How to Calm Dogs for Grooming
The process of grooming can be very frightening and stressful for a dog that is not used to it. This can be a particularly traumatic experience for a young dog or puppy or for a dog that has been abused or neglected. To make the process easier, you should start with very short grooming sessions of no more than five minutes. Slowly work your way up to longer sessions. However, no matter how long the grooming is going to take, it's very important to calm your dog beforehand (See References 1 and 2).
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Instructions
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1
Touch the areas that will be groomed to help get your dog used to these sensations. For example, if your dog has upright ears, they will need to be cleaned during the grooming process. Make an effort to pet the ears on a regular basis so that when you touch them to groom your dog, it won't come as a shock (See Reference 2).
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2
Wait until after a meal to groom your dog. On a full stomach, your dog is more likely to be calm and relaxed (See Reference 2).
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3
Take your dog for a brisk walk before starting the grooming process. This will help tire out your dog and keep it calm (See Reference 2).
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4
Speak gently to your dog. Let your dog know that you are there and that everything is all right. Use a soothing tone. If your dog hears tension in your voice, calmness will not be an option (See Reference 1).
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5
Pet your dog. Petting will help keep your dog calm as you start the grooming process. When you feel tension in the dog, stop grooming and start petting and talking gently until calmness returns (See Reference 1).
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Give your dog treats during the grooming process and afterward. This will help associate grooming time with treats and fun (See Reference 2).
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Tips & Warnings
If you cannot get your dog calm, do not perform the grooming process yourself. This can lead to injury for both you and your dog. Instead, leave it up to a professional dog groomer (See Reference 1).
References
- Photo Credit Apple Tree House/Lifesize/Getty Images
