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Toto
 
May 11, 2008 at 08:56
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My Mistress is Ashamed of Me
My mistress told me I was naughty yesterday when she took me to the groomer; I growled and snapped at the lady. I also trembled and fought. It took the groomer, my mistress and her father to hold me down so I could be done. :( (I do like my bath; that's the best part!)
Before we left the house, I tried putting some lavendar oil on Toto's front paws to help calm him. I looked back at him during the hour long drive and he was sitting on the back seat just trembling. The groomer even put more oil on his feet after we got there but he never stopped trembling or calmed down (except during his bath).
Sorry this is long but any ideas? My groomer sent me an e-mail suggesting Dramamine or Benadryl. I had gotten a RX from my vet for doggy Prozac and it just made Toto touchier to the point where we couldn't even go near him so I discarded it.
HELP!?
Joanne
PS. Happy Mothers' Day!
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westiegirl3
May 11, 2008 at 09:24
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Re: My Mistress is Ashamed of Me
Poor Toto. It is really scarey to go to a person you really don't know and they come back at you with all of those little gadgets.
Olivia used to be afraid of the clippers and the dryer. I do her myself, and it took alot of patience to get her to the point that she isn't afraid anymore. At first, I would just do a small amount at a time and then just gradually increase the amount. I also had to hold her down at first to do anything. She does okay with it now.
The Benedryl might help Toto to relax a little bit. It might be worth a try. I know that it can be frustrating when you aren't sure what is the best thing to do. I really hope you find a great solution for your little Toto.
I love the name Toto--Treasure's middle name is Totolee.
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Lyn and Kirby
 
May 11, 2008 at 11:00
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Re: My Mistress is Ashamed of Me
Is there any way that you could stay with Toto? Kirby is by far no saint. I'm on groomer # 5, I think, but as she has grown older she is easier to groom and we really do like this last one. I took her to our groomer we had for our schnauzer and poddle mix and the groomer had absolutely no patience with Kirby I could tell as Kirby didn't want to go in the door - I'm thinking she may have raised her voice to Kirby which would have scared Kirby to death - so I never went back. I gave Kirby 1/4 of the pill Ace.something...I felt that it made her a little wobbly and then was afraid she may fall from the table. Maybe even the mobil groomer for you if there is one available to you. I still snip, snip away at her with the scissors from time to time just to prolong the visit to the groomer.
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Toto
May 11, 2008 at 15:46
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Re: My Mistress is Ashamed of Me
I have always stayed with him at the groomers since I got him when he was 2 1/2 years old. (According to my father, he even acts up at the vet's while I am at work.) Toto growls at me if I go near him with scissors.
There have been many times I have wished his previous owner had been more informative about him and his behaviors.
Toto is a really sweet, funny, cute, and loving LCD and we adore him. However, I am frustrated about how to help him have a less traumatizing experience.
I appreciate any suggestions.
Joanne
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Alex Morgan and Cheryl
 
May 11, 2008 at 11:46
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Re: My Mistress is Ashamed of Me
poor toto. do you think that maybe next time you go just have her bath him to get him to relax. so that way when he goes back he thinks good thoughts. Does he go for rides other than the groomer?
I know that alex gets really nervous when he walks in the door but after he ok and morgan -- well nothing bothers that one!
we hope toto can learn to enjoy his grooming time.
hugs
cheryl and alex and morgan
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john / irene Maxwell
May 11, 2008 at 12:37
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Re: My Mistress is Ashamed of Me
Poor Toto is there no way you could get a Mobile groomer to come to you he may be calmer at home Poor Boy at least its over for a while Toto
john / irene Maxwell
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Gracie aka White Bullet
May 11, 2008 at 12:51
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Re: My Mistress is Ashamed of Me
I agree with the mobile groomer. I have one come to my house. I know sometimes dogs will tremble and act out more if the owner is around so you may want to leave the room. I watched my dog and Toto across the street and they both trembled from time to time. She was real good with them and they were fine. I doubt there is any pup who really likes grooming.
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MacKenzie & Tobey Maguire's Mu
May 11, 2008 at 13:24
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Re: My Mistress is Ashamed of Me
Skyler Maxx, my Cairn who I lost severaly years ago, absolutely hated even getting in the car... he would pant, drool, cry just moving a few feet. It was impossible to get him to the groomer.
I agree with a mobile groomer, but even then, a bit at a time....sounds like he needs some "conditioning" to the process. Get him used to a brushing and bath... do nails, etc at a different time.
I have used Benadryl and Calm Moments, or something like that......it has tryptophane in it which humans use for relaxing and to help sleep. Also Melatonin has tryptophane in it.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Pam
MacKenzie & Tobey's Mum
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Joey & Sean's Mom
May 11, 2008 at 14:13
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Re: My Mistress is Ashamed of Me
Have you tried learning to do the grooming yourself. It really isn't that hard. We did our Westie's ourselves and now do the Cairns ourselves, however we do not use clippers on them, only the Mars Coat King, and scissors. We did use the clipper on the Westies. Pat - Joe & Sean's Mom
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E Gang
May 11, 2008 at 16:44
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Re: My Mistress is Ashamed of Me
I would try doing him yourself and getting him used to the brush and comb and an odd snipperoo with the scissors etc at times,I guess its fear aggression and must be worse out of his own home also..Let us know how you get on.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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R gang
 
May 11, 2008 at 17:10
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Re: My Mistress is Ashamed of Me
I groom all 4 of my Westies and they love being groomed. I would try doing him yourself. just scissor clip him, and for 10 minutes at a time. increasing time and always have a treat for him. praise him and soon he'll look forward to it.
I think dogs do better at the groomer if owners leave. it's like they think the groomer is a threat to their Mums and must try protect them.
Pet Calm treats work well. crush them and mix with cheese. give in advance of leaving so it starts to work. they are chewables but Ralphy wont take them unless I mix with cheese.
Fran/Rgang
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Sambuca & Isabella Martini
May 11, 2008 at 18:53
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Re: My Mistress is Ashamed of Me
The girls seem okay their groomer Kelly, she also used to be their vet tech. I really don't have any advice for you but I like the idea of just having the groomer bath the pup.
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Ronny and Sandi
May 11, 2008 at 20:15
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Re: My Mistress is Ashamed of Me
Well, we know what you are going through, Teddy was the same. The only thing that ever calmed Teddy, with all of his phobias, was Bachs Rescue Remedy, its not a complete cure all, but it did give him some relief. By the way, don't be ashamed, Ronny bit the groomer all over on his first visit, the second time, we just had a westie breeder do it, who does it as a hobby and he was no problam at all!
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Linda, Katie, Tony, and Abella
May 12, 2008 at 16:30
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Re: My Mistress is Ashamed of Me
Poor Toto, you really hated the groomer.
My Tony really gets upset when I take him to get his nails clipped. But, I do all the grooming of my dogs myself. Tony does great with me. Grooming is not hard, especially when they trust their Mom or Dad who is doing the grooming. Good luck Toto
Linda, Katie, Tony and Abella
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