What do our dogs experience entering the unique world of a grooming salon...
Nervous Dog Program
A gentle way to groom
Some dogs find grooming overwhelming — and that’s not a problem to solve, it’s something to understand.
Our Nervous Dog Programme is designed for dogs who feel anxious, unsure or sensitive around grooming. Whether your dog has had a difficult past experience, struggles with separation, finds certain equipment worrying, or simply needs a slower pace, we adapt everything around them.
There’s no rushing, no forcing and no expectations to “push through”. The focus is on helping your dog feel safe, supported and listened to.
A space designed for anxious dogs
We’ve created a dedicated suite of rooms specifically for dogs who find grooming challenging.
Your dog’s journey usually begins in our living room — a calm, homely space designed not to look or feel like a traditional grooming salon. There are no busy sights, loud noises or clinical cues that might trigger memories of past negative experiences. For many dogs, simply being in a room that feels familiar and relaxed makes a noticeable difference.
As confidence builds, we mightly gently progress into our one-to-one grooming room, located directly next to the living room. This allows us to introduce grooming in a quiet, controlled way, without sudden changes in environment. Dogs move between spaces only when they’re ready — never before and some won't go into this room at all and we can groom them in the living room environment for life.
What an anxious dog programme visit might look like
We will build a bond of trust with your dog and listen to their feedback and respect their fear and anxiety and help them to feel safe around the grooming process and equipment so they can start to relax.
The nervous system will calm and they will not react fearfully to the environment through:
- fun play and/ or food based bonding sessions to build a relationship in which the dog will trust the groomer and eventually let them touch them and spend close up time with them grooming; and
- gradual desensitization program and co-operative consent based grooming training to help nervous dogs learn to not be afraid of sensory engaging things such as water, vibrating or loud grooming equipment including the bath, hair dryer and clippers.
Every dog is different, but a session may include:
- A calm arrival and time to settle into the living room
- Working in a quiet, low-stimulus environment
- Short, manageable grooming stages with regular breaks
- Gentle introductions to brushes, clippers or dryers — only if your dog is comfortable
- Switching tasks, changing rooms or stopping altogether if your dog needs it
We constantly read your dog’s body language and adjust the plan in real time. If something feels like too much, we change course.
Parents are part of the process
For many nervous dogs, having their person nearby makes all the difference.
You’re very welcome to stay with your dog during sessions if that feels supportive — for them or for you. Sometimes this helps dogs relax more quickly; sometimes it simply provides reassurance while trust is being built.
We’ll talk you through what we’re seeing, explain how grooming feels from your dog’s point of view, and help you understand what supports calm behaviour — both here and at home.
Progress at your dog’s pace
Some dogs move through the programme quickly. Others need time, repetition and consistency. We may recommend:
- Shorter, more frequent visits
- Breaking grooming into stages across multiple sessions
- Adjusting styles or routines to reduce stress
- Pausing or rescheduling if your dog is having a harder day
There is no failure and no judgement — just ongoing support and thoughtful progression.
Is this right for your dog?
This programme is ideal for dogs who:
- Show anxiety or fear around grooming
- Have had negative past grooming experiences
- Struggle with separation or unfamiliar environments
- Are sensitive to handling, noise or equipment
- Need a slower, more individual approach
If you’re unsure, we’re always happy to talk things through.