Circle of fluff

Circle of fluff Award Winning! Education. Support. Information. Advocacy. Referral services. One-on-one holistic, stress-free appointment based only.

Dog grooming appointments for small dogs at our studio on 91 Wellington Street, St, St Kilda, VIC, 3182

DIY - LEARN TO GROOM YOUR DOG - DOG GROOMING COURSES AND WORKSHOPS. Qualified experienced dog groomer (He, Him, His), RSPCA and Dog Diversity trained with grooming experience since 2017 specialising in small to medium sized dogs - registered and insured business. Provided services at Pinup Poo

ch/Dog House Australia 2018-2020. In 2021 collaboration with Murphy’s Paw dog grooming salon in Port Melbourne. Grooming small dogs under 15kg one-on-one by appointment only. Circle of Fluff respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

🐾 Some dogs stay with you forever. 🐾As a dog groomer, I’ve met hundreds of dogs over the years, but there are a few I’ll...
01/06/2026

🐾 Some dogs stay with you forever. 🐾
As a dog groomer, I’ve met hundreds of dogs over the years, but there are a few I’ll never forget.

The severely matted little Maltese who arrived scared, uncomfortable, and unable to see properly through the hair covering her eyes.

The senior Shih Tzu whose coat had been neglected for so long that every movement looked uncomfortable.

The nervous rescue Cavoodle who flinched every time a hand reached towards him.

The Toy Poodle who had clearly missed out on positive grooming experiences and arrived expecting the worst.

What always strikes me is how quickly many of these dogs respond to kindness.
A gentle touch.
A patient voice.
A bowl of water.
A quiet environment.
Someone taking the time to listen to what they’re trying to communicate.

Dogs are incredibly forgiving.
They don’t dwell on where they’ve come from.
They simply hope the next person will be kind.
Every dog deserves safety.
Every dog deserves comfort.
Every dog deserves compassion.
And every dog deserves to be treated with dignity, no matter their condition when they arrive.

One of the greatest privileges of being a groomer is helping dogs feel comfortable again and watching them leave looking—and feeling—like a completely different dog.

Sometimes all it takes is one person willing to care. ❤️🐶

🐾 One of the most important parts of grooming happens before the groom even begins. 🐾As groomers, we're taught how to ba...
01/06/2026

🐾 One of the most important parts of grooming happens before the groom even begins. 🐾
As groomers, we're taught how to bathe, dry, clip, scissor, and handle dogs safely.

What many people don't realise is how important the consultation, intake process, and documentation are too.

Over the years, I've seen countless situations where a thorough intake has made all the difference.

The Cavoodle whose
owner didn't realise the coat was severely matted underneath the fluffy top layer.
The elderly Shih Tzu whose mobility had declined since their previous appointment and needed extra support standing.
The Toy Poodle with a history of seizures that required adjustments to their grooming plan.
The rescue Maltese who was fearful of face handling due to previous experiences.

These conversations help us understand not just the coat, but the dog in front of us.

Good documentation protects everyone.

It helps groomers provide safer care.
It helps owners understand realistic outcomes.
It creates transparency.
And most importantly, it helps ensure the dog's welfare remains at the centre of every decision we make.

When we discuss matting, behaviour, health concerns, senior dog needs, grooming limitations, or realistic expectations before we begin, we're not creating problems.
We're preventing them.

The best grooming appointments start with communication, trust, and a shared understanding of what's best for the dog. ❤️🐶✂️

🐾 Why Groomers Ask for Cancellation Notice 🐾We completely understand that life happens.Cars break down.Children get sick...
01/06/2026

🐾 Why Groomers Ask for Cancellation Notice 🐾

We completely understand that life happens.

Cars break down.
Children get sick.
Work schedules change.
Unexpected emergencies come up.

Most groomers will always try to be as understanding and accommodating as possible.
But here's what many people don't see behind the scenes...
Every appointment slot is reserved specifically for your dog.

That 9:00am appointment might have been set aside for a nervous Toy Poodle who needs extra time and one-on-one handling.

