EVERY DOG NEEDS GROOMING, ESPECIALLY IF THEY LIVE INDOORS

Many adopted or rescued pets come from a difficult past and some dogs are just born shy. Unfortunately, some dog parents can transmit their own anxieties to their dog because a dog can sense their feelings. 

Dogs like this need special devotion to help them overcome their anxiety especially when it comes to being groomed when a nervous dog shakes, squeals, bites and in some severe cases, has a panic attack from not being properly acclimatised to the situation. 

Dogs whose coats are neglected – without grooming – can develop matting which can reduce blood flow to their extremities, skin irritations and an inability to relieve them-selves in comfort. If they live inside, they smell and are unhygienic. 

Even though your dog may have anxiety, they are still going to need the pet-care that is a part of grooming and that is a thorough clean. Groomers proximity to your dog allows them to pick up irregulations in a dog’s physical condition.

No matter your dog’s situation, these steps will prepare any dog for a more positive grooming experience.

Step 1: Massage
When a dog goes to the groomer, a specialist will attend to areas of her body that need to be cleaned, even the sensitive areas. Her ears, groin area, paws, and glands will need to be handled. To get a dog ready for this, you can give your dog a full-body massage.
Gently pet your dog from head to toe. Play with her paws and make sure you spread her toes apart. Play with her ears and scratch her bum. Making sure your dog is used to being handled is the first step.

Next, give her a massage on a raised table. This simulates the experience she will have at a grooming salon. Take baby steps with a nervous dog. Whatever you can do to make your dog more comfortable is a good idea. Plenty of soothing languages, treats, or a blanket will help her association with these foreign experiences a pleasant one.

Step 2: Bathing, Brushing, and Supplies
Try exposing your dog to as many of the sensations of grooming as  possible. Re-create these experiences in baby steps at home first. Then when your dog is ready, take her to the groomer. If you can safely give your dog a bath at home, give this a try. Constantly brushing your dog every day is also good for them. Get them used to as many sights and sounds as possible. Turn on a blow dryer so she can hear the sound then give her a treat. Hold up a pair of nail trimmers next to her paws without clipping, then give her a treat. It might seem excessive, but for a nervous dog, this will help.

Step 3: Make Sure They are Plenty Exercised
That old expression, a tired dog is a happy dog†is very true. So, a walk for 20 mins followed by some ball play morning and night is not unreasonable. 

Step 4: Find an Understanding Groomer
Not every groomer has the resources or the professional skills to handle an extremely nervous dog.
If your dog suffers from anxiety or aggression, inform the groomer of the situation. Some groomers specialise in dogs with special needs. 

Step 5: The Car Ride
When your dog is still a puppy is the best time to start acclimating them to car rides. Car rides can be very stressful for a dog. A car ride is a foreign experience. Your dog may anticipate a stressful destination like the groomers or vet.  Take your puppy on car rides while they’re young. This can get them used to the motion of the car and the sounds of traffic. Drive around without a set destination. If your dog is older, you can still counter condition them to make car rides a more pleasant experience.

Bring your dog’s favourite blanket or toy. Make sure they are comfortable. Doggie car seats and restraints will ensure their safety. If your dog has stomach issues during the ride, this is most likely due to motion sickness. If this is the case, discuss anti-nausea medication with your veterinarian. Drive around without a set destination so that your dog will not relate a car ride to a stressful visit to the groomers or vet. This will curb their apprehension. Continually reassure your dog with a calm voice and plenty of treats.  Plan a trip to the groomers after your dog has mastered stress-free car rides. 

Step 6: Training Visit
Finding a groomer is like finding a babysitter. You will want to leave your dog in trusting and professional hands. A principled groomer will take the time to meet your dog and help her to relax.

After booking with Bubbles Dog Spa, you and your dog can schedule a training visit. On this visit, you can walk around with your dog and help them slowly adjust. Your dog can see the facilities, hear the loud clippers & blow dryers, and can practice standing on a grooming table. This also presents an opportunity for your dog to meet the groomer. After an orientation we suggest either a bath and brush or a light scissor tidy. This way they get to experience enough new movements, noises and smells and get to trust the hands and voice of the groomer. Your groomer will work with your dog to ease them into these stimuli and toward getting a whole grooming session done in one appointment. Each time your dog gets a treat and plenty of positive reinforcement.  During this time a groomer can help coax her nervousness away and with reinforced training at home, your dog will be less nervous and hopefully begin to associate the groomers as a relaxing part of their life. 

