Raggy Rascals

28/08/2026

Hey everyone, Here's to helping your humans too!
Something I’ve been holding in my vision for a long time is finally here… and I am so excited to share it with you.
For months, I’ve wanted to create a dedicated space where women can simply stop. Step off the daily conveyor belt, lay down the invisible mental load, and get their breath back without guilt or expectation.
Today, I am officially launching a brand new 4-part workshop series designed to take you from running constantly on empty, to rediscovering your own steady ground and choosing your own direction.
We begin with Workshop 1: The Compass & The Clock.
"The compass came before the clock because it’s not about how fast you are moving — it’s about the direction you’re heading in."
Are you curious?
Ask yourself:
• Are you constantly rushing to keep up, but feeling like you’re getting nowhere?
• Are you managing everyone else’s world while running on autopilot?
• Would you love just 90 minutes of dedicated peace to reset your bearings?
This isn't about awkward icebreakers, forced group games, or being put on the spot. It’s an intimate, calm evening with a hot brew, a printed personal field guide, and simple, practical tools to help you unpack what isn’t yours to carry.
🗓️ When: Friday 18th September | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Where: The Cubbyhole, 2A Grange Terrace, East Boldon, NE36 0DW
🎟️ Investment: £20 (Includes printed guide, warm brews & treats)
👥 Spaces: Strictly limited to 8 women to keep the space quiet, safe, and personal.
I cannot wait to sit in this circle with you and share this space.
📩 How to book: Drop me a DM to claim your seat before they go!
The Cubbyhole See less

Something I’ve been holding in my vision for a long time is finally here… and I am so excited to share it with you.

For months, I’ve wanted to create a dedicated space where women can simply stop. Step off the daily conveyor belt, lay down the invisible mental load, and get their breath back without guilt or expectation.

Today, I am officially launching a brand new 4-part workshop series designed to take you from running constantly on empty, to rediscovering your own steady ground and choosing your own direction.

We begin with Workshop 1: The Compass & The Clock.

"The compass came before the clock because it’s not about how fast you are moving — it’s about the direction you’re heading in."

Are you curious?

Ask yourself:

• Are you constantly rushing to keep up, but feeling like you’re getting nowhere?

• Are you managing everyone else’s world while running on autopilot?

• Would you love just 90 minutes of dedicated peace to reset your bearings?

This isn't about awkward icebreakers, forced group games, or being put on the spot. It’s an intimate, calm evening with a hot brew, a printed personal field guide, and simple, practical tools to help you unpack what isn’t yours to carry.

🗓️ When: Friday 18th September | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

📍 Where: The Cubbyhole, 2A Grange Terrace, East Boldon, NE36 0DW

🎟️ Investment: £20 (Includes printed guide, warm brews & treats)

👥 Spaces: Strictly limited to 8 women to keep the space quiet, safe, and personal.

I cannot wait to sit in this circle with you and share this space.

📩 How to book: Drop me a DM to claim your seat before they go!

The Cubbyhole

27/08/2026

🐾 Choice, Trust & Happy Paws: Why Autonomy Matters in Grooming 🐾

I managed to snap a few lovely faces over the past couple of weeks, and each one tells a story of what grooming looks like when dogs are given a voice and a choice! 🐶✨

What does "Autonomy in Grooming" actually mean? 🤔
Traditional grooming often focuses on holding a dog in place to get the job done quickly. But when we prioritise autonomy and consent, the entire experience transforms from something a dog has to "endure" into a calm, cooperative partnership.

Giving dogs agency during their groom means:

🛋️ Freedom of Movement & Comfort: Whether a pup prefers to stand, sit, lie down flat on the cool floor, or take a rest in a cosy corner bed, we work with their natural body language—not against it.

⏸️ The Power of the Pause: When a dog communicates they need a moment to decompress, sniff, or have a stretch, we listen and take a break.

🤝 Building Genuine Confidence: When dogs realise they aren’t trapped and their boundaries are respected, fear melts away and real trust takes over.

✂️ Cooperative Care for Life: A dog who feels safe and in control becomes a willing participant, making every future groom easier, safer, and stress-free.

