What to Do When Your Dog Shows Fear Toward a Professional Groomer

The first trip to a professional groomer can be a scary experience for a puppy or even a full grown dog. Imagine not knowing much about the world outside your own backyard and being left with a stranger in a room full of gadgets and noise-making gizmos that you've never before seen or heard. At the same time, imagine those of your kind, protesting loudly and excitedly behind locked doors. You wouldn't know what to think, and this is how it is for a dog or a puppy that has never visited a professional groomer. One minute mom or dad is in the room, and the next minute the dog is alone with a complete stranger holding a buzzer and a comb.

Don't Feel Bad About Leaving Your Dog

I felt bad the first time I left my dog with a professional groomer. He knew something was amiss, and he expressed his fear in no uncertain terms. While I was holding my dog, the groomer took him from my arms. He quickly turned around after realizing it wasn't mom who was holding him, and he began to protest his fear and disapproval quite loudly. He started yipping constantly, and he barely took a breath in between yips. He turned toward the groomer as if he wanted to bite her, but he didn't. She talked softly and sweetly to my dog, and she took her time getting him used to his surroundings.

At first I didn't think I'd be able to leave my dog, not because I'd miss him, but because I was afraid the professional groomer wouldn't be able to work with him. I didn't think he'd stop crying let alone let anyone bathe or groom him. My pup seemed like an impossible customer that couldn't be pleased, and I thought there was no way the professional groomer would be able to groom my dog with the amount of fear he was displaying.

The professional groomer suggested my husband and I leave as soon as possible rather than stick around and try to calm our puppy. She said dogs that are fearful and uncooperative tend to remain that way as long as mom and dad are around. I had my doubts, but I gave the groomer my cell phone number in case she was unable to groom my puppy. I was sure he was destined to look like a rag mop for the rest of his life.

Watching From a Distance