HELP! grooming injury

I've done this to my own dogs before. I've always groomed them myself.

It is actually very easy to cut your dog's toe pads if their skin is thinner and weaker.

Scissoring is a good idea from now on.

[RD]

Hmmmm.. I wonder what # blade she was using! I always use a tight, close blade like a #30 or #40 for pads because there is no space for the blades to catch the skin - I've never cut a dog's feet. I know some groomers use a #10 or #15 and nick the skin near the pads quite often, though.

If she can't use clippers properly I would not DARE let her close to your dog's feet with scissors. Clippers are so very simple, that if she cuts your dog's feet up using them, she may butcher them if she uses scissors.

[dr2little]

Thanks for all the posts I've decided to do her paws entirely myself, and her face, and her girly bits, and her ears......I just won't chance another mishap, however it happened. I don't know how this happened but the groomer has always gone above and beyond as far as booking times for my dogs. She lets me bring one in, go for a walk with the other, then switch the dogs to minimize their time spent there. Its just her in a nice bright studio with big front windows so people can see in while she's working on the dogs so I really think it's as good as it gets. I've seen her interact with them in such a positive way and both my dogs really do love her so I think I'll just eliminate the risk. I tried to groom them myself but the poor things looked like Edward Scissor Hands had gotten a hold of them.....while he was drunk!! At least only 2 of my 5 dogs need grooming....whew!
You've all been very helpful!

[Doberluv]

I tried to groom them myself but the poor things looked like Edward Scissor Hands had gotten a hold of them.....while he was drunk!!

LOL!

That's awful...those stories about dogs being mistreated. How dare someone treat someone's dog like that, especially a customers?! That makes me so angry. Well, at least this one does it in front of a window so anyone can see. She sounds really nice.

I'm just curious because I've never taken a dog to a groomers in my life, why do the pads need something done? What exactly is being done? Trimming rough stuff off or what? My dogs just run around outside and they're kind of scaly and rough, but not split or anything. They seem tough. They run over gravel and everything else. So, I was just curious about that.

I hope your baby is heeling up OK. Ouch!

Is it really hard to clip a Poodle yourself? I am kind of curious and fond of the breed and thought maybe one day I might like one, but it would be nice to trim them at home. I suppose you need really good clippers.

But that's the only thing that might deter me about a Poodle. I've been spoiled in the grooming area by having always short haired dogs. I had a Himilayan cat once....that was a pain in the neck keeping the tangles out.

Originally Posted by Doberluv

LOL!


I'm just curious because I've never taken a dog to a groomers in my life, why do the pads need something done? What exactly is being done? Trimming rough stuff off or what? My dogs just run around outside and they're kind of scaly and rough, but not split or anything. They seem tough. They run over gravel and everything else. So, I was just curious about that.

Breeds that have alot of hair need their hair inbetween their toe pads trimmed. If you don't the hair gets REALLY long, and can matt even. It also reduces the dogs ability to grip and hold on if the hair is long enough.

[RD]

Doberluv, it isn't the pads themselves that are trimmed. The fur in between the pads is "scooped" out with the clippers, but a lot of groomers just call it "trimming the pads".

I don't own a poodle but I've groomed dozens and if you just keep them in a short kennel clip (like a #5 or #7 shave) with a small topknot, they are one of the easiest dogs to groom, especially for a beginner. Poodles have such wavy hair, even when blown out, that if you make small mistakes in grooming them, it won't be very evident. I learned to groom on Lhasas, Shih Tzus and Yorkies, and oh boy was I ever amazed at how much better my Poodles looked after grooming compared to the dogs with fine/straight hair. I wanted a black standard for a while just because I enjoy grooming and would love maintaining that coat.

Originally Posted by RD

Doberluv, it isn't the pads themselves that are trimmed. The fur in between the pads is "scooped" out with the clippers, but a lot of groomers just call it "trimming the pads".

I don't own a poodle but I've groomed dozens and if you just keep them in a short kennel clip (like a #5 or #7 shave) with a small topknot, they are one of the easiest dogs to groom, especially for a beginner. Poodles have such wavy hair, even when blown out, that if you make small mistakes in grooming them, it won't be very evident. I learned to groom on Lhasas, Shih Tzus and Yorkies, and oh boy was I ever amazed at how much better my Poodles looked after grooming compared to the dogs with fine/straight hair. I wanted a black standard for a while just because I enjoy grooming and would love maintaining that coat.

Do you work at a groomers? I do groom, but they are just pet grooms. Normally I just shave down, with leavinghair in certain spots to make the dogs look less bald. Most of my experience is with Shih Tzus. And honestly, I don't know jack about blades. I think I have a #10 though

[Muddy4paws]

I have to say I've seen this happen at my work, The dog came in with matted solid paws (Not saying you dont groom your dog! ) and the skin was just so raw underneath it, We told the owners about it and they said we made the best choice

[dr2little]

Sophie, my pooch with the sore paws is actually a Labradoodle (F1B) Labradoodle to Poodle and her coat is a nightmare. She looks beautiful (I think ) but that's only because I spend so much time grooming (brushing/combing) her. I have a [I]thang[I] about knots and matts so she's never had either but it takes so much time to keep her coat in the shape it's in. She gets a lot of icing between her toes in the winter (without boots) because she is such a fur ball in between the toes so I try to keep the pads clipped short. I will be doing them myself from now on though, I'll just have to learn how do it as good as Jody did (before the mishap).

[Zoom]

I'm sorry that happened! I've not done a ton of grooming myself, I'm just now learning how to scoop my own dog's pads and yeah, the right blade makes a huge difference!

Also, one thing I want to mention: dogs do act much differently with strangers than their own family. I cannot for the life of me blow out Sawyer without him going postal on me. The groomer I used to work with never had a problem; he would just sit and whine. So it is possible (unlikely, but possible) that Sophie was being a little twitchy that day. I really don't know I'm just guessing. But I'm also pointing this out for others; accidents do happen in grooming and many times it's because the dogs move at just the wrong moment. Even the best groomers have oopses.