Hi All,

I want to take Nando to a professional groomer as although I groom him daily I want someone really experienced in the hope that some of his coat blowing will be reduced!

When it comes down to it I'm not 100% sure I trust anyone with him! His size and age combined mean he can be a bit of a handful. I just wish his walker was a professional groomer.

How do you go about finding a good grooming shop?

word of mouth.

word of mouth.  Be very careful.  I know terrible groomers who have no care about the dogs and the stress they feel.  Shouts and kicks cages when they bark, etc, awful person.
I tend to get the big 'uns.  I think it's my large breed experience? But I love the big dogs.  I would rather bathe a GSD than clip a bichon(no offence!).
Pity I'm not closer! A teenage, mouthy GSD is right up my street.

I do feel for you, I was a groomer for 30 years, always did my own dogs too.  My daughter now has her own salon and due to illness I can't always do my own dogs so I send them to her.  I trust her 100% and I taught her everything she knows especially the kindness and compassion she shows to all her clients both dogs and people.  Am I nervous letting my babies to to be groomed?  You bet I am, and I can't wait until they are home again, house is empty and sad without them and I am a wreck.  After all the years where owners entrusted me with their dogs I now know what it is like!!  I imagine I will get used to it but I do feel for you, and I would have thought you were being silly when I was a groomer, see the shoe is on the other foot now!  I must be nuts..

I wouldn't have thought it being all that common to take a GSD to the groomers? I would assume the coat is quite similar to Malinois coats (GSD being a bit longer probably), so yes I know how dreadfully they can moult! I have two looking awful at the moment. There's two things I'd recommend: 1. Get a Furminator. That will bring out a LOT more undercoat than any other brush or comb. Check on Ebay as you get them much cheaper there. I could not live without mine and my vet says the same! 2. Bath Nando and brush him whilst really wet in the bath, that will remove a LOT of loose fur in one go. A lot more than when groomed dry.

I was recommended my groomer by a vet who also uses her. Word of mouth is definitely the way to go. And dont make the mistake that others do of ignoring someone who has something negative to say about a groomer. Its not worth taking the risk. One bad experience can scar a dog for life

I'm a groomer; my boss and I are each 5 3" but we handle Rotties, Shepherds, Dobes, etc. with ease. You just need to know what motivates them and they're putty in your hands! I would definately go by word of mouth, some groomers are horrific and give no concern whatsoever to how long the dog stays at the salon, their welfare whilst waiting, and in general can be very impatient with dogs. I've heard of some groomers smacking dogs to make them behave, etc. Disgusting if you ask me!

Marianne, you'd be surprised, we get a lot of Labs, Staffs, GSDs etc because they moult so much. A good bath and going over with a high-velocity dryer can take out so much coat. We regularly have to brush the walls!

> Marianne, you'd be surprised, we get a lot of Labs, Staffs, GSDs etc because they moult so much. A good bath and going over with a high-velocity dryer can take out so much coat

And if they are anything like my dog they will enjoy the pamper and walk with their head held a little higher when they come out knowing how gorgeous they look! All breeds deserve a treat :-)

Thanks for all your advice! I will have to ask other GSD owners in the area. I knew he'd shed a lot more and have it brushed out when wet, which is why I want someone else to do it! Lol

Got my GSD booked in next week for his twice yearly bath and blast. I used to do it myself but I got older and it was more of a pain with an upstairs bathroom and less availability of daughter to help. I take him to a groomer I know and she is quite happy that I stay and chat while she is doing him - I can also help lifting him onto the table for drying (42 Kg !)

Was talking to my groomer about chosing a groomer. Apart from word of mouth I also like to know about any qualifications and experience .I know of a few round here who arnt trained at all and wouldnt be happy personally. Also I would like to stay with my dog for a bit to see how  they get on with the person grooming or as tatty-ead said I have stayed throughout partlly in the beginning for my reassurance and partly to help/ yep Whispa is around 42kg so an extra pair of hands is useful. Mia just needs reasurance form me she can be abit nervy
I also dont like the drying cabinets so for me that was a no no/. Again my lady respects that.
I would also like to know when my dog is finished are they crated how many dogs does she have around at one time and how does she keep them safe from each other.
My lady happens to work from home and has one dog in at a time or puts one in another room if she has one stay a bit after its finished unkess the two dogs normally live together
I stll have bad feelings about a groomer I previously used who i heard bad things about afterwards as I had not thoroughly checked things .
I agree with waggamama I have heard similar stories ,def things to look out for
Have found having them done well worth the money particulary where Whispa is concerned.
Having used the same lady afew times now I can also tell by the way the dogs bounce in that they are happy with her.

Word of mouth is best, I get most of my clients from that these days, though when we first moved in I found the ad in the village newsletter very handy for attracting customers. If you know other GSD owners that would be the way to go. :-)

I've just had a bit of a lightbulb moment!  A well known GSD breeder has a grooming salon not too far from my house that I could take him too. If anyone is experienced with GSDs, it will be Ann Ridyard.

I have used a mobile groomer. great as they come to your house so you can stay with the dog all the time if you want. less hassle than dropping off and collecting too

Goldmali, do the furminators not cut the coat?  I've heard these are good but I don't want to try one if it's cutting coat.  I use an undercoat rake at the minute but I would like to try one of these if they are better.  Any clues?

To OP, Take your dog to the groomers and see how they act with the dog.  I have a bad habit of forgetting owners but I can remember dogs names/birthdays from years ago!!lol.  See if the groomer acts natural and see how your dog feels about the groomer.  Go with your gut.