Pet owners must provide their pets with a healthy diet and lifestyle. In addition to that, fur parents must take extra care in maintaining their pet’s appearance. But the result of every dog grooming session is always uncertain. According to fur parents, taking your pooch to the dog groomers can be a bit of a gamble. Sometimes you’ll get a perfectly groomed pooch that you’d be proud to show off. But there will be times that your dog’s new look will have you scratching your head and wondering whether you actually got the right dog back.
It’s no secret that our fur babies have had to do without their regular grooming sessions because canine grooming services became scarce or totally unavailable because of the pandemic. And while our pooches have no problem letting their hair grow, some breeds just can’t not have their regular makeovers. As a result, some owners took matters into their own hands and failed. But entrusting your dog to professional groomers doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get the results you have in mind. As proof of this, we’ve compiled some of the most unexpected grooming results that will definitely put a confused smile on your face!
Just got Kubo back from his first trim and I’m not sure we have returned with the same dog ? pic.twitter.com/QYs0st6cGZ
— Mumbo Jumbo (@ThatMumboJumbo) June 18, 2020
they’re rude as hell ???? he looked like the squirrel from ice age pic.twitter.com/JOi8coyMps
— Lorraine (@lorrainezba) January 4, 2021
Our dog finally got a haircut and I can’t stop laughing bc she went from looking like a muppet to looking like a dental hygienist with a bob haircut ? pic.twitter.com/XghhODZBDb
— Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) July 15, 2020
The same happened to my dog lmao pic.twitter.com/5G05PssrXn
— Ms. 10pc (@Simply_GorJASZ) January 4, 2021
https://twitter.com/sexyfaace/status/1345830122125991937
Going to the dog groomers can feel like spinning the wheel of fortune
My dog got a haircut, and now it looks like he gave up drinking
My friend had to triple check with the groomer to make sure he was bringing home the right dog.
It’s amazing what going to the groomers can do to change a dog’s appearance
This is the same dog y’all ???? my friend adopted her after she just showed up on her porch she had to have all her teeth removed she had a giant sore on her leg and under her tail and she was a giant matted mess. I groomed her and made her brand new babe feeling so fresh and clean from r/doggrooming
My sweet girl Cheech is 15 years old! After her haircuts everyone always thinks she’s a puppy from r/aww
We rescued a Maltese from a puppy mill in Georgia that got busted with over 700 dogs this weekend. After 3 hours of cutting matted hair and bathing, here is Luna’s before and after. from r/aww
From shaggy to happy! Total transformation. Not every pupper is beyond a miracle. from r/doggrooming
A pet grooming professional advises owners to normalize grooming activities for their animals at home
Lindsey Patton has been professionally grooming pets in Indiana for the past 17 years. She’s also a member of the International Professional Groomer’s Inc. and the National Dog Groomer’s Association of America. Patton agreed to an interview to help shed light on the sometimes-baffling art of canine grooming. For starters, she explained that both the groomer and the owner must work together to achieve the ‘perfect groom’. Part of this cooperation requires some effort on the pet owner’s end, Patton said:
“As a pet owner, acclimate and desensitize your dog (or cat!) to every possible scenario they might encounter during the grooming process.”
It’s 32°C degrees (90°F) outside, so my dog, One-eyed Snuggles, needed a groomer. from r/aww
My puppy Otis got his first haircut. I’m not sure they gave me back the same dog. from r/pics
Our 9 year old goldendoodle got her first grooming since quarantine. Our other dog barked at her when she came home from r/aww
My boy, before and after going to the groomer… Went from dirty biker to innocent preacher’s kid. from r/aww
Took doggo to groomer. Got a different doggo back from r/aww
“As professionals our hands literally cover every square inch of your pet’s body… oftentimes more so than your veterinarian does during a routine health exam!”
