The Grooming Lounge

11/12/2023

Please note that I am fully booked for the remainder of 2023. If you would like to be added to the cancellation list, please get in touch asap! Thank you

11/12/2023

I received this lovely Christmas gift that I didn’t expect, from one of my regulars, Linda & Heidi. I really do appreciate it, so thank you for you thoughtfulness ❤️

11/12/2023

Continually learning, not only to provide the best for my own dogs, but my lovely customers dogs too 🌱 🍱 🧘‍♀️

11/12/2023

Today I had the handsome Ollie in the salon. He is one of my more senior dogs that I groom, and he is an absolute pleasure 💙

10/12/2023

Please consider copying and pasting this in as many places as possible. We really need to get the message out of how important it is to get puppies in the grooming salon asap so that groomers can introduce them to grooming in a slow and steady manner, rather than a full groom the first time.

THE BENEFITS OF EARLY PUPPY INTRODUCTIONS TO THE PROFESSIONAL GROOMING SALON

The benefits of introducing puppies to the grooming salon as soon as they are fully vaccinations are massive. Dogs are not born knowing how to be groomed by a human, let alone a non-familiar human, so we need to introduce them to it slowly. 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, the salon, 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 obedience 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 handle them more than any other canine professional. Always ensure that the groomer you choose allows at least one session with no grooming taking place which will enable your puppy to get to process the salon, etc., which will make future visits less stressful.

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. Imagine if your first visit to the hairdresser as a child your parent left you alone with the hairdresser and hadn't brushed or combed your hair for the last few months.

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 left with the groomer (maybe even the first visit)

* 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.

I hope this gives you a least a basic understanding of why it is so important to prioritise grooming introductions

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"

09/12/2023

After an amazing 4 months, I am now in a position to take on new clients. So if you are looking or know someone that is looking for an holistic, L3 qualified, insured and canine first aid trained dog groomer for the new year, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with me 🐾

https://www.facebook.com/TheGroomingLoungeJP

08/12/2023

Today I had the handsome Teddy in the salon. He is a little nervous, but incredibly loving 🥰 The hardest part of his groom is trying to get a photo at the end….

07/12/2023

Today I had the beautiful Bonnie in the salon. It was her first time with me, but she was an absolute sweetheart who loves to have a cuddle. She wasn’t too keen on having her photo taken though 🥰

06/12/2023

If you haven’t already booked an appointment for 2024 and would like to, please get in touch. Limited days and times are available for January 🐾

06/12/2023

Today I had the handsome Alfie in the salon. He is such a good boy, who just loves to give me kisses 💙

05/12/2023

I had the beautiful Raven in the salon this morning, and what an absolute gorgeous girl she is 🥰Watching and listening to her body language is key, and as such we definitely made progress again which I was really happy with today

02/12/2023

Did you know the average canine has 220million scent receptors?

To quantify this, they can detect a single drop of liquid in 20 Olympic sized swimming pools!

02/12/2023

Today I had the beautiful Heidi in the salon. She is always a pleasure to groom 🥰

01/12/2023

Today I had the pleasure of Darcy, a 14yr old Toy Poodle. He was absolutely beautiful and pleasure to groom 💙

01/12/2023

❤️🐾

30/11/2023

📣 Announcement for Doodle/Poo breed owners, or any owner struggling with daily maintenance of their dogs coat

I have had a number of dogs that have been heavily matted, even compacted to the skin. In spite of their lovely owners trying their very best to maintain their dogs coat.
This has resulted in me having to shave the dog, which I will always try to avoid, however, sometimes it just isn’t possible.
I have now been asked by a number of clients if I would provide a weekly brushing service, and the answer in short is YES!
However, I will also provide along with service:
🐾 Demonstration on the correct brushing technique for your dog’s specific breed.
🐾 Recommendations on the correct/suitable brush, comb, rake etc to use
🐾 Maintenance products to use
🐾 Brushing schedule for you and your dog, as this is extremely important!

Please get in touch if you feel this would be something of benefit to you, and please don’t feel embarrassed or guilty if you are struggling to maintain your dogs coat.
I am not here to judge, I will however offer the best help and advice that I can ❤️

30/11/2023

Today I had the handsome Chester in the salon. He didn’t really want his photo taken as it had been a long session for him, so instead kept rubbing his face and head in the rug 🤣

28/11/2023

Wow! Thank you so much to all those who have shared my page and booked appointments with me since September. It really has been an amazing journey so far 🐾

I am now fully booked for December. However, if you would like to be added to the cancellation list, please get in touch asap.

Now making bookings into January 2024! Thank you those of you that have already booked for 2024 😮

27/11/2023

Good evening everyone!
I am only working a couple of days this week due to personal reasons. If you have messaged me regarding appointments, or for further information I will reply asap 🐾

26/11/2023

Due to a rescheduled appointment, I now have availability for:
9.00/9.30 Saturday 16th December 🎄

25/11/2023

Today I had the beautiful Ella in the salon. She is always such a sweetheart 🥰

23/11/2023

Good evening! I have added a question to my story, if you have time to answer I would be extremely grateful 😊

23/11/2023

Today I had the very beautiful Lab, Lola in the salon. She was adorable 🥰

22/11/2023

Due to a change in an appointment time. I now have availability for
Monday 4th Dec 9.30/10am 🎄🐾

21/11/2023

Tonight I had the beautiful GSD, Penny in the salon. She was an absolute sweetheart! ❤️

19/11/2023