Our mini poodle is 16 months old and up through about 9 months I was doing all of her grooming at home. After that I realized—what if there comes a time I can't groom her personally? So I started taking her to a salon every 8 weeks. It's 1:1 dog-to-groomer there, and I've known this groomer for like 20 years and trust her. I still do brushing, baths, and little trims at home in between, but I usually space it out and don't do it all back-to-back like the salon experience.
Our dog is quick to over arousal at the groomer—frantic and over excited, not wanting to stay on the table, climbing, clawing, seemingly trying to go up-up-and-away which is not safe for the human (or her).
Yesterday was unexpectedly worse than ever. She was frantic and climbing, escalated to frequent vocalizing, and even put her teeth on the tools and the groomer's arm. It wasn't a growl and snap, more like a wiggly and distressed "stop doing this" sort of way, but regardless I'm horrified, and this is absolutely not okay.
I set up our grooming table at home and am going to do daily small trainings rewarding when she keeps all four paws on the table, but she doesn't ever to try and climb me in the same way as she does with the groomer? It seems like all the experiences stack and she just gets over threshold?
I also booked brushing-only appointments spaced 2 weeks apart in between now and her next bigger appointment in 6 weeks to see if it will help her to go and have a less overwhelming experience there before trying again.
And ultimately I'm okay with going back to just grooming her at home, but giving up doesn't seem like a reasonable solution because what if there comes a time I'm unable to groom her? I'm just so embarrassed and disappointed. We've worked so hard on training and socializing.
submitted by /u/kg51
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