Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of desensitization and flooding on the behavior of dogs during grooming, focusing on their response to the sound and skin stimulation while using a clipper. A total of 20 adult dogs over two years of age with complete personality formation were included in the study. Ten dogs, of which three were Bichons (average weight 5 kg), four were Poodles (average weight 5 kg), and three were Malteses (average weight 4 kg), were subjected to the desensitization process. The remaining 10 adult dogs were subjected to the flooding experiment, and were of the same breed and average weight as the adult dogs used in the desensitization process. The desensitization and the flooding were performed three times a day (approximately 1 min per session) for 10 days. For desensitization, statistical significance was observed only on the fifth day, when compared by breed (p<0.05). Overall, when compared by measurement day, the results of desensitization for Bichon, Poodle and Maltese dogs were statistically significant (p<0.05). The results for the Bichon, Poodle, and Maltese dogs that were subjected to flooding were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in the results of the flooding on the second and ninth days (p<0.05); however, flooding had no effect on the other days (p>0.05). Desensitization using the clipper, a beauty tool, was faster than flooding in achieving stabilization. In conclusion, desensitization and flooding showed positive results on the stress relief and emotions of dogs during grooming, with respect to cosmetic fear response.