Here Are 5 Reasons Why Your Pup Doesn't Like Going To The Groomer

There are many places pups might hate going to. One common place is the vet, but your pup could also be scared of going to the groomer’s, and that’s never fun because of how necessary grooming is every month or two!

But why is your pup so afraid? Here are five possible reasons and how to deal with them.

1. Stress

If a groomer’s has other pups stored in kennels, the noise and barking from those dogs could stress yours out, especially if they’re from a one-pup household! If this is the case, look for a smaller groom shop that can accommodate fewer dogs at a time.

2. Separation anxiety

Your pup could feel nervous or upset when he has to be alone at a grooming shop for a prolonged amount of time. Learn more about separation anxiety here, and if your pup has symptoms, learn how to manage them here.

3. Crate training

If your pup is not crate trained but then must be placed in a kennel at the groomers, they can feel constricted and confined and even become aggressive. In cases like these, you may want to opt for a groomer who performs all grooming in one go so that your pup never has to be in a kennel.

4. The dryer

Hair dryers used by groomers are typically louder and stronger than those that you use at home. The loud noise could be stressful to dogs thanks to their powerful feeling, and the pressure and power of the dryer could startle and upset a pup. You can help your pup get through this by opting for groomers who let pups dry out in kennels before doing a very brief blow-dry session, or just not using a dryer at all.

5. Handling

There is a chance that your pup just doesn’t like being handled at all, and being forced into that can cause anxiety. You’d need to look into desensitization techniques if this is the case; talk to your vet to learn more.

If you’re unsure and have a regular groomer who you go to, ask them if there is something that they notice your pup particularly dislikes, and discuss ways to work around that issue. If nothing seems to help, then try changing groomers and see if your pup likes the environment there more! Do like and share this info if it was helpful!