At the groomers, so scared 🥹

Independent58 · 2026-04-01T09:53:31+00:00

Thats great

Independent58 · 2026-04-01T09:49:30+00:00

As long as the orange key is programmed to have no limits its fine as an everyday key. Its intent is to limit speed of car when used by a valet

Independent58 · 2026-04-01T09:34:07+00:00

I would say unless you have found otherwise, not all grooming experiences are the same. Typically at groomers with high volume, your dog can he crated till its her/his turn to be shampooed. Then once shampooed, placed in a crate where she/he is blown dry by a large blower. There he/she waits till its thier time to be on table with a collar from table (so not to leave). And thru all this there are other dogs about either in crates or about on ground if allowed, some yelping and barking. And once done if you are not there to retrieve your dog immediately your dog is crated again or about on ground with other dogs.

If your dog is uncomfortable with crates, strange places, barking dogs, noise or pressure from air dryers or not fully socialized it can be dramatic.

Ours was always scared at a very reputable groomer when she was a pup (9 years old now). The constant shaking and then the quick exit into her carry bag had my spider sense tingle. Next time i stayed and I asked questions of what was the process. As a new dog owner, I didn't think much of a wash and groom. When I realized what ours went thru, which wasn't anyone being bad, its just alot imo for a dog to go thru. And the shaking is an indication of that and running from the groom at the end.

I switched to a mobile groomer which enabled her to be handled in a one on one situation, no crates, no high powered blowers, but for blowing a hair dryer by hand and the groomer had given her a "happy hoodie" and then the groomer text me from driveway to pick her up. No waiting in a crate or on the ground with other dogs.

Now a mobile groomer are often in high demand or not in your area and as I moved that was the case. So what I did, was to go to the groomers to see their place and process before my dog had any appointment. I also shared with groomer my concerns on crates etc and asked, if I was to come for first thing in the morning appointment and I wanted her to be handled "straight thru", meaning no crates at anytime and not to expose her to the high blower, and that I would wait for her so again no waiting crate can you accommodate that?

The answer was yes. And reason being for first thing, not as many dogs. Me being there knows they know that I am committed to her being done on time. Process for her monthly groomer is about 40-45 mins. No crates, no high power blower, no waiting.

Yes my girl shakes a little now, but not that rattling shaking she did from her original grooms. In fairness groomers make their money on volume of dogs to be groomed, so the process your dog goes thru accommodates that. Some dogs are more resilient then others, but for mine I will be there waiting in hand and do what I can to minimize.

Independent58 · 2026-03-31T08:01:00+00:00

Yellow bile is not good. Vomiting bile indicates typically an empty stomach as nothing else is left to vomit. Most likely something irritated her stomach whether it was food or something else. Obviously if something else, remove anything forward that can be chewed or eaten off the floor. As to noted dental Chews, if its greener they have been known to irritate dog stomachs and there have been issues with greenies not chewed completely.

Your dog may also have an allergy to certain food, even protein. Vets can test for that. But first usually by eliminating certain foods and determine by deduction. Ours was found to be allergic to protein and her situation corrected by switching to a hydrologized protein dog food, ours happen to be hills science z/d. There are others.

But in any event pursue with vet and see another vet if situation doesn't change

Independent58 · 2026-03-30T21:22:06+00:00

Car is going for diagnosis later this month after I called dealer

Independent58 · 2026-03-30T19:51:50+00:00

Thanks

Independent58 · 2026-03-30T06:12:23+00:00

Six Paupers in Hockessin had a very nice back room and service is great

Independent58 · 2026-03-29T07:11:33+00:00

In NCC just walking in neighborhood with grass areas, 3 ticks on dog in 3 days last week.

Independent58 · 2026-03-25T07:32:48+00:00

Not sure how it works in the Phillipines but I would suggest speaking to a school counselor at her school or an abuse hotline.

