Groomers might cover an aggressive dog's face with a towel while moving the dog. Aggressive dogs are restrained with a loop and most groomers have muzzles on hand for the toughest dogs. Neither of these devices will hurt your dog. Both ensure your dog stays on the table during the groom for her own safety.
In circumstances where an animal is especially aggressive or frightened, we may recommend sedation during a grooming session. However, most of the time we can manage these types of dogs by doing the things listed above, and taking the following steps: Ensuring the environment is quiet, calm, and peaceful.
Aromatherapy/ Calming Aids
Many pet groomers include aromatherapy to calm nervous dogs. They may use shampoos and conditioners with calming scents that include lavender, chamomile, and bergamot. Lavender is known to reduce nervous feelings and promotes restful sleep. Are you planning to take your dog to the groomer?
Despite your best efforts, some aggressive dogs may refuse to calm down during grooming sessions. They will, however, require grooming. Special anxiety-reducing jackets (during nail trims), organic and all-natural medications, or muzzles are some possible solutions.
Load up on treats to give your dog as you brush them. Don't hesitate to give them a treat every couple of seconds—you want to give them a reason to cooperate. Create a relaxing environment for your brushing adventure. Make them comfortable by placing them on something soft, like their bed or a towel.
Sedation can also be used for minor or painless procedures which may still be stressful for dogs, including ear cleans, grooming, fur clipping or nail clips. Vets often administer sedatives when pets need to keep still during diagnostic tests.
Provide a Calming Touch
Dogs love to be patted and pet and grooming time is no different. Patting and holding your nervous dog throughout the grooming process can help to reassure your pet that everything is ok and that there is nothing to be afraid of.
Provide treats in bathtub. Allow your dog to investigate tools, and provide treats when the dog sniffs or touches the tools. Be firm, patient, and keep grooming sessions frequent and short, until your dog learns what is expected during grooming sessions, and that he cannot control the session by displaying aggression.
Some dogs simply hate being groomed. They may find it uncomfortable or have negative associations from past experiences. Generally, if a dog is being difficult during grooming, it's due to anxiety; however, there are plenty of ways to help ease your dog's anxiety and change his response to grooming.
Some groomers use calming aids in their salons. They'll infuse the space with calming pheromones in the air or essential oils through a diffuser. Perhaps they'll use certain shampoos with soothing ingredients, like lavender.
Separation Anxiety—they may not want to have to leave their owners. High velocity blow dryer noise is loud. We use something called a Happy Hoodie that wraps around their head and covers their ears, but the noise can greatly affect dogs that are sensitive to loud sounds.
Rehoming or putting a dog down for aggression should not be a decision made in the highly-emotional time right after an incident unless the safety risk is high and no other alternatives are available.
Instead of screaming, or yelling at the dog, speak to him in a soothing tone as you slowly back away. Don't make direct eye contact. Staring in the eyes of an aggressive dog may prompt him to attack. If the dog gets too close or lunges at you, place a jacket, handbag or backpack, etc., between you and the dog.
The combination of gabapentin and acepromazine is often very effective in the aggressive and/or fearful patient, allowing one to safely muzzle, place an E-collar, or administer additional IM sedation without causing large undue stress to the dog or hospital staff.
And keep plenty of dog treats on hand. Try calming treats like NaturVet Quiet Moments Calming Aid Dog Soft Chews or Pet Naturals of Vermont Calming Dog Chews, which taste great and contain natural ingredients that help reduce stress. Dog hair clippers can also be a bit jarring if your pet has never been groomed before.
The Techniques for Hyper Dogs Method
Exercise your hyper dog before grooming to burn off excess energy, a tired dog is more likely to stay still for a grooming session. Be gentle and firm, but do not yell at or punish a hyper dog as this only increases excitement and makes the behavior worse.
Groomers might also try and isolate children from their friends and family, making them feel dependent on them and giving the groomer power and control over them. They might use blackmail to make a child feel guilt and shame or introduce the idea of 'secrets' to control, frighten and intimidate.
Benadryl: This mild antihistamine sedative helps calm your pet when it is nervous about clipping its nails. Melatonin supplements: Help regulate body rhythm and help calm down your dog. Natural sedation methods: Herbs like California poppy, chamomile, rosemary, or valerian are natural relaxants.
For most dogs, follow the direction of the hair growth with your clippers. This gives a more natural textured look. Depending on the dog's coat direction, for most dogs that means going from the head towards the tail, down the sides, and down the legs.
Dogs such as golden retrievers, German shepherds, Siberian huskies and any dog that seasonally sheds huge clumps of fur (part of its undercoat) should never be shaved. It is a misconception that shaving will help keep a dog cool on hot days.
Although some dogs may feel down after grooming, this quickly goes away and they truly appreciate the benefits of grooming. Read on to find out more about the benefits of regular dog grooming and the increase in happiness this provides.
From bathing, drying, brushing and detangling, to cleaning up the ears, eyes and hygiene areas, to finally, hand-scissoring the coat to perfection, getting your dog beautified takes work. For many dogs who are uncomfortable with body manipulation, the dog grooming experience can be a stressful one.