I am his last resort

[@susanjimnelson1916]

My dogs name is Max and he keeps popping his head up to see who’s calling him a good boy! 😂

[@rikih1442]

😂😂 that's funny!

[@theresilientspud]

😄😄😄😄

[@tamaralatson59]

That's hilarious😂😂😂

[@_V_G]

😂😂😂

[@isirlasplace91]

🥹🥹🥹

[@猫の仕事部屋]

As a human named Max watching this, it was equally satisfying seeing the dog get cleaned up and awkward getting called "good boy" every two seconds

[@ohiasdxfcghbljokasdjhnfvaw4ehr]

you're a good boy max

[@gailremp8389]

Thou doth protest too much….enjoy it..soak up the ‘good boys’….the way people snipe at each other these days - just because they think it is their right…you can remember all the ‘good boys’ with a smile and/or whatever ya want. Peace.

[@FischerNilsA]

Such a goood boy, max!

[@silverlining1468]

Good boy Max

[@beelzebub7221]

what a good boy, max!

[@brucemitchell5637]

Poor little guy is literally just shaking .😢 He really needed someone with your skill and patience to groom him. Thank you for taking him on Vanessa.

[@michaelraymon111]

Poor max shaking and crying right now

[@AllTheHappySquirrels]

His little quivering leg breaks my heart. I hope his owners can find a sensitive groomer who can help him work through his fear so he can be a happy, more confident pup.

[@xfairyberryx2]

Exactly seeing him freak out once despite it seeming like it's the groomers fault here they probably give up because its to much effort to figure out or fix what is wrong.

[@rociosilverroot2261]

​@eeeeeeeeeee2 And the tools. The Girl had him in a full straight jacket

[@3212009a]

I'm sure there are other groomers with the patients and skill, just not the time. Vanessa can spend a day grooming dog because she makes money via other means. If other groomers spent that much time they would go broke. It's not a skill or compassion issue.

[@chillbilly2517]

63 years old here never would I have thought watching someone groom a dog would be so de-stressing.

[@laurieabeyta6805]

I know! Right? I binge watch Vanessa’s groom sessions! 😊

[@AuntCathyPooh]

It really is soothing 🥰

[@JumentoInteligente]

But at the same time so rewarding and relaxing.

[@susanfrary6880]

Yes. Puts my brain rhythm right.

[@taniacummings9207]

Great end of the day video.

[@miss.scales7159]

Poor bubba just needs a gentle, patient groomer and a quiet, calm environment. Vanessa is truly a gem on this planet 💛

[@SirBarth]

I was thinking the same thing - Loud environment with a lot of puppers expressing their opinions, and Max here is all "Nope!"

[@krenwregget7667]

totally agree. He was just fine and didn't try to nip at her or anything. I'm sure if he came back he would get better and better.

[@trevaasarisi7124]

I was thinking the same thing. She's a gem and humble to boot.

[@NicolaiAAA]

Honestly that makes the most sense. Too many strange people chit-chatting and too many strange dogs barking or otherwise potentially being nervous/scared could have easily exacerbated his fear into something more pronounced. Heck, I could even seen grooming table placement as being an issue: some tables are just out in the open and there are other dogs on other tables - if you're already scared that's a lot to potentially look out for while people are messing about with you. But one confident person in a quiet environment with walls at your back is doable.

[@n.cboone7082]

So true💚

[@rottenroadkill3311]

I was expecting to see a much more reactive dog when you said they couldn't find a groomer that could finish the groom. This really shows how valuable a good groomer is. Thank you for what you do, truly amazing.

[@rottenroadkill3311]

And just how helpful those tools are! I love that you explain the tools and how you use them to help the dog get a finished groom!

[@Rebelled]

Or you know, it's all for show and this dog doesn't have issues and isn't reactive. The muzzle and the story could be clickbaiting.

[@sarahm.8958]

​@Rebelled not necessarily, every place I've tried to get my dog in for just a bath tells me no because I straight out tell them he is afraid of water. Fear can lead to aggression, so they don't risk it. The other groomers were most likely impatient and in a hurry as well which doesn't help either. My dog has never snapped at us during a bath but you just never know. He is a 2 person job at home and one if not both will end up taking a bath with him every time.

[@lerualnaej5917]

Well, it's also a matter of timing, like she says in the video. Because she has extra income from product sponsorships, ad revenue, and paypal, she can afford to spend longer on a dog if she films it. By filming it, she makes sure she'll get paid for her time. Groomers need to get paid for their time and work like everyone else, and a groomer that doesn't have hundreds of thousands of views on videos and an online merch store still needs to make sure they're getting paid and have time for their regular clients that keep the lights on.

[@CristinaF210]

and MAYBE there are groomers who dont feel like being nice and loving to the dog they groom, or patient, they just want them to behave like quiet dolls, just maybe that one too@@sarahm.8958

[@lilithhorrell]

i cant help but respect how you never talk badly about another groomer, and always find an explanation for what may have happened. you're a very kind person x

[@jeffhughes6167]

Vanessa is one of the best people on the face of the earth, she really cares deeply for ever critter she works with. Hope she achieves her dream of opening her own dog sanctuary, much love and respect from a aged/ old friend of dogs.

[@abbyandino273]

I love that about her too!

[@sassafrasstree7449]

Oh. Let's all make it happen. She would be beyond perfect for it to happen!!!!!!!!

[@Scaresgard]

She literally talked bad about another groomer when she did that big ass doodle???

[@mbrookshire918]

I will fight tooth and nail about Vanessa and the respect I have for her in the grooming industry. So many groomers were recently bashing her in a facebook page saying she talks down on groomers and clients but that is NOT TRUE at all! She is a wonderful person inside and out and I hope I can be in a position like her one day that can give free grooms to dogs in need as my every day job. She has a wonderful heart and it makes me so happy to see someone able to help animals the way she does.

[@TheoEclipse]

I think an important part of grooming your dog as well is using calm and reassuring speech while you're bathing them. Give them pats and comfort them, tell them it's okay while you're bathing and grooming them so they know they're safe. And especially reward them with praise when they behave.

[@lycanlilly239]

As a retired groomer, I truly felt this one. I had a Shih Tzu come in that was banned from all the area groomers due to his aggressive behavior. I was his last resort as well. The owners were actually planning on having him "put down" due to aggression. Not only did he allow me to groom him, but I also adopted him and he lived out his days happy and spoiled! He had quirks, but if the previous groomers had taken time to understand him, they would have been able to work on him. I truly respect you and applaud your understanding of the dogs that come to you.

[@tabithabex]

Aww you are amazing ! ❤

[@aoife0823]

That is very sweet. I’m glad you adopted him ❤️

[@shae686]

Love that you adopted him❤

[@mistywolfmulti2639]

@@thiskneegrow Dogs don't bite for no reason. It may be due to anxiety, overstimulation, trauma, etc. but there is always a reason. Most dogs that have bitten someone are able to be rehabilitated, and in many cases it is resolved by rehoming the dog to someone who can properly care for it, like the op. Just because a living being might require more work to take care of than other ones doesn't mean it deserves to die.

[@tiggragg2749]

Thank you for saving him..his previous owners were obviously selfish and had NO PATIENCE OR UNDERSTANDING OF DOGS

[@Dian2Gig]

The energy of the groomer is important in this case. She remains calm and positive. Hopefully this pup will see that.

[@mnirwin5112]

And she keeps praising him! I'm sure that helped.

[@AndySaenz]

Correct. If dogs see that the groomer is scared and insecure, they feed off of that. And that’s a problem.

[@high-bi-password]

She also has the tools she needs to make sure she's safe, so she knows she's very very unlikely to get hurt, and that allows her to move around him with both confidence and calm. In short, she makes herself feel safe and that makes him feel safe!

[@Kekira]

He's also in a calm environment without lots of terrified dogs

[@virginiasummer2619]

Maybe he needs to pee? Poor fellow- yo7 were very patient with him

[@ebellyfish4256]

Who else just wanted to give that pup a hug! He did so well even though he was obviously scared witless.