 Step 8: Aromatherapy
Many groomers have adopted aromatherapy into their pet salon treatments. The way aromatherapy works for dogs is through conditioning. You can train your dog to associate the calming scents with peacefulness. The ingredients of aromatherapy dog shampoos are typically botanicals like lavender, chamomile, and essential vitamins. These formulas are designed to induce a calm state.

Step 7: Special Equipment for a Nervous Dog 
Dogs with anxiety are common.
A specialty item that you can consider are Mutt Muffs _^TM. This headgear covers your dog’s ears to help them protect their ears against loud noises. Mutt Muffs fits the contour of your dog’s head and straps comfortably in place. The sound-reducing headgear was designed for airplanes but can be useful for dogs at the groomers.

Another noise reduction product is the Happy Hoodie^TM which wraps around a dog’s ears and head. This object was made specifically for dogs to help protect and calm them from the loud noise and high-pressured air from a blow-dryer at the grooming salon. The swaddling effect is like one that is produced from a Thunder Jacket^TM.

Step 9: Hemp Products
Natural remedies to help relieve symptoms and support immune system function.

Pet Hemp Spray – This fantastic hemp spray is great for puppies, kittens, dogs, cats, horses, guinea pigs, rabbits and more.  Hemp seed oil is packed with omegas 3, 6 and 9 – so your beloved pet will benefit from all the essential fatty acids. This oil benefits your pet in so many ways, from mobility assistance to the health of their skin, coat, teeth, nails, and eyes. Hemp can also have a great effect on your pet’s anxiety levels and overall mood. Ingredients: 100% pure hemp seed oil. 

THC-free – CB2 for Pets – is a great way to promote dietary health and support emotional well-being among animals. With endocannabinoid system support, CB2 for Pets binds to CB2 receptors and offers many therapeutic benefits.  This product is an oral terpene-based plant tincture that may assist with the following health conditions:

• Inflammatory pain – Reduces symptoms of painful inflammatory-related conditions, such as arthritis.
• Anxiety and depression – Balances mood and relieves feelings of sadness, stress, and anxiety. Great for separation anxiety or fear during storms.
• Relaxation – Calms the body and may include seizures support.
• Immune system support – Protects cell linings and promotes healthy gut bacteria.

CB2 for Pets includes the beta-caryophyllene (BCP) terpene,
which mimics the THC which interacts with CB2 receptor sites in the endocannabinoid system. 

To pharmacologically activate the CB2 receptors, it also includes the naturally occurring cannabinoid -Ligand. (BCP) has received massive attention lately due to its potent anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties. It reduces inflammation in the brain and helps to reduce chemicals that cause oxidative stress inside the skull. This may help to protect the brain in an extreme scenario such as a stroke or seizure. This substance also supports gut health, with its powerful anti-inflammatory properties not isolated to the brain.
BCP is a naturally occurring terpene that is safe for pets to consume, derived from cloves, rosemary and cinnamon. Ingredients: 100% beta-caryophyllene oil from Portland, USA.

Step 10: Anti-Anxiety Medication
It is better to ask your vet what medication they recommend rather than going in with a set idea of one as all dogs are different and their reaction to medications can vary.  It may take a while to figure out which is the most effective.  

Dogs usually need to be treated for about four weeks before the effectiveness of the medication becomes fully evident, and treatment needs to continue for at least two months after an adequate response is observed.

No matter which medication your veterinarian chooses, moderate to severe anxiety often responds best to a prescription anti-anxiety medication and behaviour-modification training but these are not quick fixes.

The common medications prescribed by a vet are:  

• Fluoxetine (Prozac®) Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). 
• Clomipramine (Clomicalm®) Clomipra-mine is a tricyclic anti-depressant (TCA) medication.
• Trazodone Benzodia-zepines (Alprazolam, diazepam) Gabapentin.

MEDICATIONS CAN MAKE THE GROOMING PROCESS TOLERABLE FOR YOUR DOG & MAY EVEN REMOVE THEIR FEAR, BUT IT CANNOT DO IT ALONE
You will also need to put behaviour-modification protocols in place to help your
dog work through their anxiety.

 

References:
Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique USA, Pet MD, Hemp Shack, Bubbles Dog Spa & Groom, Tasmania