I believe it starts in April. I enjoyed the first season, but mainly because I am a reality tv addict in general. I have no drama in my own life so I relish it on tv.

Artist Knox is also having his own spin-off show starting soon.

 

The new season premieres April 11th on Animal Planet. I know a couple of the groomers on it this year. I can't wait to see how it goes, but I know who I am rooting for..

 

April 11, 9pm...

 

Thanks for the date! I will be watching.

What did yall think of the judges last year?

 

I think the judges, (aside from Joey Villiani) know nothing about grooming, and really have no respectable input in most cases. I don't like Xavier at all...pompous and rude and knows nothing about everyday grooming..His online bio doesn't even talk about dogs, but instead about him trying to become an actor....And the vet...again, knows as much about grooming as I do about spaying and neutering a dog. I just don't think they are qualified to judge a GROOMING show..but its those same judges again this season. The info and previews are up on the Animal Planet website.

 

Thanks for the dates guys,I couldnt figure it out but now I know!

 

My sentiments exactly.

I still get kinda ticked when I think about the puppy episode.
How is it a level playing field....when one groomer gets a puppy pom, and one groomer gets a puppy Great Pyr....and tangled to boot! I felt so bad for that guy. I would've cried like a baby on tv too.

 

I saw some previews for this the other day. Is it fun to watch?

Graco--it's cool that you know some of them. Why aren't YOU on there?

 

Its "entertaining" I suppose...most groomers were horrified watching last season. They are a quite unreal situations, and ridiculous time constraints, etc. so last season was hard for me to really enjoy, cause I just kept thinking about how terrible it was..LOL

And thats why I am not on there...LOL That and I can't take off work and close up for over 6 weeks....though a nice long vacation in CA does sound nice! LOL One groomer on the show lives just 15 minutes from me, and we have refered dogs to each other since she started up a few years ago out here. She has also judged me numerous times in my competitions. I am pulling for her to win!

 

Re: Goomer has it? (Groomer has it?)

This is a show I watch only for dogs (grooming consumer not pro) and from that standpoint they are really not the dogs' friend. Out of the four groomers "clipped" so far, two were guilty of allowing the dog to be seriously nicked or shaved and so were justifiably disqualified. That's what the lady doc from LA is there for, to attest to "no animals were harmed," etc.

But the producers repeatedly exploit abused dogs in the challenges: in only three episodes they've brought in St. Bernards who were not only seriously matted but had numerous soiled mats. Then they groomed standard poodles "unconventionally," which was not only ugly but involved cutting shapes into the coat down to the skin. Last week they brought in "poodle mixes" (like labradoodles) who were in equally bad shape to the St. Bernards and the girl who got sent home lost because in attempting to deal with this neglect rushed and nicked the dog.

I thought America's Greatest Dog offended the dignity of canines but this is really kind of sick, like Queer Eye For the Straight Guy (from which Groomer host Jai came) picking up homeless people to "make over." The very least they should be doing is telling the audience straight up: "Grooming is essential to the health and well-being of many different breeds of dogs and you shouldn't ever allow your pet to get into this condition. Bringing your dog in for regular bathing and grooming can prevent years of pain and medical expense."

I expect more from Artis in Beverly Hills Groomer when it debuts mid-May. But I'll probably be disappointed. At least it looks like Artis' pet shih-tzu is featured and he should be well taken care of.

 

Yeah I think that they should make it more about caring for the dogs health while grooming!

 

I enjoy watching the show for entertainment....not sure how accurate it actually is....

I don't like their new guest "celebrity" judges this season...if they are going to bring on guest judges I think they should at least know something about grooming a dog...otherwise, it just doesn't make any sense why they are a judge

 

I don't like their new guest "celebrity" judges this season...if they are going to bring on guest judges I think they should at least know something about grooming a dog...otherwise, it just doesn't make any sense why they are a judge

Amen. Why on earth would they bring on a playboy bunny or whatever she's called as a "guest" judge? Boy, doesn't that add alot of credibility to the show and to professional groomers in general? Just shows what a joke the show is really. Its too bad, cause alot could be done with a reality grooming show to teach pet owners things, to showcase good grooming and care of the pets, etc. Instead its just a circus.

 

Last week was not a grooming competition. It was a speed dematting competition, IMO, which is irresponsible, dangerous, and inhumane.

 

I can't remember the exact quote to the guy in the bottom two who didn't get much done because he was trying to demat the dog and not hurt it with the vacuum razor. I believe the judge said "I mean, it's great you're wanting to be humane with the dogs.. but it's a competition."

 

Last years judges were stupid.. I hated the vet lady... She knew absolutely nothing about grooming... The big guy was just arrogant. I'm glad Artist won.. he deserved it.

 

Yeah, I think its a smart idea but I hate how they put nemo in these ridicuous outfits ! Although I agree with graco I also know that this is only the 2nd season,maybe it could get better!

 

Don't hold your breath. I agree on Nemo - I was cheesed when all the groomers laughed at Nemo trying to get out of those stupid space boots. Putting boots on a dog for protection is one thing; putting them on for entertainment is sick. And so is laughing about it.

Its too bad, cause alot could be done with a reality grooming show to teach pet owners things, to showcase good grooming and care of the pets, etc. Instead its just a circus.

Circus - perfect description. I started watching the show because I wanted to learn about grooming. Ha!

I can't remember the exact quote to the guy in the bottom two who didn't get much done because he was trying to demat the dog and not hurt it with the vacuum razor. I believe the judge said "I mean, it's great you're wanting to be humane with the dogs.. but it's a competition."

Eek is right! To chastise a groomer for not rushing something like that is low. It's ridiculous to expect the groomers to deal with dogs in that condition under such time constraints. Why not put a realistic time frame on it and let the groomers work at a pace that's comfortable for them and the dog? It's TV for pete's sake, not real time! They can edit out the boring parts!

 

Last year, before they had settled on which groomers were going to be on the show, Animal Planet called my shop twice. They said they were looking for groomers with "Big Personalities" and were going to be in my area...etc.

I had never seen the show, didn't have cable TV for-EVER...lol...but I had heard about the show. I politely declined and now that I have TV and have seen the show...I am SO glad I declined! As Graco said, "it is a Circus!" And like most reality TV shows they mostly show the sad, depressing or embarrassing clips of film. I'm sure there are hours and hours of laughter and kindness between the groomers that is left on the cutting room floor.

That, along with, who the heck was going to run my shop for 6 weeks?? was enough reason to never want to be in that fishbowl they call a grooming show!

 

I am not a groomer and I watch and enjoy the show, but you can add me to the list of people who do not like the time constraints they place on the groomers. Perhaps they do this to emphasize that you must be good at what you do AND fast enough at it, in order to succeed and be profitable?

To me a real pro knows when it is unreasonable to complete a difficult groom in too little time, and they should ALWAYS make the comfort of the animal the first priority. I would like to see a challenge be to groom a matted animal in a set time that is too little to do it. The winner would be the person who was gentle and took the necessary time, even though they knew that they could not fully complete the task. Anyone starting to be too rough would be stopped immediately and fail the challenge.

(PS> Maybe the reason for a vet being a judge was to help balance the vote between cosmetic priorities and animal care?)

 

(PS> Maybe the reason for a vet being a judge was to help balance the vote between cosmetic priorities and animal care?)

I think that was the original intention, but unfortunatly she doesn't deliver. She is the worst of them, imo.