[@tablescissors]

I’ll leave it to the professional groomers.

[@queerjamie2608]

I was just thinking the same thing i would sit next to him give him a hug and more pets but i guess if you have a job to do i guess its a time thing but also the longer it goes on some animals end up more stressed

[@noah-483]

A hug! But only if Max wanted one

[@queenswillrule]

@@noah-483 A very important difference.

[@MsMagpie56]

I wanted to give him a hug and a Treat too, because he was such a good boy!

[@TheJoan48]

It won't be the last time you see Max. His parents love you like a family member now. He was utterly transformed. I was afraid for you, honestly. His face looked so terrible. I'm grateful he turned out so well. Thanks from Max.

[@Vousie]

Yeah, I was wondering... Two hours is a very long drive just to groom a dog but, if other groomers can't do it, then perhaps it's worth it. Certainly better than having to do it with anaesthesia...

[@caboose9339]

I think the reason he was "ungroomable" was for exactly the reasons you listed that you love having the backing you do; Max required a lot of attention, time, and resources that most groomers don't have to spare. Max has some special needs but hopefully his owners can find the right fit closer to home!

[@tablescissors]

Groomers often have multiple dogs too, lots of barking, very loud. Sometimes music too. It’s an intimidating environment. Here everything is quiet.

[@fwizzybee42]

That was also a pretty dramatic reaction to having his face dried. Her call not to get his face too wet was probably a big difference as well.

[@boromirofmiddleearth557]

😊❤

[@septicember]

@@fwizzybee42 it made me wonder if he had sensitive ears, like the noise was too much or the wind in his ears just REALLY bothered him? idk shit about dogs, but it didn't seem like he was attacking the equipment so much as responding to when the wind went under his ears if that makes sense? idk tell me if i'm crazy ;u;

[@antiquegirl6505]

​@@septicemberThere are some dogs that seem very sensitive to the noise of blow dryers. There are low velocity dryers that can be aimed at a cage, for drying, but it does take much longer to get the dogs dry that way. I have a goofy Aussiedoodle that actually likes the blow dryer😂, but our groomer says she is a unicorn among dogs.

[@n.trs1788]

As someone with an anxious schnauzer, I 100% believe it’s a situation where the environment was loud (dogs barking, crying etc) and a groomer trying to get them done as soon as possible for various reasons is what causes this reaction. Thank you for your patience and for the upload! Keep up the good work!

[@ruthfischer4177]

😮can vet give him a calm pill

[@ruthfischer4177]

Owners need to brush

[@LydiaTarine12]

I definitely agree. As a human that can be overwhelmed by people and lots of noise, we must remember that the environment she works in is much less chaotic and overwhelming than the average groomer's and that can do wonders for a highly sensitive dog.

[@GreenWormJello]

Yeah I suspect the fact that there were no other dogs and the quiet environment is what made him so tolerant. My nana had cocker spaniel and poodles and dogs that had those two breeds mixed in and territorial insecurity was a huge problem, and they were always recommended to be in single pet only households.

[@diannnoeora]

I’m so glad you told us how his owners reacted. It’s pretty awesome you were able to finish the groom. I hope the owners are able to find a groomer that can be patient with him and has a quiet environment to groom him in. He looked so much better when you were done. Thank you for all you do!

[@earthwormandruw]

I blame the groomers for why Max is terrible with the owners. (edited for typos)

[@morningglory.2]

@@earthwormandruw Didn’t she explain that is was the stress of a loud environment? Anxiety in dogs can be improved but not always fixed, it’s better to just accommodate. You don’t know the owners or dog and have never seen them in person or seen the environment that caused the stress in the first place, so I don’t know why you wouldn’t take the word of the groomer. I mean dog owners can absolutely be lazy and lenient but idk if that’s the case here.

[@detodosmoles]

​@@earthwormandruwdo you think you could groom him?

[@revilusionpasserotto5217]

I hope they can find a mobile groomer that can come to them. Maybe he'd be more relaxed in a more familiar environment & away from the noise of stranger dogs.

[@floridagoods]

I think you hit the nail on the head. The other groomers were trying to rush him and make him nervous.

[@luizafonseca_]

Sweet boy! He just needed someone with patience ❤

[@bethjeans3780]

Not to discount your incredible skill and ability to “see” who the dog is, like you said, being the only dog in a quieter setting can make a big difference. Plus the bell shaped curve is alive and well in every field. Many groomers have minimal training and don’t deeply understand animals. Similarly though different, when we switched vets for our cats to a “just cats” clinic, built with windows in exam rooms, long appointment times to go at the cats’ pace, and talking kept to a fairly low volume, they’ve done and did so much better than at a regular vet clinic.

[@smrodan]

I've never heard of such a thing it sounds wonderful though! I've heard of cats that get so incredibly nervous at the vets that they need to be sedated just for examination like they're large zoo animals! To think that taking this approach, which doesn't sound all that difficult to implement to be honest, would make that much of a difference is really eye opening! I hope this idea takes root all over.

[@lumia57]

We have a Cat only surgery facing our amazing Cancer Hospital in Manchester UK The Christie thanks to my Son and Daughter insisting on me seeing my doctor two months later I'm cancer free can't believe I have beat it.. So I'm here to watch Vanessa grooming amazing Dog's Cat's and other Animals 💜🙏💜

[@gb1reinwald]

i went to my cat's vet alone to pick up some meds for my fluffy furball. I witnessed dogs coming in, other dogs coming in, they started a barking duel and within 2 minutes the vet was in the waiting room, leading one group of dogs plus their owners to a separate, empty room to split the dogs up. Her only comment to that was, "We cannot have that here. Otherwise the cats will be untreatable." The ones in the separate room were seen just in order, they were not preferred, they had to wait their turn. But I loved the vet's understanding of animal needs and her stepping up to solve the situation so quickly!

[@jesusbeloved3953]

I’ve had the same response in my cats and dogs. My vet sees both, but his appointments are as long as the animal needs and he has one exam room, so there’s no one else waiting to upset or create havoc with each other. Also, his prices are a good deal less than the other vet I saw. (Who also padded my bill with things they didn’t need and I never asked for. But that’s a different story…….)

[@haleyselene]

My mom once tried to take my childhood cat to the cat clinic in my hometown and... it went very poorly. She could tolerate dogs but HATED other cats. She went full murder mode. 😅

[@grimmscuriosities9411]

I just realized, what a beautiful tool this can be to any groomer that works with him in the future. Instead of starting from scratch, they have this video to watch, to get a feel for his personality.

[@Susie-sg1126]

I was thinking the same thing

[@heidibaltom8138]

Thats a great idea. I never thought of that

[@kphk3428]

Well if I were the owner I would come back to her, now that she's done all the work and established trust 😅

[@Auntiehoney217]

I think it's important with a dog that's difficult to get him in with a groomer who has special hours with no other dogs there. My groomer does have 1 day a week set aside for more difficult dogs.

[@nancyk3615]

Well worth the 2 hr. drive ❤🎉

[@ibe966]

You're patient, and you don't try to force things upon him. With that, I guess it all comes down to the fact that Max trusted you. You're a talented groomer.

[@dustyboialex]

or at least WANTED to trust her

[@aircando]

Took the words right out of my mouth!

[@pug9160]

My own Macs is the same. If you are gentle with him and give him time to suss out what's going on, or give him warning, he is totally chill. A calm and gentle hand goes a long way

[@BrighteyezCat]

You can tell he likes you - every time you are approaching him he wags his tail. He wants to be a good boy, and he tried his very best. Thank you for taking him, being so patient and kind, and for helping Max and his owners figure out the triggers! 💙🐾💜

[@barnabascollins4625]

I think your voice is calming to Max and the fact that there aren’t other dogs barking in your shop helps a lot

[@littlebear274]

Yeah he was so scared that I think it must be the environment the other groomers work in setting him off, which isn't really their fault - they don't have the secondary income source that Vanessa does to be able to dedicate all afternoon to a single dog and they likely work in the same area as other groomers as well. Not returning calls and explaining the issue to the owners so they know what to warn other groomers about isn't super professional though.

