Should I be mad at the groomer?

Charliesmommy

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#1
I have never really taken my dogs to a groomer before because I have always given them baths, etc myself so someone please tell me who's right here. Charlie absolutely will not under any circumstances let me brush him, let alone trim him. I posted about this a while back and got some good suggestions but nothing has worked. So, finally giving up in frustration, I decided to take him to a groomer and see if they would have more luck with him than I.

I told them the problem I have trying to groom him (wants to play, eat the brush, play bites, gets all hyper, tries to bite if you try to make him stay still) and they said "noooo problem". $50 later he comes home from the groomer EXACTLY the same way he arrived. They said they were just "unable to do anything with him". OK, fine, my fault that my dog can't behave himself, I get that. But I really feel like I was ripped off. They said they could handle him, I paid in advance, and now I still have the same problem I had to begin with, except now I'm broke.
 
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#2
I have never really taken my dogs to a groomer before because I have always given them baths, etc myself so someone please tell me who's right here. Charlie absolutely will not under any circumstances let me brush him, let alone trim him. I posted about this a while back and got some good suggestions but nothing has worked. So, finally giving up in frustration, I decided to take him to a groomer and see if they would have more luck with him than I.

I told them the problem I have trying to groom him (wants to play, eat the brush, play bites, gets all hyper, tries to bite if you try to make him stay still) and they said "noooo problem". $50 later he comes home from the groomer EXACTLY the same way he arrived. They said they were just "unable to do anything with him". OK, fine, my fault that my dog can't behave himself, I get that. But I really feel like I was ripped off. They said they could handle him, I paid in advance, and now I still have the same problem I had to begin with, except now I'm broke.
I feel bad for you but honestly, I applaud the groomers for not stressing your puppy in order to get the job done.

It is an owners responsibility to desensitize their dogs to things that will need to be done in their lives. If the dog was so stressed that it wasn't possible without force to properly groom him, then they absolutely did the right thing and you should be thanking them. If they HAD restrained him and forced him to endure an entire grooming the very first time at a groomers, they could very well set your dog up for a life of fear and anxiety. I see this all to often and believe me they saved you a heap of trouble.
As for the $50.00, if they spent the time but were unable to do the work, I believe you should still be required to pay. They hold scissors, not magic wands..(me trying to be funny....probably falling short);)
How old is your pup? Have you tried very short sessions in a quiet room where you desensitize him to the tools and touch required?
 

Charliesmommy

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#3
He is 10 months. Yes, I've tried short sessions and desensitizing him, and taking him to the vet to check for skin conditions, and trying different kinds of brushes, and giving him treats when he's calm (which is almost never). Honestly, I've tried everything.

I am not irritated with the groomer for not getting the job done or for not traumatizing him. I am irritated because I fully explained that it was going to be a problem and they said they could handle it, no big deal, and they obviously couldn't.
 

otch1

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#4
I understand your frustration. This is a training issue, so you'll need to start with specific training before you groom again. I'm not sure why you were charged so much for their handling time, unless they did accommplish the bath, nail trim and some brush out?? Reccommend making this a weekend project. Start by using your hands, skip the slicker brush for now. He needs to understand "stand" , "stay" and "leave it", your biggest problem being that he's lacking the obedience training to distinguish this from playtime right now. Then when you add things that may be a little uncomfortable, (metal brushes) it becomes frantic or aggitated behavior. Try having someone in family hold his lead, while he's standing in the livingroom on carpet. (No slick tile surfaces) His collar will be tightened a little, just under jaw. The human post stands in front of him. You're to give command "stand" while you're off of his right shoulder. Gently take his collar in your right hand and use your left hand to place it on his "knee" while applying gentle pressure to move him back. He may already be standing, so you're simply getting him to shift his leg back. There just has to be movement. Then quietly reward with something like chicken! He's rewarded only while he's still in a "stand". You're then going around to the other side and repeating this exercise. All your teaching him is that when you are close to his body and touching his legs, he's not to swing around, not to use his mouth and not to jump foward. The 2nd handler stops the foward motion. The second he's quietly shifting only the leg when he feels pressure, without resistance to you being back there, you're then going to lift the leg from the knee and start running hands down leg to paws. You'll do this on his back end for first day. Second day start this exercise on the front end. Your commands are very quiet, very calm and you keep quietly repositioning him if he shifts. The person holding the lead is simply a post and does not speak or correct dog. They're needed to keep him from swinging around and grabbing at your clothes or hands. Next, work on adding running hands down leg and picking up leg, then going down to paws applying even massage/pressure. He's being well rewarded and baited thruout this exercise. When you hear that big sigh from him, and see he's settled into a standing position and relaxed during this handling, you're ready to move onto going over his back. Gentle massaging pressure from the shoulders down the back to tail, while he's required to "stand". If you were commited to doing this exercise for 20 minutes per day over the course of two days, making it a pleasant experience for the dog while also convincing him this is not playtime, you're not asking him if he wants to be handled... you are going to handle him, you are going to be persistant, but there will never be any pain involved, then by mid week, you should be able to move onto using the brush again. By next weekend, you should be moving onto using the brush, getting your dog to "stand" and stay without assistance from a second handler. This is simply a desensitization exercise and a matter of "manners" when he's being handled. No firm correction or a lot of fussing around, no head restraint, tieing him up, ect. He really needs to "get this" and find it pleasant at the same time. Good luck!
 

