[0hmyd0g]

Small grooming shops can be just as bad as large chains. Depends on the individual groomer not the place they work.

[jacsrbetter]

Originally Posted by TwoSweetBabies

Hey guys! I don't post here anymore that often! But I am reading ya'lls posts all the time!
I just wanted to share my story with everyone here!
I have 2 babies, a 1 1/2 year old red shih tzu, Bella. And a 9 month old wheaton colored Scottish Terrier.
Bellas hair was getting a bit long and living in the south, she was just getting too hot! I couldnt get in to my normal mobile groomers soon enough, so I reluctantly decided to take her to the local Petco groomers.

I have never had a dog groomed at either Petco or Petsmart, as i have rarely heard good stories. So I decided to play it as safe as I could, and paid extra to have her done in an hour, and decided to stay and watch her be groomed.
Well, to say the least, Bella seeing me through the glass was not a good thing. When she couldnt see me, she was very well behaved; but when she saw me, she would just get so excited, her whole body would wag along with her tail! It was cute but I decided it was probably best if I walked around the store so the groomer could work better.

When I left to walk around, she told me she was almost done, just evening everything out. I returned about 15 minutes later, to no Bella. Couldnt see her anywhere. I stood around, waiting, waiting for someone to come out with her, but growing more and more irritated with why they had her in the back!
About 15 minutes of more waiting, the manager walks by me and into the grooming salon, I follow her a few minutes later. She sits at the desk and makes small talk with me for about 5 minutes before FINALLY deciding to tell me that while grooming my precious baby, they accidentally CUT HER TONGUE! You heard me right, cut her little tongue!
They told me she licks a lot (what shih-tzu doesn't), but I am not aware of a good groomer that doesnt hold the dogs mouth closed with cutting around the face!
THe groomer finally brought my Bella out, with blood on her little chin. I can only assume she had taken her back there to try and get it to quit bleeding, so I wouldnt see.
I am very irritated at myself for allowing her to be groomed there, but thankful that it was only a small cut. Petco asked me to wait and see if it kept bleeding, and if it got infected, bring her to their VET - yeah right! - I took her to my vet and had Petco pay the bill.
I realize this is a large chain and there is a possibility there are good groomers working at a Petco, but if you happen to google Petco problems, you will be surprised how many people have had problems!
I used to volunteer at Petsmart when I was 16, and they even asked me to start grooming there!

Sorry for rambling on and on and thanks to everyone who reads!
I highly suggest sticking to a well referenced groomer that you feed comfortable with! Stick to your instincts!

Sorry to hear about your dogs toung getting cut. Now that you know your dog gets too excited when she sees you, try to stay away while she gets groomed. Dogs behave better for groomers if their mommy is not around.

[Graco22]

To the OP, I am sorry that you took offense to my statements. I did not mean for them to be directed to you and only you, but to anyone reading your story. As a professional groomer, I have people call me all the time telling me they love their regular groomer, have been their client for 5 years, etc...but they can't get them in for 4 days...can I get them in sooner? No, I can't and won't. If they are happy where they are, then stay there and wait the 4 whole days, or plan ahead better. I was just making a blanket statement as clients shop hop all the time for what I think are silly reasons, then they or their pets pay the price. We are all here to learn, and educate each other. Thats the only reason I am here.

[Love's_Sophie]

Originally Posted by TwoSweetBabies

I fully understand that accidents happen. But think about it logically, if you are holding the dogs mouth closed while clipping around the face (which most groomers know to do), it would be impossible to clip the dogs tongue.
I might be more understanding if Bella misbehaved while being groomed, but you could not find an easier dog to groom than Bella.
Ive been having her groomed since she was a baby and have never had such an issue.

Sorry to hear that your girl's tongue was cut! Hope she feels better soon!


I am an experienced groomer and I am here to tell you that even when you hold a dog's mouth shut, some STILL manage to stick their tongues out at just the wrong moment! I have never cut anyone, but I have come too close for comfort on a few occasions! On those short nosed breeds it can be even harder to keep the mouth shut, because you have nothing to really to hold shut!

Heck, accidents can happen even after a dog was groomed; I had a poor pup get a cut pad after he was done being groomed, when I took him out to go potty. He had started fussing in his crate, and he is normally a quiet guy, so I figured he needed to potty (which he did), and he found some glass that was concealed in the lawn on one side of our shop...he yipped, and I picked him up, noticed the bleeding pad and took him inside to stop the bleeding!! Poor baby! His owner was understanding, though, which was a good thing, cause I felt horrible!!!

