A first visit to the groomer is a lot for a dog to take in: new smells, new people, running water and the noise of a dryer. A little practice at home makes a real difference.
Practise at home
- Touch the paws, ears and muzzle gently every day, with a treat each time
- Brush for a minute or two, then stop before your dog gets bored
- Let your dog hear a hair dryer from across the room
- Stand your dog on a table or bench for a few seconds, with lots of praise
On the day
- Go for a walk first so your dog has had a chance to go to the toilet and use some energy
- Tell the groomer what your dog dislikes and any past bad experiences
- Keep the goodbye short and cheerful
Ask for a short first visit, such as a bath and tidy, rather than a full groom. Building trust step by step works better than doing everything at once.