Am I right to not take her back to the groomer?

Question

What do you think...

Took my dog to the groomer last week. It was her first time. Groomer did a good job with the cut but asked me to bring my dog back in a week. I asked why. She said she was not able to trim my Pookie's nails. I told the groomer that that's not going to happen because she was abused before I got her and she will not let anyone except me touch her feet. She insisted that I bring her back the next week so she can try again. I told her I'd think about it.

Why is she so persistent about having her back? Even if I did bring her back, there's nothing she can do other than traumatize my Pookie. I trim her nails at home myself so it's not like she's in dire need of it. I don't want to leave my Pookie at the groomer's to sit in a cage for five hours and pay $50 for them to do nothing!!! Am I right to not take her back?

Answer 1

Small things like this, if you can do them yourself SAFELY, should be done by you. Not only does it save you time and money, it builds the relationship between you and your dog.

By trimming her nails yourself, it show that she can trust you. It shows her that you're taking care of her, and you'll help her feed and look good. I have a rescue dog myself, and even though I've had her for 8 of her 15 years, she still needs that extra love and care now and then, so she feels loved, and she knows that you're there for her.

Groomers are professionals, and are often the best and easiest solution, but if you would rather do it yourself, feel free to do so. It shows that you care.

Answer 2

I suspect she just wants to complete the job she started. I would not charge for the extra visit in a case like this. However, if you are able to do the nails adequately yourself then there is no reason to bring her back to have it done.

It's also all right to ask a groomer NOT to do the nails if your dog gets upset, although often times a groomer CAN do the nails once the dog gets used to them. Sometimes the groomer will forget not to do the nails (we get into a routine and it can be hard to remember to eliminate part of that routine), but if your dog is truly difficult they will be reminded when they start trying to clip.

Don't expect to be charged less for not doing nails as part of a complete groom. When we do "nails only" we have to get the dog we're currently grooming off the table and put it away, get your dog up and secure, do the nails, get the dog down, handle the transaction, probably chat with you for a couple of minutes, get the dog we were grooming back out and get it on the table and settle it down. The whole process can take 10 or 15 minutes. However, if we're doing nails as part of a full grooming the time to do the actual nail clipping is a small percentage of the grooming time (usually less than a minute) and not worth discounting for. Time is money.

Answer 3

Could this groomer have some kind of hidden control issues? Like "I WILL trim this dog's nails and show her who's boss?"

In any case, just the fact that warning bells are going off in your mind is reason enough not to take her back to that groomer. It may be something perfectly innocent, but if Pookie has already been traumatized once, there's no point in risking it again.

Answer 4

Honestly, if you feel you can do the job just as well as the groomer, do it!! I don't think there's any reason to take a dog back to the groomer within a week of it's appointment. Sounds like the groomer is looking to make some extra cash. I have a new puppy now, a Maltese, who just had his first grooming appointment, and I have another appointment in 6 weeks. Best of luck with Pookie (by the way, I love that name).

Answer 5

You are absolutely right. The groomer cannot require you to bring the dog back.

If you can trim her nails at home, why pay a groomer?

The groomer probably just wanted to make sure that she did everything that was included in the price of the groom. Probably didn't want any complaints that she did only part of the grooming. Just explain to her again, if she starts bothering you about it.

Answer 6

I wouldn't take her back until Pookie is ready for a cut. Politely let the groomer know that you appreciate the offer, especially since you like the cut, but you prefer to cut Pookie's nails. If she persists, then you will take Pookie to another groomer.

Answer 7

I would question her further. She may be helping you by trying to get the dog comfy with other's touching her feet. This would be a good thing if the vet ever needed to do so. If you do decide to go back, I would make it clear you can't leave the dog but will wait. Nail trimming doesn't take that long and the dog should be in and out quickly.

Answer 8

she sounds like the trim was included in what you already paid for and she insisted b/c you had already paid for it and didnt get it. she feels like she owes you a nail clipping. if you feel better doing it at home just tell her thats ok you will do it. or ask if you can just hold the pookie while she clips. let her know you dont want to leave the dog for just nails. groomers are usually easy to talk to! they are dog people! :)

Answer 9

The groomer has no business insisting you do anything. She only has a say if she notices that your dog is seriously abused or neglected and then she can only call the ASPCA to report it. Since you do trim those nails and your dog trusts you, she should be a reasonable and intelligent person by simply shutting up and accepting it when you say no. Period. No means no and you don't continue to ask once someone tells you no.

Answer 10

Are you sure you are getting charged for it? It sounds more like your groomer is concerned with you not getting the full service you paid for. Also she may be concerned that you'll screw up and cut to deep. A dog can bleed to death in these cases.

It's not hard to do if you know what you are doing. Even if you cut the quick you can fairly easily stop the bleeding, and the dog will be fine if you take care of the wound. Remember it's your dog, and you're the customer. If you are comfortable doing it yourself clip the nails before hand, and tell them not to clip your dogs nails.