Training for Grooming and Handling
If vet visits have become a struggle, groomers have turned you away, and sedation is your only option for basic care, you’re not alone. Grooming and handling are not optional – they’re essential to your dog’s lifelong health and wellbeing. Our 4-6 week program addresses the root cause of your dog’s anxiety, using positive reinforcement and gradual exposure to build genuine confidence. By the final session, your dog will successfully receive the care they need—whether that’s a full groom, nail trims, or cooperative handling.
This program is for dogs who:
What to expect:
Pricing:
With almost 40 years of combined grooming and behavioural training experience, we’re uniquely positioned to address the root cause of your dog’s anxiety. We don’t just manage symptoms – we create lasting behavioural change.
Our method begins with building relationship and trust, the foundation for cooperation and lasting change. We use positive reinforcement and gradual exposure to help your dog build confidence around the things that trigger their fears. Through careful observation, we read and respond to your dog’s signals as we introduce manageable challenges and teach them they can work through discomfort successfully.
This reward-based approach creates willing cooperation and addresses the emotional root of their anxiety. The result? A dog who is genuinely confident and capable—not just in our studio, but in their everyday life.
Our studio is intentionally designed to support your dog’s success. Unlike traditional grooming salons, we operate from a private, home-based space where your dog receives our complete, undivided attention. Built in our fully fenced backyard, there are no other animals, no competing distractions, and no chaotic salon environment. Your dog has access to our entire facility during their appointment, allowing them to decompress and regulate in a calm, quiet setting.
The program runs 4-6 weeks, with weekly sessions lasting 30-60 minutes depending on what your dog requires. Each appointment builds on the previous week’s work, gradually expanding what your dog can handle. We may assign homework between sessions to reinforce their progress.
Whether you participate in sessions or wait nearby is determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on what your dog needs to succeed.
By the final session, your dog should successfully receive the care they came for—whether that’s a full groom, nail trims, or cooperative handling. At that point, we’ll assess what ongoing maintenance schedule your dog needs and determine the best fit for their continued care. Some dogs we keep in our care long-term, while others we transition to a trusted groomer we work with who provides one-on-one appointments. Either way, the behavior issues that brought you here will be resolved, and your dog will have the skills to maintain their care going forward.
If this program feels right for you and your dog, we invite you to fill out an application on our booking page. To see our work in action and learn more about the dogs we’ve helped, follow us on Instagram @TheCalmDogStudio.
