5 Tips To Help Make Sure Your Pooch Enjoys Grooming

Grooming your pooch is the perfect opportunity to enjoy some bonding while also caring for its health. At first, washing and trimming your dog’s hair and nails can be a little tricky, especially if your pet has an active personality. However, dog grooming does get easier with time, and regular sessions are important for training them to sit still. To help acclimate your canine to its grooming routine, be sure to use these tips to make it feel secure.

Start Early

Whether you have one of the small dog breeds or something larger training your pet to comply with a grooming routine is best accomplished by doing it early on in its life. Similar to other types of training, early exposure helps dogs adjust to new situations while they are at the peak of their natural curiosity.

As you introduce aspects of their grooming routine, remember to encourage only the behaviors you desire from the very beginning. For example, while it may be cute to watch as your puppy gnaws on a towel, it will be less adorable when they are fully grown and keep trying to gnaw on your furniture.

Choose a Quiet Area

While many breeds like golden retrievers or Jack Russell terriers may have a playful personality that can be a lot of fun when at the dog park or goofing around at home, it can often be just too much to ask them to sit still when there are a lot of distractions around.

Find a quiet space in your home where you can groom your pet without having to worry about interruptions such as another dog trying to entice your puppy to play. Then, make sure you have all of your supplies ready before your begin so that you do not have to interrupt your dog’s relaxed state by searching for a brush or clippers.

Take Short Breaks

Similar to a child, your young pet may not be ready to sit still for an entire grooming session. If you notice that they are getting antsy, simply take a break before resuming the session a little later. For dogs that are not used to being groomed, introducing one new element in each session can give them time to adjust to experiences such as having their nails clipped or their ears trimmed little by little without being overwhelmed all at once.

Learn From a Pro

Dogs are excellent at picking up on your mood, and if you are confident when grooming it will help them to relax. For many dog owners, clipping nails, in particular, can be a very stressful experience because they are afraid of cutting them too close to the quick which may cause them to bleed.  A lot of dogs also are very hesitant to allow people to cut, clip, or trim anywhere near their paws.

If this sounds like you, asking a professional groomer to show you how to properly clip nails and trim the hair around your pet’s paw pads can be a huge help. Until you get comfortable, you can also trim your dog’s nails in small increments to avoid cutting into the quick. Like a professional groomer, you may want to keep styptic powder on hand to stop the bleeding just in case a nail is cut too short.

Provide Praise

Once your puppy has successfully sat through its first grooming session, be sure to use positive reinforcement to establish the behavior as desirable. Tell him or her what a good boy or girl they are, and offer them a treat. Over time, your dog will look forward to grooming sessions, and you can expect each one to be better than the last.

Setting up a regular schedule for grooming will ensure that your dog’s gorgeous coat is healthy and always ready to be petted. Spending time with your pup when grooming is also a great opportunity to check for other health issues such as fleas and ticks.

By providing your dog with a quiet environment, taking breaks when necessary, performing each step with confidence, and consulting a pro when you need advice your pet will eagerly await your special time together as you reinforce your bond.  And of course, don’t forget the positive praise!

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