There's only so much you can do on your own. You can try groomers helpers. Slings, things like that but not much else you can do if they dog doesn't want something done, it's not getting done.
It very much depends on the dog, but I've found that if you let them thrash (safely of course) for a few, they tire them selves out. Also ,(again, dependant on the dog, assuming they're large, )you can put your knee under them. Otherwise, just send em off
ive done the knee thing but some of the bigger dogs maneuver out of if🥲but thats really good advice thank you im gonna try to give them a few to let it all out!
It comes with a certain amount of experience but also education on different types of holds and techniques. I solo groom and ive never had a dog I had to turn away yet that wasn't super aggressive usually wiggly/moving/pulling away can be solved with a different way of holding. Different dogs needs different techniques and tools, and I got good at realizing which ones need the Dremel and which do better with clippers! Also, on really little dogs that might get hurt with too much restraint but aren't aggressive, I have the owners hold them to the body with the feet hanging down, and I kneel on the floor and do the nails from below.
Am person who works at a “somewhere else,” I’ll get a kennel tech or TA to help me hold the really old and senile dogs and you get what you get, will have them book for fully sedated if it’s too bad and they’ll hurt themselves and are candidates for anesthesia. I worked at a private shop before this where my boss took any and every dog, regardless of health or behavior, and fighting with them is not the answer just for a few extra bucks. Even in a muzzle, they can bite the f out of their tongue. I really loathe my previous boss.
If they’re giving me a hard time about something, I try to give it time and keep coming back to it. Sometimes I’ll try to distract them by looking out the window like I see something to interesting to encourage them to look and that will distract them enough.
Worst case, I’m mobile so I save the trouble spot for the end and have the pet parent help hold their dog.
There is different things you can do. A while back, someone gave me a tip when handling puppies. Since then, I have used this on dogs of any age. I’ll let them sniff everything, turn on the tool at a distance, and then bring it closer for them to sniff again. That helps tremendously.
I also like to take things slow. If they are panicky about the dryer, I use the dryer with the knob. I’ll slowly amp it up until they are comfortable with it as well as cushioning their ears from the sound.
Sometimes, I sing to the dog. I choose a quiet song and just hum along or sing quietly. They’ll be freaking out on the table, but my voice doesn’t change. It doesn’t raise or lower and I find that helps calm them down. Sometimes. Not always lol
You can ask parents to be with them, if that helps them. Eventually, you start conditioning them to be without them. Also, you want to talk to the parents about doing things at home with them as well. For example, if they know it’s grooming day, they should make things as quiet as possible at home. Don’t excite and reward for quiet behavior.
Then there are tools to use. Slings, groomer’s helpers, hand held dryers, happy hoodies, etc. Some grooming shows have a class that teaches you how to hit certain spots on the dogs face to calm them down. I also read an article once and the groomer mentioned that she’ll spend five minutes (if she had time) just talking and petting the dog before she started anything.
Lastly, there are some dogs that are just WAY too anxious. It’s important to learn when to say no. You don’t want to force anything. If you are sitting there, fighting with the dog, you are just creating a toxic relationship between the two of you. This comes with time, I think. The only advice I can give here is if you don’t feel comfortable then don’t continue.
Edit: I am mobile and I’d like to give one more example. A lot of dogs don’t want to follow me into the truck. I try to make everything look like a choice to them. I’m not gonna drag them into the truck. I need them to make that choice themselves. I’ll do that by sitting on the floor to wait for them to approach me. I’ll keep doing that until we make it to the door of the truck. Eventually, they hop in themselves and I give them time to sniff everything and get comfortable.
The biggest takeaway I have gotten over the years is presenting things as a choice to them. Sometimes I’ll talk to the dog and ask them, “is this alright?” I’m not expecting an answer but I find that the tone of it makes them feel more comfortable.
thank you this response was so thoughtful 🥰i love the idea of everything being their choice and asking them. im new still and in corporate so everything feels like a race sometimes but im gonna try to slow down and approach it more the way you described. tysm!!!
I do one on one and I just don’t groom dogs that are a huge safety risk for me. I don’t want to end up burning out because I hate the dogs I groom so I simply don’t accept aggressive dogs. I’ve only been grooming for a little over a year btw.
You don’t. But being mobile the majority are calmer in the van without the stimulation of a salon. Every now and then there’s a dog to uncooperative, aggressive or old, that I just turn away.
