Poor Abigail! Arthritis absolutely sucks. It's great that her owner is working on getting her weight down. That will definitely improve her limited mobility and alleviate some of the pain.
It's true. My poor Charlie was skinny his entire life, to the point that I spent years trying to put weight on him. He was a tall Great Pyrenees and never broke 90lbs. (He should have been more like 130.) As he got old he developed very bad arthritis in his hips, and his weight finally became an asset. The vet told me that at least he didn't have to give me the "You have to get him to lose weight" speech that he normally gives to the owners of arthritic dogs. This past summer he became incontinent, and then lost the use of one of his back legs and we knew it was time. He still wanted to patrol his yard though, he was the best boy.
Somebody on here once commented she had a Rottweiler x rough collie mix. That’s an even wilder combo. I looked it up and they look like Rottweilers with long hair.
I have an 11 1/2 year old Golden. He has Arthritis as well.....and had put on a little weight. After a blood test, it revealed that he has Hypothyroidism. 3 weeks after starting the medicine, he has already lost 5 lbs. He is acting happier and gets around better. If you have an overweight senior dog, check their thyroid (which thanks to the vet who did this test!)
Yes, thyroid hormone levels do affect the metabolism. My cat was hyper thyroid, and no matter how much we fed him, he kept losing weight. Which wasn't a good thing for a senior pet with IBD.
@@jenniferlim2250 My daughter had a cat who at 14 yo was diagnosed with hyperthyroid. He was prescribed a special thyroid catfood and Max lived until 20.
My akita shepherd is 13 with arthritis, we've been trying to get her weight down for years. Now she's been on meds for hypothyroidism about 6 months and she's lost over 20lbs! It's been such a blessing.
Soooo nice to see her paw pads shaved!!! With her arthritis and weight she does NOT need to be slipping on floors or stairs!! Great to know she’ll be so much more comfortable
Judgement abounds here, but that's no surprise. Sometimes a dog her size is overweight because of the loss of thyroid function. Especially at her age. We reduced and reduced and reduced the amount of food our Australian cattle dog was consuming, until she was getting a bare 1 cup of kibble per day, which she devoured in 30 seconds. Still, the weight did not come off. It was only when her thyroid problems were diagnosed and she got on medication that she was able to get back down to a fighting weight of 35 pounds. This a common problem, not an unusual one.
This is why owners especially of older dogs need to get routine bloodwork done regularly. My older girl gets testing done to make sure the thyroid is good as she is a little fluffy and doesn't eat much for her size.
Were you able to increase her food intake after diagnosing the thyroid issue? Especially if you have a high energy dog, I can't imagine 1 cup would be enough to sustain them. But, I'm not an expert, so I could be wrong, I just like to imagine you balanced after the diagnosis to something still just as sustainable (say, 2 cups per day or 1.5 cups)
Yup! My cat has the opposite problem, a hyperactive thyroid which combine with kidney disease lead to a loss of weight. They showed up on a blood test and she gained weight once I got her on the right medication and food.
It always warms my heart to see how you try as much as possible to work around each dog's problems or dislikes. I*m sure this particular old lady was all the better for her trip to you. Got to say the bit about the poop smell had me laughing!
Her weight cannot be helping the joints. My dog had to lose weight per the vet as preventative. 57 lbs. Down to 40lbs. ( my sister housed us for 18 months and bless her, over treats her dog so mine as well) . After we got our own place , it took a year but we got it done gradually. I however gained 20lb.😅 It never ends❤
It's so hard for anyone to lose weight when you can't move easily and pain doesn't help. Abigail is such a good girl, under her circumstances. And loved by her owner.
About 20 years ago I lived in a two storey house - I used to find it difficult to go downstairs first thing in the morning - one step at a time I.e. I would put one foot down and then the other foot would join it and repeat until I got to the bottom plus I’d be holding onto the banister with both hands - eventually moved to a single storey house. Now 73 - I’ve lost a lo😂t of weight and I’m walking an average of 8-12,000 steps each day and today alone I climbed 7 storeys throughout my walk. I still get joint twinges but nothing like I used to get. The old adage is true - if don’t use it …you lose it. It’s difficult to get started but the benefits are worth it. ❤❤
It's easy for the dog to loose weight. The owner just needs to weigh her food and use a quality Kibel or raw diet. The expensive kibels people usually buy eg Purina pro plan, and hills science plan are garbage and almost entirely cereal. Some simple research on canine nutrition and reading Kibel contents and hunting around does the trick. Weigh the food, dogs should be getting their mental stimulation needs met but it isn't needed for weight management. I do not sympathise with owners that do this, the food begging or misbehaviour only gets worse if you over food.
She’s explained that a lot of groomers can’t afford to take as much time as she does or risk their own safety. If there’s anything this channel has taught me, it’s not to judge.
Anyone else notice that after she gave in to being brushed, she almost looked to be enjoying it? Thank you, Vanessa, for always enducating and never judging your clients ❤
@@JamesBurdon-gu5yuHow do you know the owners aren’t doing that? Dogs (and people for that matter) can still gain weight even when they’re actively trying to lose it
@@JamesBurdon-gu5yuFor many ppl, metabolism slows down when one is much older. I know coz I myself am prime example. I don't eat much for breakfast (just a small sized portion of Indian potato pancakes -masala dosai or two slices of oatmeal toast and an egg) and don't hv much appetite for lunch or dinner. But I still do not lose weight despite being quite active. My GP says it's a real thing, especially for women. Coz of our hormones. You may be one of the luckier ones who is not affected by this. But many of us are. Especially women.
@NialSanderson Because thats not how it works. If you give an input that is lower than output thyroid issues or inability to move aside you will always get weight loss. I worked with severely overfed dogs, rescued by agencies and always got them down, even ones that couldn't walk, and had thyroid issues. Your excuses are invalid, the cases which truly stop weight loss lead to death and other fatal issues those are very very rare and usually they don't like through the puppy stage. This owner isn't trying and isn't weighing their food. End of story.
