Grooming for Anxious, Nervous & Reactive Dogs

Not every dog finds the grooming table easy. Some dogs are anxious, some have had a bad experience in the past, some get overwhelmed by noise and handling, and some will nip or bite when they're frightened. None of that means a dog can't be groomed well - it just means it needs to be done differently, by someone who knows how.

A specialist approach

Jenell has chosen to specialise in dogs with additional needs because she believes every dog deserves a groomer who won't give up on them, and because it takes a particular kind of patience, calm and skill that not every groomer wants to take on.

A little nervousness is completely normal, and it's already included in every standard groom at no extra cost.

Plenty of dogs are unsure to begin with and settle once they're on the table, we would let you know if we felt your dog was struggling or could use some extra support.

This service is for dogs who:

  • have bitten, snapped at, or badly frightened a groomer before
  • panics to the point that it is dangerous to continue with a normal groom set up
  • shuts down completely and can't be groomed in the usual way
  • needs a muzzle, extended breaks, or the appointment split across more than one visit
  • is recovering from a bad grooming experience, an injury, or a difficult vet visit and needs a specialist, go-slow approach
  • is elderly, arthritic, or needs a level of extra care beyond a standard appointment

If any of that sounds like your dog, you're in the right place and you won't be turned away or judged.

How it works

Every additional needs booking starts with a short chat (and where useful, a free meet-and-greet visit) so I understand your dog's history and triggers before we ever pick up a clipper. From there, appointments are built around your dog rather than the clock: extra breaks, trust building, out of hours appointments, and a pace that's led by how your dog is coping on the day.

If a session needs to stop and continue another day, that's absolutely fine. The goal is a dog who copes a little better each time, not a dog who's pushed through it once and dreads the next visit.

If we feel your dog will benefit from it, we work alongside a Behaviourist who we can book to assess your dog alongside your grooming appointment. This is an additional fee.

Pricing

Additional needs grooming takes more time, carries more risk, and calls on specialist skill and experience that a standard groom doesn't - so it's priced slightly differently:

  • Specialist Care Supplement: +£20 on top of the standard groom price

This only applies where a dog genuinely needs the specialist approach and that's something we'll assess, not something you need to decide yourself when booking. If I feel your dog needs it, I'll always tell you before it's applied, so there's never a surprise on the day.

Get in touch

If you're not sure whether this service is right for your dog, just ask. A quick conversation is often all it takes to work out the best way forward.

Call: 01227 456 195

Email: jenell@thedogsstore.co.uk