Stress-Less Grooming

Stress-Less Grooming Specialist behaviour-led dog grooming, based in Kilsyth - unit 8, 8 Garrell Road, Kilsyth, G65 9JX Dog grooming
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Lovely boy Sammy spaniel 😍He’s very sweet and shy when he arrives, and he really benefits from having his mum with him t...
28/11/2025

Lovely boy Sammy spaniel 😍

He’s very sweet and shy when he arrives, and he really benefits from having his mum with him throughout.

He had a light trim of his paws, nails, ears and tail, and on his second visit this time it was lovely to see him looking a bit less shy and a little more relaxed than before 💛

Merida and Morag 😍 what a lovely pair!Merida has some hip issues and, while you’d never know it watching her move, there...
28/11/2025

Merida and Morag 😍 what a lovely pair!

Merida has some hip issues and, while you’d never know it watching her move, there are a few parts of grooming that could aggravate any pain. She also has dermatitis on her lower lip, so we’ve been steadily building up her tolerance for having that clipped short. She’s such a lovely girl — she always tries her hardest, especially with her mum staying to support her, and she’s so polite with her stop signals 🥹

Her little pal Morag is fabulous as well. She’s a bit unsure about her face and leg handling, but with reassurance from her mum and some tasty rewards, we’re able to give her a really positive experience. Such a cutie 🤩

Merida started first and completed most of her groom before having a break while Morag had her turn. It turns out she didn’t really want a break at all — she couldn’t wait to get back up💛

Welcome, Lucky, for his Supported Grooming introduction 🍀Some dogs need a very hands-off first appointment, but Lucky wa...
27/11/2025

Welcome, Lucky, for his Supported Grooming introduction 🍀

Some dogs need a very hands-off first appointment, but Lucky was happy to get straight into things after a little mooch around! He had his paw pads trimmed, plus a tidy of his bottom and eye area 👏

From chatting with his mum, I’ve got a good idea of the areas of grooming he’s likely to find difficult, and we’ve already got a plan for how to adapt things to give him a much better experience going forward.

Introduction appointments are such an important part of how I work — and Lucky’s went perfectly 👌💛

27/11/2025

Little doodle visitors yesterday 😍

Andy the Cavapoo worked on his paw desensitisation, had a little face tidy, and then a nice bath.

Buddy the Cockapoo came for his usual full groom — I’ve worked with him since he was a puppy and he’s just brilliant.

And beautiful Evie the Springerpoo had her dry groom and a smart short clip. She was so brave letting me trim some of the thick hair around her lips — that fluff can get pulled into the mouth and trap food, so tidying it up keeps things much cleaner and fresher for her. It’s a lot for some dogs to tolerate, but Evie did great 👍

Lottie and Freya the whippets also came in for their nails trim, but I missed their photos💛

Gorgeous Rosie 😍 It’s a real team effort managing her coat. She’s usually very reluctant to let me near her face, and al...
27/11/2025

Gorgeous Rosie 😍 It’s a real team effort managing her coat. She’s usually very reluctant to let me near her face, and although I gently approach that area throughout each visit, I don’t always manage to trim it. She’s also frightened of clippers, so for now scissors are the kindest option around her body and legs. Her dad often trims around her eyes at home, and working together this way keeps Rosie comfortable and progressing at her own pace. She’s making lovely progress this way 💛

Sending a dog home unfinished when they are struggling, isn’t a failure — it’s professionalism. There’s no shame in stop...
27/11/2025

Sending a dog home unfinished when they are struggling, isn’t a failure — it’s professionalism.

There’s no shame in stopping a groom early when a dog is clearly saying “I’ve had enough.” In fact, pushing on through stress signals only creates a shorter fuse next time. When we pause, regroup, and respect the dog’s limits, we protect their long-term welfare — and their relationship with grooming. Ending on a positive note is always the better investment.

Little Ozzy here has complex rescue history and big feelings about being handled, he made it very clear when he didn’t want something done — and when Ozzy says “no”, he means it. His adopters were fully informed about his grooming and handling issues, yet instead of being deterred, getting to know his behaviour only made them more determined to help him.

For dogs like Ozzy, there may never be a “finished” groom in the traditional sense, but there can be a safe, positive experience that he’s willing to come back to — and that’s what truly matters.

Oscar is a sensitive soul with certain areas of grooming, and his owner now stays throughout to support him. As we got t...
26/11/2025

Oscar is a sensitive soul with certain areas of grooming, and his owner now stays throughout to support him. As we got towards the end of the session, Oscar started giving us very clear stop signals. I said, “He’s got one leg that he’s not allowed me to groom…” and before I could even finish, his owner jumped in with:

“But he’s got THREE legs that look great!”

