BiPiGis-Doggie Talk: The Joy of Dogs

BiPiGis-Doggie Talk: The Joy of Dogs: Lady Spot The Joy of Dogs So often we come across with pets that we become quite attached to, and it gives the impression that all groom...

The Joy of Dogs

Lady Spot

The Joy of Dogs

So often we come across with pets that we become quite attached to, and it gives the impression that all groomers do, is play with the dogs all day. I must admit that statement is sometimes true. For the most part Groomers are way too busy to play, but you can't help it when you get special dogs that come in that capture your heart. Lady Spot is one of many that has that special quality. She is always a joy for both Nestor and myself.  She comes every two weeks for her bath, brush and pedicure. I just love her, she is so cuddly and cute, she always does special tricks for us, and loves to come and see us. Last week she came in and while her owner Charley was out side waiting for her to do her business, Lady came and was scratching at the door to come in. There's Charley standing in the middle of the dog walk area, and she is at the door by herself. I just laughed. Now that's a dedicated dog.

She jumps right up on the table and allows us to do every bit of her grooming without struggle or hesitation, always giving us lots of kisses. I can fully understand why Charley loves her so.

Our job doesn't always come with kisses and wags, so we are very happy to get them when we do. What owners don't realize is,  sometimes it takes a little time for their bundle of joy to become warm and friendly with the new groomer. Often, first timers are frightened of the unknown and being away from the security of their home and loved ones can be a scary thing. It's like bringing a child for the first time to day care, kids scream to the top of their lungs at the sight of a new person and there Mom just walks away! OMG, life as they know it for sure has come to and end!
  I remember that feeling, I remember the day my brothers and I were separated for the first time, they went one way, and I was taken the other, and sometimes I still feel that sting. Those memories help me to comfort the new pets that come in, and my memories have given me a better understanding of how the pet feels.

  Animals are no different then people, some say they don't have the same feelings, I beg to differ, just because their DNA chemistry is different doesn't mean they don't feel. I have seen dogs go through deep depression, pain, anxiety, happiness and many other emotions.  I have handled dogs that were mistreated by others, and helped in so many surgery's putting poor dogs back together after their owners beat them half to death, and dogs that were abandoned and left to fend for themselves. Shame on the people who do this to poor unsuspecting creatures.  All they wanted was to be loved and asked for so little in return for their devotion.

 When I see dogs for the first time that are frightened, I usually ask a lot of questions to help me with handling, as each situation can cause a different reaction. I don't even begin to pretend I know it all, but I do know that different situations call for different measures of safety to all involved.
 Dogs go through different stages, fright, flight, or bite, just to mention a few all of which can turn to trouble very quickly if a handler doesn't have previous knowledge of your dog.

 Owners please don't with hold valuable information, we groomers need to know the whole story so we can handle your pet effectively. Our lively hood depends on the care and consideration we give every pet. We love them or we wouldn't be doing what we do, but one nasty bite can put us out of commission for long time. In some cases early retirement.

I love my furry friends, I want them to feel comfortable, and in order to do that you as the owner has to feel comfortable with me. But the big question is how do you know your new groomer will be kind and gentle to your beloved pet? That's easy, make a random visit to your new groomer before your first appointment, take your pup with you, if the place is extremely dirty and the groomer won't answer your questions, or there's to many incontinent dogs chained to walls or running loose, that would be clue enough for me that this isn't the right place. Dogs in general like a peaceful surrounding, too much noise and hell breaking loose can be very scary, heck it scares ME!  You also can ask your neighbors for referrals or go on the Internet and see what others think about the place your contemplating on. Reviews are huge these days, and can be a big help in your decision.

 My opinion is, happy dog, happy customer. Communication with my clients is a must, I make sure every client tells me about their pet, so I know what to expect. I want to know his little quirks, what makes his tail wag, what health he's in, etc. This is important to me, I don't want to just grab the dog and run, that's scary!
 I want time to say hello, get to know each other a little, if for anything, to put the pup at ease.  Sometimes it takes a little coaxing from Mom, and then they soon realize, well this isn't so bad.  When I have completed my grooming service, which usually takes a couple hours, A kiss on the nose or scratch behind the ear, I then call my clients to come take them home.
 The next time he comes in, he already realizes his time with me isn't going to turn his life upside down.

I have so many times, had dogs turn back to me after handing them back to the owner, as if to say thank you, I had a great time! My response is your welcome baby. and they turn back to the owner with their tail wagging out the door. Now that makes it all worth while :)

(Don't forget my next appointment Dad)

 The main reason, why I work by appoinment only is, I don't want pets to sit in my shop for 8 to 10 hours.  The poor babies get tired, they have to go to the bathroom, their hungry or thirsty, and when they get frustrated they can get over heated in that warm cage. Not to mention, their owners get impatient, they have a life too, and waiting all day for one little dog to be groomed is and should be unacceptable.

Groomers wake up and smell the coffee! Over booking too many dogs, for all day stays is frustrating for everyone involved including you, the Groomer!

Who needs it! Too many injuries and bad mistakes come from frustrated, rushed, Groomers who loose sight of why they started in this industry to begin with.  Take time to play, and get back to the Joy of Dogs! That's the tail waggin, face lickin ear scratchin truth of it all!

And that's the Buzz on Doggie talk!
{{{Huggie's to my doggies}}}
Colette