It is not unusual for some dogs to become embarrassed after a hair cut.
Why?
Here are some of the reasons...
Drastic change: If you don't get your dogs hair cut often, and when you do, you have the groomer cut your dogs hair very short, this can be a very drastic change for your dog.
When your dogs hair is very overgrown or matted....
...then all of their hair has suddenly been removed, it can be a shocking change for some dogs.
Some dogs actually love the feel of a new haircut.
It feels good to them just like it feels good to us after we go to the hair salon.
Then there are other dogs.
Even thought the hair cut may feel good, it can also feel a little strange to some dogs.
Suddenly they feel lighter, the hair is gone from around their eyes, and they don't feel like the same dog.
Another reason....
The owners reaction: Some owners and family members will laugh at their dogs new haircut.
Some customers may be angry that their dog was clipped so short because of matting.
Some owners may also be mad because they didn't get the cut they wanted.
Our dogs feed off of our emotions.
If a customer brings a dog to me and asks for a drastic haircut, whether it is what the customer asked for, or whether it is a short cut that had to be done because the dog was matted, I ask them NOT to laugh at the dog when they see him/her.
Yes, some owners laugh at their dogs.
If they are not used to seeing their dog in a particular cut, they laugh.
I don't think that they laugh to be mean.
Their dog just looks different and it strikes the owner as funny.
The only problem is, that I think that some owners forget that their dogs DO have feelings.
Yes, I truly believe that you can really hurt and embarrass a dog by laughing at them.
Your dog did not ask for the haircut.
They are confused when people look at them and start to laugh.
I had a relative in the family that would only get their Lhasa groomed a few times a year.
The cut was always very short so that the dog would not have to be groomed often.
The only problem was that the dog would get used to having all of that long hair for so many months, and could not get used to the grooming, because it was done so infrequently.
Suddenly all of that hair would be gone.
She would hide behind the couch of a few days, until she got used to the cut.
Even lovingly making fun of your dog can hurt their feelings and make them feel confused and embarrassed.
I tell ALL of my customers not to laugh.
I tell them to greet their dog as they normally would.
I tell them to praise their dog and tell their dog how nice they look.
Yes, it does make a difference.
If you get your dog back from the groomer and it is not the cut you asked for, or expected, I am sorry.
Sometimes a groomer has no choice but to shave a dog short because of matting.
If you are upset because the groomer did a bad haircut and you don't like it, I am also sorry.
The hair will grow back for the new groomer you will find for the next haircut.
The important thing is that you don't transfer your anger to your pet.
Don't not pet your dog because you don't like the haircut.
Don't tell your pet that you hate the way he/she looks.
Your dog will feel that anger, and think that you are angry with them and be embarrassed.
Think about it.
You go out and buy some new clothes, get a new haircut.
You go home and your family laughs and says 'what were you thinking?'
Or you work on a project for work.
You work hard for hours.
You take it to your boss, and he tactlessly tosses it back at you, angrily saying he does not like it.
It makes you feel awful, and that feeling may stay with you for days.
That is the same way a dog feels when they see their owners laugh, or are mad.
No matter what you think of your dogs haircut, tell your dog that they look great.
Pet, cuddle and love your dog after their hair cut.
They smell and feel good.
Then there is the dog that gets embarrassed just because they don't like change.
The haircut is great, they look good, but the dog knows that something is different and they don't like it.
There is not a lot you can do but love your dog and let them ride it out.
Don't over coddle this type of dog.
That can also make your dog think that something is really wrong.
Just keep loving them.
Give them time to get used to the change.
A Note From Your Friendly Groomer, MFF
I read your other blog, although I am not a groomer I really enjoy reading all your stories and have learned a lot about how to properly groom my own dog. I am happy that now you will write for the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the advice , my dog is always embarrassed after her haircut!
ReplyDeleteHi, thanks for this blog, I learned so many things about the feelings of a dog. My dog, a mix of shi tzu/japanese spitz recently had his haircut, so short that he seems did not like. He always hide under our sofa and maybe felt embarrassed on his new haircut. Also he had some rashes on his private parts maybe the cause of razor. I hope that he will soon overcome this.
