Kerri from K9 Dental will be at Sharyn’s Dog Spa on October 6th & 7th for her semi-annual teeth cleaning visits. We only have a few spots left, so if your pup is due, now’s the time to grab one!
Doggy dental care is more important than most people realize. Keeping their teeth clean can:
✔️ Prevent painful infections
✔️ Freshen up that puppy breath
✔️ Save on big vet bills later
✔️ Keep their overall health in check (bad teeth can even affect the heart and kidneys)
If you’d like to book, just send me a message and I’ll get your pup on the list. 🐶✨
09/02/2025
✨ Boundaries Matter – For Our Dogs & For Us ✨
This photo looks simple...
Three dogs patiently hanging out while I make nachos in the kitchen. But what you don’t see is the hundreds of repetitions it took to get here.
When I say “other room”, my dogs know exactly where the invisible line is, & where they need to be when I say it. That’s not magic, it’s training, consistency & clear boundaries.
🐾 Why Boundaries Are Important 🐾
Dogs thrive on clarity. Without boundaries, the world can feel overwhelming & chaotic for them. Clear rules create trust, safety & predictability. Boundaries help dogs build:
✔️ Coping skills to navigate moments of fear, frustration or excitement without becoming overwhelmed
✔️ Confidence because they understand what’s being asked, what the expectations are & how to succeed
✔️ The ability to settle instead of staying stuck in a heightened state
Think of it like sports. Athletes don’t perform their best in a game without rules, sidelines or clear expectations. The structure doesn’t limit them, it actually gives them the freedom to play with confidence, creativity & skill because they know exactly where the boundaries are. It’s the same for our dogs. When they understand the “field” they’re working within, they can relax, focus & succeed instead of feeling lost or overwhelmed.
🐾 Benefits of Teaching Boundaries 🐾
✅️ Impulse Control – Boundaries give your dog the chance to practice regulating their emotions, so they learn to pause and think instead of reacting out of pure excitement. It’s not about saying “no,” but about creating opportunities for them to practice patience in a safe, structured way. Plus, the payoff goes far beyond the kitchen, this skill carries over into calmer greetings at the door, waiting politely for guests, & handling busy environments with more ease.
✅️ Safety – Boundaries prevent tripping hazards & keep your dog from grabbing something dangerous off the floor, like a dropped cooked chicken wing, chocolate, or anything else harmful.
✅️ Less Stress – Life can feel complicated for dogs. There are constant sights, smells, sounds & choices pulling at their attention. Boundaries simplify that chaos. Instead of trying to figure out every situation on their own, they know exactly where to be & what to do because you've given them the tools & skills. That clarity lets them shut off the mental noise, relax their body & settle into a calmer state of mind.
✅️ More Freedom – Ironically, boundaries allow for more freedom. When a dog understands & respects limits, they earn trust. That trust leads to more opportunities, like being off leash in safe spaces, joining you on outings like a patio or enjoying more independence around the house.
✅️ Stronger Relationship – Boundaries strengthen the bond between you & your dog because they create clear communication & mutual respect. Instead of you constantly nagging or your dog constantly guessing, you move as partners, each understanding the other’s role. When boundaries are consistent, your dog respects your guidance & you respect their need for clarity & structure. Teamwork. The result is harmony in your home. Less frustration, more trust & a deeper connection where your dog can relax knowing you’ve got things handled & you can enjoy a calmer, more balanced companion. After all, isn't that one of the reasons why you got a dog? 😘
💛 The Process 💛
This didn’t happen overnight. It took consistency & hundreds of reps. Here’s how you can start:
1. Pick your boundary – a doorway, a rug, or even a line on the floor. To make it clearer, you can put a strip of painter’s tape down as a visual marker for both you & your dog.
2. Show your dog – calmly lead them behind that line, then use a clear cue (like “other room” or “out of the kitchen ”). If it helps you can put them in a Sit or a Down.
3. Use tools to help – you can leave a leash dragging on your dog to help guide them back to where they need to be if they cross that line. You can also use your body language or gentle spatial pressure to reinforce the line.
4. Reset patiently – if they cross, don’t scold. Simply say "No" or "Uh uh" & guide them back, reset & repeat. The reset is part of the learning so let them make mistakes.
5. Start small – keep your expectations very low at first. Even one or two calm seconds behind the line is a win. Boundaries are built through layers of success & it takes a lot of reps before it sticks. Think of it as building a muscle. Slow, steady practice creates long term strength.
6. Stay consistent – the rule doesn’t change. The more consistent you are, the faster they’ll succeed.
7. If you have multiple dogs in your home, start by practicing with one dog at a time.
Over time, a simple boundary cue turns into something much bigger than staying out of the kitchen. It becomes a life skill, your dog practices patience, builds coping strategies & gains the confidence to handle challenges calmly. Those habits ripple into everyday life: calmer greetings at the door, safer mealtimes, smoother outings & an easier time settling when the house gets busy. Boundaries shift from feeling like rules to feeling like teamwork. You provide the guidance, your dog offers the self control & together you create a home that runs with more ease & less chaos.
