How do I get the groomer to do what I ask?

Question

I have a lhasa apso who is brushed each day and goes in monthly for a sanitary cut. Sami is brushed everyday is easy to groom and has a great personality. I am nice, tip $10 on $40 and sometimes bring in cookies (I am obsessed with my dog). Heres what I want: Her feet trimmed, her chest thinned out, a sanitary cut at her rear, and her face shaped up, leaving her forelocks long enough to put in a top knot( one actually cut it off! I almost had a stroke). I have asked for one groomer, but she quit. I have asked, bribed, begged, and even threatened. I am looking for another groomer but it is hard to get in with one in my area. So, she goes to petsmart. I am close to getting a part time job to learn how to groom so that I don't have to put my dog and myself through the monthly trauma. Any tips? What can I do? Help!!!

Answer 1

Well, us groomers are not mind readers, so you have to be really specific on what you want. But really what you are asking...if this is how you are telling the groomer..is clear...to me at least.
But what an owner says and what a groomer hears may be 2 different things, since we have different terms for things. Also, what you hear us say may be different than what you visualize.

You say you take her to Petsmart...are you getting the SAME groomer everytime? Usually the corp shops have several groomers and unless you specify when making the appt, you may not get the same groomer everytime. And every groomer has a different style of grooming. Also, one groomer could do awesome work on a Poodle, but aren't so good with Lhasas. And vice versa.

Do you have a picture of your dog in the style you want it? Don't bring in a pic of someone elses dog ,or a calander pic...your dog may not have the same hair as the one in the pic.

You didn't say how many times the same groomer has groomed the dog. It may take a few times for us to get it right..again, it could be a communication thing.

What exactly are they doing wrong? I know alot of groomers arent too keen on the idea of having the owner stay....only because the dog is more excitable when the owner is present, but if your dog doesn't mind you being there, maybe you can stay and show the groomer what you want done exactly?

Please don't associate trauma with the dog being groomed. Unless the dog is being abused, it is not being traumatized by a haircut that you aren't 100% satisfied with. I know YOU are not happy, but your vibes will rub off on the dog and it will hate going to the groomer because you make it a negative thing. A dog really doesn't care if his topknot was cut to short. As long as he has a positive experience at the groomer, and you make a big deal out of him when you pick him up ("oh your so pretty" etc) he could care less.

You also don't say how long your groomer has been grooming. If they are fresh out of school, they are still learning. Maybe find out who has the most experience? Or if any of them are certified master groomers (cmg). However, groomer who don't have this title are just as good as the ones who do.

I talk and have access to several groomers around the US. If you want, you can send me an email at [e-mail] and tell me your location and maybe I can find a groomer that can help you out?

Another thing I just thought of....when you make the appt...are you even getting a GROOMER? If you say you want a bath and the feet trimmed etc. At Petsmart, they will have a bather do that. Most of the bathers are highschool kids there to make some pocket cash (not all tho) Bathers are not groomers, but they do all the dogs that just need a bath, nail trim, feet trimmed and sani clip. They are not trained to do anything more.

Answer 2

Be up front, you are paying for a service you deserve. Politely tell the groomer, this is not quite what I asked for, if you wish to continue to have my business, please groom my dog as I request. You don't have to be rude or snippy, explain to her your dog is your best friend and you want the best. I will tell you however, some dogs are hard to groom. Maybe the woman is new and trying her best and not getting it right, but at least tell her or she will upset more and more people. In the meantime, look and see what else is available. Call local breed clubs, a lot of times purbred owners do their own grooming, maybe someone can show you the ropes that way. Good Luck!

Answer 3

my groomer (and the running shoes) ask for clinical documents and it incredibly is going to be finished with rabies vaccines besides as all of their doggy photographs and boosters. It makes me sense extra useful that they do it because of the fact there's a lesser risk that they are going to catch something from being interior the care of the human beings.

Answer 4

Oh, you mean the person that person that makes minumum wage and doesn't really give a rats A$$ about your dog and is just waiting to leave to go do something better. Then, at some point quite because they are going to get a job that pays the $0.25 more an hour to do another lame job.

Since you obsessed about your dog, which is fine, at least you take care of your dog, unlike those that just stick them in the backyard and put 3 days of food out there for them and refill it every 6, you are right, go find out how to do it yourself.

Answer 5

Sounds like you're NOT "speaking the same LANGUAGE"!!! You need to learn the "jargon"!!!

Like,....what the BLANK do you mean
"chest THINNED OUT"???? That doesn't make any sense.Same w/"feet trimmed"........POODLE-FEET??? OR CORRECTLY??? OR...????
Face"shaped up"??? DITTO!!!Left ALONE? Ten the muzzle? Shorten beard?? WHAT???LHASA'S ***DON'T*** get "top-knots"!!! The hair it just PARTED!!!

SEE what I mean??? I've done GAZILLIONS & *I* wouldn't know what you were talking about!

*I* sure WOULDN'T use *ANY* stupid PETSTORE groomer!!!

Answer 6

Ask for a (FFT). Face, feet & tail---then tell them to thin out chest w/a 46 tooth thinning shear.
Leaving her topknot long enough for bows.
Are you getting a Teddybear face?

You might try writting it down on paper & giving it to your groomer.
Be sure to put the DO'S & DON"TS.....Maybe You can even ask to stay & watch.

groomed 24 yrs/retired

Answer 7

where i work we call what you want a "brush and neaten" you might have to tell them how long you want the topknot, we usually only leave it about 2 inches. i dont know what they conciderthat at petsmart though

Answer 8

if they wont do what you want, you are the paying customer remember, find another groomer. i am sure if you look you will find someone who will do everything you want and more. just be on the lookout.