Does your dog get anxious before, after, and during grooming appointments? Do you get reports from your groomer that their behavior is bad or hostile? or even statements like “It was the dog’s fault!” Initially, you may feel disappointed in your dog’s behavior.
But, instead, try thinking about it from their perspective. Their owner took them to a strange place with lots of weird smells and other uncomfortable dogs. They were handled and shaved by a stranger (most probably who was not trained nor qualified to handle a pup let along play with those sharp and fast moving objects like dog clippers and scissors ), likely had to sit in an unfamiliar crate.
No wonder going to the groomer is an upsetting experience! To avoid putting your dog through that whole ordeal, you can simply groom them at home. It will be much better for your dog, and much cheaper for you.
5 Best Silent Dog Clippers for Grooming Anxious Dogs [That won’t terrify my dog]
1. Oster Pro 3000i Cordless Clipper
2. Wahl Motion Lithium Ion Clippers
3. Andis UltraEdge Super 2 Speed
4. Oster A5 2-Speed
5. Andis ProClip AGC2
What is THE best Quiet Dog Clipper for my dog?
After much deliberation and research, I chose the Wahl Motion Lithium Ion Clippers due to their cordless and corded capabilities, and the most strokes per minute of the clippers in my price range. The unique scissor grip helps me keep good control of the clippers without making my hand sore. Even though my dog is afraid of the blow dryer and the vacuum, she hardly even notices these clippers! Overall, it’s been a wonderful investment, costing me less than a few months of grooming visits for my dog. First, I started out getting her used to the sound of the clippers running while she was enjoying a bone. Then, I moved on to quickly trimming her legs. Later, I progressed to giving her a partial trim, then a full trim. In less than a year, I’ve saved so much money on visits to the groomer. My friends were very surprised that I’d attempted to groom my wiggly dog at home, but once they saw my handiwork, they all agreed that the results look great! A few friends have already asked me to trim their dogs, but I told them they could borrow my clippers instead since I don’t feel I’m comfortable enough to groom their dogs.
Why do dogs get anxious when grooming?
They feel that the groomer is anxious
They see sharp and scary objects
Flashing scissors, loud clippers, and grooming tables are confusing and potentially dangerous to your dog, which raises their anxiety. In addition, they are likely to be other unfamiliar dogs at the grooming facility who are not in the best mood and may be another source of stress for your dog.
They hear unfamiliar noises
The groomer’s is a loud place! There are clippers, blow dryers, and cries of uncomfortable dogs being handled by a stranger. Dogs have a great sense of hearing, and these strange noises are upsetting to them!
There are new smells
Why is it bad when dogs get anxious while grooming?
There have been more and more stories in the media about the harmful experiences dogs have had at the groomers. And after taking over the grooming process and trimming my dog at home, I believe that it’s important for dogs to feel safe and secure while being groomed. Beyond simply being uncomfortable for them, distress can cause many other more permanent problems. Injuries such as cuts and scrapes are a common occurrence at grooming facilities. More rarely, there have even been reports of dogs dying at the groomer’s due to jumping off a grooming table or experiencing breathing issues.
How to control anxiety and keep a dog calm while grooming
There are many over the counter and prescription medications that owners can utilize to help their dog deal with anxiety, such as chewable tablets, food additives, and pills. However, it seems that these medications can have negative side effects like digestive upset and irregular heart rate. Vets agree that it is best to avoid medicating dogs unless absolutely necessary.
Electric dog hair clippers VS manual dog hair clippers
Besides quiet electric clippers, there are also manual dog clippers. Instead of a motor and guard, manual clippers are more similar to grooming scissors with a guide comb attached. For dogs who are sensitive to noises and afraid of whirring electric clippers, manual clippers seem like the way to go. However, the process of fully grooming a dog with manual clippers is extremely slow and labor intensive. Electric clippers are actually more user-friendly and quiet than the home dog clippers of years past. Because of the guide blades, there is no risk of accidental cuts when using electric clippers. When utilizing manual clippers, there is a big risk of accidental cuts that may occur if your dog moves while being trimmed.
Why we do not recommend manual clippers such as Scaredy Cut Silent?
Unless you have a small or toy breed dog, trimming your furry friend with manual clippers will take an extremely long time. Using the comb guard, you’ll trim one lock of fur at a time, going back over your work in sections to smooth it out afterward. Good luck with getting your dog to sit still for that long! Because of the long process, dogs are likely to squirm around which causes the risk of accidental cuts. In contrast, electric clippers work in smooth motions, relying on the guard to provide safety and ensure hair is trimmed to the correct length. The quiet motors are less alarming than those used at the groomers. The lower noise of a home environment compared with an unfamiliar, busy, and loud grooming facility is a huge benefit that will improve any dog’s anxiety around grooming. In addition, your dog will feel more comfortable being handled and trimmed by an owner they trust.