The Paw Pad Grooming Salon

22/12/2025

And just like that… after 11 incredible years of dog grooming, it’s time for me to hang up my clippers (and finally stop finding dog hair in and on everything).

From the very beginning—when my bestie pushed me into buying her mobile trailer so I could carry on her amazing reputation with dogs in the Hills District —thank you, Cheryl 🤍. That leap eventually led me to my home salon, which turned out to be the perfect move. Grooming in comfort (air conditioning 🙏🏼 and an actual bathroom, the little things!) meant I could meet so many more new families, while still being lucky enough to have many of my original ones continue on this journey with me.

Over the years, I’ve met the most beautiful people, both human and four-legged. Thank you for trusting me with your precious dogs. I’ve watched families grow, shared countless laughs, and yes… shed a few tears (usually while covered in fluff). I’ve met dogs who arrived terrified, shaking, or full of attitude, and watched them slowly learn to trust me and even love their visits (while still putting on a dramatic “help me” performance). Every dog that stood on my table was loved and cared for as if they were my own… even the ones who tried to eat my clippers or escape mid-groom.

While I’m sad to be closing this chapter, I’m also excited for what’s ahead as I start a new venture with my family. I will miss you all more than you know. I’m sure I’ll still see many of you around, and I’ll always be ready for sneaky puppy cuddles whenever I get the chance. So this isn’t a final goodbye—just a see you around (and please still say hi).

As I’ve always said, I’m just a call away if you ever need anything at all, dog-related advice included, free of charge.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

With love,
Alex, Diesel, Jax & Louis 🤍🐶

02/11/2025

❌❌I will still be working up until 24 December, with all booked appointments still being done❌❌

To all my beautiful clients,

It’s with a full heart and many tears that I share the news that I’ve made the incredibly difficult decision to hang up the clippers at The Paw Pad Grooming Salon.

After nearly eleven wonderful years, life has shifted in ways that have led me toward new directions and priorities. Though this decision hasn’t been easy, it feels like the right time to pause, reflect, and embrace the next chapter ahead.

My little salon (and previously mobile) has been so much more than a business to me — it’s been my dream come true, my passion, and such a huge part of my heart and identity. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of caring for so many beautiful fur babies, each with their own quirks, personalities, and charm. But what has truly made this journey so special is all of you, the incredible people behind those wagging tails and happy faces.

You welcomed me into your lives, trusted me with your beloved companions, shared stories, laughter, and even the occasional tear. Through every groom, every cuddle, and every conversation, you’ve become more than clients — you’ve become friends and family.

I will forever be grateful for the love, loyalty, and kindness you’ve shown me and The Paw Pad Grooming Salon. The memories, the laughter, and the connections made will stay with me always.

I’ve also spoken to a few lovely local groomers who are happy to take on new clients, and I’ll be more than happy to pass their details on to anyone who needs them. Your fur babies will always deserve the very best care.

Though this chapter is coming to a close at the end of this year, it’s not goodbye forever — just a heartfelt thank you for being part of something so meaningful and unforgettable. Wishing you and your beautiful furry friends endless love, happiness, and cuddles always. 💕

With all my love and gratitude,
Alex, Diesel, Jax and Louis

21/10/2025

The Paw Pad Grooming Salon is fully booked for this year. My books are now closed to new clients, until further notice.

If you need to cancel your appointment please let me know as soon as you can (if within 24 hours a late cancellation fee will apply)

If you need to reschedule your appointment, I will only be able to offer you a spot on the cancellation list and cannot guarantee an appointment but I will do my best.

Just remember that during the busiest time of the year, you need to arrive on time for your allocated appointment if you are more than 10 minutes late, I will not have enough time to complete a groom and your appointment will be cancelled (this will incur a no show fee)

Thank you to all my wonderful clients for your support and trust over the year 🐶

15/08/2025

Good afternoon, everyone 🐾

I just wanted to let you know that I am now fully booked until mid-November and am doing my best to fit everyone in where possible.

