Happy Paws with Sue

12/08/2024

ANNOUNCEMENT

I am delighted to announce that Happy Paws with Sue are now a Pet Remedy Ambassador. Pet Remedy is a product I already really value and promote and are excited to be part of their mission to educate about emotional wellbeing for all animals.

As an Ambassador I will be sharing information about the product and the many ways it can be used to offer such an important support to the emotional wellbeing of all companion animals.

I am proud to be seen as an ambassador for the product, and all the work that is being done to improve animal welfare and wellbeing.

As an additional benefit to you, any purchases made via this link will give you a massive 25% discount https://petremedy.co.uk/ref/HPWS/

12/08/2024

In the last week, I have received two 5* reviews via Goldie (unfortunately to be able to publish them via Goldie I will need to upgrade to their most expensive package).

"Sue has been so patient with me and Penny. Penny's trust of me has increased so much over the last few months and she cannot wait to see Sue when we arrive. Penny pulls me in on our visits. She's usually petrified when we go to the groomers. Its still taking time, but I can definitely see improvement in Penny's confidence overall. I'm so pleased that Sue is helping me on this journey as it's been a difficult one managing Penny's anxiety. Thank you" Harprit Sahota

"My two pooches have been going to Happy Paws with Sue for their grooms for the last 7 years. Sue is absolutely amazing with them, professional, knowledgeable and gently eased them in when they were puppies to gain their trust. They see her as family now and love going" Clare Bentley

06/02/2024

Its chill out for drying week at Happy Paws with Sue grooming salon. The scrummy Rocky in a quick tidy before i have surgery on Thursday

17/12/2023

TAKING THE GRRR OUT OF GROOMING DOGS WORKSHOP 7TH JAN 2024 STOWE BY CHARTLEY, STAFFS
Want to treat yourself to something special this Christmas, then you won't go far wrong with my one day workshop being hosted by Happy Henry's.
During this one day workshop I will be covering a range of topics which will help make grooming life easier, and less stressful for both yourselves and your canine clients.
Topics include:
Canine Emotions and nervous system
Canine Communication
Trigger Stacking (build up of stressors)
Techniques to reduce stressors in the salon
Animal Centred Education Freework
Dog Training Techniques for Grooming
Tellington TTouch Training
Explanation of Consent Based Grooming, examples and benefits
Following the workshop you will receive a Certificate, plus a online portal which will include all the slides and videos shown during the workshop, and a special bonus.
All this for just £90 (two cockerpoo grooms!)
Any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

About me:
I am a canine behaviourist, groomer, Animal Centred Education Advanced Tutor, Tellington TTouch Practitioner (P2), Low Stress Silver Certified, and Grisha Stewart Academy Instructor. I have delivered webinars on low stress grooming for many of the Accredited Dog Training and Behaviour Organisations, and created the Taking the Grrr Out Of Grooming Dogs Facebook Group.

TAKING THE GRRR OUT OF GROOMING DOGS WORKSHOP WITH SUE WILLIAMSONJoin us for an exciting ALL DAY event, the Taking the Grrr Out of Grooming Dogs Workshop, led by the amazing groomer and behaviourist Sue Williamson. Whether you're a groomer looking for a gentler way to groom, a guardian, or a

13/10/2023

17/07/2023

https://school.grishastewart.com/courses/grooming?ref=6e4b6d

Learn how to build trust trust when grooming your dog with Sue's cooperative care techniques.

