05/07/2026
Please be honest about your pet’s behavior and history. It helps us stay safe while helping them. One well placed bite can end a grooming career, even from a small dog.
As many of you may have heard, there was a recent lawsuit involving a dog walker who was severely injured while simply trying to put booties on a client’s dog. Her case was ultimately thrown out because she was considered the “legal owner” of the dog at the time of the incident.
I feel obligated to speak on this, because this kind of ruling sets a very concerning precedent for those of us who work with animals every day.
Pet professionals—whether vet techs, groomers, walkers, or trainers—rely heavily on owners to be honest and transparent about their pet’s temperament, history, and training. Owners know their animals best. When that information isn’t shared, it puts us in situations that can quickly become dangerous.
Unfortunately, this isn’t just something that happens “elsewhere.” I was recently bitten on the job by a dog who was visiting a regular client. There was no warning given. The dog was allowed to greet me at the door and immediately bit me, completely unprovoked. After the fact, the response was: “oh, he does that sometimes.”
That situation was 100% preventable.
Simple precautions—putting the dog away, using a muzzle, or even just giving a heads-up—could have avoided that injury entirely. Instead, it became a risk that I unknowingly walked into.
One serious bite can be career-ending in this field. It’s not just “part of the job”—it’s a safety issue that deserves to be taken seriously.
This is a shared responsibility.
As pet professionals, we take every precaution we can. But we need owners to meet us halfway by being honest, proactive, and responsible when it comes to their pets’ behavior.
Our goal is always to provide safe, compassionate care—for your pets and for ourselves. Let’s work together to make that possible.
