We have a little Coton de Tuléar who is 8 and a half months old. We took him to the groomer for the first time four days ago.
Up until then, our little pup was happy and playful, and always 'glued' to our sides...
The groomer had to shave him right down because there was far too much matting in his undercoat.
Since we got home, he has been completely withdrawn. He’s lost his appetite, he doesn't want to play, and he spends all day whimpering, hiding under the bed or in corners. It’s truly heartbreaking!
Has anyone else dealt with this kind of dog behaviour before?
If so, what did you do to help? Any solutions?
Thanks for your replies!
P. R.
Translated from French
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Hi, I’m having the same problem. My dog, an eight-and-a-half-month-old Bichon, went to the groomers for the first time and he’s been traumatised ever since, exactly like you’ve described. Just one question: did the calming injection actually help?
👏 Sending lots of love to Misanthrope, Dougy, lovely Docline, and Hibiscus,
Ah, Misanthrope, you can really tell you’ve got the professional touch! My daughter bought me a Furminator once as well – what a nightmare!
I’m not exactly daft (well, I don’t think so!), but I could never get the hang of using it. I’ve always been used to a brush that fits nicely in my hand and I’ve never had any trouble before, neither with Douchka, a black poodle (my first dog), nor with Champagne (my Bichon Frise). Even Champagne’s groomer, who’s been in the trade for 30 years, doesn't use one.
Each to their own, I suppose! We’re only "everyday brushers" looking after our pets, just doing our best to make them look handsome and feel soft.
Yes, but... I’m an "expat" living in Madagascar (specifically Diego-Suarez) where there is only ONE groomer and only ONE vet! We’re lucky really, because in many other towns in Madagascar, there isn’t even one or the other!!! So, we just "make do"... I saw the vet earlier today and he gave him some kind of anti-anxiety jab. He also suggested that the active ingredient in his (brand new) flea collar might be having some neurotoxic effects. So, we’ve stripped our dog of his "finery" and now we’re just waiting to see... thanks anyway!
Hi there, I was actually just about to ask if there might be something else at play other than the groomer. I’m leaning more towards the collar as the reason for his change in behaviour (or perhaps another health issue, we’ll know soon enough now that you’ve taken the collar off, we’ll just have to see... mind you, giving him a jab might not have been the best move... if he gets better, you won’t know if it was the collar or the anti-stress injection).
Mr Gaspadinn was brushed every day (using three metal-toothed combs, from the widest to the finest), but when he was about a year old (he originally belonged to my mum before she fell ill; Coton coats become unmanageable very quickly – it’s the only downside to this perfect dog, lol), we had to have him shaved.
It was awful. He looked like a lab mouse. Mind you, I think I was far more traumatised than he was. After that, we had a few visits to a groomer who was really gentle; he and the lady got on brilliantly, which is so important. (Plus, the breeder had got him used to grooming from a very young age.)
In the next photo, I just stick to brushing and clearing the hair around his eyes (using moustache scissors).
Dougy-master, I’d love to see some photos of your little dog.
Hi @Dougy, I’ve got a Maltese who goes to the groomer every three months. His first groom was at four and a half months and it went really well. When he came out of the salon, he was as proud as punch. He’s three and a half now and still goes to the same groomer, but he starts shaking every time. I used to think he was scared, but not at all; it’s actually because I prefer to leave the groomer alone with him. If I stay, he constantly pulls to get back to me. I brush him once a day, but the longer the hair grows, the longer the brushing takes. Some sort of anti-stress jab? I think it’s more likely an anti-anxiety med to calm him down. Are you sure he hasn’t been hurt? Eight months is a bit late for a first time. Hang in there and get him used to a proper brush for Cotons or Maltese—they do exist—and do it every day while talking to him, explaining what you’re doing. Giving him a little treat when you’re done and he’s behaved himself shouldn’t be overlooked. Usually, they catch on quickly and will come over themselves if you show them the brush. It should be a treat for him, not a chore. Stick with it @Dougy, in a fortnight you’ll see how effective and easy it is. Give your Coton some pats for me, and all the best. gigi397
I could write a book on the ins and outs of grooming! But for today, let’s keep it brief and answer Dougy's question. Yes, your dog’s current state is down to that grooming session. Avoid it from now on! A Coton de Tuléar needs combing EVERY day with the tool shown below. Don't wait until there are "dreadlocks" in the coat! Use the wide-toothed rake comb first, then the narrow-toothed side after. If you're bathing your dog, use a de-tangling shampoo and avoid rubbing in circles. Massage the body and then smooth the fur downwards. Then, give it a blow-dry, always working from the topline downwards, just like you would for a blow-dry with a hairbrush! You can also use round-tipped scissors to trim the hair in the ears and the corners of the eyes. Clip the claws with a guillotine clipper, being careful not to hit the quick. You must never clip a Coton de Tuléar! Their coat protects them from both the heat and the cold. Be very careful of heatstroke and sunburn now! If he has been clipped right down, make sure to put a cooling coat on him.
Whoaaaa, flea and tick meds... goodness me!
I've talked myself blue in the face shouting from the rooftops about what I think of them (especially Bravecto, obviously).
Maybe your dog has some sores that you can't see through all that fur? And obviously, it’s bound to be HURTING him... that’s how we realised our Cocker was having a bad reaction to the flea and tick treatment. We couldn't even clip certain parts of his body anymore...
But at the very least, ask if you can stay during the grooming session... after all, if they've got nothing to hide, there's no reason for them to say NO when you're a paying customer 😉
I’m an “expat” living in Madagascar (specifically Diégo-Suarez) where there’s only ONE groomer and ONE single vet! We’re lucky really, because in many other towns in Madagascar, there’s neither!!!
So, we “make do”... I saw the vet at lunchtime and he gave him some kind of anti-stress injection. He also suggested the theory that the active ingredient in his (brand new) flea collar might be having some neurotoxic effects. So, we’ve stripped our dog of his “finery” and we’re just waiting to see...
So, I reckon it’s either the groomer or some bit of kit that’s completely thrown him off...
Our cocker spaniel went to the same groomer his whole life, but last year she said, "I had to muzzle him this time because he really wasn't having it"... she’d even put him in a light therapy crate while he was waiting to try and relax him... since then, there’s no way we can take him back there; he’s already panicking in the car the moment we park up.
We gave it another go, but no... I had to go and get him almost straight away (he was still soaking wet, to give you an idea!).
So now we do it at home... to be fair, with a Cocker, if you've got the right kit, you can manage. Otherwise, HAVING A MOBILE GROOMER COME TO YOUR HOUSE with YOU BY HIS SIDE... would probably be much less traumatic. Especially with Cotons, there’s so much work involved... it must even be painful (it’s bad enough when we’re brushing out our own knots sometimes...) so imagine what it’s like for them...
That’s the only thing I can think of... and then again, you have to wonder how well you really know the groomer... there are some who, when they’ve had enough, might be a bit rough with a poor pup who won't sit still... who knows??
Thanks for your analysis, even though it doesn't quite hit the nail on the head for my specific problem.
I’ve had a good dozen dogs over my 70 years on the clock, ranging from Lhasa Apsos to Beaucerons, as well as Dobermans, Yorkies, Groenendaels, Pyrenean Shepherds, and so on. I did some 'training' (guard and protection) with my Doberman and agility with my Beauceron, so I think I’ve got a fair idea of what puppy socialisation involves. But it’s the strange reaction from my Coton (who was already very well socialised) after his first professional groom and clip that’s got me puzzled. Thanks anyway.
