Dog Grooming
- Thread starter chernmax
- Start date
Any good dog groomers in and around the Lexington Park area. I know about Petco already, any others? Business, Private? For small Parti Pomeranian (5lbs WET!)...
Top Notch Groomers (co-located with Three Notch Vets - but a seperate business). They really care about their clients (the dogs).
red_explorer
Well-Known Member
Spinner
PM Spinner or Pasofever. They're both awesome from what I hear!!!
PM Spinner or Pasofever. They're both awesome from what I hear!!!
pebbles
Member
Top Notch is awesome, Jen grooms my crazy cat!
say hi to Jen and the gang (which includes the dogs).
chernmax
NOT Politically Correct!!
gary_webb
Damned glad to meet you
I power washer would probably shoot my dog about 3 blocks!!!
You might have to tether him down then.
You know I'm just joking right?
Pasofever
Does my butt look big?
Let me know what you pay are you getting a comb out and bath or a hair cut? Also wondering how long they keep her? Good luck she is a cutie...I would do $25 Bath nails trim feet...$40-45 full body cut...Spinner is great she sends me a few dogs a week because she stays booked several weeks ahead..if I have something I can not do I send to her too..she also works out of her house
questions
There are a couple of questions you should ask when making a grooming appointment for the fist time.
What is included in the price? Bath, ear cleaning, anal glands nail clipping?
How are the dogs dried? Crate or blow dried on the table? It makes a huge difference in the finished dog
How long does the dog stay there? Some places keep the dogs all day and some don't. It's all in what you as the owner are comfortable with.
How many dogs are in the shop at one time? Nervous dogs don't do well in a crowded noisy place
What kind of payment do you accept? smaller shops don't take plastic.
There are a couple of questions you should ask when making a grooming appointment for the fist time.
What is included in the price? Bath, ear cleaning, anal glands nail clipping?
How are the dogs dried? Crate or blow dried on the table? It makes a huge difference in the finished dog
How long does the dog stay there? Some places keep the dogs all day and some don't. It's all in what you as the owner are comfortable with.
How many dogs are in the shop at one time? Nervous dogs don't do well in a crowded noisy place
What kind of payment do you accept? smaller shops don't take plastic.
LadyCoyote
New Member
Hi,
Can I just chime in and say that after going to 2 different places, I finally found a groomer that I trust for my dog. I have heard Three Notch get good recommendations, but I gave them a shot and here's my view:
I had tried the Three Notch Groomer's with my dog last year. While I thought they did a nice job getting her pretty, here is what I did not like:
-- dropped her off at 8 am, and she wasn't ready 'til after 5:45 p.m. When I picked her up, she was thirsty, hungry (naturally) and tired.
--- the environment at this grooming shop is that there are about 10+ dogs in the same room (unrestrained). This means there are all sizes, personalities and tempermants running around in an area about the size of my kitchen...it's very tiny. I'll say it again: it's VERY TINY, and lots of loose dogs, lots of different energies. It was chaotic appearing, but there were not any dogfights or anything like that when I was there. It was just a LOT of activity and leaving my doggie there in the midst of cramped, active, nervous energies, etc. seemed not too smart. She's small by the way -- 8 lbs, so I was nervous about leaving her there in that type of atmosphere.
When I was finally able to pick up my dog, she looked nice and smelled nice. The staff was very friendly. But my doggie had been there over 10 HOURS.
In my humble opinion, this is not ideal.
My dog, though, had been stressed with the commotion and the activity. And I know that being there for almost 10 hours was not easy for her. Heck, it wouldn't be easy for me.
For ME, I decided to check around for another groomer...leaving her there all of that time wasn't good (in my opinion). Leaving her amidst a pack of many, many dogs of different sizes, breeds and tempermants - all uncaged, was not a good situation for my pet. It may be fine for others, though, and like I said there was no problem with the quality of the cut. The people were nice, and clearly love animals. The teenie room, the # of uncaged animals -- not good.
I would HIGHLY recommend going by the groomer's to see the place in advance, and see what you think.
Now, I also tried another place locally which was a name I picked up from the forum here; and I felt like there was zero affection for the animal when I dropped off my dog. I was able to pick her up within a short amount of time, but I feel like first impressions say a lot. If I take my dog someplace, I want at least a pleasant greeting, and I'd like to see the groomer be kind to my animal. While I thought perhaps the groomer was having a bad day, for the sake of a new customer, she could have been personable. The groomer had a cold personality, and it was also hot as hell in the grooming area. So, #2 grooming salon not good (for me).
