How to Groom a Noisy Dog

Medium
15 - 30 Minutes
1 Week

Introduction

Most dogs bark when they are angry, afraid, or when they are overexcited. The big trick with managing barking is to determine why the dog barks so much. Once you figure that out, one of the best ways to deal with excessive barking is through training. 

Of course, when it comes to grooming, no amount of training may stop your dog from barking completely if he's not a fan of the process. You may need to find ways to distract your noisy dog or tire him out so he no longer has the energy or the desire to make much of a ruckus when it's time for grooming. 

Dog's Perspective

Chances are good that your dog is barking during grooming time because he is not happy about the whole process, especially the brushes, clippers, shears, and so forth. The more time you spend working to get him used to being around the tools you plan to use, the less he will fuss and bark. Be sure to use lots of patience and treats to help him relax and learn to enjoy being groomed. 

The New Toy Method

Effective
0 Votes
Slicker Brush
Pin Brush
Step
1
It all starts with a trip to the store
Take a trip to your favorite pet store for supplies. You need plenty of your dog's favorite treats and a selection of new toys to use as distractions.
Step
2
Create your workspace
Choose a room with linoleum or similar easy to clean flooring. Add a radio with some quiet music, and a diffuser with lavender essential oil in it. Set out the tools you plan to use and one of the new toys.
Step
3
A walk for both of you
Leash up and take your pup out on one of his favorite walks, give him plenty of time to go potty and burn off as much energy as he can.
Step
4
Enter the workroom
When you get home, go ahead and take him straight into the grooming room. Give him a treat and let him get used to everything in there. Let the lavender oil do its job of relaxing your pup even further. By now he should be calm enough that he won't even think about barking, plus he has a new toy to keep him occupied.
Step
5
Give him the toy
Give your pup his new toy and then groom him from top to bottom. Brush his head, face, ears, neck, and chest. Then brush his back, sides, and rump. Finally, use the toy to coax him to lie down and roll over so you can brush his belly, legs, and feet. Give him a treat and let him know he is a good boy.
Recommend grooming method?

The Monthly Spa Method

Effective
0 Votes
Slicker Brush
Shampoo
Pin Brush
Towel
Step
1
A stroll in the park together
Time to take your dog and go for a nice long relaxing walk. Give him time to do his "business", get his barking out, and most of all tire himself out to the point where he's worn out just enough to not care about barking.
Step
2
In for a dip
Run a tepid bath and use a vet-approved shampoo or soap to give him a good scrub down. Rinse thoroughly, removing all traces of the shampoo and anything else trapped in his fur. Give him a treat and dry him off with a soft towel.
Step
3
Time to brush
In the grooming room, lay out the tools you plan to use and a new toy. Turn on some quiet music and if you have a diffuser, put some lavender oil in it and fill the room with its calming aroma. Bring your dog in and let him get used to everything. Give him time for this and to let the lavender aroma do its job.
Step
4
Start at the noggin
Start by brushing your dog's head, make sure get his face, ears, muzzle, and chin. Brush his chest and neck, then move along his back and sides. Be sure you are brushing in the direction his hair grows. This helps to spread natural oils throughout his coat and makes his hair lie flat.
Step
5
Finish at the bottom
The is the only time it pays to finish at the bottom is when you are grooming your dog. Once you have brushed your pup's tail and rump, have him lie on his back to groom his belly and legs. Be sure you use the toy to distract him along with a healthy number of his favorite treats.
Recommend grooming method?

Caution & Considerations

  • The more fun you make each grooming session the faster your dog will come to enjoy them without barking.
  • It cannot be said enough that you need to be patient and let your dog set the pace. This will help keep him from getting anxious and barking.
  • Don't skimp on the treats at first, they can be a lifesaver. Once your dog is used to being quiet while being groomed, you can slowly wean him off them.
  • Never use soaps or shampoos made for humans as they are known to contain chemicals that can be toxic to dogs.
  • Never yell at or punish your dog, this will only make things worse, not better. 

Conclusion

The biggest step you can take towards keeping your pooch from barking during grooming is to find ways to keep him tired and distracted. Exercise treats, and toys all work well. The more fun you can make it for both of you, the less he is likely to spend time voicing his opinion. Have fun and turn grooming time into bonding time. 

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

Grooming Questions & Answers

Question
Reggie
Labradoodle
7 Years
0 found helpful
Question
0 found helpful
Reggie
Labradoodle
7 Years

I’m just wanting an opinion on this as everyone in town seems ok with it but it doesn’t sit right with me.
There is a dog grooming shop in town where I had been hoping to take Reggie, but every time I’ve been past there on my way to other places and either a dog screaming while the hair dryer is on- the whole 20 minutes usually, dogs screaming through the whole session (bath/ trim/ dryer etc)- I sat on a bench and watched out of interest. Not once does the dog groomer stop to comfort the dog but just gets on with it and quite often yells at them so she can. Best of all you even get to hear her really swearing at each dog- shop isn’t soundproof so you can hear everything from outside and I’ve seen her today smack her own dog in the shop in front of a customer.

Now I really no longer wanting to take Reggie here but I’m concerned that maybe animal welfare or dog grooming guilds should know about this? I’m sick to my stomach after seeing it all but everyone in town is less bothered, am I overreacting?

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