At some point in our grooming careers, we will come across a client with an aggressive dog. Though we may do our best to make the dogs and their owners comfortable, some dogs end up carrying too much fear or nervousness into our salon, and it can cause them to lash out. Dogs are not familiar with the concept of grooming or what is going on, so it’s up to us to use our body language and good technique to help those dogs.
If you are a groomer who gets nervous working with aggressive dogs, you are not alone. We reached out to Wahl E.L.I.T.E Educator Lisa Leady, and asked her for some tips on how to work with aggressive dogs and ensure the healthiest and safest groom possible. We hope you will appreciate these tips, and apply them in your own salon!
What are some of your tips for calming this aggressive dogs down?
“When working with the aggressive dog it is best if the groomer remains calm, it will help the dog. Talk calmly, if the groomer is nervous they should chew some mint gum, or suck on a mint. The dog won’t be able to smell the nervousness. Stick to the same routine with this type of dog. If there are multiple groomers in the salon and they are willing to work with an aggressive dog find the one person who he will be the best for.”
How do I deal with the owner? Do I be honest with them about their dog’s behavior?
“I am a firm believer of being totally upfront with the behavior of their pet. I tell them I am not telling them to make them feel bad. I am telling them that so in case they decide to go somewhere else they can let the groomer know so that they don’t get bit.”
What do I do if the dog cannot be groomed? Is it rude to cancel on the owner?
“If you are uncomfortable doing and aggressive dog, or can’t get him done don’t feel bad about sending him home, but if you do decide you are going to send the dog home please try to finish the task that you started, or that you end that session on something that the dog isn’t fighting on. If a groomer quits when the dog is fighting he learns to start fighting sooner to get someone else.”
How do I remain calm when a dog is getting aggressive? It makes me nervous to know I may be messing up and then I worry about hurting the dog
“It takes a person who is not easily Agitated working on an aggressive dog, keep the noise level down in your mobile, or salon. If you have music playing in your salon, play something soothing, take breaks. Don’t worry about messing up, I tell my clients hey it may not be the prettiest groom but we will do what we can. If the dog is to much and you’re afraid of injuring the animal, it’s time to stop.”
Though we would all like to avoid these situations, it is best to always be prepared and know how to handle them when they arise. An aggressive dog doesn’t instantly mean a poor groom or your failure as a groomer. Rather, it’s a chance to develop your talent and passion for the animal and for grooming, and grow as a groomer and a person. We hope these tips helped you in your future grooms, and we appreciate all of the hard work you do to ensure that animals can be happy, healthy, and beautiful!
