Blown Away? More Like Stressed Out – The HV Dryer Trend Needs to Stop
Sadly, in the latest episode of Groomers Behaving Badly on Social Media (see Episode 1: The Ethics of Matting), we’re now seeing groomers blasting high-velocity dryers in dogs’ faces… for likes. Yes, really.
Videos are popping up showing dogs biting, snapping, flinching, and pulling away—stressed out and trying to escape while an HV dryer is aimed straight at their face. And yet, somehow, they’re being framed as funny.
WTAF?
Let’s be real: this isn’t funny. It’s not cute. It’s just stressful for the dog. HV dryers are powerful tools, not toys, and blowing one directly in a dog’s face is a surefire way to make them anxious about grooming. It’s not harmless fun—it’s rough handling dressed up for entertainment.
And now, it’s spreading beyond salons. People are jumping on the trend, trying it at home with their own dogs and a hair dryer. Because when people watch, they learn. This is how bad handling spreads. When a groomer posts something like this, it doesn’t just stay in their bubble. It normalizes rough handling, making it look like an everyday part of grooming instead of what it actually is—stressful, overwhelming, and potentially harmful.
This trend needs to stop. HV dryers are not a joke. If you see this happening, speak up—because the dog can’t.
The good news? The overwhelming response to our SM post calling this out has shown just how many brilliant, compassionate groomers are out there who do get it—who put dogs first, who advocate for stress-free grooming, and who are actively raising the standard of care in our industry.
That’s the kind of grooming we’re here for. If you’re not sure how to use an HV dryer safely or want to make grooming a better experience for dogs, education is key. Let’s keep pushing for better—because dogs deserve it.
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