u/shorty_mcgee

I need a little solidarity from those of you with poodles high on anxiety 😅 my 5yo standard has been an anxious dog straight from the womb (literally what our animal behaviorist vet told us 🤦🏻‍♀️). We have done allll the things to help her and she’s been on Prozac for years now.

Three years ago, we (myself and partner, because it fully takes two people) decided to groom her ourselves because she would get so so anxious at the groomer. I actually enjoy the grooming process and she has calmed a lot around it since we started back then. But the FRONT PAWS! 😓We have tried loads of desensitization, but NOTHING helps with the front paws. NOTHING! 😭😭😭😭

She had gotten a fair bit better over the past few years…but in the last 6 months she has regressed SO much and I’m at my wit’s end. We just fully shave her on a 10 because we live in the southern US and we don’t even care what the cut looks like anymore, it’s all about utility.

Any advice for shaving the front paws of an extremely uncooperative dog?

Also, please be kind - I’m not looking for general training advice or chastisement. You will never truly understand what having a biologically anxious dog is like unless you personally have one.

Considering getting a Higton mini bag, but I am nervous about the vegan leather scratching easily. I absolutely hate when bags have the corners rubbed off. Does anyone have a Higton bag that can comment on the durability?

What are your favorite small preschools? Looking for a small school to send my 2YO two or three mornings a week.

I don’t want to do one of the large daycare/preschool centers. I would prefer Waldorf or Reggio Emilia approach.

I understand a lot of smaller programs are run through churches, but not sure where to begin. I am not interested in a parent-run coop.

Any advice appreciated!

Officially moving to Cary this summer.

What are your favorite preschools? I am partial to Reggio Emilia method, so bonus points for that. Montessori could also work for us.

Any preschools to fully avoid?

We are moving to Cary this summer. 2YO is at a Spanish immersion preschool in our current city.

Anyone have experience with L’Academy? We would only be doing part time.