Groomer Has It

 Did you see the dog before he trimmed it? He didn't take that much off. The dog came IN with no coat. That's what blew my mind. He just shaped it.

I adore Chows, and was totally shocked by these super-experienced groomers flipping out over them. They're great dogs! All dogs have teeth, and all dogs deserve respect, so... meh.

I'll say this I did think he was a smooth chow but they didn't say anything so I thought maybe I was wrong.  But, even so, I'm sure there is some sort of right way. 

It's true all dogs could bite.  In fact, the other day my groomer was actually happy to see Willow as she had been bitten earlier in the week by another breed, cocker spaniel.  Willow's not a biter that's why she likes her, she gives plenty of warning when she's had enough. 

I cannot stand this show.... really. We groom chows all the time - with no problem. It all depends on the dog, not the breed. Yea - chows have a bad rap when it comes to this kind of stuff, but still! I think any good groomer should be able to groom any breed, at any time.

I can understand the muzzle for nail trimming, I still muzzle Casey for this - he's used to it, and I can rub his belly and trim his toes at the same time now, but we still muzzle, because it actually makes him and I more comfy with the whole procedure. He relaxes when the muzzle is on - don't ask why, I have no clue! But he's comfortable in it - snip the nails, and it's off. Treat and all is forgiven. Would I trust him without a muzzle? NO WAY!

 I actually... really don't use muzzles. I think I've used one, once, this year. I groom, for a living, so an average of 6-7 dogs, 5 days a week. That's..... 30-35 dogs a week, for 4 1/2 months.... so somewhere around 600 dogs. I do use a basket muzzle, on Emma, though, for training. She, like Casey, is conditioned to wear her muzzle and be happy about it. For dogs who aren't conditioned to a muzzle, I feel like it stresses them out more, and makes them more likely to bite once it comes off. It may be unfounded, but I feel better without it...

oh yea - I didn't mean right away slap a muzzle on a dog when they walk in. We never muzzle unless we have to for our own safety. But if a dog shows signs of not being too happy with what we are doing - we do muzzle. It's not the end of the world for a dog to be muzzled, and many times it distracts the dog enough so we can get what we need done without a fuss

erica1989

oh yea - I didn't mean right away slap a muzzle on a dog when they walk in. We never muzzle unless we have to for our own safety. But if a dog shows signs of not being too happy with what we are doing - we do muzzle. It's not the end of the world for a dog to be muzzled, and many times it distracts the dog enough so we can get what we need done without a fuss

Definitely agree with you there!  It's not that we automatically muzzle dogs (and we never do it just because the dog is a chow or a pit bull or a rottweiler or whatever other breeds people go crazy over being aggressive), but if there's any sign of them possibly biting, there's just no need to take the chance. 

I did not see the show, but I would not knock any groomer or vet for muzzling a Chow. Many do it automatically with the breed. Part of it is due to the fact that it is really hard to read their body language. So many of the normal signals are hidden because of the structure and coat of the dog. Consider some common signs that a dog might bite. Eye shape changes. Can't see it because they are deep set and surrounded by a lot of fur. Tenseness in the face. Again hidden by fur and the meaty muzzle. Ears position, subtle changes are hidden by the fur. Hair on the back of the neck raised. Again, you will never see that on a Chow. Standing on tip toe. Chows have very straight pasterns and always look that way. Tail position, Chows tails are always up unless they are very frightened. 

Add in the fact that Chows are a breed that "does not suffer fools gently" and are not keen about manhandling from strangers. No matter how good a groomer is, from the dog's point of view he is being manhandled against his will. I have no problem with Chows, but if I had to do something to one and I was not positive he would be fine with everything, I would be quite nervous.

Perhaps it's because I have one, but I've never found it at all difficult to read any Chow's body language.  Legend is a good natured guy and my own pet , so I can obviously read his signs. But, I have no problem with the ones who come into work (some of which are not nice nor happy to be there).  Even having upright ears and tails, there is still pretty obvious body language to be seen.

