The Pawsh Poodle

07/10/2025

Hello everyone!

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted in here
But I figured it was time to update everyone.

At this time (particularly over the summer) I have no capacity to accept new clients. I’ve decided that I want to enjoy some of the summer and not spend every moment chained to the grooming table. 😆

I will still accept show dog grooming clients though… however space is VERY limited directly before shows. My regulars book months in advance. So if you need a dog cleaned up for a show you better contact me soon.

Specialized show dog breeds:
🐾Poodles (all varieties)
🐾Spaniels (springers & cockers (English and American)
🐾Retrievers (Goldens, Flat Coats & labs)
🐾Collies (Rough & Smooth)
🐾Shelties
🐾Drop coats (Lhasa, Shih Tzu, Havanese)
🐾Siberian Husky (although not a fan of the hair in my house. Haha)
🐾Old English Sheepdogs (Love this breed, however limited availability due to the time commitments)
🐾Pomeranian

If you have a breed other than the ones listed above that you’re curious if i can do a show trim on, contact me to inquire.

One stipulation is that i need to be able to lift the breed. Typically 40-45lbs is the maximum due to previous back injury.

All dogs coming for show groomings need to be trained and accepting of the process. I don’t have the time to be table train your dog.

I will do puppy intros to help young puppies get used to the processes but I won’t correct bad habits instilled from other groomers (ie: biting, fighting the process) or lack of training. If you need assistance with this, I can recommend an amazing animal behaviouralist to help you help your dog.

In the fall, and as time permits, I may open up my schedule for new pet clients.

Have a wonderful summer everyone!!!

01/21/2025

Time to think about Valentines day! The Poodle Club of Alberta is proud to release our Valentines Day apparel for 2025.

All designs can be put on a variety of Colored shirts AS WELL as either a tshirt, hoodie or crew neck! Completely customizable! In addition, you can create your own design for either your kennel, breed club, family, birthday etc….

🐩 Every order through the club link, give the Poodle Club credit and your purchase helps our club with a little kickback!!! Win win!
🐩 Free shipping on orders over $100!

Order cut off for Valentines Day designs is Jan 27th, so don’t hesitate!

As always you can order any custom orders or Club apparel at anytime, but if you want something for your doggie obsessed Valentine, don’t miss the order deadline.

Thank you to all customers of our store! It’s been a great success so far!!!

http://www.poodleclubofalberta.com/poodle-club-of-alberta-store.html

12/22/2024

And that’s a wrap!!! Thank you to my incredible clients for making 2024 so memorable. Huge thank you to my bather Caroline Hilliard for helping me out on a few Saturdays over the year so that I could make sure to meet everyone’s needs as well as keep a little down time for myself. As you all may know, I show and breed miniature poodles as well as have a day job, so I fit all of you in on evenings and a couple Saturdays a month. I’m so thankful to all of you for your commitment to the care of you animals and maintaining your regular grooming schedules. Not only does it make it easier on your dogs, but also on our bodies (humans 😉) when we don’t have to wrangle your dogs and they enjoy your groomings.

Here’s to a fabulous 2025 and I’ll see you all in Mid January after our beach vacation.

PS: January is already 3/4 booked. So get your appointments scheduled if you haven’t already.

Have a Very Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year!!!

11/14/2024

Here is a few of the designs available for the chridtmas apparel on the Poodle Club of Alberta website. These designs are LIVE!!!

If you want apparel for your kennel, breed club or all breed club… or even as a gift of something else, check out the website. All items purchased through our link, gives the club up to $15 per item. This is a fundraiser we are trying out and are hopeful to have regular seasonal designs. Please check it out and support the Poodle Club of Alberta!!

Please note: Christmas design orders need to be in by Nov 30 to ensure you receive them by Christmas. So don’t wait!!!

Free shipping on orders a minimum of $100!

http://www.poodleclubofalberta.com/poodle-club-of-alberta-store.html

10/02/2024

As we gear towards the fall/haloween/winter/Christmas season, please take a look at your schedules and get your appointments booked until the new year. I have limited weekend appointments open and no openings past the 18th of December. So if you are looking to get your puppies cleaned up for Christmas, please book soon!!!

Ps: sweater weather is my favourite season!!!!

05/27/2024

I want to give all my amazing clients a heads up that I’ll be closing grooming between July 1-21st. I have a few personal things going on as well as puppies expected (hopefully) 🤞. So until I know everything is settled and ok I won’t be seeing any client dogs during this time.