ReplyDeleteWe brought Dobby to the groomer for the first time. He was a rescue and we've had him two years. Before the grooming, he was wildly friendly. He's a herder and he would herd me to bed every night, nipping at my toes. Since I brought him home from the groomer (5 days ago), he's been actually depressed. It's breaking my heart. He's so cute. I never laughed. I told him he was beautiful. But he won't eat. Even his favorite treats. Poor baby. My other two babies go to the same groomer and HAVE been for nine years, so I'm sure it wasn't her. He's just very upset.
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ReplyDeleteHi.I took my Pekingese for a wash and shave 2 days ago.instead they shaved all his hair.I told him u luk great but since this morning he doesn't want to eat or play.he has been sleeping in his bed.even if I call out his name he just looks at m a continue sleeping.I'm worried will h b okay and will his hair grow.I'm very worried..
ReplyDeleteHi. I saw your post and just wanted to know what the outcome was as my dog is doing the same. Just had a cut quite short. She keeps hiding from me and just runs quickly from furniture to bed. Doesn't want to be on the floor. She looks so sad all the times and just stands there and stares She's not responding when I call her and hasn't eaten this morning Any advise would be great
DeleteI went to the groomer and they shaved my husky when I asked them just to trim it but the girl shaved it all off. Ever since then my dog is not acting the same. She seems depressed isn't happy about things she used to be...and she had nothing to do with me for 3 days after the haircut. I'm a therapist and I was sensing my dog was displaying symptoms of depression. I guess I was right! I definitely reacted in a not great way when I saw her so I feel so horrible now. It's been over a week since she got her haircut and she's still depressed. I hate seeing her like this!
DeleteThe same thing happened to me! My Berger Picard(long haired French herding dog) went to the groomers yesterday for a bath and trim as usual. They ended up shaving him! He looks like a big over grown Scotty now. He's been mopping ever since and acting depressed. I feel so bad for him.
DeleteIt feels good and no worries after i read your Blog.. Many Thanks! More power and God Bless.
ReplyDeleteIt feels good and no worries after i read your Blog.. Many Thanks! More power and God Bless.
ReplyDeleteIt feels good and no worries after i read your Blog.. Many Thanks! More power and God Bless.
ReplyDeleteHi there, ever since the haircut from the groomers a few days ago, my dog has been less active. Sometimes he is very happy to see us but sometimes when we come back from home he just sits there and stares at us with these sad eyes. Before I read your blog, he was laughed at because of his haircut. And I think that's what made him so upset. This was the second time he had his haircut. The first time he had when he came back he acted the same as usual and when he was fluffy again he was even happier. But just a few days ago, after that he was a little bit upset. Not entirely, but just upset. Maybe it's not the reason but he has been whining lately. So I'm not sure what is wrong. But thank you for telling me this. I will make sure my dog is never laughed at anymore
ReplyDeleteHey i cut of my malties pet hair since 2 days and he is trying to hide him self now and he is upset all the time he is not active anymore and i miss my old baby now im really sad about that and i wish him to be like the old days although our barber did 2 lesion on his leg and thigh and he is also sad i think abou that plz tell me what to do
ReplyDeleteNice information, you people can also take help from the various sites to know how to pamper and care your lovely pets. You can laso take help from the Pet Grooming Tips to know what your pets need to be happy and healthy and stay long for longer hours.
ReplyDeleteI rescued a Shih-tzu 2 years ago. He had just gone thru a buzz cut from long, all tangled/matted hair.) He had cuts on his body from the razor. I didn't groom him for a long time, but I could tell he felt bad, but I didn't know why until now. I had gotten a "thunder wrap coat" for his fear of loud noises, so I put it on him a couple of days after his hair cut,and he ran around happy. I have to keep his hair short due to skin problems. I bought a couple of "shirts", not for vanity, but because he loves them and feels safe wrapped up a little. Thanks for the blog!
