash and brush. We are new to a longer haired dog (our other is a lab/terrier so requires almost no maintenance) but the first cut she had she was totally hacked back all over, the second cut she had a proper cocker cut, which I can appreciate was done very well, but it took away her gorgeous hair on her head that I love the most and then the third cut, I asked him to just leave most of the length but concentrate on clipping the feet right back, and then just thinning out the legs so they are slightly easier to manage with mud. He shaved her from the belly down and her hair!

She hates having no hair on her legs. She won’t walk through anything longer than foot height, I think grass etc annoys her when her legs are bare because she’s not used to it? Plus she looks so bloody adorable with fluffy legs, and looks like a freshly birthed lamb when she has bare legs

GinGeum- I totally get the head thing, I LOVE the curly bit on the tops of their heads! Occasionally people want it gone, but most of the time I fear for my life if I touch it as people love it so much! It doesn't sound like you want anything complicated, maybe your groomer is a bit too scissor happy! It sounds like you just want a tidy up really. It can sometimes be tricky to establish exactly what an owner wants the first time, as it is usually our interpretation of their description, but we make notes and with good communication, we usually get there after a couple of visits. Communication is key, definitely tell them exactly what you like and dislike after the groom, and then they can make changes next time. Although it sounds like you're doing a great job at home anyway