Dog grooming is so much more than just cutting hair. It's about healthy skin and hair, wellbeing, nail maintenance. We can pick up on any lumps, bumps, tension, pain on your dog as we check over their entire body during a groom. We are not vets and always recommend visiting your vet if we notice something out of ordinary.
Every dog is an individual, from the excited dog that bounds in, the calm dog that just accepts it as a way of life to the nervous dog that needs reassurance. We also have puppies who are dealing with the growth and hormone issues that come with adolescence to the older dogs with pain of stiff joints and arthritis.

All these types of dogs need different handling and understanding. This is why we keep up to date with the latest scientific findings in all aspects of a dogs life not just grooming.

What is cooperative grooming? Some may call it fear free, consent or holistic, I like to think of it as simply working with the dog. Dogs need to be accept being handled, whether it is by a groomer, vet or their owner. If the dog understands that things need to happen and they have a choice then they are a lot more willing to participate. Imagine if every time you went to the dentist they forced your mouth open to have a look. You would soon be backing out the door!

The way we achieve this communication is by using start buttons and enrichment. A start button is simply an action performed by the dog to say go ahead. This can be a chin rest, a paw lift, sitting on a mat or even looking at a bucket there's lots we can teach. It can be taught to older dogs to help desensitisation or puppies to Start them Right

We have a comprehensive understanding of the dogs body language, emotions, understanding of the nervous system and training techniques. By using a combination of these skills we can work with the dogs to rehabilitate and desensitise.