Difficult dogs and how to groom them

As a groomer you are always going to come across difficult dogs to groom, these dogs may not be groomed regularly enough so they get used to it, they may have had a bad experience at a groomers before, they may be in pain/ sick or quite simply they just don't like being groomed. 

These types of dogs require a lot of patience and time to groom them in the safest way possible both for the dog and the groomer. 

A dog that is difficult to groom requires a lot more visits to a groomer then a easy dog to groom. A majority of the time the difficult to groom dogs are the dogs that see a groomer 3-4 times a year and are always a matted mess. Removal of matts hurts, there is always a risk of the dog being accidentally cut as well. Of course your dog is not going to enjoy getting groomed if every time it has been to a groomer he has had to have half a years worth of matted fur removed from him. I try to take my time and be careful but when your trying to wrestle with a dog that just doesn't want to be groomed and your using sharp objects you would expect an accident to happen. I always request that these type of dogs come in as often as weekly or fortnightly for a bath and brush just to get them used to being groomed again, so they associate the grooming experience with pampering and care and not just pain! 

Some dogs may of had a bad experience at a groomer and certain breeds (like terriers!) never forget! It could be something as simple as cutting a nail too short and in turn, the dog will freak out at the sight of nail clippers! This takes a lot of time and practice to get that dog out of that mind frame and is usually a 2 person job. 

If the dog is not matted and its previously been a good dog to be groomed, your dog might just be having a bad day. No one wants to go out and do stuff when they are feeling sick or in pain and dogs are much the same. Always keep an eye on your dog on the days leading up to your grooming appointment. If your dog looks as though it's not feeling well or is in pain then best to reschedule for another day so you don't put your dog through the stress.

Finally; you do get dogs that no matter what you do they just hate being groomed. These dogs are the worst and in most cases they will need sedating. I always like to give the benefit of the doubt and prefer to try grooming un sedated and most of the time I have succeeded where other groomers have failed, but I will not put myself or the dog in harms way. A bite even from a little dog is enough to damage a nerve and tendon- if I can't use my hands, then I can't work. A $45 groom is not worth it! 

Thank fully since being in Gracemere a majority of the dogs have been very nice and in good condition. I do have a couple of temperamental dogs, but if I go slow I can usually work with them and get a nice groom done.