Once Abagail saw that her baring her teeth, snapping, etc. didn't work to get you to stop, she did resign herself to her fate ... lol! You were so good with her, Vanessa. Thanks for helping this old lady. ❤😊
What a beautiful spice-hound, just a mild Chipotle! 🧡 Thank you for showing us all your work and, in the process, teaching us all how to exercise compassion for our animals while not letting them get away from the things they may not like BUT are for their own good. I’m sure Miss Abigail felt like a new dog after her groom and a long nap!
I love that Vanessa never judges, just educates. I understand, Abigail. We’d both feel so much better if she’d lose some pounds. It’s such a balancing act with giving her what she loves at this age (aka food), but also doing what’s best for her. Good girl, Abigail. Good girl. ❤
Judgment should be passed here. No balancing needed. You weigh the food, begging behaviour does not go away regardless of how much you feed it, not does their food drive, overfeeding just makes it worse, the only reason an owner has for doing this is laziness or it's a fetish. Sorry there is no excuse. Choose a quality Kibel or raw food (Not cereal) (Also supposed "High quality" expensive kibels eg hills science plan is junk. Research needed. I don't see the excuses here.
I am a retriever trainer and owner, and also trained work dogs with extreme food drives and begging behaviours. There is still never an excuse for overfeeding. Ever.
@JamesBurdon-gu5yu Facts. I never understood people with overweight pets. Just don't overfeed them. Period. So what, they beg? Who cares? Shit. If I had someone to control all of my food for me, I'd have a six pack.
Both of my parents had dementia first, my mom kept giving the dog a treat. Every time he came in from going outside and 2 to 3 minutes later he would ask to go outside again so he could get more treats after mom passed dad‘s dementia set in, and he kept feeding the dog multiple times a day because he couldn’t remember that whether or not he fed him, since dad’s passed, my brother is getting the dogs weight down but it’s a slow process because he doesn’t have a yard to run in anymore
😂my mom does the same thing to my dogs when she around. I tell her not to. And the next thing I know she is giving them half her plate anyway. 😂 they would be barrels if ever comes the day she would have to move in with me.
@@euphoniahale5181Same, girl. My mom, even though schooled on the side effects of obesity, either doesn't want to understand that a calf-height dog has much smaller caloric allowance and that "half her plate" is my chubbers allowance for next 3 days or simply cannot resist the begging. My dog gets pre-portioned, dietetician controlled diet and is still almost not loosing weight thanks to my mom.
This… this is why you can’t judge the owners straight away. And it’s another reason why The Girl with the Dogs is so special and needed. ❤ U, girlfriend 😊
I'm suddenly reminded of an Australian ram; he'd gotten loose before he could be castrated, and had been living wild for at least 4-5 years, then was finally captured. He'd never once been shorn, and when they finally got to do so, the vet said he was showing similar signs of arthritis. However, he was not recommended a weight-loss diet, because he'd just lost 40+ lbs of fleece, and that should have helped his joints~
There are three loose just west of the Blue Mountains. They have been trying to catch them for years, but they are a wiley mob. Last time I saw them, one was in desperate need of shearing. The other two were not so bad.
You are so gentle and patient yet persistent with the dogs who are struggling especially due to pain. I know she must feel better after that groom and has no idea how much you helped her by clipping her nails and shaving her grinch feet. Now she will have more grip and less slip while walking which will lessen her pain.
She was trying to be good, I think, but she was so uncomfortable! Vanessa, you were wonderful with her! You always are. It's amazing that you got so much done! Kudos! 💕💕🐕💕💕
I've just started developing some arthritis and am surprised at the level of pain! I always thought it was an achy thing but there's some sharp pain! Poor Abigail. And all you humans, too!
as with humans, there are many reasons a pet can be overweight and overfeeding and lack of exercise is far from the only one. A lot of medical conditions (including more than a few medications) will cause weight gain. And of course physical limits can cause exercise to become very hard or even impossible (including arthritis). Don't fat shame people either for their own weight problems or for those of their pets! More often than not people are fully aware of the problem and have been trying for years if not decades to do something about it without success!
@@rogue7723 We love fat liberationist types just straight up saying their origin was two white, cishet men telling women to make their self-worth all about the approval of any random penis. They're right there on the NAAFA site
There is a genetic abnormality that causes early maturity and later obesity that runs in my dad’s family; i got the trait passed it to my son both he and his wife got the full blown syndrome so granddaughter also has. Unfortunately her pediatrician too her off the preventive too early so she is neither tall nor thin.
I've had 2 Border Collies (28 years) and both their first year was a lot of work (tons of fun too) but they both would go jump into the tub ( when I opened the door and took off my coat etc)- they would hand me their paws to do their nails, and be very helpful when doing any grooming - I just think it's important to let people know that if you start young, make it fun and be consistent, any dog can be trained to enjoy it at minimum, easily tolerate grooming.... Due to my worsening disability I now have my first little dog, an 8lb Toy Aussiedoodle and he is just as well behaved (and naughty in all the best ways)-thanks for another great video
Had a dog who loved to run up and down the beach. After one experience with her pads being abraded by sand, she made the mental connection that water made her paws feel better after running around on sand. As soon as she was back to the house, she ran for the tub, hopped in, and waited to get the sand rinsed out of her paws. She trained herself. But *only* her paws. The rest of grooming was a fight.
Yes. Zookeepers train tigers and wolves to give blood samples from their paws, weigh themselves, etc to minimize drugging them for basic vet care. Dogs can be trained as well.
@@MGower4465 that's adorable - dogs are so incredibly smart - after a major 10 hr back surgery I was watching tv in bed and dropped the remote- I said shite out loud since it meant getting out of bed ( not easy after having a 12 inch spinal fusion) and would need to walk to the kitchen to get my reacher - my girl jumped off the bed, picked up the remote , jumped back up to the bed and dropped it right beside me - I was so impressed and taught her to pick up many things after that- sadly (lol) I still had to pick up her poop.... Thanks for sharing your dog's story.
@@busterdee8228 yes, you lay down your coat or whatever, you lie down. The dog lies down, she's not laying anything down except some rules against the brush
I love that duckie! In fact, I broke down and bought one for myself. It gives me a chuckle every day. Someday I’ll use it on my dogs, but for now it lives in my bathroom shower.
