If your dog gets violent while being groomed due to fear or aggressive tendencies, you and any professional groomers who work with your dog must understand how to groom an aggressive dog at home. Grooming an aggressive dog will be safer for everyone involved if the proper tools and procedures are used. Techniques that combat aggressive tendencies and result in different behavior from your dog are even better, making future grooming sessions smoother and more enjoyable.
Dog’s Perspective
An aggressive dog isn’t just being tough to groom; he has a reason, and understanding that reason can help you counteract and cope with hostility. Dogs may become aggressive when grooming if they are in discomfort from present or previous medical issues. If you suspect there is a problem, consult your veterinarian.
Your dog may remember painful grooming occurrences in the past, such as razor burn or nails clipped to the quick. Other and unpleasant traumatic events related to grooming, like maltreatment, might also cause a dog to respond angrily to grooming.
A dog that is normally terrified of new persons and settings may quickly transfer this apprehension to groomers and salons. A dominant dog may become violent when grooming in order to assert his authority and control over a situation. Allowing your dog’s hostility to control you and interrupting the grooming process has produced a positive reward for your dog’s aggression, making it more difficult to cease aggression in the future. It is critical not to let an aggressive dog take control of the situation.
To reduce dread and discomfort, you must be confident and forceful, but not display fear yourself, since this would simply encourage and contribute to the dog’s behavior.
The Tools Method
Use table and restraints
For easier access to your dog, choose a grooming table with a nonslip surface and the ability to connect restraints such as a neck restraint and hip restraint if necessary. This gives you the ability to place the dog and adjust it as needed to secure your safety. While you are working on the dog’s legs and body, restraints around the neck regulate the dog’s head posture. It can be tightened as needed, but be cautious not to make it excessively tight, as this could cause discomfort or harm to the dog’s windpipe. Additional restraints below the midsection and in front of the hip can also help manage an aggressive dog.
Medicate if necessary
Medication may be necessary to sedate an aggressive or dangerous dog that has to be groomed. Medication should only be administered under the supervision of a veterinarian
muzzle
Muzzle the dog so it can’t bite you. Check that the muzzle fits properly and is not injuring the dog. To avoid stressing the dog, use the muzzle as little as possible. When transferring a dog from a bath to a table, a blanket over the dog’s head may be beneficial; nevertheless, the dog must always be allowed to breathe.
Long-handled tools
Long-handled combs and brushes can be used to control the dog with one hand while brushing or combing at the same time, allowing you to reach regions that the dog may snap at without having to withdraw your hand because your hand is well out of striking tidied up.
Secure face with a comb
As you groom your dog’s face, use a comb in his beard to manage his head. If you need to remove the neck restraint to groom around the neck, insert a comb in the dog’s beard and tilt the dog’s head away from you while you work on the neck and face.
Conclusion
Grooming aggressive dogs can be difficult, but with certain precautions and an understanding of valuable techniques and instruments that will limit danger and combat aggressive tendencies, grooming sessions with aggressive dogs can be safe. Understanding the source of the dog’s hostility so that it may be reduced with changes or behavior modification for the greatest results. Grooming tables with restraints, muzzles, and long-handled equipment might also come in handy. When grooming an aggressive dog, a helper and understanding of safe holds to prevent damage to the dog or people are frequently required.