My puppers after I adopted him, and after I had him groomed. from r/Eyebleach
Oliver, our 8 month Old English Sheepdog (Bobtail) shed his puppy coat at the groomers. I didn’t recognize him at first! from r/aww
When done right, your dog will come out looking better than when they came in the salon
According to Patton, teaching your pet to get used to the grooming goings-on will help make the process easier. Groomers won’t be able to do their work properly if your pet is too skittish or too jittery. It would be much better if you accustom them to the activities required at home before you take them to the pet grooming salon.
“The more your pet is exposed prior to visiting the grooming salon, the more comfortable and confident they will be in a proficient salon setting.”
Raggamuffin to stud muffin. Quite the transformation at the groomer today! from r/Shihtzu
What a difference a hair cut makes! Latest fosters 13 year old “Vileda” and 10 year old “Swiffer” Vets today to get them checked over from r/aww
‘Dramatic’ or ‘extreme’ dog makeovers can be a result of several things like matted fur
Have you ever experienced bringing in a fluffy ball of fur and going home with a nearly fur-less dog that you can’t recognize? Well, you aren’t alone. A lot of owners have gone through this confusing ordeal after visiting the dog groomers. And while it may spark some resentment, disappointment and regret, there may be a good reason as to why your dog’s groomer decided to just ‘strip’ your dog of their glorious mane entirely. Patton recalls that throughout her career, she’s made some cats and dogs look truly unlike their ‘pre-grooming’ selves. But she usually reserves this for extreme cases.
“The extensive matting requires them to be ‘stripped’ down with a very close clipper to safely and humanely remove a badly felted coat. We are just as shocked as the owner when we fully reveal the end result.”
Willie had his first haircut today. I think I brought home the wrong puppy! from r/schnauzers
Before and after grooming…did we bring home the wrong dog?! from r/dogpictures
We got a puppy. His name is Picasso. He got his first haircut today. He’s 3 months old. from r/aww
Matted fur is one of the biggest reasons why some dog groomers end up stripping a dog. The clumped fur can be a cause of serious pain to your pet. It’s also nearly impossible to detangle unless you’ve got a very skilled and patient groomer. Patton pointed out that while de-matting can be a truly taxing task for dog grooming professionals, they shouldn’t charge extra for the service.
“Never should a professional groomer put an animal through torturous hours of de-matting just to appease a demanding human customer… Or, worse yet, for monetary gain by charging additional fees for de-matting services.”
Still not convinced the groomer gave us the right doggo from r/rarepuppers
Our puppy got a haircut (she had matts) my fiance isnt a fan. What do you think? from r/aww
You need to be clear about what you want the groomer to do
It’s important to note that not all bad grooming episodes stem from your dog’s physical condition. Sometimes that botched makeover could be a result of miscommunication. Your vision might not have translated well to the groomer. So to avoid this, you’ll have to make your expectations clear before they start the grooming process. You should also be particular with what features you don’t want touched. Otherwise, you might end up dealing with “a total alteration of breed character”.
“For example, certain breeds are known for their distinct traits – such as a Schnauzer’s eyebrows and beard or a Poodle’s trademark topknot and tail pom – look starkly different when these characteristics are taken away.”
I just saw this posted on facebook and it says, “Life lesson learned. Be very specific when explaining how you want your dog be groomed.” DROPPED OFF A SHIHTZU, PICKED UP A LLAMA. from r/funny
Your dog is still the same even though they look different after the dog groomers
Everyone – human, canine or feline – will have a bad hair day at some point in their life. But don’t let this ruin your mood entirely! Bad hair days or bad grooming results are only temporary, after all. Fur will grow back. So if you can’t deal with a potential faux pas, we think you’d be better off just cuddling a plush version of a dog. This way you won’t ever need to worry about its hair getting too mussed, too long or cut the wrong way! Owning a dog isn’t just about cuddling and playing, after all. We need to be attentive to their needs, and love them unconditionally. Your pup won’t care one bit if they end up with a bad ‘do – they’ll still adore you. To close, Patton said:
“Whether their pet is meticulously coiffed or shaved down to his birthday suit, he is still the same animal who casts no judgment and loves unconditionally.”
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