Stange behavior after being shaved

[chloe522]

Hello, I'm new to shorkietalk.  My name is April and my one-year-old shorkie is Chloe.  I came across this forum while searching for some insight regarding Chloe's behavior.  Up until this week, Chloe had beautiful long hair.  While I was out of town for a weekend recently, she stayed with my friend, who also has a small mixed-breed.  The two dogs apparently played together and wrestled around all weekend because when I got Chloe back, she had some terrible mats in her undercoat.  (I typically brush her every single night and I guess my friend wasn't as thorough).  After two weeks of painstakingly trying to get the mats out, I took her to the groomer and he said that unfortunately, the only option was a close shave.  So she was shaved on Wednesday of this week.  Ever since then, she has been acting so depressed, and the weirdest thing is that she won't walk.  She is typically the happiest dog I've ever seen, LOVES to go outside and go for walks, LOVES to play fetch in the park with her little tennis ball and LOVES to play with me inside the house also...she chases me, I chase her, she runs laps around the place jumping up on the couch across to the chair, back to the floor, under the table, etc...she's usually a wild little girl.  But ever since she got shaved, she has been acting like a completely different dog.  She seems sad and doesn't want to play.  She usually follows me around everywhere I go in the house...bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, everywhere.  She usually won't let me out of her sight.  But now when I go into a different room, she follows me with her eyes, but she stays sitting where she is and won't get up.  She won't walk.  If I am able to get her to take a step or two, she immediately stops and spins around and seemingly nips at her behind.  The vet checked her out today, no cuts, no razor burn, no need for anal gland expression (was done 2 days ago). She's still eating and drinking well thankfully, but I can't figure out why she won't walk.  She just cowers and acts afraid to take her butt off the ground.  Anyone ever have a similar experience? Sorry for the long post but I'm desperate for some advice.  Thanks!

[Mai Tai]

Chloe, I am so sorry this is happening to your dog.  I have had quite the opposite reaction.  When my two shorkies are shaved they act differently too, but they act happier.  They run around more and seem lighter.  They roll around in the grass and jump all over the place for a few days after a shave.  It must make them feel different.  This change in behavior only seems to last a few days, so maybe your dog will return to normal in a few days too.  Maybe she feels naked or something and does not like it.  I really don't know, but if anyone in this forum does, they will let you know. 

[KIKIMYLOVEBUG]

HI, maybe try to put a shirt on her. It may work. My other dog did the same thing also, but after I put shirt on him, he was fine. Yes they get shy. Also try to get her for play date with your friend dog. She may be missing play with him/her. Let us know how it goes.

[shorkiejem]

I have no suggestions but don't like the sound of it.  Especially if she takes a step or two and then spins and nips at her butt.  To me that is a sign of pain.  Does she seem weaker in the rear part or is it all over?  Is she going to the bathroom ok? Just doesn't sound right to me.  Jemma follows me and doesn't let me out of her sight either.  If she was mad at me she still follows me, lol.  UNLESS something was wrong.
I hope things get better.  Please keep us updated!!

[minnie mee]

The spinning and nipping is supposed to be a sign of stress.  Sounds to me like the haircut was tough on her... maybe she thinks it was a punishment.  I guess if I hated my new look I wouldn't want to go outside either!  I think the shirt is a great idea.  See what happens in a few days.  I know when I got minnie fixed she was pretty depressed for about two days and then she was her old self.

[chloe522]

Thank you for your responses.  Chloe is slowly starting to act like her normal self again.  The shave was definitely a traumatic and stressful event for her.  I ended up taking her back to the vet Sunday b/c she wasn't pooping.  The vet said she was impacted and had to give her an enema.  She said sometimes after a stressful event, their little intestines can temporarily shut down and not push the waste out.  Poor little thing.  So after her colon was emptied, she definitely started perking up a bit.  I did put a shirt on her to go outside and it seemed to help a little bit.  She still won't walk on the leash UNLESS she sees another dog and then she seems to forget about her nakedness and runs over to say hello.  But then as soon as the dog leaves, she sits back down and refuses to walk.  I know it sounds silly, but I really think she's embarrassed of her hairless butt being exposed.  Because otherwise, she seems fine now.  Eating, drinking, peeing, pooping, chewing on her squeaky toys, etc.  She just doesn't seem to like having her naked butt in the air because she's used to having it covered with lots of hair.  Hopefully, she'll soon forget about it!
Thanks again everyone

[raleysmom]

Poor thing!  I am sure by now she is back to herself!  Just a month ago I had to shave a shih tzu for someone who had to leave their dog with a friend for a month.  This poor dog was in such bad shape it took me 2 hours just to shave him because the matts were SO BAD.  He was styling and feeling much better once I got finished!! 

Sometimes a groomer will not keep the blade cool during grooming.  Everyone should tell the person doing the grooming that you will be looking for clipper/blade burns when you pick your pet up.  Personally, when my blade begins getting warm, I swap it out for another blade that is cool.

[Ann]

Hi
I would be a little worried about the groomer. It sounds to me that something has happened when she was there that has really frightened her. Give her lots of cuddles and reasurance and she will probably come back to normal. If you can I would find an other groomer.

[teddybear]

I can relate with you and Mai Tai. Teddy had to get a shave because he was getting really bad matts, despite grooming, and the only option was to shave him (his fur is growing back now ) and all he did was roll in the grass. Just try to get her up with her favorite toy, or treat. Use some inspiration for your pup, and she'll be just fine in no time.