dog grooming gone wrong

lisa_celtic

As a lot of ye will know I have an 11 month old yorkie now I will admit he was a bit matted but I asked for a puppy cut and a groomer just shaved him head to toe

What would you do?

Il post oics in a few minutes

newbie2

If he's matted then a shave is probably the best thing for him. It wont be long until it grows back - at that stage you can groom away...

ABajaninCork

Nothing. If the dog was very matted, then the kindest thing would be to just get the clippers and strip him out. A lot of people who have long haired dogs don't realise this is the reason why the groomer appears to be 'clip happy'! To try to de-mat the dog would be painful and cruel.

As newbie2 says, it won't take long for his coat to grow back. As it grows, get a decent slicker and a terrier brush. You should aim to brush the dog out at least every other day. It'll distribute the oils in the coat, get rid of loose hair, and keep the mats down.

Result? A happier, less stressed dog and happier groomer!

Shaving is the only way for mats, they did the right thing. Think about it as starting afresh. This way you can prevent the mats by brushing him etc...

lisa_celtic

Might explain why I'm upset

ABajaninCork

Do you want me to be honest? It's not crime of the century, but the dog DOES look pretty matted in the first photo. I can see that the beard and the chest area don't look too good. If you ask me, the groomer did a good job tidying him up. His fur will grow back nicely and he'll look and feel a lot better.

How often was the dog brushed before you took him in?

baby and crumble

We used to keep our Yorkies hair much like in the 2nd photo, because it was so hard to keep her from getting matted- she was a proper country dog and was always getting into hedges and what have you. I quite like the look of the 2nd photo, and as other posters have said if the dogs hair was matted, the only way to go was shaving. You need to groom yorkies a lot, at least every 2nd day if you want to keep their hair any way long.

ISDW

What would a puppy cut be? i.e., what were you expecting?

FoxyVixen

A puppy cut is like a tight clip, common with Bichons and other small dogs. Will see if google throws up an image.

Can't find any decent images, but this link gives the best description I can find

http://www.superpages.com/supertips/what-is-a-puppy-cut.html

anniehoo

lisa_celtic wrote: »

Might explain why I'm upset

Its hard to see in the first pic what she was like before. But, i genuinely dont see what the problem is with the second one. I love seeing a spring/summer groomed dog.:D As long as its done well,with a specific cut related to the breed coat, then she looks fab to me.

ABajaninCork

I clip my Shih Tzu right down in the summer, using a No.5 on the body. I still find mats even though he's brushed daily (trust me to have a furball! ). He looks great, and is much happier with a nice short coat.

Winter time, I use a 3.75 blade. Still keeps him nice and tidy, even though I have to clip monthly, but the coat's left to grow a little longer. I keep mine in a puppy clip for the winter, and a teddy bear for the summer.

baby and crumble

ABajaninCork wrote: »

I clip my Shih Tzu right down in the summer, using a No.5 on the body. I still find mats even though he's brushed daily (trust me to have a furball! ). He looks great, and is much happier with a nice short coat.

Winter time, I use a 3.75 blade. Still keeps him nice and tidy, even though I have to clip monthly, but the coat's left to grow a little longer. I keep mine in a puppy clip for the winter, and a teddy bear for the summer.

I have no idea what this is but it sounds ADORABLE!

kinkygirl

OP, I see nothing wrong in the 'after' photo. Our princess (JR x) would look like Cousin It from The Addams Family, if we didn't have her groomed regularly.
She looks pretty much like your fur baby (in pic. 2) after she's been groomed.
She loves her beauty parlour sessions, and it's obvious that she feels so much better when she's had a haircut.

Cedrus

Another issue with matting is that sores and rashes can develop underneath because even they cannot get under to clean themselves. One of my fellas can get quite bad under his front legs (his armpits) between grooming visits if I’m not careful. But, he hates being combed and I hate using scissors near such a wriggler so there’s an incentive to keep on top of it.

ekevosu

I think the second picture looks great. Apart from the matting issue, it can be a refreshing change for you and the dog for a while. My bichon has got it done a few times. Makes washing her do much easier as well.

Kinzig

Its a good job imo, and the dog will feel the better for it..which is the main thing..

Knine

While I agree a dog with mats might need areas of coat cut off, many groomers are not qualified and don't know how to do anything else other then shave a dog.

