PetsMart grooming...

I used to work for PetsMart as a groomer.  When I worked their, my coworkers were all more than competant (one now owns her own mobile grooming service and has to turn clients away!).  I was trained actually in high school to be a dog groomer (agricultural high school, my emphasis in studies was companion animal care).  I also learned more refined skills from working under the other groomers at PetsMart. 

Also, at least in my region, it is definately NOT standard procedure for groomers to sedate dogs.  We've groomed dogs that were sedated by their vet, but that should be done by a vet, not a groomer.  Any grooming place that sedates dogs/cats as standard practice, should have no place in the business. 

Also, at least in my region, it is definately NOT standard procedure for groomers to sedate dogs. We've groomed dogs that were sedated by their vet, but that should be done by a vet, not a groomer. Any grooming place that sedates dogs/cats as standard practice, should have no place in the business.

Here, we have a few groomers (one that's associated with a vet, two who aren't) who regularly sedate dogs for stupid stuff, like being "nippy". Most of these dogs are relatively easy to groom, if you take your time and talk to them.... It's pretty awful. They're risking LIVES.

ORIGINAL: jennie_c_d
Here, we have a few groomers (one that's associated with a vet, two who aren't) who regularly sedate dogs for stupid stuff, like being "nippy". Most of these dogs are relatively easy to groom, if you take your time and talk to them.... It's pretty awful. They're risking LIVES.

That's terrible.  In my years of grooming, I can count on one hand how many dogs I've had to muzzle (and that's for biting, not being just nippy).  I never liked grooming sedated dogs.  They need to be monitored extremely closly.  As far as I recall there were only two dogs that came into our shop sedated.  The reason both of them needed to be sedated was for the car ride....not actually for the grooming.  I'm sorry but dogs who need to be sedated are the exception not the norm.  It's dangerous to their health.  Yes some dogs are plain pains to groom, but there's humane ways of restraining dogs (even without a muzzle) and ya know you can talk to them too!  Any groomer who regularly sedates isn't worth beans.  Of course that's just my opinion!

I have been grooming for both Petco and PetSmart and have had some mistakes in my years of learning.  I have even owned my own business and grew there as a person and a groomer.  Now I'm back with PetSmart and I here what you guys are saying.  Its not always the company's fault on how their groomers groom.  But its it their fault if they don't try to rectify the problems.  I am hoping to change the image of our store locations to one like the ma and pa shops.  I am big on make sure everyone one is happy even the dog. 
 
When I was independant I have a gaint Schnuazer that I do.  When he went to another place they would sedate him the minute he walk in the door.  I have never had a big problem with him even on heavy dematting.  For me sedating should be done at a vets office not a groomers.
 
Just wanted to put in my two sents and say Hi 
 
 

PetsMart is awesome with grooming. My only complaint is it doesn't take as long as they tell you, so I kind of lurk around and ask if my baby is done. She's not used to being crated.

I think if I found out that the goomer was sedating my dog I'd be looking for a new goomer - like yesterday.

Joyce

I would never let a groomer sedate my dog.  That should only be done under the supervision of a vet because things can happen (not good things).  Here in Conn. its illegal for a groomer to sedate.

ORIGINAL: jarrellsa

PetsMart is awesome with grooming. My only complaint is it doesn't take as long as they tell you, so I kind of lurk around and ask if my baby is done. She's not used to being crated.

Back when I was grooming we tended to over estimate the time it took.  This was for several reasons.  One:  a dog whose appt. was before hand may have taken longer than expected.  Two if the dog brought in is nervous we'd like to take our time with the dog as much as possible to relax them.  Plus, sometimes we get distracted.  Or my favorite:  a customer would walk in with a skunked dog so all other dogs were set aside so we could groom that one asap lol!  There were other reasons as well.  Mostly though the earliest I'd finish a dog was maybe 15 ish  minutes before the quoted time.  On busy days, sometimes I was even running maybe 5 minutes behind. 

As a groomer I see people making their dogs more frightened when they bring them into the shop. If the dog is a little nervous the owners get all comcerned and start oh poor puppy attitude. This the absolute wrong thing to do our dogs take our cues from us if we act like something is wrong or scary they think Wow if mom thinks this is bad it must be awful. At my shop we tell the people with nervous dogs, just say see you later and walk out of the door with confidence. As soon as the owner leaves the dog goes right back with us and is just fine. Also when the dog is picked up the same thing applies. For instance, if yourdog had to be shaved down and maybe that is not what you wanted, the dogs does not know the difference until he/she gets your reaction. If everytime you pick him up you dont't act like you like the way he looks he will be unhappy. I change the haircut on my poodle all the time and sometimes I end up not liking the change, but I never let him know that I just wait for it to grow out.