What do you think?

[Milliesmum]

Yesterday I took Millie for her usual groom, I popped her in the back of the car, as I had somewhere else to go as well, drove 2 mins to the grooming shop, and got her out of the car, we just had to cross over the main road.

As soon as I walked into the shop, the lady who does the groom came towards Millie and she peed on the floor (Millie, not the grooming lady!). She never EVER does that at home.

Then when I passed over the lead, Millie didn't want to go with this lady at all, sat down and refused to budge, and had to be literally pushed through the door, all the while trying to get back to me.

Now I'm worried about what goes on while I'm not there, they always say she's been really good, but its made me a bit concerned as Millie made it obvious she didn't want to be there.

What do you think? Am I just being an overprotective mum?

[cheshireworker]

not at all!!!! i would definatley change!! Millie is clearly not happy, it might not be anything the the lady is doing millie just might not like the noise if the dryers or something like that, my friend has a grooming shop for dogs and she says that some dogs wil go in the dryer willingly and some have to be done by a hand dryer!!!! just try a diferent one and see if millie is any different!!!

[Milliesmum]

Hmm, definitely need to think about it, trouble is I only know of one other place and the lady there is unqualified. Think I need to ask around other owners and see where they go.

[viking]

I would be changing to some where else too. There's something she doesn't like and is become fearful of.
Poor wee soul.

[progenic]

Speaking with experience...

I wouldn't read too much into it though you do know you're dog best...psychologically they do not think like humans, my springer used to do a similar thing out of excitement (wee) but not wanting to leave you, that could happen anywhere - wouldn't she always prefer her 'mum' to a stranger??

I'm certainly not saying don't change, you do what you feel is best and perhaps if staying with you're current salon will cause you anxiety it might be worth a change. Maybe you could visit a couple of others to get the idea of how your dog will behave??...I'm sure if you asked they would try taking her away and see want happens, if you have the same result you might draw a different conclusion. Try not too worry too much about it in any case. (vet nurse)

[Milliesmum]

Well to update, I bumped into the lady who runs the puppy training classes that Millie used to go to, she works at a boarding kennels which is local. It turns out that there is a lady there who is able to do grooming, although she probably only does a couple of dogs each week. Millie had her second groom there this weekend, and goes in quite happily, although she is not a patient dog when being groomed they take their time with her, give her breaks and treats, and try their best not to stress her out. All in all I'm really happy with them, and Millie seems ok too, if they can't start her groom straight away, they take her out in the field on an extending lead and let her have a run, so she associates going there with good stuff too.

[mara]

that sounds like a good solution - my neighbour has a couple of springers & the b*tch used to wee & cower whenever they took her to a particular kennels - the last time on the drivers seat as she jumped over from the back when they opened the back door.

They've since moved to a new kennels after the car seat incident & the dogs drag them to get in there so clearly they felt something wasn't right at the first place.

[poppypony]

I think dogs can be sensitive to different people and smells-like us! What suits one doesnt always suit another. My friends dog always barks at me when I'm in my green uniform- Im a vet nurse too! but not at the stables - sure its the smell!

Which vets are you at Progenic, we my have pasted at congress!

[viking]

Good news there Milliesmum.

[pipspears]

my lab poppy cowers and wees when my hubby speaks to her, and when she gets giddy,but she ws abreeding bit*h before we got her we have had her in the family for 2yrs first my brothr and his girlfriend and when my horse died she came to us to cheer me up my brother said,,its because shes bonkers more like,,neither my brother or my hubby have done anything to upset her,it seems to be men she does it with,,duno wht it is maybe a bad memory from before we had her

[progenic]

I'm pleased its working out for you and millie, you both sound much happier!

I am not in Practice at the mo...but I spent 8 years at Chapel house vets, we used to specialise in Sharpei's so you may have heard of it. What about you Poppypony? Feel free to PM me if you fancy a chat!

[Milliesmum]

Thanks progenic, yes so far so good! I knew she wasn't happy before as she is a very outgoing dog and is friendly to everyone, and had been going there for about a year quite happily, then the sudden change. For Millie to back off from you, there has to be a good reason, even after injections and being speyed, she still bounces into the vet's waiting room wagging her tail!