And just like that Christmas is here!
Since opening the salon in July our feet have hardly touched the ground, we are enjoying a break and will reopen on Tuesday 2nd January.
Thankfully we have not only been busy with our regular clients, also lots of new ones. Our unique methods have been very popular with our clients and we have had many of the more difficult and challenging dogs through the door. Each dog has its own ways and preferences, once this is understood then we can progress. We have experimented with lots of techniques from pattern games, scent work, resilience building and the most popular is definitely the snuffle box, each dog finding their favourite.
Sadly we have also said goodbye to a few longstanding clients as well as 2 of my own this year. Thinking of the beautiful pets who have left us this year to journey on to rainbow bridge.
Next year there are lots of exciting things planned. We will continue to research scientific studies to keep up to date with new ways to improve your dogs grooming experience.
All that is left is to thank you all for the wonderful and thoughtful gifts, tips and well wishes. We are overwhelmed with your generosity and to wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year from myself, Poppy and Ella x
What a wonderful way to end the year! This may not seem like much, but my best Buddy showed me how far he has come this year.
We have been teaching him to indicate on a marker which is great for a reactive dog to learn impulse control. He loves doing this and we use it during his sessions if he starts to feel frustrated.
I always record his sessions so I can watch it back and see his body language to make sure I'm not missing any little triggers. Today I put my tripod on a stool. Buddy looked at the hole in the middle of the stool and started indicating on it. Such a small thing to offer, but it shows he is thinking, he wants to play the game and he is improvising to get a reward. This is actually a huge step forward.
From a dog who was highly resource guarding of his body, would not be touched and would bite to defend himself to a dog who is relaxed, starting to enjoy touch and is thinking.
This couldn't have been achieved without the dedication of his wonderful owners, who understood it would be a long process and stuck with him. They did training at home and gave him the time and space he needed as well as celebrating every little change they saw in Buddy.
Thank you for your lovely presents and card. It really means the world to me.
What do you get the dog who has everything for Christmas?
How about enriching their lives with a snuffle mat?
We have small handmade snuffle mats in stock. Really useful for use in crates, cars, vet trips, distraction from visitors etc. Made from polar fleece. Machine washable and air dry only. Only use under supervision, not a chew toy.
£8 - larger mats available upon request
We also have fleece tuggy toys, great for retrieve and tug games. Also those who are interested in scent work can be used for scent training. Made from polar fleece. Machine washable and air dry only. Only use under supervision, not a chew toy.
£3 - £4.50
Pamper Hamper
250ml Herbal Dog Shampoo and Conditioner
Simpsons Mini Slicker
Metal Comb
Treat Cone
Christmas Bow Tie
£35
Collar Bow Ties only £1.50
Pop in to the salon at 2 Hacton Parade, Hornchurch RM12 6EL to purchase.
What a little Treasure ❤️ Treasure the silver lab came for puppy sessions. As she is a confident young lady, she took everything in her stride and sailed through in just 2 sessions. Thank you to Nolly Edel Aesthetics for the photos 💕🐾
A little tour of the salon and a little of what we do.
My idea was to make the salon as appealing as possible for dogs. They have toys, treats and enrichment to help put them at ease. Using positive reinforcement to help dogs with anxiety relax and enjoy their grooming time.
I am currently in my final year of the School of Canine Science Behaviour Bible (level 6 equivalent) I have qualifications in dermatological skin care as well as 15 years grooming experience.
We have network of positive only professionals to give you the best all round service for your dog.
#aliciasobediencedogtraining #bestfriendsvetgroupdagenham #colinsk9trainingservices #caninemassagetherapyessex
If at first you don't succeed...
...take a leaf out of Hudson's book and try, try again
or is he faking it to get more treats!
#justthinkdog #catchatreat #gooddog
Just look at beautiful Reggie showing off his flouncy trot.
Start Them Right is the perfect way to introduce your puppy to the grooming salon. Introducing them to all aspects of grooming over 4 sessions. Building confidence and resilience. #justthinkdog #specialistdoggrooming #puppies #puppy #puppygrooming #doggrooming #dogwellbeing #notjustagroomer #AlwaysABetterWay #qualifiedgroomer #startthemright
Teaching a dog to file their own nails using a scratch board! Simple to teach, much easier for foot shy dogs who hate the nail clippers. Book a Scratchboard session for your dog! #justthinkdog #daataqualified #specialistdoggrooming #notjustagroomer #dogwellbeing #hornchurch #doggroomer #qualifiedgroomer #alwaysabetterway
Our deshedding treatment for double coats works on a physiological level. We use the best natural products and the DAATA method to work with your dogs skin. We are the only groomers qualified to offer this treatment in the local area #doggroomer #hornchurch #upminster #cranham #romford #daataqualified #justthinkdog #specialistdoggrooming #skincarefordogs #notjustagroomer #dogwellbeing #qualifiedgroomer
Fireworks 💥
Fireworks time is a stressful time for many dogs. This impacts them for several days as their cortisol levels have risen. They will be trigger stacked and more reactive and jumpy until their levels return to normal, which can take up to 3 days after the traumatic event.
