06/10/2025
Isn't this cute? However it's not cute to be bitten when grooming.
BITING OR DANGEROUS BEHAVIOURS. THE D.O.G. POLICY on the subject.
It is important you are honest when booking in. It is your responsibility to disclose to me (and every groomer, vet etc) if you are aware your dog has issues of any kind including biting or any medical issue for that matter. It is also your responsibility to alert the groomer if your dog is difficult to handle even if they don't bite. Is your dog difficult to bath, dry, lift, handle in any part of the anatomy?
I recently had a dog book in that clearly showed signs of abuse. The dog sent me off to emergency and it was made very clear I was lied to by the owner.
This is not ok. Spending the rest of my day in emergency is not ok. This is not part of the job as a groomer and you are at liability if you lie or omit the truth. This is a commonly misunderstood expectation on grooming.
Your failure to disclose could shut a grooming business down or take a groomer out of their career. A dog attack can have serious long lasting or permanent injuries.
When you are truthful it does not mean your dog will be rejected but it gives the groomer the opportunity to problem solve. If the groomer refuses to groom it is also their right and ultimately better for you and your dog. The reasons to refuse can range from an unconfident/new in the field groomer to one of experience and reading you the owner as problematic, liability issues etc. There are many issues to consider when proceeding with a difficult dog.
Gaslighting and blaming the groomer is not advisable. Responsibility starts with the owner.
Telling the groomer to allow the dog to bite is not ok. Yes I have heard that a number of times over my career time.
If your usual groomer has a handle on the dog then it is imperative you stay with that groomer. It does not mean another groomer is 'less than'. That groomer has put time in and found resolve. If your groomer is temporarily not available then you need to converse with your groomer for solutions. It's logic. A good groomer will have your best interests at heart.
Please be clear on this.
How do I decide what I will do?
First up I have skills to handle such a dog and have handled many rejected dogs over the years. The decision to proceed however depends on the circumstances; what I read is going on with the dog and the owners response to the circumstances. I don't just refuse but there are several factors I look at in the decision to groom or down tools. Is the client another groomers client, who is the groomer and their experiences handling the dog, what are the home behaviours, environmental circumstances, medical issues, history of abuse, age factors, breed factors, owners lack of handling the dog, how the owner is conversing with me etc. Yes. I will ask you and you had better be honest. You would expect the same of me right? Truth goes both ways. Don't trust me or any other groomer; find the groomer right for you. Simple.
Waving the $ does not mean I have to work for you. Payment on arrival does not guarantee you service. I do not work for everyone and there are various reasons for this.
I do not accept abusive or violent behaviour in my salon. I do not accept manipulation, demands to push other clients aside or time pushing.
Money does not rule me. Ethics however does.
Consider. Be honest. I know you love your dog and have personal fears. If your dog has issues it does not mean the groomer will be mean to your dog in handling the situation.
Safety for dog and humans is paramount. If you think it doesn't matter D.O.G. is not the salon for you Scoobie doo.
Yolanda I.C.M.G.
