Not every dog can stay on its best behavior when standing at the groomer’s table. In fact, there are many K9s that suffer anxiety from being near strange people and even stranger tools.
Because of this, grooming these pets can be a real challenge, and groomers must know what it takes to get the job done while considering the dog’s well-being. So, if you’re concerned about working with a particularly skittish pet, read on to learn how groomers can handle nervous dogs. This way, you’ll have plenty of resources in your arsenal.
Be Calm and Comforting
An important thing to understand about dogs is that a lot of their behavior is determined by the energy of the environment around them. If they sense that they’re in a chaotic, loud, and unfamiliar area, they’ll be more nervous than they would be in a more serene setting. For this reason, it’s vital that you try to remain calm and act as a source of comfort to the pet. The less fear you have of them and what they could do, the more soothed they’re going to feel around you.
Take Extra Safety Precautions
Still, calmness can only go so far. So, you need to make sure you have other tools on hand to keep control of the pet. This could be something like a leash to keep them hooked to your table or a muzzle to keep them from biting you. Many dogs lash out in fear; therefore, ensuring the safety of yourself, your client, and the pet should be your top priority. Many groomers adopt additional soothing techniques like allowing the client to be present and comfort their pet during the process.
Work Quickly and Efficiently
Groomers can handle nervous dogs by trying to get the process done as efficiently as possible. Even if you can get the pet to calm down, the chances are slim that they’ll be able to stay that way for a long time. As such, you need to work quickly when the situation allows. Choosing quality grooming shears and keeping your equipment within reach can help with this by speeding up how you cut and streamlining the process. Just make sure that you don’t hasten your pace at the expense of quality.
Stay Patient
No matter how quickly you’re trying to move, though, make sure that, above all, you maintain your patience. Nervous dogs are likely to squirm around and struggle as you try to cut their fur. As such, completing these jobs may take much longer than if you were dealing with a calmer pooch. But keeping your cool will ensure that you complete the task in the safest way possible while staying efficient.