[TwoSweetBabies]

To Graco,
I did not necessarily take offence to any topics, I was just frustrated that no one seemed to understand that I just wanted to let people know, I didn't need or want to hear from groomers telling me how possible it is to cut a dog. Because I know that already. I just find it ironic how much it happens at these chain groomers.
Oh, and about not going to my normal groomer. She could not get me in until November. Thats just too long when you shih tzu is too hot and panting all the time when its 104 outside. I should have booked ahead but at the time of our last grooming, we were moving and not sure when we would be able to have her groomed again.
We won't make that mistake again.

[Filnyyena]

Originally Posted by TwoSweetBabies

To Graco,
I did not necessarily take offence to any topics, I was just frustrated that no one seemed to understand that I just wanted to let people know, I didn't need or want to hear from groomers telling me how possible it is to cut a dog. Because I know that already. I just find it ironic how much it happens at these chain groomers.
Oh, and about not going to my normal groomer. She could not get me in until November. Thats just too long when you shih tzu is too hot and panting all the time when its 104 outside. I should have booked ahead but at the time of our last grooming, we were moving and not sure when we would be able to have her groomed again.
We won't make that mistake again.

Well, to be fair (I dislike Petco groomers anyway, too expensive..found a better, more inexpensive place half a mile closer) Petco is a huge chain and they are bound to have more negative reviews because reviewers aren't commenting on individual stores/people, but on the whole chain themselves..if that makes any sense.

For example, if at your favorite mom and pop groomers 1/20 dogs get cut, but they only get 10-20 dogs a day. That is ~1 dogs a day that gets injured. Now, MAYBE that one owner will go to their website and rant about it. But then again their customer base is smaller and more family and personal than anything, so they may just not bother with it at all.

Now, then you have Petco, who handles the same amount of dogs, same amount of cuts, same amount of rants, but at MORE locations. And they are impersonal, budget-shop hoppers who are MORE likely to complain about it because they see others at different locations complaining..

Now, instead of just one customer that day because they only have one location, you are dealing with over 500 locations, one customer each complaining about some injury..

If that makes any sense.. Does it?

I am sorry your dog got injured, but it can truly happen anywhere. And the fact that the cut was minimal, and they told you about it, payed the vet bills, and apologized is probably more than a mom and pop shop would do..

[Graco22]

And the fact that the cut was minimal, and they told you about it, payed the vet bills, and apologized is probably more than a mom and pop shop would do..

I do agree with all of what Filnyynena said, though I disagree with this part. I know that most "mom and pop" shops do pay the vet bills, apologize, etc. It is a given in this industry, as a pet groomer, that if you injure a dog, you are responsible for the vet bills if needed. I don't know any groomer that has refused to pay the bill on a dog they injured. Its a part of doing business, and why we carry insurance. That being said, I am sure there are some that refuse, put up a fight, etc. and in that case, they shouldn't be grooming dogs anyway if they are that unprofessional. Again, pet owners need to be vigilant about researching their groomers before taking their pets in to the cheapest place, or the place that can get them in soonest. This is an UNLICENSED profession. Anyone with a pair of shears can hang up a sign and start grooming dogs for the public. Scary.

[Filnyyena]

Originally Posted by Graco22

I do agree with all of what Filnyynena said, though I disagree with this part. I know that most "mom and pop" shops do pay the vet bills, apologize, etc. It is a given in this industry, as a pet groomer, that if you injure a dog, you are responsible for the vet bills if needed. I don't know any groomer that has refused to pay the bill on a dog they injured. Its a part of doing business, and why we carry insurance. That being said, I am sure there are some that refuse, put up a fight, etc. and in that case, they shouldn't be grooming dogs anyway if they are that unprofessional. Again, pet owners need to be vigilant about researching their groomers before taking their pets in to the cheapest place, or the place that can get them in soonest. This is an UNLICENSED profession. Anyone with a pair of shears can hang up a sign and start grooming dogs for the public. Scary.

Oh yeah, I guess I wasn't thinking of all of the grooming shops combined and just generalizing on a biased viewpoint. In hindsight, my mind was actually to my dentist and how they are scamming us and several other disgruntled patients under the old contracts. How they refuse to own up to their mistakes and continue to charge you for services which should be covered/free.

I don't know how the subconscience drew a correlation between my dentist and the mom and pop shops..But it made sense at the time and now does not.

I apologize for this error.

[Groomergirl55555]

I am a groomer at Petsmart and i gues you would consider me as a rookie b/c I have only worked there for 1 yr. But i have worked at a kennel, private grooming shops, and other places and I have to tell you I think it is a great place and enviroment to take your dog to groom. Knicks and cuts happen. But if thwey do they do have a clinic next door who is seperate from the petsmart. And its not a cover up clinic b/c the salon manager has to pay for it. At least if you goto a corporate grooming shop you dont have to risk any cover ups to the problems. And its so safe bc there a billion rules to keep the pets safe and seperate. Sum vet tech says idk how you do it, it really is like a moving target on your table. Going to a hair salon is easy bc you can talk to the stylist and you stay still. But an excited pet. it takes one little movement. I also who has a friend who works at a private sho and she is amazing at hand scissoring its all a matter of preference. But if you goto a Petsmart if the dog is dirty or not done right you get ur money back or a redo. Private shops sometimes arent so forgiving.

