Ask Your Groomer

1. What is your favourite groom to do? I love a Labrador deshed, but I also love doing a Fox, Lakeland, Welsh or Airedale Terrier trim. They're such creative styles and the coat is perfect for shaping and styling.
2. What part of the groom is your favourite? I think shaping the face, unless they move a lot! Then it's probably shaping the legs. Although I do also love tidying a fan tail, it's so satisfying when it all comes together.
3. What was your first dog you groomed? My lovely Shih Tzu x Lhasa Apso, Alfie, who is now 15 years old! I still love grooming him even though he now has an express groom these days, to get it done quickly and comfortably for him.
4. What is your least favourite part of the groom? Probably clipping nails. I don't mind doing it at all, but it can sometimes be challenging and it's often the part that dogs are least keen on.
5. What is your favourite service to do? I love doing a deshed, particularly on Labradors. They're often so calm and affectionate, and it's incredibly satisfying seeing all that loose coat come out. A Spaniel clip-off is a close second though!
6. What breed has been the most fun? This is impossible to answer! They're all so different and have their own personalities, quirks and traits. That's one of the reasons I love my job.
7. What breed have you not had in yet that would like to do? I'd love to groom a Dalmatian. I love a good deshed and their markings are absolutely beautiful.
8. What breed is the naughtiest you've had in? That's another difficult one! I find Spaniels can be some of the busiest because they're always on the move. Jack Russells and Dachshunds can also be quite sensitive about having their feet handled.
9. What happens during a typical grooming appointment? When they arrive, I let them have a sniff around and settle into the salon. Once they're comfortable, it's bath time! They receive two shampoos and, depending on their coat type and service, may also have a deshed treatment or conditioner. After the bath, they're towel dried and partially dried in the bath using the blaster before moving onto the grooming table for a full dry. Next comes the styling. Depending on their needs, this may include clipping, scissoring, nail trimming, paw tidies, hygiene trimming, face shaping and tail work. Once they're looking their best, they get a spritz of perfume and a bow on their collar or harness. I then take their photo, making all sorts of strange noises to get their attention for the camera! Around 10-15 minutes before collection, I'll text their owner and spend some time playing with them while I tidy the salon and get ready for pick-up.
10. How do you decide what style suits a dog? It depends on both the dog and their owner's lifestyle. I consider things such as activity levels, whether they love swimming, rolling in mud or tend to get hot easily. I also look at how often the owner brushes them, where they walk, and how frequently they're able to attend grooming appointments. All of this helps determine whether a shorter or longer style will be most suitable. While a certain trim may look beautiful, I'd always rather choose a style that works for the dog and their lifestyle as well as looking great.
11. Can every dog learn to enjoy grooming? Not every dog will love grooming, and that's OK. My aim is always to help each dog feel as comfortable and confident as possible. By working with both the dog and their owner, taking things at the dog's pace and building positive experiences, many dogs can become much more relaxed about the grooming process over time.
12. If dogs could leave reviews, what would they say about you? I'd hope they'd say I gave them lots of reassurance and helped them stay calm throughout their groom. I'd like to think they'd feel cared for, comfortable and proud of their new hairdo afterwards! I'd love to think they'd all say it felt like a spa day... but I'm not entirely convinced they'd all agree with that part!