Paw Matters

15/11/2023

And my journey of being a pet aesthetician begins!

✨ Excited to bring my passion for pet care to a new level and help all the furry friends look and feel their best. Can't wait to pamper and assist pets in need. Let the paw-some adventures begin! 🐶 Iv San Bernard - Australia

29/10/2023

Well that is it for this years competitions.

What on earth was I even thinking competing at almost 6 months pregnant? Although I really couldn’t have ended the last one with a better dog than my own ✨ Maximus ✨

Thank you to DGAWA for hosting the event, Michelle Fraser for judging, Erin Kate Blackwell for snacks and entertainment, Jackie Crawford, Andrey Slepov-Huang and everyone who came to support whether in person or in spirit 🥰

Ended the weekend with a lesson the science of grooming products as well, although that is not the last of seminars for me just yet for the year.

Bonus photo of squish face knackered after his big day.

24/10/2023

Dear valued customers,

We are writing to inform you that we will be implementing a price increase for our pet grooming services on for existing clients November 6, 2023.

We understand that price increases can be difficult for everyone, but we want to assure you that this decision was not made lightly. We are committed to providing the highest quality grooming services possible, and we need to adjust our prices in order to continue to do so.

Here are some of the reasons for our price increase:

- Dog grooming is not a restricted trade. This means that anyone can buy a pair of clippers and scissors and call themselves a dog groomer. Unfortunately, this has led to many cases of bad handling, trauma, and injuries to dogs. At Paw Matters, we are dedicated to upskilling and keeping up with the best and safety practices of grooming.

- Minimum wage and other costs have increased significantly in recent years. Council rates, mortgage, supplies, electricity, gas, water, accounting fees, and software fees have all increased dramatically, some of them even increasing four times during the year. However, grooming prices have only increased 20% in the last 10 years. This makes it difficult for people to stay in business in the current economic climate.

- Grooming is a tough job that is physically taxing on your body and carries immense risk. But we love what we do, and we live and breathe grooming at Paw Matters. Therefore, we want to ensure that your dog's care is always of utmost importance.
We appreciate your understanding and continued support of our business. We are committed to providing your furry friend with the best possible grooming experience.

Please note that this price structure applies immediately to new clients.

Sincerely,
The Paw Matters Team

P.S. Thank you to our loyal clients who know how dedicated we are to this art. We will only continue to improve and get better.

19/10/2023

Monthly beauty animal Ayurveda mask with CO2 bath and teeth brushing 😍

The princess falls asleep as the mask is working it’s magic.

Please note that we are fully booked at this point. new clients will have to go on a cancellation basis

05/10/2023

Been a while since I posted something 😆

It’s been really difficult to take photos of each dog, propping them up nicely and have nice lighting etc when you have back to back clients to do. I don’t know how others do it!

26/07/2023

Do you see a familiar face (again)? 😉

Meet your new DGAWA Committee!! 🎉

President – Ashleigh Beales
Vice President – Rachel Higgs
Secretary – Sarah Mischa Huang
Treasurer – Emily Milbourne
Memberships – Jacqueline Ruiters
Events – Tania Wilson
2IC Events – Jackie Crawford
Media – Kirah Poole

https://www.dgawa.com.au/meet-the-committee/

15/07/2023

Apologies to everybody.

Usually I am really good at replying to messages but I am feeling really under the weather at the moment so replies will be a little slower than usual

Thank you for your patience

01/07/2023

Always a blast mentoring at FurBaby - Grooming & Daycare ❤️

29/05/2023

🌟 WestGROOM 2023 left me breathless! As a proud member of the DGAWA committee, not only did we organise the spectacular show but I also took part in the thrilling competition.

Sleep? Who needs it? 😅 I've been going non-stop for two days straight on TOP of serving my most treasured clients AND preparing our dogs for competition and seminars. So please, be patient with me as I recharge my batteries, unpack my two cars. Your understanding means the world to me. Thank you! 🙏✨

25/05/2023

Two days until WestGROOM! 😱😱😱

2 DAYS!

Last chance to get your ticket
www.dgawa.com.au/westgroom/

Seminars Ticket Sales close Today 5PM AWST
Thursday 25th May 2023

24/05/2023

Happy Spikey!

