mpj
Mid-Missouri
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Joined: 09/27/2004
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Just another thought: one groomer we know uses cordless trimmers as they do not make as much noise as the corded one. Hope you have good luck what ever your solution.
mpj
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Deb and Ed M
SW MI, USA
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Joined: 06/07/2004
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OK - here's Jimmy, age 14 weeks, sporting his new "do".
Disclaimer: I am NOT a groomer; and this certainly isn't a "style" - it's simply taking the longer fur off the top so he dries quicker after swims; and protecting his lower parts from runs in the fields with the longer fur.
Deb
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CatandJim
Tulsa, as in Oklahoma
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Joined: 08/23/2004
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Jimmy is certainly a cutie Deb! He's got that rugged, ragamuffin look about him.
I must admit, it feels a little odd talking about a dog named Jimmy since that is what I call my darling husband... but both of them are cuties and rather ragamuffin. 
Cat
(Jim just reads the forum once in a while)
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle....
Live simply, love wholly, give generously, care deeply, speak kindly.
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Deb and Ed M
SW MI, USA
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Joined: 06/07/2004
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All my dogs have had "guy" names....and due to his color, this pup got named "Jimmy Buff" - a twist on one of my favorite singer's name ;-)
Back to the subject of clipping: does anyone else notice that their dogs are happier after clipping??? I can tell when my Aussie needs to lose some fur - he lays around the house and pants, and is basically crabby. I'll get out the clippers, and he runs and flops on the kitchen floor in the spot where I usually do the clipping....LOL! He falls asleep while I clip one side, then I'll tell him I need to "do the other side" and he'll slowly roll over and go back to sleep! But after clipping, he's friskier/sillier...back to his happy old self.
Deb
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CatandJim
Tulsa, as in Oklahoma
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Joined: 08/23/2004
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I am also a fan (AKA Parrothead) of Jimmy Buffet 
Yes, once I get through grooming our dogs they all get a case of the zoomies and run around like silly dogs. I always sing "I Feel Good" to them while they frisk. Silly I know, but we have fun.
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Code2High
Agoura, CA
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Joined: 12/21/2004
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A few things I note that haven't been covered .... One, exercise before grooming. A good, long, disciplined walk, a hard romp, or better yet both.... will relax the dog. Deb did mention this in passing, but it is really worth emphasizing. The more tired the dog is, the less fight, surely, but it isn't just that. An un-exercised dog is going to have more nervous energy and tend to see things in a more fearful way. Also, walking is a bonding experience and will help create trust, done properly. This requires some effort... you need to walk the dog, not the other way around, you need to set the pace and decide on a few stops, not make it a sniff fest. But I promise you, it really helps.
Second, for the dog to get over it, YOU must get over it. This doesn't mean you rush through it or don't take time and effort working with the dog. It does mean that you have to get your energy off of the dog's fearful reaction and being concerned about it. Be calm, be in control, be relaxed. Being concerned/worried/"sorry" for the dog will only aggravate the problem and slow the recovery. Don't do "oh you poor baby." Keep your demeanor upbeat and confident.
Third, working around the issue... I hope you're doing obedience with this pup. If you aren't, please start! Dogs that are fearful need obedience work to build confidence in themselves and teach them boundaries for behavior. Everyone likes to know when they're doing right, and a well trained dog is a more confident dog, as well as being a dog who is in the habit of listening and following commands, which is a helpful thing when grooming and a lot of other stuff.
Fourth, set up the problem in a way that gives you more control. I was helping a friend with her dogs' nails and we found that the corner of the back of her mini-van was the perfect spot. The dogs were comfortable in there, and contained, and the light was good, and the corner just eliminated a lot of discussion. (This continued until first I and then she decided it was time to flip the dogs on their backs and just get the job done.) Your best spot may be anywhere, I've no idea, but give it some thought. You might be able to set the problem up better.
Fifth.... repeat, repeat, repeat. Short sessions and doing it OFTEN will tend to work wonders. That's the problem with stuff like that, it doesn't happen often enough. When I got Hal, she was terrified of hoses. Would panic if you turned one on in the yard with her. This continued until we started going to a lake daily and she started getting hosed down afterwards every day. After a week or so, it was just routine. Now I can call her to me with the running hose in my hand, knowing full well she's going to get soaked before a jog. All it took was some repetition.
Finally, follow your frequent clipping sessions (or just running the clipper over her sessions if she doesn't need clipping) with something fun. Dogs are great at connecting events... "we get our shirts on, and get in the car, and we go to the dog park!" so mine are happy to put their harnesses on. Creating a positive association can be a great tool. Playtime, a car ride, or any other favorite activity scheduled right after grooming could do that, even a special treat ... but it needs to be close together, as in right after, and consistent.
susan
What I want to know is, when are they going to start selling Comfort Zone for HUMANS????? 'Cause some days...
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joshjack
Alabama
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Joined: 11/01/2007
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I think the big thing here is trust. Obviously if they are afraid of the clipper noise there is going to be some shying away. But if you have a strong trust and respect relationship they will let you work on them. Eventually you want them to not care and chill out while you cut their hair.
One thing no one else has really come out and said - it helps to have them under tight control when they're still nervous. You don't want them to freak and and feel cornered, but they also need to know you're in control.
J
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Deb and Ed M
SW MI, USA
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joshjack wrote:
One thing no one else has really come out and said - it helps to have them under tight control when they're still nervous. You don't want them to freak and and feel cornered, but they also need to know you're in control.
J
Good point - I DID have Jimmy on a leash for his first time being clipped, just in case he struggled and slipped out of my arms. Also, for many dogs, the leash says "I WILL have control over you, so there's no sense fighting".
Deb
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