When Should You Allow Groomers To Sedate Your Dog?
In extreme cases, some amount of sedation may be required. However, any or all medication given to pets by groomers must first be authorized by a vet. Sometimes, some dogs tend to get aggressive at the mere sight of scissors, clippers, and nail trimmers. They might struggle to get away, jump around, and bark like there was no tomorrow. When dogs get aggressive to this level, no number of calming methods may work on them. Before a groomer even thinks of sedating your dog, it is imperative that they first try all the usual calming methods. And then, if all of the above methods seem to be failing, it may be time to try some medication.
Some dogs tend to get jittery and nervous at the thought of a bath or any other form of grooming from a stranger. Professional groomers should recognize the signs and make your dog feel comfortable and safe with them. If nothing works, a small dose of any sedative is okay to calm your dog under the supervision of a vet. This allows the groomers to finish giving it a haircut, get its nails trimmed and its ears cleaned, and whatever other grooming it may require before the sedative wears out.
Your dog may have some illness or infection that is making it act a certain way. Undetected diseases can also make your dog act differently. Your priority should be to get them properly checked by a vet and get their medications and treatment in order. Only after approval from the vet should you allow the groomer to sedate your dog for a grooming session.
How Do Groomers Keep Dogs Calm?
There are several ways professional groomers groom your dog. They start with a gentle approach, provide your companion with a calm environment, using restraints if they have to, and offer dog treats. We’ll explain each approach down below.
Nobody likes a bully; we often tend to lean towards people who are nice to us. Dogs also do the same. If the groomer is gentle and treats your dog with affection and concern, then your dog too will warm up towards them. Once it’s comfortable with the groomer, it won’t be creating much of a fuss. A happy dog is much easier for groomers to deal with. Once your dog becomes familiarized with the groomer and realizes that they mean no harm, your companion will stop bashing around and sit calmly for its haircut or bath.
Dogs can sense the environment around them, more so than us humans. If the groomers have friendly and serene surroundings, your dog is bound to feel peaceful there. Add a few toys and some lavender-scented shampoo, and your dog will feel like he is in paradise. Some groomers also keep a paper towel with essential oils on it near the dog’s nose, as they tend to have a calming effect on them. The surface on which the dog sits during grooming is also an essential factor. Dogs tend to get excited on slippery services and find it difficult to remain still. Groomers often tend to use non-slippery surfaces for this purpose.
Groomers occasionally use a few physical restraints to keep your dog calm if he has been acting a bit too hyper. It is common for dogs to get nervous and jump and prance around when they see scissors or nail clippers. Nooses, muzzles, and harnesses are commonly used in such cases. A noose is typically placed around the dog’s neck to keep it still and stop it from hopping off the table. Harnesses serve the same purpose. If the dog has become too nervous and agitated, then muzzles help to avoid any biting. Using restraints is not compulsory for dog groomers, but they certainly make the work a lot easier. In some cases, however, the restraints could freak your dog out more.
Groomers tend to entice dogs with delicious treats in exchange for them to sit quietly. Offer a biscuit or something, and a lot of work can get done while he chews on it. The same trick can work with its chew toys as well. The concept here is that the idea of a treat would distract the dog from its fear of scissors or its brazen excitement and may calm it down long enough for the groomers to finish their work. There are a variety of such neat tricks that groomers regularly use to get dogs to calm down. If a groomer tells you that they have to sedate your dog without a vet’s approval, it’s best to relocate. There are, however, some extreme cases when sedation becomes necessary, only after a vet’s authorization.
What is a natural sedative for dogs?
Natural sedatives for dogs, like Rescue Remedy, are usually made from herb and flower extracts such a chamomile and lavender. Pheromones and calming products are also natural ways to soothe an anxious dog.
Dogs Tested to See Whether They’d Defend Owner During Home Invasion
Most people fall into two categories when it comes time to sedate a dog for grooming. Some think it’s no big deal and that we should sedate animals anytime we need to do something that makes them uncomfortable. The other people are deathly afraid of drugging a dog to get them through a scary situation.
There is a happy medium somewhere between these two extremes. Sedation and tranquilization are tools we can use to prevent our dogs from suffering extreme fear when they don’t understand that we’re trying to help them. But it shouldn’t be the easy answer to accomplishing everyday maintenance routines like grooming.
There are risks involved anytime you give a drug to an animal. Thank goodness modern drugs are much safer than drugs used even 20 to 30 years ago. Safe as modern drugs can be when used correctly, we should not be cavalier about giving them to dogs.
It’s OK to sedate a dog for grooming if it prevents them from suffering extreme anxiety and fear. Sedation can keep the dog and the person trying to groom him safe from injury. But it could be unethical to use sedation for restraint without also using other techniques to help a frightened animal adapt to the situation.
Not all dogs hate to be groomed. Some dogs look at it as a fun way to get attention. Others get very upset and confused about bathing, brushing and nail clipping.
Even if you’re grooming your dog at home, it’s possible that your dog won’t understand what you’re trying to do and become frightened.
Depending on your dog’s coat, grooming could also be painful. Long-haired dogs with tangled, matted fur are already in pain from the mats pulling on their skin. Then it’s even more painful when a person starts pulling on the fur with a brush.
A dog’s feet are quite sensitive and even gentle handling can be uncomfortable. Your dog may have experienced painful and frightening nail trimming sometime during his life.
Your dog may associate any kind of pet grooming with having his nails trimmed and get upset before you ever get to his nails.