What is Fear Free Grooming?

Fear Free Certified Groomers are committed to making your pet’s “spaw” day fun and relaxing! We do not expect your pet to love every part of the groom as we know there are aspects of grooming that are not always pleasant. The goal for these procedures is to help your pet feel as calm and comfortable as possible. This is achieved through a combination of reward-based training and desensitization. Teamwork makes the dreamwork! Our groomers will work closely with YOU and your pet to accomplish a Fear Free “spaw” day! 

We value humanity over vanity above all else. The average pet visits the groomer every 1 to 3 months for pawdecures, baths, and/or a full haircut. That means your pet will spend a good portion of their life at the grooming salon. Some pets go years experiencing intense fear and anxiety related to grooming. Science tells us that repeated exposure to stress causes a plethora of health issues for pets and humans!  With Fear Free grooming, we will not ignore your pet’s fear response in the name of getting the job done. Our groomers have been trained to always use a gentle touch, never causing pain or using intimidation. We work hard to provide a calm and relaxing salon environment. Your pet will be spoiled with yummy treats and lots of love! Tables and tubs have non-slip surfaces to ensure your pet feels stable and supported throughout the groom. Calming music is played and pheromones diffused to create a soothing and serene atmosphere. Hearing protection is available to help pets feel more relaxed during noisy procedures such as drying and clipper use. 

Our team cares about your pet’s emotional wellbeing. We also value your pet’s freedom of choice. This means we may need to stop a certain procedure if your pet is displaying too much stress. Your pet’s stress level will be closely monitored and scored. If your pet is experiencing high levels of stress, the appointment will need to be broken down into multiple visits to work through these fears, rather than overwhelm your pet. Your pet may need to be desensitized to equipment slowly. If your pet has a previous negative association with equipment or a procedure (such as a nail trim or a bath, for example) this will require a more gradual breakdown to reintroduce your pet to the item or procedure to develop a positive association. In some cases, it is helpful to enlist the help of your veterinarian, as they may be able to prescribe some calming medications or supplements to be used during the grooming and training process. We work closely as a team with your veterinarian to keep them aware of your pet’s behavior and progress going forward. 

• Treats... lots of treats! Bring your pet hungry because we know the best way to their hearts! Our team uses reward-based training techniques to help your pet feel comfortable and safe. If your pet has allergies or is on a diet, please bring some of their favorite treats from home. 
• Meet and Treat: Before we start with actual grooming procedures, our team wants to take our time to get to know your pet with a “meet and treat”. Our team members want your pet to feel comfortable with the whole grooming experience, starting right at the door. This meeting also allows our team the opportunity to assess your pet’s comfort level in the salon.
• We interrupt your regularly scheduled program:  Some pets may find certain grooming procedures to be very frightening or just plain uncomfortable. In the event a pet feels scared or stressed with a procedure, our team members may not be able to accomplish everything we had set out to. In this case, our groomers will likely be giving you some homework and offering shorter, more focused grooming appointments to work on the issue. We also may recommend a veterinary visit. 
• A happy, clean, relaxed companion: Though it may not happen in one grooming appointment, when we stay dedicated to a Fear Free approach, your pet will leave the salon happy, clean, beautiful and relaxed. It’s important to us how your pet looks AND feels!