I’m sorry for the inconvenience and ask that you plan and time your grooming appointments appropriately.

I encourage you to book ahead and through the summer if you can.

Thank you!!!

03/17/2024

Yesterday was a grooming marathon day if I’ve ever seen one…. We groomed 9 dogs! 4 standards (one in full show coat) 4 minis and a Sibe.

With the success of my home based grooming side gig, I’ve deceived to load up 1 Saturday a month so that I have a little more free time during the week for other fun things. Having a bather has made this possible. HUGE thank you to Caroline Hilliard for being my bather/dryer. I couldn’t have done it without it without you.

If you are looking for a specific grooming appointment please reach out to see what works on both our schedules.

12/17/2023

2023 is a wrap!!!

Thank you to all of my clients over the last year! You truly know how to make a person feel special! I enjoy seeing each and every one of you at every grooming appointment and love how some of these once timid or nervous dogs are starting to come out of their shell with me. My hope is that 2024 is even better for them.

To my new clients, thank you for being part of my grooming family. I especially love how the dogs run up the stairs to greet me. You know who you are!!!

To my long time/lifer clients, you are the back bone of why I do what I do. Great dogs with even better people. It’s a joy to groom your dogs every 4-6 weeks

For the first time (and probably the only groomer out there to do this) I’m taking the last week before Christmas off. Christmas is one of my most favourite times of the year, and while I love seeing each of you, I’m happy that I get this week to enjoy the season, clean up a few of my own dogs and rest. This is an anomaly for a groomer as most head into their busiest time of the year, starting next week. Thank you for being so understanding!!!

For the next 2 weeks I rest!!! I will see all of you again in 2024.

PS: huge thank you to Caroline Hilliard for being bather and dryer extrodinairre. Your help today was immeasurable. I couldn’t have done it without you!

Merry Christmas and happy new year!!!

12/15/2023

This is why I won’t shave a double coated breed.

Post Clipping Alopecia or PCA is defined as loss of proper coat growth due to clipping/shaving with clippers. There are a few things you need to know regarding PCA.

1. Who is most at risk of PCA? Fur bearing breeds are extremely susceptible to PCA. This includes any breed whose coat grows to a genetically predetermined length and stops. Nordic breeds are even more prone to PCA. Geriatrics, even those with hair, are also very susceptible to PCA.

2. What causes PCA? There is no definitive answer at this point, but there are two scientific theories from recent research. The first has to do with vasoconstriction of the blood vessels in the skin. When the coat is shaved, even in warm weather, the skin reacts by constricting blood vessels that feed the follicles in the skin. Once these vessels constrict the follicles no longer proliferate leading to PCA.
The second theory has to do with the growth cycle. When the coat is shaved, the growth cycle becomes disrupted due to the skin sealing itself with oils from sebaceous and apocrine glands. This traps clipped hairs beneath the epidermis preventing them from shedding out leading to improper growth as well as skin diseases.

3. PCA is unpredictable. There is no way to tell if a particular canine will acquire PCA if you shave. Often there is no issue, but on the third or fifth or even the tenth time, it can happen.

4. Are there actual health risks posed by PCA? The short answer is yes. Again, diseases such as Alopecia X, Black Skin Disease, Furunculosis, and other skin diseases often accompany PCA.
Once the coat has been clipped, the body now strains to properly regulate body temperature. Because dogs do not sweat, a properly maintained coat keeps a canine both cool and warm. This strain to cool the body puts a strain on internal organs.

5. Can there be other causes? Yes. Heath problems such as Diabetes, Cushing's diseases, and Addison's disease should be ruled out. Pets who are known to have these health problems should not be shaved if at all possible.

6. Do felines get PCA? The short answer here is yes. While there is minimal research for canines there is even less for felines. Hair coated breeds such as Persians, Himalayans and others are not affected as often as true fur bearing breeds. While felines seem to be less affected by PCA than canines it can happen.

While there are situations such as severely matted or pelted coats that must be shaved for health health purposes, shaving because you think a pet is hot or shedding too much is simply not in the best interest of the pet. A professional groomers responsibility extends to protecting and promoting a healthy coat. A properly maintained coat will help regulate body temperature and prevent shedding.

Join us at the IAPEG where cutting edge education in the best interest of the pet is our top priority.
Get your membership here > https://theiapeg.com/membership-1