If you’re owning a dog for the first time, there are a lot of new experiences you’ll have to navigate as you build a bond with your new furry friend. Along with the inevitable mishaps (both minor and major!) that will occur around your home, you will need to build your dog’s confidence when taking them out in public – particularly when bringing them to professionals like a pet groomer.
Taking your dog out in public can be daunting, especially if you’re lacking in confidence in your dog’s behavior to begin with. However, with some careful thought and preparation, you can take steps to reduce your anxiety – and your dog’s stress – in advance of your appointment.
At 4 The Love Of Paws, our team has pretty much seen it all – and we’re here to help make your pup’s visit with us a positive experience. In this article, we’ll run through some of the best pieces of advice we can offer to help you prepare for your dog’s grooming appointment.
Tip 1: Early desensitization exercises
Dogs aren’t born with the innate ability to feel comfortable having their nails, paws, legs and other parts of their body touched by humans. In fact, it can often feel quite threatening for dogs, particularly if they are interacting with strangers.
Exposing your puppy from a young age to human touch has numerous benefits. Gentle petting is usually the first way that we physically interact with our dogs, and this is a great way to get your dog comfortable with you. Make sure that each member of your family has the opportunity to pet your puppy – this will generalize the feel of petting more than if it is only received from one person.
Once your puppy is comfortable with petting, you can gradually introduce desensitization exercises that will help when bringing them to the groomer. Nail trims can often be daunting (for dog and groomer alike!) if the dog is uncomfortable with having their paws and nails touched. Simply sitting down on the floor next to your dog and playing gently with their paws – perhaps even with a nail trimmer alongside you – helps to build their confidence. You can combine this with touching their teeth (beware of puppy nipping!) and introducing them to a canine toothbrush. All of these exercises will build familiarity that will help your pup when you bring them to the groomer.
Tip 2: Build their obedience
You may often see other dogs and marvel at their level of obedience – but they weren’t born this way! Somebody – whether a trainer, or their owner – had to teach them how to sit, lay down, and generally exert some level of control over their behavior.
Improving your dog’s obedience has multiple benefits. Firstly, it just makes dog ownership a lot more enjoyable. It will increase your confidence for taking them to public places or out on walks. In the grooming context, this is a truly invaluable skill. Being able to maneuver the dog around a grooming table and knowing that they will listen to the groomer’s instructions results in a less stressful groom for everybody involved. It also makes it quicker, and most importantly, typically leads to a better groom overall.
Tip 3: Socialize your dog
Once you’ve built your dog’s obedience at home ,the next step is to bring them out in public. Dogs are contextual learners, and bringing your dog out to public places like dog-friendly stores, parks, and coffee shops, enables you to work on their behavior in a number of different environments. This ensures that your dog understands that they don’t just need to be obedient at home – they need to be obedient irrespective of the location.
Socialization should be structured and planned in advance. While many dog owners think that dog parks are a good way to get socialization, the reality is that you have no knowledge of what the other dogs at the park will be like. It is possible for your dog to acquire unwanted behaviors through social learning. With this in mind, keep your outings structured so that it has a positive outcome for you and your dog. Arrange playdates with friendly dogs that are already well-socialized, or bring them to places that you are completely familiar with.
Tip 4: Communicate with your groomer
Communication is key, and that concept certainly applies when you book your appointment with your groomer. No matter how insignificant it may seem, informing them of any behavioral quirks or sensitivities will help them immensely when the time comes to groom your dog.
Informing your groomer in advance of your dog’s appointment allows your groomer to make accommodations as necessary. For example, at 4 The Love Of Paws, our dogs are typically allowed to roam and interact with one another in a supervised environment – but if you know that your dog wouldn’t necessarily enjoy that setting, we can set the environment up so that your dog has the privacy and quiet time they need to feel relaxed and at ease for their groom.
Tip 5: Exercise before the appointment
You may have heard it said that, “a tired dog is a good dog”. There is an element of truth in this – a moderate amount of exercise can certainly take the edge off your dog’s excitement, particularly if it is extremely likely that your pup will be hyped up when they arrive at the groomer (it’s a fun outing for them!).
There is no need to take them for a five mile run before the grooming appointment – instead, a short 15-20 minute walk around the block can be sufficient. And, of course, it is advisable not to get them too wet or muddy before they arrive for their groom, as this can unnecessarily prolong the appointment.
Tip 6: Maintain their grooming at home
This extra tip is one that you can implement after your appointment is completed! If you keep your dog looking clean and tidy after their appointment, it makes the whole process much easier next time around. Retaining the familiarity with basic grooming tools like scissors, nail trims and toothbrushes can ensure that your pup maintains their level of comfort with the equipment. Speak to your groomer for specific tips for your dog’s breed.