grooming
By MAINEIAC55
@MAINEIAC55 (52)
United States
October 11, 2007 9:59am CST
i need help badly ..my new mylot pal's!i have 2 doggies...both have long hair, one is shih-tzu, the other a lapso mix.
i have taken both to the groomers but only once because they both are frightened to the point of having what i call.....breakdowns, because that's how severe they react to the groomer!
i'd like to know if anyone has any idea's on how i can groom them myself...without using a buzz cutter. the noise seems to be the big thing that scares them. that and the hair blower...lol
but they are beginning to get ragged looking and although i bathe and brush them, and even cut out some of they're snarls etc....it's not enough.
any hint on how to either cut their hair or how to get them used to the noises that grooming involves?
i just hate seeing them all petrified, shaking, crying etc...but they are getting disgusting looking ..even if they are cute as a button!
thanks in advance, my friends
1 person likes this
3 responses
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
11 Oct 07
I don't know much about pet groomers YET but can't you ask them not to use the buzzers? That seems like it would be the answer to your problem.
@MAINEIAC55 (52)
• United States
11 Oct 07
when they had that terrible experience, last time...i did ask if there was another way to do it. basically she said not really, since it would be nearly impossible to do every dog that was frightened,especially by hand. and too time consuming etc.
@quiethorse (337)
• United States
11 Oct 07
You really need to spend the time at home to get them used to the sound first then the sensation of being touched with the grooming tools. They shouldn't be forced to be groomed.
@MAINEIAC55 (52)
• United States
11 Oct 07
if i had a penny for every hr i spent trying to get them used to the noise, the touching them with the tool with it off etc, i'd be rich...lol
but, i have been somewhat successful with scissors, although it takes days & days to do this and they come out looking butchered.
but i agree with you that they shouldn't be forced..and i'm thinking maybe the groomer, although recommended, had forced them and this is why they're so scared & freaked out now.
but, quiethorse.... when i saw them that day, and how they were shaking and ran for my vechicle, as if they're lives were in danger...as i stated in another response, i promised them i would never do that to them again, and i have kept that promise.
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
11 Oct 07
To keep the tangles and mats at bay I advise brushing their fur every day if possible. Give them a few treats to they do not mind this. Trim a few hair with scissors as these do not make any noise. Get them used to the noise of the clippers by buzzing them for ten minutes a day, next to but not on your dogs. Give them a treat if they don't snarl. If they do snarl ignore this and carry on showing them all is okay. In time you will increase their confidence.
I have two miniature poodles. I often cut their fur with scissors as well as with an electric cutter. They prefer having their fur cut at home rather than at a professional groomer. Groomers vary of you do use one choose a kind one that has been recommended by a friend or a vet.
@MAINEIAC55 (52)
• United States
11 Oct 07
oh, maximax8....i wish it was that simple....lol
what i failed to state was they also hate being brushed, not too bad with bathing etc but, it's like never ending turmoil trying to keep these two groomed.
although, after yrs & yrs of trying...the female is getting a bit better.
and i have done some of it, when i can get them somewhat calmed, myself with scissors but this can take, no lie, 3-4 days to complete the task. especially with the male who at times i need to muzzle, which i hate doing as well. not that i think he'd bite us but, since he hates it so much, one never knows !
and sorry to say, the groomer we did choose, was recommended by our vet. she was suppose to be the one who can get any dog calmed enough to be groomed etc. but it never worked with these two. and she told me, this was the first time she wasn't able to alter the behavior of all the dogs she ever did. and she has done this for almost 30 yrs !!!!!
leave it to my doggies to be the one's to break her record !
so, other then, which has been suggested, sedating them for grooming...i guess i'll continue trying the scissors and hopefully some day..they'll get it.
thanks so much for your insight and encouragement !
