I have booked my 2 springers in to be groomed next week and I am worried about how they will be, one of them can be a bit nippy at times and as they have never been done before I am worried this might happen if they are scared, does anyone know how they do all the work they need on dogs when they groom as I am sure mine are not the only dogs that hate hairdryers etc.

Ok i think i can help here, i run my own parlour, however each place does it differently!

step one- the dog is usually trimmed and clipped (if they are going to be clipped),

step two- the dog is usually bathed,

step three- the groomer will usually use a power pac which is like a backwards hoover, it basically blasts all the excess water off, if the dog doesnt like this im sure they will towel dry him,

step four- the dog is usally placed in a cabnit dryer which is basiclaly like a double crate with warm air,
step five- the dog is dryed throughly, and retrimmed and/ or clipped and nails are done!

thats it! sorry about the spelling, im in a rush! hope that helps let me know how you get on, good luck, and as for the nipping, if it gets to bad the dog will be muzzled, however most groomers usually have the "knack" of bringing a snappy dog around, just warn them first!
Vikki

I left the Dogmatic (Halti type thing) on Hudson the first time he went to the groomers as I *know* he hates being brushed and bathed and I thought it would give them a bit more control over him :D However ..apart from making LOTS of noise , he was fine...the groomer was fantastic with him . He has been once more since then and was a lot better behaved

HTH

Melody :)

It's ok Sandie - are they used to you brushing them and washing them?
If the groomers are good they will not take any nonsense [in a kind way of course] and if the dogs are scared initially they should soon settle down. It's like any socialisation with machines and other people - they get used to it especially if you go back to the same person and don't leave it too long between visits.
Most groomers don't like you to hang around and watch - but if you are worried maybe you can ask if it is ok to stay. Ask the groomer to give them treats etc if they are good like you would.
My little one goes to the Pets at Home Salon - I myself was scared of the dryers - but his first time was fine except like most boys he didn't like his bum being touched and got a bit growly. The same lady always does him and now he knows her he is relaxed and it has also made it easier for me to brush him which I do on a daily basis - especially his tail which I used to approach with trepidation.
He also loves the social scene there - all the other dogs getting their hair done, its like a Paris Salon. He came with me to my Hairdresser on Saturday and also loved that I was having the same thing done. .

good luck they will be fine
Cissy

Hi Sandy, I took my mini schnauzer to the groomers for the first time 2 weeks ago. He was 4 months old. Prior to this, I had bathed him a number of times which he just about tolerated. Grooming I found difficult because he wanted to bite the brush- he too is a bit nippy. The good news is that with strangers, my mini seems to go into statue form and doesn't move. He's like this with the vet. I didn't know what to expect at the groomers - I thought I would be able to watch, probably just as well that I didn't. 3 hours later he came out looking magnificent and smelling wonderful. The groomer said that he had been really good and he didn't seem very phased by the experience. If your groomer is experienced, they know exactly what to do, so try to relax and leave them in capable hands. Good luck.

I also groom dogs and have found that although some owners prefer to stay and watch this can often make a dog nervous/play up, which it wouldn't do if the owner wasn't there!!!. This makes it more stressful for the dog :(.
I take it as a great compliment when an owner who has been too nervous/protective to leave actually decides they now trust me enough to leave the dog and come back later. On the other hand as an owner I would be exactly the same and wouldn't want to leave so I do understand how you feel :) The best way to cope is to try and get personal recommendations, from family,friends etc.. so you feel confident of the groomer.

Hope this helps

I have a wonderful groomer that comes to my home, she has been clipping my Mini Schnauzer for all his 8 yrs now and he loves her...he knows her name and he knows she gives him a chew stick after :)

I prefere her to come to my house as i heard of many horror storys about groomers (i know they are not all like that) but this way i can watch and chat to her while she does him in my home.

I suppose it is different if you want them washed and pampered but i only wash my dog when he NEEDS it so he may have 2-3 grooms before he is washed again.

Roxanne