Anxious and caring dog parents often ask this question and it begs to be answered. Truthfully, there are so many valid reasons why dogs behave nervously in a grooming shop environment: the many new smells and sounds, the anticipation of their beloved owners leaving, the anticipation of getting wet, scrubbed and dried, the anticipation of the grooming itself, etc. Depending on the dog's temperament, the stress of grooming can manifest itself in uncontrollable shaking, urinary accidents, excessive barking or whining.
I often read on other websites that dogs should be happy when entering a grooming salon and that a dog's reaction to the environment and to its groomer determines the quality of the establishment and its staff. I could not disagree more. It is not realistic to expect all dogs to enjoy going to the grooming shop as it is not realistic to expect a toddler to gleefully step into a dentist's office. Although grooming procedures should not cause pain, there is a certain level of discomfort that cannot be avoided. Maintaining a dog on a regular grooming schedule and with a manageable length of hair ensures that the dog will never have to suffer through uncomfortable de-matting and close clipping to remove matting. Groomers, when dealing with moderate to severe matting, have no choice but to brush, de-mat or shave and these procedures, while they should not be painful, are lengthy and NEVER pleasant. As I view dogs like children, my heart sinks when I have to perform a necessary procedure that I know will be unpleasant for the dog.
Therefore, I do not blame certain dogs for disliking going to the groomers. Grooming is a learned process, with time and consistency, the stress and unpredictability decrease. Some dogs will always be nervous and some dogs will come to love the attention and the pampering. While I cannot control how a dog will react in my shop, my staff and I strive to treat each dog as if it were our own, with kindness, patience and understanding for their possible discomfort.
Products we love, use and retail
- Quicker Slicker by Nature's Specialties
- Kiwi conditioner from Tropiclean
- Spa Lavish blueberry and vanilla facial scrub
- Spa Lavish cologne with sunscreen
- Papaya 2-1 shampoo from Tropiclean
- Wham anti-itch spray from Nature's Specialties
- Oatmeal and Tea Tree Shampoo from Tropiclean
- Plum Silky shampoo from Nature's Specialties
- Facial wipes for tear stains from Top Performance
- Odor terminator spray by Nature's Specialties
About Me
- Head to Tail blog
- Fairfield, CT, United States
- My name is Quynh Rodriguez. I have owned Head to Tail for five years. Prior to becoming a business woman and a dog groomer, I worked as an occupational therapist for 10 years. I am a native of Vietnam, a Canadian citizen, and an American at heart.