Oliver The First Groomer Failure
 

Saturday we brought Zach our yorkie and Oliver our 5 month old Shih Tzu to be groomed. Well Zach did beautifully as usual but they had a major problem with Oliver. When we went to pick them up the groomer told me to bring Oliver back on Tuesday to finish the job because Oliver was so stressed out they couldn't work with him. They said on Tuesday it's quiet and calmer. Anybody have a problem grooming their dogs? They said it was possible that Oliver is very young and they suggested that I should bring him to the vet and they would give me something to calm him.

I'm sorry your little Oliver had a tough time. When I brought my Oliver for his first grooming (shih tzu also) I was a nervous wreck.... and he was shaking when I dropped him off. However, because it was his first time, they took him right in, and started his bath and grooming. I brushed him out at home before we left to make sure he didn't have any mats. I figured one less step would get him out of there sooner. They also called me when he was almost finished so that I could pick him up immediately. Maybe that would help your Oliver?

I wouldn't get anything from the vet to "calm him down" as they suggested if he's really young. I think your groomer in a sense did the right thing though, if the dog is that stressed it's not worth it for a groom. Was it his first time? He'll most likely get used to it if they are gentle and patient with him, I just hope they didn't stop on a bad tone with him though. Wouldn't want him to learn that if he acts up and gets all crazy and is nervous about it that he gets to stop and go home.

I'd try doing some basic grooming with him at home to get him more used to it - also touch his feet, ears, tail alot when you're holding him, let him be in the bathroom with you when you use a hairdryer (if you do) and maybe even showering (I know, sounds weird, but Alice follows me in there anyway so I just let her stay and she's not afraid of a bath at all) so he gets used to those sounds.

Also, can you take him there once in a while just to "say hi" and not for a groom. If they're nice and really care about the pets they groom, they should be willing to just quickly greet him, maybe give a treat so he can learn to trust them. (Same thing helps for the vet's office too btw, let the dog have some positive, no-stressfull experiences there too.)

I took my Kody to the groomer for the first time 2 weeks ago. He was shaking like a leaf when I left him and I could here him barking.

But, when I can back, he was calm as a cucumber, I couldn't believe it. I was quite amazed. Hair cut was perfect too.

I had bathed many times before at home - but he never had a cut and/or sanitary/facial grooming.

I will bath him in between sessions and take back about every 6 weeks or so, so he can get use to it. Also I will use the same groomer each visit.

Nothing to calm them down!
 

A number of years ago I knew a woman who was a groomer and she was actually attached to a vet's office. They gave a Bichon something to calm him down and he died!! All were horrified, no one knew why it happened as this was the usual procedure for this dog but you just never know what will happen.:eek::eek:

Well I hope things go better tomorrow when I bring him back. I was really anxious to get his face done because his fur is so long you can't even see his eyes. Maybe they'll let me stay with him but I doubt it. I don't want him to fear the groomer because he's one dog that's going to need grooming every six weeks and I'm not good at things like that.

I would take him back on a quiet day and see if less commotion helps. Like others said, try to touch his tail, ears, feet, and face often to get him used to it.

I wouldn't use any kind of drugs to get him calm for a groom. I would be willing to use Rescue Remedy Pet though, if it'd help him.

Poor little Oliver, he's very cute. I hope tomorrow goes better for him at the groomers. Have you been working with him at home? Shih tzus need daily brushing - similar to a cotton coated yorkie. You can also try putting his hair up in a top knot if it doesn't go well tomorrow. That way he'll at least be able to see until you can get him comfortable with going to the groomer.

Well I just dropped Oliver off at the groomer with a bone and a bag of treats. He was all happy to see the groomer I hope he feels that way at the end of the day. The manager told the groomer to shave him closer today because his fur was still too long. Lets hope she gets to do everything.