My Scrappi got fat for a while in her senior years. It was hard getting her to walk between the senility, blindness, collapsed trachea, and congestive heart failure. We worked hard on it and adjusted around what she could and couldn't do. She eventually lost the extra weight and could groom herself again, which was nice.
I overfed my dog by following feeding instructions on the bag! My vet told me to cut her food in half and replace the rest with veggies-she recommended green beans. My sweet girl licked each one of those beans off and lined them up next to her bowl 😂. We finally figured out that fresh, crunchy veggies were a hit. She shed 20lbs in 6 weeks! She was a hyper active terrier and only 18 months old.
@pysvtfa4 My newest puppy will eat anything. She loves veggies. It sure does make training easier, let me tell you. My other senior is like his mother - can't stand French fries. What dog (or living creature) won't eat a good French fry? Lol
Wow, incredible job on this lovely old girl! I just had my second knee replacement of 2024 due to arthritis, so I can relate to her pain and grumpiness. Good girl Abigail, you made it!!
My border collie loves being brushed, but I’ve had him since he was 9 weeks old and introduced him very early to the brush. Abigail has the sweetest face ever you did a beautiful job on her❤
Poor Abigail! She's a beautiful dog, but I feel so sorry for her with the arthritis making it so hard for her to stay on her paws. I'm sure she feels a lot better now with everything trimmed, most of her brushed and even her backside tidied up.
Poor little sweet girl.. standing on those paws looked painful for her. Wonder if she receives pain medication.. Wonder if her thyroid has been checked.. And I hope she got lots of hugs after this! ❤ Good job Vanessa for being so gentle with her😊
You did a fantastic job!!! And Abigail did pretty good for her grooming I think, given her age & condition. I'm glad the owner will improve her diet, starting immediately after I hope! It will make a world of difference for Abigail!!!💖
Love watching your videos, you are so calming and soothing. This poor dog must have very sensitive skin to hate brushing so much. Glad you mentioned that the owners know about her weight before people can come on here and attack them for no reason. She is a well loved dog clearly. You are so careful with her. ❤Sending love and patients to the owners. Arthritis can be so challenging with dogs. When you are having a hard time just remember the random commenter that has an Akida with arthritis as well. He's about 120lbs, just shy at his last appointment. Picking him up or helping him into and out of the truck is always an adventure. 😜
Abigail did remarkable well given her health issues. She did great for the bath and blowdry. However, I understand her aggression when brushing. If, at home, she had a lot of mats and her owners tried to brush her; that would be painful. I'm glad you pushed through this groom, especially her nails and paw pads. This elderly girl needs all the traction she can get without long nails and grinch feet in the way. You did a great job!
After reading some of the comments (about weight, and thyroid) very intreresting. She is such a pretty girl! She looked quite happy at the end... Yay, It;s over!
She really only got upset when you brushed the hip hair. I know how she feels with bad cartilage etc. and I would have bitten right off the bat even though I know you’re the best groomer I’ve seen. I use to groom, about 50+ years ago and you have all the same good qualities that I used when grooming. I actually became a hairdresser when 18 but drunk drivers took care of that ambition (I was really good) and the 2nd wreck took me out of competition. I trained horses and other temp things and then shock of shocks I became a programmer in 1988. You should be proud of yourself. I get along with cats and dogs and people alike but you’ve accomplished so much and your vids are fun to watch. Keep it up!
As I was watching the brushing, as she sat at a certain angle, it looked like both of her paws were bent/bending in a certain area (like you said the first paw was doing) OR maybe I'm just old and couldn't see well! hahaha!. Fine work and I really think she loved you for it! Truly.
With his size not that you can stop him 😂 if he's a bit "wooly" (more delicate coat with smaller fiber diameter - soft but easier to tangle) using a spray leave-in conditioner (basically unscented silicone spray) and use your fingers to pet-and-detangle him instead. Our new rescue dislikes brushing too but anything that involves touching and attention is fine and I found that I can get a lot done with just my fingers and wide-tooth comb. Some dogs are just too sensitive to hair pulling by slicker brushes and ball-tipped wire and boar bristle brush is the most they are willing to tolerate (and only if you first detangle and remove loose undercoat with your fingers and/or gently hold the hair so it doesn't tug on the skin). My other doggos get pet and massaged (and rub themselves all over the carpets 😂) so much they only get once-over with undercoat rake once a week at most, thankfully.
2:49 I know some owners have been in situations that make keeping their dog at a healthy weight harder than usual due to health issues. & some owners don’t realize that the weight slowly creeps on from the extra treats & slightly larger meal portions. & not providing enough exercise to burn the calories. I’ve personally never had overweight pets. I’ve always followed my veterinarian’s feeding instructions, exercise recommendations, & kept track of their weight at home & didn’t allow them to exceed their normal weight. My vet had always been straightforward on my dog & cats lowest to highest healthy weight ranges. It’s always essential to ask your vet what is the healthiest weight range for not allowing your cat or dog to get beyond the lowest & highest healthy weight ranges. If that happens despite your bed care, you know it’s a sign to get your cat or dog to their vet asap.
My Australian Shepherd pup HATES slicker brushes too for some reason! She'll let me comb out her fur, but- she flips out if I try with a slicker brush lolol
Brave Vanessa as always! When you say I don't know if I can do something, you always seem to find a way! You are amazing! I see all of your products that are available, but I don't see the trimmer that you use for mats and paws etc... ❣
I'm so sorry this was such a difficult groom for both of you. I could feel her pain, I hope she is on pain meds, poor baby. God Bless you Vanessa! You are an Angel.
If you take a kitten cone of shame and place it at the base of the slicker brush; it can act as a bite guard while brushing…essentially you’d place it so it looks like the 3 musketeer’s sword handle 😂😂😂
@marietighe6328 Aww, that's a cute name. I'm from the southern portion of the U.S., and I don't know if it's still quite as popular nowadays, but going by your first and middle name was common for a very long time. My mom and my S.O. do it.
