Groomer ruined my dog

[Cares4dogs]

:mad: I took my long-haired maltese to a groomer that I normally dont go to (other place was booked solid)....and an hour after I dropped her off, they called and said they needed my help--that she was crying and screaming anytime they tried to touch her. So I went.

I held my dog with her head looking over my shoulder while they "trimmed her face"....they left the fur long on her head and tail...but cut the rest of her body real short. Now she did have some "tangles" at her arm pits because of the harness she wears.....but she was completely brushed out everywhere else. They asked me to go back out to the front while they finished making her pretty.

When they brought her out-they had cut the hair on her head to less than 1/2 inch....NO MORE BOWS for a while.

OMG my baby looks awful. She looks like a skiny baby lamb!! Her fur is about 1/4 in long if even that. They said they had to do it cuz of the mats under her armpits......AND because she was crying so much so they had to cut her so short cuz she wouldnt just sit there for a pretty haircut.

Im soooooooooo disappointed...She was so pretty with her long fur-I just wanted it cut around her body so when she wears her harness-it wouldnt tangle her fur.

Not only that-I had to pay full price too!!!

Has anyone else had this happen??

Bad Groomers!!!!!

[M101]

I'm Nanny sitting my Aunt's 9 mo. old. I've never had a Maltese before...but I was looking for a groomer locally to take the puppy to...I decided to learn on my on vs. subjecting him to what you experienced unfortunately.

Yesterday was bath day. He's cranky due to teething; and bites because he's frustrated. Although I didn't get his nails trimmed 4 hrs. later w/ plenty of breaks he was finished and looking to me as if he had been to a proper groomer. It was part wrestling match re: the nails, but downhill from there.

Now my story about groomers...Years ago I had an Afghan...he thought he was human...when he would go to the groomer it was an all day event. There was one groomer he went to, but in a pinch I tried someone else. He had no mats going in, I got a phone call a couple hrs. after dropping him off that he was done. When I arrived I didn't see him. The owner had a Mountain Afghan in the shop, but I could not see my dog. The groomer opened a cage and out came my dog that looked like a leopard. All his hair had been shaved off minus his ears and tail. I was speechless...my dog was embarrassed. I paid. Said nothing. My dog hid under the sofa for a week...he was depressed; etc. His hair was shaved almost to bare skin.

So when it came to grooming this Maltese I remembered the groomer w/ my Afghan.

Again, I'm new to Maltese', but I think after this you might reconsider learning how to groom him yourself if you are physically able. So much of the time when our pets are placed in the care of others we have no clue what will happen to them--it's risky.

It saddens me to hear your story. People in business in today's world have no feelings.

Reassure your furry baby--in time his coat will come back. Think about trying in the future grooming him/her yourself.

[Morkie4]

Oh I don't think you stand alone..........read many posts of this happening to others who take their dog to groomers!!! I am so sad for you!:( :( :(
I know what it takes to get their hair long and to keep it long and nice. But it will grow!! I NEVER EVER take my kids to the groomers. They go crazy when they see a long haired dog cause they really don't know what to do with it!!! The harness does cause matting and so I stopped wearing a harness on my babies. They wear collars, but only when we are out somewhere not in the house. But I am thinking of buying one of the silk harnesses mentioned on another thread that is not suppose to mat or break the hair. Just haven't commited to it yet.

[red98vett]

Awwwwwww MAN - that sucks - They must have done something to make her scream poor baby....the good thing is it WILL GROW BACK - but they really do get embarrassed with bad haircuts.....You can always dress her in cute clothes till the hair grows back :)

[PreciousPerri]

I'm so sorry that happened! It does seem like there are so many bad grooming horror stories around, but there are good groomers too--you just have to find them. Instead of swearing off groomers, I'd recommend finding one that looks good to you, and then staying there the WHOLE time, especially during the cutting process. Perri didn't have a haircut until he turned one, and even by that time he had been going to his groomer for 8 months and I loved her, I still insisted to be present during the cutting so it would be exactly how I wanted it. Now that she knows how I like it, I don't have to be there. So, I think it would be worth your time to stay during that first visit. I hope you're able to find a good groomer!

