It’s becoming alarmingly common in grooming salons across the country:
When a dog shows signs of fear, stress, or resistance, the default response is often tighter restraint, stronger holds, or rushed grooming "hacks."
This is not behavior management.
It’s a growing trend that’s quietly (and sometimes proudly) being normalized in grooming spaces, and it’s putting both pets and professionals at risk.
As groomers face more reactive, fearful, or improperly socialized pets, the industry has hit a fork in the road.
One path doubles down on restraint, forced compliance, and “just get it done” culture.
The other? Compassionate handling, skillful communication, and actual education in behavior.
At The Whole Pet Grooming Academy, we’ve made our choice.
We’re not just teaching grooming techniques, we’re reshaping the entire approach.
The normalization of restraint-first methods doesn’t just hurt the dog in front of you. It damages your brand, your team morale, and your long-term client relationships. And if we don’t change course now, it will continue to drive skilled professionals out of the industry and create unsafe experiences for pets and their families.
This is exactly why we created the Master Groomer Behavior Specialist (MGBS) Diploma Program.
It’s not just a title, it’s a movement. And one we are leading.
Our MGBS professionals are trained in:
Canine communication and behavior science
Safe and effective handling strategies
Fear-reducing techniques for salon and mobile settings
Ethical standards that put animal well-being first
Client education and expectation management
These groomers don’t just “get the job done”; they create safer, calmer, more rewarding experiences that build loyalty and trust.
The truth: the most powerful tool in a groomer’s kit isn’t a blade, dryer, or their shears; it’s knowledge that is modern and updated.
And the future of grooming?
It belongs to those who understand that behavior challenges require more than strength; they require skill.