[@Alien_cat_taco]

Agreed one reason I haven’t taken mine to groomers 1. Dogs barking when they aren’t used to it can stress a dog out 2 most groomers are not patient

[@oakdream]

The idea that he might be a lot more stressed in loud environments, like grooming parlors often are, seems likely. My labradoodle is also a pandemic puppy who sadly didn't get a lot of socialization opportunities, so the loud room with other crying dogs made her think I had taken her to a torture dungeon. Now I just book my older poodle with her at the same time and she is way better than her one alone visit since she sees the dog she knows not giving a fluff the whole time.

[@Wildcatt79]

Oh, that poor sweet boy, he's so scared. Honestly, for so much he was doing so well. Letting you touch his paws, his tail, all that. Your patience, calm, and kindness were just what he needed.

[@VelvetGlove327]

Your calm and patience is a great example, Vanessa, of how dogs respond to our own behavior. Great video to have shared!!

[@rhondah.1478]

What I love about Vanessa is that she is willing to take the time to figure out how to best help the pet and figure out their triggers so that they can be groomed like any other pet. She doesn't give up on them.

[@theshanamaster]

Growing up, ive come to realize a lot of people don't have good patience or under standing for remotely anything, just doing "just enough" to get the job done, really saddens me(anger really) but when you find someone like this, you start to question if people are truly qualified as humans, not workers.

[@Dojan5]

My groomer is like this and I'm so sad we're moving. We'll both miss her lots and lots. When I got my dog he was really tough to groom, but over the years he's gotten so much better, and she's definitely a huge part in that. Hats off to all fantastic groomers like Vanessa.

[@savantianprince]

Vanessa knows her job well and to help owners understand what triggers dogs

[@margessw]

​@@theshanamasterI couldn't have said better !!! There's a french saying that says : "the more I know (meaning "understand" I guess) animals, the less I love humans..."

[@vivianarojas40]

"We're not gonna let you win today otherwise you're going to think you can always win." Literally the horsegirl motto. It's nice to know there are groomers like you who are knowledgeable and patient with their clients.

[@CableAnna]

I have this with my stubborn shih tzu all the time and what I tell her is "sorry but we don't have a choice". My mom is too soft on her and my dog definitely tests her boundaries with me because I don't let her get her way. But in the end I'm "the boss" 😆

[@lacountess]

Applies to children too. If you don’t show them early on mom’s the boss, they’ll take advantage of you later when they grow up. Funny I know this since I’m not even a mom. 😂

[@DawnOldham]

I'm wondering if it would be a kindness to take him to a place that offers some sedation so that all of this emotional trauma stops. I watch Rocky Kanaka's channel (sitting with dogs) and the rescue he works with will sedate cases like this (and cases that are much, much worse.) Of course, maybe all this dog needs is a groomer who comes to the home, so there's no stress from barking dogs. Idk!

[@oldageisdumb]

@@DawnOldhamThe problem with sedation is that it’s a bandaid to the problem. You are pumping drugs into a dog every 6 weeks or so. It may be rougher on the dog, at first, to learn to deal with it but it’s kinder and healthier in the long run to have them overcome their fears. Rescue situations are a little different because they don’t know the dogs and also because a lot of them are coming from neglect situations and their coats are in horrific conditions. It makes sense in that situation because grooming a neglected coat is often very painful and too much for them to endure

[@madsulrik5rs]

Except groomers are there to help the animals. People who train horses completely break down a wild animal, sometimes with violence, only to train them to do what humans want. Completely beyond me how you can take advantage of such gentle giants. They belong in the wild, not in fenced areas with humans on their backs. Im not vegan or anything, but i know animal abuse when i see it and this “motto” absolutely disgusts me.

[@aliyahstinard3038]

The fact that he almost had no agression towards you shows how great you were with him. Well done Vanessa! Love your vids :)

[@nardalis4832]

I think that 'aggression' was either the groomer being too hard with him, or he just uncertain, nervous and scared. Seemed relatively normal. I'd freak out too lol

[@dedasdude]

dude is literally trembling here lol. he is freaking out. but she took it slow so he got used to it.

[@jmreful]

Except for the wall crawling at the end 😆

[@sashaferry3369]

i was just going to say how he is so nice with her becuase she is so great i bet !

[@morganmcpherson6789]

@RepentandbelieveinJesusChristma’am this is a Wendy’s

[@tinaranson6172]

He looks so adorable after you groom! ❤

[@danaeroberts684]

I am am educational psychologist and think you provided him with calm and loving environment to accomplish his grooming. That, along with your confidence, awareness of his sensitive areas and constant “good boy” rewards worked! You are not only an excellent groomer you are a dog psychologist!

[@lilmsmunchkin84]

Except for the whole “you need to show the dog who’s boss from the beginning” actual animal behaviourists (not one’s like Cesar Milan) teach and recommend that approach is detrimental to the animal

[@susansullivan8566]

​@@lilmsmunchkin84she actually did show her who is boss by not quitting. These dogs act out because they want you to go away and not do something they don't like. Once she realized this is behavior will not make you stop. Showing them who is boss does not need to be violent and punatative, just consistent and persistent.

[@Liloriana]

@@lilmsmunchkin84Actually, the complete opposite. They teach you that asserting dominance is key when training dogs.

[@StormTheSquid]

​@@LilorianaIncorrect, the study that determined that was more or less complete BS. It had more in common with a study on how prison gangs form than with anything even remotely resembling a normal and healthy relationship between dogs/wolves, pack mates, and/or dog owners.

[@StormTheSquid]

​@@susansullivan8566This however is valid.

[@michelebrowne418]

Vanessa, you are a true miracle worker. I think the way you talk to problem dogs in such a calm and reassuring way never showing fear or frustration, giving the dog time to process what is going on and adjust is just so special. Max seemed to have calmed down so much toward the end of the groom. All except for those scissors! The owners are going to have to have regular scissor training with treats!

[@pollydoughty3779]

She was so good to him……. I have seen her with a variety of dogs and I am wondering if a psychologist would help him…….again she was wonderful……❤️❤️

[@NickRoman]

I noticed from other videos that it is also a good idea to let the dog sniff the water nozzle or really anything that you're using on the dog. It seems like she should do a little more of that so that it does not startle them and they have a little bit more comfort with the item having gotten a good "look" at it (in dog terms).

[@maramakesjournals2319]

Oh, Vanessa, you are sooo nice! Max finally got a good haircut. (I know that feeling) And the owners are special people. I imagined Max being cuddled by them after his stressful day. Dang, I wanted to hug and cuddle him. We all just want to be loved. 💕

[@xpyr]

@@NickRomanShe does actually let the dog sniff the water nozzle. Perhaps she just didn't show it in the video.

[@parryyotter]

I am glad Vanessa touched on the fact that she is _able_ to dedicate the time to dogs who need a lot of time and attention. She has that privilege that other groomers who don’t have the luxury of picking and choosing the dogs they work on and how many in a day, don’t have. I think it’s important to keep in mind and be gracious about-she has the ability to go this slow and be this patient and take her time. Groomers who don’t have a large social media following and have to charge for their grooming sessions and have to see a certain number of animals per day, don’t have that ability.

[@howardtowler6146]

Seeing that he was stressed. It looks to me that he was well behaved and you did a wonderful job

[@amylieber3988]

My daughter is a dog groomer as well. I honestly think why you had such great success with Max was your calm and patient nature with him. That goes a long way with fear aggressive dogs. In the meantime the owner needs to be brushing his face and body and working with him too so the grooms will be less stressful for him. Unfortunately there are a lot of groomers who use aggression towards the dogs they groom. My daughter has ran into this in shops she's worked in. That's why she went on her own. She's calm and patient like you are. She grooms alot of supposedly ungroomable dogs and has great success. Loved your videos

[@kconway2263]

I’d say brush or comb him a little each night while sitting on the couch or on the floor and have some pets after. That might help desensitize him and teach him to associate grooming with positive things. I wonder if he had a bad experience at the first groomers that made his fearfulness worse.

