31/08/2026
Happy Bank Holiday..
We’re back in work on Wednesday this week but just wanted to share this important post written by a groomer.
🛑 we are not available until Wednesday… to reply to messages. We’re out enjoying the Bank holiday
Those of you who own a pup I bred , will know how much work I put into my pups to desensitise them to the grooming process. Once they are in their new homes it’s then down to the new owners to continue my hard work. I do videos for them to show what they need to do.
As with every industry, you’re going to get the basic value range then there are the extra special superior range..
The hours and hours I have spent helping puppies and owners because they were not given the right adequate advice from the onset is incomprehensible.
Many years ago I had a 12 week old puppy come for a puppy meet and greet .. I couldn’t get near this puppy. I sat on a concrete floor not making eye contact to try and get this puppy to smell me. Treats were an absolute no no. It had reached the threshold (the bucket was overflowing). This puppy was petrified and vicious. Yes ! A 12 week old puppy was vicious… which is very very rare.
I soon established that this puppy was picking up on owners nervous energy and that pain was a significant factor in this behaviour. You cannot allow a puppy to have free run of a house (running up and down stairs, sliding on floors , jumping on sofas etc without incurring injuries). They need to be treated like babies and toddlers, especially when their joints / ligaments and growth plates are growing and developing.
The professionals couldn’t even get near this puppy to examine. Multiple attempts were made with different practices.
We had got to a place where I could do bits and bobs on groom , sometimes I’d manage a full groom, most times I didn’t. This dog had started to trust me but would always throw a fit with back legs (in this case- pain)
I accompanied this dog to the professionals to try and get the issues resolved. (Which groomer offers this 🤷🏼♀️) but it’s down to the owner to continue with treatment and exhaust all options offered including behavioural specialist.
I did all of this for my love of dogs. Never charged for this or any failed appointments nor was I offered any remuneration.
This is where I had to step back and say I cannot help this dog any more , the onus is on the owner to help their dog.
I’m not willing to be subjected to constant attempted bites( occasionally would succeed) (muzzles were a big no for this dog) .
I’m not willing to be a groomer, behaviourist, dog trainer, the one recognising health issues and writing my observations to professionals along with video evidence, speaking up for the dog , a Samaritan and not get acknowledged and recognised.
This is not isolated, it’s unfortunately, something I encounter too often.
There will be changes ahead…..
I am a pet groomer.
Not a behaviourist, not a trainer, not a Veterinarian.
I think sometimes we need to remember where a groomer’s responsibility ends and an owner’s begins. Groomers seem to be one of the only pet professionals who are routinely expected to train an animal to tolerate the service while simultaneously providing the service.
If your dog is terrified of the vet, we don’t expect the Veterinarian to spend every appointment training your dog to accept being examined. We work with a trainer, learn the appropriate techniques, and then we, as owners, put in the work between appointments. My own German Shepherd doesn’t like being handled by strangers at the Vet. So I’m taking her to training. The trainer is giving me the tools to help her become comfortable with handling, but ultimately it’s my responsibility to practice those skills with her. It is not my Veterinarian’s responsibility to train my dog during her appointment.
Grooming should be treated the same way. A good groomer can absolutely work patiently, use appropriate handling techniques, recognize stress signals, make accommodations, and help create positive experiences, but we cannot undo months or years of fear, lack of exposure, or behavioural issues during a grooming appointment while also trying to safely complete the groom.
Desensitization happens through consistent, repeated work, not once every 6-8 weeks on the grooming table. Your groomer can be part of the team, and your trainer can give you the tools, but at the end of the day training and preparing your pet for the world is the owner’s responsibility.
