• Today I lost a client that I had been serving semi-regularly for years. Since they posted an online comment, I want to tell everyone I know that might be a client of Love Fur Dogs why I lost this client, and what that says about me as a business owner.

    This client came to me years ago with a small older dog that she had been grooming elsewhere for years with a very, very short shaved haircut – so short the skin showed. The little old sweetie had several issues, but her skin was extremely dry, distressed, scabby, and riddled in dandruff. We conditioned her as best we could but mom would never let me do the two things we needed to do to help improve the situation: apply regular spa-level therapeutic products for intensive conditioning (yes, for a small extra charge) and let her hair grow a little longer to protect her thin skin better from the sun and other environmental elements. By the time I became her groomer she had more bare spaces on her skin showing than hair follicles. I felt I was looking at an old human – balding with very thin dry dandruffy hair.

    I would gently ask to leave her longer and explain how dogs have such thin skin, but much thicker hair – we humans are the opposite. We have very thick skin and very thin hair. Our skin is very protective for us. But for dogs it is the coat, the hair, that largely protects the dog. She would not listen and continued to insist on the very short shaved hair cuts.

    You may read elsewhere on this blog about why short cuts are generally not good for dogs and the whole science about this.

    And because the dog had already been done that way for years , the dog was older, the skin was awful and the damage done, I continued the very short shaves as the owner requested, despite the little dog’s screaming distressed skin.

    I was wrong to do so.

    Today she brought me their new puppy for a second visit. She is a Yorkie mix – cute as a button. Still with very scruffy minimal puppy hair still in formation. The first visit a few weeks ago had been just a puppy socializing training groom- short and minimal as she was barely over two months old. The family had bought her to replace the old sweetheart with distressed skin who passed away recently of an organ disorder and old age.

    But today Mom asked me to cut the new little angel equally short. At 14 weeks of age.

    I said no, and explained that the hair follicles were still in formation and that, while I could do a “bath and tidy” to trim face, feet, tail, and sanitary areas – pads, genital, rectal – it is not recommended to begin cutting the hair on the torso until after 5 months of age when puberty begins and adult hair follicles begin to fully form.

    I reminded her of the damage done to her previous dog by frequent short cuts. I referenced veterinary dermatological source material which I later sent to her as support, about the hair follicle forming until 28 weeks of age, and how prior to that puppies don’t even produce primary hairs, only secondary hairs.

    When she continued to insist that I give this youngster a full short cut, I even asked why she just didn’t get a smooth-coated Chihuahua if she wanted all her toy sized dogs to be short haired. No answer. I stood my ground in refusing to do the short cut all over.

    She called me at the end of the day and yelled at me on the phone for not doing what she wanted. She was going elsewhere where they would cut her dog the way she wanted. I repeated my reasons and then said I was sorry to see her go. I stated that while she would surely be able to find a groomer that would do the harmful cut to the dog, that was not good for the puppy. I would never agree to hurt the dog just to keep her as a client. The name of my business is its mission – LOVE for dogs.

    Because I would never hurt a dog to keep a client.

    That is just who I choose to be – Love for the dogs. And I feel blessed that I have this last-of-my-working-life job/retirement business that has put me in a position to be of real service to dogs who I love so much.

    Over the years I have lost a few clients because – “me and my big mouth” – I will speak out, sometimes boldly, on what is best for the dogs. I can be opinionated and preachy, I guess. Passionate for sure. I never stopped being a teacher even when I retired from my years in history classrooms. The ancient Greeks have a great teaching: Know Thyself. I do know that this is who I am.

    But I really do try to GIVE generously of my internationally respected expertise in dog grooming to my clients in free consulting and advice – I give more of my time without charge – because I care.

    I will never hesitate to speak out – gently, diplomatically, and respectfully – if I know of something the owners should be doing to better care for their dogs. Most clients appreciate the advice and information. They often thank me for it and write great reviews online about how knowledgeable I am and how much it has benefitted their dogs. I also love learning and seek it regularly and often! I am still learning from others who know more than I do, and am grateful for it.

    I am sorry that this client did not want to hear that what she wants to do to her new cute little puppy is not the best grooming choice for her pup. But I am more sorry for the puppy who gets no choice in this matter.

  • 31 comments

    Thank you for being a good person. Too many selfish uncaring people use their dogs for showing off instead of actually loving their fur friend. People who treat their animals like extensions of themselves instead of the sentient beings they are, need to not be allowed to have them in their care. Again thanks a lot. You are a good person.

    Thank you for being a good person. Too many selfish uncaring people use their dogs for showing off instead of actually loving their fur friend. People who treat their animals like extensions of themselves instead of the sentient beings they are, need to not be allowed to have them in their care. Again thanks a lot. You are a good person.

    I've been a pet sitter for many years..& my mantra has always been.."the welfare of the animal "..have lost a few clients to my big mouth ..but at the end of the day..I feel good about speaking out..."we are their voice"kudos to you

    Thank you, Susan, for being their caring voice!

