Six Years After Pandemic Puppies, What Groomers See Now

Send us Fan MailSix years after the pandemic puppy boom, the dogs are grown and the consequences are finally showing up in grooming salons. We’re Shannon and Tanya from Hound Therapy in North Texas, and with Sophia back in the studio, we get honest about what we’re seeing on our tables: adult dogs who adore their families but feel flooded by car rides, loud dryers, new buildings, and hands on their paws. The challenge isn’t “bad dogs” or “bad owners” so much as a real socialization gap that hit both pets and people during lockdown. We talk through the long tail of pandemic pet ownership: first-time owners learning the true cost of coat care, grooming maintenance, and breed needs; separation anxiety as work and travel return; and why grooming sometimes turns into basic training. We also share the good news we’ve watched unfold, including stronger human-dog bonds and more awareness of mental health, enrichment, and overall wellness. If your dog seems fine at home but falls apart everywhere else, you’re not alone and you’re not stuck. You’ll leave with practical, realistic ideas for improving grooming experiences without forcing it: slower appointments, “baby step” visits, calm car ride practice, and avoiding stressful pairings like grooming right after the vet. We also revisit how we used a Zoom-supported puppy play and learning class during COVID, what worked, and why follow-through matters once real life gets busy again. If this helped, subscribe, share the show with a fellow dog owner, and leave a review so more families can find it.To learn more about Hound Therapy visit:https://www.HoundTherapy.comHound Therapy3509 E Park Blvd.Plano, TX469-367-0009