I was asked during the week if a Border Terriers coat was stripped too short by a novice owner after it had been left into a groomers. The bloody groomer had shaved off the dogs lovely coat. Disgraceful to do that to a hand stripped breed and very lazy. I see it all the time. It will take a long long time for that dogs coat to recover.

I would advise anyone bringing their dog to a groomer to get their request in writing.

I groom all my own.

kylith

Other than being fractionally shorter, which was probably because of the mats, that looks like a pretty standard puppy cut.

ABajaninCork

baby and crumble wrote: »

I have no idea what this is but it sounds ADORABLE!

I'm not very good at explaining, but a 'teddy bear' cut is where the dog's head ,beard and back is kept longish. The body is cut shorter, and the legs are scissored rather than clipped. I'll try to find a pic of a teddy bear cut for you. And yes, my boy does look nice with one!

Knine wrote: »

While I agree a dog with mats might need areas of coat cut off, many groomers are not qualified and don't know how to do anything else other then shave a dog.

I was asked during the week if a Border Terriers coat was stripped too short by a novice owner after it had been left into a groomers. The bloody groomer had shaved off the dogs lovely coat. Disgraceful to do that to a hand stripped breed and very lazy. I see it all the time. It will take a long long time for that dogs coat to recover.

I would advise anyone bringing their dog to a groomer to get their request in writing.

I groom all my own.

This is true. But, looking at the second picture, the standard of the cut is very good IMO. Looks like a proper job has been done.

I don't want to be harsh, but if the OP was unhappy with what has been done, then the first course of action would be to speak to the groomer to find out what has been done and why. I suspect (and the OP even admits) the dog was too matted to be brushed out and that's why he was stripped out. I'm surprised the groomer did not tell her that.

Now that the dog's been stripped out, the coat will be far easier to maintain. If the OP wants the dog kept long, then she should aim to brush him at least every other day.

westies4ever

my westies usually get the teddy bear cut, but their last groom they were practically shaved - thats after the winter and they were a bit matted from wet weather etc.

they love being shaved - you can tell they feel really comfortable and are so much happier. I just get the groomer to leave a bit of a beard on their faces so they look like themselves.

I do brush them regularly but some matts are unavoidable (given that my two love jumping in rivers and running through the woods) and I'd rather they were shaved rather then having the matts pulled and causing them pain.

Dont be too annoyed op.

wolfpawnat

I had Yorkies for years, one still lives with my mother. The first few "Puppy Cuts" are like this. They have a downy like puppy coat that is very easily matted no matter how much you groom them, one walk outdoors, bam, matts galore! A close shave to get rid of the black puppy fur and show up the sleeker silver that is more associated with the adult coat is recommended for the dogs comfort. It is a shock when you return from the groomers the first time. Your little fuzz ball is now more terrier looking and it is a lot to get used to, but that is the pet Yorkie look. Show Yorkies are obviously different.

Start grooming the adult fur every second day to ensure minimal matts and remember their little under arms are a terrible area of sore matts!!!! It is also a great bonding experience. My two loved it! They got excited at the brush. It also means that come the next groom, you can request a longer cut too as opposed to a close shave if their fur is not matted.

ABajaninCork

Ha! I wish mine loved the brush. I've solved the problem though. He has to be bribed with treats now. He'll sit quietly whilst I brush him, take out the mats, clean his teeth and beard. Then he trots out to the kitchen after me and looks at the table where I keep his treats...

And they say Shih Tzu are stupid?

wolfpawnat

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Ha! I wish mine loved the brush. I've solved the problem though. He has to be bribed with treats now. He'll sit quietly whilst I brush him, take out the mats, clean his teeth and beard. Then he trots out to the kitchen after me and looks at the table where I keep his treats...

That was the way I did it with mine too. They hated the brushes at the beginning. Baring teeth and nipping at them, but positive reinforcement is a great thing! And Shih-Tzu's are not stupid, they are well able to figure out how to get what they want!

kylith

Not stupid, but stubborn, I'd say!

meoklmrk91

As someone who has done grooming OP I think you are being a little hard on the groomer, we used to get some rediculous requests, for instance to brush out a shih tzu that was one big mat, the owner didn't want him clipped at all, it would a literally taken a couple of days to do this and it would be unbelievably cruel, so we rang the owner and clipped him. I have also found severe cuts and skin complaints underneath mats.

