Today I groomed an alligator snapping turtle 😅

[@tundrawomansays694]

Vanessa, what was the worst bite you’ve incurred grooming? Thank you.

[@girlwiththedogs2]

I've never been bit 😬😬😬. Knock on wood.

[@peytoia]

a cat sliced my finger open once while i was a groomer! i ended up needing stiches and a full course of rabies shots. fun time

[@oldcarnocar]

😲@@peytoia

[@voice_of_a_little_lady]

She's got those greyhound-like reflexes - fast!

[@CrimeVid]

Little so and so deserves to be bathed in a bucket !

[@samanthaprzybylski5526]

Omg yhe "do you want to go for a car ride?" And his immediate stopping of growling and looking at her.

[@jill7759]

One of mine will give you that in reverse. He tolerates grooming with a grumpy resignation, mostly, I’m convinced, because he knows that he will be insufferably adorable when it’s done. Car rides are sent from a demon and elicit a cacophony of screams, whining and plaintive howls which would convince anyone he’s been the victim of some horrible abuse.

[@tallic967]

​@@jill7759 lmao 😭 pets are so silly

[@gdlywom]

The sedation, the ear infections, the yeasty skin, the bad breath ….that dog has a lot of issues which is probably why he’s so cranky. The poor thing. You did so well with him. ❤

[@jgbreur]

It all has to how they breed these dogs. They suffer so their owners can look at something "cute."

[@m0ri461]

​@jgbreur could also just be behavioural issues. When a dog has behavioral issues it can be hard to get anything done in regards to care, because nobody wants to go near a reactive dog. She does mention this in the video.

[@jossland1628]

I have a dog like this, and it seems he gets bad breath and ear infections every few months, no matter how often we take him to the vets or groomers.

[@Hawk7886]

@@m0ri461 yep, we have a rescue mutt that's impossible to nail trim. She's been that way ever since she was a puppy, so we think she was probably badly abused. We've had multiple trainers try to help and have even had a few quit, saying they can't work on her. Like it was said in the video, sometimes you have to power through and you can't give up or their behavior is reinforced. Now that our dog is old and her back legs are shot, we don't feel great about restraining her with a lot of force and she just shrugs off medication. You can give her a triple dose of gabapentin and trazadone, something that would easily knock out an American-sized human for two days, and she still flips as soon as she feels anything touch her paws. It sucks =(

[@Budsport_TV]

Or small dogs are generally just savages. If you ever pass away those things will have you half eaten within24 hours, same as your cats. Get a Lab and call it a day lol

[@dicerson9976]

I love how every time she says she loves how calm he's being its followed immediately by him flipping out XD

[@stillhere1425]

Psych!

[@dovie2blue]

Calm??? I'll show you calm!!! 😂

[@bonniepwtf]

I know, right- every single time.😂

[@ShadowSkyX]

He's trying his hardest to make a liar out of her. "She isn't winning, I'm just faking it so she'll drop her guard! She won't win, I _will_ get my way!" After: well, I _let_ her win.

[@FrailSerenity]

If i ever questioned whether this was a Canadian channel, the holy mackerel x3 definitely solidified it 😂😂❤️🇨🇦

[@leacazara7819]

What do this mean? 🇧🇷😅

[@gclip9883]

I always remember that she is Canadian when she uses that distinctive "eh".

[@sharonbignell6113]

You can hear the Canadian accent

[@VictoriaEMeredith]

Could have been Minnesota, but I agree. 🤣

[@xapriliztheshizzlex]

@@leacazara7819 the way she speaks sounds Canadian, and she is right. Groomer is located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada!

[@BK-ni6me]

It's almost like he learned to get his way with the growling and biting and is now confused that it isn't working. He is such a cute boy, hopefully his grooms get easier.

[@pjtfd3849]

I was thinking very smart pupper who has been successful being aggressive. Until now

[@kaceyreed1284]

That's definitely part of it. Like a toddler throwing a tantrum, you can't give in to them. Or else they learn that such behavior gets them exactly what they want.

[@tuiteyfruity5010]

Especially since he would “give up” after realizing his actions weren’t getting him what he wanted

[@yanniesays]

I agree! He stops acting aggressive after he realizes his tantrums won't stop the grooming.

[@OhK586]

99 percent of dogs who are naughty for grooming do so not because of @buse, like many people think, but because they get scared, retaliate, and learn that they can bully their groomer. I rarely ever had to turn away dogs with behavior problems because after a while, they learned that a) I wasn’t going to back down and b) I wasn’t going to hurt them. Even difficult dogs become easier over time when their tantrums don’t work.

[@discotheunicorn447]

When we took my dog to the groomers for the first time, he was acting a little crazy because he LOVES people, and my mom pointed to another dog on a different table, who was being perfectly quiet, and said: "Boomer, why can't you be like that dog?" And the groomer, without missing a beat, replied, "That dog's drugged."

[@yoshisupremacy]

Aw!!!

[@starlashae3408]

🤣🤣🤣 I've seen situations like that before lol

[@TheThriftedApothecary]

I cackled

[@MapIeshade]

My dog loves pepole

[@kmarcus5]

Even sedated he is this upset?

[@bonniemccormack1361]

GWD: Who’s a good boy? Winston: I have no idea Poor Winston ❤

[@candela__]

Vanessa: "Who's a good boy" Winston: "Your mother called me a good boy too last night 😡"

[@samanthavolovski6528]

@@candela__😂😂😂

[@Legendsneverdie877]

GWD: Who’s a good boy? Winston: Good boys are sissies.

[@candela__]

@@Legendsneverdie877 Lmao 😂

[@candela__]

@Repent-and-believe-in-Jesus From one believer to another: This is why they believe we're a cult and they reject everything. Propaganda people always hush other people away. Thank you for your intentions though

[@mnmlst1]

I stopped working as a groomer because I saw so many animal abuse from other groomers, and whenever I stood up for the animals I got fired. No wonder he was so aggressive. You are doing an amazing work treating them with the respect and love they deserve.