[@Fledhyris]

I was wondering why he was so scared and this would explain a lot! Shouting at a scared dog is never going to produce good results. I don't understand why people like that would go into the pet industry. Key to working with any animal is to be calm, confident and in control. Bless Girl With the Dogs, and your daughter!

[@wngbjngwwgk]

Put it down

[@mace3503]

​@@wngbjngwwgkwhy would you say that about yourself??

[@TT-kg3li]

You were calm so Max was calm. You definitely operate in your vibe and the animals are safe and they know it.

[@dissipatedfog]

I had a cockapoo growing up and she was so smart! My favorite thing she used to do was when we would tell her to stop staring at us when we were eating, she would find a reflective surface and watch us like that. At that point you couldn’t even be mad at her.

[@halolighta]

I would have cackled so hard everytime she did that

[@Dell-ol6hb]

they're really too smart for us sometimes lmaoo

[@angelasobers4962]

Max is a cutie! Thank you for taking your time with him. He looks like a new doggie! GOOD BOY MAX!! ❤💗🤩

[@vicroc4]

They really are too smart for their own good sometimes. XD

[@TreneeR]

Wow😂😂😂😂

[@OrchidsisterXO]

We have a rescue and unfortunately he was absused before we got him. Baths were a bit sketchy but we started with a soft muzzle and lots of praise. Took the muzzle off halfway through, still with lots of praise and treats before and after. Now he loves his spa days❤ Sometimes all it takes is lots of love, compassion, patience and praise. Love how amazing you are with all your furry clients and how informative you are while you do it.

[@chevaneselewin221]

At least YOU the OWNER did the work.

[@TanyaQueen182]

my adult daughter's dog needs weekly medicated baths due to a skin allergy. For a while it was a literal wrestling match. Then my daughter came up with a good idea. She took the peanut butter to the bathroom and smeared a bunch of it all over the back wall of the shower. That way he would get all the way in the shower, and was too occupied with the peanut butter, that he didn't even notice when she started bathing him. He still doesn't love it and he's 8 now, but my daughter still wrestles him into the bath once a week because she loves him like her own child.

[@morganalori]

@@TanyaQueen182 I had a large dog that wanted to hop out of the tub. I started sticking a greenie in my back pocket, she even started hopping into the tub for me, knowing what I had, even though she 'suffered' the bath. Lots of sighs and leaning and looks 'are we done yet?" but no more fight to keep her in. its great when we have the motivation key.

[@debraimmer260]

I like that you keep reassuring Max, teaching him that he doesn’t have to fear

[@JL11775]

Aw that’s so sweet the owners almost cried because you were able to finish the groom. Your patience and care with him was wonderful!

[@earthwormandruw]

Too bad the owners haven't done a better job with their dog so he wouldn't fear grooming in the first place though.

[@EmmaVB82]

@@earthwormandruwI don’t think that’s a very fair or kind comment, especially given they’ve driven 2 hrs for this groom in particular, and obviously care about their pet!

[@earthwormandruw]

@@EmmaVB82 If they trained their dog from a puppy (if they had him from a puppy that is) to be able to handle various activities such as grooming (like girlwiththedogs mentions in this video) than this wouldn't even be an issue. And if they haven't had him since a puppy then they could use slow, gentle, exposure therapy to acclimate him to the conditions of a groomer, unless they have been trying for 6 months consistently every day to train this behavior out of him then they have no one to blame but themselves.

[@hellogoodbyeandallinbetween]

@@earthwormandruw But you don't know what they have done, so you can't really say

[@earthwormandruw]

@@hellogoodbyeandallinbetween Sounds like that haven't done anything considering his behavior, other than expect the groomer to be responsible for their dog's behavior.

[@This-isGirl]

I thought Max would jump and create a ruckus when you did his face but he was an absolute darling. Vanessa I believe it's your aura and voice that calm skittish dogs. You're an angel for these "ungroomable" babies. Dogs know.

[@parryyotter]

She’s also able to go slow and have no other animals in her shop making noise. I’m sure other groomers could do the same if they had the ability to pick and choose the dogs they take so definitively.

[@taxpayer1040]

Nine out of ten for Max and eleven out of ten for Vanessa!! He seemed so happy and confident. My late mother used to keep Basset hounds and always said as you have that they are happier when they clearly know who is the boss. They gain seemingly confidence from this.

[@jeno264]

Yes! So true! 💖

[@high-bi-password]

I definitely wouldn't call a dog that was shaking in fear and crying as much as he was "confident"

[@sophieirwin3497]

I would agree that dogs behave better with people who are the boss. My German Shepard was a lot better with people who weren’t scared of him, and he thought they’d come to the house to play with him. He was a massive baby with the vets…. Until treats were mentioned then they were his best friends 😂

[@SecondFloor2311]

@@high-bi-password relative confidence let's say, and I'm pretty sure OP meant after the grooming - being content, feeling better, feeling clean... not during the groom of course

[@kimberlyseelos4767]

I have 2 cocker mixes they are so sweet but can get stressed if I groom them...the groomers I've found have lots of experience so they have never had an issue, I think my dogs are happier when they're clean cuz they get more lap time.❤

[@VerdantBBX]

20:11 OMG look how cute this dog is! Complete transformation after the face! His eyes lit up!

[@TheBriarPatch]

I had a cocker-poo when I was a teen. One of THE best dogs I've had. He was so well behaved, and I never knew they were problem breeds until seeing this video. Surprise, I guess I was lucky.

[@gemtail3125]

@@JustForYourFYI55 your dogs must have inherited the poodle temperament lol. But if they come from lines that were responsibly bred, that helps too. Sadly, designer breeds are commonly backyard bred which leaves room for irresponsibly bred dogs to be put out there in the world and become a problem.

[@rapids444]

My Cockapoo I got from a rescue & he's the best boy. My groomer says he's good for her so I was surprised to hear that too. 🤷‍♀️

[@slbarbieri1725]

My English Cocker was aggressive so you are very lucky. They are not fun to deal with when they are mean.

[@MeadowsMiniFarm]

Nope my sister has the same exact mutt breed of dog. And she’s a hellion. Hates being groomed, and right after she’ll get filthy. One of the most stubborn dogs ever

[@blip-2024]

Maybe a few years ago, they were not so over bred? Cocker's used to be considered a wonderful family pet.

[@jennifersarahparker]

The salient difference between you and the other groomers is that you are patient, highly experienced, tenacious and can control your environment. Max had the best experience possible and his owners must be so grateful. I've learned so much from your channel. I have a dog and a cat. I've never had issues with my dog but I'm a fairly novice cat owner and I can honestly say that I'm successfully caring for my adopted Ragdoll cat 's damaged coat due to you. Thank you.

[@kathrynthomas6390]

I honestly think it helps that she can afford to not worry about getting a paycheck from her clients! The stress of being to be paid for the grooming, over the content, makes it harder to groom, because then your goal is more about the owners opinions about the grooming, in limited time frames. But her love of animals really comes through without that need and time pressure!

[@Kasey113]

@@kathrynthomas6390 She comments on this around the 8:30 mark... the knowledge that another dog is going to come in after the difficult one adds an element of stress as well as makes it impossible to go as slowly as a frightened dog might need. Poor Max looks so terrified during the bath....

[@shimmerngspirit]

I was at a box store and saw a groomer hit the dog they were working on. I went full blown Karen. Her patience with these animals makes all the difference in how they react to her.

[@kathrynthomas6390]

@@Kasey113 yeah. I almost came back to say, never mind, I needed to watch the rest of the video. Still, she's darned good at what she does and super helpful to the dogs. Hopefully this owner can find someone. Or learn to do their own grooming...

