FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS CONSENT BASED GROOMING?
Consent based husbandry is nothing new, and there has been a big increase in these techniques over the last 10 years. More recently, there has been a growth in consent based grooming because it can, and does, make a massive difference to dogs with grooming anxieties. It can be the difference between being able to groom the dog safely (in terms of both dog and groomer) or not grooming the dog at all.
Consent based grooming can be likened to a dentist telling you to raise your hand if you are uncomfortable when he/she is carrying out a procedure. It doesn’t remove the fear, but allows you the ability to keep it at a level you can cope with. This empowers you and places you in control of what is happening – and likewise with dogs
Consent based grooming incorportes:
Taking a canine science-based approach to grooming
Allowing dog to approach groomer in their own time
Teaching dog to get on table or indicate he is ready to be put on the table (or bath)
Not restrictively holding body parts (legs, head) to prevent movement, but supporting so dog has the option to move body parts away if it gets too much
Limits the use of safety restraints to a “needs must” but seeks alternative methods
Stopping the groom temporarily if he/she gets distressed/shows multiple calming signals
Stops the groom before he/she has to resort to a bite
Uses food to counter condition or desensitization
The vanity side of the groom is usually the lowest priority for a consent based groomer. Making safety, mental and emotional welfare a priority.
Recognises that the majority of “bad” behaviour is a reflection of his fear (and that some are autonomous nervous system responses which he has no control over)
Recognises that he cannot learn positive stuff whilst anxious (but can learn negative associations extremely easily)
Acknowledges that grooming using cooperative techniques is less stressful for anxious dogs (irrelevant whether they bite or not)