Some dogs enjoy going to the groomers. Unfortunately, a trip to the grooming salon makes most dogs nervous.
A bit of nervousness is normal, but if your dog is incredibly scared, there are some things that you can do to learn how to calm your dog before going to the groomer.
Nervous dogs will shake, pant, pace, and squirm, making them virtually impossible to groom. If possible, it usually helps to calm a dog by grooming him at home with someone he knows and trusts.
If you're not able to groom your pet at home, you're going to have to help calm him before bringing him to a professional salon.
One of the most important things to note when learning how to calm your dog before going to the groomer is that you need to find the right groomer for your dog's needs.
Make sure that you choose a groomer familiar with your pet's grooming needs. For example, if your dog requires a specific haircut be sure to find someone with experience in that area.
It's also important to find a groomer with experience dealing with nervous dogs. Some groomers may opt to restrain or muzzle a nervous dog, but that may actually make the situation worse.
In this article, I'll share some ways to calm your pet without using physical force or scary devices.
How To Calm Your Dog Before Going to the Groomer
1. Tire Him Out
You may not be a morning person, but you should try to wake up at least an hour or two earlier than normal on grooming day.
It may feel a little inconvenient, but this is helpful in tiring your dog out before his appointment.
If you get your pup going early, he'll have plenty of time to eat, use the bathroom, go for a walk, and/or play for a while before heading off to the groomers.
Exercise is one of the best remedies for most behavioral issues in dogs. Canines have a natural drive and energy that needs to be burned off.
If not, you're sure to see some hyperactive behavior and possibly extreme signs of anxiety when your dog is being groomed.
Kill two birds with one stone by going for a walk, run, or playing some ball in the morning.
Fido still may not love the idea of going to the groomer, but you will definitely see less resistance if your pet is exhausted.
2. Try Calming Sprays or CBD Products
There are human trials where CBD oil has been shown to aid in anxiety; however, the evidence for improving anxiety in dogs is very limited.
Dogs that get stressed out being left home alone, and dogs that are anxious about things like thunderstorms have responded very well to regular treatment with CBD products.
Prescription drugs used to treat anxiety can lose their effectiveness over time. They are also ineffective for a large number of dogs.
The few studies and trials that have been done using CBD to treat anxiety in dogs show that it does work for the majority of canine participants.
My favorite thing about using CBD as a treatment for anxiety is that it has no harmful side effects that could lead to other problems.
There are many commercial products available without CBD, as well. Many of these products also work well when you need to keep your pet calm for grooming purposes.
I recommend trying a grooming spray, like Burt's Bees for Dogs Calming Spray.
It has a lovely lavender scent, which helps dogs to calm down quickly and naturally. Following the instructions, lightly spritz your dog down his back and behind the ears.
The green tea in this product helps to soothe and relax your pet.
After repeated use, every time you have to take your pup to the groomer, he will get used to this process.
Once you have an even layer spread on your dog's coat, brush him lightly, using any type of brush you want.
If your pet is especially nervous, use a soft-bristled brush to prevent any scratching of the skin.
You'll want to give your dog CBD or calming products 30-60 minutes before the scheduled appointment.
This will give the product time to work into your pup's system to provide calming relief before the grooming process starts.
3. Allow Extra Time
If you've never been to the grooming facility before, ask about bringing your dog in for a trial run.
Most groomers don't mind this, because it makes things easier for your dog – in turn, making things easier for the groomer.
Bring your dog into the facility and allow plenty of time to sniff around and get to know the staff.
This time will allow your pet to get used to the scent of the other animals, the new noises they'll be hearing in the salon, and the environment and equipment that they'll be exposed to.
If your dog is especially nervous, you'll probably want to make a few trips to the grooming salon before scheduling his first official appointment.
Make sure that one of your visits is within 48 hours of the scheduled appointment. This will ensure that your pup remembers the facility and the staff with a positive connotation before he is groomed.
READ NEXT: How To Find Local Dog Groomers In Your Area