🌟 Celebrating Our Recent Superstars:
🐾 The Sibling Support Crew: The first three lovely pups are all from the same household—they come along to support their sister, Beatrix the Jack Russell! Having that familiar, safe energy makes all the difference.

🌸 Rosa the Chihuahua: Rosa used to try to bite her owner if anyone attempted to brush her. Now, through gentle pacing and trust, she comes in for her full groom and is truly happy to be brushed!

👂 Narla: Narla has been coming to me for a long time now. Here she is happily perched on the table waiting to go home, intently watching the door and listening out for her dad’s footsteps.

✂️ Romy: Look at those lovely rounded feet! Getting here has taken time, care, and heaps of patience, as Romy is very touch-sensitive on her front right paw. She has come on so, so much with every single aspect of her grooming.

When we give dogs autonomy, we aren't just styling coats—we're nurturing confident, relaxed, and happy dogs from the inside out. 💛

Just look at these relaxed postures, soft eyes, and calm body language—proof that grooming done with patience and respect works wonders!

24/08/2026

Why is early puppy introduction so important? 🤔
For a young puppy, a grooming studio is full of brand-new sights, sounds, smells, and sensations. Taking things slow from the very start sets them up for a lifetime of happy, stress-free grooming!

Here’s why intro sessions make all the difference:

🐾 Building Confidence & Trust: It’s all about positive associations! They get to explore the space, meet their groomer, and learn that the studio is a safe, fun place to be.

✂️ Gentle Desensitisation: We gradually introduce the sounds and feelings of clippers, dryers, brushes, and table handling at their own pace—with plenty of cuddles and treats.

🌿 Preventing Fear & Anxiety: Rather than rushing into a full groom on day one, breaking it down into gentle steps ensures they never feel overwhelmed.

🛁 Setting Healthy Lifelong Habits: Regular, positive experiences early on mean future grooms are easy, calm, and enjoyable for both puppy and owner.

Starting early is the greatest gift you can give your pup’s grooming routine. Well done, Onyx and Ice—we can’t wait to watch you grow into confident grooming pros! 🐶💖

Got a new puppy joining the family? Pop us a message to learn more about our gentle Puppy Intro packages! 👇

21/08/2026

🌱 From Playful Pup to Golden Senior: A Calm Space for Every Stage of Life

🐾A dog’s emotional and physical needs change drastically as they grow. That is why a chaotic, busy salon isn’t always the right fit.At Raggy Rascals, our calm, crate-free home salon is designed to protect your dog’s well-being at every age:

🍼 The Puppy Stage (Building Trust): A puppy’s first experiences shape their entire future. In our quiet, one-to-one environment, we skip the rushing and focus on positive reinforcement, playful desensitisation, and plenty of tasty treats to prove that grooming is fun!

🐕 The Adult Stage (Maintaining Balance): High-energy, reactive, or easily distracted dogs can easily experience sensory overload from barking dogs and buzzing equipment. Our peaceful space allows them to relax, decompress, and participate in cooperative care.

👵 The Senior Stage (Gentle Support): Stiff joints, arthritis, and failing eyesight make traditional salons incredibly stressful and physically exhausting for older dogs. We take things slow, use supportive handling, and offer frequent rest breaks so your golden oldie stays completely comfortable. No matter where your best friend is on their life journey, they deserve a grooming experience that adapts to them.

🪄✨👇 What life stage is your rascal in right now?
Let us know in the comments!

21/08/2026

Feeling grateful that I can now support people on their own journey to finding their peace.
I have helped countless dogs to find calmness and safety in my care and now I can help people too.
www.ara-maia-coaching.com

Good morning beautiful people 🤍

I’ve been taking a quiet moment this morning to reflect on just how much this journey means to me, and today, my heart is completely full.

When I created Ara Māia, it was built on a deep vision: to create a safe, transformative space where people could step out of anxiety, reconnect with their own internal power, and find true peace within themselves.