[sterkrazzy]

corporations like petco and petsmart are generally horrible in terms of how they take care of all their animals

the conditions they have for the reptiles is usually completely wrong and there's so many that die because of it

i'll never use any of their services or buy/adopt any animals from them

[Groomergirl55555]

If you think everything is treated badly why not adopt pets to put them in a better enviromnet makes no since. You really think there better off at kill shelters. Or do you prefer to get pure breeds at someone who will sell you one from a puppy mill. There's nothing worng with pll who work at bigger corporations. We work there bc we love pets.

[jesirose]

Originally Posted by Groomergirl55555

If you think everything is treated badly why not adopt pets to put them in a better enviromnet makes no since. You really think there better off at kill shelters. Or do you prefer to get pure breeds at someone who will sell you one from a puppy mill. There's nothing worng with pll who work at bigger corporations. We work there bc we love pets.

The dogs and cats at Petsmart and Petco are adopted through rescue groups. The other animals DO come from pet mills. "Adopting" one of them simply allows them to buy more and replace them. If you adopt a cat or dog at Pet Smart/Co you are not giving that company any money, they allow the rescues to use the space because when someone adopts a cat or dog, they then need to buy supplies for it. Lots of expensive supplies.

[0hmyd0g]

to sillylillykitty:

you've been to every petsmart and grooming salon to make such a bold claim?

[Criosphynx]

Originally Posted by 0hmyd0g

to sillylillykitty:

you've been to every petsmart and grooming salon to make such a bold claim?

maybe not. But I've been to and worked at many. Her claims are not unfounded.

[poodleholic]

It is, indeed, unfortunate that your dog was hurt, and a shame about the groomer's attitude. I've never been to a Petco, but have wondered about the glass front at Petsmart's grooming area. A disater waiting to happen, IMO. I've watched groomers at Petsmart, and was pretty impressed with how they managed to keep control of the dog they were grooming with the distracton of people walking by (and once, a kid pounding on the window saying "hey doggie! Hey Doggie!") while they worked on the dogs.

I have Standard Poodles, both of whom were conditioned to be groomed from the age of 4 wks. (faces & feet shaved), so they were very good about holding still on the table, however, I'm not so sure that would have been the case if the shop had been set up with windows like that, in addition to the amount of traffic.

Accidents can, and do happen, but I really don't think one can condemn an entire establishment just because a dog got nipped, and the groomer was a jerk. I've seen some very nice looking dogs come out of Petsmart (who looked pretty bad going in)! Certainly, I wouldn't return to that groomer, just because of her attitude, and I'd tell her so.

It's too bad your regular groomer wouldn't fit your dog in. I had a standing appointment for my Poodles (every 4 wks.), so I never had to try someone unknown, and, when I wanted my dogs freshly groomed for a holiday or special event, my groomer ALWAYS made time for them, even when they were booked. I groom myself, now, but if I need to, I can always bring them to their old groomer because she knows it's easy work - no matts, and both dogs are a dream to work on.

[jbray01]

i am really sorry that happened to you! i would have been so upset if that had happened to me. I am so protective of my puppy I would have been really mad! i have a lab so i dont really have any need to go to a groomer, but i got a coupon for a free nail clipping and bandana at petsmart, and i could not say no to something free, so i went and i have to say the people were extremely rude, they first didnt want to honor the coupon, when they did, they didnt even cut all of her nails, and then they refused to give me the bandana. i know its not a huge deal, and i know i sounds like a jerk to whine about it but it was just a huge inconvenience and pain in the butt!

if i ever have a long haired dog that needs a groomer, i would never go to a chain store like that...especially after hearing your story!

i think its just nice/comforting to know that the person who is taking care of your pet truly cares for them, and wants to do the best they can for you and your pup.

[Busterthebob]

That is aweful! I hope Bellas tongue has healed up ok.

[TwoSweetBabies]

Thanks to all the kind replies from those concerned! Glad to hear i'm not the only one who is upset!
Bellas tongue is doing much better and she finishes her antibiotics tonight

[iwantmypup]

I am glad her tongue is doing better!!

I would never, ever take a long haired dog to a petsmart/petco. Just too many horror storys...I would only take a dog in that didn't even need to be much at all..(or at all if possible)

[Noel]

I have never taken Noel to a groomer, and I guess I should be happy that I didn't.