[I Found Nemo]

:( Oh lord I have been down that grooming road alot..
I really am sorry, I know how upsetting it is, believe me I know:( First for me is anger:mad: then I cry :(
All I can say is it will grow back.I know its not fun to hear , but it really will grow back .Just be patient and I am sure you baby will look like she once did soon. I groom Nemo myself now, I have had to many bad experiences and I just can't go through it again...

Dont Worry it will be okay...
ANDREA~:)

[Cares4dogs]

silk harness? Never thought of that..but will definately make some now that I know it can help with it.

She's been shivering because shes not used to being "naked" without her fur....I put her flannel dress on her and that helps along with wrapping her in blankets.

She's still traumatized.....all she wants is to be held. I hope she comes around to her usual self soon.

[Morkie4]

silk harness? Never thought of that..but will definately make some now that I know it can help with it.

She's been shivering because shes not used to being "naked" without her fur....I put her flannel dress on her and that helps along with wrapping her in blankets.

She's still traumatized.....all she wants is to be held. I hope she comes around to her usual self soon.
I have not tried the silk harness but everyone says it keeps the matting down. I guess I am going to just have to give it a try. Anyone else try the silk harnesses on their babies?????

[KMitchell]

I am so sorry that this happened to you and your baby! At leadt it will grow back! I know it is easy for someone else to say! I dont know what I would do if this happened to me! I am sure it will though when I start taking Mia to the groomers!

[maltesemum]

I'm sorry this happened:(

Thats why i do it myself, if i make a mistake i've only got myself to blame:D & i know it will grow back in!

[bek74]

I am with others on here and I groom my babies myself.

I am so sorry your little one has gone through this horrible experience, I am sure she will bounce back soon and her hair will grow back.

Sending big warm hugs to your baby girl:smlove2:

[Kanga]

Yep my hand is up for a nightmare grooming episode.

Though why didnt they just shell her :confused: That is cut all the hair on her underbelly and armpits and leave the rest. :confused:

I also groom Scrappy myself now too... that way I only have myself to blame for any bad hair days

Carole when Scrappy's sister arrives I will be getting the satin harness sets at the moment I have thrown away the cheap harness that caused the matting and am only using the suede like felt harness which does not cause matting but I keep for best ..... He is now wearing it everyday. Fortunately I bought 2 from the states when I got it for him now I just need it in pink :D

[Cares4dogs]

Does anyone have a pic of the silk harness..I did an internet search, but I dont know exactly what Im looking for-are they the step-in harnesses??

[Cares4dogs]

My naked dog still hasnt gotten used to her new haircut....she's soooo cold-even with her flannel dress. She'll get used to it I guess...Its been in the 60s-70s here, but still having cold nights.

[Kanga]

Yes they are a step-in harness. here is a link to Jodi from MT's website she has some on there Chloebella (http://www.chloebella.com/)

Poor baby she probably feels naked. Of course you know we all want to see a picture :)

[ladyjazz]

I am soo sorry that happened but yes it will grow but so don't worry. I am glad that they at least called you to come to hold your baby since your little one was crying. Again I am soo sorry you had such a horrible grooming experience. :(

[LadyofYorkies]

I have 2 baby Maltese so I haven't had this problem, yet and I hope I never do. I do have Yorkies and have heard dozens of horror stories about their hair cuts. For some reason I don't have very many long haired Yorkies. Most of them are short to medium hair lengths. It makes it easier for me to do the grooming myself. My daughter came out to visit for Christmas and took an older puppy home with her. She emailed me about groomers and I told her what I've learned from other people.

1. Find a picture of what you want your dog to look like after the grooming is done.

2. Write down exactly what you want your dog to look like when he/she is done.

3. Keep a copy of the picture and the written instructions.

The reason for this is so the groomer can not say they didn't know or didn't understand and you have proof. The only other thing you can do is to keep them brushed so there are no tangles or matts when you take them into the groomer. Groomers don't have the time to brush out bad tangles or matts and in my experince they will do what they have to, to get the dog done in a timely manner. If you talk to the owner of the shop you will usually get what you want but most groomers have hired help and they are expected to get their quota for the day done.

Villette, my little boy screams and screams when I brush him. I don't know why except maybe he just doesn't want to be brushed. He squirms and fights me and I'm afraid he might get mad enough to bite me. He makes me mad enough that I won't stop because I'm afraid he will see it as he won and then next time will be worse. Maybe I ought to get him some tranquilizers? LOL Sylvia