I love old dogs! They're just so full of personality, and often sass because they're done being messed with lol~ Abigail reminds me of my dog, who was very sweet until her golden years, at which point she became just a little grouchy. She literally had 'cranky old fart' on her vet records. She was still kind enough until you tried to, say, messed with her in a way she did not approve of. And we were all just like 'yeah, you earned it baby, as long as you're not biting people you can be a lil grouchy' Thank you for taking such good care of not just all dogs, but senior dogs especially. They're treasures to this world
My little guy (westie maltipoo) really likes going to see the groomer, finding someone that is really good at what they do that your dog gets on well with is like striking gold.
A tip to get rid of suds in the tub/shower that won’t go down the plug hole. Sprinkle fine table salt on them and they break down and dissipate. Comes in handy when a kitchen hand accidentally squirts dishwashing liquid into your dishwasher and creates an impromptu neck deep 1980’s foam party in your kitchen ( happens more often than you would think😂)
and without proper enrichment, quite screwed up in the head. Had a spitz/sheltie mix growing up, and she went crazy in her old age because she didn't have enough to occupy her brain.
Poor Abigail! Arthritis absolutely sucks.
It's great that her owner is working on getting her weight down. That will definitely improve her limited mobility and alleviate some of the pain.
The nail cut should help too.
It's true. My poor Charlie was skinny his entire life, to the point that I spent years trying to put weight on him. He was a tall Great Pyrenees and never broke 90lbs. (He should have been more like 130.) As he got old he developed very bad arthritis in his hips, and his weight finally became an asset. The vet told me that at least he didn't have to give me the "You have to get him to lose weight" speech that he normally gives to the owners of arthritic dogs. This past summer he became incontinent, and then lost the use of one of his back legs and we knew it was time. He still wanted to patrol his yard though, he was the best boy.
I know my pain is more manageable since losing weight. It should help her, too.
@@debraeuler1674so sorry you lost Charlie. That is one of the worst aspects of pet ownership.
@@debraeuler1674 oh poor charley
Vanessa: How can I rinse you, ma'am, if you lay down in the suds?
Abigail: I cannot stress this eoungh, Vanessa, but this is a _you_ problem.
I had that exact same thought haha!
maybe a lay-down rinsing and draining surface would make sense for arthritic pets?
@@purranormalpursuits Same!
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Does anyone else start getting a tickle in their throat when the blow dryer turns on and the fluff starts flying?
Vanessa: "I'm trying not to muzzle you." Client: "I'm trying not to bite you."
😂 👌
lol it has to be the worst setup 🎉😂♥️
oh man
you win these comments
I love that the client is the dog in this scenario. She asked for it and still got mad! xD
Border Collie and Rottweiler is a crazy mix lol
A ‘why?’ for sure
@@kate7478 It might have been a "Whoops! How'd you two get together?"
@@kmw8775 true
why would a rottie mess a collie?
cant be the other way round
Somebody on here once commented she had a Rottweiler x rough collie mix. That’s an even wilder combo. I looked it up and they look like Rottweilers with long hair.
I've seen alot of mixes.. but you wonder who got on top with this one? 😅
I have an 11 1/2 year old Golden. He has Arthritis as well.....and had put on a little weight. After a blood test, it revealed that he has Hypothyroidism. 3 weeks after starting the medicine, he has already lost 5 lbs. He is acting happier and gets around better. If you have an overweight senior dog, check their thyroid (which thanks to the vet who did this test!)
Yes, thyroid hormone levels do affect the metabolism. My cat was hyper thyroid, and no matter how much we fed him, he kept losing weight. Which wasn't a good thing for a senior pet with IBD.
poor pupper
@@jenniferlim2250 My daughter had a cat who at 14 yo was diagnosed with hyperthyroid. He was prescribed a special thyroid catfood and Max lived until 20.
My akita shepherd is 13 with arthritis, we've been trying to get her weight down for years. Now she's been on meds for hypothyroidism about 6 months and she's lost over 20lbs! It's been such a blessing.
Soooo nice to see her paw pads shaved!!! With her arthritis and weight she does NOT need to be slipping on floors or stairs!! Great to know she’ll be so much more comfortable
My poor boy has tough paw pads that don't have much hair at all, but the calluses slide across the floor. He hates hard floors 😅
Judgement abounds here, but that's no surprise. Sometimes a dog her size is overweight because of the loss of thyroid function. Especially at her age. We reduced and reduced and reduced the amount of food our Australian cattle dog was consuming, until she was getting a bare 1 cup of kibble per day, which she devoured in 30 seconds. Still, the weight did not come off. It was only when her thyroid problems were diagnosed and she got on medication that she was able to get back down to a fighting weight of 35 pounds. This a common problem, not an unusual one.
This is why owners especially of older dogs need to get routine bloodwork done regularly. My older girl gets testing done to make sure the thyroid is good as she is a little fluffy and doesn't eat much for her size.
Were you able to increase her food intake after diagnosing the thyroid issue? Especially if you have a high energy dog, I can't imagine 1 cup would be enough to sustain them. But, I'm not an expert, so I could be wrong, I just like to imagine you balanced after the diagnosis to something still just as sustainable (say, 2 cups per day or 1.5 cups)
Oh, absolutely! After meds, she needed three small meals a day (a mixture of kibble and real food) in order to keep her weight UP to an optimum.
I agree, just posted that above. My Golden lost 5 lbs in 3 weeks.
Yup! My cat has the opposite problem, a hyperactive thyroid which combine with kidney disease lead to a loss of weight. They showed up on a blood test and she gained weight once I got her on the right medication and food.
Silly me! 🪥🪥When you said she shows her teeth for brushing, 🪥🪥I thought, wow that must make it easy to care for her teeth 🦷😂❤️
Her teeth are in great shape for her age though 😂😂😂😂
That's what I thought too!!!
😂
I did too 😂 I thought clever dog 🙈
Me too!
Oh poor old Abigail. As an old girl myself with arthritic joints including 'paws'...... I feel for her.
My thoughts precisely!
Ditto!
Same
My neck is the worst😢
Same - especially the arthritic paws but I'm not overweight so at least my knees are ok... so far!
