Bentley hates being groomed

[Susan and Bentley]

I have a wonderful groomer who comes to the house.  She's been coming since Bentley was about 8 months old.  He is a year and a half.  He always growls a little when she starts, sometimes she starts with a muzzle on him, and then he calms down and lets her do her thing.  The last time she came,he was having some stomach issues, and he would not stand still and was  very unhappy so she stopped and came back 2 days later to finish, and he wasn't great.  Well, today, he started out fine but then he just lost is.  He was snarling and growling, and snapping.  She had to leave and I called the vet to get a sedative so she can come back on Monday.  I thought as time went on he'd get better, not worse.  He lets me comb him, no problem.  Any advice?

[Deb's Yarrow and Schatzi]

It involves a series of very simple but specific ways of touching an animal that gently and soothingly brings them out of their stressful state. Very worth knowing. The simplest technique is to make little counter clockwise 3/4 circles with your fingernails against the animal's skin, with not too much pressure and not repeating in the same spot twice. Keep moving your hand so that the circular motion travels down the dog's shoulder, neck or back. That's just one touch that calms.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Like Barb said, there is a lot of info on line about it and many videos on YouTube as well so you can see it used on dogs. Perhaps you could use it on Bentley prior to her arrival. Here is a sample:

[Susan and Bentley]

does anyone know someone in the Long Island area that does t-touch or reiki?

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Here's a list of New York practitioners. I'm not familiar with that part of the country so I don't know if any of these are close to you or not...and can't give any recommendations but it's a start...

http://www.animalreikisource.com/animal-reiki-practitioners-directo...

[Susan and Bentley]

so my groomer came back today.  I had gotten acepromazine from the vet to help ease his anxiety.  We had classical music playing, we stayed with him and he was perfect.  He almost seemed to enjoy it.  I'm looking into the T-touch and Reiki and ordered a D.A.P. diffuser and spray which someone told me about.  I'm hoping to stay away from the sedative, and help reduce his anxiety over the vet and groomer in a more natural way.  Thank you for all the help, I really appreciate it!

[Deb's Yarrow and Schatzi]

Sweet! (Big smile)

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Susan, I'm so glad to hear that all of you had a better experience with Bentley's grooming session. It sounds like you have a good plan going forward too.

[Susan and Bentley]

thank you.  My groomer is just wonderful