Some owners expect groomers to wave a magic wand and fix it but sometimes it just isn't fee sinks or fair to the dog, especially when the only time they see a brush is when they go to the groomers every 6 months to a year.

jjdub1

If it's the first time you got him groomed it can be a bit of a shock because they can look so different but if he was matted it's the best thing for him.

I can't wait to have my one done like that and I'll be doing it a few times betweeen now and September to keep him trim Just waiting for it to get a little milder. He's a long haired chihuahua and I clip him right back - the difference being that he just looks like a short haired chi and not one that has been obviously clipped. I can barely get his collar around his neck at this stage with the mane on him.

username123

I think the dog looks gorgeous post groom! Totally adorable. I would be delighted if I arrived to collect my dog and he appeared like that, so cute!

Op, you're completely over-reacting. The groomer did what was required, you just need to make sure you look after your dog better so he's not matted in the future...

ABajaninCork

kylith wrote: »

Not stupid, but stubborn, I'd say!

Oh yes! His Highness hears what he wants to hear, and does what he wants (well he tries to anyway)!!

DeltaWhite

My Yorkie had to be shaved like that on her first groom because their hair is so fine and it matts easily. Also not washing shampoo out of their hair properly causes matting. The groomer was dead right and it's like a fresh start for their hair. You have to brush them daily to stop it from matting so I think he/she did you a favour by cutting it like that!

Lima Golf

If it makes you feel any better I had to have the same done to my maltese. He was getting very matted so the groomer shaved him right down. It took about 3 months to grow to a length where he looked normal but he didn't seem to mind! Here's a before and after shot

Lima Golf

Lima Golf wrote: »

If it makes you feel any better I had to have the same done to my maltese. He was getting very matted so the groomer shaved him right down. It took about 3 months to grow to a length where he looked normal but he didn't seem to mind! Here's a before and after shot

Absolutely adorable! My girlfriend wants a maltese (female!) to go alongside our American Akita! I'm not sure how that one is going to pan out...

DeltaWhite

Lima Golf wrote: »

If it makes you feel any better I had to have the same done to my maltese. He was getting very matted so the groomer shaved him right down. It took about 3 months to grow to a length where he looked normal but he didn't seem to mind! Here's a before and after shot

SO CUTE!!!

JustAThought

OP I see what you mean.

How much is a ( your ) groom - e60?

For that kind of money I would be expecting a brush out & time & effort spent on it - not a shave to save time for the groomer .

I would also be expecting the groomer to call me if there was a problem - like they couldn't get through the knots - and to ask before they just did a dog-shave.

However it may be that the dogs coat was too matted to get through it.

I'd certainly be bringing an image if what I did & didn't want in future to other groomers.

: (

Let's hope it grows back quickly.

Irishchick

JustAThought wrote: »

For that kind of money I would be expecting a brush out & time & effort spent on it - not a shave to save time for the groomer .

It's not about saving time! It's about saving the poor dog from sitting on a table for hours having knots pulled from it's body!

No decent groomer who cares about animal welfare will do this. If an owner let's a dog get matted to stage where it needs to be shaved then they don't reallt care about the dog's coat so why spend hours torturing the dog when it will only end up the same way in 6 weeks time?

It's much kinder to just shave so they have clean slate to work with. Then at least the owner can be persuaded to brush the dog regularly and take care of it's coat properly.

On a side note I really don't know why people get these types of long haired dog's if they're not going to be bothered brushing it regularly to keep it matt free.

ABajaninCork

Couldn't agree more Irishchick. When I was learning to groom, it always amazed me how some owners of long-haired breeds expect their animals to look a certain way, but are too lazy or ignorant to put in the work. It only takes 10 mins tops, every other day to keep the mats down. But they won't even do that. Then they hit the roof when the groomer has to reach for the clippers...

Just a Thought - Did you look at the photos of the OP's dog, especially the first one? Did you notice the dog was very matted? And did you know the dog's only 11 months? If the groomer 'spent time brushing out the mats 'as you expect', the poor animal would be traumatised and terrified to go to the groomer as it would be too painful for his baby skin to get the mats out. A knotbreaker would need to be used. I suspect THAT is the reason why the clippers were used.

