The Dog Trainer Near Me

Did your dog bite the groomer? Do you have to visit the vet for every routine nail trim? Dread letting your puppy play in the dirt because he won’t let you give him a bath after?

Although we’ve worked with many different groomers, none of us here at The Dog Trainer Near Me are professional groomers. What we do offer as either an add-on or main focus is helping dogs learn how to be groomed, or reducing fear around bathing or nail trims.

Even humans don’t always want to do bath time, so it’s no surprise that some good dogs don’t like having their fur brushed or rinsing off after a roll in the mud!

However, sometimes we have to do things we don’t like in order to stay safe and healthy. When a dog is showing aggression, reactivity, or even biting during routine grooming or bathing, then it’s time to seek help.

At The Dog Trainer Near Me, we first look for what your dog is trying to communicate with their reaction. Are they afraid of a particular tool, do they dislike a certain sensation, or maybe they just think that baths are not serious and want to play in the tub?

For some dogs there might be a simple solution – giving them a job to do, building their confidence around water, helping to build trust, or adjusting the way the water is held. Other dogs, especially those who have been upset enough to bite, need more patience.

First we spend time building a relationship with your dog, both through the private lessons, and through play on the first days of training. Once we have a relationship of mutual trust, then we are able to slowly introduce your dog to the tools and settings needed. For many dogs, on the first day the trimmer won’t even be on, and the brush might not even go through their fur. Slow, gradual exposure repeated over time can help a dog see that the comb isn’t trying to bite them. This takes a lot of time and commitment to properly introduce the stressors in a positive or neutral way.

If you are thinking “wow, I don’t have the time or ability to do that” don’t worry – that’s why people turn to us. As full-time dog trainers, Jacob and Madeline are able to spend the time needed slowly working on building that trust and helping your dog understand that grooming, nail trims, or even baths don’t need to be scary.

Due to the slow but steady nature of this training, it is best done during a board and train, or while boarding. For some dogs with mild reactions, working on one of these skills would be a simple two or three day addition to a regular board and train. For others this might be a main goal or focus of your dog’s training.

Does this sound like your dog? Contact us today to discuss what options would work best for you.