How to Help Your Dog Overcome Their Grooming Anxiety
With the world seeming so large and scary, it’s no wonder our poor canine friends can get anxious at times. While grooming is no big deal to us humans, it can be a different story for our dogs. Some dogs can get anxious when it’s time to visit the dog groomer. This can range from mild anxiety to a full-blown panic attack.
As a fur parent, you’d want to help your fur babies overcome their grooming anxiety and feel more comfortable. So, here are some tips that will help make the trip to the dog groomer a more pleasant experience for your dog.
Make the Car Ride More Comfortable
Sometimes, a dog’s grooming anxiety doesn’t just happen the moment they step into the groomer’s. Your poor little fur baby may have already felt stressed or anxious in the car ride there. To lessen these negative feelings in your dog leading up to the grooming session, it’s best to make the car ride there more comfortable for them.
One way to help them overcome their anxiety during the car ride is through counterconditioning. This is when you change a dog’s reaction to a stimulus from something anxious to one that is more positive or enjoyable. You can do so by giving them treats during the car ride or bringing their favorite toy for them to play with.
The source of your dog’s car ride anxiety may also be due to motion sickness. If this is the case, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian to find the right solution.
Get Them Used to Being at the Groomer’s
It’s natural for dogs to feel a little apprehensive when they’re presented with a new and unfamiliar environment. So, if possible, see if you can have your dog visit the dog groomer without the grooming just yet. You can ask the dog groomer for a training visit to help your dog feel more comfortable in that environment.
You can start by taking them on a walk in the surrounding area or playing with them in the parking lot. Dogs may also get scared of the noises during a grooming session, such as clippers and dryers. So, try to just stay at the groomer’s to help your dog get used to the strange noises. If they get startled or scared, try counterconditioning to form a more positive association with the dog groomer.
Get Them Used to Being Handled
When your dog’s not used to being handled, they may react negatively if the dog groomer tries to handle them. So, it would be best to train your dog to help them feel more comfortable with getting handled. You may even use treats and other rewards to create a more positive association with handling.
Touching sensitive areas, such as the eyes, muzzle, ears, tail, groin, rear, and paws, may especially elicit a strong reaction from your dog. So, it’s important to start in less sensitive areas and gradually move toward the more sensitive parts. Train them at home before taking them to the dog groomer so they can be more prepared when the actual grooming occurs.
Final Thoughts
A trip to the dog groomer may not be such a pleasant experience for your dog and may even cause anxiety in them. As fur parents, it is your responsibility to help them overcome this anxiety so your precious doggies can feel more at ease. You can start at home by training them to get used to being handled. You can also make the car ride there more comfortable and allow them to get used to the dog groomer before your actual grooming appointment. With the right training, your dog can get a more positive experience from their regular grooming sessions.
For a more comfortable grooming experience, you can count on Earthwise Pet Marysville to handle your dog gently and with care. We are a professional dog groomer in Marysville that also sells various pet products, such as natural pet foods, raw foods, treats, toys, litter, leashes, collars, and more! At Earthwise Pet, we take care to make your pet's experience as comfortable as possible. Book an appointment now!