Fresh and Fearless
Fear-free Grooming and Cooperative Care
Why choose a Fear-Free Certified Groomer?
Grooming can be a traumatic experience for pets, especially if they are afraid of new people, implements, or restraint. Cooperative care training takes all of this into account. and while our service will take a bit longer than traditional groomers, we prioritize your pet’s emotional and mental well-being during every session.
Our promise to you and your dog is that they will never feel uncomfortable or afraid in our care.
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If you're new to Upward Hound, your first step is a complimentary Meet and Treat. During this short assessment our team will:
Discuss your goals for grooming
Introduce your dog to the grooming space and tools in a positive, force-free way
Observe your dog’s behavior to determine what level of support and training, if any, they need to feel comfortable
After the Meet and Treat we’ll recommend a personalized plan—whether that’s a one-time groom, a desensitization program, or ongoing training—to make grooming a positive experience for your dog.
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Reduces stress and anxiety. Our methods focus on comfort and positive experiences, so dogs are relaxed during every step of the grooming process.
Improves health and behavior. Calm grooming lowers the risk of injury and helps prevent long-term aversion to handling, vet visits, and future grooming.
Personalized for every dog. We assess temperament, sensitivity, and previous experiences to create a custom plan — slow introductions, breaks as needed, and rewards your dog enjoys.
Force-free techniques only. No intimidation, restraint, or punishment.
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Puppies learning handling and grooming as a positive part of life.
Seniors or dogs with medical issues that need sensitive care.
Dogs with fear, reactivity, or past trauma.
Any owner who wants safe, compassionate grooming that supports long-term wellbeing.
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Pre-appointment temperament check and discussion of preferences and medical needs.
A calm environment with minimal noise, soothing tones, and predictable routines.
Positive reinforcement throughout: treats, praise, and gentle touch tailored to your dog’s comfort level.
Breaks, slower progress, and alternative approaches if your dog becomes uncomfortable.
Ready to learn more?
Returning Customer?
Does your dog hate grooming or nail trims?
Grooming in general - and nail trims especially - are often very stressful for pets and their families. Many people are intimidated by the process and worry about clipping the nails too short, hate having to restrain their pup to get the job done, and many dogs find the whole thing traumatic.
It may seem farfetched to think that your dog can love having his nails trimmed, or love baths and haircuts. We’re different than many other groomers because we train dogs to be comfortable with the process (while getting you the outcome).
We play the long game. Once your dog loves being groomed, you can either maintain his coat and nails at home or schedule short maintenance sessions with us.
Stress-free, fear-free. No restraint!
Help Me Understand the Process
Take a sneak peek behind the scenes and see how we groomed a poodle named Hope.