Dog snapped while grooming

[Pinkyponker]

So we've had rescue dog for 4 months who's not shown any aggression at all and has been the friendliest girl. However she has always been terrified of being brushed.

In light of this I bought some clippers to trim her. So this afternoon while she was licking a peanut butter smothered lickimat I trimmed her. She tolerated it for a while then growled and snapped at my hand/the clipper.
I'm guessing this was just fear but it's left me a little upset because she has literally been the best girl and such a friendly little thing up until then.
Is this normal for a 1 year old dog that has never been groomed in her life?

I don’t think it’s abnormal to be honest for a rescue who’s only been with you 4 months. She’s was enduring something very scarey to her and you ignored her warning growl.

I can understand it’s upsetting but you need to help her build up to this slowly.

If she’s terrified of being brushed I think, after having her for just 4 months, going for clippers was a bit premature tbh.
Maybe stick to a grooming mitt in future.

Also a well experienced groomer may be better placed to carry out the grooming as they will have more experience with nervous dogs as well as with the clippers!

I would never have subjected a dog terrified of grooming to a big clipping session. Just 2 or 3 seconds to start with, then reward and build up very, very slowly. It would probably take months of gentle work to get her fully accepting of it.

You were brave to try to clip any dog if you are not a trained groomer never mind a rescue who doesn't like to be brushed and you have only had 4 months! Is she a breed that needs to be clipped? If so take to a groomers explain her history and that you tried but she snapped. You will find a groomer willing to do it. They my start with just the bits that need doing I.e bum and face but the more you take her to the same place with the same groomer the more they should be able to do.

I really would try a good groomer who specialises in nervous dogs. Often they do 'puppy' visits which is about getting them used to the sounds and sensations before having an actual groom.

My dog developed a fear of the groomers after vet admissions but over a number of visits he now runs in wagging his tail although he still won't tolerate the dryer.

Yea I feel really foolish now to be honest.
I've not had a rescue dog before, just a spaniel from a puppy that tolerated grooming very well

Obviously I need to go back to basics next time and go extremely slowly.