Charliesmommy

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#5
These are fabulous suggestions Otch and I really appreciate it. Unfortunately, I live alone and have not been able to find anyone who is really willing to come over every day to help me train my dog. Believe me, I wish I could because I think it would make it a LOT easier! It's exactly what I need to keep him from constantly swinging around and doing the "butt dance". I've found that lots of training techniques really require 2 people and it's pretty frustrating.
 

SummerRiot

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#6
I'm sorry, but that groomer, IMO took advantage of you.

Because they physically coudln't do anything with your puppy, then you shuld have been refunded. Did you ask for a refund because they couldn't touch your dog?

At my old job (groomers), if we couldn't handle a dog because of certain issues - extreme aggresion.. then we wouldn't have them pay.

What the groomer could have done is ONLY if they book appointments ahead of time.. they could have charged you a slot fee.. where they could have potentially had another client in your spot.
 

Buddy'sParents

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#7
Hmm, sorry, I feel your frustration, but if *YOU* can not handle your dog, why would you take it to a complete stranger? Sounds like you have some serious work cut out for yourself. Good luck.
 

Brattina88

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#8
I agree with Summer and BP -- I think they should've called you if they were unable to work with him, though. Maybe they could've asked you to stay with the dog or something. $50?? What breed are we talking about? Even if your dog was groomed, 50 seems like a rip off to me! :p

If you told them the issues you were having, and they seriously said no problem, then . . . :confused:
 

SummerRiot

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#10
BP- sometimes dogs that aren't good with their owners, are better with complete strangers.

We had LOTS of clients come in with unruley dogs that wouldn't let their owners brush them and they were a gems for us to do anything with...

That is another reason WHY some people take their dogs to professional groomers, instead of sitting at home getting frustrated.
 

Charliesmommy

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#11
I was hoping he would do better with a stranger who (I thought) would have more experience in how to handle/calm an unruly dog. When I took him in I explained the problems I have trying to groom him and the lady said "oh, no problem, we deal with that all the time. He'll be fine". They didn't even bathe him, which is the one thing I AM able to do with him at home (although I end up just as wet as he does). I did ask for at least a partial refund and all they said was "sorry, that's not our policy". I would have understood if they had called me and said they couldn't do it and maybe kept $20 or so for their time but that was not the case.
 

Sweet72947

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#12
I worked at a groomer a long time ago (as a receptionist) and if we couldn't do your dog, we didn't charge you the money. Owners were usually still angry though that we couldn't finish their dogs. Sorry, I'd rather deal with the owner's anger than have the groomer dealing with the dog's teeth!
 
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#13
I was hoping he would do better with a stranger who (I thought) would have more experience in how to handle/calm an unruly dog. When I took him in I explained the problems I have trying to groom him and the lady said "oh, no problem, we deal with that all the time. He'll be fine". They didn't even bathe him, which is the one thing I AM able to do with him at home (although I end up just as wet as he does). I did ask for at least a partial refund and all they said was "sorry, that's not our policy". I would have understood if they had called me and said they couldn't do it and maybe kept $20 or so for their time but that was not the case.
You didn't state this in your original post otherwise I would have agreed that $50.00 was too much. I assumed that your dog was bathed but the coat not clipped...big difference. Sounds like you did get hosed and I would ask for some of my money back for sure.