If you are unable to make your appointment, please let me know as soon as possible. Please keep in mind that rescheduling can be quite difficult during this busy period.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

11/05/2025

Wishing my Paw Pad Families a Happy Mother’s Day from your four legged kids 🐕🐕‍🦺🐩🦮🐾🦴

07/05/2025

Hey Paw Pad clients. Just a quick note to let you know there is a bit or work going on out the front of the salon. We are changing the gates over and adding an extra one in for added safety. It is still business as usual and will be back to normal soon.

Thanks for your understanding 🐶

25/04/2025

Today, we pause to honor the bravery and sacrifice of the ANZACs. Their courage shaped our history, and their legacy lives on. Lest we forget.

17/04/2025

Wishing you all a very Happy Easter.

We hope you enjoy the time with family 🐶 and friends 🐶🐶

Love the Paw Pad Team 🐣🐶

15/03/2025

Hi everyone.

We am back from our holiday overseas. Feeling rested and ready to get back on deck…..woohoo!!

I have returned to so many messages. I will get back to everyone tomorrow.

Looking forward to seeing you all.

Thanks Alex 🐾

03/03/2025

Hi everyone.

The salon will be closed from
4 March till 18 March.
If you need to contact me please send me a message or text and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Thank you

03/03/2025

This is why it is important to keep brushing your dog or if you don’t have time, book in more regularly with your groomer. I agree I hate shaving a dogs coat off due to this type of matting 🐶

Thinking about getting a Doodle, Cockapoo or any Poodle mix? Have you been told they "don't need grooming until 1yrs old" or "coat maintenance is easy"?

*PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING piece written by a groomer..in the pic that's known as a pelted coat /Pelting. A dog’s fur gets so matted & tangled it will come off in one piece. It's outs tension on the skin, can damage the skin causing horrible infections and sometimes renders the dog helpless,unable to move and it can then cause fatality
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Poodle crosses (cockapoos, doodles, maltipoos etc.) are not "easy breeds" to maintain. The photo attached (shared from another groomer) shows how matting forms at the skin. By looking at this dog's top coat, you may not see the knots and you may not feel them as you would a knot on the ends of the fur but under that fluffy top layer this is going on. Once it starts its very difficult/ impossible to brush out... and even if you could it would be cruel to put the dog through it. Maintenance at home has to be more than a quick once over for these dogs if you want to keep them in that fluffy coat which was probably one of the reasons you chose a poodle cross in the first place. You really need to sit down with a brush and then a metal comb and make sure you can get it through the entire body at least 2 to 3 times a week.

I often feel like owners don't believe groomers when they say their dog has to be clipped very short. I always hear "I know he/she is matted, but leave as much as you can". You cannot clip through matting, you can only clip under it. As this photo shows, clipping under the matting means taking the coat back to the skin.
I promise you, your groomer really doesn't want to do this but they won't hurt your dog by putting it through dematting, they also don't want to hurt their reputation when the clients go around complaining about how the last groomer "scalped" their dog but there really is not any alternative. Instead of being angry with your groomer if they clip your dog very short please respect their commitment to do what is in your dog's best interest, accept responsibility for not having brushed your dog properly at home, and work with your groomer because, together, you can prevent this happening again. All groomers will be very happy to demonstrate a technique called line brushing which will help make your grooming at home more effective. Just ask! We all want owners to know how to do this

Poodle crosses are easily one of the highest maintenance dogs in reference to their coats. The combination of the soft coat they are mixing poodles with these days is a coat that is extremely prone to matting.

If you like a fluffy pup, you probably need to consider no more than 3-5 week intervals between grooming and set aside time for regular brushing AND combing at home.

Please know, if you bathe your poodle cross you really need to blow dry and brush out right after. Moisture, be it a bath, rain, swimming, snow etc are all going to make matting worse. If you know your dog is already matted-- bathing is only going to make it worse! Brush out before the bath.

Lastly "breeders" who say these dogs can't or shouldnt be clipped and not to give them a hair cut until they are one year old are misleading potential owners in order to sell$$$$ puppies and setting them up for a sad day when they finally take their pup to the groomer!!!

If this hasn't put you off buying one please schedule your puppy's first groom immediately after they've had their vaccinations and then be prepared to do the maintenance at home between regular professional grooms.