Bad Groomers
 It's scary to even read for those of us who take our dogs to a groomer...
Number of Dog Grooming Accidents Growing Sep 20 2006 10:56PM The number of deadly incidents involving dogs at the groomers is rising nationwide. Deaths include heart-breaking stories of dogs burnt, strangled and even mauled. The Stackpole family is devastated, reliving the morning they got a shocking call from the groomer telling them to rush to the veterinarian. "The doctor came in and said, 'You know, I'm sorry. There's nothing else we could do.' At this point, you know, we're 'What are you talking about? Are you sure you got our dog? We brought it for a haircut!'" recalled Brian Stackpole. Their dog, Toby, was dead. The vet report states the dog had been left unattended on a grooming table and was found hanging. "You just can't comprehend. It's a part of your family," Nicole Stackpole said of the loss. Their story is just one of a growing number of tragic cases across the country. Examples include pets strangled, scorched by dryers, cut and mauled to death by other dogs. In general, complaints to the Better Business Bureau against groomers have increased 50 percent over the past five years. "It's a situation that is serious for pet owners," said Stephanie Shain of the Humane Society. The Humane Society is now calling for more regulations. It's a move the National Dog Groomers Association of America welcomes. "So, we do have people opening up grooming shops. We have no idea if they have any training at all or any experience with animals whatsoever," Shain said. But victims like the Stackpoles are fighting for a permanent change. "We're more looking to not let this happen to other people," Brian Stackpole said. Experts agree that there are steps owners can take to keep their pets safe. First, they say referrals are crucial. Second, they recommend visiting the groomer before ever taking your pet. And, always ask about the groomer's credentials. Look for certificates of training, and ask how much experience they have. |
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| Great post and unfortunately very true, worthwhile alerting people to the dangers that can happen.
The most important thing is groomers that use those arms on the grooming tables that the arms have a quick release clip on it that the lead is attached too to stop stangulation if the dog decides to jump down or fall off the table. Always check that at any grooming parlour for the dogs safety. The other thing is how the groomer treats a dog, I have heard many stories of people who have sent there dogs off for grooming, the dogs have been treated roughly and it has given them bad issues with the owners down the track. So always if you can look for a referral or recommendation from someone before trying out a new groomer & go and check out the facility before booking your dog in and go and check out in the back area too as to where the dogs are kept till they are picked up. A good grooming facility should allow you access right through the place if they have nothing to hide.  |
The groomer we choose to use is in the same building with our vet. You know you have a good groomer when the dogs love beauty parlor day. 
I admit I have seen dogs up on the grooming table and noone in the grooming room at the Petsmart groomer.  I didn't even think about the possible consequences. Next time I will say something. |
| I agree. I have seen dogs alone on the table at Petsmart and no one is around. Scary.
The groomer Monty goes to is combined with his vet, a room and board service, and a daycare service. The groomer only grooms until noon and only takes on 4 or 5 dogs a day (well, depending on size). I've talked with his groomer on several occasions and she babys him. It's nice to see the groomer love and pet and baby your dog before you leave him. It makes you feel better about leaving him there, you know? |
lisaoes wrote: The most important thing is groomers that use those arms on the grooming tables that the arms have a quick release clip on it ...
Absolutely! We have one of these on our grooming arm and I was surprised when I took Nelson to the groomer not a single table had a quick-release on it. First and last time he's been to a grooming shop. Even the quick-release is no guarantee the dog won't jump down and injure itself. It's just common sense to never leave a dog unattended on a table. |
| Thank you for the great post! My groomer is private, and only doing 1 dog at a time. (also has a quick release snap too). I am going to observe other places and SAY SOMETHING if I see dogs not attended. I would be heartbroken if this happened to ours or someone elses dog. |
| My dog was critically injured by a groomer March 3, 2006. When we went to pick him up he was hemmoraging from his mouth. After rushing him to the local veterinary hospital and eight months of critical care, he is recovering. The sad part is there is no regulation or oversight for groomers. We have been told that this particular groomer (after the fact) has had repeated injuries to pets and there is nothing we can do about it.. only a possible civil lawsuit.
