How to drop your dog off for Grooming

Don't dread dropping the pooch for their groom! There is a method that you can employ to reduce stress for you and your dog.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Your dog
• A reliable leash and well fitted collar

1. Be a leader for your dog. Dogs are so sensitive, they can detect seizures in people before they happen, they can sense diabetic blood sugar changes, dogs can and do save lives every day! Why do you think they would not be able to sense your feelings of reluctance and regret for leaving them at a grooming facility? Your attitude travels right down the leash and is translated to the dog as being a fearful, reluctant activity. You need to prepare yourself mentally and put on a positive attitude before you gather up the dog to go to the groomer.

2. Make certain that the dog is wearing a collar which has name ID on it, as well as pertinent tags such as license and rabies info. Remove old rabies and outdated tags, they don't help the dog and the tags are making a mess of the front of their neck as well as add unnecessary weight to your dogs neck. Old tags are not proof of ownership. Get them micro chipped.
   Make absolutely sure that the collar is tight enough they are unable to back their head out of the collar. This puts the dog in a life threatening situation they may not live through if they slip the collar and take off when they are stressed. If you know they can back out of the collar, then clip a sturdy leash to the collar, wrap the leash behind the elbows, under the tummy and around the body, back up under itself and you have a safe, cheap, available harness they cannot escape. This method helps the dog learn to walk without dragging the owner. Do not take the dog to the groomer without a leash. You may be able to control your dog, but other dogs may not be so controlled. Keep the dog safe!

3. Take the dog for rides in your car, short at first, go home, make it positive. Don't making riding in the car feel like a death sentence every time they go somewhere. Make it happy. If you have a dog that becomes car sick, then purchase a dog carrier and transport the dog in the carrier. There is no point in having a dog defecate, urinate and vomit on your seats. Buy a carrier, they can be cleaned up a whole lot easier.

4. Decide between everyone what you want in the style of the groom before you drop off. Don't blame the groomer for doing what the drop off person requested for the dog. Figure it out before you drop off.
   Get a good working relationship with a groomer you feel comfortable with. If you are constantly switching groomers, looking for the today fix, cheapest rates, etc., then, you will have lost out on a marvelous friendship with someone you are entrusting your beloved pet to.
   Every groomer will make mistakes, nick dogs, forget something occasionally, they are human. Rest assured, if they are interested in keeping you as a customer, they will want your dog happy to come back, and keep you happy too. Groomers do what they do because they love dogs. It's how they found that profession. Be willing to listen to suggestions, concerns about your dog, advice, and be willing to understand that a groomer cannot always deliver the exact groom you wanted just because you saw another dog with it. There are many variables in dog breeds, coat types, and coat condition that can make a great deal of difference whether what you want is what you get. In grooming dogs, sorry, but the customer is usually wrong!

5. When you enter the grooming facility, raise your voice to the dog, be happy, NOT apologetic. "Yea Sadie!! Look, it's spa day!!" Some dogs will do their best to exit stage left, while others will run through the door excited and happy to see familiar faces and places. It's up to you to set the tone with the dog, be the pack leader!! If you tell the dog how sorry you are like they are in for torture, then how are they supposed to get a positive feeling from you. Be the thinking person and be a pack leader for your dog, they are depending on you! They will feel better after the groom, and you will feel like loving on them even more when they are beautiful and clean.

6. Time flies. Think about setting a new appointment up for your dog for the next needed groom. This helps keep the dog from getting out of control in their coat condition and helps you keep the house cleaner and the dog healthier. The dog will be much more pleasant to be around.
   Check the groom when you pick up. If you are unhappy with something, then tell the groomer what you were unhappy with or what you would like different. A groomer isn't in the business to make you angry. They want your business back and want to get the groom right for you. Realize if they tell you they are unable to provide a particular grooming request, it's probably for a good reason, but again, if you have an established good working relationship with the same groomer, then it will be easier for you both to understand each other. When they get it just right, then take a photo of your dog, close up, so that you can show a groomer what you like the dog to look like after a groom. Don't take the photo four weeks after the groom, it will have changed dramatically by then, take the photo right when you get home so it is fresh for you.

Tips & Warnings

• Realize just about every dog will quiver or shake when they are dropped off for grooming, this is just a nervous response much like the response you have to a stressful event, like your knees shaking when you speak in front of an audience.
• Don't expect the groomer to chase your dog around the establishment, keep control of your dog for everyone's safety.
• Forget the treats. The dog knows it's a bribe and they won't eat it, or worse yet, they might vomit it up.
• Bring a special blanket if you like, within a reasonable size, it's a small place.
• Refrain from feeding the dog the morning of the groom to reduce car sickness and the dog will be more comfortable during the groom as well.
• Show your appreciation for a job well done, tip at least 15% which is customary. If you think the groomer won't notice or appreciate it, think again. Tipping customers many times get the appointment times they want and prefer as well as times going home, special requests and favors, etc.
• Groomers are there to serve your pets needs, but, they are many times on a time crunch. When you call for appointments, help the appointment setter by telling them your name, the dogs name, and what day you might have had in mind as well as alternate days if the first choice is not available. Don't expect them to sit on the phone for extended periods of time while you ho hum your way into decisions because you don't have your schedule in front of you.
• Leave the sweaters and extra paraphenalia home when going to the groomer. They can't use it, and it's difficult to keep it clean and keep track of them. Dress them up when you get home.

[jull14]

on 7/6/2009 Thank you for sharing this information with me, it is very interesting, helpful for many here at ehow and the article is well written and easy to follow, thanks so much.

[yourpetexpert]

on 7/6/2009 Thanks for the nice comments Altair4!

[Altair4]

on 7/6/2009 The hardest part for us is having our two chocolate labs nails done. We use to live in the city and the sidewalk kept them trim, but now we live in the country and their nails grow so fast. We tries that nail trimer seen on TV but they hate it, we are afraid to do it ourselves so the groomer is the only option, they hate that too but at least it gets done. BTW I gave you 5* on this and your other articles!