I think I'm in the wrong business.

[dwalt]

I called to get my dog in for a clipping and bath yesterday.  They can't "fit her in" until next Thursday.  I pay over $50.00 to have her teeth brushed, bath, nails cut, and clipped. There isn't much overhead and they have 6 groomers.

[uno,dos,3]

Perhaps you misunderstood what they mean by a clipping.

Obviously, it is you who is getting clipped.

[dwalt]

Good point.

[Wayne Goodwin]

Maybe they give ya a price for getting neutered .....

[Lifesighs]

My vet has a grooming facility with a special spa bath, my dogs are around 100 lbs so it costs more but they do it all, nails, clip, ears, that anus thing. They both go on the same day and it takes about 3.5 hours. It would take me days to do all that for 2 dogs. I always have to wait 3 weeks for an appointment though. I just plan ahead. I know they are good with the dogs because Dash's previous owner had to get meds to calm him before he got groomed, he's fine with his groomers now they know how to keep him calm and not scared.

[Lifesighs]

When we were kids we never took our dog to the vet either and I don't really think they had dog license, all the dogs were loose in the neighborhood. The dogs seemed to be healthier also, probably because they were all mutts. None of my three now shed at all and they are inside/outside animals as they please with the dog door but we do take all of them for a long walk every morning. The dogs here could be outside dogs because our weather is really mild all year. We interact with ours as if they were kids and they love being around us.

[Wayne Goodwin]

I'm still trying to fiqure out what Life said "Anus Thing" ?

[Lifesighs]

They have scent glands that need something done, I'm not sure exactly what.

[Snagg]

It's called "expressing" them. The most polite way possible of explaining something to do with oozy stinky stuff and nether regions and similar things that make some folks queasy.

And, Chief - Our various German Shepherds over the years were pretty much self-cleaning - Until old age set in, and they couldn't quite get the degree of exercise that kept 'em looking shiny and grand.  (Plus, when you have the long-haired version of the breed, a summer haircut is both a aesthetic and medical necessity. Not to mention several of the boys, who were VERY fond of a romp in the mud of the creek. There are some places the garden hose just doesn't quite reach, but a skilled groomer has a contained bathing system that restricts movement, so that every last bit of crud can be swept away - Which is a good thing if you have a typical dog, who will lick ANY annoying area and then try to slobber kisses all over your face.)

[blithe spirit]

I have a dachsie who in indoors most of the time so I do make sure he is groomed regularly..baths, brushing, nail clipped, etc. keeps the house from not smelling too doggie..with just one dog and one with short hair it's not too expensive..$20 a month..and he gets a little scarf tied around his neck that lasts about as long as it takes to get home..lol..He is also tagged and chipped.

[P.A.]

Beau just spent 4 days at Greymont Kennaels while we went to a wedding in Columbus Georgia. It cost $150 for a four day stay. I have stayed in many hotels that were cheaper than that. They probably had more fleas too.