First Groom Disaster at 10 months!!!

[Holly2009]

Well....Holly had her first visit to the groomers last friday, what a disaster!!
I kind of had a feeling that she wouldnt be very erm...accomodating shall we say!
I told the groomer she would be scared of the clippers and explained that grooming had recently become a jumping twirling chewing nightmare.

So off I trotted with hubby and the two boys for lunch in town....45 mins later the groomer phones to say she cant do any more 

The groomer had managed to trim her legs body but couldnt get near her head. She tried tieing her up loose, tight, not atall but nothing worked!!! she could only do it with the clipper guard on so her furr in still a bit longer than Id of liked.

Any advice for a second visit? anyone else's dogs act like this? any idea what I can do to calm her down!
She is still young so Im hoping she will get use to it and calm down...but I doubt she will 

Shes such a dumb blonde 

[MegandMolly]

Would she be better if you were there holding her  / comforting her do you think?
Or would she make more of a fuss with 'Mum' as an audience??

[Holly2009]

Would she be better if you were there holding her  / comforting her do you think?
Or would she make more of a fuss with 'Mum' as an audience??

We gave it a go when I went to pick her up but it made no difference, held her etc but the groomer really had no chance! I joked about giving her valium, and the groomer told me that some places do give dogs tranquilisers to calm them, no way would I do this!

2 lovely groomed yorkies walked out infront of her 

[gorgeouspoppy]

oops - Misty says silly sis! 

Where is the pics? 

Misty goes to the groomers in a fortnight so hopefully she will behave 

x

[Holly2009]

Misty has to promise not to laugh  

Not the best pics...Morning before



And after   the expression says it all  

I snipped the top of her head & flattened it with some spit at the caravan 

[bajoleth]

Thats not a disater, she looks really cute , I was expecting a half done dog It may not be as you expected but she has done a neat job under the circumstances

[Holly2009]

Thats not a disater, she looks really cute , I was expecting a half done dog It may not be as you expected but she has done a neat job under the circumstances

Shall we just say the pics dont do it justice!!....quite a few big long bits! and one leg seems a bit shorter than the other!
She did only charge me 1/2 price! as youve said I think she done really well under the circumstances! maybe I was expecting to much for a first visit!

[Jeanette]

Not sure what I was expecting but she looks lovely and I wouldn't have looked at the photo and thought she was half done  - Indie has a rival for the worst bitch to be groomed then 

[Holly2009]

Indie has a rival for the worst bitch to be groomed then 

Glad Holly's not the only one!

[gorgeouspoppy]

Misty thinks her sister looks lovely and isn't laughing!  

She is so grown up looking now.

xx

[6thSense]

Awwwww, bless her she doesn't look bad. Was this her first ever visit to the groomers? I only say this as I do puppy inductions for pups to get them used to the goings on in the Salon. This involves a brush/bath and trim if needed. Plus getting used to any equipment like the clippers/table etc etc. That means just running them near the dog and then maybe progressing to holding them against the dog without blades to get them used the the sound and feel of them. They also get lots of cuddles which is the best bit.  It might be worth asking your groomer if they would do something similar for her. They only need to be short sessions and she could maybe do a bit more each time and build up to it that way. Also if she's touchy around her head I personally would just take it down with thinners, so this could also be an option for your groomer.

[Poppypuppy09]

Awww Holly is just   

I totally agree with what 5scompany says about familiarisation, Pops went for four visits to experience the sights and sounds of the salon and was just brushed on the table and things before they got the scissors out on visit 5 and she had a little trim all over. She now practically pulls the OH over to try and get in the salon 

Am sure with some "social calls" Holly would soon calm down and enjoy her pampering 

[BabyB]

Awwwww, bless her she doesn't look bad. Was this her first ever visit to the groomers? I only say this as I do puppy inductions for pups to get them used to the goings on in the Salon. This involves a brush/bath and trim if needed. Plus getting used to any equipment like the clippers/table etc etc. That means just running them near the dog and then maybe progressing to holding them against the dog without blades to get them used the the sound and feel of them. They also get lots of cuddles which is the best bit.  It might be worth asking your groomer if they would do something similar for her. They only need to be short sessions and she could maybe do a bit more each time and build up to it that way. Also if she's touchy around her head I personally would just take it down with thinners, so this could also be an option for your groomer.

Spot on advice here    It's like taking her back to basics of brushing - you gain their trust with a brush. The same for going to the groomers and getting use to the noise of clippers.  In my experience this def. works 

[Holly2009]

thanks & yes it was her first visit, the groomer didn't suggest any of the above just 'she will get use to it'....think I'll try a different one next time & do as you've suggested, Ive got clippers at home so could try and desensitise her to the noise at least.
Im tempted to do it myself but dont want her to look like a sheep.

Yes Jo shes very grown up, ran off with the neighbours black lab today, she likes them big   & hes massive!! No idea what they were up to, hes way to big for any funny business thankfully... shes currently flat out sleeping in her crate!!
Is Misty going to 'her grans' to get groomed?

Forgot to say the groomer also started a rant on how all cockers are loopy especially orange roans  I just went along with it, because quite frankly I dont care about her opinion   

[tritonx]

Aww, she still looks so cute. Pretty little thing. The groomer who did Fraser (second attempt after a disastrous down to the wood first try at 7 months) took him in the morning to get to know him and train him a bit. I picked him up in the afternoon. I liked that she took time to work with him on the first visit, so he had a good experience.