Same here
Vanessa is always gentle and considerate with her older clients. She is gentle as can be and Vanessa was able to complete the groom. ❤
It always warms my heart to see how you try as much as possible to work around each dog's problems or dislikes. I*m sure this particular old lady was all the better for her trip to you.
Got to say the bit about the poop smell had me laughing!
Poop scented candle 😂
"So Abigail, umm... how'd your parents meet?" 😂❤
Bad parenting and supervision, I suspect.
Her mom was into “bad boys”
😂😂😂
My girl is an Amstaff, Rottweiler, Bullmastiff cross and I ask that question to her all the time 💀
@@Emily-rn4fu sounds like a giant of a doggo!
Ahh,11yrs& doesn’t want to be “messed “with,however,Abigail my dear, you needed this groom, you’ll feel refreshed 💯💞🐶💞
she did look better
she yours?
Her weight cannot be helping the joints. My dog had to lose weight per the vet as preventative. 57 lbs. Down to 40lbs. ( my sister housed us for 18 months and bless her, over treats her dog so mine as well) . After we got our own place , it took a year but we got it done gradually. I however gained 20lb.😅 It never ends❤
@@annettefournier9655glad she got the help she needed 😊
@ann😂ettefournier9655
She is a very pretty dog, and she actually did quite well for being in such arthritic pain. ❤❤ Good job, Abigail, and fantastic groom, Vanessa! 🙂🙂❤
Her getting rid of the not so happy hoodie was brilliant 🤣🤣
seemed pretty loose lol
It's so hard for anyone to lose weight when you can't move easily and pain doesn't help. Abigail is such a good girl, under her circumstances. And loved by her owner.
Endless circle. Dog eats too much, gains weight, can't exercise, gains more weight etc.
@@dovie2blue I have the same endless circle.
About 20 years ago I lived in a two storey house - I used to find it difficult to go downstairs first thing in the morning - one step at a time I.e. I would put one foot down and then the other foot would join it and repeat until I got to the bottom plus I’d be holding onto the banister with both hands - eventually moved to a single storey house. Now 73 - I’ve lost a lo😂t of weight and I’m walking an average of 8-12,000 steps each day and today alone I climbed 7 storeys throughout my walk. I still get joint twinges but nothing like I used to get. The old adage is true - if don’t use it …you lose it. It’s difficult to get started but the benefits are worth it. ❤❤
This is why controlling the amount of food your dog eats is so important.
It's easy for the dog to loose weight. The owner just needs to weigh her food and use a quality Kibel or raw diet. The expensive kibels people usually buy eg Purina pro plan, and hills science plan are garbage and almost entirely cereal. Some simple research on canine nutrition and reading Kibel contents and hunting around does the trick. Weigh the food, dogs should be getting their mental stimulation needs met but it isn't needed for weight management. I do not sympathise with owners that do this, the food begging or misbehaviour only gets worse if you over food.
She is a beautiful dog, shame she is in so much pain. Thank you for trying your best to help her and keep her safe.
I wish all groomers were as thoughtful as you about the animals comfort
She’s explained that a lot of groomers can’t afford to take as much time as she does or risk their own safety. If there’s anything this channel has taught me, it’s not to judge.
They all should be thoughtful and patience, or in the wrong business, just like doctors for example
@@darlenechandler2403 true
but docs dont muzzle ppl
Did anyone else see that felonious, criminally bombastic side-eye after the nail clipping? No? Just me? Okay.
her rottweiler heritage popped out lol
That was hysterical!
Anyone else notice that after she gave in to being brushed, she almost looked to be enjoying it?
Thank you, Vanessa, for always enducating and never judging your clients ❤
that is one oddly beautiful dog!
its weird
collies are pretty and so are rotties
why mix them and make that?
@Safiyyah-n4d still a very beautiful dog, though
She looks so sweet! 💖
Perhaps the dogs decided themselves it might not have been an arranged breeding @Safiyyah-n4d
Appreciate your patience and understanding in helping this beautiful senior feel more comfortable! Well done.
Poor old lady! I empathize with feeling "Ouchie" and being grumpy!!
I do not emphasise with the owner overfeeding the dog and not weighing their food.
@@JamesBurdon-gu5yuHow do you know the owners aren’t doing that? Dogs (and people for that matter) can still gain weight even when they’re actively trying to lose it
@@JamesBurdon-gu5yuFor many ppl, metabolism slows down when one is much older. I know coz I myself am prime example. I don't eat much for breakfast (just a small sized portion of Indian potato pancakes -masala dosai or two slices of oatmeal toast and an egg) and don't hv much appetite for lunch or dinner. But I still do not lose weight despite being quite active. My GP says it's a real thing, especially for women. Coz of our hormones. You may be one of the luckier ones who is not affected by this. But many of us are. Especially women.
@NialSanderson Because thats not how it works. If you give an input that is lower than output thyroid issues or inability to move aside you will always get weight loss. I worked with severely overfed dogs, rescued by agencies and always got them down, even ones that couldn't walk, and had thyroid issues. Your excuses are invalid, the cases which truly stop weight loss lead to death and other fatal issues those are very very rare and usually they don't like through the puppy stage. This owner isn't trying and isn't weighing their food. End of story.
@Jeniffer Dogs and humans are not the same, even with metabolic conditions ect ect, you reduce the calorie input. No excuses
Once Abagail saw that her baring her teeth, snapping, etc. didn't work to get you to stop, she did resign herself to her fate ... lol! You were so good with her, Vanessa. Thanks for helping this old lady. ❤😊
What a beautiful spice-hound, just a mild Chipotle! 🧡 Thank you for showing us all your work and, in the process, teaching us all how to exercise compassion for our animals while not letting them get away from the things they may not like BUT are for their own good. I’m sure Miss Abigail felt like a new dog after her groom and a long nap!
