Bosco is a spaniel mix with a dense coat and thick, squishy lips. He’s a fun dog to groom, happy and tail wagging from when he arrives until he struts out the door. But today, when you gently hold his face so you can clip his head, he violently jerks away from you. You give him a pat and tell him you are sorry, then try again. He makes it very clear that he does not want you to touch his muzzle. This behavior is unusual for Bosco, so now what?
When a dog tells you that it doesn’t want part of its body touched, it’s time to put down your grooming tools and do a little investigating. This is especially true if you are familiar with the dog and recognize that the way it is acting is not normal behavior. On more than one occasion, I have found a porcupine quill erupting from a dog's lip or nose. These quills can migrate deep into a dog's body, and sometimes, they work themselves back out again. I once found a fishhook deeply embedded in a dog, and other times, I have discovered a chicken bone, stick, or some other foreign body wedged firmly between the dog's molars and pressing into the roof of the animal's mouth. Ouch.
Thankfully, the above instances are not terribly common, but there are two prevalent reasons that dogs avoid having their faces handled. One is dental disease. Veterinarians report that 80-90% of dogs over three years of age exhibit some degree of dental disease, which is more common in small breeds. Periodontal disease is painful, and it is little wonder that a dog with sore teeth would shy away from having its face held or a vibrating clipper irritating its already aching face.
The second common cause is inflammation of the folds located approximately midway on a dog's lower lips. Sore lip folds can occur on any dog but seem to be seen most often in dogs with thick lips and thick fur. Those folds are warm and moist and create an ideal environment for yeast and bacteria to grow. If the dog tolerates it, gently stretching the lip and clipping the fur closely will allow better airflow. Use a soft cloth or gauze pad to clean the fold with shampoo, then rinse well.
Veterinary care will be needed to resolve the dental disease. If the lip folds are only mildly infected, gentle daily cleaning by the owner may clear it up in a few days. If not, the doctor may need to prescribe antibiotics.
It is essential to clearly communicate to the pet owner that their dog showed signs of physical discomfort and encourage them to have the dog appropriately cared for before its next grooming appointment.
