Grooming by Erica

08/19/2025

Goose when I tell him unfortunately nail trims are indeed a part of the grooming service 😳

08/18/2025

Proud of my boy Todd for being the bravest boy today at his vet visit! 🥰 Those who know Todd know he was born with simply too much anxiety for his fluffy body to handle. Today we started the journey to getting him on some meds to curb that anxiety, bring his stress down and hopefully see some results with his fear and subsequent reactivity. I’m very grateful to have found great teammates in Sarita at and Dr Tuff at Animal Hospital, who have been so helpful and reassuring!

My Dad was a cook at an old age home for many years and always said “If I wouldn’t feed it to my mother I won’t feed it to yours!” This has always stuck with me, and while it’s in everyone’s best interest that I don’t cook for the general public, it’s a sentiment I reflect on often. My salon was built because I wanted to be able to provide for other dogs what I would want for Todd. A calm, quiet environment with someone who is committed to kindness and understanding even when it’s challenging. My heart breathed a tentative sigh of relief after our visit with Sarita and again this morning after our visit with Dr Tuff, knowing that there is hope for Todd and I and that there are people out there willing to love him as I do! I hope that when people bring their dogs to me they can feel that same feeling, knowing they have found someone who understands and will be on their dogs team for life. 🩷

08/18/2025

It’s normal for puppies, adolescents and even adult dogs to be worried of new things. Treating unfamiliar objects or environments with caution is a survival mechanism. It could potentially save their lives.
You might even see these periods increase then die down again as they grow. These are kicking in at same time as the need to be more independent.
Our job isn’t to encourage or push. Our job is to support patiently, provide choices and confident reassurance.

08/17/2025

Barnie is wondering “Have you prebooked your next appointment yet?” 🤔

It’s been a busy summer and I’m booking 2-3 weeks out right now :) I strongly recommend prebooking your pups appointments to keep them on a regular grooming schedule 🐶🫧 Skip the dust bunny phase and prebook your appointment today!

Booking link: https://groomingbyerica39c1.myonlineappointment.com

08/14/2025

Otto! 🖤 so proud of this handsome man, his parents for putting in the hard work at home, and how far we’ve come together 🥰

08/14/2025

Maggie 🥹💕

08/12/2025

🚨 URGENT WARNING FOR PET OWNERS 🚨

Radio stations have confirmed: If you leave your home during an evacuation ALERT and it changes to a mandatory evacuation ORDER while you’re gone, you will NOT be allowed back in.

Your pets will be left behind with no way to reach them.

Do not take chances. Secure safe accommodations for them NOW. This could be the difference between saving them and losing them.

⚠️
Need shelter for your pets?
Can you offer help?
Please follow the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16TH9vak3y/?mibextid=wwXIfr

08/12/2025

Angel living up to her name 👼 🤍

08/11/2025

Send a message to learn more

08/10/2025

This is what fear free grooming is all about 🥰

Sometimes we need to go ahead with things our dogs find uncomfortable because it’s a case of welfare. And we shouldn’t feel guilty about that. Dogs are amazingly forgiving and if we put enough good stuff in, the bad stuff has less of an impact.

But providing more choice and control for our dogs in as many areas we can. Can make getting things done much less traumatic for both of us.

Want to train your dog to have a start/stop button to put them in control of handling?

Find the link below.

08/06/2025

The Cruel Irony of Punishing a Dog Already in Distress

There’s a painful irony in the dog world: Dog's being punished, who are already struggling to cope, who are often reacting because something in their world already feels punishing, frightening, or overwhelming.

Instead of asking, "What’s happening inside this dog? What are they trying to communicate?" instead " lets punish the dog"

A shock.
A spray bottle or collar
A prong collar, choke chain etc.

That dog is often already in distress. Their behaviour was a symptom, not the disease. Their reaction was an attempt to say, “I can’t handle this. Help.”

And yet, people respond by piling on more stress, more fear, more aversion, and then somehow framing it as a favour.

“I’m correcting him for his own good.” “She needs to learn.” “This is how you train a balanced dog.”" Now they can go off lead and be a dog".

You can’t scare fear out of a dog, but you can shut them up.
You can’t correct trauma into trust, but you can shut them up
You can’t punish away panic, but you can shut them up.

Quiet doesnt mean coping

My approach is that dogs need understanding. They need to be heard. And we owe them the grace to ask why before we decide how to respond.

This doesnt mean i dont believe in boundaries, or guidance.

It means I believe in being fair, being compassionate, and working hard to reduce worries whilst striving for change not just shuting the undesirable behaviour down.

08/05/2025

Peppa the Scottish Terrier 🥰💗