Scottish SPCA helps woman and dog from Renfrewshire after traumatic grooming experience

A woman from Renfrewshire says she nearly had to surrender her dog after he was traumatised following a visit to a dog groomer.

Jessica, who has owned poodles for over five decades, took her dog Charlie to a new groomer earlier this year.

When she collected him, she was concerned to see that Charlie was distressed and desperate to leave. On the walk home, she says he snapped and growled at her, and he refused to let her near him.

It later emerged that during his grooming appointment, Charlie was placed on a small ledge for his haircut, and then in a small waiting area with three other dogs, all of which were much larger than Charlie and proceeded to circle him.

Jessica sought advice from the Scottish SPCA, fearing Charlie would need to be rehomed – but the charity’s community animal behaviourist Joanne Vasey helped her manage his behaviour.

Jessica said: “I encourage anyone in my position who needs support with their pet’s behaviour to reach out, as without them, I wouldn’t have been able to keep my best friend, which is just unthinkable.

“Thanks to the Scottish SPCA, Charlie is home for Christmas with his mum.”

She says Joanne has helped her recognise stress responses in Charlie and give him more control over his environment.

They’re still working together to rebuild the toy poodle’s confidence.

Joanne said: “Without our Community Behaviour help, there would have been no option but for Jessica to have rehomed Charlie as the situation was likely to deteriorate and affect the mental well-being of both.

“With some explanations about why he was behaving this way, it allowed Jessica to understand him so much better, and then we worked on some simple behaviour techniques to rebuild trust.

“There have been a few setbacks along the way, but the continued support has meant things have settled down, and Jessica knows what to do in any future situations.

“Without our help, a lovely dog would have been uprooted from a wonderful home needlessly, so I am so glad I was able to help them both.”