Animal Welfare Legislation

Beyond Breed Stereotypes

Beyond Breed Stereotypes

Have you ever came across those “Guess the Breed?” social media posts that attempt to kickstart a conversation on typical dog breeds to bite in the grooming salon? I have, and make no mistake – they aren’t educational tools that can help you evade potential bite incidents in your salon. These posts will only instil fear, reinforce dangerous stereotypes, ridicule certain breeds, and encourage you to judge dogs based on their appearance before ever meeting them as individual.

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The Risks of Essential Oils for Dogs in the Grooming Salon

The Risks of Essential Oils for Dogs in the Grooming Salon

Essential oils are everywhere these days, and marketed as a natural solution for stress, sleep, and even pet wellness. Yet whilst these fragrant products may seem harmless, scientific research paints a far more complex (and sometimes worrying) picture, especially when it comes to our hairy companions. As responsible caregivers and professionals, it’s critical to understand both the risks and the right way to use (or avoid) essential oils around pets.

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How Conventional Grooming Contributes to Pain and Stress in Dogs: A Deep Dive and Roadmap to Recovery

How Conventional Grooming Contributes to Pain and Stress in Dogs: A Deep Dive and Roadmap to Recovery

Grooming is often regarded as a routine part of canine care, yet beneath the surface of many conventional practices lies a cycle of escalating stress, tension, and ultimately pain for countless dogs. As the pet care industry evolves, it’s time to challenge outdated approach and embrace a welfare-first one instead – one that recognises complex interplay between behaviour, physical health, and emotional well-being.

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Stop De-matting Dogs – Choosing Welfare Over Vanity

Stop De-matting Dogs – Choosing Welfare Over Vanity

As professional groomers, we’re often faced with a difficult decision: should we attempt to de-matt a matted coat, or should we recommend clipping it off? Whilst the temptation to “save” the coat can be strong, especially when faced with an insistent carer, the reality is that de-matting can cause significant harm to dogs. It’s time we had an honest conversation about why welfare must always triumph over vanity.

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How to Use my Pre-Grooming Session Questionnaire: Ensuring a Positive Start for Every Dog

How to Use my Pre-Grooming Session Questionnaire: Ensuring a Positive Start for Every Dog

Welcoming a new dog into your grooming salon is a big deal for all involved.

To make sure every pup has the best possible experience from the get-go, it’s essential to get to know them before their first appointment. My pre-grooming session questionnaire is an amazing tool to help professional groomers prepare for their very first appointment with a prospective dog by ensuring that expectations are realistic, important health and behavioural needs are disclosed and that the groomer is comfortable with accepting this new client.

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The Potential Benefits of Essential Oils in Holistic Dog Care: A Balanced, Evidence-Based Perspective

The Potential Benefits of Essential Oils in Holistic Dog Care: A Balanced, Evidence-Based Perspective

Essential oils have been used for centuries in human wellness routines, and their application in holistic pet care (particularly for dogs) has gained traction in recent years. Whilst there are well-documented risks (see my companion post on essential oil dangers here), it’s also worthwhile to acknowledge that, when used responsibly and with proper knowledge, certain essential oils may offer genuine benefits for canine wellbeing.

In this post, I will explore what the science actually says, offer practical advice, highlight real-life case studies, and introduce safe alternatives like Pet Remedy and floral waters.

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Dogs Are Like Onions: Understanding the Layers of Canine Wellbeing

Dogs Are Like Onions: Understanding the Layers of Canine Wellbeing

You might remember the famously funny scene from ‘Shrek’ where the world’s most grossly misunderstood ogre explains to Donkey, ‘Ogres are like onions… we have layers.’ Well, as it turns out, dogs are remarkably similar. Dogs, just like onions (and ogres!), are often grossly misunderstood beings composed of multiple intricate layers (or ecosystems) that rely on one another in order to thrive fully. And today, I want to spend some time peeling back those layers to show you just how significant they are in ensuring that dogs live a long and prosperous life.

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Why I Would NEVER Use Drying Cabinets: The Science Behind Safer Dog Drying Methods

Why I Would NEVER Use Drying Cabinets: The Science Behind Safer Dog Drying Methods

For many years now, we’ve been hearing that drying cabinets are a really great way to successfully dry nervous dogs but also to free up time and hands in a busy grooming environment. In fact, just the other day, I came across an advertisement for a new brand of drying cabinet, selling the same pitch but to the dog carer community. This particular company was using words like “relaxation” and “happy dog”, to convince people that their device was not only convenient but also an enjoyable experience for dogs (this was despite the dog in the advert looking completely traumatised while placed in one to demonstrate).

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Why Neck Restraints in Dog Grooming Are Dangerous: The Science Behind Safer Alternatives

Why Neck Restraints in Dog Grooming Are Dangerous: The Science Behind Safer Alternatives

Conventional grooming processes often encourage the use of neck nooses when working with dogs on grooming tables and during bath time, as well as the use of slip leads for transporting dogs from one post to another, as physical safety devices in place to keep dogs free from injury and/or harm. Meanwhile, The Holistic Grooming & Behaviour Protocol goes against this tradition and encourages students to ditch the neck devices entirely and opt for harnesses and/or cooperative methods of handling instead. Conventional grooming processes often encourage the use of neck nooses when working with dogs on grooming tables and during bath time, as well as the use of slip leads for transporting dogs from one post to another, as physical safety devices in place to keep dogs free from injury and/or harm.

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