Cooperative Care for Happy Handling, Vet & Grooming Visits
Handling, grooming, and vet care doesn’t have to feel like a battle.
Cooperative care training helps your dog learn to participate in their own care, so routine handling becomes less scary and more predictable.
​
Whether your dog growls during nail trims, trembles at the vet, or just gets uncomfortable when touched, I’ll help you teach them skills to feel safer, more in control, and more understood.
​
We’ll build trust, reduce stress, and turn necessary care into a more comfortable experience - for everyone involved.
​​
Pricing:
​
Training Package
$500 (4 - 60 minute coaching sessions)
Individual Sessions
$150
What Is Cooperative Care?
Cooperative care means giving your dog a voice during care routines. Instead of forcing procedures, we teach dogs to say “yes, I’m ready”—and to feel confident doing so.
​
Using positive reinforcement and fear-free techniques, your dog can learn to:
​
-
Step onto a scale or into a crate willingly
-
Be brushed, wiped, or bathed without stress
-
Tolerate (or even enjoy!) nail trims and paw handling
-
Wear a muzzle comfortably, if needed
-
Accept injections, ear/eye care, and other medical handling
** All new training clients begin with a 90-minute virtual consultation to ensure we tailor support to your dog’s needs.
​Book Your Consultation Today!
​
1
Cooperative Care Consultation
-
Dogs who are fearful, avoidant, or defensive during handling
-
Pet parents who want to reduce stress and increase trust during care
-
Anyone who wants to teach their dog “you have a choice”
All new training clients begin with a 60-minute virtual consultation to ensure we tailor support to your dog’s needs.​
Related Products
Veterinary Symptom Tracker
Stay proactive about your dog’s health with this easy-to-use Veterinary Symptom Tracker!
Designed for pet owners who want to monitor changes in their dog’s behavior, appetite, energy levels, and overall well-being, this tracker helps you keep detailed records to share with your veterinarian.
​Pain Medication Trial Tracker
Take the guesswork out of tracking your dog’s pain medication trial with our Pain Medication Tracker!
This easy-to-use tool is designed to help you monitor changes in your dog’s mobility, mood, and behavior, making it easier to share accurate feedback with your veterinarian.
​
​
Dog Behavior Medication Trial Tracker
Does your dog struggle with anxiety, fear, or reactivity? If your vet has prescribed medication, tracking your dog’s behavior is crucial to ensure it's helping!
Our Behavior Medication Trial Tracker is designed to help pet parents monitor their dog’s progress, reactions, and mood changes while on medications like Fluoxetine, Trazodone, Gabapentin, Clonidine, etc.
What to Expect During the
Cooperative Care Consultation
The 60-minute consultation is where we lay the groundwork for a successful, sustainable cooperative care plan. We’ll start by reviewing your intake form together so I can better understand your dog’s behavior history, handling triggers, and any previous experiences with grooming or vet care.
I’ll ask questions about your dog’s body language, routines, and responses to different types of touch or restraint - nothing invasive, just thoughtful conversation to uncover the full picture.
​
We’ll also talk through your short-term and long-term goals. Whether you're hoping to trim nails at home, prep for a veterinary procedure, or help your dog feel safe during brushing or ear care, we’ll break those big goals into small, manageable steps.
You’ll learn:
​
-
How to recognize early signs of fear or stress in your dog
-
Why cooperative care is based on consent and trust - not just compliance
-
How to use marker-based communication to tell your dog what’s coming
-
What a training setup at home might look like (including stationing/mats, props, etc.)
-
When (and how) to use food, breaks, and choice to keep things positive and predictable
-
How to avoid accidentally overwhelming or pushing too fast
By the end of the consult, you’ll have a clear roadmap for moving forward - including what to prioritize, what to start practicing, and how future training sessions will support your dog’s progress. You’ll also have the option to enroll in an ongoing training package if it feels like the right fit.
​
This session is required before we begin training together, so we can set your dog up for success right from the start.
