Expert: Lucy O'Brien - 10/18/2008

Question
I got my Pomeranian from the pound about 10 weeks ago.
He wasn't abused or anything, he was just found wandering the streets and no one claimed him.  I wormed/flea'd him when i first got him.
His coat was still quite bad, so yesterday i got him clipped right back.  He was at the groomers all day, with other dogs and when I got him home he was different, he wasn't affectionate and he keeps chewing on his tail, if you try to stop him he growls and snaps, which he has never done before.  It has now been 12 hours since I picked him up, and he is slowly returning to his normal self, but still chewing his tail.
I have to put in kennels in December as I am going away for 7 days, do you think this will affect him in the same way?

Answer
Hi

It was likely to have been very stressful for him at the groomers.  They perhaps also used products on his skin which were too harsh for him.  In future try getting someone to your house to groom him so you can stay with him and it is only for a short time.

Prior to going away, put him in the kennel for a couple of single days and maybe an overnight stay too, so he gets a chance to get used to it. I can't say how it will affect him I'm afraid but this way you get to make it a bit easier for him.  

An alternative to kennels would be for a friend to stay at your house or to have him for you while you are away.

You say he hasn't been abused but remember you don't know this - he was obviously not loved as no one has looked for him.

Lucy