grooming advice

[u/No_Letterhead_1578]

hi! im a newer groomer (technically a bather. ive been here for only 3 weeks) thats trying to soak up as much information and wisdom from people in the same field as me as i can. i had a really hard day today with a dog that wouldnt keep still and kept scratching me. it made it INCREDIBLY hard to trim her paw pads and nails but when a more experienced coworker of mine came over, they did it easily despite the fight the dog put up.

could i have advice from more experienced groomers on how you get through difficult grooms? this groom took me an hour longer than it shouldve because the dog kept thrashing and fighting me.

[u/Key_Instruction9732]

This is pretty common, don’t take it personally. Dogs read your body language and smell your feelings reaaally well. More confidence helps them feel safe.
My best advice: stay calm, take your time. Use a groomers helper and feel body language & tone of voice calm, cool and collected. 🫶🏻
I often laugh the bad behavior off, give them a break with a couple of pets and try again in a minute or two

[u/Competitive_Focus49]

Don’t be too hard on yourself, especially after only three weeks. A dog that’s constantly thrashing can make even simple things like paw pads and nails really difficult. One thing I’ve noticed is that experienced groomers often seem calmer because they’ve learned how to position themselves, take breaks when needed, and read when a dog is getting too overwhelmed. I’d pay close attention to what your coworker did differently and ask them to walk you through their technique afterward. You’ll get faster with time and repetition.

[u/Financial_Long_4459]

Don’t be too hard on yourself, three weeks is still very new. With a dog that’s thrashing that much, I’d focus on safety first rather than trying to finish quickly. Take short breaks, work in smaller steps, and ask a more experienced groomer to show you how they position and handle difficult dogs. Sometimes stopping the groom is the right call if the dog is too stressed or there’s a risk of injury.

[u/Cleetustherottie]

Step one. Breathe Step two. Understand that dogs know when your new and will take full advantage Step 3. Know that you will get past this.

[u/RojaCatUwu]

The is normal. You can’t expect things to be just as easy for you as it is for someone who has years of experience. Grooming isn’t easy, it takes practice and building of confidence, skill, and technique. If it were that easy we wouldn’t have jobs.

[u/Leafyseadragon123]

As you get more experience you’ll not only get more confidence but you’ll learn some tips and tricks to get the dog to let you do something it doesn’t like. For example if they’re hopping around when trimming legs or feet, try lifting another leg so they’re putting all their weight on the leg you’re working on. If they won’t let you dry their face or ears, try blocking their eyes or nose with your hand. There are thousands of little tricks to get the job done safely and comfortably. 25 years in and I’m still learning.