03/04/2024
This is so relevant at the moment. 🙌
Unfortunately the whole canine industry isn't regulated at all, so it's down to dog owners to do their own due diligence!
Ask for qualifications, insurance, DBS, first aid qualification, experience and personal recommendations for people you know and trust.
If your dog is out of your sight, ask questions about where your dog will be, how they will travel, who will have access to them.
I try and cover off everything I would ask as an owner when running through an introduction, but I'm always interested to add to that and get challenged on other questions!
I'm all for sharing and promoting small canine businesses that provide great services, so make sure when you do have a great experience you shout about it!
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I can’t believe I am having to write this post, but it has been a long time coming. Please, please do your research on businesses that offer dog and animal services. Sadly, as a local Dog Grooming and Dog recreation business we regularly hear some absolutely horrifying things from owners. Sadly, the whole industry is highly unregulated and literally anybody can open a business grooming or caring for your dogs. Even convicted animal abusers and completely untrained people. Ask your new groomer, dog walker, trainer where they trained, how long they’ve been doing it, look at reviews, talk to your friends. In the local area there are many absolutely wonderful trusted businesses that have trained thoroughly, work ethically and kindly without dangerous practices. If a service sounds to good to be true price or availability wise it just may be, it’s worth doing your research and asking questions. We know a number of customers that have canceled with us lately, and other reputable businesses, and this has put their dog’s welfare in direct danger, it has really frightened us. If we can’t fit you in quickly enough, ask us to recommend other local businesses that may be able to, we will advise you of safe practicing alternatives. All good local dog businesses work together and communicate to ensure safety regularly. This is not to say if you are fitted in quickly that it’s not a trustworthy place, or if it’s a slightly cheaper alternative, we often have last minute availability, but good businesses need to charge properly for services, this is how they pay, train their staff, buy safe equipment, decent products, pay overheads, have the correct insurance, invest in their business and do the job properly and safely. Together we are desperately trying to get safer, better legislation within our industry for the safety of our pets, but right now there are huge loop holes - please, please be vigilant. If you are concerned or have any questions, please reach out to us directly and we will always advise honestly with your dog’s best interest.