How to Groom a Large, Sensitive Dog
Medium
15 - 30 Minutes
1 Week
Need regular grooming services?
Introduction
Before you start grooming a large, sensitive dog, you first need to understand why he has become so sensitive. Some pups just seem to be that way from the very beginning, which may have resulted from being roughly handled at a very young age. Others can become sensitive to touch as they age due to a number of medical conditions, or if yours is a rescue animal, it could be to past mistreatment. In any case, you should try to account for this in the way you handle your dog during grooming.Â
Dog's Perspective
Your furry pal may or may not be aware of why he is so touchy when you try to groom him. He just knows that being touched in this way bothers him. Basic grooming methods are similar to those used for most dogs, you need to be very gentle, take breaks frequently, and at the same time use plenty of treats to keep your pup calm during the process.Â
The Gentle Brush-Out Method
Effective
0 Votes
Slicker Brush
Scissors
Pin Brush
Nail Clipper
Deshedder
Dematter
Comb
Clipper
Nail File
Step
1
Start with a good quality brush
Call your dog over to you and give him a treat. Pet him and get him to relax. Give him another treat and gently start brushing his head and face. Keep talking to him the entire time. Move down and, working with the flow of his coat, brush his neck and shoulders. Take a break, pet your pup and give him another treat.
Step
2
From the head down
Once you have his face groomed, use a pair of sharp shears to trim his beard, around his eyes, and his ears, then take another break before brushing his neck, and chest, keep talking to him to keep him nice and relaxed.
Step
3
Back to back
After taking another treat break, start brushing at the center of the spine and work your way down to the bottom of his side. Use clippers or shears to trim as necessary. Go slow and steady, giving your dog time to get used to the clippers and the noises they make. You can use a couple of treats
Step
4
A la derriere
Very gently brush his rump, tail, and rear end, be very careful as these areas are very sensitive and even more so when your pup is sensitive to start with. Lots of relaxing chatter and a treat or two can help him get used to being groomed in these areas.
Step
5
Upside down
For the final step, you need to have your dog roll over on his back. This way you can get to his belly. Brush very gently here as well and use shears to trim around his genitals if needed. You can use clippers to trim the rest of his belly and chest.
Step
6
Best foot forward
While he is lying down, brush the hair on each paw, trim between the pads to just below pad level, and then clip his nails. Stand him up, give him a final brush-over and reward him with plenty of praise and treats.
Recommend grooming method?
The Warm Relaxing Bath Method
Effective
0 Votes
Slicker Brush
Shampoo
Scissors
Pin Brush
Nail Clipper
Deshedder
Dematter
Comb
Clipper
Towel
Step
1
That relaxing warm bath
The best way to relax your sensitive dog is to give him a nice warm relaxing bath. Keep the water about the temperature you would use to bathe a baby. Give him time to relax before you use a vet-approved shampoo to scrub him down. Rinse him thoroughly to remove all traces of shampoo and then let him out of the tub. Give him a treat before gently toweling him off. Let him air dry thoroughly before moving on.
Step
2
Set up your work station
Set up your grooming station before bringing your dog in. Tools needed include brushes, combs, a de-matting rakes, a shedding rake, nail clippers, toothbrush, and toothpaste. Bring him in and let him see exactly what you plan to use. Give him a treat and plenty of time to get used to them before moving to grooming him.
Step
3
Take it from the top
Brush your dog's face, head, ears, and chin. Take your time and be exceptionally gentle in these areas. One way to keep him relaxed is to keep talking to him and take breaks, giving him treats. If needed, trim around his eyes, chin, and ears using a pair of shears. Time for another break.
Step
4
The midsection, rump, and belly
Working along his back and down his sides. If he needs a trim, this is the time to do so. Use clippers with a sharp blade to trim his coat to the proper length. Give him a treat break and then work on brushing and trimming his coat. His rump and his genitals are among the most sensitive areas of his body so go very gently here. Roll him over and groom his belly with a brush and clippers.
Step
5
Trim his nails
This is also the perfect time to trim his paws and nails. Use shears to trim the hair between his toes and pads. Then trim his nails back to the quick using the appropriate clippers. Be careful not to cut too far back as this can cause pain and bleeding. Mission accomplished.
Recommend grooming method?
Caution & Considerations
- Be sure the blades of your shears and clippers are sharp. Dull blades can snag the hair, ripping it from the skin quite painfully.
- Keep the blade of the clippers well oiled to ensure there is no heat buildup, which could burn your dog's skin.
- Always brush the coat in the direction of growth to ensure his coat lies flat.
- Don't be afraid of giving him too many treats during the early stages, you can always slowly reduce the number of treats over time.
- Give your pup plenty of time to get used to the tools of the trade before you start using them.
- Just remember to remain calm the entire time. This will help him to remain calmer and more relaxed during the grooming session.
- Be sure to ask your vet how often you should bathe your dog.Â
Conclusion
Grooming a sensitive dog presents certain challenges, but the most important thing is to remain as calm as you can, be very gentle, and let him set the pace. This will make it easier for everyone. The best thing you can do is make each grooming as much fun as you can--consider it a great time to bond with each other.Â
