Bentley & Bear Holistic Dog and Cat Grooming

02/09/2025

💭 You’ll often see the words “stress free” used when talking about grooming. It sounds perfect doesn’t it — but here’s my honest take: grooming is very rarely completely stress free.

What even is a stress-free environment? 🤷🏼‍♀️ This is decided by the individual dog not by us. Dogs can experience different emotions in new situations. For some, the bath is a breeze. For others, the bath is terrifying.

What really matters is recognising those emotions and working with them. As a holistic grooming professional my job isn’t to promise your pet a life without stress, much as I’d like to do that — the reality is I try to:

🐾 Minimise it wherever possible
🐾 Draw on the science-backed methods I’ve studied to keep pets comfortable and supported
🐾 Build trust over time so grooming feels safer and easier

✨ So, despite being Fear-Free and Low-Stress Handling certified, I’ll never promise grooming is completely stress free. What I can promise is that every animal in my care is treated with patience and respect for their individual needs — with the goal of keeping fear, anxiety, and stress levels as low as possible.

I am honest with my clients and with this comes trust — and that’s the foundation for truly kind grooming. 💛

Take today, for example. I spent a session with a very anxious Border Terrier. Her owner stayed, and together we focused not on “getting the bath done” but on helping her dog build confidence.

🐾 Did she have a bath? No.
🐾 Did she even get in the bath? No.
🐾 But did she manage to get all four paws onto the steps up to the tub when at first she wouldn’t even try? Yes. 👏🏻
🐾 Did she stop shaking? Yes.
🐾 Did she return to the steps and try to climb them on her own with no prompting or luring when her owner and I chatted? Yes.
🐾 Did she seek me out for a fuss at the end? Yes. 🥰
🐾 Did I get her to pose for a photo for the grids? Absolutely not!

In just 40 minutes, her whole demeanour changed from quite literally a shaking pup to an eager to explore one, her body language changed, she had a more relaxed stance and her ears were less tensed — because the session was about trust, not ticking boxes. The bath will come, but when she’s confident enough! I believe in her.

Hierarchy of Dog Needs® infographic by Linda Michaels M.A., Psychology

01/09/2025

💧 Did you know we live in a very hard water area?

Hard water carries high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. For us, it might just show up as limescale in the kettle… but for dogs and cats it can be a little less kind. It can leave coats looking dull, make shampoos harder to rinse out properly, and even contribute to dry, itchy skin.

When I set up in Edlesborough, I looked into investing in a professional hydro bath. They’re brilliant in some salons, but I quickly learned they don’t cope well in very hard water areas. After trying a Hello Klean shower head and filter 🚿 at home and being so impressed with the results on my own hair and skin, I researched and decided to bring the same upgrade into the groom room.

When I gained my DAATA-ICDG qualification (International Certification of Dermatological Grooming), I learned about skin and coat care on a much deeper level than my City & Guilds grooming training taught me. That’s why I pay attention to details like the quality of the water I use.

This clever filter reduces mineral deposits, chlorine, and other impurities in the water. The result?
✨ Softer, cleaner water that rinses more thoroughly
✨ Coats that feel silkier and look shinier
✨ Kinder on sensitive or allergy-prone skin

Taking a holistic approach covers all areas from the products I use to being a behaviour led groomer and this is just one of the small but thoughtful upgrades I’ve invested in to make sure every dog and cat’s grooming experience is as gentle and beneficial as possible. It’s all about the details that can make a real difference to skin, coat, and overall comfort. 🐾

Pic of Cleo having a bath 🛁 last week!

31/08/2025

Not dog or cat related but it is PINK 😜🩷

🔥 This is a WHITE MISSISSIPPI MAP TURTLE - In Case You've Never Seen One! 😍

Native to the rivers of the southern United States, this striking turtle usually has dark shells with intricate “map-like” markings.

But in rare cases like this one, a genetic mutation gives it a stunning white or pale coloration, making it truly unique.

✨ Fun Fact: Mississippi map turtles get their name from the intricate lines on their shells, which resemble the contour lines of a map!

📷: Unknown

29/08/2025

I want to start by saying that after a worrying night with my poorly old boy, Bear, I really thought I’d have to reschedule everyone today. To all the clients who told me to just do whatever I needed — thank you, it means the world to have such understanding and kindness around me. 💕

In the end, Teddy and Nala did come in for their grooms this afternoon and truly brightened my day. Their happy little faces and wagging tails were just the lift I needed after a long night.

Later, I’ll be taking Bear — my own beloved dog and one of the namesakes behind Bentley & Bear — to the vets to hopefully be sorted out, 🙏🏻 so please keep him in your thoughts. 🐾





📲 WhatsApp me to book 07980 676897

🛍️ Use Code: bentleyand25
For 25% off the fabulous Pet Remedy range
https://petremedy.co.uk/shop/

29/08/2025

🐾 Bracco Italiano - Rufus and Roscoe 🐾

Two gorgeous Bracco Italiano bounded in bright and early this morning for nail clips. Not a breed I see every day.

