How to Groom a Difficult Dog

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Grooming table with grooming arm
Velcro muzzle
Dog treats
Dog crate

Step 1:
Buy the proper equipment. You need a grooming table that has a grooming arm. Without it, you won't be able to groom the dog by yourself. This helps hold your difficult dog safely in place while you work.
Step 2:
Use a Velcro muzzle to protect yourself if your dog is "nippy" while you groom. Using a muzzle not only protects you but it also tends to calm an overly excited dog.
Step 3:
Groom the dog by yourself. Some difficult dogs are intimidated and easily agitated when several people are involved with the grooming. Keep the atmosphere calm, familiar and fun for the dog.
Step 4:
Reward the dog for good behavior. When the dog pauses her yelping, reward her with her favorite treat. Likewise, when she sits still and calm while you groom her, shower her with praise. Rewarding a difficult dog frequently helps to shape better behavior while you groom her.
Step 5:
Address his bad behavior. When a difficult dog misbehaves, you must address it. If he gets completely out of control, put him in his crate to relax and clam down. Once he is calm, continue with the grooming. He must know that his bad behavior will not get him out of it.
Step 6:
Build up to the full grooming routine. Don't expect a difficult dog to complete a long grooming session the first time you attempt it. Start with just trimming her nails a few times. Gradually add time to your grooming session. Eventually build up to washing, trimming and brushing her hair and teeth.

Tips & Warnings

To avoid having a difficult dog while grooming, train your puppy from the beginning. Get your puppy used to being handled by rubbing his ears, handling his paws and clipping his nails regularly.

More Puppy Pages

Grooming in Dog Care

Grooming is very important for your dog. Not only does it create a bond with you and the animal but it ensures that the dog's coat will be clean from any type of snares, ticks, mites, fleas or any other bugs in the yard. It also reduces shedding and is a...

Instructions Step 1: Learn your dog's aggression threshold. Some dogs put up with all kinds of antagonizing behavior with nary a curl of the lip. Other dogs exhibit a short fuse and are quick to bite. Figure out which kind you have before an aggressive...

Instructions Step 1: Help your puppy get accustomed to having her legs, feet and nails touched and rubbed for several days before actually doing any trimming. Reward the touching sessions with a doggie biscuit. Step 2: Choose the best type of trimmer...

Instructions Step 1: Spend one-on-one time daily with your puppy. The time that you spend interacting with your puppy will help strengthen the bond and improve your relationship. Step 2: Walk your dog daily. Not only will this give your puppy the...

Instructions Things You’ll Need: Crate Leash Collar Treats Patience How To Housetrain A Puppy Step 1: Understand puppy behavior: puppies do not know right from wrong. What they understand is safe and dangerous. When your puppy comes into your house...