It’s something that has to be done, but you dread taking them because your dog barks at the groomer every single time they go! Why is your dog barking at the groomer? Is there something you can do about it? How can you calm your dog at the groomer? What can you give your dog to calm him down for grooming?

Today, we’re going to answer every question you have about this frustrating issue. And of course, we’ll give you the info you’re most interested in: how to stop your dog from barking at the groomer. Soon, this problem will be behind you for good. Keep reading below for our article “Dog Barking at Groomer? Here’s How to Stop It!”

How to Stop Dog Barking at Groomer

To stop your dog barking at the groomer, they need to learn to become quiet on command. To make this happen, take your dog somewhere you know they’ll want to bark like the park, with plenty of dog treats. Don’t take them off their leash and stay far away from the other people at the park.

As soon as your dog barks, say “quiet” in a calm, positive voice. If they focus on you, then reward them right away with praise and a treat. But if they start barking again or never quit at all, then you should place a treat inside of your fist.

Put your hand right next to your dog’s nose. Your dog will still be able to smell the treat even within your hand and will quit their barking to investigate it. Once they’ve become quiet and are also paying attention to you, again give the “quiet” command and then open your hand to reward them with a treat and praise.

If your dog continues staying quiet, keep rewarding them with a treat and praise. But if they resume barking again, regardless of whether it’s at someone at the park or at you, repeat the steps of hiding a treat in your first, placing it right by their nose, and then pausing until they’ve quieted.

Be sure that you’re waiting until your dog has gotten silent before you give them any rewards. This helps create a positive connection in your dog’s mind with paying attention and staying silent whenever you say “quiet.” Reward them immediately with treats and praise when your dog is doing what they should.

With time, practice, and consistency, your dog will get quiet solely by being given the command, and it will no longer be necessary to place your hand next to their mouth. You should then begin increasing the duration of time before you give them any rewards. Start with just 1 to 2 seconds, then increase that to 5 seconds, and so on.

It won’t be long before the praise and food rewards won’t be necessary and you can get your dog to quit barking at the groomer or at anyone else, and all anyone will have to do is give the “quiet” command.

Still, to make real, long-lasting progress you need to ultimately address the problem at its root. Right now, your dog is basically doing whatever they want, losing control of their emotions, and most importantly: not listening to anyone’s commands to stop an unwanted behavior (being aggressive and barking at the groomer).

To properly cover that, we must first talk about what makes dogs function and has for thousands and thousands of years now. You’ve likely heard before that all dogs are pack animals, and that in every pack there is a pack leader.

But every time that your dog barks at the groomer, they are clearly telling you that they have no respect for you as the head of the family pack.

If they did, they wouldn’t bark at the groomer because they would trust that you would only leave them with someone they don’t need to worry about. They wouldn’t engage in any other types of anxiety-related misbehavior. And they would obey your commands at all times — happily — and they would do so right away.

Show your dog that you are not just their pack leader, but a capable, deserving one who must be respected, and you’ll make all of these wonderful things your reality.

Obviously, you’ll be better off. But your dog will be too because you’ll have freed them from all of the worry and confusion that their anxiety issues are currently placing on them every single second of every single day.

Sounds like a terrific thing, don’t you think?

“Yes, sure, but how do I actually do this then?”

You should watch an incredibly useful free video series by a renowned trainer named Dan which is on this very subject: how to be your dog’s pack leader. In Dan’s series, he explains everything in ways that are very easy to follow and teach to your own dog, and he gets right to the point so that you can start seeing these important changes in your dog before things escalate any further.

Start watching Dan’s free training series now by clicking here. And don’t worry, because no, you’re not going to have to be mean or yell at your dog. Dan uses only 100% humane and loving teaching techniques at all times. Not just because they’re the right thing to do, but also because they’re the fastest way to achieve permanent changes in your dog’s behavior.

Why Is My Dog Barking at the Groomer?

Your dog is barking at the groomer because they’re experiencing anxiety. They get very stressed out by the whole process, and if you’re not around while they’re being groomed it can be even worse. They then lash out at the only obvious source for their anxiety, the groomer, by barking at them.

While this is not a particularly unusual reaction to being there, if your dog barks at the groomer and ignores commands to stop (especially if you’re the one giving them), then you have a clear problem of disobedience on your hands.

If allowed to continue, your dog’s problem will only get worse. Your dog must obey your commands or the commands of the person who you’ve left them with, and if they do not you must address things right away or they will feel that they’ve received approval for their behavior.

Things will grow and escalate to the point that they’ll be barking at all sorts of times with all sorts of people. You’ll find your dog barks at the vet, barks at the dog walker, or barks at the babysitter. You obviously can’t be around your dog 24/7, so it’s important that they learn to respect not just you, but also the other people that you leave them with.

To learn how to stop your dog from barking at the groomer while also getting them to respect the authority of both you and the people you trust them with, go back to the first section now where we’ll give you the exact steps you need to be following.

How Can I Calm My Dog at the Groomer?

To calm your dog at the groomer:

1. Research your groomer beforehand to ensure they have good reviews.
2. Keep yourself calm and relaxed before you’ll be bringing them.
3. Treat it like any other day. Don’t make a big production about the fact that they’re going to get groomed.
4. Arrive a little early so your dog has some time to settle and sniff things out.
5. Stick around the first few times your dog is being groomed by someone new to keep them comfortable.
6. Bring small treats to give your dog to reward them with when they’re staying calm.
7. Give them lots of positive praise and pets after they’re done. This will form a positive connection in their mind with the entire process.
8. Take them somewhere fun, like the dog park, immediately after being groomed. This sets you up for a smooth next grooming appointment.

What Can I Give My Dog to Calm Him Down for Grooming?

You can give your dog small treats to calm him down for grooming. Relax them by speaking quietly and positively while also giving them pets. Avoid anti-anxiety medications, as these can have negative side effects such as making your dog want to avoid physical contact with anyone, including their owner.

I’m sure you’re sick of hearing that your dog misbehaved while being groomed, so I’ll let you get started on things now. Best of luck, and thank you for reading our article “Dog Barking at Groomer? Here’s How to Stop It!.”