Prioritizing Emotional Wellbeing in Grooming

As groomers, we must prioritize humane handling—not just for the safety of the pet, but for their emotional wellbeing. It’s not enough to simply "get through" the grooming process. If a dog is panicking, flailing, or shutting down, we haven’t succeeded, no matter how good the haircut looks.

Humane handling means we must recognize when a dog is struggling and work toward making grooming a better experience. Many dogs are afraid of grooming tools, loud dryers, or just being handled for long periods. These fears are real, even if they don’t make sense to us.

We should ask ourselves: Did this dog have a pleasant experience? If not, it’s time to rethink our approach. Grooming isn’t emergency medicine. We are pet stylists and groomers. Pushing through with a terrified dog doesn't help the pet, the owner, or the grooming industry as a whole.

There are very few times we must finish a groom: when a dog is covered in shampoo that needs rinsing, or when there’s a medical emergency. Everything else can—and often should—stop.

If you find yourself saying, “I’ve always done it this way,” consider whether that mindset is a sign of burnout. The grooming industry is evolving. Let’s evolve with it. Let’s reignite our passion for helping pets feel safe, respected, and understood.

It’s time for a shift. Be a modern groomer and prioritize the emotional well-being of every dog on your table.

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