Help For Your Canine Catastrophe: 12 Ways To Ease Anxiety Over Grooming
Canada boasts a heart-warming 5.9 million dogs, but winter snow, springtime mud and summer burrs make for one tangled coat. However, if your pet is fearful and anxious about grooming, you've got big problems. Here are 12 possible solutions.
1. Redirect Bad Behavior
While you might be inclined to coddle and coo your misbehaving dog, sympathy isn't going to teach him to change his ways. If he sneers and struggles, give him a quick "No!" that reminds him he should be cooperating. Listening to your firm orders can actually be reassuring to him, because it shows him you're in charge and the situation is under control. Ask the groomer to use the same words and tone as you, for consistency in training. …show more content…
Conduct A Few Meet And Greets
You can't blame a dog for being apprehensive about a new place and new people, it's just his nature. Prior to showing up for the actual grooming appointment, introduce your pet to the people who will be shampooing and shaving him. If possible, arrange to meet the staff in their parking lot right before they open or close, so your dog can sniff them out on his own terms, rather than being dragged inside.
3. Don't Just Drop Off Your Dog
So long as you remain composed and don't interfere with the grooming itself, your dog will benefit from having you close by during appointments. Although it's often more convenient to leave him on his own while you run other errands, this could exacerbate his anxiety.
4. Practice Grooming Routines At Home
Call your dog into the bathroom while the tub or shower is running and ask him to "Sit!" and "Stay!" for a minute. Run an electric razor in his proximity and talk to him while you have your hair dryer blowing. Also, touch his paws and nails more, so he understands this isn't too invasive or cause to protest.
5. Try Spacing Out The Grooming
Canada boasts a heart-warming 5.9 million dogs, but winter snow, springtime mud and summer burrs make for one tangled coat. However, if your pet is fearful and anxious about grooming, you've got big problems. Here are 12 possible solutions.
1. Redirect Bad Behavior
While you might be inclined to coddle and coo your misbehaving dog, sympathy isn't going to teach him to change his ways. If he sneers and struggles, give him a quick "No!" that reminds him he should be cooperating. Listening to your firm orders can actually be reassuring to him, because it shows him you're in charge and the situation is under control. Ask the groomer to use the same words and tone as you, for consistency in training. …show more content…
Conduct A Few Meet And Greets
You can't blame a dog for being apprehensive about a new place and new people, it's just his nature. Prior to showing up for the actual grooming appointment, introduce your pet to the people who will be shampooing and shaving him. If possible, arrange to meet the staff in their parking lot right before they open or close, so your dog can sniff them out on his own terms, rather than being dragged inside.
3. Don't Just Drop Off Your Dog
So long as you remain composed and don't interfere with the grooming itself, your dog will benefit from having you close by during appointments. Although it's often more convenient to leave him on his own while you run other errands, this could exacerbate his anxiety.
4. Practice Grooming Routines At Home
Call your dog into the bathroom while the tub or shower is running and ask him to "Sit!" and "Stay!" for a minute. Run an electric razor in his proximity and talk to him while you have your hair dryer blowing. Also, touch his paws and nails more, so he understands this isn't too invasive or cause to protest.
5. Try Spacing Out The Grooming