How to Calm a Wolf-Dog Mix Before Grooming

Wolves and wolf-hybrids are among the most difficult dogs in the world to groom. How hard depends in part on how much of your pup is wolf and how much is dog. The higher the percentage of wolf, the more wolf-like your pup's behavior is likely to be. This is simply because wolves are very sensitive animals who live in the wild. They have not yet adapted to living with humans and this often comes out as anxiety, especially at times when an activity requires being touched, such as grooming. 

Being a wolf-dog, your pup still has a lot of the "call of the wild" in his genetic makeup. It takes a special person to take on the challenge of caring for this type of dog. Even if you have been handling your pup since the day he was born, he still has a natural instinct to avoid human contact. 

• Most wolf-dogs still have a very high percentage of wolf in them, which means they have a very wild streak.
  
• If you think your pup might try to bite you while grooming, consider using a muzzle until he is properly trained.
  
• Go slow. Rushing your pup into being groomed will only make him more anxious instead of less.
  
• Grooming should always be done in a nice quiet room in the house. This will help to calm your pup down.
  
• Let your pup have plenty of time to get used to the tools you plan to use.
  
• If you must use shears to trim his coat or cut out mats, be sure they are sharp and have rounded safety tips. 
  

Wolf-dogs can be very challenging to groom. They are naturally nervous around humans as it is. But, with a little hard work on your part and plenty of patience, you can teach your pup to relax and at least tolerate or even enjoy the whole grooming process.