beaglemom
Junior Member: lv 1
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Join date : 2011-11-16
Location : New York, NY
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Subject: Gently working with dogs during grooming process - tips? Wed Nov 16, 2011 2:48 pm |
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I recently started grooming, but have worked with animals for years in other capacities (vet assistant, shelter manager, etc.) I'm very uncomfortable with the firm belief of many groomers that the way to get through a grooming with a nippy or skittish dog is to "show dominance", "be alpha", and "show who is the boss". Already, I've seen this degenerate into basically a wrestling match with the dogs. It's not abuse, but it sure is bullying. When I balk at these "techniques", I'm told in no uncertain terms that I'm too soft and that it's not a good thing to be a "dog lover" because then they'll walk all over you. Depressing! I didn't get into this so I could spend my day intimidating scared dogs. The hard part of grooming is that there's a time limit, so if a dog is frightened or nippy, there's not much time to get him/her used to the place and help them to feel comfortable. It all happens so fast, and there are other dogs barking - pretty intense setting for a scared dog. I guess I'm looking for support. It's hard to be looked down on because I won't' engage in a struggle for dominance. I actually don't have a good alternative, which is a problem. My only plan so far is to take it slow, give the dog breaks, and if it's just too much, send the dog home and book them for another appointment so they get used to it. Does anyone have tips for working with scared/nervous dogs in a shop setting? Something that doesn't involve alpha or dominance theory? Thanks.
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Ann
Academy Professor
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Join date : 2009-11-10
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Subject: Re: Gently working with dogs during grooming process - tips? Wed Nov 16, 2011 7:11 pm |
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Interesting topic. I had a dog who was generally nervous when I was not within eyesight. It was a very long process getting him to do a stay as I walked away from him and behind an obstacle. I searched for over a YEAR to find a groomer who also did massage. The wait was so worthwhile! The first visit went as expected, some nervousness but a fairly pleasant experience for him. The second went a little better. At the 3rd visit, he greeted the groomer like a long lost friend. We continued for a few months with the massage first, then gradually had different groomers step in to bathe and brush him. The nervousness faded enough for him to obtain his CDX!
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beaglemom
Junior Member: lv 1
Posts : 4
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Join date : 2011-11-16
Location : New York, NY
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Subject: Re: Gently working with dogs during grooming process - tips? Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:07 pm |
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That's really intriguing. Do you remember if the first visit consisted only of massage, or was there massage, then some grooming?
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Ann
Academy Professor
Posts : 534
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Join date : 2009-11-10
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Subject: Re: Gently working with dogs during grooming process - tips? Thu Nov 17, 2011 7:25 am |
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Massage then just brushing the first time, if I remember correctly. I think at the second visit he got a bath but balked at the blow dryer. I know that by the 3rd visit he was agreeable to anything. It was probably an unusual method of desensitizing but I had already tried so many other things and felt that the rewards I was using weren't valuable enough to that particular dog.
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altamont
Junior Member: lv 1
Posts : 1
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Join date : 2015-03-26
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Subject: Re: Gently working with dogs during grooming process - tips? Thu Mar 26, 2015 3:19 am |
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Subject: Re: Gently working with dogs during grooming process - tips? |
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