She was absolutely delighted with what Oscar did manage — and honestly, what a fabulous attitude to have when your dog is anxious about grooming.

Is it ideal to leave one leg for another day? No. But pushing a dog past their limit is risky for them and for us. When a dog is showing signs that they may escalate to a bite, the only safe, ethical way to work is to stop, step back, and celebrate the progress we have made.

Oscar tried so hard. His owner supported him beautifully. And most importantly, he left feeling safe, not overwhelmed, setting him up for success on his next visit.

That’s the win💛

Echo 🤩Ultimately, it’s the dog who decides whether something feels like a good or bad experience. I can be as gentle as ...
21/11/2025

Echo 🤩

Ultimately, it’s the dog who decides whether something feels like a good or bad experience. I can be as gentle as possible and watch every bit of body language, but just because we don’t think something is scary doesn’t mean the dog agrees.

Echo has been coming to me for years and was always relaxed, playful and happy to get on with a full groom. Her mum showed me her favourite game, and we’d always have a little play between the table and the bath, then again at the end.

But earlier this year, something changed. Echo arrived looking worried. Instead of trotting in off lead like usual, she hesitated. When she did come in, she chose to lie under the table. With her mum staying and a few toys out, she eventually came over for a gentle game — but it was clear she needed things to be different.

So the best thing we can do is adapt her routine — her mum stays now, we work in short sections, and we weave in lots of breaks and games. We’ve also had lots of conversations about the grooming process and potential triggers, like noise, as we try to understand what’s worrying Echo.

And it’s worth remembering — behaviour changes can point to underlying health issues. All the more reason to listen when a dog tells us something’s different and support them in the way they need💛

Lovely girlies Piper and Luna 😍Piper the poodle is generally quite anxious with grooming, but she’s doing brilliantly wi...
21/11/2025

Lovely girlies Piper and Luna 😍

Piper the poodle is generally quite anxious with grooming, but she’s doing brilliantly with her emotional-support pal, Luna, hanging out with us. They’re a lovely pair — and Luna has very quickly learned that when I say “good girl, Piper”, I reach for a treat.

So now I have two little faces staring at me… one proud of herself for grooming, and one politely reminding me she is also a very good girl 😍

Sometimes there’s a fine line between excitement and stress!Lovely Fergus comes into grooming full of licks, kisses and ...
21/11/2025

Sometimes there’s a fine line between excitement and stress!

Lovely Fergus comes into grooming full of licks, kisses and bouncy enthusiasm — but excitement and stress can look very similar in dogs. His hyperactivity, jumping up and face licking is usually a sign he’s feeling overwhelmed and trying to cope.

Because of this, any handling around his face is done in short, gentle spells, then he’s free to move and reset before we continue. Recognising that fine line helps us slow things down, give him choice, and make grooming feel safer and calmer for him.

And a big well done to Fergus and his mum for their home brushing! Lovely 🥰💛

Beautiful Poppy 😍She visits every few weeks, and when she’s dropped off she goes straight to my table, motioning for me ...
19/11/2025

Beautiful Poppy 😍

She visits every few weeks, and when she’s dropped off she goes straight to my table, motioning for me to lift her up. She used to put her front paws up and make a little effort to jump herself, but now she just looks at me for help. She knows where the treats happen💛

Address

Kilsyth

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm

Telephone

+447552009320

Website

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About me

I’m Louise and I run Alba K9, a premium dog walking and dog grooming business based in Kilsyth and Cumbernauld. I decided to start Alba K9 after 5 years working as an instructor for a prison-based dog training programme and The Dog’s Trust, and a huge passion for helping people with their dogs. Animal Welfare is at the centre of everything I do and this is reflected in the services I provide and the methods I use when working with dogs.

My services are fully insured and I have undergone an annual Police disclosure check for the past 9 years. I am also a member of the Pet Professionals Guild British Isles and therefore I adhere to and promote only force-free methods of working with dogs. I am passionate about learning and I am continually developing my knowledge and experience of working with dogs.

I tailor my services to suit individual owners and their dog’s needs and I try to build a great bond with every dog I work with. My dog walking service is like no other in the area, with a maximum of 4 dogs and games and activities that will satisfy your dog’s natural curiosities and instincts. I use my knowledge and experience to learn about each dog so I can provide them with more than just a walk!

My dog grooming service is focused on kind and gentle handling and puts the dog’s needs and feelings first at all times. I offer salon-based dog in Cumbernauld and grooming in your home. Check out my website at www.albak9.co.uk for full details about me and my services.