Re owners watching/participating in a grooming session -- today's groomer simply stated that a groomer who absolutely refuses to allow you to be present (e.g., dropping off your dog at a counter and leaving the premises entirely, without being shown the area where grooming is done or being able to watch through a one-way window or if your dog enjoys and is calm with your presence, being permitted to stay, etc., is a groomer to avoid. I would guess most groomers today are much more "family oriented" than groomers of the past -- in that I mean, groomers want your dog to be happy, they want the owners to be happy, and will accommodate families the best they can. If your dog goes bananas when you're watching, then of course, it's best if you don't -- if they are only calm and comfortable if you're sitting nearby, then it's best if you can be present with a book or magazine to help support your pup. In our case, we'd brought Bijou to the same salon since we adopted her last February and she'd always managed fine -- in fact, when I mentioned a few sessions ago that she didn't like being groomed at home by me and tended to nip, they acted surprised and said they'd never had any cause to note that behavior at the salon. Lo and behold, the next time I brought her in for grooming, there was a big warning note on her care slip that Bijou bites during grooming! So this may have been behavior they anticipated because of my experience at home, or perhaps Bijou's fear simply outgrew her ability to cope with the entire process of being groomed -- I just don't know. I do know I have a friendly, glorious but terribly shaggy 13-month-old rough collie that needs some attention!!

Will post what my vet suggests tomorrow -- I'm hoping they can manage a sedation grooming, they'd certainly be experienced with sleepy dogs. I keep thinking if they can medically encourage a little nap, then they can simply trim her feet, cut her nails and maybe brush a few teeth. I can bathe her at home, I've got the photos to prove it

Thanks for all the support!