I used hand clippers on my mini Schnauzer, because he was too smart to let me near him with electric clippers.
How long ago did you adopt from the rescue? I am surprised they did not insure that pup was at least de-matted before being adopted.
I took my cockapoo to PetSmart. He did have some mats and they refused to clip him. Not an old dog. They lost my business FOREVER. Took him to Petco, had a good experience.
[QUOTE=chestnutmarebeware;8824799]
Thank you all for the feedback! I know the groomers are afraid of the liability.
I’m now thinking it might be easiest to buy a muzzle and clippers and just do it myself. The actual shaving of the mats won’t take more than a few minutes. I can certainly bathe her easily, and a pet-cocker clip can’t be too hard with a few pix as a reference. And she’ll be less stressed here in her home. What do you think?[/QUOTE]
if you have horse clippers, use them. I have used our horse clippers (Oster) on our cat with many matts. Last year, we trimmed her to bare skin to get all the mats off
Personally, I’d never take a dog to PetSmart.
The place I get dog food has a groomer and I use her.
I used to train with my old groomer until I moved.
I, for one, am actually glad to hear of groomers refusing some dogs. It is much better that they recognize their limitations and only accept the clients their staff are prepared to handle. Too great a chance of the dog being hurt, or at least the owner being dissatisfied if they take in dogs that their groomers cant manage effectively. Leave those to the more experienced groomers or the ones associated with vets as the needs may be.
I’ve picked up plenty of cockers from shelters. They’re usually a dirty, matted mess.
So, my cocker whisperer (director of Cherished Cockers Rescue) says the best thing to do with a senior dog that might be really stressed it to have the vet sedate her and do a full shave. Less traumatic and they can do a full once over.
Still waiting on call backs, OP.
I do my poodles (senior shelter rescues) at home- less stress. I use my horse clippers, AGCL with a 7 blade and a 10 blade. They don’t look perfect, but they don;t care.
I may have to steal the dragon spike idea though 
[QUOTE=Angela Freda;8825964]
How long ago did you adopt from the rescue? I am surprised they did not insure that pup was at least de-matted before being adopted.[/QUOTE]
Not from a rescue–from the town “pound” about a week ago. She was really cage aggressive and the workers were afraid to feed her, much less cut mats out. I took her because my adopted ACD acted the same way and I was sure the problem would disappear once she was out of the shelter. It did, and I’m crazy about her!
[QUOTE=Bicoastal;8825514]
It is corporate policy not to use muzzles. Since they groom in a fishbowl where Joe Shmoe can watch everything, the corporation has rules about the appearance of the grooming process. Muzzles, Groomer’s Helper, Air Muzzle, and other restraints may look barbaric to Joe Public so they are forbidden
Jhein can clarify which corp. One or both of the PetSomethings forbid muzzles.[/QUOTE]
Petco bans muzzles for this reason. We can use a groomers helper though to restrain a dog. To the people saying they don’t like petsmart groomers, it’s bad to generalize. Good and bad groomers are everywhere. I know private shops who only use dawn dish soap to bathe all the dogs. Some groomers prefer corporations (me) because of the benefits that most private shops can’t afford to offer.
Look up the muzzle-up project. Great resource to get your dog used to wearing a muzzle, and also help debunk the general public 's misconceptions about muzzles.
https://muzzleupproject.com/
[QUOTE=IndysMom;8825336]
My groomer insists on a clean dog before she’ll clip the entire coat because dirt is hard on the clippers.[/QUOTE]
Are you saying she makes you bathe your own dog before she grooms it? I guess that would sure expedite the process…
As for the OP, it’s not that hard to clip. DO get a good pair of clippers, I personally like Andis, and get two blades of whatever length you decide to go with (I usually do mine in a 10 or 15) because they’ll get hot, fast.
If it’s just a few mats, I’d spot-clip those first and then bathe, dry, and clip the rest of her. They’ll tighten up on you when they get wet. Also, make sure you’re pulling the skin tight with your other hand so you don’t nick her or get waves, maybe practice gently pulling folds of it as you pet her when she’s relaxed.
I wouldn’t take a dog to our local PetSmart, many horror stories there. Obviously you DO get good groomers there occasionally, like Jhein, but locally the chains seem to all have really bad reputations.
Do you have any mobile grooming unites in your area? We have a bunch in my area.
We had one come to the house with a nice trailer that gave my cat a lion clip. DH said it was a beautiful set up. She did a great job.
Punky Cat is about 11 years old. I have had her for just over 10 years and for some reason this year she really got mats. She never did in the past. So she wasn’t used to being clipped. No way could I get near her with clippers. The groomer used Kevlar gloves. Punky can be a bit free with her teeth and claws.
[QUOTE=Where’sMyWhite;8826103]
Personally, I’d never take a dog to PetSmart.
The place I get dog food has a groomer and I use her.
I used to train with my old groomer until I moved.[/QUOTE]
I’ve taken my dog to two fancy, well-regarded groomers in my area. One split two of her nails during a $25(!!!) nail trim and the other let an unneutered mastiff loose in the room with her and completely traumatized her.
PetSmart gets her nails shorter than even my vet tech friend without quicking her really hard to trim nails and will throw in a bath, blow dry and brush out for the $25 I spent on a nail trim alone at my neighborhood groomer.
But, more importantly, she goes in wagging her tail and leaves the same way - not cowering or in pain.
And you clip a dog with the hair not against it like a horse’s body clip.
By the way OP good on ya for adopting an older dog. My favorite…
[QUOTE=ryansgirl;8824784]
I don’t blame them. There have been a decent number of cases lately where dogs have died while at the groomers so they’re probably being extra cautious. Can your vet shave her and then you give her a bath? There are a ton of places around me that have self-serve baths - most are doggy daycare kind of places. Super cheap and they supply everything you need. Are there any mobile groomers around you?[/QUOTE]
I agree.
I would vote for an initial buzz clip. Take it all off to assess the skin and then give a good bath. Next clip you will be able to do you cocker clip and at least set the pattern.
I clip my parents’ cocker occasionally…she gets buzzed every time. Her hair is super thick and they are elderly and can’t do the necessary grooming. We do leave more coat in the fall/winter. I even clip her ears. OMG if they were left au naturel, her ears would weigh 2 lbs apiece!
Thanks for taking on the oldster:).
Susan
Wanted to add that I think it would be kinder to an older matted dog to take her to the vet with a groomer so she can get good meds. All the changes have to have stressed out the poor thing and more strangers and an uncomfortable (possibly hurtful) procedure would be hard on her.
[QUOTE=chestnutmarebeware;8826326]
Not from a rescue–from the town “pound” about a week ago. She was really cage aggressive and the workers were afraid to feed her, much less cut mats out. I took her because my adopted ACD acted the same way and I was sure the problem would disappear once she was out of the shelter. It did, and I’m crazy about her![/QUOTE]
All the more reason to have the vet clip her since you don’t really know much about her temperament when stressed. It’s best that it be a positive experience for her.
I’ve heard bad things about Petsmart from a former groomer there, so I don’t think it’s a bad thing they passed you over. I agree it was most likely a dog safety/liability issue.
