When it comes to keeping dogs looking and feeling their best, grooming is only part of the equation. A well-behaved, confident dog makes grooming sessions smoother and more enjoyable for everyone involved. That’s why we sat down with local renowned dog trainer, Linda Cause from Cause and Effect Dog Training, to explore the vital connection between training and grooming.

With years of experience helping dogs and their owners build strong, trusting relationships, Linda brings a practical perspective to the grooming process. In this exclusive interview, she shares her expert tips, insights, and advice on how training can help dogs feel calm, cooperative, and stress-free during grooming sessions.

From teaching basic commands to helping dogs overcome grooming-related fears, Linda’s thoughtful approach is sure to provide valuable guidance for both pet owners and groomers. Whether you’re experienced with dogs or new to their care, Linda’s expertise can help make grooming a positive experience for all.

 

Thanks  for speaking with us today Linda. Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got involved in dog training?   

Growing up, my family had a small Aussie terrier but I always wanted my own dog.   When I was about 18, I saw my first rottweiler and fell in love with the breed.  This was followed by me purchasing 2 Rotties and enrolling in the local obedience club where I trained, trialled and became one of their main instructors.  Over the years, apart from a few years without a dog while I was concentrating on my young family,  I welcomed a curly-coated Retriever, Golden Retriever, Wolfhound/Boxer,  Labradoodle, Groodle, a Boxer/Belgium Malinois, Boxer/ Staffie and of course a Rottie.   As you can imagine, all these dogs needed to be trained to be good canine family members.  We also worked as rural contractors for quite a few years, so I also trained dogs and did canine massage out on cattle stations and in small towns.   In 2015 I decided to consolidate my experience and obtain a Cert III in Dog Training and Behaviour with the National Dog Trainers Federation of Australia.

 

As a renowned Dog Trainer, what are some common behavioural issues you see in dogs during grooming sessions, and how can owners work to resolve them? 

Mostly the issues stem from not having been exposed to the handling and tools used in grooming.  This is why finding a groomer who will take the time to build up the dog’s confidence during the entire time and not rush them through is so important.    Exposing and training a puppy as early as possible to handling (including nails, teeth and ears) grooming and bathing is ideal, however with older dogs, owners should work with them at home between grooms by daily brushing/combing, weekly baths even just using plain water and regularly touching nails, looking at teeth etc.  If the dog is more nervous about grooming tools, you can use hairdryers and electric toothbrushes turned on at a distance where the dog notices them but not overly concerned and use food rewards while they are on.  This desensitization process takes some time but the object is to be able to gradually move the tools closer and closer until you can put the blow dryer on the dog and rest the toothbrush on his back (the vibration of the toothbrush is similar to clippers).  There are also procedures to get a dog used to nail cutting as well. 

 

How can dog owners help their pets feel more comfortable and relaxed before a grooming appointment?

Teaching your dog that brushing/combing/touching all over and desensitizing to noises like hair dryers and electric toothbrushes all help a lot.  It would also be ideal to be able to take their dog into the salon for a few quick visits – come in, let him check it out, (meet the groomer is there is time) give some high value food rewards and then leave so that the salon because a familiar environment.

 

What training techniques do you recommend to teach dogs to enjoy grooming, such as nail trims or brushing?   

The use of positive reinforcement through food rewards enables us to desensitize and counter-condition the dog to the grooming procedures.   We use different techniques depending on what the dog is able to handle.  For some dogs, it starts with a short brushing session where you might only brush a small area, coupled with food rewards after each brush stroke. In extreme cases, it might start by rewarding the dog for just looking at the brush or just touching the dog with the brush and rewarding.  With regards to nails, you might need to get the dog used to his nails being touched to start with and reward with food.  For some dogs, the click and small vibration of the nail clippers can be more aversive, so if you can pick up his foot and touch the nails without issue, the next step could be to put a match or toothpick between the toes and clip that instead of the nail.  This method gets the dog used to the noise and vibration without any possibility of cutting the nail too short.  Once a dog is relaxed with nail clipping, you can teach him to give you his paw.  Relaxed with brushing, you can teach him to stand still.

 

Why do some dogs react negatively to certain grooming tools or procedures, and how can owners help them feel better about their experience? 

This is usually the fear of the unknown.  It can be helped as mentioned previously by early training around these tools when puppies or desensitization in older dogs.  There is also a component of trust involved.  Your dog learning to trust you and having a strong relationship with him, helps not only in the grooming area but all areas of living with your dog.

 

How does a dog’s breed, age, or past experiences influence their behaviour during grooming?  

Negative past experiences – or NO experiences at all can hugely influence the behaviour during grooming.   No experience can, for some dogs, be just as traumatic as having had a negative experience.  Again, the fear of the unknown with an unknown person, and unknown tools in an unknown environment.  The more negative experiences the dog has, the more difficult it is to address the issues.  Genetics play a role as well.  Some dogs are genetically less able to handle stress.  This is something that can be improved upon but will always be an underlying factor.   Interestingly though it is also the way the dog lives with his family that often plays a role in stress levels.   Generally speaking, the younger the dog, the more you can influence his reactions to any situation, including grooming.  Older dogs may take a little longer to improve.     

 

What are some signs of stress or fear that owners should look for during a grooming session? 

Early signs of stress can be yawning and/or scratching when they haven’t got a reason.  Others include not taking food rewards that he normally would, ears flipped back, tail tucked, big wide eyes, not being able to listen or settle, straining on the lead to either not go in or to get out of the salon, for some dogs vocalizing and of course extreme stress in growling, biting etc. 

 

What should an owner do if their dog has had a bad experience at a previous groomer and is now fearful of grooming?  

Go back to basics as above.  You have to build trust again both in yourself and the tools you want to use.

 

Do you have any tips for introducing a dog to a professional groomer for the first time?

Take the dog into the salon and meet your groomer, let him look and sniff around getting a feel for the place.  Use food rewards as part of this introduction and then leave without anything being done.   Note:  not taking food where he normally would is an early indication of stress and in this case, as long as he isn’t too overwhelmed, you would stay in the salon until he does take food or looks more relaxed.

 

What advice do you have for owners of senior dogs or dogs with medical conditions who might find grooming sessions challenging? 

Sometimes, less is more.  For many senior dogs who are going through hearing and/or sight loss, dementia etc, going to a groomer can become very stressful, even if they have done it all their lives.   Comfort is more important than looking pretty and for these types of dogs, just sticking to the bare minimum of grooming/hygiene requirements may be the best option.  Owners learning to do a basic groom is also a good option for these types of dogs if they find new situations and environments challenging.

 

How can dog trainers and groomers work together to address behavioural challenges during grooming?    

Collaboration and working on strategies for each individual dog is key.   Each dog has different challenges and a trainer can help to identify where and what strategies are best for that particular dog and times when backtracking may be a better approach and when to push the dog a little more so that he learns it’s actually ok.   

 

Thanks  for your time today Linda and for those fantastic insights! If you’d like to speak with Linda about dog training for your dog, please click here