Isabella's Journey: Fearful to Fearless Grooming

We adopted or sweet Isabella "Bella"  on the 18th of October. She is a two year old Irish Setter (28.9%) Poodle (71.1%)  mix.  She came from a well loved home across the state. While I at first searching and almost buying a pure bred poodle for future grooming competitions, I came across her. There were several people interested in the free un-spayed doodle many of which were not well suited for a breed her size or adept to handle the high grooming needs. She was across the state and not the breed I was originally interested in. However, that wonderful voice in my head said to inquire. We had a huge yard to offer and since I was a groomer I could keep up with her high grooming needs. We also are planning her spay as we all know there are plenty of doodles in Michigan and no need for more. When I brought her home I realized she wasn't a fan of being brushed. Which is why she was always kept shaved down for the most part. She had some pretty long nails and a few matts on her ears and face. 

It took time, and patience. I utilized desensitizing skills that I've used on my puppy and other dogs, we also use the 3-3-3 rule. ( Three days, three weeks, three months)

I waited a few days before I tried grooming her so that she could get more adjusted to being in a new place. Pictured to the left is her first groom. I took matts out of her ears and face using a matt cutter. Brushed her, trimmed her nails, cleaned huge amounts of gunk out of her ears, bathed her and them trimmed her face and a little on her paws. ( at the time I couldn't trim too much without a lot of wiggles and her hair was already pretty short)

November 18th, 2025 marks one month since we brought her home. She is adjusting more each day.  She now lets me brush her without as much fuss.

This I was able to achieve by using a high quality detangling spray, I recommend Skout's Honor I like that it has probiotics as she has sensitive and skin issues. I started with easy distractions like having someone feed her treats. I noticed if she couldn't see the brush she was fine. It didn't take long for her to see it and boogie. But she is also motivated by attention. so while brushing i would stop every couple of minutes and hug her, pet her and let her know how good she is. i did this every day with the brushing becoming longer and longer each day and being able to reach more areas. Her legs and paws are still the hardest to get to so I do those while I have her on the grooming table or while she is sleeping and I shield her from seeing that I have a brush on her. 

We had to take nail trims slow and steady because even after getting her used to me touching her paws I had to trim little at a time in order for the quick to recede. I am happy to report her now short nails and trimmed paws. I decided on a poodle paw for her and she rocks it.  We are still working on her letting me get her teeth brushed without taking off my hand but in the mean time will be setting her up to get her teeth cleaned at the vet.

For her recent trim, I poodled her face and paws with a 15 blade, as it's her first paw and face I didn't want to take it too short it did take a course of several different short timed cuts to achieve the full trim. Did a 3f all over for her Body and legs to her wrists and hocks but left the topknot to grow out along with her neck line along to her withers. I'm planning a creative new fun look for her but have to wait on the fur to grow out in the places I left. I did end up trimming the ears short because of the matts I had to take out, but plan on growing them out and shaping them In the mean time I will continue to work on desensitization so that when we give her her next trim she will hopefully sit more still so I can do more in one session.