I love that Vanessa never judges, just educates. I understand, Abigail. We’d both feel so much better if she’d lose some pounds. It’s such a balancing act with giving her what she loves at this age (aka food), but also doing what’s best for her. Good girl, Abigail. Good girl. ❤
I wonder if they take her for walks? Even a short walk would help her weight.❤❤❤🙌🏻
Judgment should be passed here. No balancing needed. You weigh the food, begging behaviour does not go away regardless of how much you feed it, not does their food drive, overfeeding just makes it worse, the only reason an owner has for doing this is laziness or it's a fetish. Sorry there is no excuse. Choose a quality Kibel or raw food (Not cereal) (Also supposed "High quality" expensive kibels eg hills science plan is junk. Research needed. I don't see the excuses here.
I am a retriever trainer and owner, and also trained work dogs with extreme food drives and begging behaviours. There is still never an excuse for overfeeding. Ever.
@JamesBurdon-gu5yu Facts. I never understood people with overweight pets. Just don't overfeed them. Period. So what, they beg? Who cares?
Shit. If I had someone to control all of my food for me, I'd have a six pack.
She's like i'm gonna "Farrkk" you up if you touch me 😁
Both of my parents had dementia first, my mom kept giving the dog a treat. Every time he came in from going outside and 2 to 3 minutes later he would ask to go outside again so he could get more treats after mom passed dad‘s dementia set in, and he kept feeding the dog multiple times a day because he couldn’t remember that whether or not he fed him, since dad’s passed, my brother is getting the dogs weight down but it’s a slow process because he doesn’t have a yard to run in anymore
😂my mom does the same thing to my dogs when she around. I tell her not to. And the next thing I know she is giving them half her plate anyway. 😂 they would be barrels if ever comes the day she would have to move in with me.
@@euphoniahale5181Same, girl. My mom, even though schooled on the side effects of obesity, either doesn't want to understand that a calf-height dog has much smaller caloric allowance and that "half her plate" is my chubbers allowance for next 3 days or simply cannot resist the begging. My dog gets pre-portioned, dietetician controlled diet and is still almost not loosing weight thanks to my mom.
So sorry. That must have been just one more difficulty in a valley of hard.
This… this is why you can’t judge the owners straight away. And it’s another reason why The Girl with the Dogs is so special and needed. ❤ U, girlfriend 😊
I'm suddenly reminded of an Australian ram; he'd gotten loose before he could be castrated, and had been living wild for at least 4-5 years, then was finally captured. He'd never once been shorn, and when they finally got to do so, the vet said he was showing similar signs of arthritis. However, he was not recommended a weight-loss diet, because he'd just lost 40+ lbs of fleece, and that should have helped his joints~
Shrek or Ben Hall.
I wish I could do that
@@carrollkuemper Ben Hall; _that_ was his name, thank you! 😆
40# of hair is craaaazy
There are three loose just west of the Blue Mountains. They have been trying to catch them for years, but they are a wiley mob. Last time I saw them, one was in desperate need of shearing. The other two were not so bad.
She has my sympathy. I’m also fat and arthritic. lol
Me too 😂😂😂
9:05 She said "FLUFF this contraption!" 😆 Never seen an animal so effortlessly get that off.
You are so gentle and patient yet persistent with the dogs who are struggling especially due to pain. I know she must feel better after that groom and has no idea how much you helped her by clipping her nails and shaving her grinch feet. Now she will have more grip and less slip while walking which will lessen her pain.
Oh abigail i feel your pain literally. Arthritis is no joke
🎯🎯
And it can be hard to exercise with it 😢
If she wasn’t overweight there wouldn’t be as much pressure on her joints causing problems and making her arthritis worse.
Poor fluff! Maybe dumb question, but are there doggie 'wrist' braces/sleeves available? Really help hu-mons, but never seen one for pups 😢...?
At least now there's antibody medication for dogs with joint pain which cannot be said for humans:(
She was trying to be good, I think, but she was so uncomfortable! Vanessa, you were wonderful with her! You always are. It's amazing that you got so much done! Kudos! 💕💕🐕💕💕
“Lit a poop scented candle” … 😂😂😂
That's disgusting
I've just started developing some arthritis and am surprised at the level of pain! I always thought it was an achy thing but there's some sharp pain! Poor Abigail. And all you humans, too!
as with humans, there are many reasons a pet can be overweight and overfeeding and lack of exercise is far from the only one. A lot of medical conditions (including more than a few medications) will cause weight gain. And of course physical limits can cause exercise to become very hard or even impossible (including arthritis).
Don't fat shame people either for their own weight problems or for those of their pets! More often than not people are fully aware of the problem and have been trying for years if not decades to do something about it without success!
No matter how much the fat liberationist types want to play the victim, weight is CICO. Sorry just having a tiktok doesn't make you immune to science
Yeah and it's not like crapping on other people will _immediately_ make you thinner, prettier, cooler etc.
@@rogue7723 We love fat liberationist types just straight up saying their origin was two white, cishet men telling women to make their self-worth all about the approval of any random penis. They're right there on the NAAFA site
The main reason is eating too much and not moving enough. Simple for dogs and humans. Of course steroids are another common cause
There is a genetic abnormality that causes early maturity and later obesity that runs in my dad’s family; i got the trait passed it to my son both he and his wife got the full blown syndrome so granddaughter also has. Unfortunately her pediatrician too her off the preventive too early so she is neither tall nor thin.
I've had 2 Border Collies (28 years) and both their first year was a lot of work (tons of fun too) but they both would go jump into the tub ( when I opened the door and took off my coat etc)- they would hand me their paws to do their nails, and be very helpful when doing any grooming - I just think it's important to let people know that if you start young, make it fun and be consistent, any dog can be trained to enjoy it at minimum, easily tolerate grooming.... Due to my worsening disability I now have my first little dog, an 8lb Toy Aussiedoodle and he is just as well behaved (and naughty in all the best ways)-thanks for another great video
Had a dog who loved to run up and down the beach. After one experience with her pads being abraded by sand, she made the mental connection that water made her paws feel better after running around on sand. As soon as she was back to the house, she ran for the tub, hopped in, and waited to get the sand rinsed out of her paws. She trained herself. But *only* her paws. The rest of grooming was a fight.
It depends on the dog though... even started young some will always struggle. The have their sensory issues!
Wow 28yrs old, those are some old dogs haha😂
Yes. Zookeepers train tigers and wolves to give blood samples from their paws, weigh themselves, etc to minimize drugging them for basic vet care. Dogs can be trained as well.
