Dog Community

I have to do something but what?

Posted : 4/24/2008 10:45:19 PM

I have a problem here. My Dad is in care of a small dog at his house that is one of his granddaughters and the granddaughter lives in a different town but does come to see the dog so she knows. This poor dog got so matted over the winter. I saw her last night and I felt so bad for her I cried and chewed my dad out because of it. She is a small dog but not the friendliest around. I have made friends with her some what. I have scissor cut dogs ( only mine) for about 10 years. So should I bring her home to my house and try to cut her hair or insist he or the owner take her to a groomer to have this done. I know the owner won`t do it as she has seen the dog in this state before and she is blind to the fact that she gets mats or just doesn`t care. My only problem is this dog may have fleas or ticks and I don`t want them in my house or yard as Molly doesn`t get treated for those things as I don`t have a problem at my house and yard with either ticks or fleas and I want to keep it that way. To go to a groomer the dog would have to be put to sleep to get groomed as she trusts only my Dad, the granddaughter (that doesn`t care) and me some what. Poor little dog.

I will say this is not a good situation as if I saw this dog anywhere else besides my Dads place I would make the call. So what should I do?

mrv

Posted : 4/25/2008 6:09:58 AM

Have the grooming done at a vets. They can manage the fleas, the aggression issues and any possible medical issues that may be related to the poor coat condition.

KarissaKS

Posted : 4/25/2008 7:39:07 AM

I wonder how much of her aggression issue is the fact that she's in pain from the mats....

I don't know how many "groomers" have the capability of tranquilizing a dog or putting them under for grooming. The groomer that my parents use is actually located inside a vet's office, so she would be able to do something like that. If it's just a shave-down that you're looking for, though, I'd make an appointment at a vet's office and have it done.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 4/25/2008 9:40:10 AM

I agree. Take her to a groomer at a vet's office, and have her sedated to be groomed. Scissoring hair off of a dog that is matted like that is VERY dangerous!

sallya

Posted : 4/26/2008 6:01:46 PM

If she has fleas or ticks, mats etc, she may have bad teeth or another problem. Could be why she is not friendly. She needs to get some care and grooming. Hope a groomer can do it for you.

Tidy Pawz

Posted : 4/28/2008 10:11:18 AM

Wow thats a pretty tricky question. On one hand you don't want to rock the boat with family members and on the other your dealing with your own feelings. I think I would somehow find a way to tell your dad nicely that the pooch needs to be groomed. I wouldn't even bother with the Granddaughter as it sounds like there's a bit of a responsibility issue there. Point out the health concerns for the dog and for him ...with the flees etc...)

An experienced and qualifed groomer should have know problems properly and safely grooming the little one. About 30% of the dogs we groom fall into what I call the LITTLE SNOT catagory and we seem to have no problems with them. I'm very much against anyone who thinks they should even have a dog sedated to groom them....Good Luck...Tidy Pawz Dog

jennie_c_d

Posted : 4/28/2008 12:23:20 PM

Tidy Pawz
I'm very much against anyone who thinks they should even have a dog sedated to groom them...

Why? Sometimes it's the safest way to deal with a very matted animal. I can shave down a super matted dog. I've done it many times. If the dog is fighting hard, though, the risk of cutting it (which is already VERY high, in a single-mat-shavedown) increases, greatly. I send them off to be groomed by someone who can sedate them.

Tidy Pawz

Posted : 4/28/2008 1:07:21 PM

I agree that the risk of cutting the dog is indeed heightend however through proper handling and patience the task can be achieved. I have seen incident where a client has sedated there pooch and had them drop some short time after requiring a speedy trip to the vet. This is why I no longer agree with this practice. I love them all even the "little snots" and would hate to see any of them hurt. Not trying to be confrontational but thats my opinion and we know what opinions are like (lol)...Cheers Dog

jennie_c_d

Posted : 4/28/2008 4:38:26 PM

Ohhh, we were thinkin' different things!!! I'm saying take it to the vet, and have the vet sedate (and monitor) it and the groomer there shave it. I don't take dogs who've been sedated with things like Ace or Valium. Too scary for me! I love the little land sharks, too, and would hate to see any of them hurt or sick. I want the safest possible experience for them, and sometimes, I can't give it. That's when I send them to a vet for sedation and grooming.