Finding a groomer?

Swimming-duck · 01-16-2012, 03:49 PM

So I have a huge nail trimming fear. I'm using clicker training to work with Maemae on handling paws, leading up to nail trimming so that one day I can do it myself. But until then I don't want the pressure of having to rush this process. I want us to take our time until we're ready for the actual cutting. Until then I'm going to find a groomer to trim her nails so that she does get the proper trimming that she needs. Is there anything I should look for in finding a groomer? Stuff I should know that distinguishes a good groomer from a not so good one?

houndmomma · 01-16-2012, 04:23 PM

I take Lucy to the vet to get hers done – She was far too aggressive when I got her to subject a groomer to her and I figured it could help in taking her to the vet since while she was there with the tech’s in the back, I knew they were always looking her over and might catch something I miss being busy with everyday life. Also, I liked to keep an eye on her weight since she was soooo heavy when we got her – every month that we went in for the nails we could keep an eye on her weight at the same time.

My pup Mabel – I’ve started on her myself and we’re finally to the point that she just lays on her side licking me while I do them. And my little guy is the kind that need to be groomed – so he goes to a friend that’s a groomer.

Can’t hurt to call the vet and see what they charge – I think its right around the same cost as a groomer.

Hope that helps…

Jen~

Soundtrack · 01-16-2012, 04:35 PM

Do you have any place where you hang out with other dog owners? Word of mouth is usually the best way to find a groomer.

If it's just nails, we normally do them right on the spot, either on the floor or on the table. In most cases the owner is right there, but there are a few where it's better for the owner to go outside because they are upsetting the dog.

One thing to note, even the best groomer will quick nails occasionally. A little blood is not a reason to switch groomers.

Personally, I think that groomers are much better than vets for nails, since they do them all day long. A good groomer will be able to handle most aggressive dogs, even if they have to use a muzzle or elizabethan collar.

Swimming-duck · 01-16-2012, 06:20 PM

I want to add that Maemae is not at all aggressive towards getting her nails done. She's very mellow. I had a friend over to trim her nails the first time, but we didn't get all of them done. Towards the end Maemae started pulling her paws away and not cooperating, but NO aggression...just not willing to participate! That being said, I really think given her personality that with time and some clicker training we will be able to do this together. But until we get to that point I want someone to do a proper job. I also want her to have a positive experience so that she doesn't decide she needs to start throwing a big fit over this, since she's only just a bit reluctant now. Does that make sense?

Oh...and my vet quoted me 30-45 for nails. That sounds high to me. I've never priced it before, but doesn't that seem high?

Soundtrack · 01-16-2012, 06:30 PM

That seems very high. Most groomers will do it for $5-15, depending on the area. A good groomer should be able to zip through those nails before the dog gets too stressed.

FWIW, pulling paws away is VERY normal, even my guys do it sometimes. For my own dogs I find it easiest to teach them to lie on their side or back while I do it, but for grooming dogs it's usually easier on the table and they're less likely to move around.

Swimming-duck · 01-16-2012, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soundtrack

That seems very high. Most groomers will do it for $5-15, depending on the area. A good groomer should be able to zip through those nails before the dog gets too stressed.

FWIW, pulling paws away is VERY normal, even my guys do it sometimes. For my own dogs I find it easiest to teach them to lie on their side or back while I do it, but for grooming dogs it's usually easier on the table and they're less likely to move around.

I thought it sounded pretty high too. She has a vet appt. Friday and we may just go with it since we're there anyways and it NEEDS to be done right now, but I'm definitely looking for other options for future nail trimming.

Glad to know pulling away is normal and not a precursor to getting bit or something.

Sorry - I really do need to get over this fear I have. So really Maemae's clicker training that we're doing is more for me to build my confidence cause I think if I were confident I could cut all of her nails right now without spending a lick of time on training with her.

