A dog doesn't know what a grooming salon is. It only knows that the place smells strange, that something is buzzing, and that a stranger is holding its paws. How it experiences this first visit can shape how it feels about grooming later. So there's no point in rushing.
Preparation starts at home, well before the appointment. Keep touching your dog's paws, lifting its ears, looking into its mouth. For sensitive dogs, the ASPCA suggests gently massaging the leg and toes every day, paired with praise and treats. After a week or two, many dogs are much more at ease with it.
Brushing is part of this too. Short sessions beat long ones, and they should end before the dog has had enough. If it learns that the brush comes, goes, and is followed by something nice, you've won a lot.
On the day, a walk beforehand helps. A dog that has moved about and done its business stands more calmly. A short, friendly goodbye is often easier than long comforting.
On a first visit, the perfect result isn't the point. Breaks, treats and patience matter more than the finishing touches. The RSPCA is clear: grooming should be a positive experience, and a dog shouldn't be forced into it.
Watch the signals it sends. Panting, trembling, a tucked tail or freezing mean: this is too much right now. A short first visit that ends well is worth more than a long one that overwhelms it.