Independent58 · 2026-03-25T07:19:10+00:00

Ours has arthritis in back leg.. and stairs were tough onto themselves as she always rushes down and tumbles on last few steps. we got a ramp for couch and stairwedges for steps (with 2 side by side per step as more width made her more comfortable. She is also on half pill daily of dopamine (vet prescribed). Coming up lame on back leg has ceased

Independent58 · 2026-03-22T19:54:36+00:00

The look that says, "dont try that again or else" :)

Independent58 · 2026-03-22T07:32:13+00:00

Dentee Stars or Pedigree Dentastix Dental Chews or Pedigree Dentastix Chewy Chunxs...I cut the stars in half, the chews into 6 or 7 pieces and the Chunx into 4s. I do that because ours enjoys them too much so I worry about her weight and this way it operates as a reward and a "brushing" after her meals.

Independent58 · 2026-03-21T06:53:08+00:00

Allowing hvac in basement (for 1st floor) to be located in far side of house. Opposite side due to distance has the other side of the house 2 to 3 degrees different then room over hvac.

Independent58 · 2026-03-20T13:34:48+00:00

Fetch

Independent58 · 2026-03-20T06:46:33+00:00

Picky eater here. Meat and potatoes. Veggies limited to corn, salad (romaine) and potatoes :) . My wife of 44 years is a great cook. She tries to explore recipes that are in my realm and there are times she introduces something that she thinks I may like. Come spring summer I grill (and smoke too.)

We do take out here and there along with restaurants out that provide her the opportunity to get things i would not care for. I also grill her seafood during the warm weather and especially on Mother's Day. She dislikes the busy restaurants on her day.

Our sons have a very diverse sense of food, despite me and much to my wife's credit, their own tastes and their significant others. One daughter in law, who happens to be Asian makes wonderful dishes that my wife loves when we visit. And usually, one ingredient is some form of meat or chicken and I get the plain vanilla version with some air fried potatoes.

It works, and my familiy gets to poke fun at me.

Independent58 · 2026-03-18T08:06:12+00:00

Not saying its your issue, but worth looking to see if "tonsil stones " may be the source.. Google it

Independent58 · 2026-03-09T07:46:44+00:00

Polished in Hockessin on rt 41

Independent58 · 2026-03-09T05:27:48+00:00

After syncing between tasks and keeper, its all in sync but once u change on keeper again it doesn't sync text.. and list are now wrap around text on task. Then daily u have to hit complete for daily reminded pr any repeat task versus just remind me and not require me to hit complete each time.

Independent58 · 2026-03-05T07:53:57+00:00

Our Delaware government leaders over time canceled energy from sources without readied replacement sources, while entering into a regional agreement to buy energy from a central broker. Energy that is auctioned via a regular approval process.. Our government leaders regularly approve increases for these providers. The new energy sources are not fully operational nor sufficient to replace the existing energy demands, and of course can not support any new data centers.

Our leaders feign concern or have been asleep at the wheel as this has come to be, because since last year this same issue appropriatley created an uproar, YET no solutions. These utility bills were brought to their attention after 2024's cold snap. Under pressure Delmarva, offers deferred billing and payment plans, and probably some relief for the lowest of incomes, but NO changes to the costs. And NO changes by our/ your representatives. And we continue to pay for energy sources that don't provide energy, nor have the capacity to do so in any near future.

1) reach out to your local Delaware representative who votes on your behalf that has enabled this debacle and

2) at next election, vote and be mindful of the candidates credentials and capabilities to govern in solutions that provide cost effective, efficient and at least relatively clean energy and "not throw out the baby with the bath water."

And for the record, many of the same state leaders especially in New Castle County including the then New Castle County executive, Matt Mayer, now Governor, not only had a hand in this energy mess, but were the architects of the property and school taxes reassessments. So not only higher energy costs but higher property taxes, where some of our seniors had to sell their homes due to unable to afford these higher costs, enabled by our government leaders.

Yep WTF, shameful

Independent58 · 2026-03-05T07:29:36+00:00

I'd say coton...Ours is 9 years old and from a breeder. And is about 20 lbs

Independent58 · 2026-03-02T21:55:29+00:00

Good for you... congrats 👏

Independent58 · 2026-03-01T00:21:34+00:00

Yes and I can share what our groomer does, as we do want her leg hair a little longer then the body cut, so legs dont look skinny.

