Back to the Groomer
Coronavirus has caused many businesses to close their doors and the grooming industry has been no exception. Unlike human hair cuts, pets need to maintain a consistent grooming routine for their overall health and wellbeing. For dogs, the ASPCA recommends a groom once every three months. Our feline friends have a bit more cushion as they groom themselves!
As professional groomers slowly begin taking clients again, we realize that setting up your pet for a successful visit back to the groomer may seem a little challenging at first. Your pet has gotten used to you being at home with them 24/7 and they may have forgotten what it’s like to be pampered!
In this article, we will provide some tips on how to prepare your pet for their next grooming appointment including input from local salon Temple of the Dog certified groomers Nyleen Molina and Jessica Villa and our own Dr. Ashley Peters. Molina and Villa both have 15 years of experience in the grooming industry and are no stranger to pampering the pets of Chicago!
Step 1: Plan ahead!
Many groomers are currently operating at a reduced capacity given the circumstances of coronavirus. For this reason, you should plan to schedule your pet’s grooming appointment one month in advance.
“When scheduling an appointment now, it may be a month long wait, or maybe you may get lucky and find a spot with your regular groomer or someone new. The best advice we have is don't wait until the last minute or don't keep putting it off. Pre Schedule appointments out in advance,” advise Molina and Villa.
Additionally, many veterinary clinics are temporarily postponing routine grooming services to prioritize patients with more serious conditions. Plan ahead for a simple nail trim or ear cleaning so your pet can be seen sooner than later.
*Please be aware that Temple of the Dog is not currently taking new clients or cats. Follow their website and social media for updates!
Step 2: Conditioning- it’s not just for their hair!
Take the time to condition your pet to feel comfortable being handled again. Choose a time when your pet is calm to start introducing safe-handling techniques they can expect to experience at the groomer. Using positive reinforcement, gradually begin touching their feet, ears and teeth while paying close attention to their cues of discomfort. Each time your pet allows you to touch one of these sensitive areas, reward them with a high value treat!
You can help desensitize your pet by not making a “big deal,” about handling them and by rewarding calm behaviors, says Dr. Peters.
Be sure to provide them with both mental and physical stimulation the day of your appointment.
“Increase the amount of physical exercise you are doing with them and mental stimulation/training sessions when you would be home, especially prior to leaving,” continues Dr. Peters.
Check out our separation anxiety article for more tips on positive association training!
Step 3: Drop offs should be like haircuts: short and sweet!
Much like dropping off a toddler at daycare, keep departures short and sweet! Molina and Villa add:
“When dropping off your pet, you have to be confident and secure...it may seem a little silly, but for most pets, they feed off your energy. When you see them with their tail between their legs or trying to morph their body into yours, it's best that you say a happy goodbye and walk out. If you start hugging them or coddling them, you're reinforcing their thought process to be scared and that it's a bad place to be at. Once you leave their eyesight, they walk right back in and just want to party with their groomer!”
Step 4: Leave the rest to the professionals!
After you’ve planned ahead and scheduled your appointment, your groomer can take it from there! We understand that it’s likely been a while since your pet has been groomed, so matting may be an issue. Molina and Villa advise,
“Matting has happened to all of our pets due to being quarantined. We recommend starting fresh and having it shaved. Trying to demat your pet that has severe matting will pull at the skin, causing pain and discomfort. Here at the Temple of the Dog, as much as we love showing off our craft, we put comfort before vanity.”
Additionally, they encourage pet owners to stick with one groomer if possible!
“We'd also recommend finding a grooming salon and trying to stick with one groomer and having another as a backup in case your current groomer is unavailable. Most groomers and pets have a bond and that groomer will know what your pet likes or doesn't like,” suggests Molina and Villa.
Of course, every pet is different. If you’ve tried all the tips and tricks and your pet still exhibiting signs of anxiety when going to the groomer, there are medications that can assist in reducing anxiety. Sometimes these medications can be used in conjunction with a training program and they can truly become comfortable with being groomed. If you think that you need additional assistance, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us. We hope you found these tips useful and that they help you keep your pet happy and healthy! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask us. We are always here for you and your pet.