home or groomer?

GSD lover · 07-22-2006, 07:21 AM

I do it all from home, but I would like to take them to the groomer sometime. Just don't have the money for it.

Brandismom · 07-22-2006, 09:45 AM

I have had shelties for 16 years and have always done my grooming at home. Granted they only weigh around 25 pounds and are easy to handle. But they do pose a problem with the double coat. They are bathed blow dried raked brushed and clipped at home.
I do not clip or shave my shelties in the summer months (other than the necessary sanitary clip on the bumm) The hair is there to protect their sensitive skin not only from the sun's rays but also from fleas mosquitos and biting flies. They will not over heat in their fur coats if given adequate shade and water when outside and are allowed to enjoy a fan or air conditioning in the house.

groomertabby · 08-29-2006, 09:49 PM

If any of you need help finding what blades to use brushs ext let me no i can help . I groom dogs for a living its my passion always willing to help a fellow dog lover .

Curbside Prophet · 08-29-2006, 10:24 PM

I have a question groomertabby... I don't mind taking my mini schnauzer Elsa to the groomer because they do a wonderful job, and I certainly feel like they earn their wage. However, in days when I need to budget my funds more wisely, I look at Elsa and think...I could groom her, what's so hard about being diligent with a set of clippers? But I must admit, it seems a lot more challenging than it looks. And it's not like I can practice everyday...I only have one dog. Do you think it's worth the risk to groom my schnauzer at home? Or should I leave it to the pros?

groomertabby · 08-30-2006, 05:47 PM

Well I have to say there is alot more to it than it looks . Its alot of scissor work with the straights and the thining shears and the clipers . You would need to invest in the equipment and take the time to learn how to use it properly and how to take care of the equipment so it lasts you a while . In the long run it can save you money but you would need to fork over a far amount of cash to start . I do have many people who come into me with there pet all choped up and say it looks alot easyer than it is . So could you do it yes and you could learn to do it well it just takes time and money to learn ..

Good luck to you . tabby

Kenya · 08-31-2006, 07:30 PM

I dont use a groomer. I just think its a waste of time paying somebody one hundred dollers just to make my dog look the same as she would if i did it. But anyway that my opinon. My Diva (In both my avatar and siggy) is not good with clipping nails so i just do it myself and she does A Lot better.

Alpha · 08-31-2006, 07:48 PM

My guys don't need to be clipped, and I'll never own a breed that needs to be taken to the groomer.

My guys get their baths/nails clipped/brushed and sprayed at home. Both of their coats, are easily managed.

imjennwhoareyou · 09-09-2006, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retriever crazy

i think being a groomer would be a fun job.

I love it.

I think it all depends on the personal situation.
If I had a small dog like a chihuahua or something I would probably do it at home. I take my little doggies with me to work. Its conveneient for me and they like being in the groomshop with all the other doggies.

I know a few people who have full coated shih tzus and do their grooming at home. However that is ALOT of work. And they ahve the time to put into that. Alot of people are busy with work, children, school, etc and don't have time ti groom their dogs.

Melos · 09-10-2006, 08:12 AM

I'm doing everything at home now that I know what a good girl Ophelia is for her bath and primping time! She jumped right into the tub last night and even sat still for her manicure

Dotmeister · 09-26-2006, 05:16 PM

My oldest dog, Jewel, who's a black mini schnauzer and will be 10 in November, goes to the groomer about every couple months. If she happens to get extremely dirty between groomings, then we wash her (usually end up washing her a couple times anyway). Molly, our jack/rat terrier mix doesn't go the groomers. She doesn't need it. LOL So she just gets bathed by my hubby or I. We have two black mini schnauzer pups as well (brother and sister - Hutch and Rena). They haven't gotten their first grooming yet, but probably will sometime next month. They get bathed by us every 2-3 weeks.

