Grooming Industry Regulation Readiness Survey

How many years of professional grooming experience do you have?

Less than 1 year

1-3 years

4-7 years

8-15 years

15+ years

What best describes your current role?

Solo mobile groomer

Salon employee

Salon owner/manager

Training provider/educator

Competition groomer

Co-operative groomer

Holistic groomer

Fear-free groomer

Other

If 'other' please explain below:

Where are you primarily based?

England

Scotland

Wales

Northern Ireland

USA

Canada

Australia

Other

If 'other' please specify:

What formal qualifications do you hold?Select all that apply

City and Guilds Level 2

City and Guilds Level 3

iPET Level 3

OCN Level 3

Private training centre certificate

Apprenticeship Qualification

International Qualification

Self-taught/no formal qualification

Other

If 'other' please specify:

Since your formal training have you ever completed any courses on behaviour and positive training methods?

YESNO

If yes, which courses did you do?

After completing your additional training on behaviour and positive dog training, how prepared did you feel for grooming anxious/aggressive dogs?

Extremely confident

Reasonably confident

Somewhat confident

Still not very confident

How well did your formal training prepare you for real-world grooming challenges (including 'difficult' dogs)?

Extremely well prepared

Well prepared

Somewhat prepared

Poorly prepared

Not prepared at all

N/A - No formal training

Which areas were MOST emphasised in your formal training?Select Top Three Only

Technical scissoring skills

Clipper work and blade use

Breed standard knowledge

Health & Safety protocols (including legislation)

Business/customer service skills

Canine anatomy & physiology

Dog behaviour and body language

Handling anxious/reactive dogs

Equipment maintenance

Coat and skin conditions

Which areas were LEAST covered or missing entirely from your formal training?Select ALL that apply

Reading canine stress signals

Consent-based handling techniques

When to stop/refuse a groom

Catering aggressive or fearful dogs

Ethical decision making

Mental health and self care for groomers

Working with dogs with behavioural needs

Environmental stress factors and how to adapt grooming processes

Cooperative care techniques

Positive dog training concepts

Emotional wellbeing for canines

Identifying early signs of illness and pain

How confident were you in recognising early stress signals in dogs after formal training?

Extremely confident

Very confident

Somewhat confident

Not confident at all

Have you ever continued a grooming session despite noticing the dog was in considerable stress?Please answer honestly and remember that your input is completely anonymous.

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

Always

What typically influences your decision to continue or stop a stressful grooming session?Select all that apply

Dog's coat welfare comes first

Client expectations/pressure

Financial considerations

Time constraints/schedule

Lack of alternative solutions

Uncertainty about stress levels

Professional reputation concerns

How often do you encounter dogs that struggle with grooming processes?

Daily

Weekly

Monthly

Rarely

Never

Rate your current knowledge level in canine body language and communication.

Rate your current knowledge level in stress and calming signals

Rate your current knowledge level in cooperative care techniques

Rate your current knowledge level in positive training techniques

Rate your current knowledge level in dog psychology and emotional advancement

Rate your current knowledge level in trauma-informed grooming approaches

Rate your current knowledge level in ethical decision-making in grooming

Rate your current knowledge level in self care and professional wellbeing

Rate your current knowledge level in environmental enrichment and risk assessment based on the dog's perspective

Rate your current knowledge level in working with dogs with trauma and grooming-related fears

Which topics would you mos like to learn about?Select your TOP FIVE

Advanced stress signal recognition

Consent-based grooming techniques

Rehabilitating dogs with grooming-related trauma

Creating calming grooming environments

Positive dog training techniques for low stress grooming results

Groomer mental health and burnout prevention

Holistic, behaviour-led approach to grooming processes

What prevents you from pursuing additional education?Select ALL that apply

Cost of further education

Time constraints

Lack of relevant courses available

Don't see the value

Already feel adequately trained

Groomers are not behaviourists or trainers

Location/accessibility issues

Employer doesn't support it

Uncertain about quality of training on offer

Do you believe the dog grooming industry needs regulation?

Yes, immediately

Yes, but not yet - we need better standards first

Maybe - depends on implementation

No, self-regulation is sufficient

Absolutely not

Please briefly explain why:

What do you think is the biggest barrier to effective industry regulation?

Inconsistent qualification standards

Lack of behavioural education in current training

Too many different training providers

Industry culture prioritising aesthetics over welfare

Insufficient assessment of real-world competency

Resistance to change from established groomers

Cost and accessibility of proper training

If regulation were introduced, what should be the minimum requirements?Select ALL that apply

Formal qualification from approved provider

Demonstrated behavioural competency

Demonstrated positive training competency

Insurance and health & safety compliance

Ongoing professional development requirements

Ethical standards agreement

Regular practical assessments

Specialisation in different dog needs

A two-sector approach - one for welfare focused groomers and the other for competition groomers

Mental health and self-care training for professionals

Other

If 'Other' please express your views...

Would you support dividing the industry into two sectors: Professional Behavioural Grooming and Professional Dog Styling

YESNO

If you have further comments on this concept, please express them below...

If you had to estimate, what percentage of your current clients' dogs would benefit more from Professional Behavioural Grooming?

0-25%

26-50%

51-75%

76-100%

Unsure

Would you be willing to pursue additional training to meet higher behaviour-focused standards if it became an industry requirement?

Absolutely, I'd welcome it

Yes, if reasonably priced and accessible

Maybe, depending on the requirements

Probably not, but I'd refer clients to other groomers who would

Definitely not - dogs don't need a behaviour approach

What do you think would be the main challenge in implementing a two-sector system?

Getting industry buy-in

Defining clear competency standards

Training existing groomers to new standards

Client education about the differences

Cost of additional certifications

Resistance from current qualification providers

Assessment and monitoring systems

Other

If 'other' what else?

