In America, nearly 4 million people suffer from a dog bite each year. Grooming skittish dogs without the proper preparation can lead to some of these unfortunate incidents.
Have you ever wondered how a professional pet groomer handles headstrong dogs? There are many helpful techniques to make grooming aggressive dogs safer and more enjoyable for you and your pet.
The following guide will explain different calming techniques to apply before and during your next dog wash.
Get Your Dog's Energy Out
The best time for a dog bath is right after playtime or a long walk. The more energy your dog has during their bath, the more likely they are to exhibit bad behaviors. Getting their anxious energy out helps calm them down for a more relaxing grooming experience.
Different dogs enjoy different activities so try several things to find out what they like. Playing fetch, chew toys, frisbees, and hikes are just a few examples.
Even if they're worn out, an anxious dog most likely won't want to spend an excessive amount of time in the bath. Consider using a self-service dog spa with professional dryers and other equipment to speed up the process.
Always Keep Treats Nearby
Treats are a great way to show your dog positive reinforcement for good behavior during grooming. They might not even need treats during grooming after a while because they'll be used to staying calm.
Try rewarding your dog with treats for allowing you to hold grooming tools around them such as clippers and brushes. Keep in mind that too many treats might lead to weight gain, so use toys and petting as positive reinforcement, too.
Make Grooming Less Unknown
Dogs often naturally fear things that they don't know much about or new items in your home. If your dog isn't used to getting groomed, they probably won't like loud clippers, getting their legs pulled, or even getting into the water.
Try to get your dog used to grooming equipment slowly so that it's not unknown and overwhelming. Some dogs feel calmer with firm handling and restraint when getting used to new things.
If your dog is new to handling during grooming, start by gently touching their ears and holding their paws. Use positive reinforcement to let your dog know that being handled during grooming is safe.
Getting them used to handling makes trimming the fur around their ears and cutting their nails much easier. It's good to practice this even if you intend to take them to a professional groomer.
To get your dog used to different grooming tools, let them smell the equipment first. Then, try holding it around different parts of the dog's head and body. Don’t turn it on yet. Take it slow until they're familiarized with the tools before you turn anything on.
Once you're to a point where you can turn different tools on without startling your dog, make sure to praise them for staying calm.
Play Relaxing Music
Relaxing music might help ease your dog’s stress and help keep you calm during grooming as well. Relaxing music might also give them a positive connection to getting groomed in general.
Try playing some calming music before, during, and after their grooming for an overall calming experience. You might even try playing the same music during walks, while they eat, and during playtime so that they associate the songs with having fun.
Calming Scents for Dogs
Consider aromatherapy to help calm anxious dogs before and during grooming. Just make sure to dilute essential oils properly and choose pet-safe scents for your dog.
For example, scents like bergamot and lavender might help relieve your dog of fear during grooming. Rose Damask and sweet marjoram sometimes help calm and stabilize nervous dogs.
Other scents you might want to try to relieve your dog's anxiety include Ylang Ylang, Frankincense, Spikenard, and Geranium Rose. Dogs have preferences just like humans, so try different scents until you find their favorite.
Take Breaks as Needed
Don't be afraid to stop the grooming process completely and let your dog take a break if they're overwhelmed. Pay attention to signs of discomfort and rising stress from your dog and don't push them past their limits.
Even if you're dog isn't prone to biting, you still don't want them to get stressed out or feel uncomfortable. Taking a break doesn't mean that you've failed or that you have a bad dog. Some dogs need more time to adjust or they might have suffered past trauma.
Have patience and don't force your dog through the grooming process or they'll develop a negative association with it. If your dog has a difficult time calming down during the break, take them for a quick walk and then resume the grooming process.
Professional Techniques
If grooming your dog at home just isn't working, it might be time to take them to a professional. However, you might worry that a pro will use restraints that could further traumatize your dog.
Fortunately, professional methods such as loops, muzzles, and towels over the face won't hurt your dog at all. It's often the only way to groom overly aggressive dogs and prevent injuries to both the dog and groomer.
You should still try some of the calming techniques before taking your dog to a groomer to make the experience as smooth as possible. Remember, you can't avoid grooming your dog no matter its temperament because it's a crucial part of pet care.
Professional groomers often detect skin conditions, ear infections, and fleas during grooming. Keeping your dog's nails clipped can also prevent bad posture and bone issues. So, know that you're doing the right thing for your dog's health by getting them groomed.
Successfully Grooming Aggressive Dogs
Now you know several calming techniques to make grooming aggressive dogs more manageable. We hope these methods hope you find success at home or at your next trip to a professional groomer.
Remember to have patience, use positive reinforcement, and don't hesitate to stop if your dog gets overwhelmed! You can contact us at Bubbly Paws if you have any remaining grooming questions or want to learn more about our services.