The new groomer got a bad bite today

[sassylittlepoodle]

I feel so sorry for her, she has only been working here for a week. We got this 15 year old husky mix in and the owner told us to shave her down. I was already doing a shave down on a big dog so I told the new groomer she could do this one. The owner handed the dog over and walked out without a word. The whole time she was grooming this dog it was snapping and complaining, I finaly told her to muzzle it and after that everything was fine.... The owners teen son shows to get the dog, the next thing I know the groomer is coming to the front with a towel wrapped around her hand asking for the owner to get the dog out of the cage. He goes back lets the dog out and leaves (as she is bleeding through the towel!) Not even a sorry. When she reached in to get the dog it bit her hand putting a k-9 right through the tender part of her hand (between the and index finger). I haven't heard from her yet but she is probabley going to need some kind of stiches. Poor girl.

[SpikeyTheYorkie]

Oh, ouch, that hurts. I had a chow mix bite me in the center of my palm. The left one thankfully, but it still hurt like a sunnuvagun! I hope she gets right back on that horse again and keeps grooming!

Tammy in Utah

[Pixie]

That poor girl. I feel so bad for her.

The owners just make me sooooo mad. Didn't even ask how she was or anything. Rude, rude, rude people.

How long has she groomed? She wasn't just a brand spankin' new groomer was she? Hope she get pass this and go on with grooming.

[mustluvdogs1]

Exact same bite early this weekWarning!!!!!

It bled for hours. It MUST be scrubbed for five minutes with Benodine or antibacterial soap. Run water into wound awhile. Then neosporin into it....wrap and begin antibiotics. My doctor said it is extremely necessary with a puncture wound! Also the doc must report that dog....what about rabies shot! I am sure the dog does not hvae rabies, but the county wants to see proof. Owner just can't walk away! There are questions to ask!!!! Oh My.... call her now and see that she gets proper treatment ASAP!My doc is pretty lax, but this is serious...also is she up on her tetinus(spell) shots. VERY NECESSARY!!!!!This worries me. Don't let it go. Let me know how she is.I'm going to worry about her now. It will throb and be sore for a few days, but it can still get infected!!!!

Please if it isn't too late, call her. Or first thing tomorrow. Sunday she has to go to EM. clinic and they cost more. Hope she has medical insurance. I don't.

[JJk]

I just posted my thread. In short, a dog bit my husband on his vein, he bled a lot and there is hole. The owner said sorry, but her dog wasn't never a real biter etc...... she saw his wrist, said sorry again, then asked me if she could hold the dog for me to finish the hair cut. I told her no, she said sorry again, didn't offer to pay for the nails/bath and went out.

[DAPER DAWG]

That poor thing. Some people are so rude, I would be embarassed if nothing else that my dog bit somebody that hard, I would be calling to check on them and everything.

Did she outright tell them your dog just bit me and they still walked away or did they just not notice the blood pouring from her hand.

I don't think that they ever stitch bite wounds because it could cause worse infection.

Hopefully it doesn't scare her away.

[Chuck]

Dogs protect their den!

Sorry for the bite. We need to teach all our employees especially the new ones, "Bite Abatement". If we do not we are asking for trouble.

I have also said that you have to work "With" the natural instinct of the dog and never let your guard down. Reaching into a kennel is like reaching for a dogs food while they are eating.

Dogs are den animals. In the wild they would dig a den and protect it with their lives. That is why they go under the bed or end table when it is storming out.

You can get some dogs into a kennel but try and get them out they will bite protecting their den (space). We see the whole demeanor of the dog change once they pass the threshhold of the kennel door. It is like night and day.

Helly, correct me if I am wrong but I believe that this is called "Kennel Shy".

Alot of dogs are like this and I believe that it is worse during certain times of the year, breeding season, full moon, etc.

We hang a kennel lead outside the kennel with a dog known to be "Kennel Shy" so we can pull them out without having to go in. We will also do this with any new client until we know they are ok to handle in the kennel.

Instinct is strong, work with it or it will bite you. Keep a rabies pole on hand. Bite gloves can be used for the those first time clients.

Some tips are: Never put your face within biting distance.

Let the owner hand off the lead so you may gain control before picking up the dog. Hold the lead so you may pull the dogs muzzle away from your face. Never "Corner" a dog with it's owner. Have the owner lead the dog into the shop and hand it off instead of dragging the dog away from the owner.

Keep a kennel lead by each kennel so you may avoid beibg bitten when you try to pull the dog out. If you are afraid of the dog get another to handle it. Chew some spearment gum. They smell your fear in your breath.

This type of bite can be avoided with understanding and training. We put safety first with new employees.

I have an employee who was a vet tech went to pick up a dog from a customer and the dog jumped up and bit her on the lips, not bad but she realized that being in a hurry is no excuse for bite awareness and incorrect handling.

Chuck

[sassylittlepoodle]

I called her today

I talked to her this morning and she said they actually stiched two of the wholes. The ER took all of the dogs info so I assume they contacted the owners and took care of that. I just cant believe the owner didnt call us or anything. One thing I did notice is when she muzzeled the dog for the groom, she said it must be used to meing muzzled because it was good while in the muzzle. She wants to come back to work on Tuesday but she cant even use the hand. I told her to take it easy for a couple of days and call me when she feels better. She has been grooming for 30 years and says this is the worst bite she has ever had. I hope its the last.

[SpikeyTheYorkie]

WOW, then she's definitely not a new groomer. I guess you meant new to your shop.

Well, hope she gets back to work soon, sounds like she's going to be just fine. And the owners will be contacted---that's what they get for not asking if she was ok. WOW.

Tammy in Utah

[Helly]

Chuck, yes it's called kennel shy. Also kennel guarding or resource guarding, which from a psychological point of view is probably more accurate. But kennel shy works.

We write it on the dogs card and cage card, in big red letters "KENNEL SHY", so everyone knows not to stick their hands (or any body part) into the kennel to get the dog out. And we also leave a lead on the dog, with the end clipped to the cage door, to get the dog out.

[Arrooh]

Poor groomer

Long ago when I had a shop we would leave leads on dogs that might be that way. It was easy. For some paranoi reason at the Chain Pet Store grooming they had a rule, NO Collars or Leashes left on any dog in a cage. Must have been some choking something at some time, but we had to take the leash off and re-"rope" say a biting snarling cornered Cocker. A real pain.

[Pixie]

Glad to hear she is doing better. Hope she takes it easy for a little bit and not rush back to work before it is time for her to come back.