Natural Groomer · 10-06-2006, 08:18 PM

You are so right, grooming is the best job ever and alot of fun, it's so satisfying to get the thank you's and the appreciation that animals give without hesitation. It is a real easy way to form a bond with an animal, I know i have a lot of dogs that i look forward to coming in and they look forward to seeing me, they really do know that you are there to make them feel better. Althought labs do need baths occasionally. I have one and even though he swims and everything in ther summer i still bath him a few times a year and he is filthy and full of dead skin and dirt

puppy girl · 10-07-2006, 12:18 PM

well, I have a groomer who comes to my house and does the work in my bathroom.

jerseyguy · 11-06-2006, 01:43 PM

I like to do it myself. It's obviously cheaper with proper instruction. I found this great site that has free video demonstrations. So it makes it much easier to DIY.

allick06 · 03-24-2007, 09:01 PM

Both since I'm a Pet Grooming Salon Manager!lol

mom to lil buddy · 03-30-2007, 09:32 PM

I took my min-Schnauzer to groomer about 3-4 times/year and did it myself the rest of the time. After she became diabetic going was just to stressful and exhausting, so I did it myself. Head and ears, one day, body and belly, another, and legs, feet and nails and bath another.

I haven't had the Shih Tzu's that long, but their coats were butchered! So both are growing out. Max has been groomed professionally twice. I have plenty of time to groom them both, but don't have the knowledge. Virginia

Dieselsmama · 04-09-2007, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retriever crazy

i think being a groomer would be a fun job.

Hmmn...sometimes yes, sometimes no.
I ran a dog grooming business for several yrs. two things eventually burned me out, it's very physically taxing work esp. if it's a dog who'd really prefer to bite you as look at you. Also, the owner is so much more the client than the dog. I was the only groomer around us who had a clue what hand scissoring and hand stripping were and how to do them. It was often difficult explaining to owner of a westie (let's say) that had a baby soft coat that her coat wasn't ideal for handstripping at the age of 3 when we'd been clipping it all along UGH!! Now on the flip side there were dogs who i adored who made my day when they came in. I used to groom a beautiful apricot standard poodle who started coming to me when she was 8 wks. old. I was her only groomer and she always had her feet and face shaved and a full hand scissored puppy cut!! She was a doll!!

peace36 · 04-14-2007, 04:52 PM

I groom mine at home. I have a male Malti-poo that has the poodle coat and I keep him short with #3 blade and I keep my female shih-tzu long. She is a stinker though. I do "sanitary trim" on her with a #10 blade and the pads of her feet and she really is squirmy but I eventually get it. My little malti-poo just sits like a little angel.

xoxluvablexox · 04-14-2007, 04:59 PM

I prefer the groomer. My dog needs to get the hair pulled out of his ears and I could never do that to him. Plus all his nails are black except for one and I just know that I would mess up and make him scared of nail clippings because I don't have a steady hand and would probably cut to far down. I do bathing and brushing at home and the rest is for the groomer every couple of months.

ashes · 04-15-2007, 02:49 PM

It really depends on your dog. If you have a lab or pug or something short haired like that you can just bathe them at home and its no big deal. however, if you have a standard poodle, portugese water dog, airdale, etc., the groomer would be the best. you can groom dogs like that at home but they are very involved. alot of scissoring and thining shears and some even require hand stripping.

Somethings just wont come out the same at home. most groomers use pressure dryers that can dry a dog in 10-15 minutes and it has a huge impact on how the coat looks at the end. It also allows the groomer to see right down to the dogs skin and discover hidden skin problems or infections. the dryers also get all that loose shedding hair out.

Grooming can get very expensive (in the new england area). A bath dog will usually run you anywhere from $25(pug)-$50(golden retriever). A small dog hair cut will run 45(shihtzu)-55(bichon). A large strip 50(lab)-65(samoyed). and a large envolved cut 75(airdale)-150(standard poodle). and a ton of other things can make prices go up. like de-matting, special shampoos, de-shedding, the dogs tempermant, etc. I've had dog like newfeys and poodles leave my store cost $250-$275! just from hours of dematting. but as long as you dont let your dog turn into bob marley it would never cost you that much.

anyways, i have to stop rambling. hope this helps

Tamara · 04-15-2007, 03:22 PM

We do it all at home except nail trimming. They too have mostly black nails and I'd rather they hate the vet than me if a mistake is made. Both mine love to be brushed and baths. While I am bathing one the other puts her paws on the side of the tub as saying hurry up I want my turn - strange girls.