Susan's Grooming

09/04/2026

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08/28/2026

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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.

08/08/2026

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08/07/2026

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08/03/2026

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08/03/2026

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08/03/2026

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08/01/2026

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Shaving didn't ruin your double-coated dog's coat. Something else did.

The pet community loves to blame groomers, Hell Groomers blame groomers for "coat funk" — like a razor alone can permanently damage a coat. On my table, I've shaved a lot of double-coated dogs over the years — Poms, Huskies, Chows, Samoyeds, Keeshonds, Malamutes — and very few haven't grown their coat back normally. That lines up with what veterinary dermatology actually says: true permanent alopecia after clipping is rare, and when regrowth stalls past 6-12 months, an underlying health issue is usually the more likely explanation — not the clippers.

Hair grows in 3 phases: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), telogen (resting/shedding). A healthy dog cycles through these on schedule. But several things can stall that cycle — often BEFORE there's any obvious sign something's wrong:

- Hypothyroidism — low thyroid hormone, often symmetrical thinning
- Cushing's disease — excess cortisol, thin skin, pot-bellied look
- Alopecia X — a hormonal imbalance especially common in plush-coated breeds like Poms, Chows, Huskies, Samoyeds, Keeshonds, and Malamutes (this is what "coat funk" usually actually is)
- Nutrient deficiencies — hair is nearly all protein, so a diet low in quality protein, zinc, or essential fatty acids (omega-3/6) can slow or stall regrowth entirely. This is a big one for dogs on poorly balanced homemade or trendy diets.
- Kidney or liver disease — chronic illness diverts the body's resources away from "non-essential" things like hair
- Chronic stress or illness — can shift hairs into the resting phase early, just like it does in people

The coat just... stops. Shaving doesn't cause that. It reveals it.

So before you blame the groomer, ask: was there ever a thyroid panel run? A full bloodwork panel? Has the diet actually been evaluated? Because 9 times out of 10, the dog that "never grew its coat back" had one of these the whole time — the haircut just made it visible.

Groomers aren't vets. But we see coats up close, every day, in a way most vets never do. We're often the first ones to notice something's off.

Do you want to change my mind? 👇

08/01/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1L4GKZgQG4/

Shaving didn't ruin your double-coated dog's coat. Something else did.

The pet community loves to blame groomers, Hell Groomers blame groomers for "coat funk" — like a razor alone can permanently damage a coat. On my table, I've shaved a lot of double-coated dogs over the years — Poms, Huskies, Chows, Samoyeds, Keeshonds, Malamutes — and very few haven't grown their coat back normally. That lines up with what veterinary dermatology actually says: true permanent alopecia after clipping is rare, and when regrowth stalls past 6-12 months, an underlying health issue is usually the more likely explanation — not the clippers.

Hair grows in 3 phases: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), telogen (resting/shedding). A healthy dog cycles through these on schedule. But several things can stall that cycle — often BEFORE there's any obvious sign something's wrong:

- Hypothyroidism — low thyroid hormone, often symmetrical thinning
- Cushing's disease — excess cortisol, thin skin, pot-bellied look
- Alopecia X — a hormonal imbalance especially common in plush-coated breeds like Poms, Chows, Huskies, Samoyeds, Keeshonds, and Malamutes (this is what "coat funk" usually actually is)
- Nutrient deficiencies — hair is nearly all protein, so a diet low in quality protein, zinc, or essential fatty acids (omega-3/6) can slow or stall regrowth entirely. This is a big one for dogs on poorly balanced homemade or trendy diets.
- Kidney or liver disease — chronic illness diverts the body's resources away from "non-essential" things like hair
- Chronic stress or illness — can shift hairs into the resting phase early, just like it does in people

The coat just... stops. Shaving doesn't cause that. It reveals it.

So before you blame the groomer, ask: was there ever a thyroid panel run? A full bloodwork panel? Has the diet actually been evaluated? Because 9 times out of 10, the dog that "never grew its coat back" had one of these the whole time — the haircut just made it visible.

Groomers aren't vets. But we see coats up close, every day, in a way most vets never do. We're often the first ones to notice something's off.

Do you want to change my mind? 👇

07/10/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14f42a4jMAK/

⚠️ Rabies Alert – Yellowstone County ⚠️

The Department of Livestock has notified us that a case of rabies was confirmed in Yellowstone County earlier this month.

Please use extra caution around wildlife and make sure your pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations. Never approach or handle wild animals—even a tiny scratch or bite can be enough to transmit the virus.

If you or your pet has any contact with wildlife, seek medical or veterinary advice right away. Staying alert and keeping vaccinations current are the best ways to protect your family and your pets. 🐾