My dog is nervous at the groomers: what can I do?

If your dog is nervous about grooming, the most useful starting point is to tell the groomer honestly before the appointment.

Explain what your dog finds difficult, what has happened during previous grooms and anything you already know about situations that make them uncomfortable.

Don't worry about trying to make your dog sound easier than they are.

The groomer needs accurate information to decide whether their service, environment and approach may be suitable.

Why might a dog be nervous about grooming?

There isn't one reason. Professional grooming involves many unusual experiences.

A dog may be:

• Handled by someone unfamiliar
• Lifted or moved
• Bathed
• Dried using noisy equipment
• Brushed or combed
• Have their paws handled
• Have hair trimmed around sensitive areas
• Experience clipper noise and vibration
• Spend time in an unfamiliar environment

Some dogs take all of this in their stride. Others find particular parts difficult.

Previous experiences, age, temperament, discomfort and unfamiliarity can all affect how a dog responds.

Tell the groomer exactly what happens

Rather than simply saying "he's a bit nervous", try to explain what nervous actually looks like for your dog.

For example:

• "She doesn't like her front paws being touched."
• "He tries to move away when the dryer starts."
• "She has previously growled when someone brushed her back legs."
• "He becomes very worried around other dogs."

That gives the groomer much more useful information.

Should I tell the groomer if my dog has tried to bite?

Yes.

If your dog has previously snapped, attempted to bite or bitten during grooming or handling, tell the groomer before the appointment.

This isn't about labelling your dog as bad. It's information the groomer needs when deciding whether and how they can work with your dog.

Don't deliberately withhold a previous bite because you're worried the groomer won't accept the booking.

Can a nervous dog still be professionally groomed?

Some nervous dogs are professionally groomed successfully, but every dog and every grooming business is different.

A groomer may want to know more about the dog's behaviour before accepting an appointment.

They may also have limits on the dogs they're able to accommodate safely within their particular setup.

A business saying that it cannot accommodate a particular dog doesn't mean the dog is impossible to groom. Another grooming environment or approach may be more appropriate.

Does the grooming environment matter?

It can. Dog grooming businesses operate in different ways.

• Some are larger salons with multiple groomers and dogs present.
• Some home-based groomers work individually.
• Some businesses offer one-to-one grooming.
• Mobile groomers work from grooming vehicles and travel to their clients.

None of these is automatically the right answer for every nervous dog.

For example, a dog uncomfortable around other dogs may potentially benefit from a quieter setup, while another dog's nervousness may have nothing to do with other dogs at all.

The important thing is understanding what your dog struggles with and discussing it with the groomer. Our guide to choosing a dog groomer covers what to ask.

What is one-to-one dog grooming?

One-to-one grooming generally means the groomer focuses on one client's dog or dogs during the allocated appointment rather than working on several unrelated dogs simultaneously.

Exactly how individual businesses operate varies, so ask what one-to-one means in their particular setup.

For some nervous dogs, a quieter appointment may be worth discussing.

What can I do before the appointment?

Don't suddenly begin an intensive home-grooming programme the night before. Instead, think about what you already know.

Write down:

• What your dog dislikes
• What they're comfortable with
• What happened at previous appointments
• Whether certain areas are particularly sensitive
• Whether other dogs cause anxiety
• Anything the previous groomer told you

Then give this information to the new groomer.

For longer-term preparation, your groomer may suggest appropriate handling or coat maintenance you can practise at home.

What if my dog becomes distressed during the appointment?

Different groomers will have different approaches and limits.

Ask beforehand: "What happens if my dog becomes too uncomfortable to continue?"

A groomer may decide that not everything planned for that appointment can be completed.

The dog's welfare and safe handling have to form part of that decision.

Don't wait until the coat is unmanageable

This can be particularly important with dogs who dislike grooming.

If a coat requires regular professional maintenance, leaving increasingly long gaps between appointments can mean there is more work to do when the dog eventually returns.

If you're worried about how your dog copes with grooming, discuss an appropriate plan with the groomer rather than simply avoiding appointments.

Finding a groomer for a nervous dog

Book A Dog Groomer allows grooming businesses to indicate whether they welcome nervous or anxious dogs.

This is information selected by the grooming business itself. It is not an assessment or recommendation made by Book A Dog Groomer.

Use it as a starting point. Read the full profile, look at how the business describes its approach and contact the groomer directly.

We don't rank groomers or decide which business is best for your dog.

Frequently asked questions

Should I tell a groomer my dog is nervous?

Yes. Explain what your dog actually does when they're worried and anything you know about previous grooming experiences.

Will a groomer refuse a nervous dog?

Individual businesses decide which dogs they're able to accommodate within their particular environment and service. Being honest before booking allows the groomer to discuss this with you.

Should I stay with my nervous dog while they're groomed?

This depends on the grooming business and the individual dog. Ask the groomer about their policy and what they find works within their setup.

Is one-to-one grooming better for nervous dogs?

It may suit some dogs, particularly where a quieter environment is helpful, but it isn't automatically the right solution for every nervous dog. Discuss your dog's particular behaviour with the groomer.