Dog Community

Hates grooming!!

Posted : 6/28/2006 10:03:07 PM

Hi,

I had my cocker shaved down today by a groomer. The problem is that Zok (our doggie) hates being poked and prodded in certain places. He's about 8 years old and we've only had him since last November. We don't know anything about his past because he was found as a stray. All we can suspect is that he's been mistreated in the past.

We've tried to groom him ourselves before but he's bitten us in the process. So, instead of being the bad guys, we sent him to be groomed by a professional who can handle testy dogs.

When we picked him up, the groomer said that if we had done the job ourselves, we'd be in the hospital getting stitches.

So... the question is, how do we get him to feel comfortable enough with us so that he doesn't have to be defensive? He also growls a bit if we need to clean his feet off when their muddy and other such things that have to be done.

Any advice?

spiritdogs

Posted : 6/28/2006 11:17:54 PM

I think that you have to judge how much risk you want to take. You could acclimate him to wearing a muzzle. Personally, I would like to see you try to desensitize him to being handled and groomed. Have someone hold some squeeze cheese or peanut butter for him to lap as you handle his feet, etc. Do a little each day, and go very slowly.

willowchow

Posted : 6/28/2006 11:51:31 PM

When we picked him up, the groomer said that if we had done the job ourselves, we'd be in the hospital getting stitches.

The above statement just aggravates me. What kind of groomer would come out with that?? Please!

And, what did they do to him to be able to get the job done? They are probably just making things worse.

Amina

Posted : 6/29/2006 12:01:29 AM

Is it better for me to fumble with a shaver and keep my little guy muzzled or is it better for a groomer to be the bad guy and get the job done efficiently?

jennie_c_d

Posted : 6/29/2006 12:11:41 AM

Is it better for me to fumble with a shaver and keep my little guy muzzled or is it better for a groomer to be the bad guy and get the job done efficiently?

That all depends on what kind of groomer it is. Some groomers *cough cough* are fantastic, and will take their time to not terrify your dog. Others will yell at him, or even hit him, to get him to be still enough to groom. The former will probably cost more, and be harder to find, but you'll be happy with the job that gets done, and your dog will likely settle down about the grooming process.

If the process is entirely too stressful for the dog, your vet may prescribe a tranquilizer.