Winter is upon us, kinda? 🤔 Spaw treatment is still important for skin and coat health ✨

22/05/2023

As if we didn’t have enough to do already!

Well actually we did because Miss Valerie said we were the best class she’s ever had so it’s definitely possible to do this 💪

Four of us from the International Team came for a two day Scandinavian Show Trim on this gorgeous mini poodle ❤️❤️

This was done over two days because we were very tired.

Miss Valerie then took us all to the BEST Nasi Lemak in KL! How cute are these drink names as well?

16/05/2023

Day two we did more model heads. I’m a total model head convert, so much so I’ve decided to follow Tania’s footsteps and just decorate my house in model dogs.

Who needs real decor?

Not me.

Also made a new friend called Hyora. I’ve actually met Hyora before in a webinar that I attended with Pets Icon Grooming Academy - PIGA International. It was so nice to meet her in person and to find out she also likes me!

15/05/2023

Shout out to The Groom Room for writing this beautiful piece

As lengthy as this post may be, I highly recommend taking a moment to read it.
For your groomer. ♥️♥️♥️

As a groomer whose salon consists of about 60% doodles now, it is extremely important to educate yourself before choosing this type of dog and listen to your groomer’s recommendations if you do. It is also a good idea to look into your breeder, as doodles come with a hefty price tag, which has caused a lot of market manipulation and irresponsible backyard breeding for profit.

So firstly, let me start by saying we as groomers are not trying to pull more money out of you by suggesting that you come more often. We are not maliciously shaving your dogs for no reason, and we are not suggesting calming meds because we don’t want to deal with your pet’s personality. Our recommendations are to better serve you and your pet based on their specific needs. That goes for all breeds. Our job is make your pets beautiful in a safe and happy environment.

We love our jobs and I for one absolutely love doodles. I love their personalities. I love the colors and the sweet teddy bear faces. I love grooming them! However, there are many misconceptions when it comes to them, and it’s causing some groomers to blacklist them all together. This is what your groomer wants you to know about the doodle trend.

Doodles are extremely high maintenance and the coats are very unpredictable. Do not let your breeder tell you otherwise. You also will not know the true requirements of your doodles coat until it has reached about a year of age. Most people think that their doodles coat is super manageable upon first taking them home, when puppy coat is in fact much easier to maintain than your dogs adult coat will be. Your pup, depending on its coat type, will need routine grooming on a 4-6 week basis.

Fun fact: ⬇️

Dogs have predetermined genetics based on its breed. Poodles are a “hair type” breed which means that the hair continues to grow from the follicle and needs to be cut to be shortened. This could also be referred to as a “single coated” dog. Retrievers, shepherds, and a vast majority of the remaining breeds are fur types, which means that their fur will eventually stop growing once it reaches a certain length. These breeds also have a secondary coat. They shed year round and “blow” their coats out twice per year. Blowing of the coat is your dogs way of preparing for seasonal changes to better help regulate their body temperatures. You may notice an increase in the fur around your house at the beginning of spring and as cold fronts start pushing through in the fall.

When you mix a fur type with a hair type, the fur layer that would typically shed is getting stuck in the hair portion of the coat and needs help to be removed. If left, it can cause matting to the fur. This is why proper at home maintenance is so important.

The problem we as groomers see when it comes to at home maintenance, is that owners are only brushing the top layer and are unsuccessful at penetrating the lower portion of the coat which causes matting that may not be visible to the untrained eye. The top layer fluffs out and appears to be brushed to perfection, only for your groomer to run their hands through your dog and say they’ll need to be shaved. It’s extremely disheartening and frustrating, we get it. I promise. It’s not a conversation I enjoy having with owners. Doodle maintenance is an absolute learning curve, and you must remain consistent with it though.

