Grooming enhances the general health of your dog in a big way, but how do you groom an aggressive dog? Every dog gets aggressive during grooming for a reason, which you should first identify. If the previous grooming was a bit traumatic, your dog will resist the next one and become aggressive. Here's how you handle a dog that gets aggressive when being groomed:

Identify the Cause of Aggressiveness

Did your dog experience skin cuts or razor burns during the previous grooming? If it did, it's likely to be aggressive when grooming it again. Even if it's not always easy to understand the language of your dog, just know it's aggressive for a reason. If the dog experienced any abuse or painful grooming session in the past, it might not want to be groomed again. Your dog could also resist grooming if it doesn't like meeting new people or being in a new environment. Some dogs will try to assert dominance and resist grooming in a hostile manner. If you allow your dog to dominate the situation and have its way, it may never allow grooming in the future.

Know the Tools to Use

Certain tools can help control the dog's aggressive tendencies. Have you ever tried tables and restraints? A grooming table with some neck or hip restraints and without slip surfaces will effectively control an aggressive dog and allow proper grooming. With the grooming table, the dog grooming professional is safe when manipulating or positioning the dog. However, don't use a neck restraint that would hurt the dog's windpipe.

If your dog bites when being groomed, use a muzzle to discourage the bad habit. Muzzle the dog and cover its head with a blanket, especially when moving it from the bath-tub to the grooming table. Use brushes and combs with long handles to maintain a safe striking range. A shedding brush would help you groom the dog without withdrawing your hand frequently.

Use Vet-Prescribed Medications

If anxiety causes your dog to be aggressive when being groomed, you may have to use medications to ease it. Consult your vet when choosing medications to ease anxiety so you don't use the wrong ones. If you use the wrong medication and inappropriate dosage, the drug reactions in the body may make the dog more aggressive and compromise its health. Administer the anxiety drugs before the dog becomes anxious because the drugs take some time to show effect. The dog will be calm by the time you are taking it for a grooming session. If you administer anxiety drugs after the dog has become anxious, it will get more aggressive once it spots the grooming tools.