My last dog that we got as an 8 week puppy was extremely resistant to nail trimming from the time we brought him home. He bit the trainer who came to our house to work with us. He bit me and drew blood several times while I tried to get him used to nail trimming. It of course got worse as he got older until I gave up and just let him dig to his hearts content in the backyard to get the nails down.

Yeah - not a good strategy, I know.

Hey, since you're a breeder can you give me your opinion on this. At the time, the trainer said that my puppy should not have been acting like that and it was obvious the breeder didn't ever trim the puppy's nails. But other people have told me that's normal behavior for a puppy. So I don't know which is true?

Soundtrack · 01-16-2012, 07:19 PM

It's normal behavior for a puppy, especially if the breeder hasn't done the nails from birth. I start mine at one week and do them weekly until they go, but they will still usually act up when the new owner does them, probably because owners tend to be more tentative. And then even the ones I keep usually go through a phase (usually during adolescence) where they start giving me a hard time again.

MaggieMaysMom · 01-16-2012, 07:24 PM

That is way too much for a nail trim. My vet does it for free, as long as you call ahead and make sure they're not too busy. Also, my groomer does it for $5. Of course she only charges me $15 for a bath & dip (if needed ), ears cleaned and nails trimmed. She loves Maggie because she is easy going and compared to her other froo-froo clients, bathing her short hair is a breeze.

BassetBasti · 01-21-2012, 01:12 PM

I agree! That's too much for a nail trim. A little practice from nail trimming guide on YouTube and you will be as great as your groomer.

01-16-2012, 03:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
Swimming-duck Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: IL Posts: 207	Finding a groomer? So I have a huge nail trimming fear. I'm using clicker training to work with Maemae on handling paws, leading up to nail trimming so that one day I can do it myself. But until then I don't want the pressure of having to rush this process. I want us to take our time until we're ready for the actual cutting. Until then I'm going to find a groomer to trim her nails so that she does get the proper trimming that she needs. Is there anything I should look for in finding a groomer? Stuff I should know that distinguishes a good groomer from a not so good one?

01-16-2012, 04:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
houndmomma Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 503	I take Lucy to the vet to get hers done – She was far too aggressive when I got her to subject a groomer to her and I figured it could help in taking her to the vet since while she was there with the tech’s in the back, I knew they were always looking her over and might catch something I miss being busy with everyday life. Also, I liked to keep an eye on her weight since she was soooo heavy when we got her – every month that we went in for the nails we could keep an eye on her weight at the same time. My pup Mabel – I’ve started on her myself and we’re finally to the point that she just lays on her side licking me while I do them. And my little guy is the kind that need to be groomed – so he goes to a friend that’s a groomer. Can’t hurt to call the vet and see what they charge – I think its right around the same cost as a groomer. Hope that helps… Jen~ __________________ Momma to Lucy age 12 ~ Basset Hound Momma to Rickie age 5 ~ Shi-Poo (don’t tell him though – he thinks he’s a hound dog) Momma to Mabel age -1 ~ Basset Hound Momma to Flash – RIP 2000 ~ 2011 – Gone in body but with me in spirit ~ You will live on forever in my heart baby ~ Je t'aime

01-16-2012, 04:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
Soundtrack Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,577	Do you have any place where you hang out with other dog owners? Word of mouth is usually the best way to find a groomer. If it's just nails, we normally do them right on the spot, either on the floor or on the table. In most cases the owner is right there, but there are a few where it's better for the owner to go outside because they are upsetting the dog. One thing to note, even the best groomer will quick nails occasionally. A little blood is not a reason to switch groomers. Personally, I think that groomers are much better than vets for nails, since they do them all day long. A good groomer will be able to handle most aggressive dogs, even if they have to use a muzzle or elizabethan collar. __________________ Rosie-Ch Soundtrack Cracklin' Rose CGN AGN RA Am RN TT Melody-Ch Soundtrack Unchained Melody TT Sailor-Ch Soundtrack Expedition Sailor RN TT Chili-Ch Soundtrack Spice Up Your Life Curry-Ch Soundtrack Canadian Brass Pepper-Ch Pennieslogon Living La Vida Loca CGN Vina-Ch Soundtrack Grand Illusion Leila-Ch Soundtrack Almost Paradise Deela-Ch Soundtrack Wink Of An Eye Hermione - Soundtrack Spellbound Eowyn - Soundtrack Rain Dance

