Hi

I have just returned home after having my Lurcher to the groomers, he was very hairy before and she has taken a lot off so he does look very different.

My other two dogs a greyhound (bitch) and a staffy (dog) are acting very strange with my lurcher (dog), they are treating him like he is a different dog. my staffy keeps trying to hump him. I have seperated them for now as my lurcher have been through enough as he is not keen on going to the groomers.  This is the fitst time I have had him to the groomers so it is the first time my other dogs have seen him looking different, I understand he will also smell different, but I never expected them to go on they way the have with  him.  I know it must be strange for them as it is strange for me as he looks so different.  my staffy have even been a little but aggressive toward him.  Could someone please try and help my understand this behaviour.

Regards
Sheli

I would imagine it is his smell theya re reacting to.  He either doesn't smell like himslef (having been bathed) or smells of other dogs (more likely).

I woudl get soem of the dogs beddign and rub it over him so he smells like oen of the gang again.

I know it might sound funny but i have heard of dogs getting muddled up after being in groomers, is it definately your dog?

We had to stop taking my Bichon to the groomers because he would come back like a different dog, the others would try to hump him and he would growl and snarl like he had never done before :(

This seems to be a common occurance for people with a few dogs and only one needs grooming. The dog that returns is picked on by the others and I'm pretty sure it's to do with the smell. Fortunately for my own dogs I don't have that problem. I do use a baby powder shampoo though because the smell lasts for ages (many weeks) and can even smell when the dogs are wet so I get baby powder rather than doggy!
Becky

No its definately my dog I got back, even though I had to look twice then count his white paws,  I had yo go out to feed my horses so I put his kennel coat on him as he goes out when we are out, and I have come back and they seem better with him,  his own smell must have rubbed off onto him.

I knew they would be a little strange with him as he had loads of hair cut off, but I was shocked at their reaction?

my dogs looked at me funny when i had all my long hair cut off!

i have several poodles and when one returns from the groomers all the others go abit barmy , its the smell and also because the have been groomed/trimmed , they are checking i havnt brought a new dog in the house ! .....kinda normal reaction i think especially if they look totally different.

My dogs took a dislike to my brother when he shaved his hair off
They were fine with him after they had had a good sniff of him though and realised it was still him :)