01/10/2025
I can say with confidence that 99% of the dogs who come to me with a perceived grooming problem are actually suffering with some form of undiagnosed pain. Sometimes it’s allergies (both dietary and environmental), ear infections, sometimes its muscular skeletal, arthritis or simply muscle tension.
No amount of desensitisation or training is going to truly compete with pain. It may resolve things for a little while, but the problem will always be there in the background ready to rear it’s ugly head. This is one of the main reasons I enrolled in the Dynamic Dog practitioner course and why I collaborate so often with other pet professionals such as vets, nutritionists and chiropractors.
Something that always baffled me in the grooming world, is that we’re taught how to achieve balance and hide imperfections. For example, a dog who is cow hocked (meaning their back legs bend inwards whilst their paws point out), can be made to appear as though their legs are straight by clever shaping of the fur. Whilst aesthetically this looks great, it could have a real impact on getting a pain diagnosis for the dog. Vets can only go by what they see during a consultation, and if the dog won’t allow them to touch them then they rely primarily on sight and descriptions. If they can’t see the cow hocks then they may miss a vital piece of information.
When I am working with a dog, one of the first things I do is ask questions and then watch the way they move. Do they sit at a strange angle? Do they shake their head excessively? Are they itchy all the time? Are there any coat disturbances?
Educating owners on what to look out for and how to recognise a potential problem is another key part of my role. It’s not about hiding abnormalities, it’s addressing them and making sure the dog gets the support they need to live a long and happy life.
