The Classy Canine

30/03/2022

Had a little bit of fun with Lila today before she went home. Which look do you prefer? ⏩

Add some bell bottoms and a larger muzzle and she’d be rockin’ it!

24/03/2022

The secrets out! 📢 I’m back from maternity leave!

➡️ If you are on my current client or waiting list, and have not yet received or are waiting on a response, please send me another message (see my contact info in the “contact me” highlight). With the volume of messages I have received whilst on leave, it could’ve very easily gotten lost.

As of this week, I have updated my business hours and availability. Unfortunately, I no longer work Saturdays in order to prioritize spending time with my husband and family. I appreciate everyones understanding. Please check out my website in my bio for details. You can also book online from that link!

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My first day back was a success. I’m so grateful to my clients for being so understanding and supportive at this time. Our little baby boy is doing wonderfully and he was such a champ for his first day away from mom🤍👣 I’m grateful for the opportunity to work from home and have my family look after him for me.

As much as I’m loving this new season of life, I missed my work! It’s such a creative outlet for me. I love the dogs and bringing out the expression in their trims. I’m looking forward to the months ahead and meeting all the new pups on my list!

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Heads up! There’s some big exciting changes coming to the Classy Canine. Stay tuned for some fun announcements!

19/03/2022

It’s that time again to take your dog to the groomers. Do they love it? Do they hate it? Do they pretend to hate it but actually love it?

My goal here at the Classy Canine is for every dog coming in my door to learn to love (or at the very least, tolerate) grooming! This of course comes with a lot of kind and patient handling as well as routine trips to the groomers.

Which one is your dog? Comment below.

12/02/2022

Some great visuals on how to trim your pups nails!

Nails should be trimmed and/or ground every 2-4 weeks for the maintenance of heathy paws. Nails that touch the floor as they walk will change the structure of the foot over time and cause a lot of stress and pressure on their joints.

01/02/2022

Sharing some great at-home grooming tips from a fellow very talented groomer. If you need product recommendations for your specific dog please don’t hesitate to contact me through Instagram, email, or text!

I am very much looking forward to seeing everyone again in the Spring. Cheers!

💜 At Home Grooming Tips 💜

💜 Never brush a dry coat, Dogs coats actually damage more easily if they are brushed when dry so I always recommend to brush using a conditioning spray.
Mist the coat all over then brush as normal, Always follow with a comb to ensure the coat is throughly brushed.

💜 For curly and thick coats I recommend the line brushing technique to ensure you are brushing not just the top layer of coat but all the way down to the skin.
Start at the bottom of each leg, hold all the coat up and brush in small layers only bringing the next layer down once the previous is knot free and you can pass a comb down to the skin.

💜 If your dog wears jumpers while out walking these can cause friction on the coat which creates matting so always completely brush out the coat after each walk.

💜 Try not to bath your dog too often without brushing at the same time.
It’s quite tempting if your dog gets very muddy to rinse them off when you get home, this is fine but if it is done without a complete brush out this causes felting at the root and can often be the reason coats need shaving.
Try rinsing the coat and patting dry rather than rubbing, then line brush the coat while it is still damp and again make sure you can comb down to the skin all over, especially areas like armpits and insides of legs.

💜 Always use products designed for dogs and never human products as these have a different PH level to your dogs skin and can cause irritation.

💜 I highly recommend Doglyness shampoo and conditioner as they are completely natural with no Artificial ingredients and work to make your dogs coat healthier from within.

Belle Bean 💜 .itsbelle

12/01/2022

🍩

10/01/2022

One thing you don’t get to see as often on social media but is definitely a part of my job is cases like these. It isn’t always the super plush perfect trims. Sometimes it’s extreme matting and neglect. Sometimes it’s the dogs that when they first arrive, will not let me touch them with clippers even though they desperately need the dirt, matting and f***s clipped from their fur. Sometimes it’s dogs who’ve just had a bad experience (or lack of experience at the groomers). Being successful in cases like these with a lot of patience and gentle handling, make my job so fulfilling. Even more-so when I’m able to educate owners on the proper care of their pets. Many people just genuinely don’t know what it takes to own a dog with a long growing coat.