How do you think your clients would respond to being offered different 'levels' of grooming service?

Very positively - they'd appreciate the choice

Positively - it would help them understand options

Mixed reactions depending on the client

Negatively - they might feel confused

Very negatively - they'd expect "full service" always

Unsure

If Sector 1 (Behaviour Grooming) became the mandatory baseline for all groomers, how long do you think the industry should have to transition?

6 months

1 year

2 years

3-5 years

More than 5 years

Should not be mandatory

What would motivate you most to specialise in behaviour grooming practices?Select the TOP TWO

Better outcomes for stressed/reactive dogs

Professional satisfaction

Potential to charge more

Less stressful working environment for you

Opportunity to help more dogs

Personal alignment with ethical values

Market demand from conscious dog owners looking for a 'holistic' approach

Less dog bites and grooming-related injuries/deaths

All of the above

None - I am not convinced it's a good idea

How often do you see social media posts that show a stressed dog being groomed?

Daily

Weekly

Monthly

Rarely

Never

I don't follow grooming social media

When you see these posts what is your initial reaction?

I feel concerned for the dog's welfare

I comment about the stress signals I notice

I scroll past without engaging - it's too awful

I assume the groomer knows what they're doing

I feel conflicted about speaking up

I share my concerns privately with friends/colleagues

I feel sorry for the dog groomer having to put up with difficult behaviours

I don't notice stress signals in photos and videos

I don't think there's any cause for concern - dogs aren't meant to enjoy grooming

Have you ever felt pressure from dog owners when you try to explain that their dog is too stressed to be groomed completely?

Yes, frequently

Yes, occasionally

Rarely

Never

I'm not sure what constitutes "clear stress signals"

What typically happens when you try to explain to a dog owner that their dog is too stressed to be groomed?

They're understanding and supportive

They're initially resistant but usually accept it

They become argumentative, defensive and/or demanding

They threaten to take their dog elsewhere

They question my skills as a groomer

I rarely have these conversations as I don't think I have overly stressful dogs

I rarely have these conversations because I never stop a groom mid-way

I rarely have these conversations because dog owners are onboard with my dog-led approach

How comfortable are you having difficult conversations with dog owners about their dog's behaviour and grooming plan?

Very comfortable - it's part of my job

Somewhat comfortable - I manage when needed

Uncomfortable but I do it when necessary

I don't know how to approach these situations so I just push the dog through

What would help you feel more confident in prioritising dog welfare and emotional experience over dog owner expectations?Select ALL that apply

Better training in customer education and conflict

Industry backing and professional support

Clear professional guidelines and standards that support a behaviour-led approach

Peer support networks

Client education resources I can share

Professional insurance that covers refusals

Financial security to afford lost business

Management/employer support

Other

If 'other' please express your ideas...

In your opinion, what's the biggest cultural problem in the dog grooming industry right now?

Prioritising aesthetics over the animal's experience and consent

Lack of an updated behavioural and positive training education

Industry leaders promoting outdated practices

Social media videos showcasing dangerous grooming environments and approach

Groomers afraid to speak up about welfare out of fear of being judged

Industry resistance to change

Inadequate support for ethical decision-making

Competition driving corners to be cut

Too many buzzwords that are being used to describe different approach

How do you think the industry culture could be improved? Try to list your top 3 suggestions.

Do you feel supported by the wider grooming community when you advocate for consensual grooming?

Always supported

Usually supported

Sometimes supported, sometimes criticised

Rarely supported

Often criticised or questioned

I don't share what I do to the general public to avoid confrontation and conflict

What's your biggest concern about the current direction of the dog grooming industry?

If you could change one thing about grooming culture tomorrow, what would it be?

What gives you hope about the future of dog grooming?

Would you like to receive survey results and industry insights?

YESNO

Are you interested in learning about Sector 1: Behaviour Grooming Practice, and what this framework might look like?

YESNO

What topics would you most like to see covered in future industry discussions?Select all that apply

Regulation readiness and implementation

Two-sector industry model development

Updated behaviour and training competency standards

Ethical decision-making frameworks

Professional development pathways for advanced career progression

Groomer mental health and wellbeing support

Industry culture transformation

Dog owner education strategies and resources

Other

If 'other' please express your thoughts...

Would you be interested in participating in follow-up research or industry discussions?

YESNO

How would you prefer to stay updated on industry developments?

Email newsletters

Social media updates

Industry webinars

Professional forums/groups

Conference events/presentations

Research publications

Peer networking events

All of the above

Email (optional)If you would like to receive the results and/or updates please pop your e-mail below. Please note your details will not be passed on to any other third party, and will be kept strictly confidential for the purposes of this survey. You may opt-out anytime.

example@example.com

Thank you for taking the time to share your valuable insights! Your responses will contribute to important research about the current state of dog grooming qualifications and industry readiness for regulation.

This survey is part of ongoing research by Stephanie Zikmann, Director of Learning of The HGA: Behaviour Grooming Education, and committee member of both BIGA and BDGA.

The purpose of this survey is to provide insight into how we might improve professional standards and animal welfare in our industry while continuing to support all groomers.

After careful analysis of this survey, The HGA will be able to suggest change that resonates with the wider dog-grooming community in hope for a fairer, more community-driven approach to potential regulation.

All participants who provided email addresses will receive:

survey results
industry insights and analysis
information about professional development opportunities
updates on regulation and standards development

Your voice matters in shaping the future of ethical, welfare-focused dog grooming.

Together, we can build an industry that truly serves the dogs in our care.

For more information about the HGA Philosophy, visit:

https://courses.holisticgroomingacademy.com