[@TheDragonSeer]

Thank you for standing up for the animals you've groomed. Animals are so precious.

[@Carolineismightyfine]

I totally relate. I quit after assisting a groomer while she called the dog a “c*nt” the whole time 🥴

[@INFJ-ThaneTr]

Last time I saw someone abuse an animal I got into their face and calmly told them what it is and how I'll be returning with State law enforcement to retrieve said animals, in the state of Ohio. Few laws here that help animals. Point is, don't ever allow someone to abuse an animal

[@Kittiesinclair5]

Sadly this is the ‘punish anyone who doesnt automatically go along with the status quo’ strategy, used by sooooo many people/employees/co-workers/managers etc. at almost every company/workplace and in every industry. Questioning traditional behaviour is a sign of intelligence and ethics, which is why it’s so unpopular.

[@JumentoInteligente]

@@Carolineismightyfine 😑😮

[@februerin]

"Hey, calm yourself. You're being outrageous." Said with such ease and chill I actually laughed out loud

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

Well, he was being "rude" as Vanessa says. lol

[@davidam4080]

I did too 😂

[@jflyiii1682]

Same here! 😂

[@emilyal-zeibak7862]

My favourite line too 😂

[@_.Lucinda._]

I sat here scrolling through comments looking for this comment after I saw it pop up for a second then disappear. I had to like it. I related too much.

[@crystalcastillo7575]

I love how he stopped when you said “absolutely not” like a concerned mother.

[@KOmyself]

we are not doing this today winston

[@kid_monkee]

LITERALLY he was like UGH FINE

[@ellenfoster9764]

I’m a vet and never saw this reverse cone technique. Great idea! I’m so impressed with how calm and kind you are with your clients. For the owners info, there are now leave in ear treatments. He would probably need to be sedated for a complete ear clean first, but then the medication is applied and nothing else is done for a month

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

Good to know that Vet science is making for more helpful meds and treatments. TY

[@OliversMom2017]

Yes my boy has had the leave-in treatments they work great! Highly recommended if your dog's vet offers it--be sure to ask them!

[@gl990]

I am a big fan of the leave-in ear medication, too! I have an American Cocker Spaniel with a history of frequent ear infections, but they have been successfully treated with Claro Otic. We live in Atlanta, a very hot and humid climate for 9-10 months of the year, so when they kept recurring, our vet put him on daily Apoquel (1/2 tablet) and his ears have really improved! Because of the maintenance medication, bloodwork is run every 6 months. It’s made quite a difference!

[@melissadropdead4619]

I was looking for a comment about his ears. I was curious as what the owners were going to do about the infection. He'd probably feel even better once that's cleared up. I felt bad for him and the owners. I forgot about the leave in meds. Winston would definitely benefit from those!

[@WindsofChange]

I have good dogs and I still LOVE those leave in ear treatments...so easy, so effective...

[@annoymousme722]

Good job! Winston turned out great, despite his little temper tantrums! You can tell he was pretty happy with himself and felt good in the end when he was excited to show off his new makeover to his mom and dad. Hopefully, he will build trust with you and it will get easier for both of you each time.

[@Tollkirschenkind]

He looked so cute when Vanessa tried the "who's there?"-approach, like he was actually excited 😂

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

wo rd triggers help all of us with our dogs. I use them, too.

[@aakhthuu]

19:30 😂

[@louiseycheese]

Incredible work yet again, Vanessa! My favourite part that actually made me laugh out loud was "Calm yourself. You're being outrageous " 🤣

[@karolinaprofaska3074]

It reminds me of Wednesday Addams😂 It was her style a bit.

[@HandbagDiva]

😂😂

[@JK-sh8rc]

My parents had a dog that was like this. He wasn't a large dog but he was absolutely terrible about being groomed. He eventually went deaf because no one could ever get close to his chronically infected ears in order to put the antibiotic drops in. Poor guy was very neurotic....just like Winston. Winston looks wonderful after his groom. Vanessa has such a great rapport with dogs.

[@gizzyroberts18]

L Cheese, Truly V is gifted. What an incredible calling. Its fun to watch her work!!

[@emilyishere1994]

I think it’s great that she takes the dog’s emotions into consideration and also doesn’t get frustrated with them! She’s so patient

[@rhondawhite1396]

Vanessa did a great job distracting Winston by asking "Who's there?" using his natural guard dog instincts. He looked for the camera man, and his mom and dad while she got a few things trimmed up!

[@barbaramcmillan3835]

​@@rhondawhite1396 He was hoping they'd come to rescue him from the dreaded groomer. But hey, it works for a while.

[@MsCasualvlogger]

LOL owners be like: Uhhh Winston just got back from his bondage session LOL!!!

[@davidp2888]

0:06 Winston: "Nothing can contain me!" Vanessa: "Hold my belly band."

[@2percent153]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@carolinematusevich889]

After she asked him in the beginning if he'll be good or mean, the fact that he ended up suspended tells us his answer. LoL

[@thedirtprincess3293]

🤣🤣

[@anng.4542]

Or maybe "hold my happy hoodie!" 🤭

[@jend8759]

More like "Hold my hanging harness."

[@molloblin]

I am AMAZED how well the ‘who’s there?!’ trick works on him 😂 sometimes you have to play to their level with the neurotic ones

[@humaneleaguelancPA]

Yes, that was a great trick, he sure was focused on seeing his pet parents after she said “who’s there!”

[@lenawalters1866]

The one-two of "lots of reassurance" and "don't give in, they learn this is how they get what they want" is a policy that has amazing crossover with raising toddlers.

[@nullskey8370]

you can also suspend them if they start kicking and screaming

[@thurguud]

i would not tell a todler "good boy" when he is behaving horrible... that is grandmas level of bad education.

