As groomers, we want every dog to feel safe, comfortable and confident. Grooming is not just about looking cute. It is an essential part of animal welfare and comfort.
Here are a few gentle reminders for all dog owners.
Socialisation Starts Early
Dogs who are calmly introduced to brushing, bathing, dryers and handling from a young age are far more relaxed throughout their lives.
If your dog has separation anxiety, you can help by:
- Keeping drop-offs calm and brief
- Avoiding lingering or emotional goodbyes
- Practising short micro-separations at home
Your calm energy helps your dog feel secure and reassured.
Regular Grooming is Welfare, Not Vanity
Matting is not just untidy. It can cause real discomfort and harm.
Matting may lead to:
- Skin irritation, bruising and redness
- Restricted movement
- Painful coat removal
- Faeces and debris like bindis, trapped against the skin
When matting becomes severe, it may be viewed as a welfare concern under animal care guidelines. Regular grooming appointments prevent these issues and help dogs feel comfortable and healthy.
Staying With One Groomer Helps
A consistent grooming routine and relationship with a trusted groomer offers many benefits.
- Your dog becomes familiar with the space, sounds and handling
- Grooming sessions become calmer and predictable
- Your groomer understands your dog’s unique needs
Groomer-hopping or price-shopping can increase stress for dogs, especially those who are anxious or highly sensitive.
Owner Responsibility
Between appointments, owners play a vital role in coat health.
- Brush regularly
- Book grooming every 4 to 8 weeks
- Keep hygiene areas clean
- Understand that oodle coats are not low maintenance. They require more care, not less
A healthy coat is always a partnership between the groomer and the owner.
Choosing a Great Groomer
A wonderful groomer will:
- Make your dog feel safe
- Speak kindly and calmly
- Use patient and gentle handling
- Explain what your dog needs
- Encourage realistic and regular care routines
Find someone you trust and stick with them. Your dog will benefit from the consistency and the relationship.
What To Do If Your Dog Is Reactive to Grooming
Some dogs find grooming overwhelming, frightening or overstimulating. This is not unusual, and there are supportive ways to help your dog improve.
- Accept your groomer’s advice about more frequent visits. Short, positive sessions help your dog learn that grooming is safe and not something to fear.
- Do not attempt grooming at home if your dog is reactive. Dogs who are anxious or defensive need a patient, experienced professional to prevent escalation or injury.
- Consider involving a qualified dog trainer, especially one who understands cooperative care and grooming desensitisation. Many trainers specialise in teaching dogs to relax for handling and grooming.
- Schedule a vet check if your dog shows sudden fear, agitation or aggression. Joint pain, inflammation or medical discomfort can make grooming feel threatening. Groomers often notice subtle changes that may indicate pain.
- Stay calm and trust the process. Building confidence takes time, consistency and teamwork between groomer, owner and sometimes a trainer.
A responsible groomer will stop, defer the groom or refer you to a trainer or veterinarian if your dog is displaying discomfort, fear or aggression.
Please do not blame your groomer. They are doing the right thing to protect your dog’s welfare and emotional wellbeing.
With the right support, reactive dogs can make significant progress and even learn to enjoy grooming.
I hope these tips help you to make grooming a positive experience for you, your dogs and your groomers. Remember people enter a dog grooming career because they love dogs.
If you’re looking for a reputable groomer, start with a PIAA member. PIAA members follow strict industry standards, ongoing training requirements, and a recognised code of conduct. Choosing a PIAA member means you are choosing someone who is committed to high grooming standards, animal welfare, and professional practice.
