Groomer Recommendation

[Shoshana]

I've never in my life used a groomer. I had a Doberman before - I used to wash him & brush him myself & he never needed nail clipping...

Now I have a puppy that will be long haired (Tibetan terrier) & once she gets her undercoat I'll need to brush her a few times a week. This is fine - I enjoy brushing her but I'd like a professional groomer to teach me how to look after the hairy feet & clip nails - maybe also give me advice on the sort of combs & brushes I'll need.

I think it would be good to introduce Rosie to a groomer early...

Could someone please recommend a good groomer - sort of between Hallet Cove & Torrens Park.

Thank you.

[westiemum]

Hi Shoshana,

Not quite Torrens Park but probably only 5 minutes further on...

I recommend Regan at

Pet-A-Coat Junction

Shop 4

261 Goodwood Road

Kings Park

8272 3333

0438 853 517

Going north on Goodwood Road heading into the city its in the group of shops on the RHS just before the underpass.

Regan does a great job of my westies which isn't an easy clip (I'm told!) - couldn't be happier.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

Westiemum

[Leema]

My parents used to use these guys for their Chow Chow:

http://www.townandcountrydogs.com.au/

[ness]

GoldiesRGreat (another DOL member) is a Groomer - the Spoilt Dog Shop and isn't that far from Torrens Park. She is just on Fullaton Road. I am in Torrens Park and its about 6 minutes drive from my place. She is really nice .

[Shoshana]

Thank you so much for the recommendations...

I didn't know where to turn... and for some reason, the groomer closest to me, called Laundromutt, didn't appeal...

[GoldiesRgr8Poodles2]

Just thought Id say hi... I groom another TT called Bailey.. he has basics done. Hes not in a show coat but is kept long. They opt to have his eyes trimmed too though. But we can accomodate show coats here happily Ive have quite a few poeple get their dogs trimmed with us that were showies but ran behind time or couldnt be bothered so we are use to doing almost anything. Dogs dont need to stay all day and i dont cage them unless they are agressive towards other dogs. Its like a big play group. The dogs seem to enjoy the grooming more when its fun with playtime.

You can stop in and ill give you a tour of the shop and you can meet the other girls there too. Im not shy about showinf people the business end of grooming!

Good luck looking for a salon!

[Pug Hugger]

Just thought Id say hi... I groom another TT called Bailey.. he has basics done. Hes not in a show coat but is kept long. They opt to have his eyes trimmed too though. But we can accomodate show coats here happily Ive have quite a few poeple get their dogs trimmed with us that were showies but ran behind time or couldnt be bothered so we are use to doing almost anything. Dogs dont need to stay all day and i dont cage them unless they are agressive towards other dogs. Its like a big play group. The dogs seem to enjoy the grooming more when its fun with playtime.

You can stop in and ill give you a tour of the shop and you can meet the other girls there too. Im not shy about showinf people the business end of grooming!

Good luck looking for a salon!

Go with GoldiesRGreat!!! Town and Country dogs are about 200m from my place. I walk past there a lot but have no dieda how good they are.

[ness]

My two love GRG - oh wait no that would be the treats she gives them everytime we drop in.

[Pug Hugger]

My two love GRG - oh wait no that would be the treats she gives them everytime we drop in.

Louie is now angry at me as he has not yet had a GRG treat!

[casowner]

I believe Dogfx on Prospect Road is the best, they endeavour to lift the industry standards and are very genuine people. The proof is in the clip, they don't spend their time trying to convince people they are good - they just are. They also have a lot of experience is specialised clips as well.

[GoldiesRgr8Poodles2]

My two love GRG - oh wait no that would be the treats she gives them everytime we drop in.

Louie is now angry at me as he has not yet had a GRG treat!

well you better change that PH! I want my louie!!!!

Casowner with all due respect its not just about the clipping but the whole experience for a dog getting groomed. I knew a woman once whos grooming was unlike any other in skill. She was sensational but the holding cages they were kept in were terrible, she cage dried which scared the crap out of most of the dogs and she spent no time actually talking to them or playing with them or trying to make grooming a good experience.

Im not saying that is what Dog FX are about but im just saying that although vital to a salon the clip is not the only thing to consider when choosing a salon. Personal one on one time and where they are held before and after grooming, all the people that will be working there the day you take your pup. Its like childcare to alot of people and they shouldn't have to leave their dogs at a salon they havent seen the workings of and see the staff just like you wouldnt leave you child at a daycare centre where they dont let you past the desk and you leave your child there without knowing anything.

Its Just food for thought.

And Casowner just as a side note how do you justify saying "The proof is in the clip, they dont spend time trying to convince people they are good- they just are" When they have and i think still do run TV adds trying to drum up business and do exactly what you said try and convince people they are good. If the proof is in they pudding as you say they would have had no need to do a tv add. just IMO

Im not saying that Dog FX arent good groomers, Ive seen their work its good but your arguement for them is flawed thats all. Even if your observation about their grooming is correct.

Edited July 18, 2008 by GoldiesRgr8Poodles2

[Shoshana]

Just thought Id say hi... I groom another TT called Bailey.. he has basics done. Hes not in a show coat but is kept long. They opt to have his eyes trimmed too though. But we can accomodate show coats here happily Ive have quite a few poeple get their dogs trimmed with us that were showies but ran behind time or couldnt be bothered so we are use to doing almost anything. Dogs dont need to stay all day and i dont cage them unless they are agressive towards other dogs. Its like a big play group. The dogs seem to enjoy the grooming more when its fun with playtime.

You can stop in and ill give you a tour of the shop and you can meet the other girls there too. Im not shy about showinf people the business end of grooming!

Good luck looking for a salon!

