What to Do If Your Dog Is Afraid to Get a Hair Cut

Some dogs just don't like getting a haircut. It could be the noise of the grooming area, the presence of other dogs or the groomer; it could be the pulling, tugging and cutting of their hair and nails; or maybe they just don't feel like being bothered. Whatever the reason, taking your dog to the groomer doesn't have to be a traumatic experience for either of you. With proper training, positive reinforcement and perhaps an occasional supplement, your haircut-hating hound will be less afraid of groomings in no time.

  1. Training

    • The most effective way to calm a fearful dog before a haircut is to make sure he is well trained and exposed to the grooming experience during puppyhood. Kathy Salzberg's article on DogChannel.com, "Calming a Puppy for Dog Grooming," suggests you combat negative behaviors in your dog by desensitizing him to the situations that make him fearful. For example, make sure your dog or puppy is familiar with the feeling of being handled all over. Salzberg's article suggests giving your pet a gentle rubdown after a vigorous play session. This ensures that your dog is calm enough to handle the attention, and will eventually not shy away from having his paws, tail, snout or other parts touched or held during grooming.

      Be consistent with your training as well. Make sure you don't accidentally encourage "bad" behaviors like nipping, barking or growling at home, as your dog won't understand that these behaviors are unacceptable elsewhere. You can also reduce your dog's fears by beginning to groom him yourself. After a long walk or during a meal, gently brush your dog's fur. If you make an association between grooming and treats, your dog will be less likely to be fearful about grooming, and will eagerly anticipate the treats that follow the experience.

    Supplements

    • To bolster your training you can also administer supplements that will help ease your dog's anxiety during grooming and other stressful situations. Rescue Remedy is a popular product used by both humans and their pets to ease anxiety and stress. Rescue Remedy is an all-natural combination of herbal oils and essences that can be given orally or administered in water. A few drops before a trip to the groomer should calm your pet down enough so that the appointment goes by without too much tension. According to PETCO.com, a product called Calming Aid Gel, which can be given directly or in food, also works to calm a dog's nerves and keep him under control during grooming.

    Positive Reinforcement

    • Perhaps the most important aspect of calming a fearful dog before a haircut is positive reinforcement. Dogs are profoundly empathic creatures, so if you're feeling anxious before the haircut, most likely your dog will, too. Keep yourself calm and observe how your calmness influences your dog's behavior.

      You can also reduce your dog's fears by staying near him during the first few trips to the groomer. Dogs can have additional anxieties that involve more than a fear of getting a haircut. Many dogs experience separation anxiety after being away from their owner for a long time, so let your presence reassure your pet. At the same time, you don't want to coddle your dog, so make sure that you're training him at home to get used to being without you from time to time.