08/19/2024
Happy Monday! I know this is a long one but please take a minute to read. This might not apply to you today but might at some point as your fur baby ages 🐾
I have reached a point in my career where many of "My" babies are reaching their golden years. With the aging can come some challenges. So let's talk about dementia and comfort grooming.
First, this does not disqualify our babies from spa days. We just adjust our plans to fit their needs. Let's start with comfort care. Arthritis pain or any aches or pains can break even the best dogs during a groom. We ask alot from them, so pain is NEVER allowed in my shop. If we have a concern there may be an element of discomfort we will discuss options with you so we can set up a plan to keep them from getting over tired or sore. But sometimes meds are a necessity.
This brings us to a very common issue in older pets. Dementia. Just like with people, pets struggle with brain aging disabilities. There is a wide range of behaviors these dogs display during a groom. From breath holding, forgetting routines, even panic attacks. This is why ruling out any pain is a MUST. I will adjust our grooming routine as needed. Even sitting on the floor to ensure no skydiving from the table, lots of breaks and maybe just the basics can be completed to keep them comfortable.
Now I know what some of you are thinking... why not do a vet groom? We try to avoid that at all costs but here is exactly why I won't send them to someone else. I know these dogs like they are my own. Their preferences and their normal antics. Some of them are rather stoic, so the small things like a lip curl or even laying down instead of standing could indicate something more severe. And someone else wouldn't know these subtle hints. We may recommend a one on one session or a mobile groom if we feel that’s the best option for your pup but we try to make it work as long as we can.
Lastly, we do not upcharge for this level of service. And here's why. This type of grooming is comfort over quality. If "Buddy" has forgotten how to stand for a face shave... we skip the clippers and hack away at any length with scissors. Owners do not get to nitpick or chose a style. We trim and clip to ensure minimal stress. So yes, there will be unevenness. And the occasional fly away. But the alternative is stress and we are not in the business of puppy torture. 🐾