@@MGower4465 that's adorable - dogs are so incredibly smart - after a major 10 hr back surgery I was watching tv in bed and dropped the remote- I said shite out loud since it meant getting out of bed ( not easy after having a 12 inch spinal fusion) and would need to walk to the kitchen to get my reacher - my girl jumped off the bed, picked up the remote , jumped back up to the bed and dropped it right beside me - I was so impressed and taught her to pick up many things after that- sadly (lol) I still had to pick up her poop.... Thanks for sharing your dog's story.
I had an English Lit professor whose dog would only respond to 'Lie down.' 'Lay down' just led to a tipped head.
Not a tipped hat? 😄
As it should! Well done, English Lit prof. LOL!
"Lay down? You mean you want me to lie down in the past tense? I can't do that." One of my worst pet grammar peeves 😅
@@charisanna4914 to set something down--other than yourself.
@@busterdee8228 yes, you lay down your coat or whatever, you lie down. The dog lies down, she's not laying anything down except some rules against the brush
I love that duckie! In fact, I broke down and bought one for myself. It gives me a chuckle every day. Someday I’ll use it on my dogs, but for now it lives in my bathroom shower.
My Scrappi got fat for a while in her senior years. It was hard getting her to walk between the senility, blindness, collapsed trachea, and congestive heart failure. We worked hard on it and adjusted around what she could and couldn't do. She eventually lost the extra weight and could groom herself again, which was nice.
I overfed my dog by following feeding instructions on the bag! My vet told me to cut her food in half and replace the rest with veggies-she recommended green beans. My sweet girl licked each one of those beans off and lined them up next to her bowl 😂. We finally figured out that fresh, crunchy veggies were a hit. She shed 20lbs in 6 weeks! She was a hyper active terrier and only 18 months old.
@pysvtfa4 My newest puppy will eat anything. She loves veggies. It sure does make training easier, let me tell you. My other senior is like his mother - can't stand French fries. What dog (or living creature) won't eat a good French fry? Lol
Wow, incredible job on this lovely old girl! I just had my second knee replacement of 2024 due to arthritis, so I can relate to her pain and grumpiness. Good girl Abigail, you made it!!
Poor girl! Thank you for being so kind and patient with her, Vanessa! You are the BEST!!!
My senior kitty is on a diet for this very reason. For arthritis & to keep her around for many years.
More power to you! Weight reduction on cats is the hardest!!
Bless you for working on this elder lady. She’s so beautiful and so are you and your heart.
Vanessa’s dedication is awesome.
Great, compassionate groom. Loved this dog.
Oh man this was my baby to a tee. Austraian shepherd and rottie mix. She made it to 14 years old this year. I miss here so much.
She's beautiful... So fluffy and cranky
My border collie loves being brushed, but I’ve had him since he was 9 weeks old and introduced him very early to the brush. Abigail has the sweetest face ever you did a beautiful job on her❤
everytime you say abigail i flinch thinking someone's calling me and also this abigail is my spirit animal.
Poor Abigail! She's a beautiful dog, but I feel so sorry for her with the arthritis making it so hard for her to stay on her paws. I'm sure she feels a lot better now with everything trimmed, most of her brushed and even her backside tidied up.
Abigail is absolutely a beautiful girl and such a perfect little lady in her demeanor ❤❤
Poor little sweet girl.. standing on those paws looked painful for her. Wonder if she receives pain medication.. Wonder if her thyroid has been checked.. And I hope she got lots of hugs after this! ❤ Good job Vanessa for being so gentle with her😊
She is a beautiful dog!
You did a fantastic job!!! And Abigail did pretty good for her grooming I think, given her age & condition. I'm glad the owner will improve her diet, starting immediately after I hope! It will make a world of difference for Abigail!!!💖
Love watching your videos, you are so calming and soothing. This poor dog must have very sensitive skin to hate brushing so much. Glad you mentioned that the owners know about her weight before people can come on here and attack them for no reason. She is a well loved dog clearly. You are so careful with her. ❤Sending love and patients to the owners. Arthritis can be so challenging with dogs. When you are having a hard time just remember the random commenter that has an Akida with arthritis as well. He's about 120lbs, just shy at his last appointment. Picking him up or helping him into and out of the truck is always an adventure. 😜
A category 5 AND she's spicy! 😭😭😭😭😭
so a cat 6, only for the hardiest of groomers 😭
She’s a very pretty girl. 💕💕💕
Interesting breed mix. Abigail is adorable. Poor pup arthritis is no fun. I'd give her loads of gentle cuddles.
Hit the deck, it’s a furnado!!! 🌪
Great job, Vanessa!!!
Every time I see that soap duck the “Rubber Ducky” song from Sesame Street comes to mind
Abigail did remarkable well given her health issues. She did great for the bath and blowdry. However, I understand her aggression when brushing. If, at home, she had a lot of mats and her owners tried to brush her; that would be painful. I'm glad you pushed through this groom, especially her nails and paw pads. This elderly girl needs all the traction she can get without long nails and grinch feet in the way. You did a great job!
You are so patient. God bless
You did a beautiful job with her! You are so good.
After reading some of the comments (about weight, and thyroid) very intreresting. She is such a pretty girl! She looked quite happy at the end... Yay, It;s over!
Aww. Vanessa, you're so good at this. You know she felt better afterward, being all clean and brushed.
Great groom. Thank you for posting all your wonderful videos!❤
Sweet old lady!! It makes me so sad that she's in pain. ☹️ Here are some kisses from her Auntie Mena!
She really only got upset when you brushed the hip hair. I know how she feels with bad cartilage etc. and I would have bitten right off the bat even though I know you’re the best groomer I’ve seen. I use to groom, about 50+ years ago and you have all the same good qualities that I used when grooming. I actually became a hairdresser when 18 but drunk drivers took care of that ambition (I was really good) and the 2nd wreck took me out of competition. I trained horses and other temp things and then shock of shocks I became a programmer in 1988.