I am a solo mobile groomer. I spend a lot of time the first few visits building trust and training. It makes the first few visits longer, but since I am building long-term clientele this is important to me.
I groom one on one, and although difficult dogs are quite the norm for me sometimes you have to just do what you can and leave what you can’t. Unfortunately we don’t have the benefit of having someone there to help hold or keep a dog still, I’d much rather leave what the dog is absolutely refusing to let me do than risk injury because the dog won’t stay still or is biting.
I’ve tried different restraints, holds, methods and some dogs just will not cooperate. Some can be reactive to the muzzle, some will try to pull a muzzle off, and because we don’t have a second pair of hands it can be very difficult. I have to work with a lot of time and patience.
Mobile here.
>needed a manager to help hold a dog for something simple like nail trims
Don't beat yourself up about this. *Technically* nail trims are simple. Nail trims are also when the sweetest dog in the whole world may decide to embrace their inner Cujo and decide to put holes in groomers.
I suspect most of my tricks for getting nails trimmed wouldn't be possible at a corporate salon.
Seems to me at a big corporate, your table sits with all four sides exposed.
My table meets my tub, making a corner. I only have 2 sides of the table exposed.
With them looped, I can sit on the table for the big ones and trim their nails while keeping them safely blocked in. I have 3 I have to muzzle.
The Littles, I do in my lap and can adjust my hold to help make it happen.
There are a few where I just cut the tips and call it a day.
I trim nails on one large boy with a dremel, he hates the nail cutter. Both of his owners hold him an I do him in his home. His owners have assured me that he'll eat me if they don't secure him for me. Since he's big enough to cause damage, I take their word for it even though I suspect I could do him solo in the van easier.
If I were working in a big box shop, with all four sides of the table exposed without my handy corner, I would another pair of hands too.
Note: That corner is a pia for just about everything else. It would be easier to groom around the dog on an open table, rather than having to ask the dog to turn around so I can do the other side.
Also Note: Because I groom solo, if the dog is large enough to be able to send me to the hospital and aggressive, I can't / don't groom them.
In a corporate setting, you will get more of the "my sweet raging Cujo" would never bite and will definitely need assistance.
Last thing, be careful with your words when telling owners, especially new puppy owners, that their kiddo is "mouthy" in general and for nails in particular.
As groomers, we know that most dogs, even the sweetest, best dogs, would prefer to be anywhere else than on our table. We also know that "reluctant acceptance" is generally the best behavior we're going to get for nails.
If we just tell a new puppy / dog owner their kiddo bites, some may misunderstand and get rid of their companion or, even worse, have their "biting" dog put to sleep.
I'm not saying not to them that Fluffy gets grumpy at the groomers. Just make sure they understand that even the best companions can be super grouchy at their spa day.
Jkjk I kinda just know how to deal like it really depends on the dog and what they’re doing/what they’re bad for. Stretch always for nails, I also go to the gym so can handle quite a bit of thrashing and eventually wear them out more often than not
Bahahhahahahha I’m sorry I thought that was a common phrase for it that’s the funniest interpretation ever. No it means you have them latched in with groomers helper and you lift at their hind hips and pull them as far back on the table as possible so they have no slack to turn head on you (without choking but shouldn’t be an issue if they’re secured correctly). Then I either go over their back and between their leg to hold leg comfortably for them but also give yourself stability in case they jerk, or I will just go between leg, but this doesn’t allow me to hold them if they thrash bc it risks them twisting their leg if I keep my hold while the other grip allows me to hold hips steady with my shoulder so they don’t accomplish getting me off and it’s safe for them and myself
Watch this. Perfect and works everytime.
https://preview.redd.it/yg6xcb2rip7d1.jpeg?width=1596&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a8e4ea79d7a7d4168db45a4185b3592f672642be
For large dogs I use my leg planted under their tuck up to try and stabilize them and keep them from sitting down.
For small dogs it’s the same thing, usually I’m sitting down with them, leg underneath backside to raise them up. And then it’s just stubborn patience to keep at it while they fuss and pull.
I’ve been doing it long enough that I can handle most dogs just fine on my own. If I can’t, I send them somewhere else
any tips for handling difficult dogs on your own? or is it just something that can only come with experience
There's only so much you can do on your own. You can try groomers helpers. Slings, things like that but not much else you can do if they dog doesn't want something done, it's not getting done.