When I say this, I am NOT having a go at the OP. I wanted to make that clear. The lady might be feeling a bit persecuted though as I notice she's not been back to this thread, I do hope not though as we've given our opinions and tried to help.

Lima Golf

Irishchick wrote: »

On a side note I really don't know why people get these types of long haired dog's if they're not going to be bothered brushing it regularly to keep it matt free.

I have to disagree a little with this. I brush my maltese every day. He's well used to it and sits still for me because he knows he'll get something nice when I'm done but even at that there is still the occasional matting incident. He's got a cottony type coat, not silky and it knots easily. He's an active dog and is taken walking every day in the park, which he loves but gets mud, leaves and twigs caught in his hair quite often (my other half calls him Velcro dog as everything sticks to him ) so I believe unless you keep them indoors all the time and well brushed it's pretty much impossible to keep long haired dogs mat free. I have had to have him shaved once so far because of matting and despite my best efforts brushing with good quality brushes and dematters, I don't think it will be the last.

ABajaninCork

I agree with Lima Golf too. My dog has a thick double coat, which mats very easily especially behind his ears. This is despite being brushed every other day, and keeping his coat relatively short. He too gets dirty and matted as he loves four mile walkies going into every kind of crap known to man. Everything sticks to him as he's low to the ground, being a small dog. He was bathed yesterday, and you'd swear I was killing him!

And yes. He has to be bribed with treats for me to groom him. Dog's not silly. He thinks because he's done his part, I should do mine. Get his treats. NOW!!

Mo60

Lima Golf wrote: »

I have to disagree a little with this. I brush my maltese every day. He's well used to it and sits still for me because he knows he'll get something nice when I'm done but even at that there is still the occasional matting incident. He's got a cottony type coat, not silky and it knots easily. He's an active dog and is taken walking every day in the park, which he loves but gets mud, leaves and twigs caught in his hair quite often (my other half calls him Velcro dog as everything sticks to him ) so I believe unless you keep them indoors all the time and well brushed it's pretty much impossible to keep long haired dogs mat free. I have had to have him shaved once so far because of matting and despite my best efforts brushing with good quality brushes and dematters, I don't think it will be the last.

I agree entirely with this post - I have 3 dogs that get matted, 2 bichons and a crossbreed, because I give them the freedom of the garden to play. I brush them regularly but sometimes have to give them a shave because they roll in the grass and sometimes in the mud.

As for someones previous post regarding giving opinions on this forum, I feel there is a right and wrong way. Being polite does not hurt anyone but some people just seem to think berating people is the way to go. Maybe this is the reason the OP and many others do not return.

Irishchick

Lima Golf wrote: »

even at that there is still the occasional matting incident..

Then you are not brushing him correctly. These dog's need to line groomed every other day with groomer quality brushes.

The next time you go to the groomer ask him/her to show you how to line groom your dog.

If you do this over the dog's entire body then it will not become matted. simple as that.

Knine

Irishchick wrote: »

Then you are not brushing him correctly. These dog's need to line groomed every other day with groomer quality brushes.

The next time you go to the groomer ask him/her to show you how to line groom your dog.

If you do this over the dog's entire body then it will not become matted. simple as that.

I agree with Irishchick. I have lots of friends with dogs with show standard coats. I can assure you these dogs live very full lives when not being shown. Some breeders do wrap up coats but that is more to prevent coat breaking then matting.

I would not get a coated breed and then shave it unless it was elderly or for medical reasons. If I was not into daily grooming I would get a short coated breed. If groomed properly the coat should not mat. Of course there will be a lot of dogs sold on various websites who don't resemble the breed they are supposed to be and therefore will bemuch harder to groom as their coat may not be the correct texture.

Mo60

Knine wrote: »

I agree with Irishchick. I have lots of friends with dogs with show standard coats. I can assure you these dogs live very full lives when not being shown. Some breeders do wrap up coats but that is more to prevent coat breaking then matting.

I would not get a coated breed and then shave it unless it was elderly or for medical reasons. If I was not into daily grooming I would get a short coated breed. If groomed properly the coat should not mat. Of course there will be a lot of dogs sold on various websites who don't resemble the breed they are supposed to be and therefore will bemuch harder to groom as their coat may not be the correct texture.

