One of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt from working with behavioural dogs is that becoming better at handling behaviour can actually make it harder to recognise when you need to stop. The more experience we gain, the more tools we have. We learn how to change our handling, adjust the environment, reduce pressure, read smaller changes in body language and find different ways to complete parts of a groom. That is incredibly valuable. But it can also create the belief that if we are skilled enough, patient enough or experienced enough, we should be able to groom every dog. We shouldn’t. There is a point where a dog’s behavioural needs move beyond what we can reasonably address within a grooming appointment and recognising that point is part of being a good behavioural groomer. Our responsibility is the grooming environment. When a dog comes into our care, it is our responsibility to observe what that dog is communicating and make reasonable adjustments. If the dog is struggling with the dryer, we can change how we introduce it. If restraint is increasing panic, we can reconsider how we are positioning or supporting the dog. If the dog is escalating, we can pause and ask ourselves what happened immediately before that escalation. We can change equipment, handling, positioning, order of the groom, expectations and sometimes even the goal for that appointment. This is where I believe behavioural grooming belongs. We aren't simply asking: “How do I stop this behaviour?” We are asking: “Why is this behaviour happening here, and what can I change within the grooming process?” But there is another question we need to become comfortable asking: “Is this still something I should be trying to manage within a grooming salon?” Because sometimes the answer is no. If a dog is repeatedly escalating despite appropriate adjustments, if there is a significant risk of injury, if the dog cannot recover enough to safely continue, or if completing the groom requires us to continually override increasingly serious communication, finishing that groom should no longer be the priority.

🎥 Live Groomer Check-In – Next Sunday26th of july | 2:00pm (Brisbane Time) Sometimes you just need a place to ask the questions that have been sitting in the back of your mind. Next Sunday at 2:00pm (Brisbane time) I'll be jumping on live for a relaxed check-in with everyone. Whether you're struggling with a behavioural grooming case, feeling stuck with a particular dog, unsure how to approach a situation, or just want to chat with other groomers who understand the ups and downs of the job, this is your chance. There are no silly questions and no judgement—just a supportive space to learn together. Bring your questions, your wins, your frustrations, or simply come along and listen. Chances are, if you're wondering about something, someone else is too. I can't wait to catch up with you all and see what you've been working on. 💚

I used to think that if I cared enough, worked hard enough, and just pushed through one more dog, I'd be doing the right thing. What I actually learnt was that burnout doesn't happen overnight. It creeps in quietly. For me, it started with feeling mentally exhausted before the day had even begun. I found myself hoping the more complex behavioural dogs wouldn't turn up because I simply didn't have anything left to give them. I'd still get the job done, but I wasn't bringing the patience, observation and calm that those dogs deserved. That was a hard pill to swallow because behavioural grooming isn't just about the techniques we use. A huge part of it comes from us. Our body language, our timing, our emotional state and the decisions we make in the moment all influence the dog standing in front of us. I realised that saying yes to every booking was sometimes saying no to the quality of care I wanted to provide. These days, I'm much more protective of my own capacity. If I'm running on empty, I don't feel guilty about saying no, rescheduling a difficult case, or leaving space in my week to recover. Ironically, the less I try to squeeze into my day, the better groomer I've become. One of the biggest lessons behavioural grooming has taught me is that looking after the human is part of looking after the dog. You can't ask yourself to stay patient through a fearful nail trim, think clearly through a complex behaviour plan, or notice the tiny changes in body language that matter if you're completely burnt out. I'd love to know if anyone else has reached that point where they realised something had to change. What was the moment that made you stop and rethink the way you were working?

Well... I've been a bit MIA! 😅 The last few weeks have been crazy. Between the salon, mentoring, training and trying to juggle all the other hats I seem to wear, I've definitely had too many hands in too many pots. Unfortunately, this group has taken a bit of a back seat. But I'm back, and I thought we'd restart with something simple that can make a huge difference. One thing I say all the time is... Behaviour isn't random. Behaviour has a reason. Dogs don't suddenly decide to growl, freeze, pull away, lip lick or avoid us for no reason. Every behaviour is communication. The real question is... are we listening? So here's your challenge for this week. Before you start your next groom, don't rush in. Pause. Observe. Take a minute to really look at the dog in front of you. What are they telling you before you've even picked up a brush or clipper? Where are they looking? How are they holding themselves? Are they relaxed, uncertain or already feeling the pressure? Then make one adjustment based on what you've observed. Slow your pace. Change your position. Start in a different area. Give the dog a moment to process before asking for the next step. Now watch again. Did their body language change? Did they soften? Did they become more engaged? Did the groom feel easier? I'd love to hear what you noticed, so share your observations in the comments. There are no right or wrong answers. The goal isn't to find the perfect technique it's to become better observers. Because when we learn to observe first and adjust second, we're no longer just grooming dogs... we're communicating with them. Let's get these conversations going again. I can't wait to see what you all discover. 🐾

After many requests, the Grooming Terms & Conditions Template is FINALLY available inside the classroom. (Sorry about the delay folks wanted to make sure it was perfect!) This document has been developed and refined using over 18 years of hands-on grooming experience and is designed to help protect both you and your business. It covers many of the common situations and challenges groomers face every day, including behavioural concerns, matting, health issues, late arrivals, cancellations, veterinary emergencies, owner responsibilities, and much more. As groomers, we often encounter situations that weren't discussed with clients beforehand, leaving room for misunderstandings and difficult conversations. Clear, well-written terms and conditions help set expectations from the very beginning, creating transparency, professionalism, and protection for everyone involved. This template is designed to save you countless hours while giving you a solid foundation that you can customise to suit your own business, services, and policies. Whether you're a new groomer creating your first client paperwork or an established business wanting to strengthen your existing systems, this resource will help ensure you're covered for many of the situations that can arise in a grooming environment. Head over to the Classroom and download your copy today. 🐾 As always, remember that every business is different, so please review and customise the document to suit your individual needs before implementing it.