Looking for a New Groomer......

i'd also ask for referals...

and i would try asking less questions at first just to see how willing they are to explain things to you. it's usually a big plus in any type of costumer service.

janetmichel3009

i'd also ask for referals..

Agreed. If people are extremely happy or unhappy, they'll usually have something to say about it!!

I wouldn't necessarily ask questions, per se. For things I *specifically* do not want done, I would say, 'I do not want you to muzzle Jack. He is not comfortable with a gentle leader, and I think he'd be extremely upset by a muzzle. If you are having trouble doing *abc* (trimming nails, whatever) please *xyz* (call me, let him take a break, skip it and do it next time)' I'd say something similar about the bandanas, too.

Also, I'd look for a smaller shop, with only one or two groomers and bathers. Not saying anything bad about the big places, but I think with less people, there's less of a chance of your instructions being misheard or miscommunicated.

Megan is absolutely right -- smaller shop.  Everything you say essentially has to be boiled down and written on "his card".  I've never yet seen a groomer who didn't work that way until they know the dog UNBELIEVABLY well.

So you just say "No bandana -- NOT EVER, he'll eat it.  Just NO bandana"

Don't bother to elaborate why as much -- *You* are paying for it, you are the customer, they please you.  You don't need to justify -- you pay!!

Just say "no dryer cage".  Amen.  He's a lab - it's not going to take a hour for them to blow dry and curl him!

I have a zillion specifications for Billy and Kee (imagine that?  ME?? FUSSY??? *rolling eyes*).

At this point I have built a relationship with a specific groomer and we like her (BILLY likes her and Muffin loved her too) so well that I've followed her to several grooming shops.  I always request that Marilyn does my dogs and no one else.  I bring the shampoo I want her to use and the essential oil I want added to the rinse water.  Me fussy?  YOU BET. 

No perfume (I have asthma) -- but tough.  My dog, and you do it the way I want or I won't be back and I'll have your hide in the meanwhile. 

 When I walk in I'd say 'Show me your crates please?' -- and if they don't want you to see I'd leave.  If they ask you what you're so interested in, then I'd say "I realize he may be larger than many of your clients -- I want to see that he's going to be in a crate big enough for him.

In other words -- don't so much 'ask' as 'tell'.  Or ask to be shown.  The instructions you dictate will be written on cards and that's how they'll do this dog every time (usually that's how they do it). 

I sometimes make an appt JUST to have everyone's nails done. In fact, I usually will have them to the other dog's nails when I have Billy groomed.  I usually only have Kee done about every other time I have Billy done - he's more frequent because the skin gets ratty if the coat gets long and holds moisture.

So you leave them there once ... and if it's not good, or if he's a nervous wreck when you pick him up don't go back.

The problem with bigger places is - altho they may be cheaper you have no control over the individual groomer.  And they may do it as an assembly line - one person washes the dog, they get put in a crate/cage and another person dries and other person 'grooms'.

Now -- if it makes a difference, I also tip, and frankly I tip BIG.  Marilyn is probably the most important person in my dog's live other than the vet, and honestly SHE can make less problems for us because if his groom is done well it minimizes skin problems.

ALSO -- at this point she very much has my dog's best interests in mind -- yesterday she said to me "Billy seems sad -- everything ok?  He was not at ease today" -- and we TALKED about it.  Also -- there have been times when *she* pointed out things to me like a sore ear, a "bump" or something. 

So yeah -- I tip.  20% or better.  They earn it!

I think the list is reseasonable and mostly all things I've asked too.  It shouldn't be an issue if you don't want a bandana--I always request no cologne because it makes Willow's eyes tear.  But, even though they might or might not have a card or info written on her I always remind them when I drop her off.  I also know a lot of places have those dryers but the heating element is not on so it just blows room temp air.  But, the place Willow goes too, they don't put short haired dogs in those anyway.

Also, you can bring your own shampoo if you want. 

And, I'd ask more about how long between bath and grooming because that's where Willow's longest wait is.  The bather takes her right away and then the wait is for the groomer. 

Lori

Also, most places don't want to muzzle for grooming.  Willow has never been muzzled and you know how she is. 

If he's giving a hard time about nails or ears they shouldn't be forcing him.  But, let them know that you are OK with it if they need to stop.  I did that and they were so relieved that I said that because some people don't care and just want it done and get upset when it isn't. 

Your questions are good, however the no-table request would not go over with me so well.  When I groom labs, 50% of the groom does take place IN the tub.  Besides the actual bath, I de-shed, trim nails, clean ears, and express anal glands if necessary  BUT, I rarely dry dogs in the tub, so the other 50% of the groom is HVing on a stationary grooming table.  Unless the dog is a crazy hooligan, I won't do it any other way.

OT:  Lori, how did your groomer sittuation resolve?  Or did it?  I never saw an update, more thank likely I missed it though.

 I would invite you in and show you everything. I do it every day. This is the cage your dog will be in. Here is my cage dryer. Would you like to feel the air. Here is the table, and no, I don't *have* to put him on it, but I prefer to (it's easier on the groomer AND the dog). No bandana? No problem.

Most of the dogs that I do have special requests. If the groomer won't show you their cages, I wouldn't leave him. Back in the day, I took Emma in to a groomer to be hand stripped (because I didn't know how). I asked to see their facility and meet her groomer. I was not allowed, so she came back home and didn't get stripped that day. I have nothing to hide, in my shop. I don't ever want anybody to feel like they're taking their dog to a "dungeon" to be groomed.

I had been in the back before but our groomers Christmas parties are always right there at the shop and it's like a big open house where all the mom's and dad's get to see where the dogs are. 

And I agree that if they won't let you see every square inch of the facility, don't leave your pet there. I wouldn't!

i know this thread is old, but i had to add one thing, and i always have to when i see people say this.

dont always assume that a groomer has a room full of weapons in the back and thats why they wont show it to you. a lot of insurance policies one could have for a business would be that no person not employed by the business can be in certain areas. so unless you happened to luck into a place that is one big room, you are more than likely going to have rooms, not a room. so if they dont allow you in the back, as them why, if its a liability issue, then that shouldnt be the groomer's fault. i only add this b.c people wanted to see the back of the petco i worked at,but if my manager were to walk by with an owner in the back room, i would have been fired on the spot. i have known several private salons to have similar policies.