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PAWS AND THANK YOU
Dog Training and In-Home Grooming
Certifications:
FFCP-Groomer (Fear Free Pets)
CWCCP (Care with Consent Certified Professional)
CCDT (Catch Canine Trainers Academy)
Master Groomer (New York School of Dog Grooming)
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Continued Education
Behavior Vets - Internship
Karen Pryor Cooperative Care Training
Holistic Grooming Academy
Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Catch Canine Trainers Academy Workshops
Pet First Aid Certificate​
Hello, I'm Tomoko
​When I first started as a dog groomer, I quickly learned that I needed to deliver the haircut clients wanted within 1-2 hours—or I wouldn’t keep my job. Every day brought challenges, like dogs who resisted going into the tub, jumped off the table, or nipped at me out of frustration. It was tough, and there were definitely days when I felt overwhelmed. What I didn’t realize at the time was that these dogs were expressing their own frustrations, fear, and stress.
Eager to change this dynamic, I decided to train as a dog trainer and became passionate about cooperative care training—teaching dogs to give consent when being handled. I immersed myself in this approach and began applying those principles in my grooming sessions. By training a few dogs with handling issues in consent skills, grooming transformed for both of us. It shifted from a stressful task to a meaningful bonding experience, where communication flowed between us.
My goal is to help you connect with your dog on a deeper level. Together, we can build a trusting bond and foster your confidence in caring for your dog's needs at every stage of their life—free from stress and worry. Let’s work together!
How it started...
Teddy, a 14 year old Poodle mix with lung problems, hearing loss and arthritis was a matted mess when I met him. He had been rejected by a few groomers due to him being difficult. It was dangerous to muzzle and restrain him since he would bite and hyperventilate even with medications from the vet. Teddy was never comfortable being handled as a puppy and with the combination of bad experiences and health issues, he learned to hate being groomed and vet check ups were a nightmare. ​
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For our first groom, I asked the owner to speak to the vet to increase dosage or use different medications. The dosage was increased but Teddy started biting and breathing heavily with the sight of a muzzle. Over the next few weeks, the owner and the vet discussed different medications. Sedated grooms can be dangerous and wasn’t an option for a dog this old. After a few trials we ended up with both the owner and I wearing bite gloves and shaving small sections at a time. Though all the matts were shaved, each time Teddy bled from his mouth from biting his own tongue and was exhausted. Seeing Teddy like this was heartbreaking.
When I started grooming, I did many dogs who needed to be muzzled and restrained but didn’t realize the effect each grooming can have on a dog’s life. After becoming a dog trainer, I learned Teddy's situation could have been different. With training, Teddy could have learned to tolerate being touched and putting on the muzzle could have been a fun game. Helping dog’s overcome handling issues will lead to safer grooming, vet visits and overall care. Training, patience, and a gentle touch can truly make a positive difference in a dog's life.
CHECK IT OUT
See videos of consent based grooming and handling on the CASE STUDIES page.
Stay up to date on my Instagram @Pawsandthankyou
Have Questions? Let's chat...