That said, I don't think wearing a muzzle for a bit hurts any dog, provided they're supervised with it on and not left unattended

I finally saw that show last night and I was shocked over how Kathleen handled the Chow and how the other Chow was trimmed......that didn't even look like a Chow anymore......btw, I love Chows.....

Golden Tails

CoCo Chanel

I did was warned the groomer that "CoCo gets fidgetdy when her feet are touched.... and what did the groomer do?  Right away put a muzzle on her, even though I insisted that it wasnt needed."

Thats what I mean, People read WAY to much into little comments such as that one. They take "Becareful shes gets fidigity" and turn in to somthing like this..."I'm warning you! My dog attacks when people touch her feet" Rather what she should have done was take it slow. Give Coco a couple of breaks as not to stress her out to much.

People that THINK they under stand pets, but then really don't. I think I have a new pet peev (no pun intended)

I agree with you on that one.  Often, owners are so worried that you won't like the pet, or that the pet will do something wrong...whether you groom or train, it's always best to take what they say with a grain of salt and just evaluate the situation as you find it.  At the salon where I worked, we did all the nail clips in the area on Rotts, Pits, Chows, etc., because they were turned away at other salons.  But, guess what?  Those were the best dogs to do.  They almost never gave anyone any trouble.  We did have a couple of Chows that would take your face off if you touched their collars - simple solution?  Owner brought them in washable nylon collars and leads, and we left the leads on to take them from their crates.  Once in the tub and on the table, they were no problem.  So, you need to deal with each dog as an individual.  As a trainer, I listen closely to how people describe their dog, but I always do my own evaluation, too.  Sometimes, they get it all wrong;-))

As to the show, I thought the Chow thing was a great test of their abilities.  A groomer needs to know what to do if a dog DOES appear aggressinve (and what not to do).  So, the fact that she couldn't overcome that fear was both telling and sad, since her skills are ok for the most part.  You have to remember that the events are timed, and that makes a huge difference.  I can do a good job on a dog, but I'm nowhere near as fast as my girlfriend who owns the shop.  I went to school to learn to do my own dogs and then groomed part time just to help out, but she's been at it for over 10 years full time.  Speed is a factor in any salon, because time is money.  You  have to be fast, good, and kind to the dogs all at the same time. I don't know what these groomers do normally, but some of them may be in situations where the time factor is more relaxed.  Having seen some grooming competitions at NEPGP over the years, I can tell you that it's way more nerve-wracking than being in the salon.  The clock is ticking and everyone is watching.  Even groomers have "test anxiety", I'm sure.

 I face time limits on a daily basis, as well as being watched. It's no big deal for me, but I'm sure cameras would make a big difference, LOL. You couldn't pay me to live in a house with a dozen groomers, either. Yowch! I'm sure that affects their performance, as well. It would be hard, for me, to be away from my human and canine family for so long.

I can't wait for tomorrows show!

Thats what I thought too.

in defense to CoCo, she is VERY submissive towards anything that doesnt resemble a rodent.  Even though we have NO "little people" in my house, on the rare occassion that one does show up, I'm always in awe about her.  She knows they're different and it's so funny to see how she interacts with them.  With the itsy bitsy people, she'll bring a toy to them, and the two will stare at each other up and down in utter wonder.

Once, my neice's terrible two son came over and he is the type that is 'over friendly' with her... aka he kept hitting her, albeit lightly since he's only about 16months, and grabbing her tail and ears.  He was eating a cookie and it fell to the ground in which CoCo helped him clean up...but then he decided he wanted it back and reached right into her mouth while she was eating it and yanked it right out! 

I wanted to let the groomer know she was "fidgety" because my intentions were what you said, to take it nice and slow on her to not stress her out!  Not to slap a muzzle on her!  The vet, when they clipped her nails, I told them the same, and she simply went and got a tech, and while the tech held her and the vet clipped her, CoCo just hid her face in the tech's armpits the entire time and didnt make a peep or move!

Anywho... we should all make a guess who we think will win this... I say Jonathan.

I think they're doing a "photo" shoot for the dogs tonight....