Comments on: Seattle Groomer Cuts Off Piece of Dog’s Ear, Glues it Back on with Super Glue

By: Celilia

Celilia — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:54:53 +0000

I have got to comment on this nonsense! I have been a professional groomer for years. I went to school for this and I know what I am talking about. First of all, I disagree with the whole go to a mobile groomer. Most mobile groomers are in a hurry to get your dog done and move on to the next stop. I fix ALOT of mobile groomers “work” Any groomer you pick should have gone to school, first off. They should not mind you staying the first time. Just understand that it does take a few hours. And make sure you and your dog are comfortable with this person. Accidents do happen and any groomer who says they don’t are lying. You are in fact chasing around a moving object (your baby)with scissors. Accidents are few and far between for most professionals. And the professional and right thing to do in these cases is to alert the owner immediately! As a groomer you should care about the well being of animals. After all isn’t that why you chose this profession?

By: Ricardo

Ricardo — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 14:27:06 +0000

Hi guys. Last weekend my girlfriend and I went to the groomer and she got her facial hair trimmed. Since then she has been scratching by her ear and has been acting a little too loving, it’s like she wants alot of attention. Yesterday, July 15, 2007, my girlfriend’s mom took our dog out for a ride because she loves to ride in the car and just go out. While she was petting her, she noticed that there was blood on the right side of her head and about 1/2 of her right ear fell off! I was in school that time and my girlfriend was at work. When we got to her we took her to oradell vet hospital because we didnt know what to do. The vet said he’s never seen anything like it and its unusual for a dog’s ear to just fall off. They had her blood work done and was given antibiotics and pain meds. Right now me and my girlfriend don’t know what to do. If any of you guys have any input please email or call me: Rjaydawgz@yahoo.com or 201 925 3203. My name is RJ. My dog’s name is Starr and she is a female shih-tzu, I just feel so bad for her and know that she has to live with half of her right ear for the rest of her life. Something could have been done if maybe the groomer mentioned it to us when she got her cut. Thank You

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 21:02:00 +0000

I only heard about this last night and I can’t get it out of my mind.. I’ve been a dog groomer for over 20 years and I can not see how anyone could cut a dogs ear off with out cutting the coat as well…
Jasmine’s coat looks to be full and not even trimmed… so if you cut the ear leather you would cut all the coat as well… there would be no way you could hide this no matter how much glue you used it would look like a tassel hanging there…… let alone the pain the dog would be in… and how would you stop the blood? everytime the dog moved its head it would have reopened the wound……

I personly think that Jasmines owner has caught the dogs ear under the hair bands that she uses to keep the hair out of her eyes after a few hours the ear tip would be dead and after a week or so when she was washing the dog she would have taken the band out of her hair and the ear has fallen off… Just like a lambs tail with a band on it….

I’ve heard many storys of owners doing stuff like this and them trying to blame the groomer…
so if you put bows or bands on your dog always make sure that you have not caught any skin under it… I aways slide the comb under the bow to make sure it is clear of the skin.

I would be looking at the owner before I blame the groomer on this one. I feel very sorry for Jasmine but I feel more sorry for the groomer whos life is now ruined and she most likely had nothing to do with any of this….

By: Joy

Joy — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 05:24:53 +0000

Carrie,

Thank you for barking in and giving the rest of us some tips on what to look for in a groomer or shop. I know I’ll be keeping all of what you’ve barked in mind the next time I need a groomer!

By: Carrie

Carrie — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 03:46:27 +0000

Your best bet is to use an owner/operated mobile groomer, there is less to distract your dog or groomer so the focus is entirely on your dog and not on customer questions, phone calls, or 20 other barking dogs stuck in cages. There may be a little higher fee for this service because the groomer will end up doing less dogs a day but for less than $20 more you may consider it worth it.

A shop is OK too but make sure you always ask for the same person to work on your pet, I’m amazed by how many people will go to a petsomething or shop and just use whoever or assume the shop owner is doing their dog. Ask the person taking your dog from you if they will be taking care of your pup that day. Do your part and tell them anything that might be helpful such as allergies, skin conditions, or behavior problems. Try to keep your pets coat matt and tangle free, it is fact that nicks and cuts are more likely to happen while dematting or shaving a matted dog or cat.

It is acceptable to ask their experience, a person newer to grooming is OK too (you got to start somewhere, give them a chance!) but ask how much training they’ve had and by who. You are looking for someone who has completed grooming school or has worked with or under (or is being supervised by) an experienced groomer (at least three years under their belt). It’s true a good groomer wont mind you watching (I groom in people’s homes!) but they may ask you to stand where you can see them but the dog can’t see you and get distracted. If you don’t feel right about your groomer it’s OK to use someone else, we understand and would do the same. Groomers are usually very hardworking, dog lovers and do their job because they love making people and dogs happy.

Finally when you find a groomer that makes you and your groomer happy let them know it. After all, it’s your thank you’s and your dogs happiness are what make it all worthwhile.

By: Joy

Joy — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 15:35:26 +0000

Linda,

Thank you for your reminder that there are many good groomers out there.

Could some Dogster groomers give the rest of us hints as to how to judge groomers when we go into their businesses?

By: Linda

Linda — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 04:12:19 +0000

What happen to that poor Jasmin is a tragedy but you shouldn’t say that all groomers are bad. You don’t have to have a licence to be a groomer but if you decide to take your pet to one make sure that they have had professional training at a accredited school.I had to go to school for months to be one. Also a good groomer won’t mind if you stay with your pet while being groomed .

By: Beth

Beth — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 19:11:16 +0000

http://www.kirotv.com/video/11016578/index.html

Here is the original story.

By: Ozzie Lu

Ozzie Lu — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 19:05:14 +0000

I think the lack of ear is just as incriminating as the piece of ear. But keep it if you must.

By: Dixie

Dixie — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 08:50:52 +0000

Jasmine, I am so sorry that this has been done to you, sweetie. I can’t imagine the pain you were in!
And to Ozzie Lu; if you go to the link provided and watch the video it’s explained a little better.
She was bathing the dog because she thought the ear had dirt in it.
And I would keep the piece of ear myself. It’s called evidence.
My dogs don’t go to groomers, thank DOG!