FAQs

What is co-operative/positive/force free/holistic/ consent based grooming?

There are lots of terms for this style of grooming, and different ways people implement it. But Laura's cooperative grooming aims to reduce the stress of the grooming process as much as possible by making the grooming process more collaborative rather than something dogs are forced to endure.

There are many elements of grooming which dogs can find stressful, all too often this anxiety is ignored leading to dogs becoming increasingly stressed out and eventually even aggressive. Rather than pushing dogs to continue when they are unhappy Laura works to break down the grooming process and build their confidence in it. This is done using a variety of behavioural modification tools such as desensitisation and counter conditioning as well as implementing a regular grooming schedule to allow the dogs to build trust.

Depending on individual dogs this can mean additional homework for owners to do, or multiple short visits to achieve results rather than one overwhelming, long session.

Traditionally grooming tended to focus on getting the dog groomed as quickly as possible, while not looking at their emotional state and the wider implications a stressful experience has on them. Laura's techniques involve a more relaxed atmosphere, a gentler pace, comfort breaks, minimal use of restraints, stress reduction techniques and behaviour modification tools - the experience is the opposite of the production line style of grooming where dogs are treated as objects to be got in and out as swiftly as possible.

Do you have parking?

There is metered parking on the streets nearby and a loading bay just outside our location

How often should my dog be groomed?

This depends on your dog's breed and coat. For poodle/bichon mixes grooming is recommended every 4-6 weeks to keep your dog looking and feeling great, for other breeds this interval may increase to 12 weeks between grooms. During this time you should be carrying out regular brushing to ensure your pup remains tangle free and comfortable.

How soon can I get an appointment?

Laura does her best to see existing customers as soon as possible, however she does book up in advance. Typically the wait is 4-6 weeks, although it can be longer around busy times like Christmas. If you know that you want your dog groomed for a special occasion or have only certain days/times that you are available it is recommended that you book well in advance to guarantee the slot you want. The more short notice, the greater the likelihood that you will have to wait.

Do you offer online booking?

Having trialled online booking Laura has decided to revert to organising the schedule herself.

Can I stay with my dog while it is being groomed?

Typically no as often this results in a dog becoming overexcited and this can dramatically impact the ease with which your pup can be groomed. If you have a dog that suffers from extreme anxiety regarding grooming Laura will tailor a plan to your pup's needs and this may involve your assistance.

What products do you use?

We use products which are high quality, vegan, natural and nasty free - these include Scrappy and Co, Melanie Newman, and Hownd. Too many dog styling products have lots of unnecessary chemicals which are not great for your pup or the environment, so we choose not to use these. We also use a mild Blueberry facial cleanser specifically designed for the face.

Can you brush the mats out of my dog's coat?

Laura wants your dog to look and feel their best. However, the welfare of your dog is of the utmost importance and Laura adheres to The Animal Welfare Act 2006 - so where there is matting rather than tangles it is more humane to remove the coat, giving your dog freedom from the pain of matted hair and giving you the chance to start afresh with coat maintenance. Laura is more than happy to show you the best methods and tools required for home grooming at the end of your appointment to work together in keeping your dogs looking their best.

Do you crate dogs?

No - Laura works 1 to 1 so your dog will not be crated or kept waiting while others are groomed.

What size dogs do you groom?

Laura specialises in toy/small and medium sized dogs, as a rough guide up to Tibetan Terrier/Cocker Spaniel - if you're not sure whether your dog is the right size then just drop Laura an email

Do you groom cats?

While Laura loves cats she doesn't groom them!

My question isn't answered here...

No problem, just drop Laura an email or text 07779 618213 and she'll reply!