One problem owners are seeing is a halt in new doodle clients or blacklisting of doodle breeds in salons all together because of the difficulty that mixing fur and hair type breeds has caused, as well as behavioral issues.

Many people have started to ignore teaching proper obedience to doodle breeds because they are seen more as a human like companion, and improper behavior is excused as “his/her personality. At the end of the day however, you have to remember that the majority of these dogs are bred to a working breed and need to be taught at the very minimum, basic obedience.

Because many doodles come in standard (large) sizes, a large pup without discipline can be extremely hard for your groomer to handle. Especially if the fur is not properly cared for at home. As groomers, we are in charge of removing knots and taking care of matted fur which causes pain, and can provoke aggressive or unruly behavior. Matt removal is almost never a pain free process, and unfortunately we do not have magical wands. Because of this, a lot of groomers will elect to shave matted dogs because it is the most humane thing to do. Pulling at your pet for the sake of a cute haircut is not ideal and we want to create a place of comfort for your pet. They will have to be groomed for the remainder of their lives, and without their trust, we have nothing. This is why proper training and starting puppies in the grooming salon as early as possible is super important, as well as consistent at home maintenance and/or frequent visits to your groomer. If you feel as though you cannot properly manage your dogs coat at home, speak with your groomer about baths and brush outs in between grooming appointments.

One topic that groomers don’t really speak about that I’d like to shed a little light upon, is the ware and tear that large and unruly dogs have on the groomers body. Constant pressure on the hands cause trauma to the muscles as well as back pain, pulled muscles, and slipped discs. Another downfall that your groomer may encounter is biting. In large dogs, one wrong bite can ruin your groomers career. This is yet another reason why proper training, care, and desensitization to grooming is so important.

We as groomers love our job, and in my salon, you will be informed. Client education is of the upmost importance as well as continued education to help best serve you and your beloved pet. If you have any questions regarding your pet or anything you could do to better care for them at home, just ask. There is no such thing as a stupid question. In fact, we encourage it. This post is in no way meant to attack doodle breeds, so please don’t misconstrue anything said. My goal is inform anyone interested in doodles and current owners of them. I absolutely LOVE my doodle clientele!

As always, we look forward to seeing each and every one of you, and if you need anything, we are but a phone call away!

With much love,

Paw Matters team xoxo

14/05/2023

💐 Happy Mother's Day! 💐

To the amazing women who fill our lives with love, warmth, and support, thank you for being our guiding light. Your selflessness and unconditional love make our world a better place. Today, let's celebrate and cherish the incredible moms who shape our lives. ❤️

11/05/2023

I went on an adventure to Pets Icon Grooming Academy - PIGA International. People say never meet your hero but their hero isn't Valerie Khoo

First day, I was just in awe. I can't believe I was there, I've waited for this for such a long time.

03/05/2023

Reminder to future and current clients that my inbox will only be attended after 5pm on the 8th of May while I attend professional development with Pets Icon Grooming Academy - PIGA International in Malaysia

Thank you for your patience!

21/04/2023

This week’s Friday Shenanigans

Featuring cheeky oodles and a very cute Maizey who is the least chaotic in the salon 🤣

19/04/2023

It's time for Archie! 😘

18/04/2023

Attention all our lovely clients! 📢

Just a quick reminder that I will be away from the 26th of April to the 8th of May attending the prestigious International Advanced Asian Fusion course with Pets Icon Grooming Academy - PIGA International. I'm so excited to learn new techniques and bring back the latest grooming trends to our salon!

I will not be checking my inbox during this time to absorb the maximum amount of information and to ensure no distractions during this time.

Thank you so much for your support and understanding, and see you soon! ❤️🐾

09/04/2023

Happy Easter to all! 🐾🐣🌷

As I reflect on this special day, I am reminded of my humble beginnings and filled with gratitude for the unwavering love and support from my incredible family, peers, and loyal clients.

It's been an amazing journey serving the wonderful pets and their doting owners at [Your Dog Grooming Salon Name]. Seeing wagging tails, happy faces, and satisfied customers bring me immense joy and fulfillment.

