Check Their Gear

The number one thing you can do to set them up for success on the day of their appointment, is to make sure that their gear fits them correctly. I can’t tell you how many times a pet comes into the building with a collar or harness that is not fitted properly. They try to slip out when their owner attempts to bring them into the building. That is a terrible way to start our experience. If your dog is nervous about coming in the first place, imagine how terrified they are going to be when they are separated from their human because their equipment has failed. Then out of panic the owners typically start yelling, screaming and chasing their dog because they’re petrified, they’re going to end up in the street. Which is a true concern. All of that can be avoided by simply making sure that their equipment fits properly. Occasionally, we’ve suggested to owners that they get a limited slip collar or a slip lead that tightens just for safety to get the dog into the building. It’s not something that you have to use all of the time and it’s not something that is going to choke your pet when used correctly. It simply eliminates the ability of them being able to back out of their collar or harness. If those options don’t work for you, we suggest coming inside and seeing us. We will assist in getting your dog in the building safely.

Check your emotions at the door

The best door to check those at, would be the one at home! Lol! If you remain calm, cool and collected your pet is going to e that everything is going to be OK! Our dogs are very good at reading our emotions. If we are nervous and displaying nervous or frantic behavior, our pets are going to pick up on that. I know this can be hard. Emotions are tricky and we love our dogs beyond measure. If anybody has children, they can relate that raising dogs and raising kids is very similar. Our dogs and our children both like routine and they look to us for reassurance.

Meet, Greet and Treat

We encourage owners to set up Meet, Greet and Treat sessions. When you’re a new client, whether it be a puppy or not, this can help tremendously. Creating positive association for the future, dropping them off not only with us, but at the vet! Rewarding them for walking in the building appropriately with their favorite treat is always helpful. You can read more about this type of session in my posts on Fear Free Socializing Part One and Two.

Keep It Short and Sweet

Occasionally, a client will walk in the door, they say “hi” to me and they hand me the leash. Then I start to walk away with the dog happily following. What started with a successful drop off is then broken off with “I need to give them one more kiss!” The dog has already disengaged from the owner and is connecting with me. Now, they’re torn. They don’t know what it is that they should be doing. They pause, the owner kisses and hugs them. The dog is left confused not knowing which person it’s supposed to go with. Other times, as the dog has disengaged from the owner and is walking with me, clients will start talking, saying their name or telling the dog to have a good day. That again, can be confusing to the dog. I will often watch dogs stop, pause and turn around to look at their owner for guidance. People have to realize and remember that our dogs look to us for commands and for direction in life. They’re not given a lot of choices. When they hear your voice, they’re automatically going to stop, look and listen because they don’t want to miss a cue.I, as your pets’ caretaker, try to stay in motion and make the disconnect very quick for your pet. It does not mean I’m trying to rush you. It does not mean that I don’t care about your concerns or feelings. I just have your pets’ best interest at heart and I know that a simple disengagement is going to be far easier on them emotionally. It will even be easier on you over time. You’re going to watch your dog build a trusting relationship with us. Eventually they will come into the shop and disengage very easily, with little to no concern for you being left behind. I always tell people, save the party for pick up! Make the pick-up from grooming the biggest reunion you could imagine so that they know that they did a good job and that you were OK when they were gone.

Keep in Motion

Sounds easy doesn’t it? I can’t tell you how many times I watch people fail at successfully dropping their dog off just by making a couple minor mistakes. If you haven’t noticed when you’re dropping your dog off, I am always trying to stay in motion. I will often take your dog from you and settle them out back first. Often people will come in and want to discuss something that is going on with their pet, a haircut description or even just catch up with me. Although I’d love to take the time to talk about all of those things, it’s better to do it when your pet is settled. It’s easier on your dog to disconnect once, not two or three times. Oftentimes, we will ask the owner to just walk with us. When you pause, your dog pauses. That’s what you’ve taught your dog to do. All these years of inadvertently training them. When you go on a walk, if you stop, your dog stops too, correct? If you get to the car and need to open the door, your dog stops with you. Why would it be any different when they’re walking into a building? You stop walking, your dog will too. Dogs don’t have the ability to reason. They can’t easily sit there and think “oh right mom is stopping because she’s going back out the door, to the car, to go to work. I’m going to the groomer.” If you just keep walking with them, hand them off and take one more step in our direction, the dog typically continues. Making the entire transition successful for all parties involved, the dog, the owner and the caretaker.

Success

We want to set your dog up for success. We also want to set the owners up for success. We don’t want you walking out the door worrying about your pet for the rest of your day wondering if they were OK. If you’re able to implement these few suggestions into your drop off, you may see how well your dog can acclimate to the transition! Making that first step of the day stress free!