[FluffyKitten]

I tried a new groomer recently and I'm not sure if this is typical behavior. I've had my dog groomed 3 times in the last year by someone else at a drop off groomer, but this time I wanted to try out a mobile groomer. The truck was parked outside my house, so I could hear what was going on and could see inside partially due to the placement of the windows. I got the impression that the groomer was rough and impatient and that my dog wasn't happy to be in there at all. I heard her speaking loudly to my dog and a few times saying "get over here, get over her!" when she was trying to move away. Other times I could not make out the exact words, but they didn't sound nice or calming. I could tell there was lots of movement at times, I could tell the loop they put around the neck was moving quickly and I think at one time my dog must have either jumped or fallen off the table. The groomer was moving very fast with the razor and I heard my dog bark. When it was over, the groomer questioned me as to why I switched groomers and said that my dog got vicious with her and she had to tie her mouth. She said that she had to tie her mouth and tell her that "mean dogs suck!" She said that when she went to be vicious again, she put the tie next to her and she settled down.

My dog was shaking when she got in the house and stood by me looking at the groomer. I thought she'd do something to the groomer the way she was standing there, but just walked over and licked her hand. The groomer said she was kissing up because she knew she was mean, and that dogs like to test the groomer the first time.

I never heard anything like this at all from my other groomer, who was very helpful in explaining her findings to me when she first groomed her after I rescued her (so I think she would have warned me about behavior issues).

Is it typical for a groomer to have to use very stern actions/words with a dog? If she was having trouble, I was right there. I've never seen a dog be groomed before. What have you all experienced?

[briteday]

I would find a new groomer.

I've never stayed while my dog is being groomed, but I've always gone on suggestions from friends.

Anyone who thinks that a dog is licking them because of past behavior is very misguided. Dogs have a memory of, literally, seconds. Your dog was not "kissing up" to the groomer later on.

And any decent groomer would have appropriate muzzles to protect themselves as well as your dog from harm.

Find a new groomer.

[dane&cockermom]

i've talked in a stern voice before to get their attention, or what have you, but not anything like you've described. i will tell owners how their dog acted, whether it's good or bad, and i've discovered that once they've come to me and i tell them the dog didn't like this, or that, or whatever else, they say "oh, that's funny, our last groomer said the dog was perfect" people don't like to tell others their dog is bad.

i agree with briteday. i would not be using that groomer again.

[Graco22]

It is really hard to comment without having been there and witnessed it. As a groomer, I do know that it is often easy to misunderstand what is being done, and sometimes groomer's movements look rough, quick, etc. when they aren't being rough. Now I cannot comment on this particular groomer, etc though. If you feel like your pet was handled roughly, or the groomer was harsh, abrasive, etc. in any way making you uncomfortable, then you should not use that groomer again. You should only feel completely comfortable with your groomer in every way. If not, then find another. I will say that I know MANY groomers, and I can count on one hand how many will actually tell an owner that their dog bites/barks/misbehaves, etc. They say that the owners dont want to know that and tell every owner their dog was an angel. I strongly disagree with that, and if a dog is a problem, I will tell the owner and give them ideas on how to work on those issues at home. It benefits no one to lie and say the pet was a perfect angel, and then if you do go to another groomer, and they tell you the truth, you are shocked and think the new groomer did something to make the dog that way. Also, keep in mind, some dogs just don't like some people, for whatever reason. I have groomed dogs many times that I just can't get to like me, and recommend they try finding another groomer that their pet likes better. I try everything with those dogs, getting their confidence in me, treating, etc..some dogs just don't like some people, and you can't always change that. Sorry I am rambling on..My advice would be to find another groomer/go back to your old groomer if you are not 100% satisfied and comfortable with this mobile groomer.

[FluffyKitten]

Thank you so much for your responses, they really helped.

[LucyGoosy]

Since your dog had successful grooming experiences before this, I would guess that this groomer isn't a good fit for your dog. Whatever happened, it sounds like your dog was clearly upset by the experience.

When I had my two collies I had a couple of bad experiences with groomers before finding a good one. The first one was rough--I was right there and saw it with my own eyes. The experience with the next one was bad in a different way--I arrived a little early to pick up my dogs only to find one in a vari-kennel with a hot cage dryer blowing AND a blanket over top of the kennel to keep the heat in there AND my dog started screaming as soon as she heard my voice. She was not like that, so I knew something was wrong. I questioned the groomer and all she said was "She was fine before you walked in." Yes, she was fine and cooking in there. She could have died--it was so hot in that crate!!!! I never went back there again.

The next one got questioned big time on her methods and experience. I explained that I had had bad experiences so I was apprehensive. She turned out to be wonderful!! I took them there for several years until her back started giving her problems.

Luckily, the next one I found was also great. Whew! Off to a bad start, but it all worked out in the end.

My dogs never really liked being groomed--collies have a lot of hair and sometimes grooming pulls the hair and is uncomfortable--but I could tell they weren't scared of the groomer and they definitely didn't come out of there shaking. I think having trust in your groomer is as important as trust in your vet. You are handing your dog over to them and leaving--that's a scary thing if you don't have complete confidence in them.

I would screen the next groomer very carefully and stick with one once you find what you are looking for. Good groomers are worth their weight in gold.