----
THAT being said, I found a great groomer. Her name is Liz and she works at Chesapeake Pet Resort on Jones Wharf Rd. I took the time to stop in there (on a whim, since I had been through 2 prior grooming places and I needed to find the best place for my dog) and the staff was very friendly, asked if I wanted to meet the groomer and see where she works, etc. My first impression of the whole place was extremely positive and when I dropped in to check out the grooming area, Liz was happily tending to a dog, which happened to be the same breed as my dog. Liz loves dogs and she did a great job. This place also allows you to drop off in the morning - usually 8 am and they call you when finished (I've never picked up my dog later than 11:30 am). So essentially, the dog is being groomed and then you can get him/her when they're done. My dog was happy, looked good and Liz clearly likes what she does and she does it well.
Sorry this is so long, but I believe info is helpful. Good luck!! To the OP, PM me if you have any more questions!
Can I just chime in and say that after going to 2 different places, I finally found a groomer that I trust for my dog. I have heard Three Notch get good recommendations, but I gave them a shot and here's my view:
I had tried the Three Notch Groomer's with my dog last year. While I thought they did a nice job getting her pretty, here is what I did not like:
-- dropped her off at 8 am, and she wasn't ready 'til after 5:45 p.m. When I picked her up, she was thirsty, hungry (naturally) and tired.
--- the environment at this grooming shop is that there are about 10+ dogs in the same room (unrestrained). This means there are all sizes, personalities and tempermants running around in an area about the size of my kitchen...it's very tiny. I'll say it again: it's VERY TINY, and lots of loose dogs, lots of different energies. It was chaotic appearing, but there were not any dogfights or anything like that when I was there. It was just a LOT of activity and leaving my doggie there in the midst of cramped, active, nervous energies, etc. seemed not too smart. She's small by the way -- 8 lbs, so I was nervous about leaving her there in that type of atmosphere.
When I was finally able to pick up my dog, she looked nice and smelled nice. The staff was very friendly. But my doggie had been there over 10 HOURS.
In my humble opinion, this is not ideal.
My dog, though, had been stressed with the commotion and the activity. And I know that being there for almost 10 hours was not easy for her. Heck, it wouldn't be easy for me.
For ME, I decided to check around for another groomer...leaving her there all of that time wasn't good (in my opinion). Leaving her amidst a pack of many, many dogs of different sizes, breeds and tempermants - all uncaged, was not a good situation for my pet. It may be fine for others, though, and like I said there was no problem with the quality of the cut. The people were nice, and clearly love animals. The teenie room, the # of uncaged animals -- not good.
I would HIGHLY recommend going by the groomer's to see the place in advance, and see what you think.
Now, I also tried another place locally which was a name I picked up from the forum here; and I felt like there was zero affection for the animal when I dropped off my dog. I was able to pick her up within a short amount of time, but I feel like first impressions say a lot. If I take my dog someplace, I want at least a pleasant greeting, and I'd like to see the groomer be kind to my animal. While I thought perhaps the groomer was having a bad day, for the sake of a new customer, she could have been personable. The groomer had a cold personality, and it was also hot as hell in the grooming area. So, #2 grooming salon not good (for me).
----
THAT being said, I found a great groomer. Her name is Liz and she works at Chesapeake Pet Resort on Jones Wharf Rd. I took the time to stop in there (on a whim, since I had been through 2 prior grooming places and I needed to find the best place for my dog) and the staff was very friendly, asked if I wanted to meet the groomer and see where she works, etc. My first impression of the whole place was extremely positive and when I dropped in to check out the grooming area, Liz was happily tending to a dog, which happened to be the same breed as my dog. Liz loves dogs and she did a great job. This place also allows you to drop off in the morning - usually 8 am and they call you when finished (I've never picked up my dog later than 11:30 am). So essentially, the dog is being groomed and then you can get him/her when they're done. My dog was happy, looked good and Liz clearly likes what she does and she does it well.
Sorry this is so long, but I believe info is helpful. Good luck!! To the OP, PM me if you have any more questions!
LusbyMom
You're a LOON :)
That would never work for my dogs.. they hate hate hate other dogs! You would see a dog fight if that happened. One of my dogs is truly a sweetheart but not for other people. He gets snippy, he doesn't do well out of his element. He gets way to nervous and will tremble. Paso has groomed him and he gives her a hard time, but nothing she can't handle.. (unless she just hasn't told me
) I do need to get them back over there soon!
Pasofever
Does my butt look big?
Also you need to be honest with the groomer..I did a big hairry dog the other day that called for a quote..ended up being the dog was over a year old part standard poodle never had a hair cut and was matted matted front of ear matted to back of ear and almost head to toe tip. I told the owner I would have to take all hair off everwhere and they agreed..owner wanted a longer clip which could not be done. (I called when I got the dog out to start working on it) anyway I was sorry I had to cut the ears short all over...then when the owner came back I was told the dog had been in 2 other shops before me and they refused to do it as it was so knotted and would not touch the ears..honesty I did not have too much trouble doing it just time consuming I would welcome the dog back. I just wish they had been honest with me from the start lol...all went well though and I am sure the dog will look better next time when we can grow out some coat..
