How to Groom an Aggressive Dog
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Introduction
Ferris is a long-haired dachshund, who happens to hate being groomed. In the past, his hair has been pulled and his nails clipped too short. He used to tolerate grooming better when he was younger, but now he is old and grumpy, he does not want to be groomed, and he is not afraid to make that clear. Ferris has learned that by growling and snapping at people who groom him, both at home, and at dog salons, the handler will often stop what they are doing, and in some cases, the grooming session has even ended. Victory for Ferris!
If you have a dog that becomes aggressive when being groomed due to fear or aggressive tendencies, you and any professional groomers working with your dog will need to know how to handle and groom an aggressive dog. Utilizing the right tools and techniques will make grooming an aggressive dog safer for everyone concerned. Even better are techniques that counteract aggressive tendencies and result in different behavior from your dog, making future grooming sessions easier and more pleasant.
Dog's Perspective
An aggressive dog is not just trying to be difficult while grooming, he has a reason, and understanding that reason will help you counteract it and deal with aggression. Dogs can be aggressive during grooming due to pain from current or past medical conditions. Check with your veterinarian if you think this might be an issue. Your dog may have memories of past traumatic events during grooming, such as razor burn or nails cut to the quick. Other frightening and painful experiences that are associated with grooming, such as abuse that may have occurred, can also make a dog react aggressively to grooming. A generally fearful dog that is afraid of new people and new situations, will easily transfer this fear to groomers and salons. A dominant dog may be trying to exert his dominance and control of a situation and become aggressive during grooming.
If you allow your dog's aggression to control you and stop the grooming process, you have just created a positive reinforcement for your dog's aggression, and stopping aggression in the future will be more difficult. It is important not to allow an aggressive dog to control the situation. You will need to be confident and firm to mitigate fear and take precautions to alleviate discomfort, but not show fear yourself as this will only encourage and contribute to the dog's behavior.
The Techniques Method
The Tools Method
Caution & Considerations
Take safety precautions when working with an aggressive dog to protect yourself and others, use restraints and muzzles when necessary.
Make sure restraints and muzzles are used correctly, and the appropriate size so as not to injure or cause discomfort to the dog.
Give an aggressive dog breaks from grooming when they are behaving calmly, to reward them for appropriate behavior and prevent them from becoming tired and frustrated, or escalating stress, which will contribute to aggression.
Be aware of health concerns or medications the dog may require. Get advice from a veterinarian to address issues.
Conclusion
Aggressive dogs can be a challenge to groom, but some precautions and knowledge of useful techniques and tools that will minimize risk and counteract aggressive tendencies will help make grooming sessions with aggressive dogs safe. Understanding the cause of the dog's aggression so that it can be mitigated with adjustments or behavior modification for best success. Tools like grooming tables with restraints, muzzles, and long-handled tools can also be useful. An assistant and knowledge of safe holds to prevent injury to the dog or to others will often be necessary when grooming an aggressive dog.
Success Stories and Grooming Questions
Grooming Questions & Answers
Chance
My dog Chance has been getting groomed by the same groomer since he was a pup. He never liked to have his feet messed with and he always put up a little fight for his face. Well we didnt make our next appointment and had to go another groomer for one appointment and since then he has become so aggressive for his feet and especially face getting done. We have seen a vet and trainer and cant find any underlying conditions, but he knows if he is naughty he will get away with the biting and go home. We have tried some medicine from the vet, it helps a little but he is still naughty and bites. We have tried grooming sessions where we only groom a little at a time. He has gotten better for his body. But he hates his face done. The hardest part is getting a hold of the muzzle because he will bite. Any tips on what else we can do?
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she will not let the groomer touch her. She has just started this behavoir. it seems when I switched groomers they did something to her
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Hi Sharon! Im sorry to hear that sheba isnt enjoying her groom. Some dogs grow very attached to their groomer(and us to them). It may take her some time to adjust to new surroundings and new people. If it persists you may ask a trainer for some tips or consult your veterinarian to make sure there are no underlying health issues causing pain or anxiety during the groom. Thanks for your question! Paige
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Hi. My beagle has always been aggresive. He has bitten me, and family and friends. He doesnt like to be picked up and always growles when i do. And lately i have just been to scared to pick him up and he goes months without baths. I am also to scared to take him to the groomers because im scared he will bite them i dont no what to do anymore. I have never put a muzzle on him and i will nether try to either.
