How to cheer up dog after grooming?

When the fluffy little fellow comes back from the pet grooming shop with its tail drooping and its eyes full of grievance and unease, every pet owner will feel deeply distressed. Dogs are in low spirits after grooming because it is an instinctive reaction to the unfamiliar environment, strange smells, and the forced actions during the grooming process. For dogs, their fur is not only a "coat" for keeping warm but also a source of security. Operations such as hair cutting, bathing, and blow-drying during the grooming process make them feel that their familiar smell is destroyed and their body loses its protective barrier, thus generating anxiety and unease. Understanding the reasons behind these emotions is the first step in helping dogs get out of their low mood.

When welcoming a freshly groomed dog home, don't be in a hurry to give an exaggerated evaluation of its new look. Since dogs are extremely sensitive to human emotional changes, an overly enthusiastic or surprised reaction may make it think that its appearance is strange. Instead, greet it in a soft and gentle tone, call its name as usual, and let it gradually relax its tense nerves at the sound of the familiar voice. Squat down and extend your palm to let the dog approach and sniff on its own. This is how dogs confirm safety and trust. Through this way, it can re-establish the emotional connection with its owner.

After getting home, it is crucial to create a comfortable and quiet space for the dog. Place its commonly used small blanket and favorite toys in the corner so that it can curl up in it. Some dogs, when in a low mood, will instinctively look for small, enclosed spaces to hide. The owner can give it some time to be alone appropriately, allowing it to gradually calm down in the familiar environment. However, this doesn't mean leaving it unattended. The owner can quietly accompany it nearby, letting the dog know that it is not alone. This silent guardianship can give it a great sense of security.

Food is the "golden key" to opening a dog's heart, but at this time, it is not advisable to directly feed it its favorite snacks, so as not to let the dog have the wrong association that it can only get rewards after grooming. You can prepare some warm and easily digestible food, such as soaked dog food and a small amount of chicken porridge. When feeding, the owner might as well feed the dog bit by bit with his or her own hands. This intimate interaction can make the dog feel the owner's care and gradually forget the unpleasantness brought about by the grooming. When the dog starts to eat actively, it means that its mood is gradually improving.

Toys are a good remedy for healing a dog's emotional wounds. Choose the dog's favorite toys usually and interact with it in a lively voice. If the dog likes playing with a ball, you can gently roll the ball to attract its attention. For dogs that like plush toys, the owner can imitate the toys to make interesting sounds to stimulate its desire to play. At first, the dog may just glance listlessly, but don't be discouraged. Keep waving and moving the toy in front of it and patiently wait for its response. Once the dog starts to make a slight movement, even if it's just a gentle wag of the tail, give encouragement in a timely manner and praise it with gentle words to let it know that playing is a happy thing.

In addition to food and toys, physical stroking is also an effective way to soothe a dog's emotions. Start from the dog's head and gently stroke its ears, neck, and back along the direction of the hair growth. During the stroking process, pay attention to the dog's reaction. If it slightly narrows its eyes and lies on the ground enjoying it, it means that this kind of stroking makes it feel comfortable and relaxed. If it shows resistance, such as dodging or making a low growl, adjust the strength and position of the stroking. After the dog relaxes, you can try to gently massage its abdomen. This is a part that the dog will only expose when it is most sensitive and trusts the owner the most. Through this intimate contact, the trust between each other can be further deepened, and the dog can completely let go of its guard.

Taking the dog out for a walk is also a good way to help it restore its mood. Choose a route that the dog is familiar with and let it sniff the flowers, plants, and utility poles along the way. These places full of familiar smells can help the dog regain its sense of security. During the walk, the owner can slow down and give the dog enough time to explore and feel the surrounding environment. If the dog meets its "little friends", let them have a simple interaction and play under the condition of ensuring that both sides are in a stable mood. Social activities can effectively distract the dog's attention and make it forget the unpleasantness brought by the grooming.

Some dogs are in a low mood for a relatively long time after grooming, and even have conditions such as loss of appetite and drowsiness. At this time, the owner should be patient and continue to accompany it with love and care. At the same time, also reflect on whether there are places in the grooming process that make the dog feel uncomfortable, such as the too-loud sound of the grooming tools or the groomer's not-gentle-enough techniques. If the dog's resistance to grooming is too strong, you can try changing the grooming shop or communicating with the groomer to adjust the grooming method and try to reduce the stimulation to the dog as much as possible.

Every dog is a unique individual, with its own personality and way of expressing emotions. In the process of helping dogs get out of the low mood after grooming, the owner should observe and feel attentively, and use love and patience to dispel the haze for them. When the dog regains its vitality and runs towards you wagging its tail, all the efforts will turn into a happy reward.