Calming Your Dog Before a Trip to the Groomers

There are often times in life where feeling stressed or anxious is unavoidable, and it probably comes as no surprise to you that our dogs can feel exactly the same way.

Whilst a dog's stresses may not be for quite the same reasons as your own, there are a variety of ways to help calm your dog and put them at ease.

Whether its fear of the vets or a phobia of being around other dogs, you can help to reduce your dog's stress levels over time with plenty of positive reinforcement.
If you’ve been avoiding taking your dog to the groomers because of his or her nervous disposition, a particular dog grooming Rhyl studio offers a grooming experience which is tailored to your dogs’ personality and requirements.

Before attempting to calm your dog, it is important to understand their unique signs of stress. This can be different for every dog, but typical signs include pacing, frequent yawning, lip licking – and the most obvious, trembling.

As soon as you begin to recognise these signs, you can start to work on calming your dog. There are a variety of reasons why a dog might experience anxiety or stress, including past abuse, sensitivity to loud noises and some medical issues.

Of course, sometimes situations are just stressful for a dog. A visit to the vets or groomers may remind your dog of unpleasant past experiences, and the thought of being handled by strangers (equipped with scissors and buzzing trimmers!) can be very daunting for many dogs.

Physical contact is especially important when calming your dog. If you’re taking them to the groomers, stay beside them and pet them gently so that they know you’re there. It can often help to talk to them softly whilst doing this.

It’s not just us humans which can make the most out of aromatherapy. Specially designed essential oils for dogs can be used to calm them before a stressful event. These essential oils contain natural calming properties, and can be safely rubbed onto your dog’s coat.

Natural supplements intended to calm dogs can also be beneficial. These supplements contain natural ingredients such as chamomile and brewer’s yeast which have also been shown to help relax people!

There are also stronger anxiety medications for dogs which are prescribed by veterinarians; however these should be taken as a last resort for incredibly nervous dogs which have not responded to more natural treatments.

Treats are a great way to get your dog used to stressful situations. Rewarding your dog with biscuits upon entering a veterinary practice or groomers can help them to associate the place with positive rewards. The same can be done upon leaving, for further positive reinforcement.

If you’ve got a puppy or young dog that you want to get used to vet and grooming visits, practising at home can be a great help. This can include getting your dog used to the sound of clippers, and the sensations of being examined whilst at a vets, such as checking their teeth and eyes.