can you recommend a groomer in Toronto?

[Gome]

Does anyone know of a good groomer or place to get my rottie's nails dremmeled here in Toronto? I'm not comfortable doing it myself for now, and would like to find somewhere close that is comfortable handling large dogs. A lot of places (including one vet I used to go to) seem apprehensive about large dogs. That same vet stood cornered against a wall looking really scared, and reaching into his pocket every 3 seconds giving my dog a cookie...told me I didn't need to do anything about his nails. They are talons! You don't want my dog giving you paw when you're not watching. ha ha.

My female's nails might work being clipped and I used to do it at home but she hates it so much. My male's nails are way too large to be clipped and need to have a dremel. They have been pretty good walking on the sidewalk but after the winter snow, I'm noticing they are getting really long. thanks.

[brunie's mom]

Sorry...do not live in T.O. can't help you there.
I really think this is a job every owner should be able to do with their dog. Cutting nails, cleaning ears, should be a part of dog care that everyone physically able should do.

You can go buy a dremel at Home Depot or Walmart....start slowly...one nail at a time. If there is any snapping or snarling going on, go to a petstore and buy a muzzle. Many dogs settle down once they are muzzled.:)

I really can't imagine that your Rotts nails cannot be cut with nail clippers. The guillotine type may not cut them, but the scissor type should. Just take off a tiny amount slowly.
I have a huge rottzilla:D and his nails are very thick....once a week I take off a little with the scissor type of dog nail clippers with out any problem. Bruno sleeps through it....and get's a treat when done. My other male grumbles, so I muzzle him and he relents...and my female hates it, but has learned to tolerate nail cutting without a muzzle now.

Gina

[Judi W]

Here's the point. If the owner cannot control the dog enough to do the nails, do I, as a complete stranger want to try to do them? No of course not.

[Miabella]

My rescue girl Ilsa had ridiculously long nails when I got her. I clip a little bit each week, and now they are much more reasonable. I also subscribe to Judi W's doctrine that the owner needs to learn how to do this at home. Just adopt a very calm, no-nonsense demeanor and use a muzzle if necessary. You might need a helper to keep him calm at the beginning and treats as a reward. They key is to remain business-like and not get emotional.

My first Rottweiler was a shelter dog who despised having her nails done. We struggled for awhile, but eventually she came to accept it.

[Gome]

Hey I don't want you to think I can't do my dogs nails or that I am not in control of my dogs. I have had my dogs for 4 years. Yes I have cut their nails before (with help) and I already do own a dremel. When I say I don't feel comfortable doing it I mean I would just as easily bring them somewhere if there was somewhere good and nice to go. My male needs very regular ear cleanings and I am very used to dealing with a dog that HATES having his ears touched. when his ears were badly infected from the pound I tied him to the banister, and gently deep cleaned his ears and applied antibiotics two times a day for two weeks while he grumbled.

I was merely looking for a nice grooming place that is good with larger dogs, that I could go to as a way to 'treat' my dogs. there's lots of doggie spas in town and I know many people on the forum are also located in Toronto. It's another outing to do with them, just as its nice to drive to the lake with them for a day. I like to spoil my dogs and thought it would be a nice thing to do to get their nails clipped and etc...

[brunie's mom]

Gome;
I'm sorry...but from what I read of your first post. You said that you were uncomfortable doing your own dogs nails. You also said that you took your dog to the vet to have it's nails cut and things did not go well with the vet there.

You may need someone assisting you....another pair of hands....but honestly there is no reason to pay someone to cut your dogs nails..... to me it should be a part of dog ownership....like feeding and cleaning up the poop:) .

Maybe you can get a friend or even a groomer to show you how to do it with no muss or fuss.:D

Funny.....I never thought of Rottweilers as spa dogs....I always think of the little "foo-foo" dogs going to a spa:D

Where I live on 50 acres in the country....we have no concrete or pavement to wear nails down....so I trim nails once a week.

Gina

[Judi W]

Nails really should be done weekly and it is unlikely they would get to a spa or groomers often enough to keep them in shape. The truth is, dogs are much more likely to put up a fight with a stranger who is not the boss of them doing something they dislike.

[spidey]

My sister's a groomer in Toronto, however....

Most groomers don't Dremel - accustomising a dog to it is a training process which must be done slowly to get the dog used to it, very few dogs will let you Dremel their nails without any desensitisation work, and groomers just don't have the time to do this over a period of days (and you don't want to pay what it would cost even if you could find a groomer who'd do this training for you). Equally, any groomer who tells you they'll do it on a dog who's never had it done before is one I'd be suspicious of, since it's likely to be a muzzled wrestling match.

Just learn how to do it yourself, is my advice, don't be intimidated, it's not hard, and it's good for your relationship with your dog. If you search here there are some links to great articles on how to do the whole process. Good luck.

Oh, and I'm a former groomer myself, and trust me, if you want to spoil your dogs take them to the beach and let them go swimming or something, dogs don't view a day at the groomers' as a spa day the way people do. It's not fun for them at all, even if they like their groomer. Getting bathed and having their nails clipped just isn't a dog's idea of fun and relaxation.