Grooming dogs is not an easy job. This is why we usually pay professionals to do this job for us. But we forget that grooming is not easy for the dogs either. The dogs have to stand and or sit, sometimes for hours, while a strange person handles them everywhere and holds them in unusual positions. It can be painful occasionally either from standing for so long or from getting nicked by grooming tools. It can be scary when loud noises take place, unfamiliar tools are used, and the smells of other scared dogs are present during the process. In short, grooming can be hard for everyone involved. But this only means that we need to teach our dogs how to be groomed and to be comfortable with the process. This will not only help your dog feel more comfortable, but will help the groomer do a better, and sometimes a faster job, and they will love you for having taught your dog to be comfortable with grooming.
The Process and Tools of The Trade
The process and the tools of the grooming trade are things that your dog has to learn to be comfortable with, or at least tolerate in a way that they can emotionally sustain without experiencing psychological damage from the stress of the situation. This training is especially important if you have a breed that will need to be groomed on a regular basis, such as a poodle or poodle mix. When we do not train our dogs to be comfortable with grooming tools, we are creating a highly stressful situation for our dogs that could be made much less stressful if we work at it. So what are the processes and tools of the trade that you need to introduce your dog to? Take a look at the lists below to find out:
Processes:
1. Being lifted onto and off of a table
2. Having paws handled/restrained
3. Having someone hold the face and muzzle (nose area) for an extended amount of time
4. Having someone touch and put pressure on all areas of the body, specifically the belly, back, face, and legs/paws
5. Having someone handle the area under the dog's tail and under the belly
6. Being given a bath
7. Having fur dried with a hair dryer
8. Alternating between standing and sitting for longer periods of time
9. Being positioned or repositioning when asked to do so
10. Having fur brushed and tugged on/detangled (usually gently, but when brushing and trimming involves getting out mats of fur, harder pulling can happen, though a good groomer will be as gentle as possible)
Tools:
1. Scissors
2. Electric razors/clippers
3. Nail clippers/files/dremels
4. The table (and sometimes ramp)
5. The table restraints (at least the collar, though a good groomer will groom low to the ground if the dog is uncomfortable enough to jump off the table and will allow the dog to lay down when grooming permits).
6. Brushes (for both under coats and top coats).
7. Blow dryer
8. Shower head and bath area
9. Water
10. Swabs and Ointments for ears
Training Time
Now that you know about the things your dog will run into at the groomers, you need to introduce your dog to these processes and tools. The most important things to keep in mind are right in line with the K.I.S.S. principle; Keep it short and sweet. When training your dog to interact with something that it finds unpleasant, it is important that you start out slow and create a positive and calm training environment. If you have a puppy, check out my online puppy course, The Ultimate New Puppy Course, which contains videos on how to work on many of these processes and tools with your puppy.
If you have an adult dog, you can also benefit from this course as the training processes are mostly the same. However, another tool that can be a great help for dogs of all ages is the book "Cooperative Care: Seven Steps to Stress-Free Husbandry" by Deborah A. Jones. This book takes you through the process of working with your dog to create trust during the grooming process and prepare your dog for grooming appointments. I recommend that you get help from a professional trainer and work with your groomer to help your dog feel safe and comfortable and give you all the best chance of success possible.
Closing Thoughts
Make sure to cover this training with your dog. Even if your dog only goes to the groomer a couple times in its life, this training will not only help your dog feel much less stressed during those few visits, but this training can also be used to introduce your dog to other tools, such as those it might encounter at the vet. Please prepare your dog for grooming; it will save your dog the stress, your groomer will love you, and your dog's haircut might come out looking a little better than it did last time.
Disclaimer: Please be aware that I may earn commission from links in this article.
Photo Credits:
Photo 1: Photos by Wix - Photographer Unknown
Photo 2: Photos by Wix - Photographer Unknown
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