[@nullskey8370]

its an anxious scared animal, has no concept of what "good dog" means intrinsecally, its just associated with good feelings, much like holding and caressing an anxious scared child @@thurguud

[@thurguud]

@@nullskey8370 i am 100% sure the dog knows what "good dog" means. I do not make a dog feel good after it tries to bite me. That is why grandmas are awesome making the children feel good and dads are awesome at discipline. I think both sides are neccessary. From a dad perspective you need to make the dog submissive so it can function in society. Force the dog to lay down when scared because i am the protection. Force the dog to accept, trust and not bite whatever human the owner introduces. Force the dog to understand any kind of agression is never allowed against humans. Make it extremelly clear the minimal sign of agression will be met with calm but unavoidable corrections. Make the dog understand that using violence has always very bad consecuences for its own interests while absolutely negating whatever objective the dog was trying to achieve with violence. In this case for example, every time it tries to bite so you do not groom it. You say no calmly, put the muzzle, put the cone, make its legs suspended and groom him double. When it calms down you release it, tell "good boy" while he is not agressive. The first sign of agression you say no, back to the muzzle, cone, suspension and double grooming until it is submissive again. If when he tries to fight, you back up and tell him good boy, the dog has every incentive to be agressive in order to get whatever he thinks. That is why criminal rate skyrockets on single mom children. If you have a father with a good ego, ready to recieve a bite and win the fight for discipline without backing up, willing to maintain family order without fear... Chances are the feelings of the kids will not be as well treated, but the children will have lots more self discipline to control its own violent feelings. That is specially important in boys, because when boys do not learn through other men that violence has serious unaavoidable consecuences, they become violent adults who do not respect society rules and end up in jail. I understand making someone weak feel good has true value. Hope you understand not all discipline can be teached through positive reinforcement. Violent criminal behaviour has always been solved without paying attention to the criminal feelings for a reason.

[@Appleton-WI]

​@@nullskey8370😂

[@sherrywilliams409]

Girl girl girl! What a PRO you are! I fell in love with Winston too! But he is a feisty one! You certainly proved that with the right tools and the right amount of patience and determination a dog can be groomed properly! What a great job! I have a feeling you will be Winston’s groomer from now on! Thank you for sharing and for being such a wonderful pet lover! Much love for your channel.

[@evakurl]

He’ll take the treats any time of the day, no matter how angry he is, and I feel that in my soul 😂

[@TwinkleTwinkleTruly]

Mood, tbh

[@Levermonkey]

Can't help but think that one confident person as opposed to four nervous people was the key. Would be really interesting to see susequent visits.

[@PotionsClub]

I had this at the vets once with my *teacup* Yorkie. He makes a lot of precocious noise and the (very young and imho incompetent) vet got 2 other assistants plus me and still couldn't take a blood test from 4lb dog, wearing a muzzle. Smh

[@3possumsinatrenchcoat]

I mean. the drugs certainly helped too. 😂

[@JustJulezJulezing]

I think Winston secretly felt so much better after bath but still had to act like a tough guy to keep you from noticing 🤣

[@heatherg2083]

Out of habit too...😊

[@diannaloveshenry]

Exactly what I thought! Vanessa is the superhero groomer🦸

[@yvettedesmarais8107]

Agreed. He was like a different dog, for a while.

[@ethomas6419]

The oatmeal shampoo for his skin really helped.

[@Vejur9000]

Facts.

[@chinchillacrystal6899]

Winston looks like a tiny Hannibal Lector with his muzzle and restraints. Poor guy. I’m sure he is a little sweetheart with his family. Vanessa, you have the patience of a saint.

[@sandrafortune2674]

I was think the same thing lol that ain’t no Winston that’s Hannibal the cannibal!!!

[@catherinepowers2750]

I’m not a groomer, just a dog lover. This was a master class on technique and patience!

[@animerlon]

Before now, i vaguely thought a collection of her videos would be a good training manual, i now absolutely think she should package sets on particular problems & breeds. I'm positive every groomer out there would benefit from them. She truly is a maestro of grooming.

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

I love how EVERY dog or cat is groomed according to their breed (undercoats, etc) issues and temperament. She doesn't do them all the same and the results are better. @@animerlon

[@sappholily]

I'm not a groomer, I'm just a loser hahaha

[@animerlon]

@@KindCountsDeb3773 Exactly, aside from knowing about the particular coats & typical temperament of each breed, she tunes into each individual.

[@OneLonelyBeca]

It's actually incredibly interesting that making noises or asking positively triggering questions distracts them. It never occurred to me to use that as a distraction technique with fearful/stressful dogs.

[@amosfraser]

With dogs, great. But not with kids. My Mom’s base rule for parenting or caring for kids was “Never make a promise OR a threat that you can’t, won’t, shouldn’t, or don’t FOLLOW THROUGH on: BEING CONSISTENT in saying what you do and doing what you say, is the thing that helps kids believe and trust you, and it reduces tantrums, and their need to ‘test’ you over time by pushing against the boundaries and rules or limits you set for them. No empty promises. No vain threats. (No extreme or unrealistic ones either). I’m not sure why this dialogue box doesn’t post the comment then close after I hit Reply or Done….

[@AngieLea]

I make noises all the time like that with my dog when she tries to attack the slicker brush as im brushing her. Vanessas a genius and it works every time😂

[@Viteaification]

​@amosfraser luckily, dogs can only pick up a few words and tone lol

[@cherryl225]

rigging winston up from the ceiling to do his paws is the equivalent of making a client wear a straight jacket at great clips lol.

[@lgempet2869]

🤣🤣🤣

[@jassonsw]

It looked like that scene in Mission Impossible 😂😂😂

[@rosemorris7912]

Whatever works😂

[@donnawarren4023]

No it’s not equivalent!!

[@cherryl225]

@@donnawarren4023 its a joke. dont be soft, lol.

[@valentinagelatina]

i love how you keep insisting the dogs but also respect their different responses and try something new to make them more comfortable

[@serpentdarkness8844]

When Winston was hanging there like a pig roasting over a fire... I know that it's probably bad but it was so funny! 🤣 You have immense patience and calming skills!

[@josephfdent]

😂😂 "the position of shame" how embarrassing

[@marysperry]

The hanging harness looks like a cross between the Spanish inquisition and 50 Shades of Grey... 😉😄😉

[@russianhomecat3313]

13:08 giggled as well

[@jenndoesstuff]

"The most important thing is not to let them win because then they think that they can keep doing it and get what they want". That is dead-on perfect dog behaviorism right there. Also works with little kids!