02/07/2023

https://school.grishastewart.com/?ref=6e4b6d
GRISHA STEWART ACADEMY - JUST TWO DAYS LEFT TO LOCK INTO THE CURRENT RATE OF $29 PER MONTH
Once you are a member, you will have access to well over 100 classes, plus Grisha's eBooks. On 5th July, the rate will increase to $39 for new members
As well as the newly added webinars below (by some amazing canine professionals) you will be invited to my webinar on 19th July - Taking the Grrr out of Grooming Dogs. However, if you just want to purchase my webinar you can use this link instead: https://school.grishastewart.com/courses/grooming...
Just this year alone, the following amazing webinars below,
* Animal Instinct: Let's Talk About Intact Dogs with Sara McLoudrey CDBC, CPDT-KSA
* Biology of Dog Reactivity: A Lively Conversation on the Biological Foundations of Behavior Adjustment Training 3.0 with Tim Lewis PhD & Grisha
* Dissociation and Our Clients with Danielle Beck BSc (Hons.), MSc., CABC.
* Emotional Experience and BAT: Safety for Socially Sensitive Dogs with Andrew Hale, BSc., ISCP. Dip. Canine. Prac., C.A.B, C.C.B.
* Emotional Safety for Us and Our Clients with Andrew Hale, BSc., ISCP. Dip. Canine. Prac., C.A.B, C.C.B.
* My Dog is Blind: Understanding, Training, and Connecting with Dogs Who Have Low or No Vision with Eve Welton, IMDT
* Multiple Dog Households: Conflicts, Resolutions, & Creating Calm with Debby McMullen, CDBC
* Nosework for Cats with Hanna Fushihara, CPDT-KA
* Resilient, Responsive Social Skills: Intro to BAT 3.0 for Dog Reactivity with Grisha Stewart MA, CPDT-KA, KPACTP

Grisha Stewart Academy NEXT LIVE EVENTS: Biology of Dog Reactivity: A Conversation on the Biological Foundations of Behavior Adjustment Training 3.0 with Tim Lewis PhD & Grisha Stewart. June 21st, 10AM Pacific Diamond Members Event: Unpacking LGBTQIA+ Challenges in the Dog Training Industry. July 12...

28/06/2023

If you want access to some awesome webinars and other resources, you have just one week left to join the Grisha Stewart Academy at the current monthly rate of $29 because it increases to $39 per month. Once you have enrolled, you are locked into that monthly fee until you choose to leave the Academy. You can leave at any point so you are not locked into an annual contract.
There are a host of resources, webinars, courses, etc. by not only Grisha herself, but other animal professionals such as Sarah Fisher, Andy Hale, Suzanne Clothier, Kim Brophy, Shay Kelly, Leslie McDevitt, etc. You also get access to a dedicated page and regular Newsletters.
https://school.grishastewart.com/?ref=6e4b6d
There are courses to meet everyones needs, including guardians, groomers, trainers and behaviourists.

If you don't want to sign up to a monthly subscription, you can buy one off webinars currently $29 each (so the same as a monthly subscription) including my forthcoming course:
Taking the Grrr out of Grooming, 19th July
https://school.grishastewart.com/courses/grooming?ref=6e4b6d

Learn how to build trust trust when grooming your dog with Sue's cooperative care techniques.

31/07/2022

THE BENEFITS OF EARLY PUPPY INTRODUCTIONS TO THE PROFESSIONAL GROOMING SALON

One of my aims for 2022 was to increase awareness of the importance of puppy introductions in the grooming salon. Please can I ask everyone to share, copy and paste (remove my book reference if you wish), make your own version up, but lets get this message out there so that we can ensure more puppies have the best grooming start they possibly can.

The benefits of introducing puppies to the grooming salon as soon as they are fully vaccinations are massive. It is a long post but please read on.

A good professional groomer wants your dogs to be relaxed and confident during grooming and this can easily be achieved if you start their grooming experiences early, which gives the groomer time to introduce themselves and the salon (ideally that is the only experience puppies should have on their first visit), equipment, processes and techniques positively over a period of sessions, building pups confidence, making positive associations, teaching them what is required of them during grooming, etc. The groomer will also give you advice how you can help at home to make the process even easier for your puppy.

Many groomers offer puppy packages to ensure your puppy gets the best start. Grooming training is equally as important as puppy training. Investing financially and timewise in your pup's grooming experience should not be undervalued. Also bear in mind that for most breeds their groomer will handled them more than any other canine professional.