ReplyDeleteI rescued a Shih-tzu 2 years ago. He had just gone thru a buzz cut from long, all tangled/matted hair.) He had cuts on his body from the razor. I didn't groom him for a long time, but I could tell he felt bad, but I didn't know why until now. I had gotten a "thunder wrap coat" for his fear of loud noises, so I put it on him a couple of days after his hair cut,and he ran around happy. I have to keep his hair short due to skin problems. I bought a couple of "shirts", not for vanity, but because he loves them and feels safe wrapped up a little. Thanks for the blog!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this information.l had no idea that dogs could feel that you are upset when you first see all of their hair gone as I was...he is embarrassed here at home...hiding..not playing as he always does..looking and acting real strange. 4 pound Yorkie beautiful coat he had..was cut bald as he was severely matted..I was shocked to pick him up bald like that and I was upset .until I read all of the comments here..now I understand..Thanks everyone for sharing..
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this information.l had no idea that dogs could feel that you are upset when you first see all of their hair gone as I was...he is embarrassed here at home...hiding..not playing as he always does..looking and acting real strange. 4 pound Yorkie beautiful coat he had..was cut bald as he was severely matted..I was shocked to pick him up bald like that and I was upset .until I read all of the comments here..now I understand..Thanks everyone for sharing..
ReplyDeleteYour article was a breath of fresh air. Thank you for the advice, and helping to see this from my dogs perspective. My 4year old Yorkie-Poodle just had a full service treatment today, and came out looking as though he was being drafted into the military - poor thing has a crew cut throughout! Nonetheless, he's acting a bit awkward; however, I'm giving him just as much love & attention to bring him back to normalcy. Thank you again!
ReplyDeleteI took it upon myself to give my puppy his first hair cut and received many compliments. Even his vet asked where I got it done cause she liked it! Problem was Ernie was what I thought "mad" at me for the next three days. This happens everytime I cut his hair which is only about four times a year. After reading your post I've decided that I'll increase his cuts to try to get him more comfortable! I treat him as if he was my human child so I hate the thought of embarrassing him :)
ReplyDeleteHow could you possibly know what a dog is feeling? Dogs don't have a sense of humor and therefore would not understand when someone laughs that that is a negative thing. I am dumber for having read your article. Man/Woman is the only animal that blushes, or needs to.
ReplyDeleteWhat will I do my puppyhave s new hair cut ,after the hair cut he seems to be upset dont want to eat and drink , what will I do?
ReplyDeleteIncredible blog! I just had my dog's hair cut. My mother said he didn't like his look because she was used to see him with long hair. After arriving home Bruno got a bath. He later felt so embarrassed of himself. He went and hid in my closet. I took him and started showing love to him. It was too late since he already felt shy.
ReplyDeleteNext time I am going to remind my mother about this due to this blog :).
DeleteI highly appreciate ur effort. In fact, my puppy had haircut and since then he prefer to rest in a dark room, neither he plays nor ready to for walk
ReplyDeleteWe have a 1 yr old Goldendoodle and he was left in the care of a friend for 2 weeks while we had to travel. We told our friend that she must brush him atleast 2-3 times a day because of his long coat or his coat will mat. Well when we returned from our travels 2 weeks later he was severely matted all the way down to his skin. We had to take him to our groomer and he was in total shock to what had happened to our baby. The groomer tried for a few hours to untangle his matting but ended up calling us to tell us its too much matting and he must be shaved. I was prepared to see him shaved so when I did see him I did not laugh and was not angry. Our dog was happy to see me after being at the groomers for 5 hours however when he got home his enthusiasm started to dwindle. He became withdrawn and would go into our bedroom and just lay on our bed...Even when we would call his name or coax him with treats he didnt want to be bothered and seemed embarrassed and distraught. If he was around us he just wanted to be held or press up against us. The sensations that he is feeling are very strange and foreign and he keeps licking his legs erratically and gets panicked spontaneously. I know he is traumatized by this super short cut, but all we can do is keep showing him that we love him. It's now day 2. Wish us luck.
ReplyDeleteGoing through the same thing with my Berger Picard 😔
DeleteWhat was the outcome for you and your dog? We have a 1-year old goldendoodle with almost the exact same story. Going on day 5 with little change.
Deletesame as my scoopy a malteese,he is always hiding,do'nt bark anymore,my heart aches looking at him like this,2nd day hope tomorow is fine,he is so matted its for hes own good...
