How to Groom a Small, Tolerant Dog

Although your little Lucy might be one of the most tolerant dogs you have ever owned, there are some things she just isn't going to be happy about. This could include her weekly grooming sessions. If you brought Lucy home when she is still a pup, there has never been a better time to start getting her used to being touched all over.

The sooner you start doing this, the more tolerant she will become when the time comes to start grooming her. If she is an older dog and still tends to balk at the idea of being groomed, chances are good there is an underlying reason for her behavior.  You can teach any dog to relax and enjoy being groomed; the more tolerant Lucy is, the easier it will be for you to groom her. 

The last thing Lucy wants to do is make you upset by not being able to do as she is asked. But the tools of the trade, the grooming table, and just about everything about being groomed make her a bit nervous. The best thing you can do to help her get over being nervous is to take things nice and slow, giving her plenty of time to get used to the entire process. 

• If yours is is a tolerant pup, use this to your advantage by working with her slowly at first.
  
• Going for a walk is a great way to burn off any excess energy, making your dog easier to work with.
  
• Do not overdo the walk, tired is one thing, but exhausted can be very bad for her health.
  
• Be sure you take lots of treat breaks with her to help her get used to being groomed.
  
• Work with your dog to set a pace that works for both of you.
  
• Use the right type of brush for your pup's particular type of hair.
  
• Be sure the shears you use to trim hair are sharp; dull shears tend to rip hair out painfully rather than cut.
  

Since Lucy is a very tolerant pup, the chances of her nipping at you during the grooming process are practically non-existent. But you must still be prepared to spend a fair amount of time working with her to get her to the point of being comfortable with your grooming her. In time you will both look forward to this one-on-one time together.