Dog Realizes They’re at the Groomer, Not Day Care—and His Face Says It All

Dogs are notorious for hating the groomer’s—and one owner’s tactic to get the job done backfired hilariously.

A Reddit post showing a husky’s expressive face as he realized his owner had led him to the groomer under false pretenses had viewers in stitches. The post, which included photos of the pup’s dramatic transformation from wide-eyed surprise to a narrow-eyed glare, had the owner confessing that they would sleep “with one eye open after this for a few days.”

“His face when he realizes we pulled up at the groomer and not day care like I said,” they wrote in the post. The first photo shows the husky with comically wide, shocked eyes. The second photo, however, shows a complete change in demeanor, with the pup squinting at his owner, a clear expression of betrayal.

The humor continued in the comments, where the owner added: “He was so mad at me … yelled at me for a good 30 minutes after I picked him up!” The dog’s dramatic reaction prompted relatable responses from other pet owners.

One user playfully imagined the dog’s internal monologue, writing, “Husky: ‘I know this smell anytime, this place! They shaved me! I trusted you!'”

Another commenter wrote about the potential consequences of such a betrayal: “Ohhhh you’re definitely getting a [poop] on your pillow tonight. What a handsome dog, though.”

The dog’s expressive face was a hit with everyone. “So cutes! He sure is a handsome boy … with a very expressive face!” a third person commented.

Making Grooming a Positive Experience

For many dogs, the groomer can be a source of stress and anxiety, but experts say it doesn’t have to be this way.

A blog post from the American Kennel Club (AKC) says that there are ways to make grooming a positive, and even enjoyable, activity for your dog. A method called husbandry training—a collaborative approach that uses positive reinforcement—can help a canine become an “active participant” in its own care.

The AKC offered several tips to help dogs get comfortable with grooming. One key step is to get the canine used to being touched. This should start when they are a puppy, but can also be taught to adult dogs by starting with areas they are comfortable with, and slowly moving to more-sensitive areas. These training sessions should be kept short, with lots of praise and treats for calm behavior.

Another tip is to give the canine a sense of choice and control during grooming sessions. One way to do this is by using a high-value treat—such as dog-safe peanut butter—on a lick mat. The dog can enjoy the treat while the owner grooms them, making the experience more rewarding. The AKC adds that, if the canine wanders away, the owner should not force them back, as this teaches the dog that they have a choice and can opt in or out of the session. This helps turn grooming from an unpleasant experience into a rewarding activity.

While the husky’s dramatic reaction was certainly entertaining, it also served as a reminder that grooming can be a stressful event for pets, and taking the time to make it a positive experience can make all the difference.

Newsweek reached out to u/SnackQueen37 for comment via Reddit.