I still think that they did the right thing not to force your dog through the grooming experience.
Groomers are not dog versed in canine behavior and unfortunately they often make the mistake of thinking that if they restrain a dog, the dog will somehow learn that next time he has to behave. In reality, what they've "taught" the dog is that he was right to be affraid and there starts the vicious cycle that often transfers to other experiences for the dog and the family. This has caused so many problems for both dogs and owners, believe me I see it all the time in private sessions.
 
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#14
Charliesmommy where are you at in Indiana? I'm in Lafayette and would be more than happy to help in any way that I can! I made Wrigley used to the brush before 3 months of age--and while I don't think he necessarily likes it (his tail goes down) he doesn't squirm or bite or get nervous.
 

Corgi_Mom23

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#16
It's true. Some terror dogs at home are just wonderful at the groomers. While some dogs that are sweeties at home are terrors to the groomer.

I was told once that part of it is caused by the elavation of a grooming table. Dog's seem to be calmer when they are brought to our level rather then when we go down to theirs.

I know this a stretch, but I've heard of it for grooming training and figured I'd offer it to you since you seem at the end of your rope here. There are some groomers that will rent out their tub and facility to you. I know one I went to, if the person said they had an unruly dog, we would let them rent the tub, crate, dryer, and grooming table as long as they signed a wavier provided by the insurance company saying you would not hold them responsible for anything that happened to you or your dog while using their facility. This helped unruly dogs get used to a grooming enviorment and being handled. Try seeing if any groomers around you offer these services.

Also, I wouldn't be mad at the groomer. It might be in their policy not to refund for unruly animals. Did you ask? If you didn't ask they may have thought you had the intention to let them keep it for their time and efforts.

And they may have thought they could handle as I'm sure they deal with upset animals all day. But seeing as you weren't there, you truly do not know how he reacted. He could have become aggressive or anything that put the groomers, and your puppy in danger.

I would be glad they didn't try if they saw a danger in it. But if you are really worried about the $50, then ask them of their refund policy.

((And depending on where you live $50 isn't that much. I know there's only one groomer in my town at my moment and she charges my fiance's family $50 to bath, clip nails, and do a regular coat trim (nothing fancy) on their toy poodle.))
 

Charliesmommy

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#17
I've thought about the elevation thing because I've heard that too. I have a big island in my kitchen that would be perfect, unfortunately I can't lift him up there! LOL!

And by the way, he did not get agressive. He was just "too hyper" (their words) and wanted to play, grab the brush, etc.
 

Doberluv

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#18
I would go back to the groomer and explain that you're going to work on desensatizing your dog so that when you bring him to them the next time, he'll cooperate nicely. Tell them you got some good advice on how to go about training him. Tell them that you apologize for his unruliness. Ask them, "Since you were unable to groom him but spent some time trying, would you be willing to refund some of my money?" This way, you are giving them the potential business in the future and they might give back some of it because if your dog is behaved, they would probably like you to return and tell your friends how reasonable they are, eh-hem. I don't think they should refund all of it. For one, they must have spent some of their time trying to get him to settle. And two, it was an appointment slot that could have otherwise been filled.

I loved Otch's advice and Dr2little's mention of the magic wand. In my place where I get my hair cut, she has a sign saying, "I'm a beautician, not a magician." LOL.

Take it slowly and do what Otch wrote out for you.

edited: OH...this is quite an old thread. What happened? Did you talk to them or just forget it? How's the training going? I hope better.
 

cata.m

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#19
i feel for you, but like others said, if you cant control him, why would others?...
but i do think it was a ripp off....cause they say they could do it ....and if they didnt complete the job (not even started it) they should have returned you the 50 bucks...
so in the end, yes, itçs more than ok for you to be mad at the groomer...
:D:D
 

wookie130

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#20
I too think a refund is in order.

They weren't able to provide the services you paid for, end of story.
 

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