"Leave the mats in"???

[Chicken]

So I have a golden here for a B&B. He has huge mats behind his ears, pants, skirt, armpits, etc. 5 years old, never been groomed. Owner says he has had hip dysplasia surgery twice (so she HAS allegedly spent some $$ on this dog.)
Dog is also missing one rear toe from what looks like frostbite.

The problem is that the owner does not want this dog groomed, does not want the mats removed. She only wants to pay for the B&B. I told her the problems with the mats, showed her the skin irritation, the whole 9 yards - she refuses to pay the extra $16 for a full groom, says to just leave the mats in him & "make him smell good".

What do you do in this situation?? Part of me would like to call the SPCA, but in a town of 7,000, word travels fast. I would like to shave this poor dog down, but again, I was specifically told not to and am not keen on being taken advantage of simply because someone doesn't want to pay for a groom.

Just when I think I've seen it all!

[pamperedpups]

Edited.

[GroomSaloon]

I would refuse the dog politely and tell her you are a professional. If she has waited 5 years to get him groomed tell her to wait another 6 months and wash him in the yard with a hose!

[Boxerfan]

I'd sell her a bottle of perfume . I would probably refuse the dog all together, we don't shortcut on dogs, I can't imagine on doing something halfway. Of course I'm such a sucker I'd probably just charge her the bath and ask if I could cut the mats out anyway.

[Helly]

So I have a golden here for a B&B. He has huge mats behind his ears, pants, skirt, armpits, etc. 5 years old, never been groomed. Owner says he has had hip dysplasia surgery twice (so she HAS allegedly spent some $$ on this dog.)
Dog is also missing one rear toe from what looks like frostbite.

The problem is that the owner does not want this dog groomed, does not want the mats removed. She only wants to pay for the B&B. I told her the problems with the mats, showed her the skin irritation, the whole 9 yards - she refuses to pay the extra $16 for a full groom, says to just leave the mats in him & "make him smell good".

What do you do in this situation?? Part of me would like to call the SPCA, but in a town of 7,000, word travels fast. I would like to shave this poor dog down, but again, I was specifically told not to and am not keen on being taken advantage of simply because someone doesn't want to pay for a groom.

Just when I think I've seen it all!

I'm all for giving the client what they want, but not if I feel it's not in the dog's best interest. So in this case, after explaining why the mats need to come off and that bathing will make it worse, if all she's interested in is "...make him smell good", I'd spray him with cologne and hand him back.

[diamienono]

I would do my best to get the mats out without shaving or hurting the dog. Maybe fincially the lady is strapped due to all the medical bills for the dog or for any other reason. I have been in the situation where $16 counts. I just do what they ask. If not you getting the money, she will find some one else and also bad mouth you for not doing it.

[lvdobes]

This thread has got me wondering how many of you break Goldens down into bath and groom jobs. To me if it's not a shave then its a "bath" but that includes trimming feet, butts and hocks and removing matts from the rear and behind the ears by either de-matting or shaving them out, whichever is easier on the dog.

Lisa

[hairdevil]

I think I would ask who's her vet? give him/her a call explaining the matter. Maybe the vet can come to the rescue and explain to the woman how the mats are damaging his skin and highly recommends having it shaved down. It might make a difference coming from the doc!

[misscatahoula]

I wouldn't groom the dog if she insisted on leaving the mats in. Just like I wouldn't try to do a scissor cut on a filthy dog. If the owner doesn't allow me to do the necessary things involved in getting the dog groomed properly, then the owner should do it herself.

[astrordog]

Sorry, diamienono, but I agree with "groomsalon" and "boxerfan". $16 isn't going to break anyone. Don't do it for free, this may be what she wants you to do. We work hard for our money, and if you don't charge her extra it just reinforces her bad behavior.
We as groomers try, but can't save every(dog)one.
The hip surgery thing could be true or could be a lie.

astrordog

[KarlaSnyder]

I'd do just what Helly suggested. Washing mats like that will only make matters worse, even with HV, and very difficult to get out the shampoo. A spritz of cologne and see ya later unless you can show her how to brush out this dog herself if she wants to save the $$$ and then do him when most of the mats are gone.

[elliemae]

on a golden it would just depend on how badly matted it is...i basically have one price for a golden anyway. if the matts are really bad on the pants, you can usually cut them out or use your thinning shears and it doesn't look too bad, the matts behind the ears i shave out automatically...but for example i had avery matted yorkie come in and the guy did not want it shaved, he als said "just leave the matts"...i sent him down the road..it was not in the best interest of the dog to dematt.

[Gracy Rose]

I would explain the ethical reasons and ask her why she is opposed. Like Lisa, if all else fails I would do it anyway.

If you know more about this client then we do, then I would hardball her and use the SPCA as a threat, that either way something needs to be done. Your reputation for ethical and humane treatment of dogs is at stake and ETHICALLY you can not bathe a dog with this many mats.

[rapuzzled]

I agree with Helly. I have absolutely no problem with some of the crazy requests that I get...after all it's their dog, they have to look at it. But, when it's the comfort or health of the dog concerned, then, it's a little different. Those mats pull and pinch and cause sores and other problems, so I wouldn't just leave them in. I have had where people have asked me to leave them in, them they went home and brushed them out...this is a rare circumstance though, I only do it with owners I know and trust to actually do it. This lady however, who knows...at the risk of being judgmental it doesn't sound like she will brush them out at home.

[rapuzzled]

Oh, I forgot to add that I wouldn't call the SPCA either...word does travel fast...not only that, I'm not sure how much they would do.