Well grooming didnt work out today

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The groomer was awesome.... it was Chloe that didnt handle the whole situation very well. It was the first time I have ever dropped Chloe off somewhere and she freaked out. Basically 30 minutes after I dropped her off the groomer called me and said she bathed her and trimmed her sanitary areas and was trying to clip her nails and chloe was such a nervous wreck the groomer couldnt finish grooming her and the groomer didnt want to stress chloe out anymore than she already was which I really appreciate. Basically as soon as I left chloe freaked out. CHloe is extremely clingy to me and I didnt realize how bad it was and that it makes her a bit anti-social and nervous with everyone. The groomer (whom I have talked with a lot over the past 2 days) thinks I really need to start takign her to dog park twice a week or she even thinks I should take her to doggy daycare so that chloe can be without me for awhile and get used to other people and dogs. She thinks I have spoiled her so much she isnt confident on here own which I agree but I have to admit I love chloe being really clingy and happy with her momma. But I would like to be able to take her place without her freaking out also. Im kinda mad at myself for letting it get this bad. Me, my husband and my friend that works with me always joked about chloe being such a "momma's girl" but I didnt realize how bad it was and how bad she gets seperation anxiety when I leave her sight. I take her some places with me but just not enough. Yesterday she went with me to the post office for the first time and she was a complete nervous spaz. Im so sad. So I cant get her groomed professionally for awhile until I get her better socialized and build up her confidence. Anyone in DFW area want a weekly playdate? Know of a good training class?

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I want to add:

The groomer was great and Chloe looks so soft and shiny from the products that she used. I am going to try some. And the groomer didnt charge me much either since she didnt get to finish chloe. I would have paid a lot more and I tried to but she wouldnt let me. I guess chloe was such a nervous wreck she felt bad for her. I hope I can get chloe more social so I can take her to this groomer on a regular basis, I really like it there.

[jager]

aww poor chloe missed mommy....that was really nice of the groomer to call you and tell you everything...sometimes you wonder what really happens at some of these places when your not around...looks like you found a very trustworthy groomer....

[Lexi Rae]

awww that poor little girl. at least the groomer was a good one and wouldnt
go further, thank god..

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Originally Posted by jager

aww poor chloe missed mommy....that was really nice of the groomer to call you and tell you everything...sometimes you wonder what really happens at some of these places when your not around...looks like you found a very trustworthy groomer....

This groomer is seriously awesome. I finally found a groomer that I can trust and that does an awesome job and chloe was the one that couldnt handle the grooming- irritating isnt it? Im very bummed but I will work on the situation!

[chachi]

Oh I am sorry the grooming didnt go so well. Maybe next time will be better. Jewels was nervous the first time but now she just sits on the table and lets her do it. I think they get used to it the more they go. Jewels goes once a month so she is used to it

[JCarlson2004]

I know you don't want to take Chloe back to the groomers until she is more socialized and not so afraid ... but maybe the groomers can help her get over her fear. Maybe you should take her there once every 2 weeks to get her nails clipped and once a month just for a bath -- that way she gets used to being handled by other people. That is what my vet recommended when Codie went through seperation anxiety. I use to bring him to the groomers every 2 weeks to get his nails clipped and once a month for regular grooming and in the beginning he was a nervous wreck but now he's ok.

Do you have anyone with friendly small dogs that lives close to you?? I'm sure Chloe would love some more friends! I wish you all the best with this and I just know it will work out for you and Chloe!

[Shanatink]

Originally Posted by chachi

Oh I am sorry the grooming didnt go so well. Maybe next time will be better. Jewels was nervous the first time but now she just sits on the table and lets her do it. I think they get used to it the more they go. Jewels goes once a month so she is used to it

I dont think you guys realized how bad chloe was. I really want to keep taking chloe back but the groomer said Chloe was so bad she doesnt think there can be a next time until I get her a little more socialized and less scared. She absolutely loves Chloe and she told me to bring her up there anytime to have her just sort of hangout so she can get used to them and the place. Chloe seemed to really like thier yorkie leo but I think she was a little scared of thier playful cat (chloe has never seen a cat before). Im going to start doing a little bit of business with these groomers sellign some of my stuff up there so everytime I go up there I will bring Chloe with me and I am hoping she gets used to the place because I really wanted to get her groomed on a weekly basis. Im keeping my fingers crossed.

[Lexi Rae]

never seen a cat??? wow, i wish lexi never saw a cat... she hates them the little stinker..

