GROOMING ANXIETY POLICY.

We love dogs for their unique and distinctive personalities; every dog is different and therefore have individual needs. This is especially true when it comes to styling dogs with anxiety.  

Lots of dogs suffer from a form of grooming-anxiety, in most cases it is mild and does not affect your dog’s styling routine, in some cases grooming-anxiety can be acute making styling difficult for both dog and stylist.

Dogs display anxiety in different ways, some appear quiet, withdraw and nervous whilst others communicate through aggressive behaviour. We understand this and tailor our technique to suit.

We begin with a process of simplification by stripping back and eliminating elements of grooming that cause your dog stress. We then start a process of de-sensitisation to build confidence over time, working at your dog’s pace. The goal is to slowly introduce further elements of the styling process.

There are often limitations as some anxiety is deep to rooted, we will always do what we can to style your dog whilst prioritising their welfare and wellbeing.

Styling your dog involves using sharp mechanical blades on a dog who is likely to be unsettled. We take great care to ensure the welfare of your dog but need to point out the risk of injury if your dog moves unexpectedly. Our policy is to stop when there is a known risk.

Your stylist will work with you to tailor a styling routine to suit your dog’s individual needs, we may ask you to bath your dog at home, or to book more regular appointments with us. This is to minimise your dog’s stress, avoid injury and build confidence, it’s very important that this routine is maintained to ensure your dog’s progress is sustained.

Our team have a wealth of knowledge and experience working with anxious dogs, we enjoy the reward of seeing their confidence grow over time so if you feel we can help, please contact us at our Low Fell, Jesmond, Chester le Street or Blaydon salons, or book a free consultation online.