Oh no! The dryer is not her friend :(
Pru went to her first grooming visit on Saturday morning....and it didn't go so well  . It was just going to be an "introduction" with a bath and feet groomed. The groomer said "she may have to air dry if she is scared of the dryer". I said that was fine; however, I have to be honest...I truly thought Pru would be okay with the dryer. I got home, walked in the door, and my phone was ringing. Pru HATED the dryer. The groomer said she did fine with everything else but hated the dryer so much she pooped 3..yep 3...times! I felt soooo awful and was sick inside that I couldn't be right there with her. The groomer assured me she was calm and fine once the dryer was off (I think she knew I felt just sick I couldn't beem there immediately), but that she had to bathe 3 times (essentially) because of her pooping from stress of the dryer. When I got home I read some older post regarding grooming and noticed what I didn't before...that some groomers crate and others do not. Pru does great in her crate, so I am not concerned about that (groomer said she was sleeping comfortably when she called me) - but I definitely could tell from other's posts that the groomer environment can vary greatly. The groomer was by herself (other one called out sick) and I don't know the "process" there. I, of course, now feel like I should have gone to the back to see exactly what the drying process was. I assumed she would be in a crate before and/or after her bath while waiting for me; however, I now wonder if a privately owned place would have been a better 1st time option (based on some of your descriptions of groomers facilities and processes). She went to PetSmart, as they are definitely more convenient on time slots, but maybe that was a mistake. Good news is, she came home and seemed okay. She did seem worn out and I feel she slept a little bit more that day. But, when she did get going again, the 6:30p running mad puppy was back  ...which is the funniest thing every night  The groomer suggested I take her back once a week, but I think she just wasn't ready...and..maybe I should go with her through the process next time  . Is that allowed or a crazy idea?I have brushed and combed her since and she was just as calm as always. I guess I need to really expose her to the dryer sound. My problem is...how loud is it? For the experienced ones on this forum, is it the air force that may have upset her or the sound? She just has never gotten upset around us and I have exposed her to a lot of noises, as much as I have been able in 3 weeks time, so if it is the sound of the dryer...what is comparable at home to let her get used to that? The vacuum, shop vac...?? I plan on getting a grooming table, clippers, etc... but we just couldn't get all of that at once, so I wanted her to meet the groomers early and get used to them and I was hoping for a good experience. Of course I am going to email my breeder too, because I know she will have great insight and info. for me...but I also was hoping others on this site have had something similiar happen? I felt like the worst mommy for her getting that upset and stressed out  |
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| If you have a dryer for your own hair, turn it on and place it somewhat near he dog, not next to and brush her calmly. Next time move the dryer closer until eventually it is beside here. Then start to "blow her" back end first. Just a few swipes at first. After each successful training class, reward with lots of good girls. Then move onto the vacuum....first away from the dog and then move it in over time. Just noise training here, no blowing or vacuuming. Reward. Paige got to where she'd immediately fall asleep when she was being blow dried or, even better, when I used the massager on her......oh, she'd melt. |
| Using a hand-held dryer as Susan mentioned is a great way to de-sensitize a pup, especially if you have a "no heat" setting on it. Just to get used to the air flow and noise without over-drying or possibly even burning sensitive skin. You may want to try a "Happy Hoodie" http://www.happyhoodie.com. It makes a huge difference, especially for dogs not bothered so much by the dryer noise as air blowing in the ears. Try to expose your pup to all sorts of noises while young. Banging pots and pans intentionally worked wonders with Nelson. No problems at all with big hairdryers, fireworks, dremel tools, fireworks, gunshots, thunderstorms, you name it. Whatever you can think of, just take it slow to start. Groomers shouldn't be judged negatively because they work at PetSomething or wherever (unless they own the place!) They have to make a living, too. It sounds like your groomer did everything satisfactorily, at least she let you know there was a problem. Now you can take control of that. Be sure not to make the mistake of coddling your girl when she shows any apprehension. That's just rewarding her negative reaction to fear. Take it slow and easy and eventually she will learn to accept the noises she finds strange now as everyday occurrences. |
Maggie McGee IV wrote: Be sure not to make the mistake of coddling your girl when she shows any apprehension. That's just rewarding her negative reaction to fear. This was such a hard lesson for me to learn, but it is SOOOO true. We nearly turned Mady into a drama queen until we went to visit Amber for some grooming lessons and she set us straight. The drier noise was the same for us at first, but it did improve over time as Mady got used to it. I would happily take the gorgeous Pru off of your hands for a few months and get her used to the drier!  |
| Both my dogs were deathly afraid of the dryer at first. They would bark at it and try to bite it and shake and crawl all over me. I did exactly waht has been described. With my own dryer, I would turn it on a short time and not point at them at all...Little by litte they got used to it. I'm sure its the noise that is so scary. Now after coming in from the snow, they run to the dryer to get dried! And, I think there is alot of noise at a groomers no matter where you go. Unless you use a mobile groomer who comes to the house. I don't think I would go once a week - unless you just want to bring her in to "watch" a few minutes and listen to the sounds with you there? My dogs are always exhausted after the groomer  |
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