I am truly grateful for each and every one of you who have entrusted us with the care of your beloved pets. Your continued support and trust mean the world to us, and we are committed to providing top-notch grooming services and pampering your fur babies to perfection.

This Easter, I am reminded of the blessings of our thriving community and the joy that our furry friends bring into our lives. May this season be filled with happiness, love, and precious moments spent with your pets and loved ones.

Thank you for being a part of our journey, and we look forward to continuing to serve you and your pets with the utmost care and dedication.

Wishing you a Hoppy Easter filled with wagging tails, wet nose kisses, and endless petting sessions!

With heartfelt appreciation,
Sarah, Andrey, Maxie and Teenie ❤️

07/04/2023

❤️ Friday Salon Shenanigans ❤️

How sweet are cavalier faces? 🥰 did you know that sometimes this crazy groomer just squeals out “look at your cute little face!” when grooming?

Just look at them! How can you not?!

06/04/2023

You brought so much joy into our lives with your playful antics and unconditional love. It's heartbreaking to say goodbye to you so soon, but we'll forever cherish the memories we made together. You'll always hold a special place in our hearts, sweet pup.

Rest in peace, dear Charlie.

05/04/2023

One up 👆one down 👇

Groomed in Best Shot Ultramax and iGroom for the best results and a SPRITZ of Berry cologne

03/04/2023

Happy Monday everybody!

I’m so sorry to miss last Monday’s info session! With WestGROOM coming very soon the DGAWA Committee are ramping up our gears to put on an amazing weekend for dog groomers from all over the world.

Some of my clients at the end of the season said to me “you probably won’t see pup until summer”. This is actually really disheartening to hear as I know how many dogs has had to have a complete and total shave down due to horrible mattes that they’ve accumulated over months and months of hair growth. Those mattes breed bacteria. They’re uncomfortable and they accumulate dirt and causes irritation.

Not to mention that dogs need regular grooming so that they are desensitised to the process as well. Dogs are more likely to thrash around when we are shaving out mattes. It’s is painful and irritating to them. It is also dangerous as we are working with sharp tools. The risk of shaving down a matted dog is higher. The risk of us getting bitten is higher. The risk of your dog being injured is higher. There is higher stress for both your groomer and your dog. It dulls our tools faster as well. It also takes a lot more time, which means that cost will be added on to your bill.

Always communicate with your groomer on your plans for winter and please don’t neglect your dog’s coat during the winter.

31/03/2023

T’is time for Friday Salon Shenanigans again!

Here we feature mr sully looking very poised next to one of his best friends Maxie, Lulu who is looking spiffy waiting for a treat after being such a good girl for her groom, and Mr Nouk the salon bad boy was caught kissing the twins in the corner! 🤭🤭🤭 .and.jangles

29/03/2023

Meet Noukie, the pup with a creative twist!

His red mohawk is just one of the many fun and unique styles we've created. We believe that grooming should be just as fun and creative as our furry clients! If you're looking to add a pop of personality to your pup's look, come see have a chat. We can't wait to get creative with you! 🐾❤️ .and.jangles

24/03/2023

Friday salon shenanigans!

Here’s a couple of snapshots of what some of your pups get up to in the salon 😍 aren’t they all so cute?!

22/03/2023

Meet Lulu

This little pup is not only adorable, but she's also such a good girl. She's always happy to greet you with a wagging tail and a big smile on her face. If you're having a bad day, Lulu is the perfect cure! 🐾❤️ .Nguyen.cavoodle

20/03/2023

Happy Monday everybody!

Are you regularly deshedding your furry friend? It's not just about reducing shedding, but it has many other benefits as well!

When we remove all that dead undercoat that's weighing your dog down, their coat color becomes much more vibrant. Deshedding also helps air circulate around the skin, which prevents blockage of hair follicles and allows for new, healthy coat growth.

After all, a good and healthy dog's first sign is their skin and coat.