DeleteHi. Just had our Maltese groomed yesterday after 6 months. Did not want to get her haircut throughout winter for obvious reasons. Her hair is shorter than ever & she is now behaving differently. Wont eat her fave foods, spending time on her bed when she is always on bed with us. I put her jumper on for extra warmth and security. Her hair was quite matted and she has been going to the same groomer for years and doggy and I have total trust in him. We never laughed at her rather we fussed over her telling her how gorgeous she is. Perhaps we should brush her hair daily to avoid matting and have her hair groomed more often.
ReplyDeleteGoing through exact same thing with my Lhaso. She wont eat and just hides in the ward robe. I really hope she gets out of this.
ReplyDeleteMy Maltipoo just came back from the groomers 3 days ago and she wont eat her dry dog food is this normal? I've always feed her the same food but she will gonsmell it but wont eat it. I have tried giving her a piece of sausage and she ate it, it not her dog food. Could she be stressed from the grooming? This is her 3rd time going. She is 3yrs old in human age.
ReplyDeletemy head and it was itching during application in the shower and now today it doesn't stop. So although I love the color I can't bring myself to order this again. I will say that i don't have the clump breakage or thinning hair but I have noticed more split ends like many of you others Pattaya Thailand
ReplyDeleteI clipped my Shih Tzu two nights ago and went pretty low, lower than any other clip/cut he's had before. He seems to be totally wacked in his head now. Not eating or drinking normal, walking funny, sniffing his butt and underbits all the time, wimpering, cocking his backside to his right when he walks and sits at times drastically, and his stomach looks a bit swelled or bloated. At first I thought he was aggravated because I noticed he has a few fleas and with the very short hair he would feel them more then with the thick covering (I treated him with Comfortis). I had a Shar Pei many years ago and he swallowed a child's sippy cup rubber insert and he acted very much like my Shih Tzu is now so I gave him a couple enemas and the rubber insert popped out and he immediately returned to his nomal wild self. So I tried the same thing with my Shih Tzu and he has settled some but not completely. he still is showing some of the strange behavior. I talked to the lady we got him from who breeds Shih Tzus and she agreed with several articles I have read that the clip/cut was stressing him and he would eventually get used to it and hair would grow back and he would return to normal. So I am sharing all this to get some 2nd, 3rd, and 4th opinions to ease my mind or prompt further action. I am looking for thoughts and ideas I am out of work and on medical disability and cannot afford huge Vet bills. I am a home shot giver and behave as responsibility and frugally as I possibly can, in order to stretch the little that I have as far as I can. Thank you in advance for any thoughts or ideas to help my not so furry friend out!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this article. My dog was avoiding my son after her haircut. He’d call her and she would come to me. He’d pick her up and she’d immediately leave his lap and go to my husband. I read this asked him if he laughed at her when she came home he said no.that he was mad at me and his father for getting her cut so short. He apologized to her and called her pretty and she stopped working so hard to hurt him. ��
ReplyDeleteI think you should explore more articles on your website, You should also cover different categories for articles as you writes awesome. Thanks for sharing this great article on dog depression.
ReplyDeleteI am glad I found this. My Bichon that had a beautiful coat but matted. The groomer had to shave her!. Now she looks like a Dalmatian....black spots on pink skin. She is acting very strange. Runs across the room and lays down hard giving me the "look"!.She has never acted like this before. I do feel better after reading all these posts.
ReplyDeleteI'm even embarrassed to take her to her social doggy place...
I am glad I found this. My Bichon that had a beautiful coat but matted. The groomer had to shave her!. Now she looks like a Dalmatian....black spots on pink skin. She is acting very strange. Runs across the room and lays down hard giving me the "look"!.She has never acted like this before. I do feel better after reading all these posts.
ReplyDeleteI'm even embarrassed to take her to her social doggy place...
Same thing is happening to me and my shih tzu. Not his first time but his fur was never cut this short... At first he ate his food but now he just won't eat it.. Even his favorite foods... He doesn't like to be bothered by anyone right after he got a look of himself at the mirror. I got so worried 'cauz he keep hiding and sitting while walking (freaquently) as if he is trying not to be noticed.. Wish us luck day 2...