The 11:00am booking may have been a heavily coated Cavoodle needing a full groom and de-matting consultation.

The afternoon appointment might belong to an elderly Shih Tzu who requires regular maintenance to stay comfortable and mobile.

When a cancellation happens at the last minute, it's often too late to fill that space.
That means a dog who may have been waiting weeks for an appointment misses out, while the groomer loses valuable time that cannot be recovered.

For small businesses, one empty appointment isn't just a gap in the day.
It's lost income, lost productivity, and time that was specifically reserved for your pet.

Advance notice allows us to contact waitlisted clients, reorganise our day, and continue providing calm, unhurried, one-on-one care to every dog we see.

We genuinely appreciate the clients who let us know as soon as possible when plans change.

It helps us support other dogs, other families, and the sustainability of the small business that cares for your pets. ❤️🐶✂️

Thank you for respecting your groomer's time and understanding what happens behind the salon door.

🐾 Just because your dog tolerated grooming last time doesn’t mean they’ll tolerate it the same way today. 🐾One of the mo...
01/06/2026

🐾 Just because your dog tolerated grooming last time doesn’t mean they’ll tolerate it the same way today. 🐾

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned as a groomer is that every appointment is a new appointment.

The senior Toy Poodle who stood comfortably for a full groom six months ago may now have arthritis and need more breaks.
The Cavoodle with a history of seizures may arrive after a recent episode and have a much lower tolerance for handling, noise, or drying.
The elderly Shih Tzu who once loved being groomed may suddenly become sensitive around their face because of dental pain or age-related changes.
The rescue Maltese who was making wonderful progress may have had a stressful week and need a slower, gentler approach.

Dogs aren’t machines.
Their physical health, emotional state, age, sleep quality, medications, pain levels, and life experiences can all influence how they cope on any given day.

Sometimes the best groom isn’t the longest groom.
Sometimes it’s a modified groom.
Sometimes it’s focusing on comfort over cosmetics.
Sometimes it’s completing the essentials—face, feet, hygiene areas, nail care, and coat maintenance—and stopping before a dog becomes overwhelmed.
That’s not a failure.
That’s listening.
That’s advocating for the dog in front of us.
Because the kindest grooming decisions are often made when we pay attention to what the dog is telling us, rather than pushing them to meet our expectations. ❤️🐶✂️

🐾 One of the most important things I’ve learned as a dog groomer and a dog owner of seven dogs is that dogs rarely tell ...
01/06/2026

🐾 One of the most important things I’ve learned as a dog groomer and a dog owner of seven dogs is that dogs rarely tell us when they’re in pain. 🐾

Not because they’re being difficult.
Not because they’re stubborn.
But because many dogs simply carry on and adapt.

Over the years, I’ve seen dogs come into the salon with subtle signs that something wasn’t quite right.

The senior Shih Tzu who suddenly didn’t want their back legs touched.

The Cavoodle who started sitting down repeatedly during grooming when they had always stood comfortably before.

The Toy Poodle who became sensitive around their face and later required dental treatment.

The older Maltese who seemed quieter than usual and was eventually found to have arthritis.

These changes are often small.
A change in posture.
A reluctance to jump.
Difficulty standing for grooming.
Sensitivity when being brushed.
A quieter demeanour.
Changes in facial expression or body language.

As groomers, we spend a lot of hands-on time with dogs and often see them regularly throughout their lives. While we can’t diagnose medical conditions, we can sometimes notice changes worth discussing with your veterinarian.

One of the reasons regular grooming is so valuable is that it gives another set of caring eyes and hands the opportunity to notice subtle changes before they become bigger problems.

You know your dog best.
But if your dog seems different, trust your instincts.
Sometimes the smallest changes tell the biggest stories. ❤️🐶

Address

91 Wellington Street
St Kilda, VIC
3182

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 7pm
Tuesday 10am - 7pm
Thursday 10am - 7pm
Friday 10am - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 7pm
Sunday 10am - 7pm

Telephone

+61417518084

Website

https://www.instagram.com/circleoffluff?igsh=M2I2YmZkcG5keWpj&utm_source=qr, https://

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