01-16-2012, 06:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
Soundtrack Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,577	That seems very high. Most groomers will do it for $5-15, depending on the area. A good groomer should be able to zip through those nails before the dog gets too stressed. FWIW, pulling paws away is VERY normal, even my guys do it sometimes. For my own dogs I find it easiest to teach them to lie on their side or back while I do it, but for grooming dogs it's usually easier on the table and they're less likely to move around. __________________ Rosie-Ch Soundtrack Cracklin' Rose CGN AGN RA Am RN TT Melody-Ch Soundtrack Unchained Melody TT Sailor-Ch Soundtrack Expedition Sailor RN TT Chili-Ch Soundtrack Spice Up Your Life Curry-Ch Soundtrack Canadian Brass Pepper-Ch Pennieslogon Living La Vida Loca CGN Vina-Ch Soundtrack Grand Illusion Leila-Ch Soundtrack Almost Paradise Deela-Ch Soundtrack Wink Of An Eye Hermione - Soundtrack Spellbound Eowyn - Soundtrack Rain Dance

01-16-2012, 07:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
Soundtrack Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,577	It's normal behavior for a puppy, especially if the breeder hasn't done the nails from birth. I start mine at one week and do them weekly until they go, but they will still usually act up when the new owner does them, probably because owners tend to be more tentative. And then even the ones I keep usually go through a phase (usually during adolescence) where they start giving me a hard time again. __________________ Rosie-Ch Soundtrack Cracklin' Rose CGN AGN RA Am RN TT Melody-Ch Soundtrack Unchained Melody TT Sailor-Ch Soundtrack Expedition Sailor RN TT Chili-Ch Soundtrack Spice Up Your Life Curry-Ch Soundtrack Canadian Brass Pepper-Ch Pennieslogon Living La Vida Loca CGN Vina-Ch Soundtrack Grand Illusion Leila-Ch Soundtrack Almost Paradise Deela-Ch Soundtrack Wink Of An Eye Hermione - Soundtrack Spellbound Eowyn - Soundtrack Rain Dance

01-16-2012, 06:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
Swimming-duck Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: IL Posts: 207	I want to add that Maemae is not at all aggressive towards getting her nails done. She's very mellow. I had a friend over to trim her nails the first time, but we didn't get all of them done. Towards the end Maemae started pulling her paws away and not cooperating, but NO aggression...just not willing to participate! That being said, I really think given her personality that with time and some clicker training we will be able to do this together. But until we get to that point I want someone to do a proper job. I also want her to have a positive experience so that she doesn't decide she needs to start throwing a big fit over this, since she's only just a bit reluctant now. Does that make sense? Oh...and my vet quoted me 30-45 for nails. That sounds high to me. I've never priced it before, but doesn't that seem high?

01-16-2012, 07:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
MaggieMaysMom Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Covington, GA Posts: 78	That is way too much for a nail trim. My vet does it for free, as long as you call ahead and make sure they're not too busy. Also, my groomer does it for $5. Of course she only charges me $15 for a bath & dip (if needed ), ears cleaned and nails trimmed. She loves Maggie because she is easy going and compared to her other froo-froo clients, bathing her short hair is a breeze. __________________ ~Maggie May b. Jan 2011~ 1/2 basset 1/2 pointer 1 whole love bug

01-21-2012, 01:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
BassetBasti Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 18	I agree! That's too much for a nail trim. A little practice from nail trimming guide on YouTube and you will be as great as your groomer. __________________ Natalie, mom of the most beautiful Basset Hound Basti Last edited by BassetBasti; 01-22-2012 at 11:19 AM.

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