[@katherineduke3232]

My thoughts too haha you can not give in to the behavior with dogs and you can not give into the behavior with kids haha they will learn what works to get their way and then its hard to undo that!

[@rogue7723]

Yeah, multiple studies show that the average dog has the intelligence of a neurotypical 2 or 3 year old child. Pigs are the same way coincidentally.

[@NoName-ml3kt]

That’s a novel idea in this day and age. Most people don’t know how to raise their kids, let alone their pets!

[@ipell5280]

Just like I’m politics

[@radschele1815]

No, it's not like with little kids. Let me tell you, it's. Not. If you try to win a fight with children, you'll also lose. 🙄😬

[@bayadere8308]

"I'm excited about how calm he is..." You are also very calm when the dog is excited. Very impressive as usual.

[@maureenegan-koffman7480]

You are marvelous. We are the 3rd owner of an alligator in a spaniel’s body. He is 14 and seems was never really trained. I always say it’s not his fault he is so difficult. We have found a groomer who will deal with him I help hold him sometimes. Bless you for your knowledge and skills.

[@ilahjarvis]

While words and various restraints made it possible to groom Winston, I'm convinced that Vanessa's endless patience and determination were an essential keys to her success.

[@peggyvogt3215]

Most definitely I'm sure!

[@TravisJohann115-]

Hello 👋

[@matthewheeke4377]

As always, your skills prove you don’t need a team of seven to groom one dog. You really are a master groomer. You care about these animals and it shows😊

[@Hi_Im_Akward]

​@@briandawson8797the corporate stores have policies in place to durn down dogs like this now due to such a high rate of pet injuries and death. There are a lot of good groomers that come from corporate stores, but they usually end up leaving and for a reason. The training is lagging behind what the industry standards are at this point, they don't pay them well, treat them like crap and they have high turnover rates. As for the general industry, it can vary a lot but more and more groomers are turning dogs like this down because of liability and cost issues. Groomers who specialize in difficult dogs are the ones who will take them, and they often charge their weight in gold for the services- for good reasons. Grooming in general has a high burnout rate. Health issues, injury rates and the mental toll. I used to groom a lot of dogs like these. I'm not saying this dog is "easy" but I've groomed a few like this and get horror stories from the past groomers or the owners and when I do it, it goes about like what Vanessa did (which everything she did was spot on best practices). I'd honestly say a dog like this is much more likely to get better with time so long as the owners put in some work and are consistent and stick with the same person. Probably never 100% but still a lot more manageable. It's not always like this though, some dogs need you to go a lot slower and need a lot more training. Which ends up being extremely expensive and the progress on getting a full groom could take a year to be honest because of how negative and extreme the dogs reaction is.

[@jamies5655]

I don't know how you could find enough space on that dog for more than two people lol

[@avarywood9308]

Another thing to factor in is a lot of time these businesses take on a lot of clients to pay for expensive water costs, shampoo, maintenance, etc. Which means bathers (although some groomers bathe their own dogs) are hardly able to create 1on1 relationships with the dogs they're working with. They're just trying to move the line along as fast as possible to finish their clients in time. Difficult dogs are usually turned away or not given the extra patience and time because the bathers are not given time to do so, or straight up TOLD not to. I currently am a bather at a non-chain owned salon with a LOT of clients and 10 groomers total. They are only just now breaking even on costs and we get almost 80+ clients some days. I got told by my own boss to work faster. I'm a little slow but I do a thorough job, because I take time getting to know the dog in front of me. I've NEVER been bit, but everyone else I work with has because they're fast and manhandle the dogs. Unfortunately when your expectation is to wash 10 dogs an hour... you are told to forget about that and just keep it pushing. Had to go from washing 5 dogs (medium to large) in the span of 2 hours to washing 31 in less than 5 hours.

[@LydiaC-e3m]

@@briandawson8797even some experienced dog groomers turn down dogs like this. Not worth it

[@francesbrennan5160]

​@@avarywood9308Yes, this is a Very Sad fact for many pet groomers & the dogs/cats in their charge. An assembly line, No time for the care & kindness that they need & deserve. Which for many can cause, exacerbate behavioural issues when being groomed. 🙁

[@Nikki_with_the_blikki]

It's always the small ones you gotta watch😭 Him in the harness, little legs just dangling SENT ME🤣🤣🤣🤣💀💀💀

[@CristinaF210]

i know 🤣🤣

[@suzanneseiple191]

So true🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@funinthesun622]

Hilarious

[@funinthesun622]

He sounds like a gremlin ❤

[@carolinematusevich889]

This was the most entertaining groom since I watched her groom her weirdo gremlin dog with the ball fetish. LoL.

[@angelofdusk13]

Poor Winston with his ear infections! My dog Nikeema (shih tzu) got ear infections pretty frequently. To reduce their frequency, we plucked her ear hair. It took one person to hold her and another to pluck her ear hair (or put in the drops when she had an infection). She eventually didn't fight us so hard because she realized it was happening whether she was happy or not, but I'm happy to say that she didn't have ear infections the last few years of her life since we kept her ears clean.

[@bfrizzx9167]

PLUCKED??

[@magicallydelicious1673]

yall…. that poor dog

[@arribaficationwineho32]

@@bfrizzx9167that is how hair is removed from poodles. Their ears fill with hair. They put some kind of powder in there and PULL IT OUT. REALLY.

[@winterfoxcloud]

the studio audience laughter when the pupper was hung up like a christmas tree had me in tears 😂🤣

[@kylieknight2365]

And legs hanging down so straight frozen in defeat! 😂😂😂

[@karensinclair4189]

⁠I know. Inappropriate, lacking in compassion.

