There's much to be said about accountability when it comes to the role in which a dog carer takes when bringing a dog home and that includes grooming. The interesting thing is that most people expect dogs to accept grooming without much, if any, introductions to grooming activities - this is the first mistake a dog carer can make. To make grooming an enjoyable experience for you and your dog, careful planning is paramount and in this post I aim to break down the main steps you can take that will help increase the likelihood that grooming tasks start positive and remain to be so for the rest of your dogs life.
Before I get started let me remind you that grooming should never just be a seasonal thing - dogs require grooming not only to preserve the skin and coat but also as a way to bond with family members.
Aesthetics aside, grooming (when done consensually) is an important part of preserving emotional wellbeing since it helps to activate loving hormones, Serotonin and Oxytocin in the brain. This is science and not "woo woo" by the way...
Table of Contents
To groom your dog at home without stress, follow these tips:
#1 Know Your Breed
It would make sense to do your research prior to choosing which breed of dog you wish to bring home since there are various types of coat type, some that demand more time and others with a lot less maintenance.
If you are a busy household then perhaps consider choosing a breed that has less coat demands to take the pressure off. Trust me when I say, if you are busy then you will resent having to set time aside each day to carefully line brush through a thick, double-coat (say that of an Alaskan Malamute) and would cope much better with something that is short and less technical (such as a Border Terrier).
It's also really important to do your research into the many breeders out there and make sure you are looking for individuals who are experienced and reputable in all they do - our society is tragically consumed by puppy farmers who know nothing about healthy dogs!
While all dogs deserve to be loved, it's true that a genetically unhealthy dog is going to have a lot more wrong with him/her including skin disorders.
#2 Gather the Right Tools
Once you understand which breed you are dealing with, you can then start to think about which equipment, tools and products you will need in order to carry out grooming tasks without stress.
It is worthwhile starting as a means to go on and while some tools may not be necessary during the earlier days, having them there to help your dog acclimatise to seeing them is always a good thing.
For mostly all breeds you will need:
a pin brush (so far research has found that bamboo-based brushes are the best)
a greyhound comb
a bristle brush
a porcupine brush
nail clippers or dremel
hair dryer with heat control
There's obviously a lot more tools and products to consider.
Having the right tools from day one can give you ample time to get your dog used to the sight, sound and sensation of them before any pressing demands require you to carry out grooming tasks.
#3 Start Grooming Early
Grooming may very well have been introduced by the breeder before you and most definitely by the mother during the newborn stage. Assuming those early experiences were positive, grooming should continue to be introduced to your dog slowly and in a non-threatening way.
Consensual grooming is crucial to help build confidence around grooming demands and can be easily implemented into your daily routine with a little forward-planning.
Tip: you may wish to contact your local groomer for some tips prior - masterclasses can help the dog carer feel more confident in their own technique and approach, even more of a bonus if you have a dog groomer who can come to you! What's more, getting your dog familiar with his/her future grooming is also a great thing!
When it comes to grooming sessions, setting aside some time each day in a place where your dog and you feels comfortable can help keep things low-stress.
Ensure that any grooming activities are short and positive initially and even as your dog matures it's best to keep sessions no longer than 45-60 minutes.
Grooming starts with visually introducing tools and equipment before gradually building up to physical contact - please do not try to run before you can walk.
#4 Use Positive Reinforcement
Reward your dog with treats and praise during and after grooming sessions - any and all grooming-related training should remain positive to your dog to help build up a positive association with the entire process.
If anything negative does occur (it happens!) it is worthwhile following the 1:3 rule - for every negative experience, aim to provide three positive experiences quickly after. The idea of this approach is to try and reverse the potential damage before it has time to engrain in the dog's memory which can prevent trauma.
For example, your brush accidentally pulls on a knot you missed and your dog yelps. If you follow this up with a break followed by lots of play and a couple of treats you are distracting your dog from the negative experience almost instantly.
