About Me:

I am a professional Pet Groomer. I have been grooming for 28 years. This Blog is a kind of diary of my work. I wish I had started years ago, writing some of the experiences I have had while grooming. Most days are fun, some can be sad, some can be just down right crazy. If you are a pet owner and come across this blog, I hope it helps you understand how your pet is groomed. If you are a Pet Groomer, I hope you can relate to some of the stories. Maybe even learn a grooming tip or can leave a friendly grooming tip for me. There is always something to learn, no matter how long you have been grooming.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Just A Personal Observation

I am sure that there are may groomers out there, who have been grooming for a while, that there are some dogs that you just know you may have trouble with just by the way they look.

The way they physically look.
Some special trait.

You have no idea what the heck I am talking about, do you?

Let me  try to explain.

Have you ever noticed that many apricot Poodles are nuts....sweet.....put nuts in some way?
Have you ever noticed that buff Cockers tend to really hate the front legs clipped, and are more likely to snap than black Cockers?
Have you ever noticed that Schnauzers that have the more course, wiry type hair, whose hair  would normally brush out really easily, can't stand to have their legs brushes, and most likely will snap at you when you try to brush their legs?
Have you ever noticed that orange cats are nuts?

Oh, sorry.....my orange cat just decided to have a deranged moment and fly down the hall crying at the top of his lungs.....he'll get over it in a minute.


AND...Is it just me?

Have you ever noticed that ShihTzus, or ShihTzuX's  who have these types of eyes tend to have issues?

Temperamental issues?

Doesn't she have a sweet face?

Yes, she does, and she can be real sweet....if and when she wants too.

When I first started grooming her she didn't even think twice before she went after me.

She is better now.

Now she just puts her teeth on my hand to warn me that she does not like what I am trying to do, but doesn't bite with any pressure.
Not that she wouldn't bite me anymore.
The potential is always there, and I have no doubt at all that she would nail me really good if I pissed her off in any way.

It just happened to dawn on me, while I was grooming her last week, that I have three ShihTzus that come in these types of eyes.
Two are serious biters and one has some mental issues.
I have also had some that I groomed in the past (that have gone to the rainbow bridge) that had these same types of eyes and were also bad, or unpredictable biters.

Oh well, maybe it is just me.
I honestly don't look at these traits and automatically expect these behaviors.
I usually notice the behavior first, and then look at the dog and think; 'oh yeah, I should have expected.'

Just an observation.

I am probably the only one who notices this type of crazy stuff.

Don't mind me. :-p

Happy Grooming, MFF

11 comments:

  1. I can't put my finger on it, but I can just look at a cat and KNOW they are going to bite someone. I guess that's the closest I come to that.

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    1. Hi Starre,
      I have those feelings also. You have to trust your gut feelings. It has saved me many times.
      Lisa, MFF

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  2. Finally someone who understands!

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  3. i know exactly what you are talking about... I have also noted that chocolate labs tend to be more nuts than Black or Tan colored ones... ;P

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    Replies
    1. Hi Monica,
      Chocolate Labs!!! I forgot about them! LOL
      Lisa, MFF

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    2. I call the chocolate Labs, Methlabs. LOL

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  4. I do agree with you 100%. We had one of those shih tzus come in today. Maybe it has something to do with the way their head is formed?

    -Cortney

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  5. Also the redder the golden the more hyper.. I totally agree with you!

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  6. Just wondering if you could help me I have been asked to cut a Shih Tzu in 'teddy bear clip' she wants to 'not see where the lines where she has been clipped' any help on blades and technique etc would be appreciated!!! :-)

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    Replies
    1. So sorry that I didn't see this comment sooner.
      Sadly a 'Teddy Bear Clip' is just as bad as 'A Puppy Cut'. I have had customers come in asking for a 'Teddy Bear Cut' (which to me is one to two inches left all over) only to find out what the customer really wants is the dog shaved down close.
      If this customer does not want to see lines, does that mean that another groomer shaved the dog and left blade lines? Unfortunately, some Shih-tzu coats tend to show some faint lines no matter how much you try to clip the coat smooth. Maybe she just had a bad cut last time.
      If the coat is the type to show lines, I like to clip slowly so that the blade does not leave lines. The blade depends on how short or long she wants the coat left.
      Lisa, MFF

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