Posh Paws Great Barr Canine Styling

04/09/2025

Do dogs smile? Is Nancy pleased with herself? 😂

28/08/2025

I am writing to inform you of some changes to the services I'll be offering going forward. Due to unforeseen health issues, I'll no longer be able to provide grooming services for large dogs or dogs that require deshedding.

I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. I'll continue to provide grooming services for smaller dogs and those with simpler grooming needs.

Your loyalty and custom across the last few years has been appreciated.

22/07/2025

Worth a read - concerns all poodle mixes

Thinking about buying a poodle? Have you been told they "don't need grooming until 1yrs old" or "coat maintenance is easy"?
*PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING piece written by a groomer..in the pic that's known as a pelted coat /Pelting. A dog’s fur gets so matted & tangled it will come off in one piece. It's outs tension on the skin, can damage the skin causing horrible infections and sometimes renders the dog helpless,unable to move and it can then cause fatality
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Poodle crosses (cockapoos, doodles, maltipoos etc.) are not "easy breeds" to maintain. The photo attached (shared from another groomer) shows how matting forms at the skin. By looking at this dog's top coat, you may not see the knots and you may not feel them as you would a knot on the ends of the fur but under that fluffy top layer this is going on. Once it starts its very difficult/ impossible to brush out... and even if you could it would be cruel to put the dog through it. Maintenance at home has to be more than a quick once over for these dogs if you want to keep them in that fluffy coat which was probably one of the reasons you chose a poodle cross in the first place. You really need to sit down with a brush and then a metal comb and make sure you can get it through the entire body at least 2 to 3 times a week.
I often feel like owners don't believe groomers when they say their dog has to be clipped very short. I always hear "I know he/she is matted, but leave as much as you can". You cannot clip through matting, you can only clip under it. As this photo shows, clipping under the matting means taking the coat back to the skin.
I promise you, your groomer really doesn't want to do this but they won't hurt your dog by putting it through dematting, they also don't want to hurt their reputation when the clients go around complaining about how the last groomer "scalped" their dog but there really is not any alternative. Instead of being angry with your groomer if they clip your dog very short please respect their commitment to do what is in your dog's best interest, accept responsibility for not having brushed your dog properly at home, and work with your groomer because, together, you can prevent this happening again. All groomers will be very happy to demonstrate a technique called line brushing which will help make your grooming at home more effective. Just ask! We all want owners to know how to do this
Poodle crosses are easily one of the highest maintenance dogs in reference to their coats. The combination of the soft coat they are mixing poodles with these days is a coat that is extremely prone to matting.
If you like a fluffy pup, you probably need to consider no more than 3-5 week intervals between grooming and set aside time for regular brushing AND combing at home.
Please know, if you bathe your poodle cross you really need to blow dry and brush out right after. Moisture, be it a bath, rain, swimming, snow etc are all going to make matting worse. If you know your dog is already matted-- bathing is only going to make it worse! Brush out before the bath.
Lastly "breeders" who say these dogs can't or shouldnt be clipped and not to give them a hair cut until they are one year old are misleading potential owners in order to sell$$$$ puppies and setting them up for a sad day when they finally take their pup to the groomer!!!
If this hasn't put you off buying one please schedule your puppy's first groom immediately after they've had their vaccinations and then be prepared to do the maintenance at home between regular professional grooms.

Post (collected).

20/07/2025

A limited number of appointments now available for small - medium size coated dogs - poodles - poodle mixes - shih tzu etc

30/06/2025

The June grooms. Another lot of lovely customers x quite like their owners too x

24/05/2025

A few from the month of May - a few more to do next week - then back to just Thursday and Friday as I make way for my new venture Please note that my diary is closed to new customers as I am unable to fit any more in at the moment x Thank you to all the loyal regulars that keep returning. Love the dogs so much x x

15/04/2025

WHAT YOU DON'T SEE AT THE DOG GROOMERS.......
You dropped your dog off at the salon and picked them up few hours later - fluffy, fresh, and happy. But what you saw was just the tip of the iceberg.

You didn’t see your groomer arrive early to open up the salon, disinfect tools, lay out fresh towels, and check the day’s appointments. You didn’t see them look over your dog from nose to tail before even lifting a brush - checking the coat condition, skin, eyes, ears, nails, and weight.

