Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Things You’ll Need:
- Grooming table with grooming arm
- Velcro muzzle
- Dog treats
- Dog crate
Step1
Buy the proper equipment. You need a grooming table that has a grooming arm. Without it, you won't be able to groom the dog by yourself. This helps hold your difficult dog safely in place while you work.
Step2
Use a Velcro muzzle to protect yourself if your dog is "nippy" while you groom. Using a muzzle not only protects you but it also tends to calm an overly excited dog.
Step3
Groom the dog by yourself. Some difficult dogs are intimidated and easily agitated when several people are involved with the grooming. Keep the atmosphere calm, familiar and fun for the dog.
Step4
Reward the dog for good behavior. When the dog pauses her yelping, reward her with her favorite treat. Likewise, when she sits still and calm while you groom her, shower her with praise. Rewarding a difficult dog frequently helps to shape better behavior while you groom her.
Step5
Address his bad behavior. When a difficult dog misbehaves, you must address it. If he gets completely out of control, put him in his crate to relax and clam down. Once he is calm, continue with the grooming. He must know that his bad behavior will not get him out of it.
Step6
Build up to the full grooming routine. Don't expect a difficult dog to complete a long grooming session the first time you attempt it. Start with just trimming her nails a few times. Gradually add time to your grooming session. Eventually build up to washing, trimming and brushing her hair and teeth.
