Every dog owner wants to keep their pet calm when grooming. If a dog is too anxious, it can be uncomfortable for both the owner and the pet. During grooming sessions, nervous dogs might bite or be completely uncooperative, making the session longer.
Over time, a dog can even become too terrified to enter the bathroom where the supplies are kept because of the painful experiences they have had during previous baths. The good thing is that there are ways to keep your dog calm while grooming. But where do you begin?
Here are four tips to follow:
1. Make them Familiar with the Equipment
In many cases, anxiety occurs because the dog is uncomfortable being around the equipment used for grooming. It can be anything from the brushes to the towels to the table.
To help the dog become more comfortable, you should introduce them to all of the equipment you or your groomer will be using. If they are not familiar with the various tools, they might not know what to expect during the process.
You can start by placing the equipment in the dog’s area, so they can become used to seeing the items. Some dogs will react negatively to the different brushes and combs. To keep your dog calm during grooming, be sure you have a brush they are more comfortable with. Many groomers will have several types of brushes that you can choose from.
2. Use Treats
Sometimes, the most straightforward methods are the most effective. If you want to keep your dog calm when grooming, you should always keep treats on hand.
For some dogs, this might be the only way they can tolerate the continual grooming process. There are a number of different treats that you can use, but many dog owners prefer to use real meat treats.
3. Don’t Skip Breaks
Some dog owners will want to go through the grooming process as quickly as possible so the dog does not get too uncomfortable. Unfortunately, this does not help the dog stay calm during grooming.
If you want to keep your dog calm, you must give them breaks. Breaks will allow the dog to relax and get used to the tools and equipment being used. This will also give the dog time to relax and enjoy the treats you have given them. If you do not make them work for their treats, they will not associate the grooming process with positive feelings.
4. Start Grooming Young
It is easier to teach a puppy than a full-grown dog that grooming is a positive experience. When they are puppies, dogs are often too eager to get treats to care that they are being groomed. You can then begin to teach your dog that grooming is a positive experience.
Grooming is Caring
Grooming is an important part of caring for a dog, but it can be stressful for many dogs. The methods we shared here can help keep your dog calm while grooming. But if you think you need a helping hand, you can always bring your pooch to the professional groomer. They know how to keep even the fussiest pets calm during grooming.
Make the whole dog grooming process go smoothly by tapping the best dog groomers in Brooklyn to get the job done. At Brooklyn Pet Spa, we offer grooming, bathing, and boarding for dogs and cats. Let us take care of your pooch today!
