If your dog has a double coat and sheds regularly, it’s really important to remove that loose, dead undercoat to keep their coat healthy and comfortable.

We’ll start by thoroughly brushing through the coat using a de-shedding rake before the bath to help lift out all of that loose hair.

We then use a de-shedding shampoo during the bath, which helps to loosen and release any remaining undercoat.

This process helps reduce shedding and keeps the coat in better condition in between grooming appointments.

If it looks like it will take more than 15 minutes to safely work through your dog’s matting, we will not be able to continue de-matting due to the Animal Welfare Act 2006. In these cases, the kindest and safest option for your dog is to carefully clip the coat off to relieve discomfort and prevent any unnecessary stress.

De-matting is usually carried out using a 7F blade. In more severe cases where the matting is very close to the skin, a 10 blade may be required. This is only ever used when absolutely necessary, and only when the coat is tightly pelted and cannot be safely worked through any other way.

It’s really important to understand that matting can restrict blood flow to the skin, interfere with your dog’s ability to regulate their body temperature, and may lead to irritation, discomfort, or even skin issues such as hotspots hiding underneath the coat.

Please be assured, we will always talk everything through with you first. Nothing will ever be done without your full knowledge and consent, and your dog’s comfort and wellbeing will always come first.

Ear hair in dogs isn’t there by accident — it actually plays an important role in helping keep dirt and debris out of the ear canal. Removing it unnecessarily can sometimes do more harm than good.

Plucking ear hair can cause tiny micro-tears inside the ear, which may lead to irritation, infections, or complications further down the line. That’s why it’s not something that should be done routinely without good reason.

We focus on keeping ears clean and monitoring the hair to ensure it doesn’t become matted, as matting can cause discomfort and block airflow.

If ear hair does become impacted or matted, ear plucking may be necessary — but this will only be carried out with veterinary guidance or under vet supervision to ensure it’s done safely and appropriately.

Baths play a really important role in the grooming process.

Before we begin clipping or styling your dog’s coat, it is essential that the coat is properly clean and prepared. Working on a coat that hasn’t been washed and prepped can lead to an uneven finish and may also be uncomfortable for your dog if there is any dirt, tangles, or knots present.

A good bath and prep helps us achieve a much smoother, more even result, while also being much kinder to your dog’s skin and coat. It also helps protect our tools and keeps them working at their best for longer.

On top of that, it can sometimes highlight any underlying coat or skin concerns that may need a little extra attention.

Not every dog is the right fit for every groomer — and that’s okay.

Some dogs require more extensive grooming than others, whether that’s due to their behaviour, size, or the level of maintenance needed. In certain cases, a groom may require multiple groomers working together to ensure it’s done safely, comfortably, and to a high standard.

As a one-to-one, home-based groomer, my priority is always the wellbeing of your dog. This means being honest when a dog may need a different setup — such as a larger salon or a team environment — to give them the best possible experience.

This isn’t about turning dogs away, it’s about doing what’s right for them.

If I ever feel your dog would benefit from a different grooming environment, I'll always explain why and help guide you in the right direction.

If your dog arrives at our salon with fleas, we will need to use our specialised flea treatment shampoo. If we find only just a few fleas, we will still need to apply the flea shampoo and still add on this cost for doing so as we are not only removing the visible fleas, but also the flea dirt buried into your dogs coat which means there may possibly be more fleas hiding which we cannot see.

Flea dirt is the faeces of adult fleas, made up primarily of digested blood from the host animal. It often looks like tiny black specks or grains of pepper scattered through an animal’s fur, particularly around the neck, back, or base of the tail. When placed on a damp paper towel, flea dirt dissolves into a reddish-brown stain, confirming that it contains blood. The presence of flea dirt is a strong indication of an active flea infestation, even if live fleas are not immediately visible. Regular grooming and checking your pet’s coat can help you spot flea dirt early and take action to prevent further discomfort or health issues.

In the event that fleas are discovered, we will need to conduct a comprehensive cleaning of our salon, including all tools and furniture, using flea spray. If we transport your dog in our vehicle, we will apply flea spray after your dog departs to mitigate any risk of cross-contamination before welcoming the next pet. Regrettably, we are unable to perform the spraying and cleaning before returning your dog home, as we aim to prevent your dog from ingesting the odour of the flea spray and other chemicals.

We also recommend washing all items your dog comes into contact with in hot water to ensure they remain flea-free.

After each dog, we give their toothbrush head a really thorough clean to keep everything fresh and hygienic. It’s first rinsed in warm water to remove any leftover residue, then cleaned in an alcohol-based mouthwash to help eliminate 99.9% of bacteria.

We then pop it into our UV sterilising cabinet for 7 minutes for that extra level of sterilisation. Once the toothbrush head has been sterilised, it’s placed into a clear bag and labelled with your dog’s name (and yours too), so everything stays nicely organised.

Before your dog’s next visit, their toothbrush head is sterilised again ready for use, and the whole process is repeated after their session. Clean, safe, and cared for—just the way we like it in the salon.