[@Taysel9821]

Controlling the environment is a HUGE part of these dogs! A salon like where I work where there’s 15-20 dogs in at a time and it’s crazy loud is horrible. I wish people would understand that not every salon is a good fit for their dog :(

[@gatyunla]

poor pup. he looked super nervous about everything, but he was such a brave boy to let you get through it anyway! I hope for his sake that all the kindness and patience you showed him and the tips you worked out will help him become more able to accept grooming in the future. also, his face looked so much better post-groom! I'm not even a dog person exactly (more familiar with cats and their body language), but I'm definitely going to check out more of your videos. I've always got tons of respect for people who are patient with animals and try to work out their issues instead of forcing them to be okay with things.

[@jerseattle0722]

Lol I’m a cat person too but love dogs on vids. Just prefer cats in real life

[@tomd5017]

poor dog how dare you touch him. I felt bad at the eind

[@casedistorted]

I sorry you not a dog person :(

[@susanford2388]

You ooze love towards the precious dogs, they know they are in good hands with you. It is very therapeutic watching the dogs' transformation.

[@geekmastermind]

While they can be very sweet, I have yet in my life to meet a cocker spaniel who isn't completely neurotic. Poor Max, bless his heart.

[@Picometer1]

We have 2. One is really smart, good a searching, learns quick and didn't seem afraid of anything. And then there is the other one who is an idiot. But a very cuddly idiot. The smart one is the mum of the idiot 🤷🏼‍♀️ Edit: just to add. Would not call any of them neurotic, but the idiot one is hyper. And yes they are protective of our family, but they are also socialised to handle other dogs and people. Generally haven't seen a problem with the breed, but might be because I'm from Denmark so it didn't go that far here 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@apathybronson]

That's explains why I rarely see them these days even though everybody seemed to have one when I was little

[@charlestonscnative9083]

​@@apathybronsonYes the breed was really over red a few decades ago. Breeders trying to make a buck and not keep to breed standard. Sad what humans do to some breeds.

[@rebeccahicks2392]

Two former neighbors both had either a cocker spaniel or a mix of one. In both cases, the dog was very attached to her owner, but a neurotic mess around anyone else. One responded to other people with fear, but eventually became friends with my dog, while the other was the most aggressive dog I've ever been around, and would repeatedly get loose and try to attack my pitbull. (And I know pitbulls usually don't put up with shit from other dogs, and can be aggressive to dogs even though they're friendly to humans, but my dog is very gentle with small dogs and we'd just run away.)

[@stellangios]

@@charlestonscnative9083 That makes sense. My dad had a great one when he was a kid, but I recently met one who was nuts. Super possessive of the owner, tries to attack everyone he sees even a block away on the walk. Poor handling from a weak/shouty owner after a bad upbringing (mostly ignored, not socialized or even fed and watered consistently) probably has a lot to do with it for that one. But even considering...totally out of control dog. Owner grooms him b/c there's zero chance he'd make it thro a pro groom. So the poor thing can't even hardly see half the time.

[@courtneyhaverman317]

He’s been a good boy the entire time, makes me think the other groomers just didn’t understand how much extra time he needed. The other groomers just didn’t want to do him. You did a great job on Max. Such a happy boy.

[@KnineFitness]

I agree, other groomers could have been mean to him

[@lovejoy71422]

That's the problem, when you're not there you don't know what's going on. It's a scary situation to drop your dog off at a new groomer. You never know if they'll get hurt while being groomed. I've had mine come back with nails bleeding and cuts. And I know it's the groomer fault because, I've never had any complaints from other groomers. They book too many dogs out at once and don't take their time. It's very stressful situation for most dogs being groomed and after watching these videos I can see why. It's very sad if there's someone grooming who doesn't care or take their time. It will literally traumatize the dog.

[@arthas640]

makes sense. My dog gets stressed out by loud blowing motors like vacuums and hair dryers (she's weirdly fine with chainsaws, log splitters, and heavy equipment though) and so the last time i took her to a groomer they just hosed her down and that was it. I think they were just not taking the time though because they also didnt brush her (still charged me for it) and her nails were more snapped off then cut off. My stepmom groomed and I've groomed her without problems though so after a couple other bad experiences I just quit bothering with groomers.

[@callyfoot]

other groomers dont exactly have the luxery of doing the one on one thing she does. its stll a buissness i imagine she mannages to make extra from the youtube its not always there fault

[@courtneyhaverman317]

@@callyfoot I absolutely agree, my comment was only meant to shed light on how some dogs are just more broken and scared and need the extra time.

[@GuantanamoBayBarbie3]

I jumped when Max yipped, it scared me! He did not like those clippers getting too close to his plumbing. Vanessa, you're the epitome of an angel to animals and their humans. Thank you for being such a blessing. Thank you for teaching all of us. We've learned so much! ❤️ ❤ ❤

[@serahloeffelroberts9901]

If some stranger waved a pair of sharp scissors near my face I might yip too. All things considered Max behaved better than expected which I attribute to his groomer who was able to exert a calming influence over him.

[@alexisgrunden1556]

You bring a cutting implement of any kind near anyone's bits and they'll usually freak out a little, too~😅

[@timdunk7278]

Delightful!

[@MrKmd511]

I bet that would be universal in males of every species.

[@Elizabeth-rq1vi]

@@MrKmd511and females!

[@KaticornFeegle]

You're so good with all of the babies! And you know your craft - you are very good at reading their body language! Well done!

[@kiltlvr]

It’s crazy to feel so emotional as I watch this little guy transform under your gentle, firm touch.

[@joancook8454]

Not crazy, i was in tears watching.

[@glen4075]

Same, ❤

[@tianamarie989]

As the daughter of a groomer, a lot of times groomers are to blame for poor behaviors. I can't tell you how many would show up with their dog muzzled because of other groomer reports of poor behavior, only to leave unmuzzled and playing in the groom room with my dad. Great job Vanessa ❤

[@seamarie3111]

Exactly! Dogs just KNOW sometimes. If you're mean/impatiant/too foreceful with a dog, some will give what they get when pushed too far, and some just have lower limits than others. Some groomers do NOT have the patience or personality to be working with dogs. Our family had a litter of poodle puppies last fall, and this spring when we went to get two puppies groomed before they went to their new home, they both threw a FIT when we took them in the groomer, which is not our regular groomer since they were booked? Have you ever heard a puppy shriek in terror? Neither had I until that day. They put them in this stupid little pen they stuck their heads through the bars in terror and very nearly hurt themselves. Even when they moved them they were still hysterical! One groomer was also very rude and said something about the faster we got out the faster they'd stop putting up a racket. Not those exact harsh words, but something similar witha condescending tone. Um lady, we've been getting poodles groomed for almost 15 years, thank you! Should have noped the heck right out of there but didn't. We weren't gone for 5 minutes before they called for us to come get them. My God, I just remember scooping up one of the puppies, a 25 pound darling baby girl, the fiercest of all her siblings, who was just so scared ... her brother, who's always been the more sensitive, even more so. It was aweful, and I wish we'd not left them there for a SECOND! We took them to the dog wash at Tractor Supply instead a few days later. They did great getting their baths, no major fuss! Fortunately their new poodle mama is a very good hair dresser so is learning how to groom them herself if need be. She gave them hair cuts, and by all accounts they did well! We took their brother and sister, who we kept, to our usual groomer the next day. Note: Because of their number, we had the dogs appointments split between groomers due to our first choice and 2nd choice being booked. We could barely squeeze our two in and took them because we didn't want the other two having another freak-out. We were afraid of how they would act, after that fiasco the day previous, but they were angels and did great! We dropped them off for a groom this morning at our usual groomer with their dad and honorary grandpa/uncle poodle, and they went back faster than the old-timeers! Moral of the story: LISTEN to your dogs, people! They know more than we do sometimes!

[@christieabarrett3219]

I had a groomer kick my sheltie in the ribs when she got away from them. She had massive swelling on her side that necessitated a vet visit.

