Strange thing happening.
Had an appointment today - new client. 1 1/2 yo yorkie mix with start of a collapsing trachea - according to owner. Owner brought to me since the local Petsomething said the dog was too wiggly and with potential health issue dog should be sedated groomed at a vet for safety. Made no sense. Dog appeared boisterous but fine. And coat and legs were getting pretty gnarly.
Told owner I'd like to keep longer than usual so pet could calm down and maybe be better on the table without any sedation. Agreed
Bath was fine, dryer a little iffy.
Turns out that as soon as the dog sees a brush he starts the teeth gnashing crocodile rolling moves. Took over two hours ( had the time today ) to get him brushed out. Tried everything I knew to do - even putting him on his back snd waiting until he gave in. ( Had a basket muzzle on him since he was out for blood and trying got any body part he could reach .) He finally caught s bit of my little finger snd I actually found myself staring him down and growling. Never did this before - but it worked. He actually settled down and allowed the groom to proceed to conclusion, including brushing out his muzzle. Charged for the ' challenge' he presented. Dad booked the dogs next appointment before leaving.
That was the story. While doing all this it dawned on me that I've been getting a number of inquiries and bookings from our local Petsomething. Reasons have included fussiness, youth (7 month old puppy) , medical issues (murmur, bad teeth?!), and elderly ( 11 yo shih tzu). Or the owners have been bizarre. All pets have required extra time , or extra restraint, or extra TLC.
Most of the reasons are bogus. The pets are often fearful, nippy, screamers, barkers, droolers---- you get the picture.
So. .. Are the Petsomethings trying to CYA by sending anything but the easypeasy pets somewhere else? Anyone else seeing an uptick in referrals from corps ?
Had an appointment today - new client. 1 1/2 yo yorkie mix with start of a collapsing trachea - according to owner. Owner brought to me since the local Petsomething said the dog was too wiggly and with potential health issue dog should be sedated groomed at a vet for safety. Made no sense. Dog appeared boisterous but fine. And coat and legs were getting pretty gnarly.
Told owner I'd like to keep longer than usual so pet could calm down and maybe be better on the table without any sedation. Agreed
Bath was fine, dryer a little iffy.
Turns out that as soon as the dog sees a brush he starts the teeth gnashing crocodile rolling moves. Took over two hours ( had the time today ) to get him brushed out. Tried everything I knew to do - even putting him on his back snd waiting until he gave in. ( Had a basket muzzle on him since he was out for blood and trying got any body part he could reach .) He finally caught s bit of my little finger snd I actually found myself staring him down and growling. Never did this before - but it worked. He actually settled down and allowed the groom to proceed to conclusion, including brushing out his muzzle. Charged for the ' challenge' he presented. Dad booked the dogs next appointment before leaving.
That was the story. While doing all this it dawned on me that I've been getting a number of inquiries and bookings from our local Petsomething. Reasons have included fussiness, youth (7 month old puppy) , medical issues (murmur, bad teeth?!), and elderly ( 11 yo shih tzu). Or the owners have been bizarre. All pets have required extra time , or extra restraint, or extra TLC.
Most of the reasons are bogus. The pets are often fearful, nippy, screamers, barkers, droolers---- you get the picture.
So. .. Are the Petsomethings trying to CYA by sending anything but the easypeasy pets somewhere else? Anyone else seeing an uptick in referrals from corps ?
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