Why some dogs dread it
A groom is a lot at once: new smells, water, dryers, clippers, and a table. A dog that had one rough visit remembers it. The fix is not to rush, it is to slow down.
The cage-free difference
Our 500 square foot playroom has outdoor access, so a nervous dog waits loose instead of crated between steps. That alone takes the edge off before the bath even starts.
What you can do
Bring your dog a little hungry so treats work, and skip the big goodbye at drop-off. Tell us what sets it off. A groomer who has worked coats since 1998 has seen the nervous ones, and they get through it.