About dogs running loose with each other that is CRAZY I would never do that..I never let dogs cross paths and if we have large type or agressive dogs in the shop (I do some really sweet pitts but still practice caution) then the rule is even with 2 people working only the one dog is out of a cage..and not even walk past the table with a small dog in your arms...
About dogs running loose with each other that is CRAZY I would never do that..I never let dogs cross paths and if we have large type or agressive dogs in the shop (I do some really sweet pitts but still practice caution) then the rule is even with 2 people working only the one dog is out of a cage..and not even walk past the table with a small dog in your arms...
chernmax
NOT Politically Correct!!
Have anyone of you watched the DOG-WISPERER??? He has multiple dogs of different sizes together peacefully!! WOW imagine that!
Well,I feel dogs are pack animals and therefore are much better relaxed if they can adjust to a pack situation. Most doggie issues are the owners issues and caused by the owners and transferred to their beloved pets. I have seen it many times when if an owner could get beyond their "problems" the dog does much better. As soon as a nervous owner leaves, their own dog calms down IMMEDIATLY! Some very nervous dogs take up to 5 mins but they do calm down once their owners' negative emotions work outta their systems.I talked to the groomers you referred and a few things were explained. They work on any given dog for about 10 up to 20 mins. at a time and then praise them for their behavior and let them rest while they work on another. How would you like a 2 year old set up on a table to be brushed,matts pulled out,clipped...then put in the bath,dried and then back on the table to spend another 45min' to an hour to get finished?? That 2 yr old child would be stressed,the person working on him would be mad as hell at him, and he would not prefer doing it again next trip!!! And thats' a human child I m talkin about!! Think of what YOUR dog feels goin it and gettin groomed thata way!! But,as long as "MOMMY" is happy then the dog must be right? WRONG. It sounds to me like your groomer doesn't take the time to develop any type of relationship with your dog and that he is just another client gettin pushed out the door asap...if ur r happy with that then I guess your little buddy is stuck.
I know of the other place you are talkin bout and she seems really nice but check her knowledge. Does she attend grooming shows, semenars?? How does she invest back in her profession? Has she had any animal behavior classes?? Done any training?? Grooming requires a lot of things other then a hair cut. A groomer can break your dogs trust of the grooming experience. Taking time with your animal is what you should want right? everyone wants "their" baby to have "special" attention. You definetly are NOT giving your person enough time with your pet before he is slapped up on a table and rushed through so you are not inconvienced throughout your day waiting for him.
#1 rule is think how your dog sees a situation and how he feels not you..your dog! Experts feel most dogs do not have the same time concepts as we do. Ex.:you leave to go out 1/2 the day. come home. Rover does his happy dance begging for his mommys' home love.right?? Now, you run out to the local pizza place,grab your order and come home. Took you all of 10-15mins. Rover does his happy dance begging for his mommys' home love. Right? Now, you gotta go to work ALL DAY LONG
you get home. Rover repeats his mommys' home ritual. Doesnt really matter how long u r gone or not gone right?? different time conceptions there huh?Now, I m not trying to put down your groomer,like I said but a lotta people see easy money and just get the basics then go withit. Most groomers make upwards of $50 to$60,000 a year if their shop has a good client base. The good ones re-invest 1/3 of that in equiptment and training for themselves. See what your groomer does for their career b4 you go to them! Even if they have been groomin pets for years they need to have invested in themselves as a pet handler since that is half their job. Ask your groomer how they handke a nervous pet if you have one. Ask around to other people if their pet leaves with loose stool. That can happen if a pet is stressed over much or rushed through. Your pet will always be happy as soon as they see you. In this room full of dogs,as you say, were the pets happy or cringing in the corners?? Were they walked?? Jennifer says she keeps at least 2 bowls down thruout the day.Fresh water is a constant .Alotta dogs will not drink (OR EAT FOR THAT MATTER) in a strange place and esp. while caged in a strange place. If a dog sees another grabbing a drink he is more likely to grab one too since he sees it is an excepted thing to do. People tend to think that dogs should be treated like humans and think like us. I would not wanna be treated like a dog nor think as one. We do both love attenion and affection though
Maybe you should allow your groomer to have more time tending to your pets other need so they can build a relationship. A dog gets groomed monthly right? They live 10 years or so right? Well maybe they could learn to Love their groomer during that time if given a chance and not just see them as the person who makes them pretty for mom
Pasofever
Does my butt look big?
Yes...I love doing cat shave downs especially on good natured cats..