11/09/2026
Let's talk about grooming loops (featuring model of the day, Wallace the Pugapoo 😍)
Lately I've seen some discourse online about grooming loops (or their unflattering alternate name, "nooses") and questioning about their uses.
Grooming loops are part of a professional groomer's toolkit, even those who are Fear Free. The number one reason is for safety - every new dog who walks through the salon door is an unknown and a potential flight risk 😂 I will loop every dog that walks in the door to begin with (unless they have a trachea injury!!!), especially in the bath, until I know them well enough to know they won't attempt to jump (fly). Wally here is only wearing one for the photo, as he and his brother Ferguson know me pretty well and have excellent table and bath manners. In an ideal world, all my clients would be on the same page, but it isn't always the case!
You can see the incredible awkward double loop I have going - there's an extender that the loop is attached to, which gives the pup the ability to lay down or flip out on a towel when wet, which i am constantly adjusting for comfort during the groom! I have about 3 of these fabric loops, and some silicone ones in the bath, they are washed regularly and sprayed down with disinfectant between dogs during the day.
I do own a sling and some loops that go around the stomach, but I haven't bothered unpacking them since I reopened. Some groomers love them, I personally don't use them as I'd rather put different things on cue for the dogs in my care (everyone learns "paw", "chin", "stand up" etc over time), and will cradle a difficult dog for nails, or ask Greyden to hold/cuddle/feed/pat them while I'm working on a spicy area (bless him).
As you can see in the photo, the loop is loose enough that it's hanging off him, and he would have the ability to move around if he wasn't distracted by the treat in my hand! I stand about a step away from the table when taking photos, the table is electric and always close enough to the ground that the pup can't walk backwards and fall without solid ground nearby. I also normally take photos on the floor for safety reasons.
Thank you Wally, you beautiful model! 💜
