If you've got an aggressive dog, you may find grooming them to be a challenge. In this article, our Johns Creek vets explain why some dogs become aggressive during grooming sessions and share tips to help make grooming less stressful for both you and your pup.
Aggression in Dogs
Many dogs display aggressive behavior that their owners and families find difficult to deal with. While almost all wild animals are instinctively aggressive when defending themselves, guarding their territories, or protecting their young, it is critical to address any aggressive behavior with training in animals that have been adopted as pets.
Aggression can encompass a wide variety of behaviors that may cause an aggressive dog to attack and injure people (including biting those who are grooming them).
Signs of aggression in dogs include:
- A threatening bark or growl
- Mouthing a person against his or her wishes to exert control
- Staying still and not obeying an owner's or carer's instructions
- Growling when the dog's wishes aren't followed
- Snarling (baring teeth while growling)
- A quick bite that leaves a bruise, mark, or puncture in or on the skin
- A quick succession of bites
- Biting followed by shaking
Any of these symptoms may appear exclusively or in combination in aggressive dogs.
Why Dogs May Become Aggressive During Grooming Sessions
An aggressive dog may bite or exhibit other aggressive behaviors during grooming sessions for numerous reasons, including confusion, fear, anxiety, or previous bad grooming experiences.
If your pooch has had poor experiences while being groomed in the past, they may act extremely defensive in a bid to protect themselves from harm the next time they enter a grooming space. The dog may try to bite anyone who approaches or attempts to touch them.
Anyone who deals with aggressive dogs during grooming sessions needs to take extra precautions, including getting specific training to keep both your pooch and the groomer safe (whether you decide to groom your dog yourself or book an appointment with our professional groomer.
How to Successfully Groom an Aggressive Dog
Since your dog will need to be groomed on a regular basis, you must train him to tolerate grooming. Our groomer recommends following these guidelines when bathing and grooming your dog to build trust with your pup. The less stress your dog experiences, the calmer and more cooperative he will be.
Start grooming when your dog is young.
You'll relieve yourself of a lot of anxiety and stress if you start your dog's grooming experience early on (and take him to the groomer). Puppies are open to new experiences and are eager to learn and socialize. This makes it simpler to train them to accept routine grooming. While it is possible to groom an older dog who has had unpleasant grooming experiences, you will need to devote more time and patience to training.
Use positive reinforcement.
Training and grooming both involve the use of positive reinforcement. Prior to visiting the groomer (or prior to an at-home grooming session), giving them a treat may promote relaxation. You might want to reward them with yet another treat for waiting patiently while you clean and groom them.
Allow time for your dog to explore grooming equipment and procedures.
Once your dog is completely comfortable with grooming sessions, keep them brief. Also, try to introduce groomers, grooming tools, and new procedures gradually to give your dog time to get used to and feel comfortable with them. Before settling in, give your dog a few minutes to sniff the grooming area. After that, give your pup praise and a treat.
Once your dog understands the groomer and equipment aren't intended to hurt them, grooming will go smoother for everyone.
Use preventive measures in emergencies.
Some aggressive dogs may refuse to calm down or try to bite you when you attempt to groom them, despite your best efforts. They will, however, need to be groomed. Some possible solutions include anxiety-reducing jackets (during nail trims), organic and all-natural medications, and muzzles. Speak with your vet about which option(s) will be best for your dog, and consult with your vet before giving your dog any medications.
If you choose to have our professional groomer do the job for you, rest assured that our groomer has the knowledge and experience needed to groom all types of dog coats and work with animals of a wide range of temperaments, including those that are stressed, anxious or aggravated.
In circumstances where an animal is especially aggressive or fearful, we may recommend sedation during a grooming session. However, most of the time we can manage these types of dogs by doing the things listed above and taking the following steps:
- Ensuring the environment is quiet, calm, and peaceful
- Asking your dog to perform an easy trick or action (such as 'sit' or 'shake paw')
- Offering treats
- Taking frequent breaks
- Playing music or opening a window.
At Johns Creek Veterinary Clinic, we always look forward to meeting your four-legged friends and providing advice to help keep your dog happy and healthy. Alternatively, we'd love to take the job of grooming off your hands to get this important task done right, with minimal fuss.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.