[@monicarothbeck7393]

Me personally as a Certified Profesional Pet Groomer I would not clip him that close to the skin. A little longer would not made much of a difference,unless the owner requested it. It's very hard when they move so much. I love all dogs so I try to work with even the aggressive ones. Have done dog rescues so I see so many different temperaments and each one has a different story. Sometimes some groomers are not patient with the dogs the way I am so it makes a bad experience for the dog and another Groomer.

[@brandiwyne]

I was gonna say the same thing. Usually not being patient during their first groom and explaining to parents that a cut may not happen on the first groom and it may take more than a few visits to get comfortable enough not to react

[@brandiwyne]

​@@christieabarrett3219😮 omg I'm so sorry... I'm always embarrassed as a groomer to hear about groomers like that.. I wish I could say those are far and few between but.. I've worked in a shop in my home town where all of the other 3 groomers would abuse dogs and think it's okay... I felt embarrassed and disgusted and when I spoke up about it I got ganged up on and bullied to the point I broke down and stormed out of the shop... Shop owner tried to grab me and stop me from leaving. Even threatened me saying if I reported her that she would ruin my reputation. I should have but the shop fortunately closed down less than a year later. Sadly those groomers will probably never change...

[@cmtippens9209]

I think Max's "grooming timer" was up, then you went back in for a touch-up and so he snapped at the scissors. He seems to just need a few quiet sessions with a groomer that's calm and careful, yet firm & determined, like you, to train him and ease his fears about grooming. Another job well done. 👏🏻

[@baby.cainxo]

Agreed. He was such a good boy he was just over it at the end 😅 everyone's patience runs thin when we're put in stressful situations

[@NatashaOchs]

I agree! Max’s family needs to brush him at home with positive rewards, starting with short sessions and then increasing. My Australian Labradoodle would act a lot like Max if I had not worked with him on grooming and trimming at home. My dog has over-sensory issues from noise and smell. No amount of “asserting dominance” would fix his mindset… think Autistic Child. Aggression of any kind would make the situation worse. He does so much better with a groomer who has a calm demeanor, who is not trying to hurry through 10 dogs, and a less noisy environment.

[@samcrorie]

He definitely looked very happy afterward. I think he felt much better and maybe realized you were trying to help him. It's a guess. Who knows what goes on in his little head. He's adorable ❤

[@j.patoledesigns4421]

Thank you so much for all your videos! I wish I had this resource 10 years ago. I have a rescue poodle/schnauzer mix, and we were fired by so many groomers. I finally ordered the tools and taught myself how to do his hair. He doesn't always look amazing lmao but he let's me do it without all the stress he used to go through...I call that a win!

[@serahloeffelroberts9901]

Thank you for not giving up on your dog.

[@sandrafaith]

100% a win!

[@ZAMSKY1000]

My sister and brother in-law learned how to groom their 2 Cockapoos. They were getting nervous at the groomer.

[@allister.trudel]

aw that's great! You're an amazing pet owner

[@rebecca-rosesantamaria254]

My heart broke watching that poor baby shaking in fear, but he was so good. He looked so gorgeous at the end and I’m not surprised his owner/s cried because I nearly did too. My first thought was that it must be the noise, other dogs and general business of other groomers that sets him off and he just needs a quite environment, I hope his owner/s can find him the right groomer to fit his needs in their area. He did so good but of course he also was in the hands of an amazing groomer.

[@bobbydazzler6990]

You cried after watching a dog get a haircut??? You should ask your doctor to adjust your meds. 💊 💊 💊

[@wonkybeans]

​@@bobbydazzler6990 🤡

[@thaegan]

​@@bobbydazzler6990the word "nearly" is right there. looks like you might need a doc to look at your eyes :(

[@sassafrasstree7449]

​@@bobbydazzler6990 you are....:( why are you watching this channel?

[@janetjeffcoat2197]

why is that a problem? @@bobbydazzler6990

[@mdoreneb5315]

Your calmness is what the dog feels. Your firmness is also teaching the dog that you are in charge and not the dog. It is fun to watch you with animals that others have given up on.

[@susanterry9574]

You are a miracle worker! Dogs that are labeled aggressive come to you and you manage to calm their fears! You have such a gentle voice. You sooth them.

[@JodiHamilton]

I had a cockatoo growing up, he was a sweetie. He looked a lot like Max. My mom gave him his haircuts. After it was over we all had to exclaim how good he looked, how handsome, because he would get very sad, with his tail between his legs. But once we made a big deal, he perked right up.

[@mariahgrimes207]

😂 that’s so sweet!

[@lesliesteele3926]

Isn't the prance hilarious? It's the look at me, I'm so pretty (or handsome for your boy). That's the poodle side doing show dog dances.

[@LathropLdST]

Cockapoo. Cockatoo is a bird ..

[@silkvelvet2616]

@@LathropLdST it's called auto-corrupt, try rolling with it, the corruptions can be hilarious.

[@JodiHamilton]

@@LathropLdST On that was definitely autocorrect.

[@ravenmouse2385]

Max seemed so shy and scared at first! He's only 2 years old so hopefully he can gain some confidence and learn to tolerate grooming!

[@jaydunbar7538]

Of course he can, but at “only 2” it’s going to be much more difficult as socializing should be a focus while a puppy as they are far more open to it and usually enjoy it.

[@katherinerinck3722]

What you've chosen to do with your success on social media says a lot about your character and who you are as a person. Your dedication to these animals and their families is such a beautiful thing. I love that you don't charge anymore and that you've chosen to really dedicate your time and efforts helping animals that truly need you. ❤

[@lynnpierce453]

You are amazing

[@voyaristika5673]

They all look like they feel so good, all cleaned and tidied up. Max is so cute, and his owners are happy! That's a good day's work! ❤

[@patluvsrocky7249]

My Rocky, a Havanese, Lahsa mix just heard the clippers in this video and ran and hid. He also is difficult to groom and it was suggested that he be sedated. I found a groomer that only does one dog at a time and while he wasn’t perfect, she was able to groom him in an hour and fifteen minutes. She sat on the floor with him to calm him down before starting and after he was done. ❤ to all kind compassionate groomers.

[@rebeccaconlon9743]

That groomer is a keeper

[@Susie-sg1126]

My old neighbor had a Havanese who loved me. My grandpas gf had a Lahsa poodle mix who didn't like me at all! He was VERY protective of my grandpa

[@ianmontgomery7534]

When I was young we had a couple of cocker spaniel and neither of them liked the sound of clippers or vacuum cleaners. I used hand sheep shears and nail scissors when I clipped them and had no problems. Remember their hearing is very different to ours. I think that Max does not like the sound of the blower at all. They all loved water tough except for the first time I treated Cindy with Gammawash - she more fleas than i imagined and they did not like the treatment. I also found it was important to cut down the hair rather than across it as it stopped it from curling. Max being a Poodle cross then it wouldn't matter as it will curl anyway. I never completely cut the feathering on their off either.

[@ShadowSkyX]

I guess the second hand exposure wouldn't work if he's that scared huh? Maybe start it at a much quieter volume and very slowly increase it over time (from your phone). This way, you can at least determine his volume limit. Maybe if he stops panicking and running away you can introduce a real one. Don't turn it on, let him smell it, don't use it. Just let it be there until he stops being concerned whether you pick it up or not. Turn it on, walk around. Obviously if he gets too concerned, you may have to turn it off again. Baby of baby steps. If it's possible, it may take years of exposure before he's brave enough to soldier though it.

[@emilygarnett9227]

This literally brought me to tears. I have a very grooming traumatized dog, and to watch you be so calm and kind and helpful with Max was so cathartic. I'm currently training my dog to accept me brushing him and removing his mats, but right now he has to get sedated in order to be fully groomed. This gives me hope that we can work with him to overcome his fears and traumas so he can accept a more safe, less medicated groom!