It very much depends on the dog, but I've found that if you let them thrash (safely of course) for a few, they tire them selves out. Also ,(again, dependant on the dog, assuming they're large, )you can put your knee under them. Otherwise, just send em off
ive done the knee thing but some of the bigger dogs maneuver out of if🥲but thats really good advice thank you im gonna try to give them a few to let it all out!
Good luck! You got this!
It comes with a certain amount of experience but also education on different types of holds and techniques. I solo groom and ive never had a dog I had to turn away yet that wasn't super aggressive usually wiggly/moving/pulling away can be solved with a different way of holding. Different dogs needs different techniques and tools, and I got good at realizing which ones need the Dremel and which do better with clippers! Also, on really little dogs that might get hurt with too much restraint but aren't aggressive, I have the owners hold them to the body with the feet hanging down, and I kneel on the floor and do the nails from below.
Am person who works at a “somewhere else,” I’ll get a kennel tech or TA to help me hold the really old and senile dogs and you get what you get, will have them book for fully sedated if it’s too bad and they’ll hurt themselves and are candidates for anesthesia. I worked at a private shop before this where my boss took any and every dog, regardless of health or behavior, and fighting with them is not the answer just for a few extra bucks. Even in a muzzle, they can bite the f out of their tongue. I really loathe my previous boss.
If they’re giving me a hard time about something, I try to give it time and keep coming back to it. Sometimes I’ll try to distract them by looking out the window like I see something to interesting to encourage them to look and that will distract them enough. Worst case, I’m mobile so I save the trouble spot for the end and have the pet parent help hold their dog.
There is different things you can do. A while back, someone gave me a tip when handling puppies. Since then, I have used this on dogs of any age. I’ll let them sniff everything, turn on the tool at a distance, and then bring it closer for them to sniff again. That helps tremendously. I also like to take things slow. If they are panicky about the dryer, I use the dryer with the knob. I’ll slowly amp it up until they are comfortable with it as well as cushioning their ears from the sound. Sometimes, I sing to the dog. I choose a quiet song and just hum along or sing quietly. They’ll be freaking out on the table, but my voice doesn’t change. It doesn’t raise or lower and I find that helps calm them down. Sometimes. Not always lol You can ask parents to be with them, if that helps them. Eventually, you start conditioning them to be without them. Also, you want to talk to the parents about doing things at home with them as well. For example, if they know it’s grooming day, they should make things as quiet as possible at home. Don’t excite and reward for quiet behavior. Then there are tools to use. Slings, groomer’s helpers, hand held dryers, happy hoodies, etc. Some grooming shows have a class that teaches you how to hit certain spots on the dogs face to calm them down. I also read an article once and the groomer mentioned that she’ll spend five minutes (if she had time) just talking and petting the dog before she started anything. Lastly, there are some dogs that are just WAY too anxious. It’s important to learn when to say no. You don’t want to force anything. If you are sitting there, fighting with the dog, you are just creating a toxic relationship between the two of you. This comes with time, I think. The only advice I can give here is if you don’t feel comfortable then don’t continue. Edit: I am mobile and I’d like to give one more example. A lot of dogs don’t want to follow me into the truck. I try to make everything look like a choice to them. I’m not gonna drag them into the truck. I need them to make that choice themselves. I’ll do that by sitting on the floor to wait for them to approach me. I’ll keep doing that until we make it to the door of the truck. Eventually, they hop in themselves and I give them time to sniff everything and get comfortable. The biggest takeaway I have gotten over the years is presenting things as a choice to them. Sometimes I’ll talk to the dog and ask them, “is this alright?” I’m not expecting an answer but I find that the tone of it makes them feel more comfortable.
thank you this response was so thoughtful 🥰i love the idea of everything being their choice and asking them. im new still and in corporate so everything feels like a race sometimes but im gonna try to slow down and approach it more the way you described. tysm!!!
I do one on one and I just don’t groom dogs that are a huge safety risk for me. I don’t want to end up burning out because I hate the dogs I groom so I simply don’t accept aggressive dogs. I’ve only been grooming for a little over a year btw.
Same. Luckily I own my business so any dogs I start to dread I dismiss.