Taking a 6 month old matted adolescent puppy to the groomers for the first time prevents all that gentle introduction, leaving the puppy with negative memories and associations which are difficult to undo.

As a human, we really cannot fully understand the impact of walking into a grooming salon for a dog (let's call him Fred). Firstly, the salon is full of information that Fred will need time to process: sounds, sights, smells, textures. This alone can be overwhelming, especially if they are not allowed the time to process that information before they are whipped into the bath or onto the table to start grooming (both of which Fred is unlikely to have experienced before, so needs to process those too).

Most grooms involve:
* Fred being picked up, put on a high surface, moved between bath and table
* Safety restraints applied
* Bath
* Dried (towel, high velocity dryer, finishing dryer)
* Brushed all over (often whilst being dried at the same time)
* Claws Clipped
* Fur clipped, scissored
* Legs, ears and tail lifted
* Being moved around
* Hygiene areas being tided
* Some groomers also include:
* Ear fur plucking
* A**l gland emptying
* Teeth Cleaning
* Applying Cologne, bandanas and bows
* Using crates

That understandably is likely to be stressful for Fred, irrelevant of how good and gentle the groomer is, added to that Fred may have other issues that need taking into account:
* Separation anxiety
* General anxiety around strangers
* Noise sensitivity
* Touch sensitivity
* Discomfort/Pain
* Matted coat
* Not used to being handled by a stranger
* No grooming training done at home
* Other dogs and groomers that may be in the salon
* Not used to standing still for long periods
* Not used to having safety restraints put on

Now we are beginning to build a picture of why Fred is totally overwhelmed, struggles with the whole processes, builds up negative association with the grooming salon. This may then lead to Fred show aggressive behaviours during grooming, requiring muzzles, additional safety aids, etc. Eventually, Fred's guardians may find that groomers will refuse to groom him, leaving no option to have him sedated at the vets to be clipped off - a very expensive groom, or find that Fred freezes at the salon door the next time you take him, or comes home completely exhausted due to the stress and anxiety he has had to cope with.

To give Fred an even better start on his grooming journey, his guardians could have invested in Sue Williamson' book "Introducing Your Puppy to Grrr-less Grooming" and watched the webinar in Rethinking Puppy Grooming Introductions

14/07/2022

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B6G28QDP/ref=sr_1_1...
Now available on Kindle

If you have purchased a copy of this book, could you please leave a review on Facebook (especially if you have found it useful)

13/07/2022

At the moment I do have a waiting list for new grooming behaviour clients. However, when I do take on new dogs I use the same introductory process whether they are a puppy or fully grown dog.

They all come in for a familiarisation session, get to know me and my salon, the smells, sounds, sights, etc., and have time to process them. I will not groom a dog on the first visit unless it needs an urgent clip off for any reason.

Thank you

30/06/2022

Introducing your Puppy to Grrr-less Grooming: Techniques for a calmer grooming experience

15/06/2022

Launched today Episode 5 – Improving the grooming experience for nervous dogs with groomer Sue Williamson.

https://petremedy.co.uk/pet-remedy-podcasts/

Many dogs will see the groomer more often than a vet, trainer, or other dog professional. For some dogs, the trip to the groomers can be a stressful one, and there is now more emphasis on helping the dogs emotional experience and less on controlling their behaviour. Sue Williamson is a leading voice in this new approach, and has written best selling books on the topic as well as a huge following on social media.

03/06/2022

Excited to announce that I will be part of the Free Masterclass Series talking about Consent Grooming organised by Marilyn Mele.

The series has already started, but you can still sign up: https://bit.ly/suewilliamson

Here are the other incredible people you’ll get the chance to hear from:

Author and internationally reknowned pet training expert Irith Bloom talks about the importance giving dogs a choice.

Separation Anxiety authority and best selling author Julie Naismith explains how to help your dogs be happy home alone.

