I have a long time client who I really like. I groomed her old dogs for years before they passed away and a couple of years ago their family bought a new puppy. It doesn't have a lot of coat and so I didn't see it until it was a year or so of age. Huge mistake.
Each time I have groomed this poor dog it is more and more freaked out. It started out just acting spooky and has evolved into a screaming, struggling full fledged fear biter. I have suggested training, behaviorists, socialization, more frequent grooming, etc. All the things that would make a difference to this dog. NILIF (Nothing In Life Is Free) is a great training tool for dominant dogs and while this dog isn't dominant (confused and terrified is a more accurate description) it would help her too. Obedience, agility, even simple tricks would instill confidence. Socialization, just simply being out and about instead of cloistered in the back yard would be helpful too. They have made, as far as I can tell, exactly zero effort on behalf of this poor pup.
Today the dog came for grooming and had a complete melt down at the front door. The owner was wrestling with her, pulling her, etc. and I asked my bather to carry her so that she wouldn't back out of her harness (!!!!) altogether and be free. Her response to his approach was growling and a lunging snap. The owner finally got the dog in the door and told me that she must be freaked out because she walked by our cat. Ooookay. The poor girl continued to act up and she asked if I just wanted her to take her and go. (YES!!) But in reality, no No NO! The LAST THING ON THIS EARTH she needs is to be rewarded for her tantrum. Giving in and letting her "off" is the equivalent to telling a three year old that they can have whatever they want from the store if they'll just stop screaming. The owner then goes on to tell me that even though I told her that she is a fear biter, she really isn't, she just likes to put her teeth on your hand while you're brushing her. "I know that's bad, but it's just her reaction to brushing so we let her do it". I tell her that I will VIDEO the dog's behavior so that what I'm telling her is not lost in translation. I can tell the idea of having her dog's behavior filmed isn't thrilling her. If a picture is worth a thousand words, video is worth a hundred thousand and it's far more difficult to make excuses when you're handed proof of a thing.
We manage to get the dog bathed and dried, fans only, as the dryer would send this poor creature to the moon. I get her out and on the table where the rodeo really begins. We start with no muzzle and I have someone video her lunging and snapping. We try a simple E muzzle and video more of the same. I try a full muzzle and things just get worse. This poor dog is terrified and lashes out at anything she finds threatening, which is pretty much everything.
I finally get a reasonable tidy done and in the time I have before she is picked up I call a couple of local trainers and have referrals for a behaviorist and some reading material. I try to talk to the owner. She gives me a blank stare that is rich with the accusation that I am unfairly maligning her pet. I talk about the fact that she has small children, that they have friends, the liability that this dog is. Her response is a stoney silence that leaves no doubt she thinks I'm a heartless bitch. I find myself wondering if her twin brought the dog in this AM because how could she have witnessed what has gone on and continue to be in such denial? I start to suggest, since it's pretty apparent she thinks *I* am the problem, that she take the dog somewhere else. Perhaps if groomers two, three, four and five tell her there is a problem she will believe it? I refrain, I've already lost her, she's checked out, gone. There's no point in further discussion.
The really sad thing about this situation is that most of it is the fault of humans. Yes, this dog probably had a fragile temperament to begin with, but taken from a litter too early, inadequate socialization, no formal training (or any training at all) and the continued excuses have created a dog that is unsure, terrified, confused and out of control. The family's response to this is to do less with the dog, wrapping the dog in the cocoon of their denial and therefore making her worse and worse and worse.
Given her attitude, I am fairly certain that this woman will never be back and while I am frustrated, that might be the best. I just hate to see someone create a monster when there were so many points at which the tide could have been turned. Instead I have an angry client who doesn't want the truth, is offended by my honesty and who really just wants me to shut up and magically make her dog different in the three hours a year I see her. There is no leadership, no guidance, no hope really. Both ends of that leash are clueless.
Very, very sad.
