Not every dog enjoys having a fresh haircut and a nice bath. In fact, it can be a stressful time for many nervous dogs who aren’t accustomed to being fawned over and pampered. With nail trims, loud hair dryers, water, and pointy objects like scissors or clippers, it can be a true test for any dog that is anxious. Working him through the process of grooming can help to cut down on that anxiety and make the session much less of an issue. However, this can certainly take some time.
Grooming can take quite a bit of time and contain any number of stressful situations. Being handled by strangers at the salon can be nerve-wracking in and of itself. Then you introduce noisy objects, the tugging of hair and fur, and lack of personal space, and it can be a recipe for disaster. There are few situations in a dog’s life where their senses are being so flooded with stimulation.
While some dogs can get away with a quick bath and brush, some others may need some extensive clipping and cutting in order to stay trimmed and free of mats or tangles. Either way, grooming should be an essential part of any dog’s routine and it should be something that is quick and painless. You may need to work extensively on helping your dog conquer his fears, but a little patience and understanding can go a long way to providing reassurance.