Is it okay to...

[Justicemom]

.I like the approach of asking why Megan had to be muzzled and what efforts were made before. She gets snippy with me no matter where I brush and comb her, she just doesn't like to be groomed!

You just answer your own question. If she doesn't like to be groomed and will get snippy with you, a person she knows , then she probably did the same with the groomer. Your groomer doesn't know she won't bite her so better safe than sorry.

Any dog that snaps at me, gets a muzzle while I work with them. I have been bitten in the face, fingers and arms before in 25 yrs working with dogs and frankly I don't intend to get bit again. Majority of dogs are fine and never give me a minutes problem but if I even think they might bite on goes the muzzle. I don't know these dogs and what they will or will not do. My dog Jazz got muzzled all the time if someone other than me worked with her. This the dog I could draw blood from her jugular by myself. I knew she wouldn't bite me but other people I wasn't so sure.

 

[BarbV]

As much as it goes against the grain and our image of happy-go-lucky shelties, if you dog is nipping at the groomer then she really has not choice.

What you can do is work with your dog to get used to being manhandled through training.

It's puppy 101 all over again. Tough the paws, treat. Squeeze the paws, threat. Same with ears and all over body....touch and squeeze, treat., treat, treat. Then move on to more aggressive...squeeze the paws, put pressure on the ears. Treat and praise and pub subits. Now you bring out the brushes. Same drilll

But if all else fails, and your are uncomfortable with a full muzzle, then consider this product. Its not quite as fail-safe as a muzzle but might make you and your dog more comfortable as you get him comfortable to being groomed.

http://www.petvalu.com/in-our-store...es/training-and-behavior/hp-mugz-muzzle-nylon

 

[Megansmom]

As much as it goes against the grain and our image of happy-go-lucky shelties, if you dog is nipping at the groomer then she really has not choice.

What you can do is work with your dog to get used to being manhandled through training.

It's puppy 101 all over again. Tough the paws, treat. Squeeze the paws, threat. Same with ears and all over body....touch and squeeze, treat., treat, treat. Then move on to more aggressive...squeeze the paws, put pressure on the ears. Treat and praise and pub subits. Now you bring out the brushes. Same drilll

But if all else fails, and your are uncomfortable with a full muzzle, then consider this product. Its not quite as fail-safe as a muzzle but might make you and your dog more comfortable as you get him comfortable to being groomed.

http://www.petvalu.com/in-our-store...es/training-and-behavior/hp-mugz-muzzle-nylon

Thank you Barb for the partial muzzle suggestion! Honestly if she was getting snippy with the groomer, I am sure all that would be needed would be just this type of muzzle.

Before I make our next appt, I'll ask to speak to the groomer to better understand the situation.

 

[Rambotherat]

My poodle mix will get a little snarly when his back end and ears are being groomed (even when I am doing it). As soon as I was made aware of this by the groomer, I just had them put it in his notes to use a muzzle. I figure that it doesn't hurt him, so it should just be part of his grooming routine. He gets the muzzle on the same as he gets the little leash thingy put around his neck.

They always comment on what a snuggle bug he is, so I don't think it has affected him in any negative way.