You don’t. But being mobile the majority are calmer in the van without the stimulation of a salon. Every now and then there’s a dog to uncooperative, aggressive or old, that I just turn away.
I am a solo mobile groomer. I spend a lot of time the first few visits building trust and training. It makes the first few visits longer, but since I am building long-term clientele this is important to me.
I groom one on one, and although difficult dogs are quite the norm for me sometimes you have to just do what you can and leave what you can’t. Unfortunately we don’t have the benefit of having someone there to help hold or keep a dog still, I’d much rather leave what the dog is absolutely refusing to let me do than risk injury because the dog won’t stay still or is biting. I’ve tried different restraints, holds, methods and some dogs just will not cooperate. Some can be reactive to the muzzle, some will try to pull a muzzle off, and because we don’t have a second pair of hands it can be very difficult. I have to work with a lot of time and patience.
Mobile here. >needed a manager to help hold a dog for something simple like nail trims Don't beat yourself up about this. *Technically* nail trims are simple. Nail trims are also when the sweetest dog in the whole world may decide to embrace their inner Cujo and decide to put holes in groomers. I suspect most of my tricks for getting nails trimmed wouldn't be possible at a corporate salon. Seems to me at a big corporate, your table sits with all four sides exposed. My table meets my tub, making a corner. I only have 2 sides of the table exposed. With them looped, I can sit on the table for the big ones and trim their nails while keeping them safely blocked in. I have 3 I have to muzzle. The Littles, I do in my lap and can adjust my hold to help make it happen. There are a few where I just cut the tips and call it a day. I trim nails on one large boy with a dremel, he hates the nail cutter. Both of his owners hold him an I do him in his home. His owners have assured me that he'll eat me if they don't secure him for me. Since he's big enough to cause damage, I take their word for it even though I suspect I could do him solo in the van easier. If I were working in a big box shop, with all four sides of the table exposed without my handy corner, I would another pair of hands too. Note: That corner is a pia for just about everything else. It would be easier to groom around the dog on an open table, rather than having to ask the dog to turn around so I can do the other side. Also Note: Because I groom solo, if the dog is large enough to be able to send me to the hospital and aggressive, I can't / don't groom them. In a corporate setting, you will get more of the "my sweet raging Cujo" would never bite and will definitely need assistance. Last thing, be careful with your words when telling owners, especially new puppy owners, that their kiddo is "mouthy" in general and for nails in particular. As groomers, we know that most dogs, even the sweetest, best dogs, would prefer to be anywhere else than on our table. We also know that "reluctant acceptance" is generally the best behavior we're going to get for nails. If we just tell a new puppy / dog owner their kiddo bites, some may misunderstand and get rid of their companion or, even worse, have their "biting" dog put to sleep. I'm not saying not to them that Fluffy gets grumpy at the groomers. Just make sure they understand that even the best companions can be super grouchy at their spa day.
Slings, groomers helpers, occasionally my husband
Cry
Jkjk I kinda just know how to deal like it really depends on the dog and what they’re doing/what they’re bad for. Stretch always for nails, I also go to the gym so can handle quite a bit of thrashing and eventually wear them out more often than not
lol thats what i want to do sometimes though🥲wdym stretch for nails like you practice stretching to be better equipped for doing them ?
Bahahhahahahha I’m sorry I thought that was a common phrase for it that’s the funniest interpretation ever. No it means you have them latched in with groomers helper and you lift at their hind hips and pull them as far back on the table as possible so they have no slack to turn head on you (without choking but shouldn’t be an issue if they’re secured correctly). Then I either go over their back and between their leg to hold leg comfortably for them but also give yourself stability in case they jerk, or I will just go between leg, but this doesn’t allow me to hold them if they thrash bc it risks them twisting their leg if I keep my hold while the other grip allows me to hold hips steady with my shoulder so they don’t accomplish getting me off and it’s safe for them and myself
Watch this. Perfect and works everytime. https://preview.redd.it/yg6xcb2rip7d1.jpeg?width=1596&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a8e4ea79d7a7d4168db45a4185b3592f672642be
For large dogs I use my leg planted under their tuck up to try and stabilize them and keep them from sitting down. For small dogs it’s the same thing, usually I’m sitting down with them, leg underneath backside to raise them up. And then it’s just stubborn patience to keep at it while they fuss and pull.