08/28/2025
🎤This old man he played one
He played nick nack on my drum
With a nick nack paddy whack
Give a dog a...fresh new haiirdoooooo✂️💖
Fredrick is a dear sweet old man. He is so so loved, and he knows it!
08/26/2025
Yes, I managed to put feather extensions in a Pugs hair🙌
Peanut
Came in for her glamorous spa day!!
I've been grooming Peanut since she was a wee baby, and she is the rarest form of pug that is so chill about having her nails done.😎
08/25/2025
Brudddas!!!
Theo and Benny came to get polished up to look and feel handsome as ever for their mama on her birthday!!!🥳
08/20/2025
Deja VU 💞🐾
Regular grooming routines create great grooming dogs.
Deja comes regularly and she knows exactly what to expect. From the timing of the nail trim, to the blow dryer, the haircut and the excitement of the finidhing touched (when I get the feathers), she's a (role) model 💃 for a great grooming dog ✂️💖
08/19/2025
My (not so) baby dog turned 1!!!
Fern, you are such an amazing part of my life! You bring me so much joy, purpose and have opened me up to a whole new world of opportunities🌎🪄💖
08/14/2025
WE ARE OPENING A SECOND DAY...OCTOBER 7TH!!
**ALL SPOTS FILLED FOR OCTOBER 6TH**
Hello Clients!!
You all know how strongly I advocate for dog dental care! For those of you who are not able to brush regularly at home, I highly recommend getting sedation free cleaning from Kerri at Pet Dental with Kerri Lomax.
Kerri and I have decided to coordinate 2 dates/ year (Spring and Fall) for an opportunity for you to get professional cleaning done (yearly or every 6 months) to maintain a consistent oral hygiene schedule for your pups!
The next date will be OCTOBER 6. (Then again in April 2026). Limited Spots Available!
*Sedation Free
*1 hour
*Clean & Polish
*Improve Overall Health
*Fresher Breath
The cost is $240 (including a $40 non-refundable deposit)
Contact me to book your spot.
08/14/2025
Lady Lucy 💙💛
This sweet gal, nearly blind and deaf, has nothing holding her back. She is so full of pep, especially after a fresh hairdoo!
08/13/2025
OK. I'll keep him. It's fine if you don't pick up your dog 😍 🤣🤣🥰
What a perfect gentleman little Walter is!
08/12/2025
Pretty in Purple!
Delta 💜
She poses so nicely! (Unlike her widdle brudda 🙄)🤣
08/07/2025
River Roooooo.
What a gift to glam up River, Mia's best friend.
Through tears of memories (their shared birthday 🤣-check comments), being with Roo is magic. 💖
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Hello! My name is Sharyn and I am a certified Dog Groomer and a Certified Animal Reiki Practioner. I have been working with dogs since 2005. I received my grooming certification in 2006 through the Petsmart Petsylist Academy, where I went to Billings, Montana for a 5 week education course, then returned to finish a 100 dog portfolio to be approved for certification.
After a maternity leave, I set up a small shop in my basement, that has continued to grow into not only a small business, but my passion.
With this passion, I continue to expand my education, including my Animal Reiki Practitioner certification (Levels 1 & 2), Pet First Aid, Pet Nutrition certification, St. John’s Ambulance Therapy Dog certification, and more to come!
I love having the ability to create a one-to-one experience for the dogs I groom, making the grooming experience less stressful and less time away from their comfort.
Incorporating Reiki into all of my services brings a calm feel to the grooming environment. I set my intention to radiate a calm, cooperative and confident aura. This is especially helpful when working with anxious or fearful dogs.
Being able to work from home allows me to create my own schedule, with flexible timing and a personal relationship with both the dogs and the owners.
My passion for dogs reflects in my own 3, Sprout (12 year old Brussels Griffon), Bird (6 year old Wire-haired Pointing Griffon) and most recently Mia (5 year old Affenpinscher).
I have owned Sprout since he was 8 weeks old, where he (un)voluntarily tried on all the baby clothes, strollers and car seats prior to the arrival of my daughter. He is my snuggle dog, or, as I like to say "my heartbeat at my feet". He is a barker, so he stays in the bedroom when clients come.
We adopted Bird at 2 years of age from an owner who had bought him with the intentions of hunting, but did not have the time for him. He had never been in a building, walked on a leash or properly socialized. We took him in, and with lots of work, I have rehabilitated him into a fantastic family dog.
I wanted to share the joy he brings me, so I applied for him to be a part of the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program, where he passed with flying colors. We currently volunteer our time at the Red Deer College to students in times of stress.
Mia is our newest addition. She is 5 years old and suffers from Erosive Immune Mediated Poly-arthritis that requires extra care and treatment. Fate landed her in my arms. One of those “she chose me” stories. She is an absolute delight in my world and I love providing her a loving, healing home.
We are regular dog park visitors, or out exploring the beautiful trails Red Deer has provided for us. Say hi if you see us out and about!