A reminder if you are a new pet owner, that your puppy should have their first professional grooming experience as early as possible. I recommend around 4 months old (after the second round of vaccinations). Before that time, it’s always a good idea to get your pup accustomed to having their paws, chin, and ears held/touched.

Once they have had their first bath or groom, ask your groomer about a regular schedule that is best suited to your pet and their specific needs. Grooming is such an important part of the health of a dog. I cannot stress that enough.

30/12/2021

🐾 I’m officially fully booked until March 2022 🐾 At that time I will be taking new clients again!

Contact me today to join the list and/or book your appointment.

✨A reminder that I will be on maternity leave from January 16th until mid-March. During that time, there will be delays in my communication however I will do my best to get back to you as soon as possible! ✨

🤍 To my current clients, I’m always available to answer your grooming & maintenance questions. If you need a referral to a local groomer during my absence, please contact me and I am happy to send you a list!

23/12/2021

🎄🎄🎄

23/12/2021

It’s the last day here at the Classy Canine before Christmas break. We will see you back in the new year! So grateful for a truly wonderful December full of the sweetest pups and owners. I’m looking forward to an even better new year! 🐾🎄

22/12/2021

📌it’s just dog hair

This is for all the owners who’s dog has had surgery and had a big patch shaved, or the dog that was matted, the one you gave a little at home DIY trim to and it’s not looking the way you hoped it would. Maybe your overwhelmed by the maintenance it takes to keep your dog in show trim or in a long fluffy style. A reminder that it’s just dog hair. It grows back, your dog is still your dog and life goes on.

Take it from me. Dog hair is my life! 😆🐩 But there are also things that matter more to me and when it comes time for my own fancy poodle to get a shave because I can’t maintain it through this season of life, so be it.

Thank you for coming to my TedTalk ✌🏻

16/12/2021

I couldn’t just pick one photo ⏩

Lola is the sweetest little yorkie. I’m thrilled to be working with her to make grooming a more positive experience. She’s learning to love & tolerate the process!

12/12/2021

“Did you say ‘treat’?” 😮

10/12/2021

And the list goes on 😅

I always wish owners could spend the day with us and see what we work with and how much goes into simply giving a dog a haircut or a bath. I remember thinking about working at a grooming salon and how easy it would be. ‘I get to play with puppies and make them look cute all day!’

I wish this was the case… I love my job and wouldn’t trade it for the world but the reason why is much different than I had anticipated. Often it’s very difficult, mentally and physically taxing. But it’s also an art form, and can be therapeutic too!

If only owners could see the complexity in what we do. There is so much skill and thought that goes into every step of the process. We spend time training your dog to learn to enjoy the process (this does not come naturally), we hand select products based on the skin and coat conditions/types/length/etc, we spend hours on the prep work needed before even starting on a haircut, then take the time to go over every inch of your dogs body whether with clippers, scissors, or other tools making every hair stand the way we want it to.

Not to mention all the hours and dollars put in outside business hours to learn new breeds, skills, and trends, purchasing tools for each specific breed that walks through the door. There is so much too it! My hope is with the social media craze, us groomers will be able to connect with and educate owners in a way that wasn’t previously possible.

🐾If you like my content, please share & give me a follow!

10/12/2021

😝

08/12/2021

➡️ swipe for a howl

It’s Christmas here at the Classy Canine and Kobe is pretty excited about it 🎄🐾

08/12/2021

⚠️ Please note: regardless of your dogs grooming schedule, their nails should be trimmed and/or ground down every 2-4 weeks depending on their length. If you are not comfortable doing this at home, your groomer will be happy to do that for you as a quick service in between major groomings ⚠️

❔“How often should I bring my dog in for grooming?”

Age, behaviour, coat length, coat type, and other factors all play a part in how often your dog should be at the groomers.

