Can you trust your dog groomer? Snuggles got snuffed! Grooming misidentity leads to dog's demise FL When a customer picked up the wrong dog at a dog grooming business, things went from bad to worse quickly... [Tampa Bay's 10 WTSP]

It is not uncommon for mishaps to occur at a dog grooming salon. I take these precautions when I leave a dog at a groomers:

• Leave the dog with a trusted groomer (get to know your groomer and establish a friendship).
• Check out the premises... if they are dirty or disorganized, flea before your dog ends up with fleas or worse.
• Before leaving your dog at a salon, stop by and observe it during its regular operation. Are the staff friendly or harried and worried and angry? I will never take my dog to one salon which was attached to a pet supply store: a staff member very calmly related to me how he hit a chow chow dog really hard ... (he had been bitten). Whether or not a dog bites does not excuse hitting a dog. And the fact that I had my dog (a chow) with me didn't deter him from relating that story. Our dog actually threw up after the man walked away... (and I felt like it)
• Does the staff take a survey, making sure your dog is vaccinated and up-to-date on its shots? Do they ask about medical conditions? One of our dogs has had two total hip replacements; he is very uncomfortable when the water is too hot or cold, because his titanium implants transfer the water's temperature directly into his legs. Do they ask about your dog's behavior? A good salon wants to know your dog BEFORE they take it in for grooming.
• Is the groomer professionally qualified to groom your dog, or just someone who picked up some shears and learned on the job. Dog grooming is much more difficult than it looks.
• I never leave our dogs at a busy, busy operation, no matter how much I trust the groomer. I'm content to wait until the groomer has a slow day. I'd rather pay more for a happy dog, who hasn't been slammed around by hurried staff. A long-haired dog or double-coated dog requires extra time..
• We take our dogs to the Humane Society's dog grooming services where the groomer has 18 years of experience, in addition to years of training and teaching. That way, we help the Humane Society and we enjoy the best of services...

Permalink:    Please comment   
Index of published posts for Dog News | Dog News: weird, inspiring dog tales | Dog News: weird, inspiring dog tales | Information for the Courts, District Attorneys and Judges | PETA :: Media Center :: Factsheets | Re: Dog injury | MetroPets Newsroom: Issues: Dog Labs: Medical Miseducation | FindLaw: When a Dog Has a Bad Hair Day - Attorney, Attorneys | Pet Dog & Cat Groomer Menus for Grooming Industry | HelpingAnimals.com > Resources > Factsheets