Introduction to a more holistic dog grooming approach

Hi I’m Imogen, founder of Mucky Mutts Macclesfield dog grooming. I'm starting a new blog series all about dogs, providing lots of useful information on topics from grooming to nutrition, as well as product and service reviews and recommendations.

For my first blog, I'd like to cover my passion for dogs and how I found holistic dog grooming - explaining what it is and how it benefits your dog. I hope you enjoy!

How I became a dog groomer

I've always loved dogs - I wanted a dog so much that I begged my parents to get one for years. Mum finally relented and we got a rescue dog - Maise the family lurcher, she was brilliant and made me fall in love with dogs more. The first dog I got as an adult was Olive, a shih tzu cross, who was a cheeky, sweet and loving girl who taught me so much about owning and looking after a dog. I've also owned a gorgeous Pekinese cross, Cleopatra, and I currently own a mixed breed rescue called Lily. She helps keep me sane, entertained and occupied (with walks, training and snuggles), we have a very loving bond.

My love for dogs is what led me to become a groomer. After completing my Level 3 OCN Dog Grooming Qualification, I opened my own grooming business in 2021. Like many new groomers, I was excited to meet lots of dogs and make them look and feel their best.

But very quickly, I noticed that many of the dogs I worked with were stressed, wriggly, or trying to avoid being groomed. Some even resorted to growling or showing aggression to stop the process. I could see how upset and uncomfortable they were, and it broke my heart. I wanted grooming to be a positive experience - but instead, I felt like I was causing stress, and I didn’t understand why.

That’s when I went looking for courses that would help me to help the dogs.

Discovering the Holistic Grooming Academy

In my search, I came across the Holistic Grooming Academy. They offered a diploma course that focused on dog stress, behaviour, and ways to make grooming a more positive experience.

At first, I’ll admit I was hesitant. The course was a big investment, and I worried: What if it didn’t work?

But then I took their free webinar, and in just one hour, I learned so much about how dogs experience stress — and more importantly, I was given practical tools to help reduce it. I tried out some of the advice straight away, and the difference in the dogs I groomed was incredible. That was the moment I knew I had to learn more. So, I enrolled in the full diploma — and I’m so glad I did.

What I learned

Through the diploma, I discovered a whole new way of looking at grooming.

I learned to:

• Recognise stress signals in dogs and respond before things escalate

• Understand body language and what it tells me about how a dog is really feeling

• See things from the dog’s perspective - making the grooming process less about what needs to be done, and more about how the dog feels while it’s happening

• Understand the physical effects of stress, including how it impacts both the mind and body

• Recognise the role of pain responses, which can often explain why a dog resists certain parts of the groom

  
  

Most importantly, I learned that grooming is about so much more than making a dog look good.

What holistic dog grooming means

To me, holistic grooming means caring for the whole dog - mentally, emotionally, and physically.

It means asking questions like:

• Has this dog had a busy week that might lead to trigger stacking (lots of small stressors adding up)?

• Can I adjust part of the groom to make it more comfortable? For example, changing how I dry them or skipping a step that’s too overwhelming

• Would this dog benefit from desensitisation training so they can gradually become more confident with grooming?

• Could gentle support therapies like massage, reiki, or aromatherapy help them relax?

More than just a dog groom

All I've recently learnt shows that dogs need consistent handling and support care from all involved, so it means recognising that as a groomer, I’m part of your dog’s care team - alongside vets, trainers, walkers, and most importantly, you, the owner.

For example, if people within your dog's care team are using different training and handling methods (e.g. positive or negative), this can create confusion for your dog as it struggles to understand how to behave in each environment. So creating a consistent approach allows your dog to learn faster and be more confident in all aspects of their lives - including their groom.

Holistic dog grooming goes beyond a groom. It’s about building trust, reducing stress, and helping your dog feel safe and cared for. When dogs feel understood, grooming becomes a much more positive experience for everyone involved.

✨ If you’d like to know more about holistic dog grooming and how it can benefit your dog, I’d love to chat with you. Together, we can make grooming a positive part of your dog’s overall wellbeing.