A dog’s ability to stand calmly on the table is the key to a safe, quality haircut and a safe and nervous experience for both parties involved. Many future groomers make one key mistake: they try to work with the dog right away without teaching him to trust, without explaining that the table is not a threat, but a “place of power”. This article is all about how to teach your dog to be calm before the hairdryer turns on or the machine sounds.
Getting to know the table: first impressions last forever
Every dog perceives the table as something incomprehensible: high, slippery, new odors, a stranger who demands something. The first task of the novice groomer is to transform this area from a source of stress to a place of comfort. Start simple: bring the dog up to the table, not for a haircut, but for familiarization. To pet, to give a treat, to socialize. Often we at the academy ask students to just put the dog on the table for 2-3 minutes, without any tools. The goal is to get the dog to stand steady and not shake. If the dog shows anxiety – don’t push, don’t raise your voice, don’t try to “correct the behavior by force”. The table should be associated with neutral or pleasant experiences. The main rule is that the first introduction to the table should not be associated with coercion or pain.
Posture and pose control: work with confidence, not with your hands
Many dogs don’t understand what is wanted from them: they are turned around, their paw is raised, they are forced to stand when they want to sit. In this chaos, the dog gets lost, nervous and resistant. Your job as a groomer is to be calm, consistent and, most importantly, clear. The dog’s stance should be clear but not rough: hind legs parallel, front legs straight, body distributed on four points of support. In the first times you can use a sling, but not as a means of coercion, but as a safety net. Accompany each action with a voice: a calm tone, short phrases. For example: “Stop”, “Good boy”, “Good”. Every correct action is praise. We teach students at V.O.G DOG ACADEMY to work not only with hands, but with energy: the dog must feel that you control the situation, but not threatening. It’s a fine line, and it’s formed through practice and observation.
Practice the stance – before the actual grooming begins
One of the biggest mistakes is to think that the dog will “get used to it during the haircut”. No, only someone who already knows how to trust will get used to it. Standing on the table should be practiced as a separate exercise, preferably before the actual grooming begins. It is ideal if before the first haircut the owner comes several times for short sessions: just to stand, play, get used to the table, to noises, to smells. If the dog tries to lie down or sit – we do not scold, but gently return to the position. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
What to do if the dog resists: correction with respect
Sometimes even the calmest approaches don’t work. The dog growls, whines, sits, falls – and then the novice groomer is at a loss. But remember: the first person who must keep his balance is you. In such cases, it is important to lower the requirements: do not ask to stand for 15 minutes at once, but start with 30 seconds. Gradually, through a series of micro-successes, shape the behavior. When working with problem dogs, we always advise to divide the haircut into stages, give breaks, and don’t forget that fixation is important. And if you see that you are failing – stop, take a step back, analyze. At V.O.G DOG ACADEMY we teach that the main indicator of a good groomer is not only a beautiful haircut, but first of all a calm, trusting dog on the table. And then the haircut.
Conclusion
Don’t wait for your dog to learn to stand on the table – you teach him. And then each grooming session will become not a struggle, but a procedure of care. At the V.O.G DOG ACADEMY we pass on not only the technique, but also the culture of attitude – because a real groomer builds not only the coat, but also trust.