To witness someone walk through that container—to watch the weight lift, the chronic tightness in the chest soften, and the inner monologue of "what if" quiet down—is an honour I will never take for granted.

Today, I’m feeling deeply grateful.

🌿 Grateful for the courageous souls who trust me to walk alongside them on their journey.

🌿 Grateful for the profound shifts that happen when we stop fighting what is out of our control and start anchoring into our own truth.

🌿 Grateful for the beautiful reminders—in words, flowers, and heartfelt smiles—that this work truly changes lives.

I’m also grateful for the journey that brought me here. Every lesson, every bit of training, and every challenge has paved the way for this practice. The universe has a beautiful way of aligning the right people and the right moments at exactly the right time.

There is so much power in becoming the observer of your own life—learning to respond rather than react, recognising old patterns, and realising that you hold the dials to your own inner peace.

To anyone currently feeling overwhelmed by life’s noise: trust your journey. Trust that you have the capacity to reclaim your calm, hold your boundaries, and step fully into who you are meant to be.

Thank you to everyone supporting Ara Māia as this vision unfolds. The fire is well and truly lit. ✨

Kia Kaha, Kia Māia — Be strong, be brave. 🤍

19/08/2026

🐾 Planning Ahead: Remaining 2026 Appointments Now Filling Fast! 🐾
A huge thank you to all our wonderful clients for your continued support!

If you haven’t yet booked your pup’s appointments for the remainder of the year—especially leading up to the autumn and festive periods—please get in touch as soon as possible.

✨ Why book in advance?

Limited availability: Spaces are strictly limited each week to ensure every dog receives dedicated, calm, one-on-one time and I have very limited availabilty now for the rest of the year.

Routine care: Keep your dog’s coat, skin, and grooming routine comfortable and stress-free heading into the colder months.

📲 How to book:

Send a direct message

Call / WhatsApp/email.

Visit our booking link to reserve your slot via the website or customer portal for existing customers

18/08/2026

The Science of a Happy Groom: Why we don’t skip the Meet & Treat!

In The Magic of Holistic Dog Grooming, written by Stephanie Zikmann author and owner of The Holistic Grooming Academy, we learn that rushing a nervous dog into a groom destroys trust instantly. To prevent that fight-or-flight response, we offer specialised Meet & Treat sessions.
Think of it as a friendly first date for your dog and their new groomer!
Here is what we have to offer at Raggy Rascals:1-to-1 Privacy: No other dogs barking or causing sensory overload.
Consent-Based Setup: Your dog chooses where to stand, sit, or sniff.
Tool Desensitisation: We slowly introduce tools like brushes or dryers without using them, pairing them with yummy rewards.
A Tailored Plan: We design a custom grooming roadmap based on your dog's specific comfort limits.
Whether you have a rescue dog with a hidden past, a flighty puppy, or a reactive senior, our Meet & Treat sessions lay the foundation for a lifetime of stress-free grooms. 🐕❤️👇 Give your dog the gift of a patient groomer.

17/08/2026

"At Raggy Rascals, we do things entirely differently. As the only dedicated restraint-free, consent-based behavioural grooming studio in Tyne and Wear—and the only graduate and official Tutor for the Holistic Grooming Academy in the North East—our focus is emotional safety, trauma reduction, and canine nervous system regulation."

🌿 Beyond the Haircut: Why Canine Welfare Starts with a Regulated Handler 🐾

After 10 days off and some deep reflection, I’ve had the time and mental space to look closely at both my practice and the dogs in my care.

Stepping back gave me immense clarity on what truly makes our studio special—and what it takes to protect it long-term.

In standard high-street salons, the priority is often cosmetic speed and volume—using neck loops, belly straps, and physical restraints to get through 6 to 10 dogs a day.

At Raggy Rascals, we do things entirely differently.
As the only dedicated restraint-free, consent-based behavioural grooming studio in Tyne and Wear—and the only graduate and official Tutor for the Holistic Grooming Academy in the North East—our focus is emotional safety, trauma reduction, and canine nervous system regulation.

