old dogs

[Amber]

I would like to say hi everyone. I am new and looking forward to learning new things from everyone. Anyway I have been grooming for 18+ yrs. And there is one problem that I can't figure out... It has always been with old dogs with drying. Not all of them of coarse but a few. the problem- when drying they start barking and pretty much just go into a crazy fit even when the dryers a then turned off. They will go to the bathroom bark bite randomly. This has confused me for years because it has happened with dogs I have groomed there whole life then one day thats it and then it gets progessivly worse till I have to let them totally towel\air dry. It doesnt matter if I use a gentle dryer wich I do with older dogs anyway. I have even tried to put fresh cotton it the ears as it seem like the head area is the most common trigger point. I have had this happen on 4-5 dogs. Open to advice because I currently have one of these clients and I've groomed him for nearly 17ys and last yr this started with him. And he is a cocker with a coat that just doesnt airdry well. I hate not doing the very best for a dear old friend like him.

[diamienono]

Senility may be a big factor.

[misscatahoula]

I agree with Diamienono; it sounds like it could be senility. All I can suggest is that you do what you can to clean these old guys up and make them more comfortable. If they get that upset it's probably better just to let them cage dry . I had an ancient Lhasa come in yesterday that got freaky on his front feet, I did what I could to tidy them, but it wasn't perfection.

[pamperedpups]

Edited.

[kaitash]

These dogs are having a panic attack, which is kind of like a seizure. Their old little bodies just can't take what they used too. When this happens turn off the dryer and hold the dog so it can't hurt itself, but be careful because they will bite. Also watch out for urine & feces. Once it happens once it will usually happen every time so these dogs need to be cage dried. Let the owner know that their pet can no longer tolerate the drier because it will have an impact on how the final groom comes out.

[Jadenlea]

Amber,

This has happened to me many times also with older dogs. Ive groomed them their whole life and they were fine with the HV then one day Bam! They go into a full scale panic attack. Even with cotton in the ears or towel around the ears. I have always assumed senility and confusion. They arnt the same dog we have always done. Part of them is gone. Even still though... we have to wonder.. what is it about the HV that does it? Is it just the noise? The sensation of their hair being blown and lifted? Its strange though isnt it?

[astrordog]

I would like to say hi everyone. I am new and looking forward to learning new things from everyone. Anyway I have been grooming for 18+ yrs. And there is one problem that I can't figure out... It has always been with old dogs with drying. Not all of them of coarse but a few. the problem- when drying they start barking and pretty much just go into a crazy fit even when the dryers a then turned off. They will go to the bathroom bark bite randomly. This has confused me for years because it has happened with dogs I have groomed there whole life then one day thats it and then it gets progessivly worse till I have to let them totally towel\air dry. It doesnt matter if I use a gentle dryer wich I do with older dogs anyway. I have even tried to put fresh cotton it the ears as it seem like the head area is the most common trigger point. I have had this happen on 4-5 dogs. Open to advice because I currently have one of these clients and I've groomed him for nearly 17ys and last yr this started with him. And he is a cocker with a coat that just doesnt airdry well. I hate not doing the very best for a dear old friend like him.

Dogs get senile and dementia just like humans. It can happen in a short span of time, between one groom to another.

astrodog

[Helly]

Senility could definately be a factor. Or it could be focal seizures, which can often be triggered by the sound of a dryer. I groom an elderly schnauzer that has to be completely air dryed in a crate (in another room) because the dryers will trigger seizure activity. It could also be due to diminishing hearing and changes in the ears.

Any time you see a drastic behavior change, you should suggest that the owner have the dog checked over by their vet.

[SpikeyTheYorkie]

Tell the owners---they have to accept the fact that Fluffy is getting old. Towel dry well, let sit in two towels and a towel underneath for a while (keep warm) and then kennel dry----brush before you put in the towels, brush before you put in kennel, and then brush in the middle of the kennel drying process. Tell the owners that it may not have the best haircut that it has had in the past, but what can you do? Torture the poor creature for a good haircut. It's not worth it.

Tammy in Utah

[Arrooh]

The worst thing wouldn't be

not drying them at all. Think of it this way: If the owner would bath them on their own, they likely wouldn't dry them. If the house is warm and the dog is toweled really well (I use the Micro Fibre to get the last bit of moisture out) the dog could be fine.

I wonder if it is the frequency more than just the louness, but HV freaks out many a dog. I did have two dogs in the past that seizured with the HV. I've gotten so that I just dry many dogs with the warm small Pet Edge Dryer, seems to not affect dogs the same, even not bothering them with face drying.

I am covering for a Pet Care person that is 5 months pregnant and not wanting to get the few dogs she bathes in and out of tubs. Three of those do not get dryers on them at all, two are Corgies. I dry with towels, brush, rubbie dub dry again and brush again, a last good wipe and squeezie with the microfibre, and off they go to strut around the house, a bit damp, but fine.

Also if the dog is tooo freaky about it you could opt to just come and trim, no bath. Comfort for the older dog is what is important.

[Amber]

thanks

Thanks for everyone's input. Sounds like I'm on the right track. I do tell the owners and do the best I can with toweling and brushing ect.

[stacie-gotg]

You might want to also try a handheld dryer for the older ones who cant handle the HV.

[rapuzzled]

I groom a cocker spaniel that is I thnk about 6 or 7 and she started doig this. Really, she isn't that old. She is pretty healthy, so I don't know what would cause this. Well, I suppose that senility could be a factor even at 6, it just seems so young still.