Grumpy with the Groomer
IMAGINE THIS:
You are 5 years old.
For the first time in your life, you are being taken to the Hairdresser by the person you love most in the whole wide world.
They walk you in, hand you over and then disappear, leaving you there, wondering what on earth is going to happen - you've no idea! You've never experienced this before - who are all of these people? What are all of those weird / strong smells? Other children tied up on tables, some of them crying - Whats that all about?? And the noise - its so loud in here.
Where are my folks? Why have they left me? Will they be back??
Now, someone picks me up & ties me up in a bath.
OK - that wasn't great but at least its all over with now. I'm a bit shaken up. I'm still scared & I'm getting anxious - I just want to go back home but ...... Now I've been tied up to a table .... I cant escape ..... I'm petrified ..... What are all of those weird looking things?? Scissors, brushes, blowers, so many hands touching me in weird places, pulling me around ..... I'm trying to ask them to stop ..... I just need them to slow down for a minute and give me 5 minutes but they keep on & on ..... I'm screaming louder & louder, trying to move away ..... Asking them to please stop, just for a minute. Let me just figure out all of this stuff.
Then, the hairdressers reaches for my hand and lifts it up. Shes coming at me with some shiny, metal. I just cant help myself. No one is listening to my screams and I do the only thing I can .... I bite her hand ..... *phew* shes stopped ..... Shes moved away ..... Shes left me alone ..... Shes phoning my folks ....
I can hear her telling my family how naughty I was. How I wouldn't sit still, how I kept shouting & screaming. How I kept trying to get down from the table that I was tied up to. How I bit her hand and now I'm not allowed to get my hair cut.
Shes telling my mum that I need professional help because I'm so naughty and that I'll need to wear a straight-jacket & a piece of tape over my mouth next time ......
Your dogs first experience at the Groomers:
1) Prepare them for it. Get them used to being handled / touch / being bathed in a calm, gentle environment and only for very short periods of time - make the experience positive.
2) Research your Groomer. Finding the right Groomer for you & your pooch is priceless. Ask them questions: Do they give the dogs a break if needed? (I'd rather pay extra for the Groom and know that my dog was given plenty of time / breaks if needed!)
3) Great that they are qualified to Groom but are they trained in Canine Body Language, too? Do they understand what all of the subtle signs mean, when a dog is asking for a break?
4) Visit the Groomer if you can. Take your pooch along. Let them meet the staff, have a sniff around, get familiar with the place (Again, I'd rather pay extra for this than opt for a cheaper Groom)
5) When asking for recommendations try no to let budget rule your decision. I know we all have to watch the pennies but if one Groomer is more expensive than another then there's usually a good reason for that and probably because the level of service you receive is an all round better experience for your pooch.
Think about what this experience is actually like from your dogs eyes. We know "its just a groom" or "well, he has to get used to it" or "but he'll smell so lovely afterwards"
Do you think your dog is worried about any of that? All your dog needs is to feel safe. To feel OK. To be prepared for whats coming. To be listened to. To be given a choice - if I say "no" I mean "no" .... Please don't push & push until I snap.....
My number 1 enquiry this past month has been from puppy owners who's dog has bitten the Groomer.
The Groomer has worried the life out of my clients by labelling their dogs as "aggressive" or "naughty" or "can't be groomed" ..... I'll argue until I'm blue in the face that the dog is actually just petrified and no one listened to that fear.
You'd not do it to a 5 year old human child .....