Hi Everyone,

I'm in a bit of a spot with my fifteen year old girl and need some advice. I'm concerned about sending her to be groomed - but she needs it VERY badly.

She goes to a really great place, they have known her for years and love her. They are aware of her special needs as a senior and do their best to make accomodations for her.

They were even willing to just bathe and cut her while I waited so that she wouldn't have to spend any time caged alone, b/c I usually send more than one and they stay with each other. Still, I worry that even that is too much for her. The weather's been dreadfully hot and well, I'm just nervous.

She's a Setter, so she has a very long thick coat. To complicate matters further, we've just returned from a week in the mountains, (the dogs came with), and despite my attempts, she did get matted up a bit.

I have most of the tools that a groomer does but must admit, I do a dreadful job.

Although I've clipped off the worst of them, she really needs attention by a professional and I'm just afraid, despite my trust in them and their care, that it might be too much for her.

Does anyone have any experience with grooming a dog this old? I'd really appreciate any insight.

Thanks!
Sharon

I have had many setters and grooming them when they get older was always a concern of mine as well. It's hard to leave the old girl/guy, because you are so attached and worried about them. I have always relied on the groomer that they are most familiar with.. It makes sense.. you have trusted this groomer in the past and they know your friend and visa versa. Iam sure that your setter feels very comfortable in your groomers hands and salon. Hope I have been of some help.

Hi Sharon, Welcome back. I hope all of you had a wonderful time up in mountains. How is the old girl doing? I hope she's doing good. So did you decide on bringing her to the groomer or are you going to do the hard task on your own. I have no experience with groomers or cutting a dogs hair because Max was a lab so he never needed a hair cut. But I have had experience in cutting human hair. So here is my meager attempt in offering advice. Shall I t*itle it comparing human hair to a furry friends. Sometimes childrens hair gets all matted, knotted, and clumped to the head. Especially in the nape area. The clippers usally scare children so the faster you use them the better.(the same w/ dogs) But clippers slow down or the attachment could fall off if the hair is clumpy and long. So the best thing to do is to cut the long hair w/ the scissors first and leave it a little longer then the desired lenght.When the hair is shorter then comb out the tangles it should be easier with the shorter hair. Now use the clippers you will get a quicker, even cut. But if you want the hair to remain longer and you use only scissors your have to comb the hair in small sections to get the tangles out. For the hair to be even take a section and hold it between your pointer and middle fingers and pull the hair away from the body straight up if your cutting the top section of the body and straight down if your underneath and the dog is standing. Boy this is harder to explain then I thought it would be. Let me put it this way just pull the hair straight away from the body.Use you fingers as a guide for straightness and cut the desired lenght. Take a section of hair next to the already cut piece between your fingers and use the already cut piece as a guide to determine the previous cut lenght. The hair should be even then. Sorry I tried to help. Hope I didn't confuse you more. By reading this post your boots are probably already on and heading to the groomers . I so s... in explaining things. I was going to delete this reply back to you but I figured what the heck we could all use a laugh. I confuse myself at times. Take care k9pal

Thanks bluest and k9pal,

Well, we had an impromptu/unexpected visit from our West Coast family this weekend so Nori's "bad hair dilemma" was put on hold.

I appreciate your (amusing yet very helpful) input k9pal! She's doing okay, but is winding down. The problem is that she gets matted pretty close to the skin so my options are a "mat breaker comb" which is a long and tedious process and not so pleasant for the dog and/or clippers. Since the skin of an older dog is thinner - more like a cat - it's easier to cause harm than with a younger dog. I'll probably give it a go myself anyway but will then have to go to "Uncle Ed" embarassed and contrite for having messed with his handiwork.

Thanks also bluest, you're right, I do trust them and they take very good care of us, I should jsut go for it. She's so much happier after a good cut. You know how their coat is, so you surely know what I mean. (You have English, right?) My dream was to have one of each, I grew up with the Irish. So I know and love them well, have had Gordons for about fifiteen years or so and have known and loved a few English. (They DO have the nicest coats). Unfortunately, I'm not so sure I have the energy to be a three dog household again.

Thanks everyone, will keep you posted.
Sharon

Well, we did it (- and Uncle Ed did a lovely job). NO small feat considering the damage I had done. Nori has seemed to rally a bit, no "episodes" in the last few weeks so I figured, it's now or never.

I decided to leave her. We agreed that if anything was amiss they would call me immediately and take her to her vet. The good thing is that her vet is around the corner and they have a great working relationship. I think that as long as she's having a good day, it's still okay. A relief! I'd like to think that it's not a terrible stressor for her, it's never been in the past.

I sent her little Persian cat Lucy with her for good measure, they're used to going together. She seemed relaxed and happy when I picked her up, she just trotted out of the finishing room and came to me happily. It was really nice to see actually.

Now that I have a good base to work with k9pal, I might be able to use your theory!

(I'd try to post a picture, she looks lovely - but I'm too tired)