[@cameronschyuder9034]

@@karensinclair4189it was meant to be funny, both in the video and the comment you responded to. You can tell by the laughing emojis cracking up; laughing until tears is a real thing. As you can see (hopefully) with her actual actions towards Winston, she did not have ill intent. I mean, it’s not like Winston is expected to watch this video and react to his own grooming with Vanessa’s added edits/voiceover/sound effects. If the dog was a human, your comment may be more appropriate. But, the dog is not human, and does not have the same kinds of self concept and ego as we do.

[@zarazen8110]

Saaaame lol

[@ferrumignis]

​@@karensinclair4189Name checks out.

[@annew8365]

Winston’s not swinging from a chandelier, he’s hung like a chandelier. 😆 Apologies to Sia. I hope grooming gets easier for Winston. He’s a cute little dog. 🐶💕

[@trixie9777]

Cute comment!

[@sarahh2072]

The hanging harness is acting like a weighted blanket, his body weight is essentially giving him a hug all around and it's easing his anxiety. What a great tool, he's clearly much happier using that.

[@humaneleaguelancPA]

I agree, I thought it was like one of those Thunder shirts that help with anxiety, similar as the weight blanket.

[@becsap9151]

That's not how that works... It works by removing thier traction on the ground and they get stuck accepting they're lifted. It's a reflex. Dogs assume a scruffing posture when they can't touch the ground. Yet those slings can also be dangerous because dogs might react with a flailing reflex instead, like the one they have when falling. The sling can also cause blood to pool in their legs leading to a suspension injury from hanging too long.

[@Jingeb58]

Or, that is what you like to tell yourself, because the dog is virtually frozen, and to think anything else would be horrific. The dog is no longer snapping, because it can't move without harming itself. It was snapping, because there is something about being groomed that makes him feel threatened.

[@bea1365]

It's called learnt helplessness.

[@carlakenyon6073]

That dog is going to sleep for a week😅

[@user-jo8ph5nd2o]

Vanessa, You just wore him down, by not standing for his foolishness. You have such compassion, trying different ways to calm to make them more at ease. I love the way you groom. The other groomers possibly aren't as experienced as you obviously are or don't want to put up with his "privileged" attitude. He was like "damn the torpedoes, I'm gonna fake this little lady out so she will leave me alone" & you said "I'll see your torpedoes & raise you a cone". You're the best!👍

[@katiem9644]

I had to admit I was laughing so much. Especially when he was hanging, and still snarling and growling. What a grumbler he is.

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

when he gave in some, he'd start to cry and whine. His sign of defeat. For a time. lol

[@melissadropdead4619]

I don't know how many times I said...Look at him!...while hanging there! 😂

[@treecepoirier3035]

Between the “Who wants to go on a car ride” and “who’s at the door”, Winston’s brain power is showing 😂 He is so little and cute and angry. That dog deserves a pup cup!

[@miriammcfarlane6972]

He's also smart/kinaesthetically aware. When he was hanging up he tried to kick her hand off his front leg by using his hind leg,.. he was problem-solving in mid-air! 😂

[@ItsMe-ic7on]

I know he's sick right now with two ear infections but something tells me it goes beyond that I would like to know what makes him so angry.

[@barbaramcmillan3835]

​@@ItsMe-ic7on He also had yeast infections in his coat, which improved with the oatmeal shampoo. Likely problems with his teeth, too.

[@drbettyschueler3235]

People, who have never groomed dogs before, really have no idea how skilled you are with those scissors. I am in awe of your skill.

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

It's the constant movement from many of the clients that was an eye-opener to me!! Can you imagine a human hairdresser trying to give their client a cut eveb while they're jumping around like a severely hyperactive toddler..? 😳 Vanessa's skills in being able to do her job without injuring the wriggliest of animals, or getting damaged herself, are incredibly impressive!

[@suffering2697]

not to rain on your parade but she bounces her shears a lot which is very dangerous (even if the dog is wiggly/aggressive). Her grooming technique with scissors is of a baby/newer groomer would use. She also puts this dog in danger with the multiple restraints

[@cameronschyuder9034]

⁠@@suffering2697she has 12 years of experience… I’m not sure who you are, but part of the purpose of the restraints (according to her) is to prevent the dog from hurting itself. Perhaps there is a danger involved, like with most if not all things, but without further information, I will take your criticism with a grain of salt

[@alisonpendlebury-brown7885]

​@@suffering2697are you a vet or a groomer?.

[@pinkcatminht]

​@@anna_in_aotearoa3166I am a hairstylist and that is exactly what cutting toddlers hair is like. I have insane amounts of respect for pet groomers and for children's stylists bc it takes the patience of a saint

[@stephanieinspired1151]

WOW‼️ You are MAGIC with the right tools, harness and wonderful coaching words/tones. What a great result!

[@lindseycrow305]

You always kill it Vanessa, I’ve groomed dogs before and it’s crazy how the smallest dogs need so much equipment and extra hands to get groomed 😂 great job

[@unknownentity8256]

Smaller they are, the spicier they come.

[@joeyirc]

that comes from being descended from the rat race.

[@Ridif00lous]

It's because irresponsible owners do not correct smaller dogs aggression most of the time. Since they are small, even if they bite left and right there is no way they could harm someone right? That complacency leads to smaller dogs being way more aggressive than bigger dogs.

[@cassieoz1702]

​@@Ridif00lousabsolutely! Also, many small breeds have been bred for 'cute' and not to remove bad temperament. 'Cute' has a lot to answer for

[@MandaBee-pf2jz]

Oh my little dog it the best at grooming, he's just a little nervous and doesn't like the scissors. He's never bitten but it also might be because I started to groom him when he was little or that its me.

[@bipolarbear99]

It cannot be understated how much Vanessa cares about every dog she grooms. She takes into consideration the safety and emotions of every dog and is paitent with even the most difficult of dogs. She 100% does this because she loves dogs and it's really great to see 💖💖

[@deleacarrillo4779]

I've worked in the veterinary industry for 20 years. You are the best groomer I've seen! Great job with this land shark! That grief you mentioned, we call it compassion fatigue. It's a real thing.

