One of the most debated topics in the grooming industry is whether a dog’s ear hair should be plucked. Ask a vet, and you may hear that it’s part of a groomer’s role. Ask a groomer, and many will say anything inside the ear canal is strictly veterinary territory. Then there’s the client perspective… some are told plucking causes ear infections, while others are told not plucking causes them. So which is correct? The truth is — this topic has become clouded with conflicting advice, outdated practices, and blanket approaches that don’t consider the individual dog. If we come back to the fundamentals, dogs’ ears were designed to have some hair within the ear canal. This hair serves a purpose — it acts as a protective filter, helping to trap debris and prevent dirt from travelling deeper into the ear where it can cause irritation or infection. In its natural state, ear hair is not the enemy. The idea of plucking largely comes from the fact that many modern breeds are far removed from their original blueprint. Selective breeding has led to denser coat types, heavier hair growth within the ear canal, and reduced natural airflow. In some dogs, this excess hair can trap moisture, hold debris, and create a warm, stagnant environment — and that is where problems can begin. The issue isn’t plucking, and it isn’t not plucking. The issue is blanket rules. Plucking every dog because “that’s what we do” is just as inappropriate as refusing to ever pluck at all. This is where a more thoughtful approach is needed. Before reaching for powder or forceps, we need to pause and assess the dog in front of us. Look at what the ear is telling you — is it clean or inflamed? Is there odour, discharge, redness, or sensitivity? How dense is the hair, and how is the dog responding to handling? From there, we adjust our approach based on what we observe, not on habit or routine. That might mean leaving the ear hair completely, removing only loose or excessive hair at the entrance, referring to a vet if the ear is already compromised, or choosing comfort and welfare over cosmetic “perfection.”

Welcome to the DBT Groomers Academy 🐾 You may notice things look a little different here right now. We’re currently taking a short pause in content while we restructure and refine the platform. This community is evolving into The DBT Groomers Academy, where we will be focusing heavily on behavioural grooming education and the POA Method — Pause • Observe • Adjust. Our goal is to create a space where groomers can learn how to better understand behaviour in the salon and build calm, safe grooming environments for both dogs and groomers. While we prepare the next phase of content, we would love to get to know the people who are here. If you feel comfortable, introduce yourself below and tell us: 🐾 Where you are grooming from 🐾 How many years you’ve been grooming 🐾What behaviour you find most difficult to manage in the salon 🐾What you would most like to learn or improve There are no wrong answers here. Grooming can be challenging, and this space is here to support open discussion, learning and shared experiences within the industry. We’re excited to grow this community with you.

This platform isn’t just content. It’s a space for growth, support, and honest conversations about what this job is really like. And we build it together. You only get out what you put in — so this is your chance to shape what we focus on next. I don’t want to assume what you need. I want to hear where you’re actually at. What feels heavy right now? What’s draining you? What situations make you second-guess yourself? Where do you feel stuck, unsure, or overwhelmed? Is it behavioural grooms that escalate quickly? Nail reactive dogs that spike your nervous system? Owner expectations that don’t match reality? Cats that feel high risk? Running behind all day no matter how hard you try? Burnout creeping in? Business boundaries you know you need — but struggle to hold? Or something else entirely? This is a safe space to say it. You don’t have to have it all together here. You don’t have to prove anything. Tell me: 1️⃣ What is stretching you the most right now? 2️⃣ What would make your work feel lighter or more sustainable? 3️⃣ If I created one training this week specifically for you — what would it cover? The more specific you are, the more practical and tailored this becomes. You support the dog. We support you.

In behavioural grooming, we talk extensively about nervous system regulation. We teach how to regulate the dog.We emphasise how to regulate ourselves as groomers. But there is a third component that is often overlooked: The owner. You can have exceptional handling skills. You can understand the stress ladder. You can follow your pause protocol. Yet if the owner is expecting: - Perfection in one session - Zero signs of stress - Fast transformation - A flawless finish regardless of behaviour You are automatically placed under pressure. And pressure changes behaviour. When owner expectations are unrealistic, groomers are far more likely to: Override their own frameworkRush the processSkip necessary pausesIgnore early escalation signalsPush through unsafe groomsFlood instead of desensitise Not because they lack skill — but because they feel the weight of expectation. This is how good groomers end up abandoning good protocols. Regulation Is a Three-Part System Behavioural grooming is not just dog regulation. It is not just self-regulation. It is system regulation. If the owner is dysregulated (anxious, impatient, demanding immediate results), that dysregulation transfers to the groomer.The groomer becomes time-focused instead of nervous-system focused.The dog feels that shift instantly. Clear communication is not optional in behavioural work. It is protective. When we educate owners about: - The stress regulation ladder - What progress actually looks like - Why multiple sessions may be required - Why safety overrides aesthetics We reduce pressure. And when pressure reduces, regulation becomes sustainable. Your Framework Is Only As Strong As Your Boundaries If your internal model says:“Pause at Level 3”But your external environment says:“Just get it done” You will feel the split. Behavioural grooming requires: Clear pre-consult conversationsTransparent goal settingDefined expectationsConfidence to stop when needed Because protecting the dog sometimes means disappointing the owner.

Most grooming escalations don’t happen suddenly. They build. A slight breath hold. A tightening of the eye. A subtle weight shift. A micro second where the nervous system shifts from processing… to surviving. And most of the time, we miss it. Not because we don’t care.But because we were taught to finish the task — not regulate the state. This is where the POA Method™ was born. Pause.Observe.Adjust. Not as a slogan As a discipline. Pause interrupts escalation before it becomes survival. Observe replaces interpretation with data. Adjust keeps pressure inside tolerance instead of pushing past it. It’s not about being softer. It’s not about being firm. Its about being precise. When you start working with nervous systems instead of against them, everything shifts: • Nail work changes. • Dryer tolerance changes. • Bites reduce. • Burnout reduces. • Sessions feel controlled instead of chaotic. The industry doesn’t need more force.And it doesn’t need more avoidance. It needs regulation inside structure. In May, we’ll be breaking this down in depth at DGS Imports in Brisbane — live, practical, real-world application. If you’ve ever felt the tension building before a bite…If you’ve ever driven home exhausted from “just getting it done”…If you know there’s a better way to handle behavioural grooms… You’ll want to be in the room for this one. More details dropping soon. The future of grooming is regulated. — JadeThe DBT