Empathy Dog Grooming

05/10/2024

05/10/2024

It’s an honour and a concern looking after older dogs.

Let’s admit it guys, it’s bloody exhausting too.

Chips is confused and confusing.

He’s not normal but let’s face it (and if you have been here a while you will know this) he’s never been normal.

He’s just not normal in another way now.

The whining is louder and more persistent; but usually only because he needs something. It’s just that when he gets delivered or delivered to whatever he thinks he needs, there’s a risk that he might have forgotten he needed it at all.

Then we have to do the same thing all over again five minutes later.

You know what though, looking after him is a sweet part of life I would never miss.

The sometimes-vacant look.

The smile he so freely gives.

The determination to jump awkwardly on the bed despite doing it right next to the perfectly good bed steps.

Old dogs are magic.

Their frailty betrays their vulnerability.

Their wobble betrays their age.

Their eyes betray a lifetime of experiences and wisdom.

A lifetime of love.

What a treat they are.

Keep your older dog as healthy and happy as possible with my senior dog book here: https://amzn.to/4dLwWpQ

16/09/2024

It’s simple.. Do. No. Harm.
To people, and most especially to animals.. for they have no choice. Consent and Agency are critical to the welfare and mental wellbeing of all creatures . Our dogs offer unconditionally the best of themselves, they deserve the best of us.

Balanced dog training using positive reinforcement (rewards-based) methods and aversives (physical punishment) is no better than simply using force-free positive methods and love.

16/09/2024

Arthritis.. the soreness and stiffness associated with it I myself am all too aware of.

Did you know, that recent studies have shown that up to 38% of dogs over the age of 1 have some level of osteoarthritis, and 80% of dogs over 8! Studies by Galliprant confirmed that 60% of showing radiographic signs of the disease, also had evidence of joint pain and yet less than half of pet guardians were able to recognise this.

When I look back on the survey I conducted earlier this year 83%, of groomers said a dog had reacted aggressively towards them when having their legs handled and yet similarly to the above, only 56% of these felt the reaction was linked to pain.

Dogs are stoic, meaning they disguise pain. When you take into account what a dog goes through at the groomers, it’s hardly surprising those in pain react much more negatively than those who are on pain management or pain free.

When students are taught how to become a groomer, one of the first things they are introduced to is the various safety aids. Whilst the purpose of these is to keep the dog from falling from the table and injuring themselves, they’re often used to restrain and prevent them from moving or sitting down. Considering the amount of dogs suffering with arthritis, the thought of these dogs being forced to stay standing upwards of 2 hours, is terrifying. It’s not just about the pain and long term damage it will be causing to the joints, but the emotional impact too. When stress kicks in, adrenaline is released into the blood stream. This increases their heart and breathing rate as well as forcing their muscles to contract faster, thus causing more pain.

In an ideal world, groomers would be willing to adapt their set up to accommodate dogs with additional needs, with options such as grooming on the floor with a padded matt or adding a ramp to their tables and baths to allow easier access for the dog. Offering shorter sessions on a more regular basis rather than a full groom in one go. Encouraging owners to talk with their vets about pain relief options.

For more information on canine arthritis please visit Canine Arthritis Management

28/07/2024

Another beloved Georgian, the inimitable Ms Lulu, is here for her summer holidays. She’s very happy her boot camp days are over! This venerable older lady has been dealing with some skin and ear issues and is being so gracious about the radical hair cut and Malaseb baths! Just like us, an older dog’s immune system can struggle to cope. Alongside her lovely family, we are doing our best to support Lulu and enable her recovery.

23/07/2024

This…

Emotional synchronisation between humans and dogs is the most significant yet often overlooked aspects of dog guardianship. Dogs use their already heightened senses to sense how we are feeling; visually, olfactorily, auditorily, some even also suspect extra-sensory capabilities! Multiple studies in recent years have explored dogs’ affective empathy and hormonal interchanges in relation to emotional exchanges with humans.

This cycle of contagious feeling is often most apparent during times of tension. We have all experienced those times when our dogs are experiencing sensory overload or otherwise struggling with their environment. Wondering how we can change, control or differently channel those moments can feel very overwhelming. To be then told how our own emotions can contribute intensely to such situations, rather than being empowering, clients often say it adds to the seeming impossibility of the moment. I get it; I have been there many times. However, resolving stress, frustration, fear, anxiety or tension for our dogs will also require the management of these emotions within ourselves. If it feels difficult, not within our control, imagine how difficult it is for dogs with their heightened senses and instincts. Their actions and behaviours subject to misinterpretation and expectations daily.

