New Webinar: The Conscious Sensory Approach – 17 October 2026

Grooming is a complete sensory experience

Professional grooming has evolved considerably. We now understand more about skin and coat health, animal behaviour, low-stress handling and the importance of adapting our techniques to each individual animal. However, one essential dimension is still too often underestimated: the animal’s complete sensory experience.

A dog or cat does not experience a grooming session as a simple succession of technical procedures. Every moment is perceived through the senses. The sound of a dryer, the vibration of clippers, the temperature of the water, the pressure of a hand, the smell of a product, the brightness of a lamp, the texture of a surface and even the taste of a residue can all influence how safe—or unsafe—the animal feels.

When several sensations accumulate, an apparently ordinary grooming environment can become overwhelming. Understanding this process allows professionals to intervene earlier, adapt more accurately and prevent stress from escalating.

This is the foundation of The Conscious Sensory Approach in Animal Care, a live online course presented by the International Grooming Society on Saturday, 17 October 2026.

Looking beyond visible behaviour

An animal rarely moves from calm to severe distress without showing earlier signs. Freezing, fidgeting, gaze aversion, lip licking, panting, flinching or repeatedly attempting to move away may indicate that the animal is struggling to process what is happening.

These signals are sometimes interpreted as stubbornness, impatience or a lack of cooperation. In reality, they may reflect discomfort, uncertainty or sensory overload.

A conscious sensory approach encourages the professional to ask different questions:

• Which sensations are affecting this animal?

• Is the environment adding unnecessary pressure?

• Is the animal able to predict what will happen next?

• Can the handling, equipment or sequence of care be adapted?

• What can be changed before stronger restraint becomes necessary?

By learning to recognise subtle signals and identify individual sensory triggers, professionals can respond before the situation becomes more difficult for the animal and for themselves.

Understanding every sense—including taste

Sensory-conscious care involves much more than reducing noise. The course examines how dogs and cats perceive and interpret:

• sound and vibration;

• touch, pressure and texture;

• scent and airborne substances;

• light, reflections, shadows and movement;

• airflow and temperature;

• taste and oral sensations;

• space, positioning and environmental predictability.

Taste may seem less relevant to grooming, yet it can influence the acceptance of rewards and cooperative-care tools. Animals may also lick products from their coat or encounter microscopic residues, aerosols or drips. Taste-aware practice therefore includes appropriate reinforcement as well as careful product selection and application.

Considering all the senses together gives professionals a more complete understanding of the animal’s experience.

From scientific understanding to practical change

Led by Nathalie Doaré–Ariey-Jouglard, Founder and President of the International Grooming Society, this course connects sensory understanding with practical strategies for everyday care.

Participants will learn how to:

• design more sensory-friendly environments using appropriate lighting, soundscapes, airflow, textures and scents;

• identify early signs of sensory overload and intervene before stress escalates;

• map individual sensory triggers and adjust handling accordingly;

• use gentle desensitisation and cooperative-care strategies;

• introduce greater choice, predictability and control into care procedures;

• adapt challenging stages such as bathing, drying, clipping and nail care;

• create consistent routines before, during and after each session;

• reduce cumulative stress throughout the grooming process;

• communicate the approach clearly to clients;

• evaluate the results and continue improving the working environment.

The aim is not to follow a single rigid protocol. Every animal has a different sensory profile, history and tolerance level. The goal is to give professionals a structured way to observe, understand and adapt their practice.

Better welfare and smoother working conditions

Sensory-conscious care benefits animals, but it can also improve the professional’s working conditions. When stress is identified earlier and the environment is better adapted, sessions may become smoother, safer and less physically or emotionally demanding.

This approach can help reduce difficult incidents, improve cooperation and strengthen the relationship between the professional, the animal and the client. It also gives groomers and animal-care professionals a clearer way to explain why certain adaptations, additional time or changes to the usual procedure may be necessary.

The Conscious Sensory Approach is therefore not simply about creating a quieter salon. It is about making informed decisions throughout the entire care process.

Who is this course for?

The training is open to everyone and is particularly relevant for:

• professional groomers;

• animal-welfare professionals;

• veterinary professionals interested in holistic care;

• canine and feline educators;

• shelter and rescue teams;

• anyone seeking safer, kinder and more efficient care for dogs and cats.

The protocols and examples presented during the course include both canine and feline care.

Course information

Date: Saturday, 17 October 2026Time: 9:00–12:00 and 13:00–16:00Time zone: Europe/ParisFormat: Live online via ZoomLanguage: EnglishStandard price: €210IGS member price: €100Professional Development: 50 IGS PDC pointsCertificate: IGS Professional Development – Conscious Sensory Grooming

Special rate for IGS members

IGS members benefit from the reduced price of €100 instead of €210.

To access this rate, members must log in to the IGS website and visit the “Members Coupons and Discounts” page in their Member Area. The dedicated coupon code must be entered in the basket before completing registration.

Register for the webinar

Join us for a full day of learning and take a new step towards more respectful, sensory-conscious and welfare-focused animal care.

REGISTER FOR THE CONSCIOUS SENSORY APPROACH