How to choose a groomer?

[PuppyTroubleAgain]

How do you choose a groomer? It’s been over a decade since I had a long haired dog and I now have one. I took him to the groomer earlier in the week and it was hard on him. The groomers seemed to be good with him and kept me updated and seemed knowledgable but when I went in it was like a wall of noise because there were 5 dogs being groomed at once, which seems too many imo and all the hairdryers were going.

What made you choose your groomer?

TIA

We go to a groomer who opens later because I don't drive, they only have 2 tables on the go and often we get a lateish appointment he is the only dog there, he loves a groom and trots in.

My sisters dog isn't particularly sociable she gets a mobile groomer that has their own van.

I saw a groomer through their shop window one early morning not being very nice to the dog she was grooming- it was a side street, early in the morning. So never took my dog there despite the good reviews. Another time my dog was not happy to go in for a second visit (and he loved everyone). Eventually found someone who he loved and would pull to get to her. I let my dog decide, probably not helpful. 😂

I don't think there is anything wrong in letting your dog decide 😀

I initially chose mine because they posted photos of them playing with the dogs after their appointment. But I was impressed at their plan to get my older rescue (who'd never been to a groomers) used to them, and my dog is now pleased to see them which tells me I made the right decision.

I went to someone who was personally recommended, and had a full book so I had to wait for an appointment. She won’t push the dogs to get the job finished at the expense of their welfare, and my dog drags me into the building when we go. I have seen awful stuff on YouTube about dog grooms, so was anxious about going, but am very happy, praying that she doesn’t retire.

I think you have to sometimes just try and see if your dog likes going back. I was lucky in that the one I phoned initially sounded nice and said they would try but if my puppy didn’t like being introduced to the grooming equipment it might mean a scruffy looking pup but better than rushing it. She also is a one women business which means only ever one dog at a time. My dog is now 9 years old and I would never change groomers as she always adapts as he can be fearful after many vet admissions as he then hates being handled but I know she only ever does what he can handle.

I had always done my spaniel myself (he's 12), as he hated the groomer the first few times and it wasn't getting easier. But he had to go to a different groomer recently. Vet prescribed tranqillisers so he stayed calm and is going back there. It's a single dog at a time as I think the noise is a big factor. Chose them as well because access and parking was easy and they had a landline - in this rural area there are great swathes with no signal. So a mixture of making it bearable for the dog and easy for me!

I took mine for puppy sessions where he just had a hygiene trim and lots of play, and then moved on to a full groom. Mine only has one dog at a time and he absolutely loves her, he’s good at letting me know when he’s not happy with someone. I’d just try a couple, watch how they are and how your dog responds to them.

Our groomer only does 1-1 appointments - she works from home so there’s never any issue of other dogs being around. She’s fantastic and my dog adores her.

I take mine to a ‘stress free’ groomer where he can have a 1:1 appointment and I can be present. I then mainline him treats whilst she does the needful. It ain’t the prettiest but he is a scruffy kind of mutt anyway and just needs a trim around his face and privates to be able to see out and maintain hygiene. I had taken him to the more mainstream kind of place with lots of other dogs where you leave him previously and they essentially didn’t want him back. If he was put under loads of pressure I worried he might bite. I have to drive 50mins to this place but I think it’s worth it.

What breed do you have? I've got a westie and cocker and groom my own. I've never had long haired dogs before this, so it's not hard to learn.

I groom my own as I don't want them shaved and could not trust groomers not to shave.

The groomer I use has only one dog at a time. She’s very loving towards my dog. My dog comes back looking gorgeous.

I don't care for groomers who cram loads of dogs in together who have not met one another before. IMHO they don't have the emotional intelligence or canine behaviour experience to deal with many of their charges correctly. I mean, would you drop your child off with strangers for 3/4 hours and just walk away while they get soaked and bathed and dried with all that noise, and expect them not to be traumatised? I do my own dog now as they nicked her lady parts. And a 12 week course on grooming isn't good enough. I do understand it can be a very physically difficult job as my friend used to own one. She was constantly bitten and bruised. A mobile groomer is far kinder.