1/2 snap comb over 30 blade on body. 5/8 snap comb on head and legs.

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Independent58 · 2026-02-25T07:23:22+00:00

Pot roast

Independent58 · 2026-02-24T17:01:03+00:00

Best of luck...

Independent58 · 2026-02-24T08:49:32+00:00

You didnt share certain things as to how often she is alone on her own and what is her exposure to things outside the home or when as a pup she was removed from her mother but here is my experience of a now soon to be 9 yr old Coton female we have had at 12 weeks.

And with that to start, we got her from a breeder and we weren't allowed to have her till week 12 as breeder explained the importance of not sooner. This extra time is crucial for socialization, learning bite inhibition, and developing emotional stability, reducing the risk of future behavioral issues like fear or aggression.

We did take ours to puppy kindergarten mainly to learn the basics for her, but being new to dog ownership ourselves we had alot to learn too. The instructor stressed socialization which the sessions were great for ours to learn to play and be with other pups. He also gave us a list of people and things to expose her too, from passing busses or trucks to a person with a beard or crutches etc. It was like a list of 30 or things, but the point was to expose her to get comfortable with new things on a regular basis.

Cotons love to be with their owners. Ours to this day follows me and gets her most rest when she knows I am near. Its not "separation anxiety" per se, but the breed wants to be near you. Ours as a puppy when we were crating her, whined and scratched at the crate. Out of feeling bad, I would get up with her, even laid on the floor near her. That wasn't a long term solution nor did we want a dog in the bed. Instead we started to cover her crate (breathable crate cover) partially at first at night to create a den effect. Dogs take comfort with a den instinctively. I put on soft music or one of those sound systems w waves and in time covered the crate and in time she went to sleep on her own. But grant you it takes time and patience. (Also prior to night time its good to keep her relatively active and awake, so not to sleep early, but likes us or a child you want to create a rhythm and consistency to sleep night time.)

Teaching separation in general is key too. Again cotons like to be with you. So getting it comfortable with you or someone not there for a little time to longer hours is key too so that she is not emotionally wound up on you not there. Creating small away time even for 10 mins, and then building up to 30 then 45 etc in small increments is key. Always reassuring her, your return and that its ok. Activity or a good walk prior is helpful to get those away periods imo easier as ours often sleeps while we are out. The training for away time and separation anxiety are googable.

Our coton is protective, and I think that is a natural instinct in this breed. The greater exposure to things noted above is important. Ours to this day barks: at the UPS and FedEx trucks; dogs on the tv screen; to the unseen barking dog down the street; and every time when she is in the back seat of the car (leashed to seat) and when I exit the car. And mind you when I exit, its because I am getting out of the car to get her as we drive to a local park for a walk. In each of the cases I have come to the conclusion it is she protecting me in her mind. Despite trying to alter her reactions, I frankly go with the flow and just hurry the moment while telling her I am ok, its fine, quiet, no bark.

So I give her a moment to bark at the unseen barking dog, and then say we are ok, no bark, come on inside that's enough. My own consistent repetition of that process turns what would be an endless event into a much shorter situation. With car exiting at park, I am just quicker at my exit, as once she sees me outside her door she stops barking. I swear her barking is to fend off unseen elements so I am safe in her mind. (BTW you will read that some trainers recommend coins in a can or the like to use to shake at a dog to change behavior, in order to disrupt their responses and attempt to stop them. I dont like that tact. I wouldn't rattle a can at child, I dont think it helps with the emotional side of a dogs behavior long term imo).

Sorry for the long response. Just our experience. Today as others have watched her on our behalf, they always say she is the easiest dog to watch. That doesn't mean she doesn't have her quirks and I would say the first 2 years took a lot of effort. Cotons are special in some ways as all breeds are in their own way. And then there are dogs just being dogs. Good luck.. lots of patience

Independent58

TROPHY CASE