Calm and cooperative might not have been the words of the morning 😅 — they certainly kept me on my toes (and knees!). Nail care isn’t easy for every dog, and that’s okay. Remember I don’t use force here. With Rufus, I couldn’t trim his nails safely without pushing him beyond his comfort zone, so we abandoned the idea and instead I suggested scratchboard training as a kinder, more positive option for him going forward. Roscoe was happily distracted with a treat whilst I clipped his.

Every dog is different, and I’ll always choose the path that keeps them safe, supported, and respected. 💕🐾





📲 WhatsApp me to book 07980 676897

🛍️ Use Code: bentleyand25
For 25% off the fabulous Pet Remedy range
https://petremedy.co.uk/shop/

27/08/2025

✨ Meet Loki ✨

This handsome crossbreed comes in twice a year for a big clip-off, and every time it’s the most wonderful transformation.

Loki goes from tousled to tidy — and he’s such a good boy for it all. His mum always loves his smart new look, and he always leaves looking proud as punch! 😝

Happy client’s = happy groomer. 🥰





📲 WhatsApp me to book 07980 676897

🛍️ Use Code: bentleyand25
For 25% off the fabulous Pet Remedy range
https://petremedy.co.uk/shop/

27/08/2025

✨ Good intentions don’t always mean good outcomes ✨

In grooming, it’s so easy to want to “do the right thing” for an animal —in terms of tidying a coat, freshening them up, or just getting through a full groom because that’s what we think they need. But sometimes, even with the very best of intentions, the experience can become overwhelming for the dog or cat in front of us.

That’s why I try to pause, tune in, and ask: how is this animal feeling right now? If pushing ahead risks stress, fear, or discomfort, then my responsibility is to adjust — even if that means doing a little less today in order to build trust for tomorrow.

Impact matters more than the intention.

26/08/2025

26/08/2025

🌍🐾 International Dog Day 🐾🌍

Today I’m honouring the dogs in my care — at whatever stage they’re at.
Whether they’re nervous, anxious, stressed, excitable, ageing, or simply learning what grooming is all about, I will always meet them where they are and do my best to help them.

My wish for International Dog Day is that every dog is given this same understanding. That we notice their calming signals, respect their limits, and celebrate who they are as individuals.

Because grooming isn’t just about how they look — it’s about how they feel. And for me, that’s everything. 🩷

25/08/2025

✨ Meet Chloe & Elon ✨

These two stunners are Birmans – a breed sometimes nicknamed the “Sacred Cat of Burma.” With their silky coats, deep blue eyes, and those distinctive white “gloves” on their paws, they’re one of the most striking cat breeds I see.

Birmans are known for their gentle, affectionate nature. They’re often described as dog-like in their loyalty and love to be close to their people. Their coats are semi-long and silky without a heavy undercoat, which means they don’t mat as easily as Persians or Ragdolls – but regular grooming still helps to prevent tangles and keeps their fur in beautiful condition.

Fun facts about Birmans:
🐾 Every Birman has those trademark white-gloved paws – it’s part of the breed standard.
🐾 They tend to be talkative but in a soft, sweet voice rather than a loud one.
🐾 Their colouring is “pointed” (like a Siamese), which means their faces, ears, tails and legs are darker than their bodies.

Chloe and Elon were a joy to spend time with – the perfect example of the Birman’s calm, loving temperament.

24/08/2025

✨ Meet Enzo ✨

This gorgeous golden boy came in for his second groom yesterday. Like many retrievers on my books (you know who you are), Enzo isn’t keen on the noisy, high velocity blaster dryer — and that’s absolutely fine. Instead, I used my stand dryer, which although it takes longer and I have to do more combing and brushing to de-shed the coat, it allowed me to keep him within his comfort threshold.

I built in decompression breaks — including a potter round my garden and a tasty camel skin chew — to help Enzo feel emotionally secure throughout his appointment.

Every dog has their own tolerance levels and likes and dislikes and I fully respect that. No groom is ever stress free (except maybe for my Stanley who loves it all) but I do keep them as low stress for the dogs as I possibly can. Pausing, breaking things down into little steps, not moving forward until they’re ready and building their confidence gently. For Enzo, that translates into less overwhelm, more trust, and a happy golden boy heading home looking and feeling his best.

His calmness today meant I was also able to add on an emmipet teeth cleaning session which he made easy! 🦷 🪥

22/08/2025

Hello 👋🏻

Just to let you know I will be CLOSED for the rest of today to attend a funeral. I reopen tomorrow.

Thank you to Murph for coming in super early for his groom this morning. 🩶

Messages will be responded to over the weekend.