Trauma-informed grooming · Delray Beach, FL
Grooming for Rescue and Puppy-Mill Dogs
Trauma-informed grooming is Jill’s focus. For rescue dogs, puppy-mill dogs and dogs who had a bad time with a breeder or another groomer, a groom can include rehabilitation: slowly getting your dog used to the parts of grooming they fear, like nail trims or the dryer, until being pampered feels good again. It all happens in your own home, one dog at a time.
What rehabilitation means
Back to loving being pampered
“If it’s a dog that does not like to get their nails done, or has that kind of trauma, I start a rehabilitation process so they get used to doing nails again.”
— Jill, Angel PawsMany of Jill’s clients came to her after a hard experience somewhere else. With a dog whose past you don’t know, she goes slowly and lets the dog settle before any clipping starts. Extra time, quiet handling and breaks are part of every groom.
Who it’s for
Dogs Jill sees most
She works with these dogs in their own homes across Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach and Lake Worth, and in West Palm Beach case by case.
Puppy-mill dogs
A dog from a puppy mill may never have been handled with patience. Jill starts with the basics and builds from there.
Rescues with an unknown past
When nobody knows what happened before, Jill reads the dog in front of her and lets it set the pace.
Breeder or groomer trauma
Dogs who had a bad experience with a breeder, a salon or a van groom. Many of Jill’s clients started here.
The two big fears
Nails and the dryer
| What your dog fears | What Jill does |
|---|---|
| Nail trims | A rehabilitation process that gets your dog used to having its nails done again, step by step, at your dog’s pace. |
| The dryer | The groom happens first and the bath last, with air-drying, so the dryer never has to be forced. Over time Jill works on the noise itself until your dog can tolerate it again. |
| Everything at once | For a very traumatized dog, comfort wins over looks. Nails and the haircut get done first; then comes the bath, a brush and comb through any knots, and a dry from head to toe before your dog shakes off on its own. |
Not every dog needs it
Every dog is different
Rehabilitation doesn’t apply to every dog. A relaxed adult just gets a calm groom. A brand-new puppy needs a different approach altogether: puppies are learning for the first time, so Jill teaches rather than repairs. Read about a puppy’s first groom.
What matters most is the first phone call. Tell Jill about any behavior or past-trauma concerns, what sets your dog off, and what has gone wrong before. The more she knows, the better the first groom goes.
“Jill is the BEST! My untrusting pup now gets excited to see her.”
— Rachel Holdman, Google reviewQuestions
Questions about trauma-informed grooming
What is trauma-informed dog grooming?
It means grooming a dog with its past in mind. Jill learns about any behavior or trauma concerns on the phone first, then goes at your dog’s pace and works on the parts of grooming your dog fears, instead of forcing through them.
My rescue dog won’t let anyone touch his nails. Can you help?
Yes. Jill uses a rehabilitation process to get a dog used to having its nails done again, a little at a time.
Does every dog need rehabilitation?
No. Every dog is different, and rehabilitation doesn’t apply to every dog. A relaxed adult just gets a calm groom, and a new puppy gets a puppy approach instead.
How many visits does it take?
There’s no set number. Every dog is different, and Jill goes at your dog’s pace. If continuing isn’t safe for your dog or for her, she will stop and reschedule.
What happens if a dog gets nicked?
Small nicks can happen with any groomer, especially with a dog who moves suddenly. Jill is first-aid certified and knows how to respond properly.
Jill isn’t a licensed veterinarian. If you’re worried about your dog’s health, or about a sudden change in behavior, talk to your vet.
Tell Jill about your dog
Share your dog’s history, what scares them, and what went wrong at past grooms. That phone call comes before any booking.
(561) 552-7418Calls Tuesday–Saturday, 9:30am–5:30pm
Book With Jill