How to Groom an Excited Dog
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Introduction
Grooming most dogs can be challenging, but when JoJo is super-excited the task only gets harder. JoJo can be a lot of fun when she wants to play with you, which is just about all of the time. But this need to play can be a royal pain when you are trying to get her to stand still long enough to be groomed. Instead of trying to stop her from getting excited, you need to find ways to make put that excited energy to good use.
Dog's Perspective
An excited dog's big problem is that no matter how hard he tries; his excitement simply gets the better of him, causing him to be constantly on the move. He might even think that grooming time is nothing more than an extension of play time. Your job is to channel this energy such that it helps rather than hinders your attempts to groom him.
The Keep Busy Method
The Workout Method
Caution & Considerations
- Use your dog's excited energy to make grooming go a little easier rather than harder.
- Be sure the walk is long enough to tire your dog out, but do not exhaust him as this can cause other problems.
- The younger your dog is when you start working with him, the easier grooming will be.
- Take short breaks and give him lots of treats along the way.
- Don't be afraid to talk to him while you work, this will help keep him calmer.
- If you must use shears, be sure the blades are nice and sharp.
Conclusion
To an excited dog, there simply aren't enough hours in the day for him to see and do everything. Standing still for long enough to be groomed is virtually impossible in his mind. But, if you are willing to put in the time and effort, it won't be long before he stops fussing and starts enjoying being groomed.
