Why Some Dogs Hate the Blow-Dryer -- And What Groomers Do About It

The bath is often fine. It's the dryer that's the scary part. Here's why some dogs struggle with blow-drying, and what a good groomer does to make it easier.

For many dogs, the grooming table is fine -- it's the blow-dryer that's the real challenge. The noise, the sensation, the warm air -- it can be genuinely overwhelming for dogs who haven't been introduced to it gradually, or who have had a stressful experience in the past. If your dog comes home from the groomer seeming anxious or unsettled, the dryer is often the culprit.

Puppies who are introduced to drying slowly and positively -- starting with the dryer at low speed, at a distance, with lots of reassurance and treats -- usually grow up to tolerate it well. For older dogs who already have anxiety around drying, the process is more about patience and trust-building than any quick fix. A good groomer will always adjust their approach to suit the individual dog, and will never force a stressed dog to push through when they're clearly not coping.

At Tūi & Chief, Samara works at a pace that suits each dog. That might mean using a lower-speed setting, taking regular breaks, or for very sensitive dogs, using a combination of towel drying and lower heat to make the experience as calm as possible. It's always worth mentioning to your groomer if you know your dog has any anxiety around the dryer -- the more context we have, the better we can set your pup up for a positive experience.