Make trips to the groomer stress-free for your pet
DOGS AND CATS ARE CREATURES OF HABIT, so any change in their regular routine can be stressful. Such changes include visits to the groomer, which, however helpful in the long run, can be unsettling to your pet when they occur. To make grooming day more relaxing for everyone, follow these simple suggestions:
Transport safely: Cats should always be transported in a pet carrier to prevent them from escaping or wreaking havoc inside the car. Dogs should be restrained inside the vehicle, either in a crate or with a harness, which will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accident, and prevent escapes as well. Always use a collar and leash when entering or leaving the groomer's shop.
Make car trips fun: Avoid having your dog solely associate car rides with trips to the veterinarian or groomer. Every once in a while, take him or her for a ride just for fun. Go to the local dog park, the beach, or the state forest for a leisurely walk. This will help prevent your pet from becoming anxious before he or she ever reaches the groomer.
Control your emotions: Keep your departure from and your return to the groomer's shop low-key. Because pets can read body language so well, you may be sending them confusing signals and causing them undue anxiety by engaging in heartfelt partings and greetings. Rein in those emotional farewells and ecstatic reunions; your subdued behavior will be less confusing and far less disturbing for your pet.
Plan ahead: On the day your pet must go to the groomer, plan your time accordingly. Don't be in a rush when dropping off or retrieving your animal, as this can cause unnecessary anxiety for everybody. Observe the drop-off and pick-up times your groomer specifies. Arriving earlier than expected to retrieve an animal that isn't finished can cause stress to the pet if he or she hears or sees you. And when you arrive many hours after your stated pick-up time, you cause stress for both your pet and your groomer!
Keep them together: Whenever possible, have housemates groomed together on the same day so that they can find comfort in the sight, sound, and smell of each other at the groomer's shop. Splitting up closely bonded housemates, even for a few hours, can be extremely stressful, especially for older animals.
Groom routinely: Have your pet groomed regularly and make sure to perform at-home grooming maintenance between regular appointments. This will reduce your pet's overall grooming time and make the entire process less distressing.
A trip to the groomer should be an enjoyable, routine occurrence - not a sporadic, stress-filled event. By following these simple guidelines, you can reduce your pet's anxiety on grooming day.
Susan Neal is a certified canine specialist, owner of a champion bullmastiff breeding kennel, and author of the award-winning memoir and resource Without Regret: A Handbook for Owners of Canine Amputees.
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