[Dailydrool] Basset baths

[Pam McQuade]

In general, I do the basset baths and go through all the things others have 
listed. But if you have a difficult dog (I'm talking biting or bad hound 
back situations), there is a much safer method:

1. Call groomer for appointment.
2. On appropriate day, put basset into crate in van.
3. Drive to groomer.
4. Release hound from van.
5. Bring hound to groomer, with apologies about his behavior.
6. Pick up groomed hound and pay through the nose for the beautiful grooming 
job.
7. Be sure to thank them effusively.
8. Do numbers 2-4 in reverse, heading home instead of to groomer's.

We have refined this skill on our Abner, who would have a real hissy if I 
tried to groom him. With a very long brush I might manage to do the wash and 
rinse, but I don't think there is a grooming brush with a long enough handle 
to keep me safe from his snapping jaws.

Abs is well overdue for a good grooming and still looks something like a 
shedding bison, but spare cash has been tight around here for various 
reasons. Usually by this time of year I've had him in already. But I may 
just break down and get him his spa day anyway. When he's done, he always 
looks so proud at how beautiful he looks, who could deny him that?
Pam, food slave to the Dashing Bassets