Claire Dog Grooming at Willow Barn

29/04/2026

I don’t normally share much teeth cleaning content because, let’s be honest, it can be a bit boring (and sometimes a bit manky 😅)…

But I had to post Chester’s before and after because the results were absolutely epic 🦷✨

DogGroomerLife 🐶✨

14/04/2026

Chester the Airedale was in for his regular groom today 🐾✨ Always a pleasure to have this handsome boy on the table!

We kept his look sharp and true to his breed with a combination of hand stripping on the body to maintain coat texture, clipping on the legs, and full sc******ng to refine his shape and bring those classic lines back. Safe to say he’s looking as smart as ever! 🐶✂️

He did treat us to one of his signature performances too 🎶 — Chester gets a little excited on the table and absolutely loves to “sing” along to the radio… never a dull moment with this one! 😄

01/04/2026

NEW SERVICE!!!!

💎 BLING YOUR DOG! 💎

Introducing our Accessories Package—for pups who refuse to blend in 🐾✨

For just £99.99, your dog can leave the salon looking like a four-legged celebrity:

• Tiny sunglasses 😎 (for that paparazzi-ready stare)
• Mini tiaras 👑 (because every pup deserves a crown)
• Bowties, pearls & feather boas 🦚 (yes, even feather boas… we don’t judge)
• Optional sequined leash & matching tiara cape 🐶💫

Perfect for:

• Turning the dog park into their personal runway
• Starting an Instagram empire (move over, influencers)
• Making your friends insanely jealous 😏
Limited spots—because not every dog can handle this much fabulousness!

…APRIL FOOLS! 😂
(Your dog may be scandalized, but at least they’re imagining it 😎)

25/03/2026

Just look at that sky!! This is our view from the salon window 😍❤️❤️❤️

17/03/2026

Today we had little Romeo in for his first gentle introduction session 🐾

Romeo is a sweet little crossbreed rescue who was found roaming the streets in Spain with another dog — adorably named Romeo and Juliet 💛 Since coming to the UK he’s still learning that the world (and humans!) can be kind.

So today wasn’t about a full groom at all… it was simply about trust.

For a nervous rescue, the salon can feel overwhelming — the dryer noise, clippers, new smells, strange sensations, even human touch can all be scary when you’ve never experienced them before. At home he’s still learning how to relax and just be loved, so we took everything very slowly and gently.

He had a little bath, about 45% dry, then lots of towel drying, cuddles and reassurance. We just worked at his pace and did only what he felt comfortable with — no pressure, no rushing, just building confidence.

He’s such a soft, sweet little soul… just a bit unsure of the world right now. And that’s absolutely okay 💛
These first sessions are all about helping dogs like Romeo feel safe, so each visit gets a little easier and a little braver.

Can’t wait to see him again and watch his confidence grow — we’ll get there together.

— Claire’s Dog Grooming

SecondChances HappyPup DogSalonLove CalmDogs DogCareTips

08/03/2026

Happy International Women’s Day! 💜

What better way to celebrate than a day at Crufts!
We shopped until we nearly dropped and had the best time surrounded by all things dogs. 🐾✂️

Feeling very lucky to be part of such an amazing industry full of hardworking women.

05/03/2026

It’s World Book Day, and my little mini-me decided to dress up as… a dog groomer 🐶✂️

She absolutely loves flicking through the Artero grooming catalogue looking for inspiration, so today she’s living the dream! Safe to say the passion for dog grooming might already be starting early.

I think I might have my future assistant in the making! 🐾
petcare.uk

04/03/2026

Looking for somewhere lovely to relax while your dog is being pampered at Claire’s Dog Grooming? 🐶✂️

Just 5 minutes away you’ll find The Willow – a gorgeous little independent food truck serving coffee, and proper tasty food ☕🍔🌯

It’s the perfect spot to sit, unwind, and kill a couple of hours while you wait. My family (and especially my husband 🐽😂) absolutely love the food!

They’re based at Hillfield Nursery & Farm Shop , so you can browse plants and garden goodies while you’re there 🌷🌻🌸

We’re big believers in supporting small, independent local businesses — just like us — so we’re really happy to see them reopening around the corner 💛

If you’ve got a Wednesday or Thursday appointment with us, it’s the perfect little coffee stop!

And also Hillfields is open throughout the week. (great for plant shopping).

Give them some love and check them out 👇
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CDvHYpejq/

Did you guess? 😁⬇️

It’s been a long few months behind the scenes after a cold winter and a fire that forced us to close and completely replace our trailer, but we’re so excited to confirm our official relaunch date…

WEDNESDAY 4th MARCH 2026 💚

Not just back - but back bigger, better and stronger than ever.

We’ve got a brand new trailer, a fresh revamp, new ideas, and we’re ready to welcome you again to our beautiful spot at Hillfield Nursery (NR14 6PA)

Put the date in your diary - 04/03/26 💚

02/03/2026

Meet Mac, our gorgeous little Lakeland Terrier pup 🐾
Not even 6 months old and already in for his puppy intro groom — and he did brilliantly!
Like most babies, he was a little fidgety, slightly mouthy, and unsure about the bath and dryer… but that’s completely normal at this age. Puppies explore the world with their mouths and everything is new, so gentle introductions and positive experiences are key.
That’s exactly why starting grooming as early as possible is so important.
Early visits help puppies:
✨ learn how to behave on the table
✨ understand what’s expected of them
✨ build trust with their groomer
✨ become desensitised to the bath, dryer and tools.

We often hear owners are told to wait until they’re older or until the coat is ready for clipping — but honestly, this simply isn’t the best advice. Even if we’re not doing a full haircut yet, everything else still matters. Grooming is something puppies need to learn, not something they automatically accept later.

Starting young doesn’t just help behaviour — it also helps their coat. When adult coats start coming through, it’s a really tricky stage and mats can form quickly with all that loose undercoat. If dogs start too late, they often arrive already matted, and their very first groom ends up being uncomfortable and stressful, sometimes needing to be clipped off short… and nobody wants their dog leaving looking like Shaun the Sheep 🙈

⭐️ ⭐⭐⭐⭐Huge 5 stars to Mac’s owner for following our advice and bringing him in early.
Although our books are currently closed to new clients, Mac’s owner is a long-standing loyal customer, so we were more than happy to accommodate and get him started on the right paw 💛
We’ve begun gently shaping his coat and introducing him to salon life. And even though he did amazingly… he was still a tiny bit naughty on the table (wiggles for days! 😆) — but at this age he’s absolutely forgiven. He’s just a baby after all!
Can’t wait to watch his confidence grow and see that coat mature. He’s going to be a little superstar ✂️🐶
— Claire’s Dog Grooming

26/02/2026

So cute .....
Meet Mr Kipling, one of our regular clients who truly loves his grooming sessions.

He relaxes completely, closes his eyes, and enjoys every gentle brush — the definition of calm and content.

He makes my job easy. ♥️♥️♥️