2nd Petco death! Petco bakes Golden Retriever to death in drying cage

[Casey09]

[QUOTE=Jhein12;8175803]
I’ve seen my fair share of owner caused injuries. It’s always hard to earn the dog’s trust after that but you can do it. I’ve seen cuts from owners cutting out mats with scissors, owners clipper burning their dog, and cuts from them not knowing the dog’s anatomy and using the clippers going towards folds of skin, not away. Not that someone can’t learn to groom at home, but we do go through months of training. That’s another reason why this scares me. More people are going to try grooming at home who don’t know a thing, and they may hurt their dogs.[/QUOTE]

This is also very true. I’ve known people who learned to do an amazing job of grooming their own dogs, but there are valid safety concerns. There is a groomer in my area that gives classes for owners that want to learn to groom themselves, and I think that is wonderful.
I just think that people should make sure that they know what unsafe practices they need to watch for when choosing a groomer rather than just selecting a groomer based on price or convenience. There are a lot of safety concerns to be aware of.
I can’t believe that muzzles aren’t allowed. I guess I must be missing something there. If one of my dogs got cranky with the groomer, I’d much rather the groomer use a muzzle than risk having my dog bite the groomer. I’m surprised it doesn’t become an issue more often as so many dogs are touchy about their toenails (not that it isn’t possible to train a dog to be good about that, but many people do not).
All considered, I’d still choose a groomer that hand dries the dog every time, and is very careful about staying with any dog in a noose. I am very concerned with the safety of grooming facilities, but there are absolutely things I won’t attempt myself (such as cutting matts out), because I know that there is risk of cutting the dog.

[gaitedincali]

[QUOTE=Alagirl;8175914]
I give a crap.
Part of what I hate about petco and petsmart.[/QUOTE]

Then hassle corporate about it, not one of the peons who has eff-all to do with it.

The people who sign my paycheck say I’m to refer to owners as pet parents, so I do. Sometimes it slips out in non-work situations. Eh, whatever.

[gaitedincali]

[QUOTE=Casey09;8175927]
This is also very true. I’ve known people who learned to do an amazing job of grooming their own dogs, but there are valid safety concerns. There is a groomer in my area that gives classes for owners that want to learn to groom themselves, and I think that is wonderful.
I just think that people should make sure that they know what unsafe practices they need to watch for when choosing a groomer rather than just selecting a groomer based on price or convenience. There are a lot of safety concerns to be aware of.
I can’t believe that muzzles aren’t allowed. I guess I must be missing something there. If one of my dogs got cranky with the groomer, I’d much rather the groomer use a muzzle than risk having my dog bite the groomer. I’m surprised it doesn’t become an issue more often as so many dogs are touchy about their toenails (not that it isn’t possible to train a dog to be good about that, but many people do not).
All considered, I’d still choose a groomer that hand dries the dog every time, and is very careful about staying with any dog in a noose. I am very concerned with the safety of grooming facilities, but there are absolutely things I won’t attempt myself (such as cutting matts out), because I know that there is risk of cutting the dog.[/QUOTE]

I don’t like muzzles at all. They usually upset the dog and make them fight harder, and I have heard of dogs that overheated and needed emergency treatment because they were fighting, couldn’t pant, and the muzzle was on too long, as well as dogs that injured their eyes while trying to claw the muzzle off. There are better tools. Groomers helper, air muzzles, cones, etc.

I have zero issue with heat-less cage dryers though, although hand drying will always be superior because of the finish you get on the coat. I’m glad I have that tool available to me- I’ve heard some stories from mobile friends about having to go to lengths to get scared dogs hand dried that I would not be comfortable with.