When it comes to dealing with our own emotions, mindfulness, affirmations, breathing techniques and other forms of stress/anxiety management can help immensely with this. Remember that it is not the situation but our perception of the situation that matters most. Although it may not always feel like it (anxious dog owners, I see you!) dogs are masters at improving the mental health of their humans. The therapeutic nature of the relationship is multifaceted, though unfortunately not always bidirectional.

If we devote a lot of energy attempting to modify the behaviours, emotions or perceptions of another without primary assessment and challenge of our own, we miss the great lessons and teachings that each unique relationship can bring. The human-canine relationship (as with other inter-species) is one where this is of prime importance, and what a wonder to behold it is.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33090854/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC8277847/

21/07/2024

They really are the most marvellous and extraordinary creatures…

For dogs “the present has a shadow of the past and a ring of the future about it.”

07/05/2024

Wise words from Shay Kelly

22/04/2024

Creating genuinely positive relationships and experiences with both the brush and particularly the comb for your long/curly/woolly coated puppy or dog, from the outset, is so important to avoid a possibly uncomfortable and stressful “shave off” with a Groomer who really has no other choice because they must put your dogs health and welfare first . I think it helps to think of that important consent based daily brush and comb through as “us” time, and there are so many ways you can make it an enjoyable, and once you get in to a daily routine, truly bonding and relaxing experience for you both ❤️ Stephanie Zikman’s “A Teachers Guide to low stress Grooming” and Sue Williamson’s “Taking the Grrr out of Grooming Your Dog” are wonderful guides to help you.

18/04/2024

❤️

11/04/2024

Food for thought … more wise words Heal the Dog. Thank You ❤️

19/03/2024

Morning .. ❤️

08/03/2024

The breed standard is the blue print all Judges should be measuring the dogs they are judging against. It is simply not good enough and I would suggest morally reprehensible to just give in to pressure and “put up” the best of a bad bunch. If the dogs presented clearly do not meet all of the breed standard then they should all be disqualified and the class voided.. no one wins when health issues are continually ignored and perpetuated least of all the poor dogs. 💔

20/02/2024

Some people have parrots 🦜.. I have a Pirate 🏴‍☠️ 🤣🤎

30/10/2023

Spa Day for my own dear boy Kaali.. always with his consent and at his own pace and I think he really enjoys them 😂❤️🥰

23/10/2023

And that goes for humans too 💔

How do we help dogs when there is so much horror going on with them around us?

How do we stop people harming dogs?

How do we make a difference when the broken dog trainers seem to be everywhere and so prevalent?

Well it’s quite simple really.

We stop letting the World dull our light. We focus inside ourselves and being the very best we can be. We realise that energy spent on complaints about others is wasted energy. Wasted power.

We shovel bags and bags of love onto the furnace of our hearts.

And we shine.

We shine in the darkest corners.

We shine by being the best we can be.

We shine until there is no dark left and everyone around us is shining too.

Because that’s what dogs do if we let them.

And we all need to be a bit more dog.

18/10/2023

This ….

There is a great deal of research on human and nonhuman animals that shows having a sense of control over one’s life and over events or stimuli that are unpleasant, is a strong predictor of positive feelings and mental well-being.

Many dogs have very little control over their sensory environment, their social interactions, and the basic elements of daily survival, as these are usually managed by their humans.

"Having a sense of control over one’s environment is fundamental to psychological integrity. This lack of control—a near-total loss of agency—has significant fallout for their physical and especially their psychological well-being". Dr Jessica Pearce

Obviously, giving your dog choices doesn't mean letting them run riot. There will be times and situations when it is not possible to provide a choice due to safety considerations but where it is safe to do so, provide them with a sense of choice and control. The suggestions below are a start but the list is not exhaustive!

▶Allow dogs to say no thank you.

▶If they wish to end an interaction or training session don't keep trying to re-engage them. Increasing the "value" of rewards won't change how they feel!

▶Protect your dog from unwanted human (or other dog) interactions

▶If your dog wants to stop and sniff something - let them. It's their walk anyway.

▶Avoid luring or coercing them with a piece of food when they don't want to do something

▶Where possible, allow them to choose where to sleep

▶When interacting with your dog, make sure you give them a way out: allow your dog to stop, take a break or end something they are not enjoying

▶When grooming, nail trimming, towel drying your dog and other similar procedures, listen to what your dog says. If they need a break, let them walk away. If they are struggling, give them a break.

▶Gather information about what your dog likes and dislikes.