When you have a dog with a longer or more difficult coat, it’s important you come in on a regular basis and work to maintain the coat at home in between appointments. Your groomer will be more than willing to discuss how best to do this. Once there is matting in the coat it’s incredibly difficult and potentially dangerous to remove at home. Mats tighten quickly (even overnight), especially when exposed to any kind of moisture or friction. Matting if left unattended, will breed bacteria, cause bruising, skin issues, and in worse cases problems with circulation.

Dogs that have a difficult time at the groomers or who are not yet experienced at the groomers (puppies specifically!), it’s also imperative you stick to a schedule where they can learn to associate the groomers with a positive experience. This will set them up for success in the future as well as reduce financial headache for you as the owner.

Double coats should not be neglected either just because their hair sheds and doesn’t grow out long like in other breeds. These coats need their undercoat maintained so as to avoid “impacting” of the coat. This is when there is a build-up of undercoat unable to release causing the the coat to loose it’s main function of regulating the dogs temperature throughout the seasons.

It isn’t just about hair. Your groomer takes care of the health of the skin, coat, nails, ears, eyes, sanitary areas, etc. Regular maintenance in these areas avoids unnecessary trips to the vet, as well as keeping your pet much more comfortable and happy in their day to day life.

02/12/2021

My secret to the head tilt:

🐾 Knock on the front door 🚪

🐾 Say “do you wanna __(insert almost anything here)__?”

🐾 Squeeze a squeeky 🧸

🐾 Give the treat bin a little shake

🐾 Grab a spray bottle and shake or spray up in the air

🐾 When all else fails, you let go of all your dignity and make the weirdest noises you can possibly come up with and hope for the best 🤞🏻

28/11/2021

🦁

27/11/2021

It’s my first Christmas as the Classy Canine and I am so excited to celebrate with you all.

A couple reminders for the Christmas season:

🐾 There is limited availability remaining for the months of December and January so the sooner you book the more likely you are ensured a spot before I go on an 8 week leave in the new year!

🐾 Every groom for the whole month of December comes with a free Christmas portrait session and bandana.

🐾 We will be closed December 24th to January 3rd and again from January 16th to March 13th. Make sure to book your appointments accordingly.

I am forever grateful to my loyal clients who have been with me since the beginning and to our new friends we’ve met along the way who have been incredibly kind to me. Your dogs mean the world to me and are treated like family.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to all my fur friends and their humans 🐾🦮🌿✨

24/11/2021

Juniper 🌼🌻🌾

24/11/2021

Can’t get enough of my Sunny boy 🌞

10/11/2021

Reposting due to a spelling error 🤦🏻‍♀️ If you like this post, please like and share! ✨

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Let’s start out by saying that any dog, no matter how sweet or well trained, is capable of showing aggression when presented with a stressful situation. There are so many factors that can trigger anxiety, fear or aggression in dogs. Among those are: underlying conditions or injuries, new environments, new people, aging, stresses at home, negative past experiences or not enough experience/exposure to the grooming process, etc.

🐾 Be honest with your groomer about past experiences, signs of aggression or other behavioural issues. Not doing so can result in a bite or injury, and that groomer may not welcome you back.

🐾 Even if your dog has never had an issue with the groomers doesn’t mean it won’t ever happen. There are so many factors that can play into a sudden outburst or issue. Trust that the groomer has your dogs best interest in mind when they are relaying their concerns.

🐾 Find a groomer who’s willing to take the time to work with your dog and be willing to do your homework even if it’s coming in once a week for short sessions.

🐾 Understand that not every groomer can afford the liability of working with aggressive or difficult dogs. They may not have the resources, patience or physical ability to help you. It’s best to find someone who is willing and able to work with you. If a groomer is unable to help, ask them for a referral to someone that can.

🐾 There are many ways you can prevent future difficulties with pet professionals. Early exposure to the groomer is so important. When I’m doubt ask your groomer or one local to you about how best to set your dog up for success.

08/11/2021

Carlton and I are enjoying our brisk fall walks. He’s a naked boy and loving it.

08/11/2021

Let’s start out by saying, even the sweetest dogs can show signs of aggression when put in stressful or new situations. Many dogs struggle at the groomers, the vet, boarding facilities etc who otherwise in their everyday life at home don’t show the same behavioural issues.