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Hi Nick! I wouldn't recommend taking Oscar to a regular groomer with his agression issues. Look for a groomer inside a veterinary facility or see if your vet can help. It sounds like he will need anti anxiety meds or be sedated to have his nails trimmed, ears cleaned and a bath. Your veterinarian will be able to give you a quote for this and let you know what options are best for you. Good Luck! Paige
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Bailey is blind and has been blind for 3 years. He also has fear aggression. His allergies have been really bad for about a year and h have been bathing him every 2-4 days with special allergy soap and he has been doing well with it. I always make sure to reward him Very well afterwards. 3 days ago he started growling when I told him it was bath time. It seemed sudden to me, no trauma or trigger I could identify. Any ideas? Not bathing him isn’t really an option with his allergies but I don’t want to traumatize him anymore.
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Hi Amy! I'm sorry to hear that Bailey is showing a change in demeanor recently. To me, this signals that even though you are not aware of a trauma or trigger, there could be an underlying condition or reason for his behavior. I recommend taking him to see your veterinarian so that Bailey can be checked out. Perhaps his skin is dry and sore. The vet may suggest bathing less often or might want to prescribe a soothing ointment for the skin. All the best!
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He is a rescue and doen’t like his paws touched. He is only aggressive with grooming. What is the best way to handle this?
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Hi Kim, thank you for your question regarding Kibby. He is a lucky pup now that you have rescued him! Kibby will have reasons for his aggression during grooming sessions. Chances are that he had an experience in the past that frightened him or caused him pain. I would ask friends or dog park acquaintances for referrals to a groomer that has the perfect touch when dealing with a dog that has issues with grooming. Professional groomers will have the training needed to help Kibby feel more comfortable being groomed. Early sessions will be short to allow Kibby to get to know the groomer. In the meantime, when you are cuddling with Kibby, handle his paws and ears by gently patting them so that he can learn that the touch can be loving and soft. Please let us know how Kibby gets along over the next few months!
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Hello, My name is Alejandra my dog has never bee to a groomer but he is very anxious. Do you you happen to know a groomer in the Miami Area that deals with difficult dogs? thank-you
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Hello Alejandra, I am not familiar with the Miami area so cannot answer your question but I bet your veterinarian can. Call the vet and ask about it; remember, they see many dogs every week in the clinic and may know of a groomer that deals with difficult dogs. They can also ask their clients for recommendations, too - the clients will have first-hand experience with their own anxious dogs. Best of luck to both you and Leo!
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Ellie had bad experience at groomer. They cut some of her nails and they bled, shaved the underside of her tail by her anus and it bled and made a sore. She now hates for someone to touch her feet, bathing is not to bad, clipping she try’s to get away from you, sometime will nip, are there groomers who could help her to like grooming? I can brush her but she needs to be trimmed😔
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Thank you for the question. Ellie is a cutie! I am sorry to hear of the bad grooming experience. It is unfortunate. I would ask at the vet if they have someone that they can recommend. The vet has a lot of clients and should have heard of good groomers who have a way with fearful dogs. Many dogs are able to overcome the nervousness after a bad experience. Sometimes, it is a slow process - you may have to take Ellie there a few times for short visits (not full grooms) so she can learn that this is an okay place to go. Good luck to you and Ellie!
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He wont let the groomer do his face or legs without a fight and I live in a rural area and she is the only groomer here and I dont want to lose her but I dont want the dog to be so stressed
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Thank you for the question about Bertie's grooming issues. Has this behavior just started? If so, take Bertie to the vet to make sure there is not an underlying issue that you don't know about, that could be causing the reluctance to be groomed around the face and legs. Your vet may be able to prescribe a sedative, although this does not always calm every dog - sometimes they become more fearful due to the disorientation. (I would still ask your vet's opinion.) Lastly, ask the groomer to do mini grooming sessions to see if Bertie finds that more tolerable. Good luck!
