Grooming: When to Use a Groomer (And When to Step Up)

Nancy Corriveau

Mar 22 min read

Updated: Mar 3

Do not delegate your dogs behaviour

Handing off your dog’s grooming entirely to a professional? Big mistake. Sure, groomers are the experts, but that doesn’t mean you get to skip out on the personal responsibility of grooming your own dog.

Your dog should look forward to grooming—and that’s on you, not the groomer.

Building Trust Through Grooming

Not all dogs love being touched. That’s understandable, but unacceptable. They need to be comfortable being handled—for wounds, vet visits, and, of course, grooming. If your dog flinches at the mere sight of a brush or nail clippers, it’s not their fault. It’s yours.

The fix? Teach them to tolerate, then enjoy, the process.

Start small. Touch their paws, ears, tail—places they don’t love.
Reward cooperation, not resistance. Praise, pet, play—treats come later.
Push their comfort zone. Once they trust you, introduce brushing, nail trims, and dental care.
Expand the circle. Once they accept you grooming them, let others do it. If your dog can only tolerate you, that’s a problem.

When you’ve done this right, your dog won’t just tolerate grooming—they’ll seek it out.

Will This Put Groomers Out of Business?

Absolutely not. In fact, it’ll make their job easier—and more enjoyable.

When a groomer gets a dog that stands calmly, trusts handling, and doesn’t turn into a snarling tornado at the sight of clippers, they can focus on their expertise:

✅ Identifying skin and coat issues before they become health problems.

✅ Providing a stress-free grooming experience instead of wrestling your dog.

✅ Giving your dog a top-tier grooming session instead of a rushed, survival-mode cleanup.

Your dog should be a joy to groom, not a liability.

The Ideal Groomer Experience

Imagine this:

You drop Luna off for her spa day. Meanwhile, you hit up your own self-care—maybe a massage, maybe a haircut. You pick her up later, and both of you are looking fresh. You head to a patio, cappuccino in hand, as Luna basks in compliments from strangers.

That’s the goal. Not a groomer sighing in relief when your dog leaves, but one fending off kisses instead of teeth.

Final Thought

Groomers aren’t there to compensate for your dog’s lack of manners. They should enhance what you’ve already built. So next time you book that grooming appointment, ask yourself: Is my dog ready for this, or am I just outsourcing the work?

Grooming: When to Use a Groomer (And When to Step Up)

Handing off your dog’s grooming entirely to a professional? Big mistake. Sure, groomers are the experts, but that doesn’t mean you get to skip out on the personal responsibility of grooming your own dog.

Your dog should look forward to grooming—and that’s on you, not the groomer.

Building Trust Through Grooming

Not all dogs love being touched. That’s understandable, but unacceptable. They need to be comfortable being handled—for wounds, vet visits, and, of course, grooming. If your dog flinches at the mere sight of a brush or nail clippers, it’s not their fault. It’s yours.

The fix? Teach them to tolerate, then enjoy, the process.

Start small. Touch their paws, ears, tail—places they don’t love.

Reward cooperation, not resistance. Praise, pet, play—treats come later.

Push their comfort zone. Once they trust you, introduce brushing, nail trims, and dental care.

Expand the circle. Once they accept you grooming them, let others do it. If your dog can only tolerate you, that’s a problem.

When you’ve done this right, your dog won’t just tolerate grooming—they’ll seek it out.

Will This Put Groomers Out of Business?

Absolutely not. In fact, it’ll make their job easier—and more enjoyable.

When a groomer gets a dog that stands calmly, trusts handling, and doesn’t turn into a snarling tornado at the sight of clippers, they can focus on their expertise:

✅ Identifying skin and coat issues before they become health problems.

✅ Providing a stress-free grooming experience instead of wrestling your dog.

✅ Giving your dog a top-tier grooming session instead of a rushed, survival-mode cleanup.

Your dog should be a joy to groom, not a liability.

The Ideal Groomer Experience

Imagine this:

You drop Luna off for her spa day. Meanwhile, you hit up your own self-care—maybe a massage, maybe a haircut. You pick her up later, and both of you are looking fresh. You head to a patio, cappuccino in hand, as Luna basks in compliments from strangers.

That’s the goal. Not a groomer sighing in relief when your dog leaves, but one fending off kisses instead of teeth.

Final Thought

Groomers aren’t there to compensate for your dog’s lack of manners. They should enhance what you’ve already built. So next time you book that grooming appointment, ask yourself: Is my dog ready for this, or am I just outsourcing the work?

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