Grooming is a unique experience. Sometimes it’s just one part of the process they don’t tolerate and sometimes its the whole process that triggers the aggression or anxiety.

🐾 be honest about your dogs past grooming experiences or behavioural issues

🐾 even if your dog has never had a problem at the groomers before, trust that the groomer is not exaggerating or lying to you. There are so many factors that can cause your dog to suddenly react; the new environment, new person, affects of aging, soreness/injury, stresses at home etc.

🐾 ask your groomer about ways you can desensitize your dog to the grooming process at home and be willing to work with the schedule your groomer suggests to you

🐾 not every groomer is right for every dog. Take the time to find someone willing to work with you and your pet

🐾 aggression and anxiety at the groomers can be avoided by early exposure to positive experiences as a puppy. The sooner you can get them in on a schedule the better set up for success you will be!

30/10/2021

When mom asks for the hairdo to match the dogs name

30/10/2021

It seems so simple and yet I would argue it’s an incredibly difficult and demanding job. One that is highly rewarding and takes the right amount of passion and drive in order to overcome a lot of the obstacles that we often have to work to overcome especially in these times.

Finding a good groomer during a pandemic is a difficult task. The dog care industry as a whole has been put under a huge strain the last few years as hundreds of thousands of families have brought home new dogs and puppies to keep them company during this time. Many times without realizing the commitment and cost to owning one.

Groomers, it’s important we step up to educate our clients on at the least on the difficultly of our jobs and on the cost and commitment (grooming wise) to owning a dog. Especially the breeds and cross-breeds that are particularly rising in popularity.

Grooming takes an incredible amount of skill and creativity but also a physical and mental ability to handle difficult dogs. One of the hallmarks of a good groomer nowadays though isn’t only those things, but the ability to communicate with and build trust in owners.

27/08/2021

Mixed coat types! We are seeing more and more combinations of coat as groomers. It’s important to be creative and open minded in finding the tools and work products that work best for these dogs.

Often times when you mix a double coated like a Golden or a Bernese with a poodle, (among a variety of other issues this creates), the coat is often very difficult to manage. The different coat types intertwine creating mats. Often times although advertised as non-shedding or hypoallergenic, they do in fact shed and produce undercoat.

In grooming various mixed coat types. Remember the tools you have in your arsenal. Rakes, blenders, scissor over comb technique, carding knives, various shampoos and conditioners formulated for various coat types, etc. There is always a way.

For the more difficult coat types, explain to your owners what you’re seeing and how best to maintain it, whether that means suggesting certain products for at home use, or a more regular grooming schedule to stay on top of it.

Follow for more tips and tricks! ✨

15/08/2021

👋🏻Hi there! I’m Alishia the owner and operator of The Classy Canine.

With so many new faces around here I thought I would introduce myself.
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✨ I am Canadian, born and raised in the metro-Vancouver area 🇨🇦

✨ I’ve been grooming for 6+ years working in both corporate and private settings. In February I opened my very own in-home salon!

✨ While I was still working as a bather, I actually also did photography and video for weddings, engagements, studios, etc! 📸 I haven’t picked up my camera in years but I’m hoping to do something fun with the dogs in the future.

✨ We have a gorgeous- silly Standard Poodle named Carlton. I am having so much fun with him trying out different dog sports, prepping for dog shows, and practicing my poodle breed profile trims.

✨ Family is super important to me. I am married to my husband of 2 years and we are expecting our first child in January (if you didn’t already know, surprise!🤪). I’m in the perfect career and set up to be able to keep on grooming while putting my family first!

✨ When I’m not grooming, you can find me out on adventures with my friends, family, and with Carlton paddle boarding, swimming, walking etc. I also love cozy nights at home with the husband and studying apologetics in my spare time.

✨My husband and I love board games. Some of our favourites lately have been Code Names and Concept.

✨ Finally, I couldn’t introduce myself without giving glory to God for everything he’s blessed me with. He is my all, and the biggest part of who I am and why I’m here!

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Tell me something about yourself!