Grooming disaster

Raya - can you find out if she is from your area or came into the area from somewhere else? Sounds like something that happened to a friend of mine from my area - poor grooming, abuse to the dog. This particular groomer has a reputation of moving from town to town. PM me if you find out. Thanx
 
Raya said:
Just so it's clear though, the botched job was performed by a female particular posing herself as a professional groomer. Her installations looked appropriate, so my boyfriend and I were not under the impression that she sucked when we brought Zoey there. The jobs that I had done at Petsmart (2 different stores) were good. I was entirely satisfied both times. We just thought it was a tad expensive. I guess I now know why X(
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There can be good groomers at Petsmart, my parent's used to take their sheltie to Petsmart (till I took over his grooming) and he always came back looking clean and well groomed. I think its important that you request a specific groomer there though, otherwise you never know who you're going to get.

I didn't have the same experience with same Petsmart. Sadie came back clean but they did a horrible job on her paws, I had to fix them when I got home. They completely forgot her back paws and her front paws had been started but never finished, so it looked like big chunks of fur were missing. All I asked for was a bath and her paws trimmed! I would have complained but it was Christmas and I just didn't have the time or energy.
 
That's the worst! I hate it when you pay a decent amount of money and get a poor looking haircut. I'm sorry. That is very frustrating :( Just don't beat yourself over it please. It will help Zoey get through this too. If you're unhappy and she doesn't know why, then she'll sense that.

When I get my sheltie, I'm going to groom my dog by myself too. It saves so much money and is a good bonding experience. I've asked my breeder endless questions about grooming. So far, she's recommended supplies from a website (jefferspet.com). I checked it out and it's great. As for what grooming tools we need, it would be great to own a pair of thinning shears, straight shears, and also smaller scissors (for the ears and such).

I hope that helped a little! Hang in there.
 
mbfrench said:
Ok,if that was my dog,that they brought to me after a groom,that witch would want to make sure she had protection before I would strangle her. Then I would be raising holy cane with management.

I would not have left until I recieved a reimbursement. Totally unacceptable. How dare they even think to do this. Looking at her before pictures,then the after it does not even look like the same dog.

Groomer experiance,or not...I don't care who or where,this person was not trained correctly on the grooming of a sheltie.

Now...you sit and wait for it to grow. I feel for you. I am angry just looking at the pictures.
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I could not agree with you more Michele!
 
I just saw the pictures.. That's such a bad job! As a groomer, you are paid to learn about the selected breed and cut accordingly. The belly looks uncomfortable and choppy. The chest, to me at least, is not done properly. Then there are also the cuts made around the legs. I love Shelties with feathering. I would be mad at this too. I wouldn't really yell at them since I'm not that assertive, but, I would tell them that I didn't want that cut and ask to please groom the way I tell them to. And after all, I would feel horrible if I made that mistake on somebody's dog..
 
Raya said:
Alright... pictures.

See album below
http://imgur.com/a/FVAFz

Picture 1 is her on first week of December 2011
Picture 2 is her in July 2011 3 days after she got groomed (that's the work I was expecting)
Picture 3 is her now today....
Picture 4 is her back, that looks just like when she was in her leg period, not happy with this
Picture 5 is the belly massacre, everything gone.

As a reference, below is May 2010 when she actually had her awkward leg phase
http://i.imgur.com/qlaD8.jpg
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I feel bad for you, I would also be upset. I like the first pic of her. She is very pretty, and to me, she does not look like she needs much grooming- a very good brushing is all I do. Just my opinion.
 
As others have said, if you haven't yet you should complain loudly to her employer (with pictures of how a Sheltie should look) and demand and get a complete refund. If they aren't immediately receptive, I would tell them you plan to contact the Better Business Bureau and your attorney. That usually does the job.

She is a beautiful dog and her fur will grow back but that cut is a disaster. I feel for you. You might consider getting her a doggie coat for the winter months for her stomach. At the store's expense!! :mad:
 
Ann said:
As others have said, if you haven't yet you should complain loudly to her employer (with pictures of how a Sheltie should look) and demand and get a complete refund. If they aren't immediately receptive, I would tell them you plan to contact the Better Business Bureau and your attorney. That usually does the job.

She is a beautiful dog and her fur will grow back but that cut is a disaster. I feel for you. You might consider getting her a doggie coat for the winter months for her stomach. At the store's expense!! :mad:
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I think Ann has it right. Refund, free sweater. I promise it WILL grow back. And yes, there is no reason why it won't grow back beautifully!
 
Lightplum said:
BARB! Did you see the pics?!?! That is beyond unacceptable...

I saw the pics you posted while at work...and wanted to post an OMG!!!!

If I were you and I went to pick up my dog and they brought her out looking like that I would be probably in jail right now..There would have been a scene made. There is NO reason to cut a dog that way...that is not even giving a puppy cut...I dont even know what that is! I would be demanding my money back for the grooming and suggesting that they send said "groomer" back to grooming school to properly learn how to use a pair of scissors...seriously my 7 yr old niece cut her dolls hair nicer and less choppy!

Now with that being said for the next grooming, find someone who is used to grooming shelties, and if possible check out references and see how they were groomed/cut. When in doubt do it yourself. You cant go wrong that way, or atleast if you do its you doing it so there is no surprises.

Generally speaking shelties do not need to have their coat "Cut" the only part that generally gets trimmed is their ears, feet and the pants thinned out. Invest in the illustrated guide to sheltie grooming and you cant go wrong!
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Lightplum,

I saw the pictures and I was as upset as if they were one of my own. Because I've had those bad groomings myself. Hence, my advice in going prepared. (I would go a step further myself, and provide a written list of do's and don'ts. )

I was only playing devil's advocate.

Think about it from the groomers point of view. With no specific instructions from the owner, the groomer has to figure out how to wash, comb, demat, rake, scissor/clip, do nails, trim ears, clean ears, etc. etc. for how many 100's of breeds?

No surprise that they are going to go with the most "common" techniques which often means clipping.....its faster, and they get paid by how many dogs they can do in a day. It's not a pay by the hour or salaried position.

I'm not excusing them, nor am I suggesting that they are money-grubbing either.

I'm just saying that responsibility lies on both sides. Be clear on what you expect, in writing is best. Don't expect the groomer to be able to read your mind. And only then if they don't deliver then you have a basis for refusing to pay.

The reason why I'm belabouring this point is that I'm about to add grooming to my store, and I can see the headaches already. Communication is critical. And it is two way.

And your first experience with a new groomer may be not so good, but if you work with her, she will eventually know your preferences.
 
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