The Barks

The Barks Hey! I'm Shona, the top dog & groomer at The Barks! With City & Guild training at lvs 2 & 3, along with CAPG of ICMG.

I possess canine first aid and full insurance coverage for your reassurance. Looking forward to spoiling all your lovely pups! 🐾

29/05/2026

Seeing a beloved pet struggle to breathe is one of the most frightening moments any owner can face, but staying calm helps you act effectively. Learning to perform the Heimlich maneuver on a large dog provides a way to clear an airway obstruction quickly.

1. Position yourself behind your dog and wrap your arms securely around their midsection, right beneath the rib cage.

2. Form a firm fist with one hand, cup the other hand over it, and deliver five quick, upward thrusts into the soft area of the belly.

3. Check the mouth after each cycle of thrusts to see if the blockage has shifted enough to be retrieved carefully by hand.

Doing these motions with precision keeps the force directed toward the diaphragm, which is necessary to push air through the windpipe and dislodge foreign objects. Being prepared with these physical techniques offers peace of mind for unexpected emergencies.Seeing a beloved pet struggle to breathe is one of the most frightening moments any owner can face, but staying calm helps you act effectively. Learning to perform the Heimlich maneuver on a large dog provides a way to clear an airway obstruction quickly.

1. Position yourself behind your dog and wrap your arms securely around their midsection, right beneath the rib cage.

2. Form a firm fist with one hand, cup the other hand over it, and deliver five quick, upward thrusts into the soft area of the belly.

3. Check the mouth after each cycle of thrusts to see if the blockage has shifted enough to be retrieved carefully by hand.

Doing these motions with precision keeps the force directed toward the diaphragm, which is necessary to push air through the windpipe and dislodge foreign objects. Being prepared with these physical techniques offers peace of mind for unexpected emergencies.

🌴☀️ HOLIDAY MODE ACTIVATED ☀️🌴Just a little heads up to all my lovely clients 🐶✂️The salon will be CLOSED from Saturday ...
27/05/2026

🌴☀️ HOLIDAY MODE ACTIVATED ☀️🌴

Just a little heads up to all my lovely clients 🐶✂️
The salon will be CLOSED from Saturday 13th June until Saturday 28th June while I sneak off for a much needed holiday 🍹😎

During this time:
📵 The work phone will be switched off
💬 I will still receive Facebook messages
🐢 But replies will definitely be slower than normal while I’m away relaxing!

Because of this, the last few appointments before I leave are filling FAST 🚨

🐾 REMAINING APPOINTMENTS 🐾

✨ Week Before Holiday ✨

📅 Monday 8th June – 8:00am,
📅 Wednesday 10th June – 1:00pm, 3:30pm

🐶 First appointments back after holiday:

📅 Tuesday 30th June – 12:30pm & 3:30pm

If you’d like one of the last remaining spaces before I disappear into holiday mode 🌞🍹 please send me a DM ASAP before they’re gone 💕

18/05/2026

🚨 ATTENTION BARKS BESTIES 🚨

Has your dog ever strutted out of The Barks looking like a total superstar? ✨🐩
Did the fresh groom zoomies hit the second they got home? 💨😂
Did friends suddenly ask “WHO does your dog?!” 👀
If so… we need YOUR help! 🐾💛

Google reviews make a HUGE difference for small businesses like ours, and every single review helps more lovely dog parents find The Barks 🐶✨

So if your fluffy gremlin, tiny diva, muddy maniac or handsome prince has visited us recently, please take a minute to leave us a review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

👇 Tap here to spread the doggy love 👇 https://g.page/r/CTJc4gkRWNhWEBE/review

We appreciate every single one of you more than you know 💛

Post a review to our profile on Google

15/05/2026

✨ LAST REMAINING APPOINTMENTS FOR MAY ✨

May has been super busy and I only have a few appointments left available:
🐾 Wednesday 20th – 12pm & 3pm
🐾 Thursday 21st – 8am
🐾 Friday 22nd – 10am

If you’re needing your pooch booked in before summer, please pop me a message as June is already filling up fast too! 💛🐶
Thank you all so much for keeping me so busy, I appreciate every single one of you and your gorgeous doggies 🐾✂️

🎉 Well… this is awkward 😂🐾The Barks officially turned 3 in April… and I completely forgot to post about it because I was...
10/05/2026