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Buddy is a foster/rescue. He cannot be picked up, tried desensitizing to a muzzle which went well until I tried to fasten then I was badly bitten. He has matts and is in dire need of grooming. Had diarrhea today and now we really have a problem. Help!
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Thank you for the question and thank you for rescuing little Buddy. The first thing that comes to mind to me is that the matts may be painful and pulling on the skin. That could be part of the aggression. I would take him to the vet to discuss sedation in order to get him cleaned up and matt-free. You may find him a different dog after that. Once clean and pain-free, you can slowly start to show him you care and that you will help him find love again. All the best to you and Buddy!
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Had my cockapoo groomed yesterday and the groomer said as soon as they put her on the grooming table she was really aggresive. She managed to bite the groomer hard but didn't draw blood. They muzzled her and when they did this she hung her head and resigned to the fact it was being done. they were able to groom everywhere except her chin. I am at a loss as to what to do, she had 3 puppy sessions and just face trim. I was able to bath, towel dry and brush her today and she was fine. Any ideas as this is making me very worried about her. Just to note she is a timid dog and I've worked very hard on socializing her, she hasn't shown any sign of aggression other than grooming and when we had to try do anything medical. She doesnt like to be restrained and the groomer we took her to takes 2 hours as I think they fit other dogs in at the same time.
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Thank you for the email. Sorry to hear that Lucy is having trouble when being groomed. I would ask the vet for a recommendation for a groomer that is used to working on timid or aggressive dogs. Or, ask at obedience class and the dog park. Once you find a groomer, take Lucy there a few times for a meet and greet, without grooming just so that she can get used to the staff. As well, try to find someone who is willing to concentrate on Lucy and groom her in a timely manner. 2 hours may be too long for her. There are many groomers who have small practices and work one on one. All the best!
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Our dog has always disliked being groomed. Her first haircut was at a professional groomer and it was a challenge. The second one was also at a professional groomer and they were only able to do 1/2 of her. We purchased a grooming table, muzzle, cone, and grooming tools. We have read about all the tricks - giving her treats, being calm and rewarding her, and have worked with the vet to get medication. Medication worked the first couple times and we were able to get her cut, but now she has either outgrown it or become resistant to it. At this point she is very matted and really needs a cut. We have been trying for weeks and whenever we get close to her legs or underside she snaps at us. We can no longer put the muzzle on (we tried for 30 minutes this morning and even lined it with peanut butter - her favorite treat) to no avail. We have asked the vet for a stronger prescription, but they are unavailable until next week. Any other ideas? We'd love to be able to groom her without medication.
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Hello, it sounds as though you are doing everything right and taking all of the possible measures to groom Chloe. It sounds to me by what you prescribe that medication is the only answer. I cannot advise on the medication strength, not being a vet. Have you tried a groomer used to dogs with fear/aggression when being groomed? Sometimes it helps to take a dog to the groomer several times just for visits - and then after that, very short grooming sessions that last a few minutes only and then gradually making them longer. However, if she snaps at you, she may treat the groomer the same although, with an experienced groomer who has tricks and tips, you may have luck. Can you ask at the dog park or obedience class for recommendations of local groomers? Work on her "sit" and "stay" commands every day as well as continued advanced dog training classes to get her used to obeying, and that may carry over to the grooming sessions. All the best to Chloe!
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hi. my dog doesn't mind to brushed overall but anytime there is a knot or matted area she growls and sometimes snaps. It is the same when clipping. She doesn't mind clippers used on her back but growls and snaps when you try to trim her stomach and face. I have used some of the techniques you explained such as positive reinforcement and breaks but it is still a struggle.
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Hello, maybe try and use scissors around Accacia's face. It could be that she is very nervous and the snapping is her response. You could also take her to the groomer once in a while for a good clip and then try to maintain the stomach and face with scissors in between (the groomer has the speed to get it done quickly and also has the table and tools to keep Accacia still). I can also give you a few guides to read: https://wagwalking.com/grooming/groom-a-dogs-stomach, https://wagwalking.com/grooming/cut-a-nervous-dogs-hair, and https://wagwalking.com/grooming/groom-a-dogs-face-with-clippers. All the best to Accacia!
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