[@hamlings6264]

How do you go about seditating yours. I asked my vet and they refuse to help. I have a samoyed thats sooooo bad. He is covered with layers of mats because he gets crazy and drags me to get away. He twists and turns and at 62 with back issues its just too much and we have only a few groomers here. One said she wont do it the other was the vets groomer and i feel they were the ones that traumitized him. He is a big dog and soooo bad.😢😢😢

[@Chelsea_._]

@@hamlings6264have you tried to see if there are any mobile groomers that would be willing to help? Maybe show them some of the grooming tips from these videos.

[@SimplySatisfiedSarah]

@@hamlings6264 find a new vet. There’s nothing wrong with giving your animal medication once in a blue moon to help ease their anxiety.

[@KatzeKriegerin]

@@hamlings6264 Go to a different vet.

[@alis49281]

Build trust and try out different brushes or just rub them with a moist warm cloth. Especially the latter should feel like licking to the dog and that is how they clean themselves. Do it when there is a mood to cuddle, if they sleep or don't want to be bothered, then let your dog rest. For most dirt, just water is enough and it should be a ritual of cleaning after a walk. Our dogs love the cotton towel and love an intense rub.

[@asayash85]

I’ve shaved a few dogs for others before and have been told groomers couldn’t do the haircut. I really think it’s the personality of the groomer that makes the biggest difference. You were perfect! Excellent job!

[@shinystarsimmy]

I think you're absolutely right. You as the groomer definitely need to be the boss all while being gentle and loving. Vanessa is the perfect example of this. 🥰🥰

[@shawnm.schlafke4606]

You certainly are a dog whisperer… I am so impressed with the way you handle the dogs… I believe it’s your voice that helps soothe them!! ❤

[@CynthiaMeow]

If I were one of his owners, I would travel all the way through your pet salon every time Max needs a haircut, no matter what.

[@saintejeannedarc9460]

I'm thinking they will be back too. She's the only one that could get a full groom on him, and now there's some trust established. She said they are a smart breed, so he has to know, even w/ all those unpleasant noises and being cold, that she helped him. All his mats are gone, nothing is pulling anymore and he can see well again.

[@nicoledemers8883]

I was thinking the exact same thing!

[@calipo97979797]

I would too, but let's keep in mind that's not always possible for everyone due to low budget and stuff like that :).

[@ayumuchorizo4486]

@@calipo97979797 True! Pet owners may have big hearts but not an idealistic life. These people did what they could, and that should also be acknowledged ❤

[@saintejeannedarc9460]

@@calipo97979797 I definitely understand low budget. She does do this service for free though, so that ought to sweeten the deal. Now they just have to pay gas, and maybe it's a nice out of town outing too.

[@captainsobao]

"The owners nearly cried at pickup" made me nearly cry. You are just magical with what you do!

[@samberg1477]

He looked like he fell very proud and happy with his haircut afterwards!!!! 🥰🥰🥰 like “hey! Look I did it!! I look beautiful!!!!” ❤️❤️❤️

[@bryanpinto4051]

handsome and regal

[@pennywright3274]

And I imagine it feels so much better, too. Matted hair especially around sensitive bits? Poor thing. So glad he was helped!

[@BrightestBlessings7899]

Oh hun you were so soft and reassuring to Max. He would never be treated so well anywhere else.

[@lizr4076]

He did such a good job! I've seen way more difficult dogs. I'm shocked he's been turned away so much

[@meagansefner3215]

What I love about you, Vanessa, is that you will let reactive dogs investigate everything and bite anything except you. I think it makes them trust you so much more.

[@parryyotter]

She has the time to do that

[@evelynk325]

Seeing how compassionate you are with Max is so wonderful. It might be weird to say, but I have gained a lot of self-compassion after becoming a regular follower of your channel. It reminds me of how sometimes I as a human react in fear and defensiveness due to being overwhelmed by unknown/unfamiliar things, and not to feel too ashamed about it, but instead work on expanding my comfort zone to lower the anxiety. I love pets, just unfortunately can't have any anymore as I developed severe allergies to cats and dogs. Very sad, but your videos always make my day. Big thank you.

[@Ouranorable]

There's plenty of pets other than cats and dogs

[@commonsense571]

My friend has a husband deathly allergic and they were able to get a very purely bred akc etc poodle and he was alright w that. The Obama family got Portuguese water dogs bc their daughter(s?) were allergic and they’re hypoallergenic so maybe there’s one out there for you🤞

[@commonsense571]

Also.. bunnies and some other small mammals can be litter trained🥰

[@kconway2263]

I’m in the same boat. Developed my dog and cat allergies in my late 20’s. I’ve got bad anxiety, too, and wish I could get a comfort animal, but the allergist says it’s too risky, even the hypoallergenic breeds. I started shots this year, so we’ll see how a couple years of those go. There’s no guarantee, but I’m praying it’ll at least make them manageable. Allergies suck!

[@erielynn1376]

This is a bit late, but I'm also very allergic to dogs and extremely allergic to cats. I've had 3 maltese now and have never had any allergy issues with them. Another hypoallergenic dog is bichon frise so maybe that's another option.

[@judycater2832]

Poor frightened Max. What a transformation!❤️❤️❤️

[@buggiebuild1]

For the owners to drive two hours, sincerely means they care, and they found the groomer whisperer, absolutely amazing, great job both of you, and thanks for the tidbit about the owners reaction🤩🤩💕🐶💕✌🏻💕

[@16MedicRN]

It's so sad to see a dog so stressed and terrified 😢 Seems like a sweet dog, but clearly wasn't ever desensitized. You're amazing ❤ Hopefully you'll be a part of his trusted people in the future 🐾

[@jeffhughes6167]

Even sadder this was a one time visit, sad for the owner to live so far away, if Vanessa could groom him 3 or 4 times Max would get so much better. You can tell how much he trusted her near the end, even with the little flair up she regained the control with one pat on his head.

[@gigglingchaos1795]

4 hours to drive for your dogs wellness isn't that much

[@FallenAngelHiroko]

@@gigglingchaos1795 It is if you have other obligations/limitations and of course gas prices. I got an Eco Sport and had to spend almost $50 to fill it up when I usually spend $20. And there are times where you absolutely need that $50 for food. I'm piss poor broke now but I'm thinking about getting a hybrid (I'll never go fully electric) just so I can get by.

[@TheTataNini]

Vanessa has such great energy. It is also possible brave Max had a bad experience with a groomer; it's like he was waiting for something wrong to happen which it didn't.

[@misshell2223]

​@@gigglingchaos1795 Maybe not to you specifically but it is if you cannot afford the time off from work or the trip itself or heck maybe not a reliable enough vehicle; you never know what someone else's situation is!!!

[@rachelgetz7311]

Aww, Max was such a good doggy. You can see how afraid he is and he does his best to allow the work to continue. He did a great job.

[@purplevolcano2069]

You are absolutely fantastic! You really show the dogs respect even when it is hard to work with them!

[@AsterInDis]

Aw, you can see the moment he just completely shuts down with the dryer. You are just so incredibly patient with these dogs and I really admire that.

[@jackiedunlap36]

It’s so difficult seeing how scared he was. 😢. He was shaking so much and breathing so rapidly. You’re calm behavior helped him get through the grooming session. ❤

[@jeanadams1667]

I think Max finally realizes that it feels good. One can see the tension relaxing during the blow dry. The fear is real.

[@cajsheen2594]

Your kindness, patience and natural empathy works wonders with these doggies! Wonderful! ❤ XXX

[@pamlippert9662]

Not only are you a wonderful human who is incredibly patient with challenging puppers, you are also a dog psychologist! Mad respect for you, lady!

[@NitaLink81]

Constant reassurance and a gentle hand...Plus you don't show fear. That's what all dogs need and u have it down perfectly!! Amazing job always.

[@1JamesMayToGoPlease]

What you do for these precious doggos is truly a great thing. There's NO WAY he doesn't feel 100% better now, *and* he looked super adorable after!

[@venidamcdaniel1913]

Looks like with your equipment dogs finally realize there is not much use in leasing out and finally calm down and resign themselves to the process. That and your constant reassurance seems to do the trick. You are amazing.

