Overview
- Nicole Bellenfant, a US groomer, says she can gauge a dog’s care at home from its behavior during appointments based on her day-to-day experience.
- She points to one main sign: a calm response when the face, paws, or tail are handled, which she says reflects regular, gentle touch at home.
- Dogs that feel safe at home usually settle in fast during grooming, make eye contact, relax in the space, accept handling, and may even appear to smile.
- A lowered head or slouched posture during a session is a red flag to her that the dog may not feel secure or well cared for.
- Bellenfant, who runs a Zoomin Groomin mobile salon, said in an Instagram video that her team accepts very old or anxious dogs and holds Fear Free certification, a standard that aims to reduce animal stress in care settings.