Grooming

[Piper's mom]

I groom my boys as well. I bought a sheltie grooming book, combs, brushes. Over time, I've gotten a feel for what I like as well as what the boys like. This summer, I added a table and blower. They definitely have not adjusted to the blower yet, but taking it slow and hey are super vain so I make such a big deal out of them when I use it. They will be begging for it fairly soon.

Anyone else have super vain dogs? Like the boys KNOW they look good when they get groomed and their attitudes reflect it. Last time I did the full grooming, I took a pic of them together and they were literally posing, like 2 little kids totally thrilled with themselves. They sat up tall, didn't move for their pictures.

Piper hates his picture taken…it’s hilarious but totally true! Every time I pull out my phone when he’s playing with another dog as soon as he sees it he stops and runs to me and barks furiously at it! I can just imagine he’s saying ‘NO PICTURES…NO PICTURES’!!!

 

[Cindy]

One of my (somewhat) neighbors is a mobile groomer. I see the bright green van several times a week at our light
Gavin always looks so pitiful getting a bath.....he tries to climb into my arms every time.
The combing he tolerates, the trimming of the fur on the bottom of the paw can be tougher. He lets me dremel his nails OK.
And he will let me brush his teeth. Guess I never even looked into groomers....figured it was just part of having a dog. And I'm cheap
But I can see having multiples could be A LOT of work!

 

[Bailey's Mom]

I've never been ashamed not to own what I don't do well. There are things I've worked at and improved over the years but there are things that just aren't a natural talent for me and grooming is a challenge. We don't have a great set up for bathing and our dogs are amazingly passive about most things but they hate our bathtub. According to the groomers they seem to act like they are at a "spa" when being bathed and groomed they don't have a death grip about getting into the tub there. They always have great things to say about how wonderfully behaved the girls are and they aren't as kind about all the dogs who are there so it isn't just a customer service come on to keep us coming back. Most of the owners seem to own when there dogs are less than delightful to groom. Ours seem to expect a professional setting. Part of it is training, having the right tubs, etc.

I'm no spent thrift but I have learned hurting myself trying to save money is generally counter productive. We did try bathing and grooming Bailey when he was a pup and he hated bath time and we came to truly hate bath time. We do "emergency baths" when the girls get into mud, etc. We do brush them because grooming every 4-6 weeks is not enough with a Sheltie. However, I am willing to support local businesses when I realize paying someone to do something that I truly am not good at saves me hurting myself or my husband hurting himself and it is less stressful with better outcomes. We still end up paying for those injuries and the time it takes to heal as well. (Less about the dogs and more about household projects I've paid for in the last few years.)

The groomers do an amazing job on the girls, as they did with Bailey when he was alive. I'm not going to kid myself and pretend I could come close to the work they do. Every penny we've spent over the years has been worth it.

However, if you can groom it is a great option for you. Everyone has to choose where to spend the dollars they have most effectively.