[@girlpharm]

I have to wonder if he had a bad experience at one of the other groomers. Almost like he had been hurt or mishandled. You did an amazing job on him and with praising him.

[@jdevlin1910]

I'd probably say no since he whined throughout the whole session and not a specific spot which would indicate the point there may have been trauma. You might point to the groin shave but many dogs have a similiar issue with that, as would we probably 😂

[@xyzzyx4839]

@@jdevlin1910 he was particularly stressed when she groomed his left side as well. but also if he was mishandled during the *entirety* of a groom, or a large part of it, he would of course be sensitive about being touched at all

[@gb1reinwald]

Maybe they insisted on washing his face and blow-drying it, which both was out of the question for him.

[@lburton874]

I wonder Iif how the grooming table is place helps. It’s against 3 walls which means the dog can safely back to the edge. I’m epseen other groomers with the table right in the open which may feel less safe for pups.

[@debbieschultz9768]

Also her calm voice is so reassuring to him. Good job Vanessa. ❤

[@rachelr6236]

Thank you for working with him. So many groomers I see on social media are yelling or demanding but you are so calm and respectful of Max and his boundaries. ♥️

[@kathyflorcruz552]

Same with some of these people who nab strays off the streets. It's terrifying to see what some of them do in catching dogs & cats vs some who do it without scaring the HELL out of these poor animals. Drives me crazy!

[@jab3562]

Absolutely the energy you give counts

[@carolines3953]

The fact he behaved so well, despite being so afraid, really is a credit to your skill. Hopefully this has been a positive experience and he’s learned that grooming can be OK so he can build a good relationship with a more local groomer.

[@cynthiasingor7494]

Thank You for all you did for this dear dog ! 🐕 God Bless You 🙏 !

[@nousummertime9592]

It's a combination of everything Vanessa mentioned, plus...Vanessa! Grooming isn't just about getting it over with. You need to have all the traits Vanessa does. No that dog wasn't ungroomable. I'm so happy they came to you! And he looks amazing!!!

[@KmRessler]

I'm wondering if the difference is how quiet your shop is. My groomer has 1 dog per appt. in her shop (unless it's multiple dogs from the same household). She specializes in fear free/quiet environment grooming and it has made a huge difference in how Teddy reacts to not only being left by me but also being handled by someone he didn't know at first. His grooms now go fantastic. Your shop is so zen even through the computer screen and your calm demeanor with fearful dogs is obviously a big reason these dogs are able to be finished while in your care.

[@mimisterious]

My heart broke when our groomers started telling us they weren’t capable of grooming my cocker spaniel anymore. He’s got arthritis which makes his back legs weak and nerve damage in his tail so he’s never liked it being touched, not to mention many skin tags from where they’ve nicked his skin in the past. Seeing you have so much patience with this dog is so important

[@molliadams310]

I love your patience and understanding of dogs that are fearful and aggressive. Your kindness shows thru and I admire your abilities.

[@bdte2538]

Finding another grooming places where they're quiet and calm is gonna be a big quest for the owner but I hope they can find it for Max. Wish them best of luck.

[@darlalei4303]

Maybe a mobile groomer. 🤔

[@GAshoneybear]

Yeah, and one that could take their time. I could never find one my dog was comfortable with so I did him myself.

[@marcusu3261]

@@GAshoneybear Yeah, I give my dog messy, imperfect grooms rather than getting him professionally groomed because the presence of other dogs makes him nervous, and then his separation anxiety only compounds the problem. The only thing I have done elsewhere is his nails, because they're black and basically made of iron (and at about 45 lbs, he's not a small dog) and I don't have the experience to handle that in a way that's safe and comfortable for him. Sure, maybe the trim job I do on his legs to stop the grass seeds/snow from sticking to him is choppy, but he's more comfortable with me doing it than someone else.

[@ourfarmhouseinspain]

One option will be for the owners to pay for extra time so that the groomer can give this very nervous dog a calmer, less rushed experience.

[@JennieBlosser]

I loved watching this. You never let him escalate so he was able to pant out his stress without biting. I loved grooming these “difficult” dogs. They need a steady and calm hand to take them through the experience.

[@Taysel9821]

This is exactly what I went through this morning. I work at a corporate grooming company and our policy is any aggression at all (especially fear aggression) we cannot work on them. It sucks because I know if you take the time to get to know the dog and let them trust you, it’s possible. But people that don’t understand and get mad at you and tell you you’re not good enough to groom (this happened this morning 🙄) it really makes me mad. I tried to just touch a mini labradoodle today and he was instantly snapping at me, somehow managed to get him on the table and I couldn’t touch him from there on out. The dad was VERY condescending and rude to me and made me cry. He later called back 6 hours later to “apologize” but didn’t do it to me. He likes my salon manager better (even though he has had this SAME convo with him MULTIPLE times) any aggression at all we have to stop. I wish I could get the dog to trust me. But an express groom (1 hour no kenneling) is impossible to “build a relationship” with the dog which he accused me of not doing.

[@zuzuspetals9281]

You are right it’s the situation not you. I hope one day you have the opportunity to have your own place so you can do the kind of work you want and care for the dogs and customers the way you know they need. The problem with the place you work now is the only way to stay in business is to have regular customers with small dogs that can be groomed in an hour so there’s quick turnover and money moves in quickly. I had an older Great Pyrenees that A chain place booked me into for her grooming and I told them it was difficult for her to stand and that she was afraid to walk on slippery floors. When I came to pick her up I could tell the manager wasn’t pleased and she told me they wouldn’t be able to groom her again because she was just too difficult. I apologized but as I tried to get her out to my car and she kept laying down on the floor the young man who had groomed her came out and picked her up to carry her outside. When he put her in my car he apologized to me and said she had been really sweet and kind and he didn’t have any problems but she just needed extra time and the manager didn’t allow that. I told him that was ok, I understood and appreciated him letting me know it wasn’t anything she had done. He recommended a private groomer who I still use for my dogs 20 years later. You get experience where you are and then move on. Your attitude and kindness will bring you clients.

[@ElephantseatShorts]

I'm sorry to hear that guy was a jerk! Some people are weird like that and have no understanding of reality, even when you try to explain it perfectly. Customer service can be draining

[@Taysel9821]

@@ElephantseatShorts exactly... and of course my salon manager is going to take him back after all of that. he has been rude to the other girls I work with too...

[@Taysel9821]

@@zuzuspetals9281 not all dogs fit in the fast paced environment I work in, and that's okay. wish people understood that though :(

[@kimrizzo7098]

Sounds like he is a narcicist that doesn't have respect for women. The dog unfortunately learned that behaviour from him. I would recommend obedience training for the customer. I'm sorry you went through this. Also if it is a chain store, speak to HR/Corporate about sensitivity training and sexual harrassment training as this constitutes discrimination and your manager is creating a hostile work environment by allowing abusive people to return.

[@KarolinaPL06]

I feel sorry for him. He is shaking so much. You have wonderful approach and compassion.

[@6andom819]

Love how gentle and retraining you were with him. I wonder if he was hurt before. Cause my puppy was completely fine until a nail trim left 6 nails bleeding. So he has NOT ever forgot!

[@debweber9986]

I adopted a 1 year old dog who came from a hoarder. He's Poodle, Shizu, Bichon, and pekingese. He never had a bath or haircut. We had to sedate him. I also finally found a great groomer, a one person shop. He doing great now!

[@AnnetteSchuneman]

You’re not only a good groomer but a good person. Thank you for making this little dog’s life better and the owner’s happy too!

[@bondsperfectblond]

When you finished & revealed this gorgeous dog, it almost brought tears to my eyes, your professionalism is outstanding & you have the patience of a saint. All groomers should watch this. I was astonished at how calm he was considering that he was so afraid. You are the first groomer I have ever seen use a hoody to help quiet the sound of the dryer, & I take my hat off to you. I think your soft low voice helps, most of the groomers I have met talk in daft high pitched baby voices & almost always use water that is too hot... very impressive video, well done