I AM ACCEPTING NEW DOGS. I ALSO GROOM PUPPIES
HELP! MY DOG HATES BEING GROOMED.
If your dog hates grooming - perhaps they've had a bad experience in the past, or they are anxious or a rescue - bring them to me. We may start with a bath only and work up to clippers, but we'll get there. Some of my most gorgeous four-legged clients were nightmares on their first visit but are fine now.
From 'Oh dear' to 'Ta da! ': The 3 stages of a Full Groom
Wash
Blow dry, dematt and deshed
Blow dry, dematt and deshed
Meet George the cockapoo. 1st stage of his groom is a bath. No he doesn't look very happy. He's wearing a belly strap to stop him leaping off to try to find some more fox poo to roll in.
Blow dry, dematt and deshed
Blow dry, dematt and deshed
Blow dry, dematt and deshed
George now gets a blow dry and brush out, during which matts are removed. (Other breeds that drop hair may get a deshed during the drying process.) The blow dry can take up to an hour!
Clip and hand scissor
Blow dry, dematt and deshed
Clip and hand scissor
Doesn't George look proud of himself with his smart new haircut. This is done, either with clippers or scissors, usually both. His nails are also trimmed. Well done, George!
PUPPIES WELCOME
I'm often asked what age should dogs start coming to a groomer. The answer is they should start as soon as they've had their vaccinations. The first full groom is usually at 6 months, but it's a great idea to aclimatise them to the noises, smells and equipment of a salon earlier to give them a lifetime of happy groomin
HAND STRIPPING
Hand stripping is a way to get a more natural look than clipping or scissoring. It is suitable for wire-coated breeds such as the terrier above.
The hair is plucked out rather than cut to remove the scruffy layer.This is a painstaking, slow and skilled process which can take 2 to 3 hours but may only need to be done 2 or 3 times a year..
The hair is plucked out rather than cut to remove the scruffy layer.This is a painstaking, slow and skilled process which can take 2 to 3 hours but may only need to be done 2 or 3 times a year..
The hair is plucked out rather than cut to remove the scruffy layer.This is a painstaking, slow and skilled process which can take 2 to 3 hours but may only need to be done 2 or 3 times a year..
The hair is plucked out rather than cut to remove the scruffy layer.This is a painstaking, slow and skilled process which can take 2 to 3 hours but may only need to be done 2 or 3 times a year..
The hair is plucked out rather than cut to remove the scruffy layer.This is a painstaking, slow and skilled process which can take 2 to 3 hours but may only need to be done 2 or 3 times a year..
The result is a dog with a beautiful smooth, healthy coat Longer hair may be left on the eyebrows and beard to preserve your dog's unique character.
The hair is plucked out rather than cut to remove the scruffy layer.This is a painstaking, slow and skilled process which can take 2 to 3 hours but may only need to be done 2 or 3 times a year..
The result is a dog with a beautiful smooth, healthy coat Longer hair may be left on the eyebrows and beard to preserve your dog's unique character.
CLIPPING V HAND STRIPPING - WHICH IS BEST?
Hand stripping every 3 to 4 months famously preserves the bright colours of a dog's coat, which can be important for breeds like fox terriers. But some dogs hate being hand stripped and some clients don't like the woolly mammoth look (above and right) in between strips.
Hand stripping every 3 to 4 months famously preserves the bright colours of a dog's coat, which can be important for breeds like fox terriers. But some dogs hate being hand stripped and some clients don't like the woolly mammoth look (above and right) in between strips.
Hand stripping every 3 to 4 months famously preserves the bright colours of a dog's coat, which can be important for breeds like fox terriers. But some dogs hate being hand stripped and some clients don't like the woolly mammoth look (above and right) in between strips.
Clipping every 8 weeks is another option. Not to be done lightly - once you've clipped, it's tricky to go back to stripping. It doesn't have to be just a short, back and sides. I use different lengths of blade to preserve and highlight the essence of the breed (right).
Hand stripping every 3 to 4 months famously preserves the bright colours of a dog's coat, which can be important for breeds like fox terriers. But some dogs hate being hand stripped and some clients don't like the woolly mammoth look (above and right) in between strips.
Hand stripping every 3 to 4 months famously preserves the bright colours of a dog's coat, which can be important for breeds like fox terriers. But some dogs hate being hand stripped and some clients don't like the woolly mammoth look (above and right) in between strips.
If you are showing your dog, go for a hand strip. Otherwise, clipping like this could give you an easier to maintain style that looks smart and sleek.
Hand stripping every 3 to 4 months famously preserves the bright colours of a dog's coat, which can be important for breeds like fox terriers. But some dogs hate being hand stripped and some clients don't like the woolly mammoth look (above and right) in between strips.
If you are showing your dog, go for a hand strip. Otherwise, clipping like this could give you an easier to maintain style that looks smart and sleek.
SALTY SEA DOG TO CITY SLICKER - GOING HOME GROOMS
iIf you're in Whitstable on holiday and you brought your dog too, all that running in and out of the sea is fantastic fun - until it's time to take them home and they look like, well, a dog's breakfast Why not take home a lovely clean, sweet-smelling dog instead? Bath and brush from £40.
3 Reasons Your Dog;s Grom Costs What It Does
WHY DOES MY DOG'S GROOM COST MORE THAN MY OWN HAIRCUT?
1. Time. Your haircut takes 20 - 30 mins.. A decent dog groom can take 2 - 3 hours.
2, Complexity. When you get your hair cut, that's it. Your dog also gets a pedicure, manicure and a bikini line.
3. Skill. Hopefully you sit still for your haircut. It requires skill and knowledge to groom many dogs