A new 3-month coaching programme for dog groomers, Taking the Grrr Out of the Grooming Salon, has launched, aimed at supporting dogs that struggle during grooming appointments.
It is designed for groomers working with dogs that show signs of stress, fear or resistance, including those that panic, pull away or react during handling.
The launch reflects increasing awareness within the grooming sector that some dogs require a more flexible, behaviour-informed approach.
Key Points
- A 3-month coaching programme has launched for dog groomers
- The programme is titled Taking the Grrr Out of the Grooming Salon
- It focuses on dogs who struggle during grooming, including fearful or reactive dogs
- It includes mentoring, training modules and ongoing support
- The approach centres on adapting handling and reducing stress
What the Programme Covers
The course combines behavioural understanding with practical handling strategies.
It focuses on helping groomers recognise early signs that a dog may be becoming overwhelmed and respond before behaviour escalates.
Areas covered include:
- recognising early signs of stress
- responding to behaviours such as pulling away, freezing or resisting handling
- adapting sessions to suit the individual dog
- managing situations where a groom cannot be completed
- communicating clearly with dog guardians
It also explores how the grooming environment and handling techniques can influence a dog’s experience.
What Is Included
According to the programme outline, participants receive:
- five one-to-one mentoring sessions delivered across the 3-month period
- two additional one-to-one support sessions for individual cases (available within 12 months)
- access to training modules covering canine behaviour, psychology and handling techniques (12 months access)
- access to a peer support group
- live group sessions designed for discussion and shared learning
The programme is structured to provide both practical guidance and ongoing support over the three-month period.
About the Course Provider
The programme is led by Sue Williamson, who runs a grooming business focused on dogs that find grooming difficult.
This includes dogs described as anxious, reactive or unable to tolerate standard grooming approaches.
The approach centres on adapting the grooming process to the dog, rather than expecting the dog to adapt to the process.
Industry Context
The course reflects a wider shift within the grooming industry.
Training has traditionally focused on achieving a finished result, with less emphasis on managing dogs who struggle during the process.
Groomers commonly report challenges with dogs that:
- resist handling
- become distressed during grooming
- react to specific tools or areas
There is increasing recognition that these cases require additional skills in behaviour, observation and handling.
What This Means for the Industry
Developments like this highlight a growing focus on:
- welfare-led grooming approaches
- improved safety for both dogs and professionals
- greater understanding of canine behaviour in grooming environments
They also reflect demand for more structured support for groomers working with complex cases.
Further Info
Taking the Grrr Out of the Grooming Salon Coaching Programme
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