Help! My dog gets very bad after grooming

(Windsor)

Every time I get my dog groomed, she gets anxiety, itching, and bites herself and panting. I have to pay $200 for steroids every time. What can I do? I've tried using my own shampoo and I've gone to watch.

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Jun 10, 2014
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Anxiety after grooming
by: Kathy

My Coton, Toby, HATES to be groomed. I've found that most groomers are not familiar with Cotons and the length of time it REALLY takes to do a good grooming job, while keeping the dog calm. After my (and Toby's) initial bad experiences with groomers, I now do his grooming myself.

Recommendations: Look for a "mobile groomer" who will come to your house to groom your dog (more relaxed setting); make sure you explain to your groomer that you would like (and will pay for) 2X the normal grooming time to ensure adequate time and no 'rushing' through the process; talk to your vet about getting a mild sedative for your dog, which you can administer an hour before his grooming appt. (I have to use them with my Coton, even though I groom him myself). Good luck.

Jun 10, 2014
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this is how i trained my dog
by: Anonymous

I have a Boston Terrier 2 years old named Tobby, this dog gave me many problems. It ate my shoes, urinated in the room, the furniture stank. A teach my dog to behave with some training videos I found online. Pay 1 dollar for a trial period of 3 days. And 37 monthly payment, but worth every penny. My dog is very well behaved, and does not make those deviltries and I have taught him many tricks. This is the location where I found the training: www.theonlinedogtrainers.com

Dec 25, 2013
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LIL MAN'S EXPERIENCE
by: Anonymous

I have a toy poddle. He is 12 years old. His name is Lil Man. My situation is that every time we come home from getting groom he is very nervous. Can't sit still, constantly licking himself, paces the floor. He will drink but will hardly eat. This lasts for about 2 to 3 days, then he will get back to normal. Is this part of the grooming process?. He has been going to the same groomer for a long time. I tried switching him to another groomer and the groomer had to call me to go and pick him up. He would not allow her to touch him at all. Any input would help>
Lil Man's mom.

Dec 12, 2013
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Dog bad after grooming
by: Anonymous

My cotton also has anixity & pants like crazy going to the groomer or vet. She's very hyper to begin with. I looked the thundershirt which helps calm your dog it works. Go online and read on it. Both my cottons scratched & licked when they came from groomer. I read if you use hypoallerginic shampoo will help. My groomer was using oatmeal shampoo which is for dry skin which I thought helped itching. When we changed shampoo both dogs didn't itch bite or lick like they did. I also feed them grain free dry foo.

Jan 09, 2013
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anxiety after being groomed
by: qtlou1

I always notice that after grooming my dogs seem to be depressed, scared and their personality changes. I have to reassure them constantly and refamiliarize them with their environment again. They are skiddish, and takes them several days to regain their confidence. Just by reading several articles this seems to be common amongst pet owners.

Jun 03, 2012
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Tuffy Grooming
by: Kathy

I've had problems finding an "acceptable" groomer for my Coton, as well. It "may" be that most groomers are not familiar with the breed and it's particular grooming requirements (typically 2x the time of a standard dog's groom time).

Regardless, I have been very unimpressed and downright horrified with the results of local groomers. I now do my own Coton grooming. Have you considered this? It's not easy...but it's a LOT less emotionally (and sometimes, physically) draining than trial and error with bad Coton groomers (I couldn't stand the guilt).

There are enough grooming books, videos and images now available for Coton's to help you get started. I've found that the cost of the specific grooming tools for a Coton far outweight the trauma my Toby has gone through with a bad groomer.

Aug 28, 2010
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grooming issues
by: IRIS

Hi all. As many of you know, after two years of my dog being stressed and a couple of times, (I witnessed) him being mistreated by grooming personnel, then switching to different groomers and Tuffy being more stressed, I did use a mobile groomer once but she was more nervous than my dog and it took he hours in her van and the final results were mediocre, not what I expected and my dog was a nervous wreck.So, I started grooming him myself.I am still a novice,the kit I bought was expensive but not good, none of the attachments work, so I have to use only the clippers, and with all the hair he has it takes me three days to do it. I set up a long folding table in the garage and put a rubber bath mat on it to keep him steady. Tuffy is used to me combing and brushing his hair and trimming his face so it was okay with him, he is very tolerant of me, (not especially liking the grooming and the buzzing clippers), but he does not freak out. He does not like a bath( I had to chase him for and hour to give him the bath and coax him out of his cave again) but after I dry him off and give him a treat and a lot of snuggling, he is okay. We both feel much better after the ordeal. My only concern is that he is not getting all the trimming he got at the professional groomers, ie: removal of ear hairs,and hair on the feet between the toes, and nail trimming. I do my best but am so afraid to hurt him I do the least possible. I bring him to the traveling Vet at 'pet supplies plus' charges $20. for the nail clipping, This week I took a chance and trimmed most of the long hair off Tuffy's ears.He looks like a little baby puppy, so funny with those short ears but his ears were so hot and itchy I thought at least for the summer he will get some relief. His ears feel much cooler now. When I finish the total haircut I'll send a new picture.
hugs from Tuffy and mom

Aug 27, 2010
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Get a new groomer
by: Anonymous

If your dog is getting that anxious I'd look around for a new groomer. When I first got my rescue dog she was nervous about EVERYTHING, including being groomed. The groomer I initially took her to kept her there all day waiting her turn. When I picked her up it was obvious that she was stressed and it broke my heart.

I found the perfect solution by finding a mobile groomer who comes to our house. It's about the same price I was paying before and this woman was amazing. She was very experienced with grooming an anxious dog and knew just how much my dog would tolerate and worked around her.

Hopefully you can find a mobile groomer in your area and get lucky like I did. My dog actually looks forward to grooming day.

(This didn't happen over night - it took several visits before she felt secure)

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