<p>Needed for the dog. Just got back from the groomer with the new adoptee. What an experience. She was clearly terrified and aggressive. Even with a muzzle and a helping hand, there was no grooming her. Got a bath and one nail clipped, thats it. She isnt that way at home, saw a little of it at the first vet visit, but this took the cake. The groomer is professional, been using her for years for a number of my dogs, at least one that was really snarky. She eventually earned his trust enough that he relaxed and let her groom him without a muzzle or incident. </p>
<p>But with the new schnauzer, she is a mess, matted and dry and needs attention. So I need to resolve this asap. The vet suggested I try giving her a benedryl and see if she’ll let me do her nails at home. If this works, the benedryl may be all we need to chill her out enough for the next grooming attempt. If not, there is a short lasting, very safe tranquilizer he can prescribe for grooming appts. Has anyone else had any experience with this? Tranquilize your dog for travel, grooming, etc?</p>
<p>We have rescue dogs…always have. We have never had a dog that we could take to the groomer. Truly not a problem. We wash them in the backyard with warm water for comfort. Toes and anal glands and whatever are done by the vet.</p>
<p>The last time we tried a groomer: as they were finishing her she peed on herself.</p>
<p>Did I mention that she was an Old English Sheepdog?</p>
<p>If she’s matted, she’s probably in some pain. Grooming may be quite unpleasant. </p>
<p>My youngest dog, whom I’ve had from a puppy, really doesn’t like having his paws touched. It took me months of careful positive interactions (lots of cheese was involved) to be able to dremel his nails. Going to the vet required Xanax (alprazolam). I don’t know what “short-lasting safe tranquilizer” your groomer can prescribe–your groomer is not a vet.</p>
<p>My suggestion is this:
Contact the vet and get drugs. Try the drugs at home in a low-stress situation first (perhaps you trim one nail). See if you can get a groomer who will come to the house. In the meantime, it’s really not that hard to groom a dog (although the first time is scary) and you might want to consider learning to do it yourself. I’ve been much happier doing my own grooming (I have two poodles), because I can do just a bit at a time and keep the dogs from being stressed. </p>
<p>(And it’s not true that you can’t clip a terrier down. It won’t damage the coat. It will grow in fine.)</p>
<p>The groomer didnt suggest the tranquilizer, the vet did. It was alprazolam. All my dogs are rescues, and up till now, we managed to get them ok with a groomer. Poor thing was terrified. Wonder whats in her past…</p>
<p>SisterSunnie: it may not be anything particular in the dog’s past. It may be a fear of the smell associated with the groomer (lots of scared dogs) or a fear of new places or a fear of being away from you. It may be about the restraints used.</p>
<p>Our dog behaviorist prescribed Paxil for my husky that had anxiety issues. We gave it to him daily for 1 month and did behavior modification exercises with him to eliminate the bad behavior while under the influence of the medication. It worked like a charm. My dog had more issues with anxiety separation, but I suspect the treatment principles may be similar</p>
<p>My " puppy " hates having his nails done , whether it be with dremel or clipped. I was shocked to see his reaction at the vet’s office . I had him done along with my others at a groomer and nothing happened to make him have this reaction. His breeder , who also boards and grooms told me that she would get him done with no problem. He’s a good boy about being bathes , but even though this woman is a corgi whisperer , she still had a heck of a time with his feet.
I don’t necessarily believe that a dogs has to have a bad experience to really hate it.</p>
<p>Kajon is right. I think Benadryl sometimes has the opposite effect. Our vet prescribed it for our dog to relax him after surgery and he nearly knocked the kennel off the table. He was crazy-hyper!</p>
<p>Never again. Poor dog though - just get some shears and groom him yourself. Not worth the stress!</p>
<p>Bendadryl does make our Corgi just a smidge tired, but it doesn’t make a dent when there’s a thunderstorm or a hot air balloon near the house. Before it storms, we give Sadie 1/2 tablet of Acepromazine, a sedative prescribed by our vet. When there’s a huge crack of thunder, she still might give just a bit of a huff, but it has a very calming effect on her which, in turn, has a calming effect on us, especially if a storm is expected in the middle of the night.</p>
<p>I bet you can shave the dog without the bath. My dog lasts about twenty minutes at groomer, she just shaves him. I bath him after. Bathing, then drying, the cutting, egad, that’s alot. First time he got a cut, I held his head while she quicklydid is back legs. He was über sensitive around his hind legs, so we just went slow.</p>
<p>And why wash mats anyway? Get him a short haircut. And in a day or two give him a bath. </p>
<p>I’m impressed with the bath!!! You should be to. The groomer should have shaved first. That was her mistake. Then a quick bath, and if lucky a dry, but next time…</p>
<p>I think you were expecting too much at once. Think about kids and hair, and doctors. Take dog in, just sit and watch other dogs. Get him used to the sounds of the dryers and clippers.</p>
<p>And even if she can only shave belly, fine, go back for the rest… For use it’s in and out as quickly as possible.</p>