🧠 Why We Work Differently (And Why It Matters)
Dogs do not just experience grooming visually or physically—they experience it somatically. They read our heart rate, our breathing, and our internal emotional state before clippers or scissors ever touch their coat.

100% Restraint-Free: We never physically force a dog into compliance. Every step is guided by choice, positive reinforcement, and reading subtle canine body language.

Co-Regulation in Action: To help an anxious, sensitive, or sound-phobic dog feel safe, the human in the room must provide a steady, grounded, and unhurried anchor.

Time-Based, Never Rushed: A nervous Cockapoo or a sensory-sensitive Doodle cannot be forced to fit into an arbitrary "breed time." We move strictly at your dog's emotional threshold, taking decompression breaks whenever they need them.

🕒 Restructuring Our Hours for Calmer Care
To ensure I can always show up fully rested, patient, and energetically present for every single dog, our studio hours are adjusting starting 1st September 2026:

Monday to Thursday: Open for dedicated 1-on-1 behavioural grooming & intake sessions

Fridays: Closed for grooming (protected space for practitioner rest, study, and wellbeing)

Saturdays: Limited to one Saturday morning per month (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM)

💷 Transparent, Time-Based Pricing (New Bookings)
Because we price for individualised welfare and patience rather than rushed assembly-line averages, our updated pricing reflects the time and behavioural support your dog receives:

Initial Behavioural Intake & Session (up to 90 mins): £65
(Comprehensive assessment, trigger mapping, consent introduction, and gentle groom)

30-Minute Support Visit: £35
(Micro-desensitisation, senior dog comfort care, or targeted maintenance)

60-Minute Session: £50
(Smooth/short coats, de-sheds, and low-maintenance grooms)

90-Minute Core Session: £65
(Cockapoos, doodles, spaniels, and dense coats requiring steady coat work and rest intervals)

120-Minute XL Specialist Session: £85
(Strictly reserved for XL breeds like Bernese Mountain Dogs and large Golden Doodles)

🎓 Specialist Behavioural Programmes & Foundations

🐾 Puppy Introduction to Grooming Course (£120): A 4-week proactive sensory foundation course (30 mins/week) for pups aged 12–24 weeks to build lifelong confidence.

🐾 (Re-)Introduction to Grooming Programme (£280): A 6-week bespoke trauma-rehabilitation programme utilizing ACE Free Work, co-regulation, and cooperative care for anxious or previously traumatised dogs.

📲 Important Info for Our Existing Clients
Customer Portal & Live Availability: Existing clients can view live schedule availability and book recurring appointments directly online anytime via the Customer Portal.

Priority Scheduled Grooms: All existing clients who have already secured their priority scheduled grooms for the remainder of the year will receive an email confirming their locked-in loyalty pricing.

Friday Regulars (Check Your Inbox!): If you currently have recurring appointments on a Friday, I will be reaching out directly via email over the next week to help you choose your preferred Monday–Thursday priority slot with your loyalty rate fully protected.

💛 Thank You for Supporting Ethical Dog Care
Looking after my own wellbeing is not a luxury; it is the very foundation that allows me to look after your dogs with unconditional patience, safety, and love.

Thank you for trusting me with your four-legged family members and for championing a kinder, consent-led standard in dog grooming.

Warmly,

Clare
Raggy Rascals Holistic Dog Grooming & Pet Services 🐾

(Holistic Grooming Academy Graduate & Official Academy Tutor)

💬 Questions about consent-based grooming or looking to register for our Autumn intake? Drop a comment below or send a direct message!

05/08/2026

And thats me done for the next 10 days. See you all on my return on the 17th.

04/08/2026

Taking a Little Space to Reset 🌿✨

A quick note to let my clients, community, and furry friends know that I will be taking a well-earned break to rest and recharge.

From Wednesday 6th August, I will be completely off-grid and away from my phone, emails, and social media.

📱 Calls, messages, and emails will not be checked or replied to during this time. I will return to all inquiries on Monday 17th August.

Thank you so much for your understanding, patience, and ongoing support. I’m looking forward to stepping back in with refreshed energy soon!

Until then, take gentle care of yourselves. ☕🏔️