You didn’t see the careful way they clipped around a wriggly paw, or how they paused to let your dog calm down during the bath. You didn’t notice the matting hidden beneath your dog’s topcoat, or the way the groomer worked slowly to avoid hurting the skin beneath it.

You weren’t there when they spotted a red patch of irritated skin, or a small lump you hadn’t noticed. You heard them gently mention it to you at collection - not to worry you, but because they genuinely care about your dog’s wellbeing.

And after you left, you didn’t see the clean-down , the floor swept, tables cleaned, blades oiled, messages replied to, notes written up for your next visit, and laundry on again.

All of that… for a price that’s often lower than what you’d pay for your own haircut. And your hairdresser?
They don’t have to bathe you, clip your nails, or hold you still while you try to bite the brush.

The truth is ……. dog grooming is so much more than a haircut.

It’s about health, hygiene, comfort, and trust. It’s about knowing dog anatomy, coat types, skin conditions, behaviour management, handling skills, and safe sc******ng techniques. It’s a profession that takes training, practice, and patience.
Most groomers got into this work because they love dogs. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be paid fairly for the physical, emotional, and skilled work they do every single day.

If your dog leaves their groomer happy, healthy and looking good - it’s not by luck. It’s because you have got a good groomer.
So next time, take a moment to thank them. Leave a review.

Tip them if you can. And above all - don’t undervalue them.
They’re doing far more than just washing the dog.

If you want to know more about the trade association for pet groomers and how we support them, contact the British Dog Groomers Association a division of the Pet Industry Federation www.petfederation.co.uk

15/04/2025

A few of the more recent grooms. Salon is now closed for two weeks. Regretfully I am unable to take any new customers as my diary is totally full. Thank you to my regulars for your loyalty. Your dogs are all loved and cared for as though my own when here ❤️

09/04/2025

Have you considered how much hair is on a dog?

And how much a dog groomer charges to wash your dog, cut its hair, de-matt it, if necessary, trim its nails and blow dry it?
Now compare that to what your hairdresser charges.
A typical haircut and blow-dry for a person might take 45 minutes and cost anywhere from £30 to £80, depending on location. Your dog’s groom can take up to two hours or more, often includes more services—and yet, most groomers charge less than a high-street hairdresser.
And let’s be honest—your hairdresser doesn’t have to bathe you while you wriggle, bark, or try to bite. They don’t have to lift you into a tub, de-matt a tangled coat, or try to trim your nails while you squirm
Still think it’s overpriced?

And unlike human salons, grooming salons must invest in specialised equipment, high-quality shampoos, dryers, clippers, tables—and often do it all while working solo or in small teams.
Groomers don’t just care about appearances—they’re often the first to spot early signs of skin problems, infections, or unusual lumps. Their work plays an important role in your dog’s health as well as their comfort and wellbeing.

The truth is, most groomers got into the job because they love dogs, not because they expected to make a fortune. Many earn less than minimum wage once all their costs are taken into account.

And here’s something else to look out for: qualifications. A Level 2 qualification is the entry point to grooming, but if you want your dog groomed to breed standard or styled with more advanced techniques, look for someone with a Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming. It shows they've committed to a higher level of professional training and expertise.

Many professional groomers are also members of the British Dog Groomers' Association (BDGA), a division of the Pet Industry Federation (PIF). BDGA members commit to professional standards, and PIF membership gives you extra peace of mind. If you ever feel unhappy with a groom, you can raise a concern through PIF’s dispute resolution service, which is designed to be fair to both you and the groomer.

So next time you collect your freshly groomed pup, take a moment to appreciate the time, care, skill—and love—that’s gone into it.
Tell your groomer if you’re happy. Tip them. Leave a review. Recommend them.
And most importantly—don’t undervalue them.

Because they certainly don’t do it just for the money.
If you want more information about the pet grooming industry and PIF membership, go www.petfederation.co.uk

09/04/2025

Posh Paws Salon been cleaned and freshened up. Thank you Denzil. You are amazing

09/04/2025

And all for less than the average hair do 😂

22/03/2025

Posh Paws is currently fully booked. Thank you so much to my regular customers for your loyalty. I am unable to take any new dogs on at the moment.