I have started a movement to require that groomers, boarding kennels and sitters are licensed and regulated. Please see my web site and join my effort. www.petsafetynews.net |
| I'm sorry to hear about your horrific experience. They never actually told you what happened to Baxter? I agree that their should be some sort of regulation. Might make grooming visits more expensive but the alternative is much worse. |
| Hello, I'm a groomer and have been for almost 10 years. I'm also a veterinary nurse. I work from home and work on a maximum of four dogs a day (depending on size), I have four dogs of my own, 3 maltese and a Lhasa Apso. I don't use cages of any kind, and use only a 1200 watt a groomers dryer, which does not heat over 30 degrees celsius no matter how long it is on for, and it is hand held. I have never, and will never use the dryer with the dog contained.
Dogs that come to me (I don't advertise, I have built a rather large client base purely on 'word of mouth') are free to roam my extra large fully fenced back yard, where they can mingle with any native wildlife I may have in care - wallaby joeys mainly!). I used to send my own dogs to grooming parlours, and I hated knowing my little dogs were kept caged all day while awaiting their turn on the table, larger dogs have been known to be kept tethered to a door handle! My table has the 'arm', to which I have attached a belly harness. Not only does it hold the dog in a standing position, but if the dog wants to jump out and off, it is free to do so without any possiblity of harming his/her self. Not that one would leave a dog unattended long enough for that to happen, but I've had a few jump while I've turned to get my next instrument, I then have the fun game of trying to catch him as he decides to play a game of 'catch me if you can' around my yard! I've had several comments from clients at how excited their dogs are to arrive, they're almost jumping out the car and down my drive, many no longer arrive on leads, they greet me first at the entrance gate with owner in tow still holding and empty lead! Those dogs coming from an only 'child' situation are usually the more excited, as they get to associate with other dogs. I've not had a dog fight problem EVER, as I usually know who will get along with who, and I will book new clients on their own for the first visit. That way I get to know the dog and vice versa. I'm not blowing my own trumpet, but I just want everyone to know that not all groomers work the same or are alike. I've not had any serious accidents, the odd toenail being about the most dramatic, but a lot of the time, that depends on the dog, if they abhor their feet and legs touched, not an uncommon thing in the smaller breeds, then you are going to have problems! Usually not dramatic. We then have those dogs that have had bad groomer experiences, they take a little longer to gain the confidence of, but most owners have told me their dog has been much happier when going home after a visit with me. Exhausted from their 'big day out', but happy! I don't and never have used drugs either, I've never understood how a groom manages to work on a 'stoned' animal, how do they keep him/her upright? I've been bitten, pood on, peed on, slobbered on etc., all part of the job and all managable! Just return the slobbers!! A stern "no" will usually fix the 'I don't wanna's' and the 'nippers', and as for the other, well some dogs are of nervous dispositions or old and incontinent, that cannot be helped. I love my work, I love my clients, and YES most groomers opt for this line of work because we love animals full stop, love the dogs and the owners reactions when you do a good job, the gratification rewards can be better than the earnings! So please don't judge all groomers because of one bad experience with another. I've 'swiped' several clients from three larger salons nearby because of how I work, and the situation I work in.... no cages, just a huge homely yard for them to free range. Which is also handy for those with really short cuts, as they can dry off naturally! With groomers dryers available today, I cannot understand how groomers can still burn dogs! Perhaps they need updating! Whats $400 for a dryer when a vet bill or law suit could cost you 100 times that, not to mention the poor little dogs trauma, caged with heat blasting upon them. Todays dryers don't heat at all. But as I mentioned I prefer to use the 3meter hose with the nozel and dry them by hand on my table, it doesn't take long and they're there then for the final trim offs of what I call the "whispy bits'! Thankyou for reading this far, it means you are a very patient person, because I am so aware of being a 'waffler'! |
| Has anybody had a male dog get their family jewels cut. We just picked up our bischon male dog and it looks to me like he has been cut. How serious is this? |
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