When it comes to grooming, senior dogs require special care. That’s what our dearly beloved James, retired Therapy Dog and Champion, is getting these days. James is now 12 years old. In his dog show days, James was very much at home being bathed and trimmed on a weekly basis. When James (and his late sister Julia) retired from the show ring and came to live with us here on Bridgvale Farm and begin a new career as a Therapy Dog, trimming was done on a every-four-weeks schedule with baths when needed to stay nice and clean. All of our dogs are brushed daily, teeth brushed and ears cleaned 3 times a week, and nails trimmed weekly. All of this takes place on our grooming table with the dogs standing or sitting during the various proceedings.
Up until age 11, James was fine with our regime. Now, at 12, his back legs are weakening and he feels insecure being placed on the grooming table (he used to jump up on the table, as the younger dogs do when I tap it with my hand and say, Time for grooming! They love the one-on-one attention). Time to make allowances… For James: Nails are trimmed while he lies comfortably on the couch (his favorite spot!), teeth are brushed while he sits firmly on the floor in the dog room. James LOVES to have his teeth brushed. He’s crazy about the poultry favored dog toothpaste I use, which makes brushing with his toothbrush very easy. Truly, he’s first in line for his teeth! Ears are done the same way, actually before the teeth (saving the best for last….and he knows it). James is fine standing in our professional dog tub. He feels very secure – it’s like standing in a box. I lift him in and he’s shampooed-rinsed-conditioned-rinsed within 12 minutes. Towel dried in the tub, then lifted down onto the floor. Bathing is quick, easy, and painless. (He loves to be clean)
James in the dog tub.
Trimming has been my biggest problem to figure out. Dogs with hair need proper care – always. It cannot be neglected in the senior dog. With our Trudi, who lived to be 16+ years, I tried all sorts of things to avoid putting her on the grooming table. I tried trimming her on the floor – unsuccessfully. Nothing seemed to work. She would lie down on the grooming table and let me trim her, but I knew the whole while I trimmed, she was a bit ill-at-ease. Trudi was a small English, so lying on the table worked and I trimmed off lots of coat making the trim last longer. Lying on the table was not an option for James, who is a large boy. Every dog is different and, for him, I needed something else.
Diane Leveille, a professional groomer who expertly cares for our Australian Labradoodle Violet’s coat, came to mind. I knew I couldn’t put James through the process of going to the groomer. He would be needlessly stressed out. I emailed Diane about James, explaining his senior status. Understanding senior dogs well, Diane was happy to accommodate his needs. I brushed and bathed James the night before and Diane came to our house the next day to expertly execute his trim while I still at his side, bracing his body from underneath, speaking softly in his ear, and feeding him his favorite Charlie Bears (tiny lo-cal treats). His tail was wagging most of the time. In fact, I had to hold it still for awhile so Diane could trim his back end. He was a happy boy. He was done in no time. And, he looks and feels fabulous. This is not something Diane normally does. She has a very busy grooming practice where Violet is checked in every 6 weeks. But, this special house call was made for our very special senior dog. We truly appreciate Diane’s willingness to accommodate his needs.