ReplyDeleteI have a bunch in as well —if you have Facebook messenger I can send you a pic of mine before and after his haircut!
ReplyDeleteHere’s my account :
Sarah Arndt
My little Chi-Poo Emmy got groomed Tuesday, pretty short, she was Very scruffy & she's just laying around, when she does get up, she rubs under all the cou h cushions, then she's also been laying in a chair in another den we don't use.. ): I keep loving on her & telling her she's beautiful to no avail..I read that she probably feels so different & lighter.. makes me so sad.. ):
ReplyDeleteGlad I read this today. Tool our precious poodle to groomer for first time with matted hair. She was completely shaved and has been acting strange and depressed. I've felt awful all day. She just threw up too. She's never been sick. All day in bed and does not even want to play with the kids. I hope she gets better soon... I can't stand seeing her this way!
ReplyDelete*took
ReplyDeleteDo dogs get sad when you cut their hair? Well the answer tickled me because my first thought was, well dont we get sad if someone f××cks up our hair?? Lol hi everyone
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI need some help with my question. I cut my dog’s hair too short yesterday. I have not done this much short for almost 2 years. He was feeling fine for the first 2 hours after the cut. Then he started to act weird. He does not seem to feel comfortable. He does bot want to walk and if he does so he starts to jump and his body shakes. He did not sleep last night at all. He is like he is scared, or in pain, or I don’t know. Plz guide me through this if you have the same experience.
Thanks,
My little Maltipoo was shaved yesterday, also because of matting. She seemed very upset and slept all evening. Today, she spent a lot of time looking sad and resting, but did perk up a few times. I bought her a doggy t-shirt yesterday right after her grooming. She is upset at being shorn in this way, but I think wearing the t-shirt is helping. She is feeling less exposed. My suggestion would be to keep them covered so they don't feel so naked. Apparently, even dogs dislike feeling bare.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, thanks for writing this blog. We have been saying our dog seems embarrassed after his haircut for years. Poor little dude just came from the groomer yesterday and is so pathetic and sappy.
ReplyDeleteWe have been looking for solutions to no avail.
But now that I read this, our next solution will be to try more regular groomings. Rather than going so many weeks in between them. Hopefully that will help him.
There is a solution. I once had a Yorkie that ended up with a shorter than I wanted “puppy cut”. He was devastated. Even peed on my bed, while staring me down, something he had never done before. It occurred to me, after a couple of days, to put one of his sweaters on him. He immediately perked up and gradually became his old self. Don’t even know why I thought of that, however, I think the success of it may have been due to being able to feel some weight back on him. After that experience with him, I took one of his sweaters with me every time I had him groomed and asked the groomer to put it on him as soon as she was finished grooming him. I never had an embarrassment problem with him after. Go figure...
DeleteThank you for all your stories. It has helped me so much. I just finished a call with my groomer asking if you had any other customers having this issue. I didn't put 2 and 2 together before wondering why my Shiba Inu/Yellow Lab that she had been groomed before over the last 6 years. Starting April shaved, then June and again Sept. We live in Riverside, CA and it hits triple digits. After groomed she gets anxious and angry at times with my other 4 acting out starting fights.
ReplyDeleteThis all makes sense now. Before Grooming she great loveable and able to hold back from causing a fight and I'm able to sense when she needs alone time to prevent these outbursts. Thank you so much for putting this website together. I will be sharing it.
My Maltese dog is not the same after he got his hear cut, he is very sad he just want to be sleeping he is not active any more and that make so sad please can some one give me any advise what todo now?
ReplyDeleteI had no idea and after reading all these comments I am hopeful my dog will feel better when his hair grows back. We have a 5 yrs old Male 1/2 Sheepdog and? He has a lot of hair and also black hair so had him groomed so he won't be so hot this summer. They gave him a very short shave and he is acting like a completely different dog, lethargic, mopey, sad. He is usually always playful and happy, he wrestles with his sister every single day and now nothing. I was afraid they drugged him. It's so weird!
ReplyDeleteMy dog got a hair cut last week. He has been hiding from me. He eats very little. Yesterday he ate a little bit more. He is also so sad. I keep telling him he is handsome. I tell him I love him.
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