The 2 bichons and the crossbreed I have are all rescues, but where they were originally bought I do not think is relevant. I only have to shave on rare occasions, but one tends to get matted because he is not too fond of being groomed regularly.

DBB

Mo60 wrote: »

As for someones previous post regarding giving opinions on this forum, I feel there is a right and wrong way. Being polite does not hurt anyone but some people just seem to think berating people is the way to go. Maybe this is the reason the OP and many others do not return.

Whilst I agree with the sentiment here, there has not been a single post reported on this thread since it started over a week ago.
I didn't note anything out of line in a quick scan through it either.
If anyone has a problem with a post, report it. Please don't do nothing and then grouse about it on thread.
Do not reply to this post on thread.
Thanks,
DBB

lisa_celtic

Just had a read through all of the thread.

I would just like to say that chewbacca is a spoilt rotten, well looked after yorkie, we have had him professionally trained and keep him very clean and tidy. If you look at my previous posts i once wondered was i washing him and grooming him to much.

this was his second time being groomed by a professional, and i was just so shocked and sad when he came home looking like that. there are standard yorkie haircuts and in my eyes this was not one of them.

chewbacca is very active and we spend alot of time in the garden playing every tsticks to him and we do our best with him. I am disapointed that people questioned my skills as a dog owner as he could not be more cared for by both of us.

I had agreeded to the body being shaved to one inch but she went skin tight, and the beard should have being kept in shape in my opinion.

Anyone who seen him in person after it made the joke i hope you didnt pay for that.

Pinklady11

OP I feel your pain. I got my Lab "groomed" in January and they shaved him! They absolutely destroyed his coat which has still not grown back yet. There is a thread here about it with pictures of what was done to him.

I did get onto the "groomer" (and I use that term loosely) and complained and I eventually got a refund.

Did you get in contact with the groomer to let them know you're not happy? If you haven't already I think you should as they obviously didn't groom him the way you instructed.

ABajaninCork

Oh gosh, I remember that Pinklady! The bloody 'groomer' didn't have a clue....How is the poor fella now?

I still think the OP's groomer was that rare breed - one that actually knew what she was doing. OP - I'm sorry that you think people had the idea you didn't care for Chewbacca. Nobody said that. What I asked was how often he was brushed, and suggested suitable tools for keeping the mats down. Yorkies are single coated and silky haired. They are a TERROR for the mats. Of course, I haven't seen the dog 'live', but from the photos he did look matted in the beard and chest area, and I told you so. It's not crime of the century as I say, but the dog's fur will grow back nicely in no time at all.

Pinklady11

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Oh gosh, I remember that Pinklady! The bloody 'groomer' didn't have a clue....How is the poor fella now?

Not much better to be honest. Still very patchy. His coat is in full blow out at the moment so I'm hoping by the time his winter coat comes in he'll be looking more like his old self. Invested in some new brushes so I will be grooming him myself from now on. Nobody will be getting their hands (or clippers) near him again!

ABajaninCork

That's horrific. I really don't blame you. I hope his coat comes back strong soon. It's the summer (allegedly!), so hopefully it'll grow back quick.

DBB

lisa_celtic wrote: »

I am disapointed that people questioned my skills as a dog owner as he could not be more cared for by both of us.

To be fair lisa_celtic, unless I've missed one, I don't see anyone calling your ownership skills into question. You admitted the dog was to some extent matted when you brought him to the groomer in your op.
There followed some posts explaining why groomers may have to shave a dog if there's matting, and plenty of posters even acknowledged how easy it is for this to happen, thatit happens to their dogs etc. Other posters offered advice on how to keep the coat mat-free.
Not one person, that I could see, pointed a finger at you, or criticised you. If anything, any criticism was aimed at the groomer.
If you have a problem with a post, report it.

scudzilla

I always remember a few years back, my mother in law asked me to drop her precious poodle off to get a hair cut, so i took her in, the girl asked me how i wanted it, i didn't have a clue, so i just said..."Ah just Bone her"

I never got asked to take her again :rolleyes::rolleyes:

Bullseye1

To me the groomer appears to have done a good job. The hair will grow back in now time. I'm sure long haired dogs appreciate having their hair cut for the hotter months.