[@emilycarter2492]

It was clear that the patience yet firmness you showed prior to his bath, then bathing him, developed a level of trust and boundaries that he needed. You showed Winston that he was getting groomed, regardless of his antics, and you were willing to let it take as long necessary, regardless of him acting like a jerk. He saw that the groom was happening and nothing he did would change that fact. He’s clearly learned that if he acts up, groomers give up and he wins. Dogs are not stupid, they train humans as much as humans train them. He appeared to have given in rather ungraciously, but realized you were not someone he could train. Absolutely great job! I’ve owned and trained dozens of small breed dogs and being firm yet patient and kind is the key. Dogs are pack animals, they fundamentally understand that the alpha makes the rules and everyone else must abide by them or face the consequences. In this case, you were the alpha and you showed Winston that the consequences of not submitting to something he doesn’t like (but does NOT hurt) led to him running in an elevated harness and still getting the groom that he tried so very hard to avoid. Wonderful job!! Hopefully other groomers and good owners watch your videos and learn how to deal with stubborn pets. Pets do not need pain or suffering to learn that they are not getting their way. Allowing them to choose their physical comfort level while getting the groom is the perfect solution. Charles Darwin knew his stuff!

[@censusgary]

Watching “Girl With The Dogs” makes me realize that things like bathing, clipping, and combing are the easy part of pet grooming. The hard part is managing the animal’s behavior, and Vanessa is a grand master of that.

[@bldbar118]

True

[@LydiaC-e3m]

It’s called “training your dog” which seems to be an unknown thing in society ??? Confused where some people come from that they don’t start behavioral training the day they get their dog

[@ashleyswshr]

Winston: “ These indignities won’t soon be forgotten “ Groomer: *plays laugh track*

[@LaChWi]

🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🥰

[@TravisJohann115-]

Hey good afternoon beautiful how are you doing today hope you're having a wonderful afternoon

[@BrianDavis13]

Wow, what a legendary grooming job! I love Vanessa's voice when she says "Wanna go for a walk?! Wanna go for a car ride?!" It makes me smile because there is genuine kindness and understanding there. Bravo, Vanessa!

[@animerlon]

Even though she's lying to him. 😂

[@lgDukeCity5018]

@@animerlon Its for their own good. 😆😆😉

[@animerlon]

@@lgDukeCity5018 That's what all liars say, you must have experience. ..... 😄😂🤣

[@Ginab33]

Why are the distraction words so helpful?! Lmao he reminded me of my dog pepper, I’m going to try this with her. Especially “who is that!?” And “who’s here?”

[@mizzpeach01]

This girl needs a freaking award! The lengths she goes to, the patience, the attention to detail, the determination. Sheesh!! Great job!!

[@MJBuggslyf]

the sudden switch from Winston on the table to Winston hanging made me LOL, BOTH TIMES! Sweet boy Winston 😊You are always so amazing with all of the dogs!

[@Ocean-lr6oz]

I cackled for a good minute!

[@shadowcatanya]

I've been watching your videos for a bit, and my neighbor has recently come to me for assistance. She has a Husky Malamute mix who HATES being groomed. Several places have stated he cannot be groomed normally. It is thanks to your videos that I have been able to get the dog from being so matted he can't move very well to being able to keep up with his younger, smaller sister. I would not have the knowledge without your videos and I and my neighbor are eternally grateful for that.

[@corgiw7281]

Good work! You are to be commended. :D

[@humaneleaguelancPA]

Good Job, that is a Big Dog and a lot of Hair to work with…you are doing your friend a great favor! Bless you!!

[@mollylilly1403]

Good job!

[@shadowcatanya]

Update on the doggo, he is doing really well, it's a million times easier to brush him out, he has far fewer issues with matting, and he is out pacing his sister in races. He is such a happy dog and is feeling so much better. It has also helped keeping his claws filed down because he runs like a mad dog and due to the temperature of the Asphalt here his paws still have a decent fluff on them so on wood or tile he goes "Skiing" (he seems to have fun and wags his tail like no other)

[@barbaramcmillan3835]

​@@shadowcatanya You need to shave out his paw pads, if you have the right clipper.

[@pamelacachia6756]

I admire your patience! He has so many health issues, no wonder he’s so cranky! Poor thing!

[@paulawilkins512]

I groomed for over 30 years and I must say you are a delight to watch. Your patience and caring really shine.😊

[@dnmurphy48]

Very alert for a sedated dog

[@polysemiclove]

May need to up the trazodone prescription….

[@mygirldarby]

The vets don't seem to know how to give dogs sedation drugs for anxiety. They're always way under-sedated. It's useless to give them so little.

[@polysemiclove]

@@mygirldarbysome dogs are really resistant to sedatives too. I know bc my poodle mix is one of them 😅😅

[@prettyrj4448]

Lol ...o he crazy crazy 🤣🤣 🤣🤣 you are a great groomer very creative 🎉🎉🪄🪄🪄

[@saffycatamos]

If that was "sedated"....I'd hate to see him at full force ! Adorable little dog though! Great job, Vanessa .

[@marilyntyger5253]

You did a wonderful job on Winston. He seemed to enjoy his bath and had a better attitude. You were right about not letting him get away with his shenanigans. I bet Winston feels so much better after his spa day! Lol

[@angief1330]

God love you, so nice to see how patient and calmly you do your job. When you are done with those dogs they are happy again!

[@jguitar23]

Vanessa deserves the Nobel Peace Prize tor this one! We had the same mix, an excellent little shepherdess & guard dog! It's a great mix, imho. Courageous as heck!

[@loridyson569]

Thank you sooo much for showing the owners reactions to the hair cut. We would love to see more of those on all dogs but mostly the troubled ones. Great job at staying calm & having the patients needed.

[@ElaineWood-f2t]

Winston is such a cutie! He looked great after his haircut! I hope his owners will be able to get his ear infections treated now. That could be part of why he was so cranky. Poor baby.

[@crazycatlady312]

Yes ear infections are extremely painful

[@barbaramcmillan3835]

Along with skin yeast infections and bad teeth.

[@mariarugolo2487]

I managed to spill coffee twice watching this. I jumping when Winston snapped. You are amazing!

