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Permalink Reply by Lucy & Ricky (Wendy/Jack ) on February 17, 2012 at 3:17pm

I have some suggestions. Be sure that you ask if dogs are ever left alone in the tub. Are the dogs bathed one-to-one by the groomer. We assume that the groomer will bathe them like us, but that's not always the case. Ask to see the grooming room. Be sure the collar is a harness so even if Enzo tries to jump out, he can't choke. I learned the hard way and lost my beloved Corgi, Emily, to a highly recommended groomer who turned out to be highly irresponsible. She left Emily alone in the tub to take a phone call, and Emily tried to jump out and hung herself. She also was bathing Emily and Dylan (Emily's litter mate) at the same time. TG I didn't lose Dylan too. After this experience I heard more horror stories about dogs being left alone in a crate with a blow dryer that was too hot. So be sure you ask about the bathing and the drying.

Emily and Dylan had never been apart since birth. Emily was 7. It broke our hearts and our children were absolutely devastated. I never want this to happen to anyone else. I've posted this several times on mycorgi. It hurts so much each time I share the story and re-play that day in my mind, but if it saves one dog, it'll be more than worth it. Wish I knew a place to post this information so that it would be available to everyone.

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Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on February 17, 2012 at 3:30pm

At the vet I worked at we also had dogs brought in who had choked themselves at the groomer, so this is great advice, so sorry for your loss :-( Also, many groomers these days are going "cage free", while this sounds great, it also can be very dangerous and I can't tell you how many dogs have been reported lost due to escaping from a cage free groomer. The advice about the blow dryer is great also, we've treated many dogs with burns from the dryers. Make sure your pup is up to date on his kennel cough vaccine (within the last 6 months) because lots and lots of dogs get sick there. Many groomers also offer to put flea/tick products on your dog after their bath while they are there, don't let them do this. The spot on products need the coat's natural oil to spread so you have to wait AT LEAST 24 hours after a bath before applying them otherwise they aren't effective at all.

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Permalink Reply by Natalie, Lance &Tucker on February 17, 2012 at 5:32pm

You have gotten very useful information here, I just wanted to add to be careful even if you tell them you do not want your dog trimmed or cut, they may go ahead and do it anyway!!!   I took Tucker to get groomed after we adopted him and the groomer specifically asked if she should trim/cut and I said NO, but she did anyway!!!  I so wished I didn't even take him to get groomed and brushed and bathed him myself. 

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Permalink Reply by Enzo E on February 18, 2012 at 10:11am

Thanks for all the tips/advice.  Wendy so sorry to hear about your loss.  The groomer we choose is actually part of the Vet's office.  In addition to the clinic they have boarding and grooming services on the premises. We just dropped Enzo off and waiting to pick him up in a few hours.  I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks! 

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Permalink Reply by Enzo E on February 18, 2012 at 11:28am

We just picked up Enzo. We dropped him off around 8:30am and he was ready by 11am.  He is all clean and shiny.  He didn't even want to leave the groomer just yet.  So his first visit to the groomer I say was a success. Thanks again for the tips/advice from your experiences.

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