Anyone any advice and where I can go with my dog now? I'm just at a loss.
He is 14 months old and is a shitzu cross jack russel. He has the shitzu coat. Overall, he's a pretty good dog. He's been with a trainer for a while and we don't really have any issues apart from recall, which is improving. The biggest issue is the groomers. He is a nightmare. He will not let anyone near his face, he has to be muzzled when he goes. My trainer has been working with my groomer on this and we improve slightly but then it goes again.
He will bite if we attempt his face, which is what desperately needs doing, especially around his eyes. The past few months we have just been taking him, letting him explore around and doing little bits. But it's getting to the point now where it has been months without a groom and I'm just so stressed about it. I don't know what else to do. I've spoken to the vet who just told me to continue with the training, but he desperately needs doing now. His fur is going matty. I've tried everything I can possibly think of without overwhelming him.
To add, he's been going to regular grooms since he was 16 week old. This issue only started just before he hit one. Nothing has happened to make him anxious. Any advice would be appreciated!
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
In need of desperate help with dog aggressive at groomers.
BlueIvy11 · 15/05/2022 11:11
BiteyShark · 15/05/2022 11:19
Have you tried a different groomer?
Maybe one that comes to your house?
Clearly something is upsetting your dog so maybe a different person, approach, environment might help.
Mine developed a fear of the drier after a vet admission. Now our groomer simply leaves him wet but I appreciate it's a bit harder when it's the actually trimming that's the issue.
coffeecupsandfairylights · 15/05/2022 11:20
Have you considered having him sedated/partially sedated and groomed at the vets, just to stop the matting or any issues with his fur?
How does he react if you try and trim his fur yourself?
coffeecupsandfairylights · 15/05/2022 11:35
Other vets may offer the same option - I would definitely ask around if that's possible. It's not ideal but you don't want him to develop really bad mats in his fur as they can become infected if they're left too long.
I would also have a google and see if there are any other groomers in the area that specialise in nervous or reactive dogs - even if you have to travel a bit to get there.
I suspect what's happened is that his face has been nicked or hurt accidentally while being brushed or groomed, and now he just panics and assumes it'll happen every time, bless him.
PollyRoulllson · 15/05/2022 13:29
I would do all I could to avoid sedation for grooming as it can make behaviour modification much harder.
Do get in touch with a behaviourist to show you carefully how to do do bemod for this. It is way more than treating the dog when being touched etc. Bemod is incredibly effective and if done at the dogs pace and correctly carried out can be life changing relatively quickly
WhackingPhoenix · 15/05/2022 13:31
Has he had a vet checkup? Something around his head or face might be bothering him. Sore teeth, maybe?
You have my utmost empathy as I also have a fear biter ☹️ lucky mine is short-coated and doesn’t need grooming as I dread to think how he’d be.
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