The Dramatic German Shepherd Second Grooming Appointment
It's a beautiful fall day and the sun is shining, but for one particular dog, it's not such a great day. Pal, the famous German Shepherd, is at the grooming salon for his second grooming appointment. But as soon as he enters, it's clear that he is not happy about it.
Pal's owner, Mike, explains that this is only his second professional grooming appointment, and the first time he was just bathed. Pal is not used to being away from his owner and is extremely anxious about being at the grooming salon.
As the groomer tries to coax Pal into the tub, he starts whining and resisting. It takes a lot of effort and even some reinforcement to finally get him inside. But once in the tub, Pal's anxiety only intensifies.
As water starts to pour onto him, Pal becomes increasingly stressed and vocal. Mike had to put on ear protection to shield himself from his furry friend's loud barks and cries. It's clear that Pal is not enjoying this experience at all.
But why is this usually calm and well-socialized dog so anxious?
Firstly, German Shepherds are known for their anxiety. As smart and loyal animals, they form strong bonds with their owners and can suffer from separation anxiety when away from them. Pal's reactions are proof of this, as he is not used to being away from Mike.
Secondly, this is only Pal's second grooming appointment. Being bathed and groomed by a stranger can be overwhelming for any dog, let alone one that is used to being bathed by their owner.
As the groomer tries to calm Pal down with a "happy hoodie," which helps to reduce anxiety in dogs, he continues to whine and struggle. But the groomer persists, explaining that it's important for dogs to experience new things and build their confidence. This could be especially beneficial for Pal, who is known to be a therapy dog for Mike's mother, who has Alzheimer's.
As the groomer finishes bathing and drying Pal, it's clear that he's not entirely comfortable, but he looks shiny and clean. The groomer explains that she used a combination of deshedding and deep cleaning shampoos from her own brand, "Fluff Off" and "Nasty Critter." And with Black Friday sales approaching, it's the perfect time for pet owners to stock up on these products.
Despite not enjoying the bathing and drying process, Pal finally calms down when the groomer starts brushing him. And as she combs through his fur, she can see that he is shedding like a typical German Shepherd. But Pal's fans know that he is used to being sandy and dirty, as he recently returned from a vacation in Florida.
Once the grooming is complete, Pal's coat is shiny and free of loose fur. The groomer then uses hypoallergenic wipes to clean his face since Pal was too anxious to have his face washed during the bath.
Finally, it's time for ice cream! Pal is ecstatic to see Vanessa, the receptionist at the grooming salon. He jumps around and shows off his clean coat as if saying, "Look at how beautiful I am!" Vanessa can't help but give him lots of love and pets.
As Pal leaves the grooming salon with Mike, he's smelling great and looking like a million bucks. Despite not enjoying his grooming experience, it was worth it in the end. And as for Mike's mom, who loves Pal so much, she'll be thrilled to see him looking his best when he visits her.
Pal may be a dramatic German Shepherd at the grooming salon, but it's clear that it's because he loves his owner so much. And thanks to his training and socialization, he's able to push through his fears and build his confidence in new situations. Pal may not love his grooming appointments, but he sure does love his owner and the ice cream that follows.
