Course 20 · Troubleshooting and Getting Help · Lesson 7 of 12

What is the stop-and-refer list every home groomer should know?

Published 29 October 2026 · Updated 29 October 2026 · About 6 minutes · General information only. This lesson does not diagnose or treat any condition.

The stop-and-refer list tells every home groomer when to stop grooming and seek groomer or vet help promptly.

The stop-and-refer list every home groomer should know is a short, clear set of signs that mean stop grooming the affected area and seek groomer or vet help promptly. It is a safety tool, not a diagnosis guide. When a sign on the list appears, the home groomer’s job is to stop, keep the dog comfortable, record what was seen, and refer to the right professional. That simple rule prevents small problems becoming serious, and it keeps grooming safe.

What is on the stop-and-refer list?

The list covers bleeding, pain, skin, ears, wounds, lumps, behaviour, and handling safety. Stop and seek vet help if bleeding will not stop, if there is a deep wound, if the dog is in severe pain, or if behaviour changes suddenly and markedly. Stop and seek vet help if the skin is red, sore, broken, or swollen, if there is discharge or a strong smell, if a sore or wound is spreading, or if hair loss is patchy or sudden. Stop and seek vet help if ears are red, swollen, or discharging, if the dog shakes its head repeatedly, or if the ear smells strongly. Stop and seek vet help for any wound, lump, or swelling that is new, growing, painful, or discharging. Stop and seek groomer help if the coat is matted to the skin, if a mat is tight or in a folded area, or if clipping or trimming cannot be done safely. Stop and seek hands on help from a groomer, and professional help for biting, if the dog panics or tries to bite. Keep styptic powder ready for minor nail work, and never insert cotton buds deep in the ear canal. A summary list, kept with grooming tools, helps in the moment:

Bleeding that will not stop, deep wound, severe pain: vet, urgently.
Skin red, sore, broken, swollen, discharging, or smelly: vet, promptly.
Ears red, swollen, or discharging, or strong smell: vet, promptly.
Wound, lump, or swelling that is new, growing, or painful: vet, promptly.
Patchy or sudden hair loss, intense itching, sudden behaviour change: vet, promptly.
Tight mats, mats in folded areas, or unsafe clipping: groomer, promptly.
Dog panics or tries to bite: stop, groomer hands on help, professional help for biting.

How do you use the list during grooming?

Use the list by checking the dog and coat as you work, and by stopping at the first sign, rather than finishing the task. Work in a fixed order, in good light, and part the coat to look at the skin. If a sign appears, put tools down safely, let the dog settle, and check the area gently, without squeezing, picking, or applying home remedies. Record the date, area, appearance, and behaviour, and photograph the area in daylight if safe. Decide whether the sign needs a vet or a groomer, using the list above, and seek help promptly, rather than waiting for the next routine visit. If you are unsure whether a sign needs a vet or a groomer, seek vet advice first, because a health problem should not wait for a groom. Tell the professional what you saw, when it started, and what grooming was being done, so the assessment is based on clear information. Keep the list visible, near the grooming kit, so it is easy to consult when a problem appears and thinking is rushed.

What should you do while waiting for help?

While waiting for help, keep the dog comfortable, warm, and dry, and keep grooming minimal and away from the affected area. Do not brush, bath, or clip over a sore, wound, or swollen area, and do not apply home remedies or human products. Keep the area clean and dry, and seek vet advice on how to protect it if the dog is licking or scratching. If bleeding will not stop, apply gentle pressure and seek vet help, and keep styptic powder ready for minor nail bleeding. Do not give medication or calming products without vet guidance. Keep the dog’s routine steady, with exercise, toilet breaks, and rest, and avoid stressful handling. If the problem is a tight mat, keep the dog comfortable and do not try to cut it out, because cutting near the skin risks injury. A groomer can assess a mat safely, and a vet can assess skin, ear, wound, or lump problems. Waiting does not mean doing nothing. It means keeping the dog safe and comfortable, recording change, and following professional advice when it is given.

How do you keep the list up to date?

Keep the list up to date by reviewing it after each vet or groomer visit, and by noting any new advice that affects grooming. Record vet advice on products, frequency, tools, and areas to avoid, and share it with the groomer. Record groomer advice on length, interval, and home routine, and share it with the vet if it affects skin or ear care. Update the list if a new sign appears repeatedly, such as a recurring ear problem or a recurring mat in one area, so the pattern is recognised early next time. Keep the list with the grooming kit and a record of grooming dates and findings.

What are the limits of the list?

The list is a referral tool, not a diagnosis or treatment guide. It cannot tell you what a sign means for an individual dog, and it cannot replace a vet examination or a groomer assessment. It should be used conservatively: when in doubt, stop and seek help, rather than continuing and hoping a sign will settle. The list does not cover every possible problem, and a sign that is not on the list, but is new, worsening, or worrying, should also prompt professional advice. If the dog panics or tries to bite, the list points to professional help, not to home management by text alone. Keep styptic powder ready, never insert cotton buds deep in the ear canal, and seek help early. Early referral is almost always kinder and simpler than late referral.

A stop-and-refer list is a small piece of paper that does a large job. It tells you when to stop, who to seek, and what to record, in the moment when a problem appears. Keep it with your tools, use it at the first sign, and let professionals judge what the sign means.