Annoyed After Grooming Experience

[fuzzybunny]

I have started bringing Jazz to Petsmart to have his nails clipped and fur shaved on the bottom of his feet. Jazz is very afraid of the whole experience and is very difficult with them. He doesn't bite but he is constantly moving and fighting the process. The girl told me often dogs do better when their owner leaves so against my better judgment I left. I found a spot where I could see her working on him but he couldn't see me. She seemed very frustrated with him and at one point he managed to jump off the table and his head was still in the noose type collar thing. At that point I went back in and supervised. He was a little calmer with me back but was still uncooperative.

I understand it must be difficult for the groomer but she was visibly frustrated and upset. This in turn upset me because the experience is already scary for Jazz and having an angry person work with him doesn't help things.

He was uncooperative last time but not as bad. The groomer last time was kind with him and it didn't phase her one bit when he drooled all over her head. I stayed in the room last time too so he never tried to jump off the table.

I'm wondering how others would handle this situation. I don't know if I should look for a completely new place where he hasn't developed a negative association with it or if I should continue taking him back to Petsmart in the hopes that he gets used to it.

[onyx'girl]

I would find a groomer who is experienced and the same one, not whoever happens to be working at the time. I take Karlo to a groomer for nail trims because he fights it so much. I put a muzzle on him and hand over the leash to her. She and her partner basically put him in a corner while one holds and one dremels, get it done fast. They don't put him on a table.
The groomer is confident with him and I do stay out of view, but I hear him howling and fussing. The last few times he was better, but this last time, he put up quite a fight(male drama)
5 minutes later, he comes out wagging tail and giving kisses/she removes the muzzle when they are done.
The groomer has a red face and neck, I can tell he gives her a work out with his 90# of lanky muscle.

[paulag1955]

I've never used the grooming service at PetSmart...can't you ask for a groomer by name?

[fuzzybunny]

Originally Posted by paulag1955

I've never used the grooming service at PetSmart...can't you ask for a groomer by name?

I'm sure I probably can but this was only the second time I've gone so I really had no expectation. Now that I've seen how the first groomer treated him vs. the second groomer I would definitely request a specific groomer if I were to go back.

[onyx'girl]

Just out of curiosity, what does petsmart charge for nail/fur trim compared to other grooming businesses?
The one I go to is only $8 and I tip well. I have no idea what my local Petsmart or petco charges.

[fuzzybunny]

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

Just out of curiosity, what does petsmart charge for nail/fur trim compared to other grooming businesses?
The one I go to is only $8 and I tip well. I have no idea what my local Petsmart or petco charges.

It was $20 for the nail and fur trim. They said for an extra $1 I could get his ears cleaned as well but I passed because he didn't need it.

[Freestep]

Originally Posted by fuzzybunny

IThe girl told me often dogs do better when their owner leaves

Having been a groomer of 20-odd years, I can tell you that this is true 99% of the time. Even if you stay out of sight, the dog knows when you're still in the room. Often times I can tell when an owner shows up early, because the dog I'm working on alerts before they even come in the door. Then the dog starts acting up and it can be difficult to finish. So don't be afraid to leave--just make sure you leave your dog in good, experienced, knowledgable hands.

What I would suggest is to take him somewhere other than Petsmart. It's a crowded, hectic, public place with a lot going on. I'd find a nice, quiet, private grooming business with an experienced groomer; hopefully, someone who is experienced with GSDs and is comfortable with them both physically and psychologically.

I used to run a high-volume grooming salon, with employees and everything, in a strip mall in the middle of town. We ran a tight ship, but it was a hectic location. Lots of people, cars, stuff going on, etc. After about 15 years of that noise, I decided for my own sanity to make a change, and built a grooming shop on my own property here at home. No employees, no traffic, just a quiet, peaceful, homey, low-stress environment where I could have absolute control of the quality and treatment of my clients.

Both my volume and my stress level went waaaaaay down, and the animals picked up on the change; I've noticed they are lots calmer, less stressed, and more comfortable since the move. Even dogs I had difficulties with in the strip mall became more docile and peaceful in the new shop. There are no people walking around, no looky-lous, very few other dogs, no noise, no hustle or bustle.

So, there's your answer! Find someone you can trust, in a relatively quiet location, and I bet it will make a difference.

[e.rigby]

Rather than trying to find a groomer that can handle your dog, have you ever considered trying to desensitize him to being handled? It's extremely stressful for the dog and the groomer when the dog is unable to handle simple procedures. I think it would greatly benefit Jazz to work with him on having his feet handled and his nails clipped!

[fuzzybunny]

Originally Posted by e.rigby

Rather than trying to find a groomer that can handle your dog, have you ever considered trying to desensitize him to being handled? It's extremely stressful for the dog and the groomer when the dog is unable to handle simple procedures. I think it would greatly benefit Jazz to work with him on having his feet handled and his nails clipped!

I have worked on this since the day I got him and he's fine having my husband and I handle him and clip his nails. I just don't feel comfortable clipping his nails myself because they're huge and I can't see the quick. When he was younger I always did them (without issue from him) and then the bigger he got, the thicker the nails got, and now they just freak me out and I won't do it. It's like trying to clip bear nails. I clip my other dog's nails myself but I don't feel comfortable doing his myself any longer.

Jazz's issues I think are not so much the nail clipping as the new environment. He's terrified being up on the table. When we walked in, there was a Golden up on the table barking and crying which I think stressed him out further than he already was. Another example is that although he doesn't love baths, he lets me give them no problem at home. I took him to Petsmart last year for one and he was terrified. I think that's where the fear of Petsmart began actually. He's terrified to go through those grooming doors.

I think I will take Freestep and Onyx Girl's suggestion of finding another less hectic place to take him. I really wish I felt more comfortable doing them myself but I just don't.

I just wanted to add that when I take Jazz to the vet they handle him everywhere and always comment on how well behaved he is. That's why I think this has to do with a fear of the environment more than a fear of being handled. Jazz has been through numerous classes where we practiced other people handling his paws etc.... I even had my friends specifically practice touching, rubbing, holding his paws so I could avoid this exact problem. Whenever I give him massages I make a point of handling his feet. I really don't think this is a handling issue as much as a fear of the environment.

[AbbyK9]

I just wanted to add that when I take Jazz to the vet they handle him everywhere and always comment on how well behaved he is.

Well, this may be a stupid question ... but does your vet offer nail trims? I know that a lot of vets do, and if he does fine being handled at the vet's, that may be a better option than taking him to Petsmart to have it done.

If it needs to be at a groomer's in general or Petsmart in particular, see if they will accommodate him by trimming his nails on the ground instead of on the table. Some dogs are more comfortable when they're at their normal point-of-view level vs. up on the creepy table.