[@moorek1967]

Legend has it, Winston is still trying to see who is at the door.

[@gizzyroberts18]

That funny!!

[@daveogarf]

You have the gift and the talent for dealing with difficult critters, Ms. Vanessa! The main take-away I get from your videos is that YOU LISTEN to them and adjust your routine accordingly. I'd guess that you're a breath of fresh air for many dogs who feel ignored by the groomers.

[@michellem9444]

It's amazing how Winston is like "absolutely not!" to the scissors and trimmer, but for the water, he's like "oh well". Interesting how many different triggers he has, but water is not one of them.

[@barbaramcmillan3835]

Because the water relieved his skin problems, and then the oatmeal shampoo helped it more.

[@XLindsLuvsPinkX]

I absolutely love the titles. I live in PA where we have alligator snapping turtles, so I HAD to come see. She was right lol.

[@yiayia100]

My guess is with 4 people around him Winston has been frightened and highly stressed. I’ll bet he was waiting for the other 3 to show up. Your calm and consistent approach really shows how to approach stressed dogs no matter their size. Awesome job Vanessa!

[@Noctua8]

That's silly they obviously tried starting with just one person

[@justalonesoul5825]

@@Noctua8 Indeed but that probably didnt go nearly as well as with Vanessa, and it could have easily started a vicious circle leading to multiple people seen as required, escalating the issue, when it's apparently more of a question of approach...

[@amosfraser]

Great job Vanessa!

[@kwuinfo]

That’s my thought, 4 people for a dog that size probably caused more harm. When the groomer told me it took 4 people to do my 3 months gsd nails that was the last time they saw him. He sees me take out the clipper he will lay on his side. I clip all 4 paws, file, treat, and we are done under 5 mins.

[@PonderingStudent]

​@@kwuinfohe clearly trusts you through and knows you won't hurt him, which is what makes the difference.

[@octopuppy5611]

I love when he's hanging and throws a fit and then just grublmes it feels very much like. "Fine do what you are doing but I'm gonna complain about it"

[@valerieenlow6282]

“Hanging them in the air” reminds me of a mother dog when she picks up her puppies! No surprise it might calm a dog down.

[@karofauske]

Air jail 😂

[@AvidusReader]

I love when the owners consent to a filmed "first look" both dog and human reactions are priceless! Doggone is like 'my humans!" And the people are "omg they look so good!"

[@judithlehman9122]

Never thought about the mother dog technique. Makes sense.

[@carolinacoreas7716]

It works on a few dogs, my sister's chiweenie hates it, but she needs it in order to dremel her claws. She fights hard though, this one time she almost flung herself out of the sling.

[@homeschooledaroundtheworld4660]

My dog was the same. Her last groomer fired her last year. We decided to groom her ourselves. With patience and much love, we have been grooming her ever since. The key is that we do not do all areas in one day. We keep up with a reasonable hair length for her comfort and our peace of mind. We use only seizors since she hates the noise of shaving tools and vacuums. We comb her hair instead of using a brush and she prefers that. We are all happier. She always looks beautiful and we get many compliments 🐶

[@coolcutiekitti17]

love how the cameraman accidentally making noise at the end helped her get the groom more completed than he's ever had! Hope he's able to find a regular groomer who's as patient as she is in the future!

[@voyaristika5673]

He had so much to tell mom and dad!! But he was just so happy he didn't DIE! 😂 Well done. He turned out adorable, and you are definitely following your calling. Such a gift!

[@felion548]

I don’t blame you for flinching when he snaps at you I flinched and I’m just watching a video You are a marvel at how you approach your clients 😍

[@cherihibbs8368]

Almost dropped my phone 😳

[@mixiperez6833]

I was jumping back & flinching too. I'm a dog owner, but only large dogs. For me personally, I find them easier to train, a lot calmer & aren't snappy. They're my gentle giants. But that's just my opinion. I was bit 3 times in the 2 months I stayed w my cousin & her shit tzu, her dog was very loving to her, her mother & son. Anyone else, she barked repeatedly & looked to bite, despite my cousin telling her no, stop, etc..

[@zuzu6864]

My soul left my body a couple of times

[@Libbathegreat]

Yeah and he gave no indication like growling, he just went for it 😬

[@ellisburton8733]

The calm school mistress voice and telling the little guy to stop being outrageous - an absolute joy. Great video and your the best 💜

[@heybigsplendour]

His ear infections definitely made him much more aggressive. You handled him so well

[@mellawes533]

Trying to groom a dog with an ear infection is so brave! Poor little thing would've been in so much pain

[@mollylilly1403]

I have a Brussells Griffon and a Shih-fon and they are very prone to ear infections. Luckily, there is a one-time med that the vet can give them now, so you don't have to deal with trying to get it in their furry little ears yourself.

[@animeaunty]

She also said his breath was real bad so I bet he mite have some painful teeth as well 🤷 Could have been why he was so protective of his chin 🤔

[@mellawes533]

My dog won't let me touch his ears, ever!

[@punchkitten874]

​@@animeaunty Chronic/severe ear infections can lead to jaw infections.

[@elizabethannegrey6285]

Absolute genius. I marvel at the way you wield those rapier scissors right at his face while he is actively resisting you. Your timing is split second. He looks so gorgeous once groomed, and this whole video gave me a great laugh at some of his antics even while suspended. Five gold stars for this one.

[@ritawentworth]

He seemed so much calmer after his bath.

[@Arsenicosis]

Realized he wasn't going to win lol

[@okiejohn3925]

Defeat was creeping into his subconscious...😖

[@myzacky96]

the meds kicked in

[@Hawk7886]

@@myzacky96 probably a combination of the meds kicking in and exhaustion once his adrenaline rush wore off, haha

[@barbaramcmillan3835]

I think the warm water and oatmeal shampoo did it's magic on his yeasty skin.

[@Fee212]

She has amazing kindness for, and empathy with these clients. Love dogs.

[@andifism]

Winston is just too cute. Love how he was so much better towards the end of his groom. He knew he had met his match with Vanessa, wondering why all his usual shenanigans weren't working. 😂

[@barbaramcmillan3835]

He was much better after the oatmeal shampoo.