You sound very much like what I'm looking for.

Where can I find you?

[GoldiesRgr8Poodles2]

will pm all my details

[trishalouise]

Go with Goldies - she is a great groomer as well as a lovely person! I had a REALLY bad experience with Dog FX so they certainly do not get my vote.

Trish

[Gogee]

Although Indi hasn't been groomed at Goldies' The Spoilt Dog, he can vouch for the cuddles and treats he got when he used to visit for doggy daycare there! Another thumbs up for GoldiesRGr8Poodles2! :D

[GoldiesRgr8Poodles2]

thanks guys! means alot

[casowner]

I have been grooming and training using positive training methods for 18 years and have spent most of that time trying to make people understand the benefits of correct handling. I truly believe that dog grooming is about 80% dog handling and 20% artistic skill and that every experience should be positive for the dog, owner and groomer. I have worked with some of the very best and some of the very worst groomers, and what I have learnt is that I don't care how skilled you think you are if you can't give each dog a good experience then you should not be in this profession. A true groomer never stops learning and evolving their handling, grooming and customer service skills. Owners need to be educated in how to make the grooming experience for their pet easier, in a positive way. I have seen groomers that profess to handle the dogs lovingly, make great relationships with the owners and then behind closed doors do the opposite. I hear bad stories about most groomers (even dol members) but do not attempt to bad mouth them in any way, as each person, dog and owner come with their owns behaviours and issues. Taking negative complaints as true gospel is not always the best way to win over a new customer as there may be one of yours doing the same. I am not saying by any means that complaints are false at all, but reiterate that some things aren't always as they look. Hasn't everyone had that customer that brings in a badly matted dog and said keep it long, there are no knots! Even once they are educated there is still that proportion that will go to another groomer and complain about you. At the other end there are groomers that will be so rough that they should be prosecuted and I have been left in shock at what I have seen. Having a good experience with an animal makes your job easier next time and isn't that the goal for all groomers.

My comments about the Dogfx was based on my overall experience with them in their professionality, expertise and most importantly animal handling skills. They advertise "not to drum up business" but to make the public aware of their service, that makes good business sense, it does not mean that they handle the dogs any less appropriately. They have spent a lot of money ensuring that their facilities are well above the quality of most groomers and even went to the expense of going to Interzoo in Germany to source the best quality products available to benefit their customers and staff. I am not affiliated with them in any way, just through Industry events, however I will be sure to pass on your comments.

[trishalouise]

I certainly agree with you about the handling aspect - I am not a groomer but I am a reward-based trainer. I checked out Dog FX before I took my puppy in there - a Mini Poodle who had been groomed by her breeder 3 times before she came to us at 8 weeks. They certainly talked the talk - hence I booked her in. Unfortunately they did not walk the walk in our case. I nearly cried when I saw her. They had shorn her like a sheep. The clipper job was horrendous - and no she wasn't matted. This was a 10 week old puppy who was going in more for a nice positive experience of going to a groomer than a true haircut - face, feet and bum really. They didn't even touch her feet. When I rang to ask them about her feet the response was "Oh yeah she wasn't very cooperative in that area". My response to this was that I understood that she was a squirmy puppy but it should have been mentioned when I picked her up. I did not expect them to hold her down to do it but something like "She was stressed when we tried to do her feet so we didn't get them done this time. Bring her back next week and we will try again when she is less stressed" would have been a better response. They were less than receptive to my comments so I would be happy for you to pass them on. Coincidentally (or not??) she developed a UTI 6 hours after I picked her up.

[GoldiesRgr8Poodles2]

I have been grooming and training using positive training methods for 18 years and have spent most of that time trying to make people understand the benefits of correct handling. I truly believe that dog grooming is about 80% dog handling and 20% artistic skill and that every experience should be positive for the dog, owner and groomer. I have worked with some of the very best and some of the very worst groomers, and what I have learnt is that I don't care how skilled you think you are if you can't give each dog a good experience then you should not be in this profession. A true groomer never stops learning and evolving their handling, grooming and customer service skills. Owners need to be educated in how to make the grooming experience for their pet easier, in a positive way. I have seen groomers that profess to handle the dogs lovingly, make great relationships with the owners and then behind closed doors do the opposite. I hear bad stories about most groomers (even dol members) but do not attempt to bad mouth them in any way, as each person, dog and owner come with their owns behaviours and issues. Taking negative complaints as true gospel is not always the best way to win over a new customer as there may be one of yours doing the same. I am not saying by any means that complaints are false at all, but reiterate that some things aren't always as they look. Hasn't everyone had that customer that brings in a badly matted dog and said keep it long, there are no knots! Even once they are educated there is still that proportion that will go to another groomer and complain about you. At the other end there are groomers that will be so rough that they should be prosecuted and I have been left in shock at what I have seen. Having a good experience with an animal makes your job easier next time and isn't that the goal for all groomers.

My comments about the Dogfx was based on my overall experience with them in their professionality, expertise and most importantly animal handling skills. They advertise "not to drum up business" but to make the public aware of their service, that makes good business sense, it does not mean that they handle the dogs any less appropriately. They have spent a lot of money ensuring that their facilities are well above the quality of most groomers and even went to the expense of going to Interzoo in Germany to source the best quality products available to benefit their customers and staff. I am not affiliated with them in any way, just through Industry events, however I will be sure to pass on your comments.

And to re iterate I never said anything negative about DogFX in post. Mearly questioned your wording in your post. As it was written it felt very attacking towards me on your part as i had mearly told the op what we are about at my salon.

Im sorry if you have taken anything I said in my post to be acusitory or derogitory towards dogFX that was not my intension in the slightest. But take it as you like.