3 Somatic Exercises for Dog Groomers 🐾 Your body shouldn’t have to wait until the end of your workday to get some relief. As groomers, we spend hours standing, concentrating, managing dogs’ behavior, and pushing through stressful situations. Sometimes we’re so focused on the dog in front of us that we don’t even notice how much tension we’re holding. Here are 3 simple ways to reconnect with your body without stopping your groom. 1. Unclench Your Jaw + Relax Your Shoulders While brushing or doing another low-risk task, notice where you’re holding tension. - Is your jaw clenched? - Are your shoulders creeping toward your ears? - Are you gripping your tools harder than necessary? Relax your jaw, soften your shoulders, and loosen your grip where it’s safe. 2. Ground Through Your Feet When you’re standing at your grooming table, bring your attention to your feet. - Feel the pressure of your feet against the floor. - Notice how your weight is distributed. - Gently shift your weight until you feel balanced and supported. This can help bring your attention back to the present instead of getting caught up in everything you still have to do. 3. Lengthen Your Exhale Stress can change the way we breathe, often without us noticing. During a calm, routine part of the groom: - Take a comfortable breath in through your nose. - Slowly exhale a little longer than you inhaled. - Repeat 2–3 times without forcing your breath. This can encourage your body’s relaxation response. Here’s what I want groomers to understand: You don’t have to wait until you’re completely burnt out to start paying attention to your nervous system. Small moments of awareness throughout your workday matter. And remember, these exercises are tools for supporting yourself, not substitutes for breaks, reasonable schedules, or healthy workplace boundaries. 🐾 Save this for your next grooming day.

Hi everyone! I was just wondering if anyone has ever competed in a competition with an Australian shepherd that I could reach out and talk to!

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTPLGq8no/ Do you actually hate dog grooming? Or is it something else that can actually be improved?

I’ve learned to stop criticizing my grooms and just enjoy the experience and I’ve been very happy with my “not so perfect” grooms