[poodleholic]

Taking your dog into a salon takes longer but I tell my customers, if you want a half-a** job, go mobile, if you want a a well groomed happy dog, bring it to a salon.

Why would you make such an inflammatory statement about a fellow professional? It's not only insulting and rude, it's blatently untrue! I've taken my Poodles (Standards) to some high-priced salons who did worse than half-assed work! When I broke my leg and ankle, I had to call a mobile groomer, because I was unable to drive (or walk for awhile, for that matter). I requested they send a groomer who knew how to properly groom Poodles. They did - he did an excellent job, and far better than any I'd had to date. The bracelets were correct, the topknots beautifully shaped, and the feet were shaved bare to perfection. Bob also did as I asked with regard to shaving only two finger widths at the base of the tail (so many want to shave way too much and leave a stupid looking ball on the end). Maddy and Beau adored that guy! Bob came by every two weeks for a bath and blow dry, and every 4 weeks for a full groom over a span of 3 months.

I groom them myself now, and was pleasantly surprised that Bob, the mobile groomer, was willing to teach me a few tricks of the trade, so to speak, which made it easier for me, a little faster, and the end result was having Poodles who look professionally done. When we're out and about, I have many stop to ask me where I take my dogs to be groomed. If I'm too busy, I call Bob. Because I know he'll do right by my darlings!

[Shanette Peters]

Originally Posted by justagirl21

I TOTALLY agree with boogadoo here. As a groomer myself I personally hate it when an owner watches and its no better for the pet, expecially if its scared of the salon. Having the owner here excites the dog and makes it wriggle and squirm and hard to clip or brush that dog properly. When the dog does this, as a groomer you need to be firm with the dog say "AHHH". this is stressful for both groomer and dog because the dog is thinking "mummy get me outta here" and will (and i've seen it before) attack the groomer to get to their owner smiling and waving outside the window. I suggest next time go to a salon groomer and tell them your dog is a bit scared and nervous and then they should take the proper precautions. When I get a scared dog I start it first, I talk to it camly and let it sniff all the brushes I use on him and handle him softly, bath him after, again talking to him and taking things a bit slower than normal. Taking your dog into a salon takes longer but I tell my customers, if you want a half-a** job, go mobile, if you want a a well groomed happy dog, bring it to a salon. Your dogs welfare shouldn't run on how much time you have to sit and watch a mobile groomer as they have another appointment after yours so will rush to make it. I get all my dogs in between 9am-1pm and have them leave in mid-late afternoon. I don't like to keep dogs for too long as some can get stressed but alot of dogs can stay at my salon for hours as I provide water and we have an assistant who takes them out the back for a stretch and a wee wee . Alot of people who work will drop them off at 9am and pick them up in the afternoon and this works for them. Another good idea I use is to place them in a cage that's not facing other dogs but have dogs next to his cage (but screened off) as your dog will need to get used to having other dogs around him barking but not seeing a nasty snarly GSD facing him will help him keep him relatively calm. He'll soon learn with constant visits that grooming can be an enjoyable trip that he won't have to fear. I'm sure there are exceptions to this but I find Mobile groomers to be a little less professional and have heard of some nasty things going on

I'd probably be under the catagory of a mobile since I work for myself at home and sometimes I do a pick-up/drop-off service. I find it to be an insult to say that a mobile groomer does a half-a** job. I don't overbook myself to make sure I have time to 'get the job done'. If it is a dog that is new to me or that I know is nervous while being groomed, I give myself more time. If needed that may be the only dog I do that day so as not to 'rush' things. When I do groom more than one dog, I don't have the next one in til the first one is finished and gone home, for a couple reasons - to give 100% attention to one dog at a time, to better prevent kennel cough, and to allow myself time to clean the area and my tools between dogs. Personally I don't put the dogs in kennels, there is no need for this since I only have one dog in at a time. So far I only have about 3 owners who prefer to stay to watch the grooming process, 1 just cause she like to see what happens, the other two cause I have found them being there keeps their dog calmer. I have told these owners as well as others about having to talk 'baby talk' or ask what they'd want me to do/mention what I need to do if the dog becomes aggressive. Every one has their own methods and that is fine, but you shouldn't base what you've heard and say it applies to all mobile groomers. The same applies the other way A mobile groomer shouldn't 'diss' all salons bacause of knowing the bad runnings of one.

Originally Posted by poodleholic

Why would you make such an inflammatory statement about a fellow professional? It's not only insulting and rude, it's blatently untrue! I've taken my Poodles (Standards) to some high-priced salons who did worse than half-assed work! When I broke my leg and ankle, I had to call a mobile groomer, because I was unable to drive (or walk for awhile, for that matter). I requested they send a groomer who knew how to properly groom Poodles. They did - he did an excellent job, and far better than any I'd had to date. The bracelets were correct, the topknots beautifully shaped, and the feet were shaved bare to perfection. Bob also did as I asked with regard to shaving only two finger widths at the base of the tail (so many want to shave way too much and leave a stupid looking ball on the end). Maddy and Beau adored that guy! Bob came by every two weeks for a bath and blow dry, and every 4 weeks for a full groom over a span of 3 months.

I groom them myself now, and was pleasantly surprised that Bob, the mobile groomer, was willing to teach me a few tricks of the trade, so to speak, which made it easier for me, a little faster, and the end result was having Poodles who look professionally done. When we're out and about, I have many stop to ask me where I take my dogs to be groomed. If I'm too busy, I call Bob. Because I know he'll do right by my darlings!

Thank you Poodleholic! I appreciate you taking the time to stand up for other professionals who work on their own. As Bob did for you, when an owner asks me I am more than willing to give them hints on how to groom their own dog. It makes it easier on the future grooms of that dog and it's a bonding experience for owner to dog. I'd love to see a picture of your standard poodles, that is one of my favorite breeds. Are your willing to send me a photo sometime?