05/11/2025
Picture the scene, you get out your dog's lead... instantly the tail starts thumping, they do a little happy dance, maybe even start to pant or squeal as the excitement builds... leads mean walkies!!! Internally, their bodies are already preparing to mark every lamp post and empty their bowels.
You load Fido into the car. They do a few circles, feet dancing excitedly. Where will you be going? The park? The woods? The riverside? It's sooo exciting!!!
..and then you stop outside the groomer's, where Fido, now full of excited energy and a fully loaded bladder, will be expected to spend the next couple of hours keeping relatively calm and still because of the very sharp scissors (and because mum doesn't understand why bouncy Fido did not come out of his last appointment looking perfect.)
Fido's excited energy makes him very difficult to groom. He's frustrated, and without being able to burn off the excitement, he might become grouchy or even anxious. Fido might even accidentally go to the toilet in the groom room, and even though his groomer cleans it up quietly and doesn't make a fuss, Fido still knows toileting inside is not good, and he feels even more worried. Fido decides he doesn't like going to the groomer's, and what should be a calm and enjoyable experience is now stressful.
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I always give dogs the opportunity to relieve themselves in the garden before their groom, but this doesn't take away that excited energy, and isn't always enough to empty their systems (most dogs will p**p multiple times on a walk and p*e as often as they can manage!). PLEASE walk your dog before their visit, particularly if they are anxious or high energy. It will make grooming a much safer, calmer and enjoyable experience for your furry family member 🐾❤️🐾
