[msvee]

Bubba is a 100lb chow/shep mix who normally is as gentle as lamb. Now, after a couple of bad experiences with groomers, he simply hates getting his hair cut. Even with a cage-style muzzel, he growls, snaps and fights to run away. Being a chow he has that thick undercoat and needs grooming badly especially around his bum. Several groomers have told us to sedate or even have a vet use anesthesia but at 11 years old this option scares me. I love my boy and hate scaring the daylights out of him. We're currently trying just turning on the clippers while he's calm or playing just to get him used to the sound again. That's okay as long as the clippers don"t come near him> Bubba will be grateful for any suggestionsor advice we can get. Thanks, Vee in Alaska

[Taylor &Gretchen]

Where did you get his hair cut at??


And have you tried to learn to cut your own dog's hair??

See if they will let you stand by him when he gets his hair cut??

And what knid of bad experiances did he have(if you don't mind me asking)

Because I hade a St. Benard and the people cut her ear.

[msvee]

Well first of all, Bubbie used to see a mobile groomer. This was a lady who travels around town in a converted class C camper. It was expensive but worth it. They had a good relationship although Bub didn't like it, he sort of tolerated her. We had him washed about every month or so. That was fine for almost a year until she started having trouble with him. I never really knew why it started. Finally she just got "too busy" after he nipped her on the arm as she was doing his nails once.
Secondly, MH has gone with Bubbie to help hold on just to get his hair cut but it's a big fight and a great deal of stress on him. He comes home and simply crashes the rest of the night.
We can wash him at the doggie wash with little complaint and I've even lathered him with environment-friendly shampoo and let him go swimming when MH doesn't know about it.
We're trying to get him used to letting us cut his hair in short 10 minute sessions but I just worry that we're stressing him out too much. He pouts in the closet when we're done. I just hate that.
There's got to be a better way.
Vee

[Lightwingcreations]

If I were you I would get together with hubby and a pouch full of highly loved treats and treat him for behaving when you get the brush or scissors around him. Gradually work him up to the clippers first by not having them on, but treating him when you have the clippers in hand. Once he seems relaxed with them in your hands you can progress to turning them on and then off very quickly while giving treats and praise. The goal is to gradually get him used to the clippers and have him associate it with good things (i.e. mom and dad loving on him and getting yummy treats). Don't just jump in with something scary, start with something non-threatening and work your way up to what he's really fearful of. This method will take time and patience on your part but will pay off if you are consistant and patient with him. You don't need to make it a long drawn out session either, 5-10 minutes every day can do wonders. Make the whole session positive with many rewards for good behavior and ignore any bad behaviors on his part. And try to end the sessions on a positive note, dog's do sense when you are impatient, angry or frustrated. Wish you luck.

[dogman741]

Has it worked yet pleas tell us because I'm new and am worried for you and your dog!Hope it works out!

[DivaDog]

Have only just seen this and hope you will get to read my response.

Ok first off Id check for any pain - dogs dont just 'turn' for no reason and it sounded like he had an ok if slightly uneasy relationship with his groomer. I definately so no to sedation - at his age if he gets stressed while sedated it could kill him. Blunt I know but its the truth.

I think your doing all the right things - but try not to get stressed and worried about it - will he let you brush him? If so I would keep him well brushed and forget the clippers- if hes well brushed he wont need clipping.

Id also look for another groomer who is willing to work with him -he probably needs to get his confidence back a bit - its possible he bit the last groomer because he was hurting .