🎉 Well… this is awkward 😂🐾

The Barks officially turned 3 in April… and I completely forgot to post about it because I was too busy grooming dogs, chasing flying fur and handing out treats like a full-time snack dealer 🛁✂️🍖

3 YEARS though… honestly where has that gone?! 🥹
From nervous first visits to dogs dragging their owners through the door excited to come in, I’m so grateful for every single pooch (and human!) that’s supported my little salon ❤️
The Barks is still proudly: 🐾 One-to-one grooming
🐾 Calm & slow paced
🐾 Cage free
🐾 Tailored around your dog’s comfort
🐾 Full of cuddles, patience and probably a bit of singing badly to the dogs 😂
Thank you for keeping me so busy doing something I genuinely love every day 🐶💕
Now let’s celebrate properly…
Drop a photo below of your dog if they’ve ever visited The Barks 🐾👇 I want to see all my gorgeous birthday pups! 🎂

12/02/2026

With holiday season fast approaching, I’ve had quite a few enquiries asking if I’m still doing holiday ironing and packing the answer is absolutely YES!! I do however recommend booking your slot now (I know the summer seems like a while away yet but it will be here before we know it) as always my regular weekly ,fortnightly and monthly clients always take priority when I’m booking appointments and I can’t Gaurentee leaving it last minute I’d be able to get you in but I don’t want to disappoint anyone, if you’d like an appointment making for this type of service drop me a message or WhatsApp me and I’ll get you booked in , thanks as always Gem 🧺x

🎄 And that’s me officially CLOSED for Christmas! 🎄The last few days have been absolute madness… fluff everywhere, dogs e...
24/12/2025

🎄 And that’s me officially CLOSED for Christmas! 🎄

The last few days have been absolute madness… fluff everywhere, dogs everywhere, me questioning my life choices at least once a day 🤣✂️

But honestly? Wouldn’t change it for the world 🐶💕

What a year it’s been grooming all of your amazing pooches! Thank you to every single client for the gorgeous gifts, the tips, the snacks (you know the way to my heart), and most importantly for trusting me with your dogs. That part never gets taken lightly ❤️🐾

My work phone will still be on, but replies might be a little slower while I swap clippers for quality family time, festive food, and a well-earned sit down 😴🎅

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, and I’ll see you and your cute little fur balls in the New Year! 🎆🐕✨

Last-minute space available! ✨I’ve had a cancellation for tomorrow (Tuesday 16th) at 8:45am — perfect for a little Chris...
15/12/2025

Last-minute space available! ✨
I’ve had a cancellation for tomorrow (Tuesday 16th) at 8:45am — perfect for a little Christmas touch-up for your pooch before Santa Paws arrives 🎅🐾
Message me to grab it!
fans

13/11/2025

✨ TOP TIPS FOR DOG OWNERS ✨

If you're wondering how often your dog should get professional groomed, check out this schedule 🙌

Please note, this is for guidance only and will depend on the style you prefer on your pooch 🐾🐶

🎄✨ IT’S CHRISTMAS GROOMING TIME! ✨🎄The countdown to Santa Paws is ON 🐾🎅  and your pup deserves to look fabulous for thos...
10/11/2025

🎄✨ IT’S CHRISTMAS GROOMING TIME! ✨🎄

The countdown to Santa Paws is ON 🐾🎅 and your pup deserves to look fabulous for those festive family photos! 📸💅

Here’s what I’ve got left for December (and once they’re gone… they’re gone! 😱🎁)

🗓️ Available Appointments:
Tuesday 2nd: 8am
Wednesday 3rd: 8am • 11am
Thursday 4th: 12:30am • 3:00pm
Tuesday 9th: • 2pm
Wednesday 10th: 8am •
Thursday 11th: 8am • 1pm • 3:30pm
Friday 12th: 3:30pm
Wednesday 17th: 8am • 10:30am •

🎁 One-to-one, calm, and full of Christmas cuddles, your furry friend will leave looking (and smelling) like a festive dream! ✨🐶

📩 Pop me a message to book – Santa’s sleigh waits for no dog! 🛷💨

Address

7 Station Avenue North
Houghton Le Spring
DH46HS

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+447868961642

Website

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