04/07/2025
Let's understand Jane's emotional journey through her FURSt ever PURRfessional grooming apPAWntment.
In this FURSt photo (her "After" photo), she is relaxed & happy. Her eyes & mouth are loose & her ears are PURRked up a little with interest & engagement.
But look how she started. The second photo was taken at her check-in. Tight mouth, stiff body language, eyes more narrowed & piercing, stiff tail wag of uncertainty.
The third photo after she finished getting carded shows her still uncomFURtable. Tail wagging with nervousness because her ears are down, mouth still tight, & eyes drawn in moree of a concerned manner.
The fourth photo of her in the bath LOOKS like she's happy, but she was just starting to get a little more comFURtable, yet still panting a little from stress. Her eyes & ears are a little more relaxed & she laid down on her own. This photo was taken during her deep conditioning PURRocess after she got to relax for several minutes & have a break from the whole ordeal. So, really, this is showing her coming down from her anxiety.
Finally, this adorable photo of her getting ready to be dried. By this time, she was much more relaxed, but the Happy Hoodie added a new element of concern. Her mouth & eyes are squinted, yes, from the hoodie, but also in a "what the heck?" manner.
In order to make sure her session ended on a happy note to get the pleasant-looking girl you see in the FURSt photo, I kept the blow dryer on a lower setting, while treating & giving her lots of pets & verbal encouragement, helping it to not be as scary. When that was done, the praise & pets continued to help rebuild her confidence.
I kept her mom in the loop the whole time, being honest with her about Jane's unease as well as her relaxing. Without this transparency, many PAWrents often are left thinking their fur baby was "fine" & needs are never addressed.
Jane's mom was given some homework to help her feel better & more confident for her next apPAWntment, totally TAILored to her unique needs & reservations.
Want to learn more? Join me at Premiere Dog Sports this FURiday at 6p for the Pet PAWrent Canine Care Class, in coordination with Lancaster Community Education!