For all the practical skills that you can learn at dog grooming training, it is often other types of skills that prove themselves to be the most useful in certain dog grooming scenarios.
These are skills that many dog groomers have naturally, and which others will learn as they proceed during their careers.
We are talking specifically about the skill of being able to calm any dog which you are grooming.
Apart from a calm dog making your job easier, and also meaning that each appointment takes less time, knowing how to calm a dog when are grooming them has huge safety implications.
The last thing you wants is for a dog to get over-excited or anxious and start jumping around while you are holding a sharp pair of scissors in your hand.
So, for everyone’s benefit, knowing how to calm a dog should be an integral part of your dog grooming training.
To give some ideas on how you can calm dogs, we have highlighted five of the most effective ways below.
Give Dogs Time To Investigate You And The Equipment
One of the best ways to introduce a dog to the idea of it being groomed is to give it a minute or two to investigate the room you are in and any equipment which you plan to use.
Once they realise that it will not harm them then they should be fine.
Another stage would be to turn on any tools that make a noise such as nail grinders, blow dryers and water coming out of a showerhead, especially if they have never experienced any of them before.
You Must Remain Calm At All Times
No matter how many dogs you groom, there is always going to be one or two that prove to be an absolute nightmare, whether they constantly bark, will not sit still for 5 seconds, or are genuinely nervous and cowering in the corner of the room.
It should go without saying that the worst thing you can do is to show your frustration, no matter the justification.
Take a deep breath, and show the dog with your tone of voice and body language that you are calm and relaxed.
Try To Avoid Over-Anxious Owners Being In The Room
One of the best pieces of advice any dog groomer will ever receive is to insist that the dog’s owner remains outside the room whilst you are grooming their dog.
First, it stops the dog from trying to jump off the grooming table to go and be with its owner.
Also, many dog owners get over-excited and even anxious when they see their dog’s fur and nails being clipped.
If that anxious vibe transfers to the dog, it can lead to them being over-animated and uncooperative.
Use Gentle Persuasion And Praise
Most dogs are well-behaved and cooperative, and when they are not it is usually because they have not been taught how they should behave in any given situation.
Coming into a grooming parlour and lifted onto a grooming table, especially for the first time, can be a worrying experience for a dog, However, if you do it persuasively, rather than with brute force, then the dog should be willing to cooperate.
Also, praise and reassure the dog repeatedly throughout the process.
Treats Can Make A Huge Difference
Whether it be children, adults, or in this case, dogs, they all seem to be more willing to do something when there is an incentive to be acquired before, during or after the task.
As for dogs, bribery in the form of treats can work wonders, and you will be amazed how many of them are prepared to cooperate when a tasty snack is on offer.
One great tip is to give them a hide chew that takes them longer to devour and while they do so, you have time to get on with grooming them.
