Dog Groomers are People Too.
Nancy's dog Toby needs a little surgical procedure. We scheduled it for Thursday morning. She called back a few minutes later and asked if we could reschedule that for next week. She said "I forgot that I have a grooming appointment for Toby on Thursday and those are really hard to get!"
Another blow to my ego. Grooming appointments trump surgery appointments. Oh well. It doesn't really bother me. It's been that way most of the 30 years I've been doing this and actually, our clinic groomer is always booked up about 6 months or more in advance, and is not taking new clients. Grooming appointments are kind of like season tickets for the Green Bay Packers.
I called all the other veterinary clinics in the valley and found only Riverview Animal Clinic in Clarkston does some basic grooming - shave downs and baths. Veterinary clinics will generally do toenail trims and some "therapeutic" grooming. Some dogs and cats get so matted up that they require anesthesia for a haircut. Some develop serious skin infections.
I called the local pet groomers and they are all accepting new clients, though some are pretty selective. Some are limited to small dogs. Some require regular appointments every six weeks.
* Blue Ribbon Grooming (Hazel Christianson) 3805 11th St. Lewiston 743-0153 Small dogs only. Six week appointments required.
* Canine Cuts (Becky Bryant) 1024 Marvin Ln, Clarkston. 758-8294. No large dogs, No cats.
* Lady and the Tramp (Connie Baker) 654 Thain Rd. 746-0095 Large dogs OK, no cats.
* Lorie's Pet Grooming (Lorie Stowers)142 C Thain Rd. 798-3160. Large dogs OK, no cats.
* My Grooming Shop (Lori Blankenship) 3723 Lapwai Rd. 305-3754 Large dogs OK, no cats.
*Park Avenue Pet Salon 609 Park Ave Lewiston 746-5482 Large dogs OK, No cats
*PetCo, 2362 Nez Perce Drive Lewiston 798-7796 Large dogs OK, will do some cats.
* Ruff Cuts 1233 Cedar Ave. 743-3397
*Sherry's Tail Wagging (Sherry Cobban) 1505 Maple St. Clarkston Large dogs OK, will shave down cats
* Wags To Riches (Jenny Ertter) 1371 53rd St N. Lewiston 791-3647 Large Dogs OK No cats.
I also asked each of these groomers if they had any tips, advice, or peeves that they would like to bring up. The most common pet peeve was people who do no regular brushing, combing or bathing at home, and come in once every 9 months or so and then don't understand why the dog doesn't look like the dogs they see on TV. If you have a small longhaired dog it is especially important to have him groomed regularly, every 6 weeks, and comb him regularly at home.
Appointment times are important. Groomers usually allow a certain amount of time for each dog, and they do several dogs a day. It is important to be on time for appointments, and to not come in early to pick the dog up. And most groomers won't let you stay with your dog. He would be continually trying to "get rescued" and be much harder to handle.
Start puppies early and allow more time - they need to learn how to behave at the beauty shop. If you have an old dog, it may be better for him to have a short but comfortable and easy to maintain haircut instead long beautiful hair. If your dog has health issues, or little tumors or warts, be sure to let the groomer know. And just because it's winter time, don't forget flea control.
Finally, if you have a good groomer, I would recommend treating her right. They don't grow on trees!