Grooming Drama

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Daisy had a grooming appointment on Thursday. Nothing special just the same old drop off and pick up, bath, trim, brush. However this time we were changing the person that was doing the grooming as her regular Sarah had left the business.

I was a bit nervous (I know you all know the feeling with new groomers) but I really like the place, they don't crate, it's in an actual home, on my way to work and close enough to run and get her when they are done.Daisy always seems to do okay there, drop off is just a little bit of stomping her feet and digging in her heels when we go through the door. That is not unusual for her. This time however was much different.

We pulled into the driveway and she sat up and looked, I kept my voice light and cheery, "ok Daisy time to go for your grooming", got out of the car and opened the back hatch, got her out of her seatbelt harness and she dashed back to the middle seat (I leave one back down so she can see me)...hmm, what's up with that? I coaxed her out of the middle seat, hooked up her leash and practically had to drag her out of the car.

They have a ramp along the house to walk up, she acted as if she were walking the plank, of course by now I am starting to get a little anxious, wondering what the doodle was going on and even more so thinking what the doodle went on the last time she was here?

Well we made it to and through the front door and then she stopped, would not budge. Come on Daisy, "neat" (the word we use for heal), she finally did that but when I took a step she was not going! What the heck?

After much prodding and pulling and pushing I did manage to get her through the baby gate, she whined and fussed. I spoke to her new groomer who was of course very sweet and reassuring about what I liked and didn't like all the while Daisy is sitting next to her getting pet.

I left with a heavy heart, determined to end this and just figure out how to groom myself. I was so upset on the way to work. I was going on the internet to see if anyone offered grooming lessons. I was certain she would never have to go through that again.

Fast forward 2 -1/2 hours later and I got the call she was ready, WOW that was fast. I was sure she just did the bare minimum and that Daisy was going to look like a poodle or worse, not because Natalie (the groomer) couldn't do a good job but because she wanted to be done with this big old baby. Well surprise was on me. Daisy has never ever looked better. She looks soooooooooooooo good. I am 100% satisfied. Natalie assured me she was a very good girl, no trouble at all.

I am still struggling with why she behaved this very odd way but I totally love how she looks and she was her normal old self when I got her. I told my DD about it and she said to me "Mom, it's not like Daisy is ever left anywhere, she is a big baby that never wants to be left behind." She is right ya know but I really don't see that changing!

Here is her TaDa moment.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Linda, she looks perfect. You are so lucky to have someone who really knows what a doodle should look like. And not have her confused with a poodle. The one time I took Murphy he was skittish when I handed over the leash to the groomer, then when they put him immediately into the tub to bath he sounded like they were torturing him, but I could see they were just getting him wet! I only was there long enough to see this because I had a long list of instructions for them. "No anal glands, no ear hair pulling, don't shave the snout, he is a wimp when you touch his left dew claw from a previous injury." My list went on and on. Well, he ended up looking pretty good and he practically bound over the 4 ft gate when they brought him out. He was shaking, Whined and barked and just would not let me touch him and without warning proceeded to have terrible watery explosive diarrhea right there in the shop on the floor. Wasn't sick before hand and was fine that evening. So... That is when I swore he would never be groomed by anyone else but me again. My daughters doodle goes there and he always just bounces right in, and you can stay and watch if you want as its all glassed and passerbys can even watch, so I feel pretty certain they are not mistreating them when everything is so open to scrutiny. Murphy just hates being left anywhere and had such terrible separation anxiety at the time, I really should have guessed it would have been traumatic for him. But, if I wasn't able to groom him myself I would have to find a way to make it ok for him or he would just have to deal with it cuz it is a fact of doodle ownership....they need lots of grooming.

[BG and Gavin]

My groomer has a secret weapon that ensures that Gavin is super excited to go see her...her own pooch Bear.  Bear wanders the shop and acts like a friendly greeter.  Gavin loves Bear!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Daisy looks beautiful! The new groomer did a great job! 

JD does not like to for me to leave him anywhere, and except for medical procedures, the groomers is the only place I've ever left him. He always tries to follow me out the door, and then digs in his heels when the groomer tries to lead him away. It's always hard to walk out the door, but I'm sure that nobody there is hurting him, and there's really no choice; the one time I tried bathing him here at home, we both ended up shaking. 

Maybe Daisy will like it better at the groomer's now, especially if it continues to be for shorter periods of time. Either way, try not to feel bad about if she does act this way again. She's like JD, not used to being left anywhere and not happy about it. 

[BG and Gavin]

Gavin acts like we are leading him to the gallows when we take him to the self-serve dog wash.  We have never hurt him there, just no his favorite activity.  We just act like business as usual and ignore the mild protest.

[Sue & Lily Grace]

Lisa, she is just too cute. I love the cut. My Cassie always acted like it was her last walk when going into the groomer's house. Then licks for Lisa and an hour and a half later she was prancing and could to wait to get to the office and show off. It never changed.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

She looks amazing....love that "velvet Doodle look".  I really think you did the right thing bringing her in even though she was being a little "dramatic".  I wonder if she'll be better next time.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

She looks beautiful and she is so cute Lisa!  Her expression is priceless:)  I would not be looking for a new groomer!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Daisy looks wonderful!  Wow!  My doodles do not like going to the groomer and are reluctant to 'walk down the hall' to their personal waiting room (a cubicle with a door).  While I am sad that they would prefer not to go to the groomer, they have to build a bridge and get over it.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Be-oo-ti-ful!!!! Daisy! You must be thrilled. I cannot imagine how they did it in that amount of time. No need to look for grooming school for you! Woo hoo!.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Daisy you are beautiful!