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Originally Posted by JCarlson2004

I know you don't want to take Chloe back to the groomers until she is more socialized and not so afraid ... but maybe the groomers can help her get over her fear. Maybe you should take her there once every 2 weeks to get her nails clipped and once a month just for a bath -- that way she gets used to being handled by other people. That is what my vet recommended when Codie went through seperation anxiety. I use to bring him to the groomers every 2 weeks to get his nails clipped and once a month for regular grooming and in the beginning he was a nervous wreck but now he's ok.

Do you have anyone with friendly small dogs that lives close to you?? I'm sure Chloe would love some more friends! I wish you all the best with this and I just know it will work out for you and Chloe!

Chloe is great with other dogs I think it just me being gone is what she cant handle plus she is not very cooperative with the whole grooming process period and Ive been doign it myself once a week for a year and 9 months so you'd think she woudl be used to it by now but NOOOOO. She is a nightmare when it comes to clipping nails and trimming hair. I think I really spoil her rotten and let her get everythign and anythign she wants. I think she behaves this way because I have given her no structure or training. She is so cute how could I not constantly hold her and spoil her and give into her every demand? As soon as I got back to the groomers after they called, chloe begged me to pick her up and once I held her she was fine. I talked to the groomers for like 30 more mintues and the whole time chloe just snuggled in my arms. Surely you can spoil a dog and train it to be social and get used to grooming sessions and being out in public, right? Maybe I am a bad mommy.

[Lexi Rae]

your not a bad mommy, your a great mommy shana... dont worry about it, so you do the grooming thats all.... i do everything except lexi's nails, she wont let me do them and she terrified of the vet or groomer so she just stays still.

[LIL MIS' MAGIC]

Shana.....We had some problems with Magic at first also....it was amazing how badly she trembled!! (And then at times it would upset her tummy from her getting so nervous!) But our groomer is allowing our girls to do doggie daycare at her shop. It started with a few hours while I was in class and then 2 days a week while I was in class. But now that I am working fulltime the girls are at her shop all day most weeks at least 4 days.....and they do not mind it anymore. Our groomer does not kennel the girls....we are lucky....she has a area in her grooming area with blankets that they hang out in when they are not running around. Of course our girls do alot of sleeping during the day, but it works out great for us. (We are very lucky because she charges us very little also!!)

Maybe you could ask the groomer if she will allow you to do something similar?? And start with a very short period of time.

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Originally Posted by LIL MIS' MAGIC

Shana.....We had some problems with Magic at first also....it was amazing how badly she trembled!! (And then at times it would upset her tummy from her getting so nervous!) But our groomer is allowing our girls to do doggie daycare at her shop. It started with a few hours while I was in class and then 2 days a week while I was in class. But now that I am working fulltime the girls are at her shop all day most weeks at least 4 days.....and they do not mind it anymore. Our groomer does not kennel the girls....we are lucky....she has a area in her grooming area with blankets that they hang out in when they are not running around. Of course our girls do alot of sleeping during the day, but it works out great for us. (We are very lucky because she charges us very little also!!)

Maybe you could ask the groomer if she will allow you to do something similar?? And start with a very short period of time.

That is a great idea, the groomer liked her so much I bet she would let me do something like that and she told me to bring her up there anytime to let her hangout and get used to the palce. She lets Chloe run around when she is there too. Thank you for the idea

[Tiger's Mom]

Originally Posted by Shanatink

I want to add:

The groomer was great and Chloe looks so soft and shiny from the products that she used. I am going to try some. And the groomer didnt charge me much either since she didnt get to finish chloe. I would have paid a lot more and I tried to but she wouldnt let me. I guess chloe was such a nervous wreck she felt bad for her. I hope I can get chloe more social so I can take her to this groomer on a regular basis, I really like it there.

How about you just be there while they groom her. I did that with Tiger and although he was still distraught about the whole thing it sure helped with me being there . . . Chloe is like Annika, a momma's girl.

[Erin]

Aww poor Chloe! Let me just tell you to start *very* slowly. Only leave her for 5 mins and try to have someone distract her. Do that a few times then leave for 10 minutes. Don't make a big deal out of it.

If you can sign up for Canine Good Citizen classes - one of the parts of the test is a "supervised separation" for 3 minutes. You have to give your dog to a "stranger" in our case it was another dog owner and then go outside for 3 minutes and they can't completely freak out. She may not pass the test, but if you take this class you will practice doing that in a controlled environment where the trainer can give you hints on what to do better.

I checked to see if there were any Certified Pet Dog Trainers in your area and this is the only one i came up with: http://www.richteranimalhospital.com/obedience.html

And here's a good booklet: amazon