Positive reinforcement doesn't have to be food either with many dogs finding play and even simple petting to be a positive experience - all dogs differ and it is up to you to get to know what your dog enjoys and dislikes so that you can adapt your approach to suit them.
#5 Inspect Regularly
Many groomers will advise dog carers to brush daily but sometimes it is enough to simply inspect regularly.
Some breed types don't require daily brushing and then there are some dogs who don't enjoy brushing no matter how hard you try to make it positive (remember, all dogs are different), therefore only brush if you feel you have to.
Instead I would argue that the most important thing is to take part in a daily body inspection so that you can thoroughly check that your dog's skin and coat is free from parasites, tangles, knots and matting. A hands-on health check can be an invaluable way to identify anything abnormal on your dog leading to a quicker recovery and you are looking out for anything that might suggest your dog needs help - new lumps, bumps, discolouration, change in coat pattern, alopecia and so on.
Inspecting your dog in a gentle manner daily will not only build up their resilience to being handled in other environments as well (for example the Vets and Professional Groomers) but it is good for bonding and can even save your dog's life!
#6 Trim Nails Carefully
Nail trimming has to be one of the most common fears for both dog carers and professionals because there is no way to guarantee you won't cut the quick, and when you do it can be pretty scary!
One way we can try to reduce the chances of this happening though, is through early introduction to having paws handled! I always try to emphasise this to breeders since starting as early as newborn can really help to make future nail trimming sessions a breeze, especially when dog carers are carrying it on at home.
The paws tend to be incredibly touch sensitive - is it any wonder really since a dog's paws play such a significant role in their survival. In the most primitive sense, dogs would use their paws in every vital aspect of their lives including:
running away from potential threats
fighting off rivals and rough housing
foraging and exploring their terrain
climbing and stabilising their stance
hunting for food and eating their prey
self-grooming and allo-grooming behaviours
Taking part in nail trimming sessions often and aiming to remove only a little nail at a time is far easier than waiting for the nails to become so long that they need to all be trimmed at the one time which can quite often tip them over the edge!
Little and often or in my own words, "less is more, more often".
If you would like to learn more about the paws particularly, I have a wonderful and in-depth mini-course all about paw and nail care here for just ten pounds!
#7 Bathe & Dry Appropriately
Let's be honest, dogs will get dirty!
Mostly all dogs LOVE to roll around in mud and fox poo, so you are going to have to bathe your dog occasionally, if not monthly!
The bathing process should also be introduced positively - please do not expect your dog to be happy being bathed without being gradually desensitised to it first. Bathing can be scary for most dogs, and there is a lot to consider regarding the environment they are bathed in as well.
Think about the bigger picture - set up the space for success and think about your dog's comfort - can they see everything clearly, can they stand without slipping, are they away from distractions etc. Remember you only have to bathe them when they really need it.
Bathing your dog every week just for the sake of it can actually dry out their skin and strip their coat of natural oils. Unless your dog suffers a specific skin disorder or is constantly being walked through rivers and mud, only bathe when necessary.
From a dermatological perspective bathing helps to make the skin more supple and elastic which can make brushing a lot less uncomfortable on a dog's much thinner skin - I always tell my clients to brush their dog while there is still some dog-friendly shampoo on the coat since this helps to ease out any tangles as well.
Dry brushing can break the hair follicles if you are not careful, so if you are looking to brush your dog between baths it would be worthwhile making up a little water spritz to gently dampen the coat prior.
Of course, products used should be dog-friendly. Ideally you want products that have few ingredients in them, are organic and come from natural sources - try and keep fragrance to a minimum (if at all) since a dog's primary sense is their sense of smell.
When drying your dog, it is wise to trap as much excess moisture into a towel rather than going straight to a hair dryer. Again, ambiant drying may be a better alternative depending on your dog's needs since it is the least likely to cause breakage to the hair follicles. That being said, there are scenarios where drying is imperative including:
dogs with complex coat types that are at risk of knotting, matting or hot spots due to trapped moisture (poodles, doodles and double-coated breeds)
dogs with skin disorders such as yeast or ectopic dermatitis
dogs who are exposed to harsh climates (Winter specifically)
There's a technique in bathing and drying that even some dog groomers are never taught, so if you are interested in learning more about a dermatologically-safe way to bathe and dry your dog, check out this post here.
