Positive grooming on an anxious dog.
Like 3 Dislike 0 Published on 6 Sep 2015
This video is of a grooming session with a very fearful dog I have groomed for several years. This video had her owner in tears. The dog still won't allow her to handle her feet. At one point I discover a large knot in her paw pad. It must be removed. The dog panicked a bit. I keep her calm, but don't stop. When she pulls away I reposition her so she doesn't injure her shoulder. A stressed, anxious dog is more difficult to groom when handled roughly or with anger. Building trust through positive reinforcement makes my job as a groomer easier. If I let go of her foot when she panicked it reinforces that panicking, biting, etc will get her what she wants...me to stop. Calmly keeping hold & rewarding calm behavior is so much better.