[Jhein12]

[QUOTE=Casey09;8175927]
This is also very true. I’ve known people who learned to do an amazing job of grooming their own dogs, but there are valid safety concerns. There is a groomer in my area that gives classes for owners that want to learn to groom themselves, and I think that is wonderful.
I just think that people should make sure that they know what unsafe practices they need to watch for when choosing a groomer rather than just selecting a groomer based on price or convenience. There are a lot of safety concerns to be aware of.
I can’t believe that muzzles aren’t allowed. I guess I must be missing something there. If one of my dogs got cranky with the groomer, I’d much rather the groomer use a muzzle than risk having my dog bite the groomer. I’m surprised it doesn’t become an issue more often as so many dogs are touchy about their toenails (not that it isn’t possible to train a dog to be good about that, but many people do not).
All considered, I’d still choose a groomer that hand dries the dog every time, and is very careful about staying with any dog in a noose. I am very concerned with the safety of grooming facilities, but there are absolutely things I won’t attempt myself (such as cutting matts out), because I know that there is risk of cutting the dog.[/QUOTE]

Muzzles aren’t allowed due to complaints from shoppers. Because they can see in… they can see if the dog is muzzled and many people do think “oh poor doggy”. They don’t want us using e-collars for the same reason. So now we can’t muzzle if we need to. We send the dog home.

[Jhein12]

[QUOTE=Alagirl;8175914]
I give a crap.
Part of what I hate about petco and petsmart.[/QUOTE]

Well as you see in my other posts, I refer to them as owners and parents. Because I don’t care to be political about what I call the person who keeps a pet so long as they take good care

[Jhein12]

@gaitedincali;8175954

I don’t like muzzles at all. They usually upset the dog and make them fight harder, and I have heard of dogs that overheated and needed emergency treatment because they were fighting, couldn’t pant, and the muzzle was on too long, as well as dogs that injured their eyes while trying to claw the muzzle off. There are better tools. Groomers helper, air muzzles, cones, etc.

It really depends on the dog. Before the rule was in place I knew there were some dogs who did better with a muzzle. If I put it on for the nail trim then they were fine, if I didn’t they tried to bite. Other dogs did better with an e-collar, while some did not tolerate that. I do always use a groomers helper- love them! We can still use air muzzles, but for cats only So for muzzle use, I wouldn’t blame the tool, but how it is utilized.

[Horsegal984]

I would wonder if perhaps the dog hung itself, and developed pulmonary edema secondary to it. A respiratory distress dog will often spike a high temperature from the overwork it’s body is doing to try and breathe. Hence the temp of 105 without a heat source. It also would take a little time to develop so they may have thought the dog was fine right after without realizing the secondary complications. We’ve seen it happen fairly frequently. I am ASSUMING that they were using the cage dryers without the heat, like coporate said they should be since back in 2008.

When I worked at a day practice we had the dryers that hung on the outside of the cage and would blow hot air to dry patients post baths. Even with several of them running in a small area they just didn’t get warm enough to cause problems like this. They also had timers and shut themselves off after 30 minutes max, so I’m really not understanding why/how a professional grooming salon wouldn’t be using something “better” than our basic dryers. It just doesn’t add up to me that this is a straightforward heat stroke.

Either way, totally inexcusable but we’ll see what happens as this plays out and my condolences to the poor dog’s family.

[Jhein12]

[QUOTE=Horsegal984;8176068]

When I worked at a day practice we had the dryers that hung on the outside of the cage and would blow hot air to dry patients post baths. Even with several of them running in a small area they just didn’t get warm enough to cause problems like this. They also had timers and shut themselves off after 30 minutes max, so I’m really not understanding why/how a professional grooming salon wouldn’t be using something “better” than our basic dryers. It just doesn’t add up to me that this is a straightforward heat stroke.[/QUOTE]

Ours sound similar to those except they blow cool air and turn off after 15 minutes. Most of us try to not use those though because they do not produce a good finish like a hand drying does. I only use them for dogs who don’t tolerate hand drying.

[french_fry]

[QUOTE=Alagirl;8175914]
I give a crap.
Part of what I hate about petco and petsmart.[/QUOTE]

I used to care about this type of thing. Then I started working with a rescue that pulls dogs from high kill shelters and fosters them until homes are found for them.

I very, very quickly stopped caring whether someone referred to their pet as their “fur baby” or themselves as the “pet parent.” Are they giving them food, water, shelter, attention? Are they even taking them to be groomed (presuming the breed requires it)? They can call themselves their pet’s lord and savior, for all I care.

