s one of the few businesses in my area specializing in grooming and training dogs with behavioral challenges, I encounter fascinating and complex cases. I’m often contacted to evaluate dogs that attempt to bite the groomer or dogs with an aversion to touch—both at the grooming salon and sometimes even at home.
One of the most concerning scenarios involves dogs that start biting seemingly out of nowhere. This behavior can happen with dogs of any age. A dog may have visited the same groomer for months or even years without issue, then suddenly tries to bite. Understandably, owners are confused and upset when this happens. How could it happen, and what can they do?
During a behavioral grooming session, I focus completely on the dog’s behavior. I often collect data, such as how many stress signals the dog displays throughout the session. This information helps me measure the dog’s progress and understand their communication skills. Every dog I’ve worked with communicates before attempting to bite, even if the communication is very subtle. While it might seem like a dog has attempted to bite without warning, there is almost always a pattern to discover.
I often collect data, such as how many stress signals the dog displays throughout the session. This information helps me measure the dog’s progress and understand their communication skills. Every dog I’ve worked with communicates before attempting to bite, even if the communication is very subtle.
Canine communication is a complex language. Dogs communicate through tail movements, vocalizations, their eyes, head positions, ear positions, and body tension or relaxation. Understanding these cues strengthens trust and reduces stress during grooming, creating a better experience for both dog and groomer.
Dogs also exhibit different behaviors depending on their environment, so reading their body language in context is essential. When a dog is restrained, such as in a tub or on a grooming table, stress signals may change. If these cues are ignored and the grooming continues, the dog may alter its communication. Some dogs will try to escape or avoid the stressful part of the process by lifting their paws, climbing up the grooming arm or pulling away. Others will remain still but carry noticeable tension in their bodies, which you can feel when picking up a paw or placing your hands on them.
How a dog responds to stress—and what they do when they’re unable to escape from the stress—depends on several factors, including upbringing, genetics and past grooming experiences. Stressed dogs that remain silently still often pose the greatest risk of a sudden bite.
When a dog’s communication is ignored, they may stop offering clear signals. The warnings become more subtle and harder to detect, even for attentive groomers. Eventually, the dog may bypass obvious warnings altogether and go straight to biting. So what can groomers do to prevent dogs from reaching the level of reduced warnings?
Another helpful technique is to establish a predictable grooming pattern. For example, if a dog resists handling on one paw, touch the shoulder before reaching for that paw each time. This creates a consistent cue, giving you an opportunity to gauge the dog’s response.
If the dog shows stress, pause for a moment. Allow the dog to reset with a shake-off or to loosen their body language. Sometimes praise or briefly unclipping and re-clipping the dog from the restraint can help. Try again, and you’ll often find the dog is more relaxed after acknowledging the warning.
Taking your hands off briefly when a dog shows stress can also make a significant difference. Even a split second helps the dog realize that their body language can influence the outcome, which may reduce stress. The goal is to prevent a dog with mild aversion to grooming from developing serious behavioral problems over time.
Knowing when to refer a client to a trainer specializing in behavioral grooming and cooperative care is also crucial. Helping a dog overcome mild grooming anxiety is part of a groomer’s role, but extensive training during a grooming visit is both time-consuming and potentially dangerous.
Observation goes a long way in the grooming salon. Understanding body language is invaluable for anyone working with animals, as it helps prevent dogs from developing behavioral problems and helps to keep their handlers safe.