You should be proud of yourself. I get along with cats and dogs and people alike but you’ve accomplished so much and your vids are fun to watch. Keep it up!
thanks for sharing :)
As I was watching the brushing, as she sat at a certain angle, it looked like both of her paws were bent/bending in a certain area (like you said the first paw was doing) OR maybe I'm just old and couldn't see well! hahaha!.
Fine work and I really think she loved you for it! Truly.
you are amazing with pets, great job.
It was so nice to get to watch your live making your dogs food and seeing you groom this beautiful older gal. You are just the sweetest Vanessa.
Our office dog, Hank, a Newfie mix, is a big ol' sweetheart. But he doesn't like being brushed. No growling or barking - he just walks away!
No thanks!!
With his size not that you can stop him 😂 if he's a bit "wooly" (more delicate coat with smaller fiber diameter - soft but easier to tangle) using a spray leave-in conditioner (basically unscented silicone spray) and use your fingers to pet-and-detangle him instead. Our new rescue dislikes brushing too but anything that involves touching and attention is fine and I found that I can get a lot done with just my fingers and wide-tooth comb. Some dogs are just too sensitive to hair pulling by slicker brushes and ball-tipped wire and boar bristle brush is the most they are willing to tolerate (and only if you first detangle and remove loose undercoat with your fingers and/or gently hold the hair so it doesn't tug on the skin). My other doggos get pet and massaged (and rub themselves all over the carpets 😂) so much they only get once-over with undercoat rake once a week at most, thankfully.
2:49
I know some owners have been in situations that make keeping their dog at a healthy weight harder than usual due to health issues.
& some owners don’t realize that the weight slowly creeps on from the extra treats & slightly larger meal portions. & not providing enough exercise to burn the calories.
I’ve personally never had overweight pets. I’ve always followed my veterinarian’s feeding instructions, exercise recommendations, & kept track of their weight at home & didn’t allow them to exceed their normal weight.
My vet had always been straightforward on my dog & cats lowest to highest healthy weight ranges.
It’s always essential to ask your vet what is the healthiest weight range for not allowing your cat or dog to get beyond the lowest & highest healthy weight ranges.
If that happens despite your bed care, you know it’s a sign to get your cat or dog to their vet asap.
The Duckie always quacks me up! (sry...)
My Australian Shepherd pup HATES slicker brushes too for some reason! She'll let me comb out her fur, but- she flips out if I try with a slicker brush lolol
"Poop scented candle "🕯️💩🤣🤣🤣
Brave Vanessa as always! When you say I don't know if I can do something, you always seem to find a way! You are amazing!
I see all of your products that are available, but I don't see the trimmer that you use for mats and paws etc...
❣
Our border collies, all three of them, loved being brushed. There was never a complaint. I guess we were lucky. I love your work with needy dogs.
You are so good with those fur babies!! ❤
This is the face of a dog that actually does enjoy brushing, she just doesn’t know she does 😂 20:14
Awe! Arthritis on any critter, creature is awful! But once again, great job, Vanessa! Thank you for all you do❤
I'm so sorry this was such a difficult groom for both of you. I could feel her pain, I hope she is on pain meds, poor baby. God Bless you Vanessa! You are an Angel.
She's absolutely adorable 😍 💕
Aww, poor girl, no one wants to be told they’re too old, too fluffy, overweight, and in need of a Brazilian just to keep things tidy back there.❤️
I had to bathe my cat yesterday to help with her fur and all i could think was how much I want one of the floof boxes...
Thats hard work!! thank you for sharing your skills!! ❤
If you take a kitten cone of shame and place it at the base of the slicker brush; it can act as a bite guard while brushing…essentially you’d place it so it looks like the 3 musketeer’s sword handle 😂😂😂
What a great idea!
She is beautiful you were so gentle with her love her attitude
Border Collie & Rottweiler mix??? Dayum! Never seen that.
A Borcoiler??
@@rosameryrojas-delcerro1059 😂😂😂
Me either but I just saw a Rottweiler and dachshund mix. Seriously! 🥴
@@lisabrightly Rotthund or Dachweiler.
@@rosameryrojas-delcerro1059 lol
You were so kind and patient with her.
I lost my 11 year old lab Abigail this year.❤ she was a sweetie baby and her groomer loved her x I've never seen another dog called Abigail 😂
❤
Aww! I'm really sorry you lost your sweet friend. ❤🤗❤
❤
I had an abigail. But it morphed into abi Jane, then AJ. MIss her ❤❤❤
@marietighe6328 Aww, that's a cute name. I'm from the southern portion of the U.S., and I don't know if it's still quite as popular nowadays, but going by your first and middle name was common for a very long time. My mom and my S.O. do it.
I love old dogs! They're just so full of personality, and often sass because they're done being messed with lol~ Abigail reminds me of my dog, who was very sweet until her golden years, at which point she became just a little grouchy. She literally had 'cranky old fart' on her vet records. She was still kind enough until you tried to, say, messed with her in a way she did not approve of.
And we were all just like 'yeah, you earned it baby, as long as you're not biting people you can be a lil grouchy'
Thank you for taking such good care of not just all dogs, but senior dogs especially. They're treasures to this world
My little guy (westie maltipoo) really likes going to see the groomer, finding someone that is really good at what they do that your dog gets on well with is like striking gold.
Amazing work! She looks so much better!❤❤❤
omg so so so cute, love your vids and really like the way you groom these animals!!😍😍💖💖
A tip to get rid of suds in the tub/shower that won’t go down the plug hole. Sprinkle fine table salt on them and they break down and dissipate.
Comes in handy when a kitchen hand accidentally squirts dishwashing liquid into your dishwasher and creates an impromptu neck deep 1980’s foam party in your kitchen ( happens more often than you would think😂)
A Rotty and Border Collie mix? That could be one smart pooch!
and without proper enrichment, quite screwed up in the head. Had a spitz/sheltie mix growing up, and she went crazy in her old age because she didn't have enough to occupy her brain.
Smart enough but not enough for Vanessa!
Am I the only one who hears “no-no!” in the bark at 15:24?
Aww Abigail must have felt a lot better afterwards, I am sure her owners were glad she got done!