#8 Be Gentle
Handle your dog gently during grooming to keep them calm and comfortable. This goes hand-in-hand with consent. It may sound far-fetched to you now but actually consent is merely allowing your dog time to adjust to an environment and/or task and allow them opportunity to feel safe with the environment around them. Like humans, if a dog feels trapped or restrained when they are already feeling unsure or nervous they are guaranteed to resist and/or fight back - why wouldn't they?
Our hands can quite easily be a source of comfort to our dogs or a source of fear if we are not careful.
Our hands are also a great alternative to physical restraining devices while being able to monitor their breathing/heart rate during tasks. You will often see my hand gently placed at the chest of the dogs I'm working with not only to help stabilise them but to gauge stress levels when my eyes are needed elsewhere.
By remaining mindful of our handling and approach, we can utilise the healing benefits of physical touch in our work with our dogs, using them to help reassure and guide them through otherwise stressful events.
No animal deserves to feel powerless but all animals deserve to feel heard.
#9 Take Breaks
If your dog becomes stressed during grooming it is absolutely O.K to take a break.
Rome wasn't built in a day, right?
But also, dogs can have "bad days" only they cannot as easily communicate how they are feeling the way we can. Instead they use their body language and behaviours.
Do you know how to read your dog's body language? Do you know what 'calming signals' are? If you are unsure, then I strongly recommend you explore these concepts further otherwise, how will you ever know?
I remember my late Papa telling my sisters and I as children that dogs can have headaches too, so it's not ok to assume that it's ok to approach any and every dog we see, no matter how cute they look.
Whether your dog is finding a particular task stressful or he/she is simply not feeling in the best of moods, it's your responsibility to learn to read the cues your dog is communicating with you and be willing to stop and try again at a more convenient time.
Equally, if you feel you yourself are getting frustrated, again, take a break!
Grab a cup of tea and come back with a fresh pair of eyes.
Look at the environment around you and see if you can identify why things aren't going the way you had planned - is their room for adpation? Or can you notice a significant change in your dog's behaviour at this specific moment?
Expectation can drive us to progress but it can also hinder it - learn to identify when you are having unrealistic expectations and remember that dogs are not human, be realistic and compassionate, always.
#10 Work With Your Chosen Pet Professionals
Finally, have a good idea of which pet professionals are the right fit for you and your dog.
Your chosen pet care providers should be willing to follow these same principles in their own approach.
There is no place in this world for outdated methods and ideologies - dominance theory? Debunked! Balanced training? Is there really ever a need to inflict harm on a dog...
Choose your providers wisely and once you have found them, work with them to ensure that all aspects of your dog's day-to-day life is managed consistently so that he/she has the best possible chance at living a happy and healthy life.
You can find a list of screen pet care providers via Yappily Directory, and if you would like to find a holistic groomer trained by me, you can check out my directory here as well.
What's more, I have designed an amazing resource for dog carers just like you who are looking to encourage collaboration when it comes to dog grooming and other parts of the jigsaw (see image above).
My Bespoke Grooming Planners are a fantastic way to keep on top of your dog's grooming regime, you can check them out here for just £9.99 - they also act as a beautiful keepsake as well with inserts for your dog's 'paw print of consent'.
So there you have it, let me know what your thoughts are on the steps covered above!
Question Time!
Can you think of any other ways you might help to make grooming less-stressful for your dog?
What has been your experience working with your pet care providers, would you say that you are all synchronised?
Let me know your views in the comments below!
Further Help
If you are looking for help deciding which tools, products and equipment you will need for your dog you may be interested in my Dog Guardian Consultation Service. During this one hour online session, I will help you devise a list that considers your dog's individual needs. Additionally, I will help you devise a bespoke grooming plan that will help you on your low-stress grooming journey. You can find out more below.
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