Finding the Right Groomer...

[M101]

Babe has now been w/ me for nearly 5 wks. Although I initially bathed him to clean him up after he was dropped off; and I brush him daily; it is time for professional grooming.

I'm not familiar w/ a Maltese so I don't know what to tell a groomer about how I want him to look.

I know the hair in his ears require plucking; nails trimmed; his face trimmed...I wanted to let his grow out. His hair is almost long enough for a top knot. Since I've been brushing him daily his hair is growing quickly.

What requests do you folks ask of your groomer? Should I go and check out the potentional groomer first--talk to him or her? My concern is the cleanliness of the shop.

Suggestions please!

Thank You

[I Found Nemo]

:( I can't tell you how many times I have told them exactly what I want and he came back as a "Shaved Poodle":( You need to be careful. If you can, stay there and watch them groom him. I wouldn't touch the face. I keep Nemo in a puppy cut and I keep his but shaved its called a sanitary cut, this way when he goes number 2 it doesn't stick to him...
Good Luck,
ANDREA~

[M101]

Thank You for your input.

Babe needs to have the hair around the inner corners of his eyes trimmed only. I'm afraid he might get the Red Yeast infection. And of course his butt trimmed; nails; and inside of is ears done. This probably sounds simple for the owner to do, but I'm not that brave yet!

And yes I would want to stay in the shop and watch him be groomed. Or yeah!

I remember from my years w/ my Afghan owners weren't allowed to see where the dogs were groomed, and it made me mad.

But a Maltese and an Afghan of course are different.

I e-mailed one groomer locally...he said I was welcome to come and see the shop. And I will do this ASAP! And ask if I can stay for the grooming provided the shop is clean; etc.

Thank You

[Morkie4]

Sorry, I can't give you any advice here.......Kallie has never been to a groomer!:)

[maltesemum]

Sorry, I can't give you any advice here.......Kallie has never been to a groomer!:)

Me neither!

But it all depends on how much time you have for grooming!

Most people keep them in puppy cuts with the head/face, tail area not being touched!
If you do have the hair trimmed at the corner of the eyes this can sometimes result in more tearing, as the hair grows it pokes in the eye causing the eye to water more!
If you have a little patience i would suggest to leave this & let it grow long & it wont bother his eyes, this is what i have done & it seems to have worked well.

[lilybellesmom]

I think most of the time it's trial and error. I always bring a list of what LB's needs are and we're lucky that they have always done what we wanted. I would say if you find someone who has a baby that you love the way they look ask that person where they had it done. Most of the time they are willing to help. I go to PetSmart and have the same groomer.

Good luck!

[M101]

The hair on the inner corner of Babe's eyes (next to his nose) are collecting the tearing and resulting in staining. He is fussy and prefers I don't wash his face minus a wrestling match.

If I knew precisely how to trim his nails and pluck the hairs from inside his ears and trim his feet, I wouldn't take him to the groomer. I fear they might be mean to him. (I've become very protective of him).

Right now his bangs are grown out and I can't see his eyes. Unless he falls asleep during grooming he squirms. He trusts me, and seems to enjoy grooming for 5-10 mins. at a time only.

His coat is growing quickly and becoming thicker.

The immediate grooming needs are his nails; inside his ears; and doing something w/ his bangs.

I don't mind bathing him. He cooperates very well. Are you using a grooming oil daily? If so what brand?

Thank You

[dashmaltimom]

I asked around.... Lots of Yorkie/****zhu/llasa/poodle/bichon owners around here...to see what they thought. Then I ask the groomer if they try to sedate the dogs with benadryl or anything else....and ask if I can stick around the first time. I found a great groomer that way.. just my opinion, but I would NEVER use a groomer that insists on any form of sedation.

[I Found Nemo]

:D :D :D
I am so happy!!!!!!!!!! I finally found a "Dog Salon" that is perfect for Nemo.. He got a great cut yesterday! He is in a puppy-cut beard evenly cut ears evenly cut (Scissor cut).. When I walked in they right away asked me exactly what I wanted and the first thing I said was "Please Please don't touch his face:o " they were great it's right by my house , so I am so excited.
They charged me 45 bucks and I gave the girl a 15 dollar tip, cause I was so happy with her.... It feels so good that after al this time I finally found this place..
Andrea:)

[Im26]

:D :D :D
I am so happy!!!!!!!!!! I finally found a "Dog Salon" that is perfect for Nemo.. He got a great cut yesterday! He is in a puppy-cut beard evenly cut ears evenly cut (Scissor cut).. When I walked in they right away asked me exactly what I wanted and the first thing I said was "Please Please don't touch his face:o " they were great it's right by my house , so I am so excited.
They charged me 45 bucks and I gave the girl a 15 dollar tip, cause I was so happy with her.... It feels so good that after al this time I finally found this place..
Andrea:)

Pictures :D
Im glad you found a perfect groomer

When I moved I was in a panic looking for a perfect groomer,
Lucky I did.
I found her at petsmart believe it or not
and I love her because she listens to everything I say.
When I say NO cut on face hair on top, she does n0t touch nothing
when i say Clean ears, and the butt area, she doesnt shave it like a monkeys butt...
i love my groomer and my kids finally feel comfortable...
but I might have to change groomers because they are always so busy.
and when they are busy I dont get the best results :(

but it is hard finding a perfect groomer

I think you should interview the groomer
like if they had any experience with maltese before
how long they been in business
what kind of services they have, how much it is?
what it includes?
ask if they jus use clippers or if they do sisscors too...
usually what is the time expected for one dog to be done.
because when i go in, i tell my groomer
my dogs are not going to be in the crates~
so call me 10 mins before so i can drop off my kids to her one by one...
but thats me... im real picky! it takes about 2 hours and 30mins for one dog to be done.

i always give my groomer shampoo/conditioner/iceonice/perfume/rubberbands/ and she uses it all!

but good luck finding that perfect groomer... :D

[MaxJack'sMom]

I also found the greatest groomer at PetsMart. He is fantastic with the animals. My friend had him for years and now I was lucky enough to get him. As soon as I pick Jack up I make my next appt. always for the same time and they block off those 3 1/2 hours for me.

[M101]

I've been stubborn in taking Babe to a groomer because I'm afraid they will be cruel to him. (I'd rather go in his place--joke!)

However, now that I have mastered nail trimming--oh yes, I got brave and tried it again--piece of cake! I'm so proud!

Now I'll ask a stupid question--the hair on the bottom of his feet...The hair between the toes should be trimmed/hair on bottom of feet trimmed for traction?

Am I right?

I do these tasks when he is asleep--mean Mom; but he can't fight w/ me. He wakes up and finds the grooming fairy paid him a visit.

He's so proud of my nail trimming he now during his normal grooming (day time) he will give me his paws/legs to groom--accomplishment.

So before I get out the blunt scissors I wanted to check.

Thanks

Linda

[maltchimom]

Great job Linda

I am to chicken to do it myself. I did his nails myself when he was a puppy but he didn't fight at all he just lay there and let me. He is lots more stubborn now so I am afraid to try. I have never been brave enough to do the hair between the pads. The groomer I used to go to even cut him there a couple of times. It's great you can do that. You have really come a long way with Babe.:)