Grooming questions

[hopeishere]

DDog had her first groom yesterday. She's nine months so pretty shaggy. Groomer asked what I wanted so I said not super short. I pointed out there was some matted bits under her front legs (she told me the harness causes that?)

She looked ok when I got her. A bit wispy maybe but ok. However she's shaved a big strip on her belly and the tats are still under her front paws. She'd been there 2.5 hours and she says it was more work than she expected so maybe she ran out of time?

DDog also seemed a bit traumatised and was in a funny mood all evening (DH says that's my imagination!!!).

Not sure but I don’t think I’d use the groomer again. Is there a groomer locally more used to your dogs breed?

She came recommended for this breed. But no I will not use them again. I'm going to trim the worst of the matted bits off.

Mine goes to the groomer every 4-6 weeks. Sometimes he has a bit which is bit more clipped than the others but I know he can be a wriggly dog so I am just amazed she gets him clipped at all. I always specifically ask for paws to be clipped as mine is a spaniel so gets fir inbetween the paw pads.

If this is your dogs first groom I am not at all surprised as they usually want introduction grooms to get your dog used to the noises and sensations so it was probably too much for your dog and groomer to do all that in one go. I also thought matting is a big thing to get rid off as well.

Maybe think about a few frequent short grooming trips to get your dog used to the groomer and they can take it slowly but also work towards the length you want.

fir = fur

I'm not surprised she was in a funny mood all evening after spending 2.5 hours being groomed when she's never experienced it before; I doubt it was your imagination.

I wouldn't use that groomer again in your shoes. She should have known better than to just go straight into a full groom the first time, and it still wasn't done properly if your dog was left with matting.

As Bitey says, grooming needs to be introduced gradually; it's far too many new experiences for a dog to take in all at once.