The Happy Paws Partnership

17/09/2025

Did you know that most canine-related industries are unregulated? This includes groomers, trainers, and dog walkers. In fact, only dog kennels/day care and dog breeders are regulated, but this means that anyone, literally anyone, can pick up your dog and take it for a walk or pick up a pair of scissors and ‘groom’ it. Perhaps without training, knowledge, and I would suspect, for the most part, insurance, as this is optional.

I’ve spent just over £6,000 over the last 15 years on training to run my business with the knowledge and integrity I think it deserves. I’ve done this so that I know what I’m doing, so that you, as my customer, trust my services and your dogs are as safe and happy with me as possible.

Sadly, this isn’t the case for all canine-related businesses. When things go wrong, it’s the dogs and owners who suffer because there is little to no repercussion on businesses that prioritise profit over safety.

I’ve recently read about a puppy who was taken to daycare, left in a crate with a collar on, and left unsupervised. The puppy suffered from separation anxiety and tried to free herself from the crate. Her collar got caught in the bars, and she was strangled. This could happen to your dog if left in untrained hands at the groomers, with a trainer or at day care.

I’m a massive supporter of regulations being introduced in my industry, and I’d gladly jump through hoops to prove that your dogs are as safe with me as they possibly can be.

If you want to help make a difference, please consider signing the petition below to bring about the changes that your dogs deserve:

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/737845?fbclid=PAdGRjcAM3QIxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp1TSgFykLN5sk1t_Tvlq3U370HBEq0bbTZuZM5VseUcWE3QT6voibdqoTRVN_aem_6TJ_3QdY0FHHS42vG0s8tQ

Thank you.

Kristina 🐾

We want the government to review and strengthen legislation and licensing requirements for dog daycare, boarding, walking, and training services. Promote responsible business practices and provide dog owners with the reassurance that anyone caring for their pet meets the highest welfare standards.

02/09/2025

2 years
9 modules
50+ online lectures
Too many scientific studies read
Too many behaviour books devoured
2 note books filled
3 pens drained of ink
36 essays
42,700 words submitted (at least)
And more coffee and biscuits than you can shake your TicTacs at…

….AND I’VE FINALLY PASSED MY COURSE. 🥂 🍾 🏆 🐾

I am now a fully qualified dog trainer.

Ofqual L4 Diploma Canine Welfare, Training & Behaviour ✅

Ofqual L5… here I come (after a break 😉)

P.s Thanks to Jas for keeping my feet warm, and to Ivy for sitting on my laptop, dribbling on my notes and wrapping herself around my neck when I’ve been too engrossed to get her lunch on time 🐾.

12/08/2025

That’s it, we’re putting our paws up for a well deserved holiday. We’ll respond to all enquiries on Tuesday 26th August when we return. See you then! 👙 ☀️ 🍹 🕶️

02/01/2025

It’s always good to hit the ground running in the New Year. I’m already looking forward adding this course to the one I’m already studying.

Happy New Year everyone 🍾 🥂 🐾

21/12/2024

… and before I go, I just wanted to acknowledge two amazing dogs lost this year. Both losses have absolutely broken my heart and I write this with tears in my eyes. Neither will ever be forgotten 🕯️🕯️

Bailey had the biggest heart and the calmness of a saint, our relaxed grooms were filled with cuddles and love, I will always miss his visits ❤️.

Molly has been a huge part of my life, in fact my families lives too. We’ve been the best of buddies on our walks together, the closest of friends during her stays in our home and the most trusting of partners through our grooms.

She kept me sane through the most difficult times in my life and for that I will forever be grateful to her ❤️.

21/12/2024

Someone recently asked me what I did for a living. I told them I was a self-employed dog groomer. They asked me if my business was successful, and I answered ‘yes’. I walked home thinking about that question because there are so many ways to quantify whether your business is a success or not, perhaps whether you make lots of money, the number of clients you have, awards you may have won, or simply how many times your phone rings in a day.

I wondered why I had so quickly answered ‘yes’ to that question, and I realised that it was because every single dog who walks through my salon door brings me complete peace and utter joy, and in return, every dog who leaves my salon leaves feeling the same way. That, for me, is how I quantify success.

Thank you to all my customers for trusting me to take care of your dogs. I love each and every one of them.

Merry Christmas to you all.
Kristina x

Here’s a round up of my final grooms for this year (minus Snowy who I didn’t manage to get a photo of before she left) 🐾 ❤️ 🐾

10/12/2024

Ruby joined us in the salon today. As you can see from her body language in the second photo, she does come into the salon a little nervous, but, having worked with her on a one-to-one basis for a while now, we’ve reached mutual trust and understanding, even if she’s not always completely relaxed.

The lovely thing about working with nervous dogs is watching them go from scared and stressed to calm and trusting just by taking the time to understand their fears and then combating them by showing understanding, patience, and love. ❤️

09/12/2024

Five weeks ago, Beans came to us in a bit of a sorry state; her coat had become badly matted, and chunks of her coat had been removed earlier in the week by a previous groomer. Beans was patient while we washed and dried her and then removed the matting while leaving as much coat as possible.

Fast forward five weeks, and here she is looking absolutely beautiful. Her mum tells us that she’s been so much happier, gained weight, and started to eat well since her last groom, proof that grooming is about more than just the haircut.

Well done Beans 🌟 🌟 🌟

04/12/2024

A lovely morning spent with the cheeky duo Willow (left) and Boots (right).

Boots successfully completed his puppy grooming course with us six weeks ago; this was his first big boy groom, and he was a star!

Today, Boots brought with him his (big) little sister, ‘Willow,’ who began her course with us today. Willow may look big, but she's still only 12 months old and inexperienced; taking her through our course despite her age will ensure she enters the world of grooming with positivity and patience. Oh, and she was an absolute star too!

💫 💫

P.s I totally forgot to take photos of Poppy and Willow (different Willow) yesterday, but well done to them too. 🐾 🐾

30/11/2024

Dolly and Milo complete my working week… phew! A bit dramatic when my clipper battery caught fire and set light to clipped hair on the table but life is all about new experiences 🤷‍♀️.

No dogs were hurt in the making of this post.

28/11/2024

Did I mention that I love my job?

Here’s little Bobby looking too cute. ❤️
A much needed day off tomorrow but I’m already looking forward to seeing Dolly and Milo on Saturday.

Over and out (for now)