My dog is scared of the groomer. what can I do?

If your dog is frightened of grooming, the first thing I would encourage you to do is stop thinking of the behaviour as simply being naughty or difficult.

A dog that shakes, tries to escape, growls, snaps or struggles with particular handling is communicating that something about the experience is difficult for them.

The useful question is why.

Previous grooming experiences may play a part. Some dogs dislike particular noises, sensations or types of handling. Others may be uncomfortable having certain parts of their body touched, and sometimes pain or physical discomfort can affect behaviour.

That means the answer is not always to insist that the dog simply gets used to it.

For some dogs, shorter appointments or gradual introductions can help. Others may benefit from a different order of grooming or more time to become familiar with particular equipment. Owners can sometimes support the process at home by gently building comfort around appropriate handling.

There are also occasions when stopping is the right professional decision. Completing a haircut should never become more important than the welfare of the dog.

If your dog has struggled previously, tell a prospective groomer before the appointment. Explain what has happened and which parts of grooming appear most difficult. That information can help them decide whether they are the right person to help and how they might approach the situation.

At The Pet Studio, our approach to nervous and anxious dogs begins with understanding the individual dog rather than applying one standard process to everyone.