    Absolutely right this groomer is. It's just too bad there isn't a governing body that can enforce healthy pathways and protect the animal from such abuse/neglect. The only suffering will be done by the poor wronged puppy. Imagine what else the little one has to suffer.

    Many of us who are leaders in the grooming industry support more regulation of our entirely unregulated industry. We hope that will be coming in the years ahead.

    I have just read this story and I am so glad to hear about your love for dogs and that making money is a secondary consideration. I hope more people read your story and would encourage you to report the lady If possible to save her new dog the discomfort and distress you have described regarding her arrogance and ignorance of the situation, even after she had the scientific facts. I would plead others to refuse and report this lady also.

    I was disgusted reading how this woman treats her dog,she should be reported for dog abuse. Thank you groomer for taking good care of the dogs.

    That owner should never be allowed to own a pet EVER!! She was told it would be harmful to the dog and did it anyway. Wow. Very selfish. That is not a good pet owner. Humane Society should be called for inhumane treatment!!!! Bottom line

    Thank you for your supportive comment on my blog about not harming the dogs even if it means losing a client. I really appreciate it! Jennifer Love Fur Dogs

    We all need to speak for the animals because they cannot. Very very proud of you xoxo

    Well done, the pups welfare has to come first and abusive owners have to be shamed.

    I think you did the right thing, pity you didn't know where she took the puppy afterwards to be groomed. There should be a law against it.

    Good for you,this person should not OWN any animal,may I say that you as the groomer did the right thing by opening your mouth to her,I and my big mouth would have done the same.

    Amen to you and your honesty!

    Good for you. You are a credit to the trade. Keep up the good work and God Bless You.

    Thank you!

    I think that is great that you actually care! I'm always reading and trying to do what's best for my fur baby and would want the same in a groomer. Good job!

    THANK YOU!

    That groomer is one hundred percent right. And I applord her for sticking to her guns and being her true self. As the money doesn't sway her. That's a woman to be trusted. The only thing I would have added is if the little sweet heart doggies are suffering with bad skin because if what the owners are doing or insisting on I would report them to the RSPCA as well as a concerned groomer. Well done 👍 to her.

    That groomer is one hundred percent right. And I applord her for sticking to her guns and being her true self. As the money doesn't sway her. That's a woman to be trusted. The only thing I would have added is if the little sweet heart doggies are suffering with bad skin because if what the owners are doing or insisting on I would report them to the RSPCA as well as a concerned groomer. Well done 👍 to her.

    What a horrible cruel owner why didn't the groomer report her to the RSPCA I am disgusted and appalled by the owners stupidity

    There really is no enforcement agency for bad skin care grooming choices that would rise to the level of being able to report this owner for poor choices for her poor puppy. The only place most Americans have to report animal neglect or abuse is the local county Animal Control officer. That would have to rise to the level of physical or mental cruelty that this shave-down to the skin issue would probably not qualify for. Still I don't understand why the owner didn't want to get a smooth coat Chihuahua if she likes her toy dogs smooth coated? Why buy a Yorkie?

    I wish i would have met you as our 7month cavapoo was groomed for 1st time she was scalped and one leg was to the bone we only wanted her trimmed and to get used to it never again

    I like to say that you correct, I don't like to see the easy all off groom, it's not good for dogs who have hair for a reason, I have been grooming from 1959 and met groomers USA France worked with vets, leaning so good on you

    What you did is laudable. I see too many dogs with matted hair that people ignore and many that try to make life easier for themselves. I don't think you lost a worthy client, but maintained your highest standards. Keep up the excellent work and thanks for sharing your story. ❤️❤️❤️

    You did exactly the right thing. Some people are just ignorant and selfish. It must be so hard when you can't get through to them.

    Thank you for the insight

    You're an amazing human being and got far more restraint than me because I'd either have her done for animal neglect/cruelty or take her out the back and give her a taste of her own medicine. I'm not a violent person at all but I don't tolerate those who hurt animals, they're lower than scum and don't deserve to have a gold fish

    I want to say good for you the most important thing is the love of our animals they give us so much consolation of God's love and when people mistreat their animal and that means that they are having a hard time loving or even caring that might sound harsh but if you really think about it it really kind of the truth this is one thing God always talked about when you're taking it out on someone else taking it out on God when you're upset an animal that God had given you to take care of then you're taking it out on God even God has feelings so our pets are the most precious things ever and I can never see my life without my furry friend she's been very constant in my life and I only truly want the best for her she's absolutely amazing many blessings to you and your shop keep up the good work and don't back down when people want crazy things done to their animals especially if it's harming them I've seen too much harm in this world and it's sad many blessings to you and your shop and I hope and pray that that woman sees it before it's too late 🙏❤️

    I cannot believe that this person would do that to their pet. They shouldn't have pets