We can’t state it enough: regular, proper grooming is one of the best ways to keep your dog looking and feeling their best. There’s no shortage of health benefits to it either. However, it’s also no secret that for many dogs, grooming isn’t exactly a favourite activity. If you’ve ever wondered how to calm a dog before grooming, keep reading.
Have you tried to groom a dog that wasn’t in the mood before? You may already know how difficult and, at times, stressful it can be. The last thing you want when trimming your dog’s coat or nails is having them fidget and accidentally get injured, but the process can leave even the most experienced pet owners at a loss.
So how do you get your dog feeling calm and at ease before you get started with grooming at home? As a team of experienced professional groomers, we’ve learned a lot about how to get dogs feeling safe, comfortable, and calm before grooming starts—even for pups we’re not yet acquainted with. So here are eight proven ways to keep your dog calm before and during the grooming process.
1. Keep the environment and mood mellow
The number one way to ensure your dog feels at ease throughout grooming is to keep the entire environment as calm as possible. As you know, many dogs get worked up by unexpected sounds and smells—think the doorbell going off while you’re mid-trim!
By choosing a calm, quiet place for grooming on a day where you’re unlikely to be interrupted, you can help your dog calm down and stay settled, which will go a long way in making the grooming process hassle-free.
2. Keep your own emotions in mind
If you’re a dog owner, you know that they’re surprisingly sensitive to our emotions. That’s why dogs always seem to know when we’re in a bad mood and cuddle accordingly.
With that said, you should keep this fact in mind when grooming your dog. If you’re feeling stressed out and anxious about the process, they’re going to pick up on that, and pretty soon they’ll be exhibiting the same kind of anxiety. Be sure to be as calm as possible before you start grooming your pup.
3. Make grooming days feel like any other
Dogs are creatures of habit, and they’re highly in tune with our own personal routines. This is why they can always seem to tell something’s up as you prepare to take them to the vet or as you pack up to leave town for a while.
Try to avoid doing too much outside of your regular routine as you prepare to groom your dog. If you can make the days you groom feel as regular as possible, your dog won’t have the chance to start feeling anxious before you begin.
4. Let your dog investigate all the tools you’re using
Many dogs get a little bit nervous around grooming tools, especially ones that make a noise like nail clippers and electric trimmers. To ensure they feel as safe as possible while you groom them, give your dog the chance to investigate every tool you use with a good sniff. This lets your dog satisfy their curiosity before it transforms into anxiety!
5. Be patient, and give your dog breaks when needed
Despite our best efforts, sometimes our pups simply need a break from grooming. If your dog is starting to get anxious or agitated, don’t be afraid to back off for a moment and let them settle down a bit before you resume. Yes, it means the process will take longer, however having patience with your pup is still easier and safer than trying to carry on with grooming an anxious dog.
6. Reward your dog when they do a good job
If your dog has been good and remained calm for the bulk of grooming, don’t forget to reward them. Like learning a new trick, positive reinforcements such as treats, toys, pets, and play are all great ways to build up a good association with grooming. Do it right, and your pup might actually start to look forward to grooming days.
7. Pick your moment to begin grooming
One big mistake that pet owners sometimes make is grooming their dog purely on their own schedule. If there’s a day that you have time to do it, you should, by all means, make it happen that day—but choosing your moment in the day is a good way to set yourself up for success. Wait for your dog to wind down a little bit on their own, for instance after a walk or a few rounds of fetch. This way, you can focus more on grooming and less on wrangling an energetic dog.
8. Get some help from the pros
Of course, we all need a little help from time to time, and grooming your dog is no exception. Whether you don’t have the time to be as thorough as you’d like or your dog is too fidgety to comfortably groom at home, there are likely a number of grooming services near you who would be happy to help.
We recommend choosing a smaller business. The reduced list of appointments usually means a calmer atmosphere, which will help in keeping your dog feeling comfortable as they’re groomed.
If you’re looking to get a little help from professional groomers, we at Dog World Beauty & Health Spa can help! Our team is extremely knowledgeable in grooming techniques for all breeds, as well as the puppy grooming ‘soft skills’ of patience and keeping a calm environment.
We’re always happy to help you calm down your dog before they’re groomed.
Contact us today to book an appointment for your four-legged friend.
