The Ninja Groomer

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The Ninja Groomer Kat Henschen a.k.a. The Ninja Groomer has been a Certified Professional Groomer since 2004.
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She is always happy to work with clients to get the best look for their pet. She is an award winning competitive groomer with her Standard Poodle, Cozy.

10/15/2026

Some dogs come to me with very clear feelings about certain parts of grooming. By the time we meet, those responses may already be well established. I don’t always know the origin story. I just know I’m the person helping them navigate the experience now.
This is Finn. 💙
Finn does NOT appreciate having his tail messed with. He isn’t a fan of having his front legs brushed, either. And sometimes, something that didn’t bother him before becomes a new frustration.
But Finn is a wonderful communicator. My job is to notice what he’s telling me—and listen.
Watch his body language in this video: the lip licking, the tension, the curling lip, the showing of teeth. With Finn, these are the signals I see before he attempts to bite. Those moments give me an opportunity to pause and adjust.
How I respond depends on what we’re doing and how uncomfortable he’s becoming. That can look different from one appointment to the next, or even from one part of the groom to another.
He used to struggle with having his face handled. In this video, he lets me work on it comfortably for the most part. The second he starts doing his Elvis lip we back track and restart. Next time might look different. Progress doesn’t always move in a straight line.
When he needs a break, I stop what’s bothering him. Sometimes we return to gentle petting, if he’s comfortable with that, and take a moment together before deciding how to continue. Experience has taught me to adjust my approach, change the task, or recognize when we’ve reached his limit for that day.
A dog Finn’s size, with a similar haircut, usually takes me about an hour and fifteen minutes. Finn usually takes closer to two hours.
That extra time is part of his care.
It gives us room for breaks, reassurance, and a pace he can better tolerate. Some fears can soften with time and trust. Others may continue to need careful management. Either way, his feelings matter throughout the process.
And yes, he gives me kisses at the end. Could those be appeasement rather than affection? Possibly. I’ll still take them—but I keep listening to the rest of his body, too. 💙
Successful grooming takes more than knowing how to create a haircut. It takes knowing the dog in front of you, recognizing what they can handle, and being willing to change your approach.
Know the dog. Learn the language. Let compassion lead the way. 🐾

10/13/2026

Oh Quora! 🤦‍♀️ 🤦‍♀️ 🤦‍♀️ 🤣🤣🤣

10/06/2026

Am I teaching him it’s okay to jump on me… or am I teaching him that I’m a safe person to come to when he feels uncomfortable? 💜
In this moment, I see a dog asking for comfort. And if I can earn his trust, I can build on it—teaching him to sit, focus, and feel more comfortable being groomed.
Instead of fighting his fear, I’m meeting him where he is and helping him move forward from there. That connection opens a door. It gives me an opportunity to build his confidence in me AND in the grooming process.
Could I push him off, tell him no, and then expect him to willingly do the next thing I ask? I could try. But what would he have learned about coming to me when he’s scared?
I don’t see him trying to take advantage of me or dominate me. I see him looking for reassurance.
Giving him that comfort doesn’t mean we never work on boundaries. It means I’m building the trust that helps me teach them.
This may take a little more time up front, but my goal is a better experience for both of us over the long run: less fear, less struggle, and more cooperation. I want him to feel safe with me, and I want us both to be safe during his groom.
And yes, this looks different depending on the dog! A big dog probably isn’t getting invited onto my shoulder. 😂 There are other ways to offer comfort and connection while keeping everyone safe. That’s more than I can cover in one post, but I’m always happy to answer questions.
This is my way of doing things. It hasn’t always been the industry standard, and it may not look like everyone else’s approach.
But I like what we’re building here.
So I think I’ll stick with it. 💜

09/30/2026

That moment when aggressive positivity pays off 💜👏😂

09/25/2026

So grateful for clients that bring me so much comfort and joy 🥰💜

09/14/2026

Meet George, the sweet little Shih Tzu who came in for his very first groom and apparently decided he was also here to provide the comedy. 😂🐾
A puppy’s first groom is about so much more than a haircut. It’s their introduction to the sounds, the tools, the handling, and the person asking them to trust her with all of it. We take our time, celebrate the little wins, and let them learn that the grooming table can be a safe place.
George brought his whole hilarious personality along for the ride. Watch this little guy experience his first groom—I think you’ll fall in love with him as quickly as I did. 💜

Puppy George wants to see all your cutest puppy pictures!!! Share in the comments ⬇️
09/12/2026

Puppy George wants to see all your cutest puppy pictures!!! Share in the comments ⬇️

09/11/2026

Puppy’s first groom. Break time equals playtime!!! Heheee! Go on, try not to smile. I dare ya. 🤗🥰🤣 His name is George and he made me laugh so hard today. 🥰👏🤣

09/11/2026

The Day Before My Day: 4:00 A.M.
By the time my workday begins, usually at 8:00 a.m., It has become a comfortable routine to already live an entire one.
At 4:00 a.m., the dogs go out, breakfast gets made, the dogs and house cats get fed, and I make breakfast for B.C. Then I pull on my gym clothes and head outside.
Horses. Chickens. Barn cats. Morning chores under a still-dark sky—and yelling, “QUORA! STOP EATING POOP!” approximately 15 times. Horse p**p, chicken p**p…she’s not particular. 😂
Then it’s back inside for an hour-long workout. The workout changes from day to day—calisthenics, weights, kickboxing, yoga—but the promise to show up for myself stays the same.
After that, I shower, get ready, walk into my shop, turn on the lights, and begin the familiar routine of preparing my salon for another full day of grooming.
This is the day before my day—the quiet, messy, beautiful life that happens before the first client ever walks through my door.
All before the sun comes up. 💜

Address

815 E SR 47
Lebanon, IN
46052

Telephone

+13178640834

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