This can affect their grooming experience and they will be more sensitive to noise and touch.
Please read and share my previous posts regarding fireworks to help keep your dog as calm as possible during the next few weeks. Let’s try to help out our four legged friends as much as possible ❤️🐾
Indication Box
Buddy can get frustrated quite quickly. Although his impulse control has improved significantly he can still get impatient.
So to help Buddy learn, think and problem solve we use an Indication Box. There is a marker placed in the box - in this case a slate coaster - and when Buddy hovers his nose above it a food reward will drop onto the marker.
You can see Buddy thinking about what to do, then decides that in order to win the chicken he must look at the marker. It's important to let them work it out for themselves and not to prompt. This is where the magic happens and we start to build confidence in their ability to make decisions.
It's a nice game for Buddy to play to reset if he starts to feel stressed. He is a clever boy.
Buddys progress
For earlier videos please see https://youtu.be/0POwKsQzMGU?si=VOS5ZgvOn9rb3wqx
Why do I do what I do? Just listen to what Buddy's owner has to say at the beginning of this video. Originally when they came to me it was to desensitise Buddy to grooming. But it has turned into so much more. How husbandry has affected Buddy's life and how his personality has shone through once he started to feel secure. Buddy's family have allowed him to progress in his own time and know there are no quick fixes for trauma recovery. I wouldn't have got this far without them being 100% on board.
Buddy has come a long way, we all have. It's not all plain sailing as he had a wobble a few weeks ago and reverted back to his grumbling and snapping for some parts of the session. The road to recovery is never a smooth journey, sometimes we have to go back a step.
However, yesterday Buddy was back on form. Not only that but made huge leaps forward. Buddy hates any form of restraint, be it me holding a leg up, or even putting both hands on him would result in a violent outburst. He made his mind up a long time ago that no one will force him to do anything he is scared of.
The amazing relationship he now has with his owners which has grown as Buddy's confidence has blossomed. The fact he let me hold hold his leg to scissor his paw is a huge leap of faith on his part is what drives me forward.
Gryffin found plenty to amuse himself while Luna had a bath. Luna was happiest wiggling around with a piece of cardboard!
#justthinkdog #doggroominghornchurch #scienceofdoggrooming #playtime #funday #morethanadoggroomer #whatadogneeds
Ralf was very excited to come in today, after taking himself on a quick tour he got on with the important job of finding his favourite toy...then took The Box of Balls for a trip around the salon.
Unfortunately he did still need to have a bath and haircut, then he could play with his toys again.
#justthinkdog #scienceofdoggrooming #playtime #itsnotallaboutthehaircut #hornchurchdoggrooming #happydog
Start Them Right Puppy Course
We run a puppy course over 4 sessions to gently introduce your puppy to the salon, the equipment, the bath and then put it all together into a puppy groom.
Many of the issues I see when working with behaviour modification in the salon is anxiety with one of the elements of the grooming process. This is why I have created a course to give the puppy the confidence and trust they need to enjoy grooming.
Not only does your puppy get to learn lots and have fun, you also learn how to groom and handle your puppy as well as training tips and confidence building games.
The cost of the course is £150 including toys and an ebook to accompany the course.
You may want to consider our special Bundle offers.
Bundle 1
Start Them Right Puppy Course (inc ebook and toys)
Good Dog Level 1 On Line Course
Slicker Brush
Metal Comb
Shampoo & Conditioner
Total Value £265 BUNDLE PRICE £235
Bundle 2
Start Them Right Puppy Course
Good Dog Level 1 On Line Course
Total Value £222 BUNDLE PRICE £199
Bundle 3
Start Them Right Puppy Course
Slicker Brush
Metal Comb
Shampoo & Conditioner
Total Value £193 BUNDLE PRICE £185.50
www.justthinkdog.uk
Call to book in your puppy 01708 938125
#justthinkdog #scienceofdoggrooming #doggrooming #puppy #puppygrooming #puppygroom #puppytraining #doggroominghornchurch #startthemright #holistic #puppycourse
Louis is the most beautiful chihuahua. Just look at that lovely little trot when he sees his nan is here to pick him up.
Louis had a deshedding treatment today, using a carefully selected combination of oils and conditioner to help the dead hair to release. He also had a face scrub with a natural soap bar to cleanse his skin.
Louis has regular visits to keep his skin and hair in tip top condition.
Thank you for my card and good wishes x
Buddy the Cockapoo
Buddy is a beautiful boy, unfortunately his early grooming experiences resulted in a trauma which only got worse with time. He spent the last 2 years having sedated clip offs at the vets, however this couldn't go on. Not only is the sedation a lot for him to cope with, he was fighting the sedation and taking days to recover.
When Buddy's owners contacted me I couldn't refuse the challenge.
We had to build trust, he had to learn to control his impulses and frustrations. He learnt that he didn't have to bite, because we respected his body language and stopped when he was feeling overwhelmed.
Buddy has responded so well to his training, not only showing in the salon, but also in his home life.
We still have a way to go, but the future is looking far more positive for darling Buddy.
https://youtu.be/0POwKsQzMGU