Shelter Animal Reiki Association co-founder and animal advocate Leah D’Ambrosio will teach you her simple technique for restoring peace when your dogs feel stressed.

Professor Emeritus from Cornell University and Certified Behavior Consultant Laura Donaldson will show you how to transform “training” into an ongoing conversation with your dogs.
Internationally respected behavior consultant and training instructor Judy Luther describes the importance of building and keeping a deep trusting relationship with your dogs.

Behavior analyst and expert trainer Nancy Kelly shows you how to take the stress out of introducing a new dog or puppy into the family.

Family Dog Mediator, mom, and professional dog trainer Michelle Stern shows you ways to incorporate safety and good management when you’re living with dogs and kids together.

Certified Professional Dog Trainer and service dog training specialist Sharon Wachsler reveals how reward-based training impacts both service dogs and their disabled handlers,
and how to find a service dog trainer to work with you or your disabled family member.

Movement and wellness expert for animals and people Mary Debono will teach you how to use your hands and heart to communicate with your dogs.

Award winning trick dog trainer Sara Carson and her Super Collies teach you the insider secrets to teaching tricks to have fun with your dogs.

Canine rehab specialist and physical therapist Julie McKinney Miller teaches you how to recognize when your dog tells you he is in pain and what you can do for him.

Veterinarian Dr. Ginger Davis explains how to get the most out of visits to the veterinarian.

Your dogs mirror your emotions so you can reduce the stress your dog feels by managing your emotional energy.

11/05/2022

Happy Paws with Sue has been awarded Dog Grooming Specialist by Central England Prestige Awards

02/02/2022

I was very lucky to be able to deliver with webinar at the weekend with Andrew Hale in his Dog Centred Care group. Now available to watch on YouTube if you are interested in learning more about consent/cooperative dog grooming

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NeCJUnnBBE

In this chat we discuss the importance of co-operative care grooming as well as the changing professional landscape of the grooming profession. You can learn...

14/09/2021

Today I have launched my Online Taking The Grrr of out Grooming Dogs Educational Hub.

https://www.takingthegrrr.co.uk

This is a monthly (or annual) subscription hub where new content will be added each month. This will include Dog behaviour, low stress grooming techniques, Observations, Animal Centred Education, Tellington TTouch training, Counter conditioning, desensitisation, plus loads of other topics.

For those that join in September or October, the monthly subscription will just £15 which will remain the fee for as long as you are a member. Fees will increase on 1st November.

Please feel free to share.

Instructor Sue Williamson Sue Williamson is an experience dog guardian having lived with dogs for much of her life, including poodles, spaniels, labrador and Collie Cross. Sue current lives with four dog Taz and Talis (Cocker Spaniels), Chic and Ritzi (Miniature Poodles. Sue is a dog groomer, specia...

25/08/2021

Due to the extremely high number of requests I am now receiving for Grooming Behaviour Modification, I have decided not to take on any more non-grooming related behaviour cases.

With this in mind, my website has been updated to reflect this, thanks to www.kaluna.co.uk.

It is also now possible to buy my books direct via the website if you are in the UK.

https://www.happypawswithsue.co.uk/

Welcome to Happy Paws With Sue. Happy Paws with Sue is a pet services business (predominantly canine), based in Broughton Astley, Leicestershire.

30/01/2021

13/01/2021

DEFRA have given a tighter clarification of Welfare for grooming purposes. Groomers are now only allows to on veterinarian referral or excessive matting.

If you need advice or support during the lockdown period, your groomer should be able to provide advice. If you have a dog with grooming anxieties don’t forget I have published a book (available on Amazon) Taking the Grrr out of Grooming Your Dog, which has help with desensitisation and counter conditioning, etc.

In the meantime, please wait for your groomer to re-open, swapping groomers can be very unnerving for some dogs, especially if they have a good relationship with their regular groomer.

Thank you, and Stay Safe