[@gsquaredmke]

It is so amazing how Vanessa can use all sorts of things to disarm these animals. You can see them gain trust in her, so cool. :)

[@owlinadayswork8911]

vanessa yelling "that's unacceptable!!" at a small put out dog has to be my new favorite thing 😂

[@HailStorm-fp4dz]

Lol. One of my friends works at a preschool and she always uses phrases like “No thank you!” and “We don’t do that here” when someone swears or cuts her off when she’s driving 🤣 it’s hilarious to watch. Once she asked me if I wanted some “Num nums” (food).

[@Sp00kyQueen]

@@derekthompson3907say what now?

[@francesbrennan5160]

'Yelling' is not the correct descriptive word here, more like firmly, authoritatively correcting his bad behaviour. 'Yelling' implies being extremely loud & argumentative.

[@littledrummergirl_19]

@@francesbrennan5160it’s pretty clear what she meant, not everyone needs to be corrected to absolutely perfect grammar. Colloquial or casual use of words is fine, we’re not in an academic setting or something.

[@nylirama]

I work in a veterinary clinic, and the biting dogs and cats are a daily occurrence. The worst part is that a lot of owners deny the aggression even as the pet is charging at us in front of them. Cat owners are much better at warning us than dog owners. Kudos to her. Very patient and resourceful.

[@mousiebrown1747]

Your ability to control your emotions is so very good! Your calm positive attitude is being received by poor Winston. I’m sure it’s helping today but also helps him for future grooming & vet care. You are truly a dog’s best friend!❤

[@cassidybrewer]

Not only are you incredibly technically skilled but also very gifted in understanding the puppers’ body language and emotional state. Thank you for sharing your tips for people who wouldn’t be able to interpret that for themselves.

[@Dekubud]

He's yeasty, he's fighty, but most of all, he's a sweetie. Good job Vanessa! As a cat person who never has had a dog but who loves animals, I really enjoy how you explain everything when it comes to dog behaviour and how to handle it. You have helped my interactions with dogs be more positive!

[@CrownOfWealth55299]

You are simply awesome! Thank you for these wonderful videos.❤

[@Twilyhtmist]

What a cute little guy Winston is! I think he is very smart and quick, and knows that he can definitely get what he wants by acting a certain way. It seems that no one thus far has been able to calmly refuse to give in, and diffuse his tactics enough to show him that the grooming still will get done - and that it can be a good experience... until you, that is! I do wonder how much the ear infection adds to his overall crankiness and snappishness, since in many ways that's like always having a mid-to-low-grade migraine, guaranteeing a relatively short fuse, poor baby! Great job as always!

[@susanstaples6171]

I agree. Skin and ear infections can make my grumbly dog into a super grouch

[@Foxinamangle2]

Yes! Pain completely transforms an animal. I wonder how much better he would be if he had such a positive grooming experience again but without the infection. I do think this dog has the potential to become accustomed to grooming without needing as much restraint. Only time will tell!

[@yolandapagan5656]

Vanessa, “the miracle worker.” I like what you say about not allowing Winston to get his way , while you keep calm and keep reassuring him. Crazy thought “would that work on people too??

[@shannondiaz2275]

You would love the book "Don't Shoot the Dog". It's a staple in the library for most professional animal trainers. It explains how you can tweak processes you might use to train a dog to be useful on just about any species - including people!

[@orngjce223]

The problem with people is that even small children are far far more complex emotionally and mentally than dogs. People can be scarred for the next fifty years if you do it wrong. "Not letting them win" is to be used sparingly and _only_ for absolutely necessary and life-threatening things like health treatments. Everything else, such as chores and homework, you are far better served by troubleshooting. Often there is a surprisingly simple reason why someone _can't_ do something, and fixing that is worth a hundred won'ts. If that doesn't work, then acclimatization/slow exposure might. But seriously. No. Do not do this with people. Ask me how I know.

[@januk7725]

patience, perseverance, and a few tricks won the day!! well done Vanessa on the feisty Winston

[@jac2479]

I would love to see the owners faces when they get these dogs back. Remarkable

[@dlareghaydel2839]

He’s like “Girl WHERE?! I see nothing and no one.’ I bet he dragged you for filth at the dog park. Telling all the paws who listens that you see ghosts. The little raised paw and curious/nosey stare each time you asked, is too darn adorable.

[@CorettaJG]

Right!😂

[@AdelardRen]

6:33 I can confirm this. I've done a lot of petsitting and dogwalking for my neighbors. It's been years now, and a lot of those animals are aging, some of them have passed. I didn't entirely expect it to effect me the way it has, but it's like losing a friend, regardless of if those were my pets or not.

[@julial4569]

Have you noticed how he immediately calms down when he hears "Good boy Winston"? 😅

[@doloresleyva8810]

He's young enough to learn not to bite and to learn better behavior. He's spoiled.

[@pinkcatminht]

​@@doloresleyva8810you have no clue what his home situation is like. It could be that. It could be past abuse. It could be that he's grumpy bc he has a double ear infection. You can't know the reason from a 10-ish minute KZbin video.

[@barbaramcmillan3835]

​@@doloresleyva8810 He has known ear infections, problems with his teeth, and yeast infections on his skin (alleviated by the oatmeal shampoo). His behaviour will likely improve when the health problems are attended to.

[@vickiwittmeyer4438]

That Sling Really Is So Much Better For Him and You!!!! Great Idea!!!! You Are So Good With Him!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@TeLeShae]

I just could not help but laugh when you said "Whos at the door?!" and Winston's looking past you 😂 Omg I know you had to be exhausted after this groom. Watching this one looked tiring

[@eco2geek.]

Hopefully the owners watch these videos to see all the hard work that went into grooming their pet.

[@latonyanewsome0]

They do, that's why they bring their animals to her.

[@nopandakit8051]

I dont know why, but his impotent rage in the hanging harness was funny. I think he finally understood that he was not the one in charge. ❤