[StarPattern]

If this was my dog, I’d be on a rampage for justice. I’d own every single Petco by the time I was done with it. Yes, people make mistakes… but mistakes shouldn’t cost a life. I’ve made countless mistakes, but I can safely say I’ve never baked an animal to death. Have I left my dogs outside on a sunny day for longer than I should have, sure… but I also left many water sources, and a cool shelter. Did they die? No, I still had to convince them to come inside.

And in this instance, this is not the first time that Petco baked a dog. If they continue to allow these machines in the grooming salons, it won’t be the last either. I don’t take my dogs to be professionally groomed, but if I did… I would never leave them in the hands of someone who uses a heat dryer. Articles like this cause us to be extra cautious and apparently, for damn good reason.

[Alagirl]

[QUOTE=french fry;8176631]
I used to care about this type of thing. Then I started working with a rescue that pulls dogs from high kill shelters and fosters them until homes are found for them.

I very, very quickly stopped caring whether someone referred to their pet as their “fur baby” or themselves as the “pet parent.” Are they giving them food, water, shelter, attention? Are they even taking them to be groomed (presuming the breed requires it)? They can call themselves their pet’s lord and savior, for all I care.[/QUOTE]

If I refer to myself as ogre, that’s my thing. In a professional setting you should not refer to me as ogre, no matter how often you heard me say it.
If the customer sees herself as mommie to fluffy, it’s her gig.
I do not want the staff to refer to me as person having birthed an animal.

[Dramapony_misty]

I had my cocker spaniel groomed at our local Petsmart and she was treated wonderfully. Our original groomer had retired and another groomer, Jane, we had uses several years earlier had decided to give up her private grooming business to work part-time for the Petsmart Salon. Some how she found out that my dog had gone blind from glaucoma, Jane contacted me to ask if she could use dog as a demo on grooming and handling dogs with special needs. My Wendy girl looked so cute and happy after her session that we kept bringing her back to Petsmart for grooming until she passed away.

Oh, and I should add that Wendy would yelp when strangers and certain people would touch her ears (no pain, though you wouldn’t know that hearing her!) and would start growling and looking like Kujo when trying to clip her nails. I don’t know what special magic Petsmart had in the air in that salon, but she didn’t make a peep the whole time.

[Gestalt]

[QUOTE=Jhein12;8175576]
I check in and out all of my clients. I am the one who bathes them, drys them, cuts their hair. We don’t split up grooming work like some stores have bathers who do part and then groomers who do part. I’ve got about 56 very regular clients who come in every 6 weeks or more, and then several other clients who come in 8 plus weeks. I get to know them and their dogs. When their dog gets sick, they call and let me know. Hell today one client called me and told me her dog has cancer we both cried on the phone. At Christmas, I give cards, they give me gifts. Many have told me that they think of me as family. Just because it’s a box store doesn’t mean we aren’t personable or care about our clients.[/QUOTE]

I take the foster dogs I get for grooming at the Walla Walla Petco. The groomers, and other staff, sound like you. They are all very nice and the grooming is professional. Every dog I’ve taken there has come out happy. The staff all love on the dogs. It’s sweet.

[Jhein12]

[QUOTE=Gestalt;8177219]
I take the foster dogs I get for grooming at the Walla Walla Petco. The groomers, and other staff, sound like you. They are all very nice and the grooming is professional. Every dog I’ve taken there has come out happy. The staff all love on the dogs. It’s sweet. :)[/QUOTE]

We have a shelter within the Petco store, and we groom all of their dogs for free. Always have! We’re good people

[lachelle]

If anyone cares to read about the outcome of their investigation…

http://wric.com/2015/06/04/petco-makes-policy-changes-admits-fault-in-death-of-dog-after-grooming-session/

Which still doesn’t explain how the dog died of heat stroke without a heat source.

[Horsegal984]

[QUOTE=lachelle;8179045]
If anyone cares to read about the outcome of their investigation…

http://wric.com/2015/06/04/petco-makes-policy-changes-admits-fault-in-death-of-dog-after-grooming-session/

Which still doesn’t explain how the dog died of heat stroke without a heat source.[/QUOTE]

See my post above about respiratory distress. Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema can develop post choking, be severe enough to cause the death of the dog and the physical exertion needed to try and breath as long as possible can cause very high body temperatures. Many causes for respiratory distress can cause a secondary heat stroke, like laryngeal paralysis for another example.