06/24/2026
I came across a comment the other day and with their permission, I wanted to share their story because it speaks to a reality that so many groomers experience, but very few people ever see.🧐
She and her mother own a grooming shop. They made the decision not to groom Cane Corsos because her mother isn’t comfortable working with them. Instead of respecting that decision, people in their town began accusing them of “discriminating” against the breed.
Reading her comment brought me back yearssss.🫣
I remember someone asking me, “What breeds do you like grooming? Which breeds don’t you feel comfortable working on?”🧐
So I answered honestly.🤓
I talked about the breeds I naturally enjoyed working with, the ones I had the most experience with, and the ones that weren’t the best fit for me.😵💫
Their response?
“What dogs DO you like then? I thought you were a groomer.”
That one sentence has stuck with me all these years because it represents one of the biggest misconceptions in our industry.🫨
👉🏼Being a groomer does not mean we have to groom every breed.🫶🏼
It doesn’t mean we have to accept every size, every temperament, every medical condition, or every dog that walks through our door.👈🏼
Every groomer has different strengths, different physical limitations, different equipment, different insurance requirements, and different levels of experience.🙌🏼
Some specialize in puppies.🐶
Some specialize in senior dogs.👴🏻
Some work with giant breeds.
Some work exclusively with small dogs.🐣
Some excel with anxious dogs.😱
Others work alongside veterinarians with dogs that require sedation.🫡
👉🏼None of those groomers are “better” than the other.
They’re simply working within the boundaries that keep everyone safe.🛟
What people don’t see behind the scenes are the groomers recovering from shoulder surgery…
The groomers with chronic back, arm, elbow injuries…
The groomers who’ve been bitten…🫦
The groomers working completely alone…🫥
The groomers who know that saying “I’m not the right fit” is sometimes the most responsible decision they can make.
No doctor treats every condition.🤡
No veterinarian performs every surgery.🤡
No mechanic repairs every type of vehicle.🤖
So why is it expected that every groomer should groom every dog?💩
👉🏼Professional boundaries are not discrimination.👈🏼
They are experience.
They are honesty.
They are safety.
To every groomer who has been shamed, gossiped about, left a bad review, or made to feel guilty because you chose safety over people-pleasing…🫶🏼
I see you.❤️
And to the pet owners who respect those boundaries and appreciate an honest referral instead of taking it personally…😌
Thank you.☀️
❤️ Now I’d love to hear from my fellow groomers.
Have you ever been criticized simply because you said, “I’m not the right groomer for your dog”? What happened?
Let’s have the conversation that people don’t often get to hear.🐾
👉 What’s a boundary you’ve set in your profession that others didn’t understand? Groomers and pet owners alike, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Peace Love Paws Grooming LI, By Sarah
