Puppy's Big Day Out23:45 Sep 26 2008
Times Read: 744
When Maddy was a baby dog, about 6 months old, we decided to take her to her first groomer appointment. Well, we took her to PetCo...because that's where the pets go, right? At least that's what we thought, neither of us ever having had a doglette before. At any rate, we were concerned about it because although we don't care to have our puppy cut in a way that makes her look like an angry Chinese warrior like most Schnauzers, this breed of dog does have special needs when it comes to ear hair and we were probably being over-worried first time dog parents. Anyway, I digress: so we took her to Pet-Co.
When we went to pick her up from the groomer she immediately ran to us in a submissive crawl and the groomer, a short little, frumpy woman that looked like an over-worked lunch lady, proceeded to tell us what an ill-behaved puppy we had, and that we really needed to do behavioral training with her. I asked her very calmly if she was aware that our puppy was not quite six months old. She responded by telling me that it didn't matter, and that most puppies were well behaved, and that our dog nipped at her. By this time, and being who I am, I told her that if she would have gotten in my face I too would have bit her. So, on our first excursion we were 86'ed from the PetCo groomer.
When we got home and began playing with Maddy we noticed immediately that if our hands started moving toward her head she quickly moved away. The condition is called head-shy: it happens when dogs get hit in the face. I will say one thing about discipline: I do sometimes yell at my dog across the yard, but neither of us have EVER hit her. I can't even imagine the circumstances under which a person would strike an animal in anger. I would punch a bear in the face if I had too, no problem; or even a dog that was attacking me and meaning harm- but a puppy? Really, when would the circumstance ever be so dire?
So, this all gels within a week. We go back to PetCo because I am going to announce my intention to the lunch lady that I am going to punch her in the face so she understands what it means to be head-shy. Well, she didn't work there anymore. Thank god, but it also foiled my revenge plans. I'm not mean, but fucking with my family isn't a brilliant plan.
Even when brushing Maddy she was skittish. So we decided we would train ourselves to groom her to not put her through anymore trauma. Actually, it worked for quite awhile, K got pretty good at shaving most parts of the puppy and Maddy reluctantly tolerated it. But her paws and ears continued to be a problem that we couldn't resolve.
Our landlord is a dog lover. We got into a long talk about grooming because her puppy, Baily, always looks so cute. She told us her groomer was very selective about new clients but that there was no one better in town. She whispered to me, as if she were revealing the secret ingredient in a recipe, that the groomer and her husband were "dog show people".
Now, if you've ever seen the masterpiece by Christopher Guest called "Best in Show", you'll understand why we immediately felt like we could try to take our dog there. And true to form, Sharon's personality fit the mold to a tee.
When I took Maddy in this morning, we were both nervous. Maddy could tell I was nervous, so she was nervous too: pre-emptively peeing on every surface we stopped on. Sharon didn't miss a beat. Her first words to me were, "don't worry, we wash that rug every night." She then handed me paperwork titled, "A Day At the Groomer: A Guide for Nervous Parents." I didn't read it on the spot, but I was liking Sharon more and more. I let Maddy go to her, and a counter separated us. She knelt and began rubbing what is apparently some sort of secret Schnauzer spot on her head. Immediately Maddy was in a trance and I was jealous. Maddy was incredibly calm, I couldn't believe it. If you had ever met our ADD dog, you would have not believed it either. Sharon told me it would be about 2 and a half hours and I couldn't be there. With something of a heavy heart, I left.
I told myself I was not going to do it. But I did. I broke down half-way through and called. Sharon simply said Maddy was doing fine, I apologized for calling: she said she expected it. Feeling sheepish, I said good- bye and hung up.
At noon, I got the call that she was ready. When I showed up at the groomer I was the only one there so Sharon had a minute to talk. I was waiting to hear the story of how difficult it was to groom her and maybe this wouldn't be the best fit for her: that she was too hyper, so on, etc. Sharon's first words to me were, "I can't believe how gentle your dog is. Usually, I expect new dogs to take a little nibble at me. I bite back, so they learn not to do it again. But your dog looked back at me a little concerned once, but not even a hint that she would try to nip at me. She is one of the sweetest dogs I have ever groomed for a first time."
I was stunned. Proud though! I pretended like it didn't surprise me at all how cool she was, but I sort of stammered through it and gave myself away. She explained the hows and whys of her grooming session and said she would be happy to see her back in another 8 weeks.
I was so proud. I felt like my dog had just graduated from something important, like she now had her grooming merit badge. The next merit badge is the "not peeing on things when I am excited" badge. I was so happy for her and proud that I picked her up right away, and yes of course, she peed a little. But you know, thats ok: she's a dog. A really good dog.
COMMENTS
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TheRat
00:14 Sep 27 2008
Ahhh Way to go Maddy! And only one phone call? lol
Petco woman needed kicked in the ass.
Sevenn
00:16 Sep 27 2008
^^Thats a pretty picture of you, rat.
Morrigon
00:30 Sep 27 2008
You would be amazed at what some people do to animals when you aren't there to see.
Your pup overcame that obstacle, with such loving and smart parents, she re-learned something that she had been taught wrong before. Being groomed is not a terrible and painful experience, and now she gets that and she can relax.
You guys rule!
LadyChordewa
00:39 Sep 27 2008
You two are wonderful parents and did wonderful at realizing what was wrong with Maddy and taking time to fix it. Most wouldn't recognized head-shy problem and eventually in their life it would become a problem.
I'm proud of Maddy, but I'm also proud of the two of you, for being such loving parents.
LIFEBLOOD
01:57 Sep 27 2008
That is such a warm heart felt story, I was actually rooting for you when you were heading back to that 'bitch' of a groomer. A bit like those women at the front row of a wrestling match.
But I do love a happy ending, and you should feel happy and proud. Afterall, that's your baby.
Bones
04:25 Sep 27 2008
Okay, now that really is a sweet story, but I still think you ought to hunt down the lunch lady! :)
Sevenn
05:17 Sep 27 2008
Sharon the groomer told me she now works in a bank: she is infamous all over town. I'll be watching.