Dog grooming is a necessary part of companion animal care, but the procedures involved can cause significant stress — particularly in poorly handled or fearful dogs.
Grooming welfare is often overlooked because it seems like a minor inconvenience rather than a serious welfare issue. But for a fearful dog, being restrained, having sensitive areas handled, and experiencing multiple unfamiliar sensations represents a genuinely aversive experience that can be severely stressful. Repeated aversive grooming experiences worsen anxiety over time. Sling restraints that suspend dogs can cause positional asphyxia in panicking dogs — a preventable death risk. Fear-free grooming, which uses positive reinforcement, frequent breaks, and stress signal recognition, produces both better welfare and better cooperation. Early habituation from puppyhood dramatically reduces adult grooming stress.