We had another successful groom for a very difficult dog today. Lilly was getting excessively worked up and stressed with the whole groom. She was partially clipped and the girls were pretty sure she could not be finished. She was freaking out with anything coming near the front of her body and extremely head shy, not wanting anyone holding, touching or doing anything to her head or front legs. After attempting a few different things without success her owner was called and explained that she was struggling with the groom and we could give her a break and try more later, she could go home now and come back in a couple of days to attempt to finish the groom or we could just leave her. The owner chose to let us give her a break and try more later as she was very calm when in the crate. Reeda came in to see what could be done with Lilly. Lilly wasnt responding to treats at all, but was quite calm on the table if nothing was happening. Reeda started scissoring Lilly as this was less stimulating for her, but time consuming but she was able to go over areas slowly that she wasnt coping with before. Gradually she accepted Reeda doing work around her head and face, eventually calming down enough for Reeda to hold he head and face to trim it nicely. We ended on a positive note and even though Lilly was doing slight flicks with her head she was very calm and accepting at the end of her groom. Reading dogs and cats body language is very important in a successful groom. Some dogs will not respond how Lilly did and to persist is not fair on them or us. We do what animals in our care can handle, looking for the least stressful option!
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 11:23:52 +0000