There are several places to take your dog for a grooming, but if you feel that your dog is stressing out too much then another great option is to do it yourself. Don't expect to do a perfect job the first or even second time but I promise you will naturally get better over time. Don't overthink it!
Now, you might be wondering how to keep your dog calm while grooming. Well, there are a few guidelines you can follow to make sure you can keep your dog comfortable while they are getting groomed.
1) Wear your dog socks while grooming them.
Seeing little dogs on your feet will definitely help keep your dog entertained and curious while you are grooming them. A great option is the Yellow Shiba-Inu Socks because the dog faces are easy for your dog to see.
2) Allow your dog to sniff the grooming tools.
The blades and buzzing noises may seem a bit intimidating at first so it's important that they familiarize with the tools. Always start slow with the grooming process.
3) Groom after play time.
When a dog is tired then they are more likely to sit still and not fight you during their grooming.
4) Take breaks!
Some dogs are not going to let you finish in one session. Try trimming just their back or arms. Then continue again with the rest of the body in a few hours later or even the next day.
5) Reward them for sitting still.
Feeding them a little peanut butter or a dog treat while grooming can keep them distracted and will help continue to keep them calm. Remember - making your dog happy and comfortable is the best way to keep them calm!
And that's it! If you don't know where to start in grooming your dog, head over to the SitStay blog, where they have a great article on grooming dogs too! Let us know if this dog grooming technique works for you in the comments below!