Harlequins Hounds

27/04/2025

🐶😂 **A Grooming Adventure… From My (Mischievous) Perspective!** 😂🐶

Oh, hooman, you *thought* today would be easy, didn’t you? **Think again!**

As soon as we walked in, I saw the towels and the bubbly bottles, and I KNEW what was about to happen. So, naturally, I did what any self-respecting dog would do—I **wiggled, zoomed, and flopped dramatically** to make myself *extra difficult* to catch. 😆

Then, the bath… Oh, the bath. My groomer tried to keep me still, but **I had other plans.** I splashed. I shook. I made sure everyone got a little bath too! 💦 The hooman said, “Oh no, not again!” but I just grinned. **This is fun!**

Next, the brushing… I *might* have tried to steal the brush. And the towel. And okay, fine, I stole the treats too. What can I say? **I work hard, I snack hard.** 😋

When it was time for the hairdryer, I gave them my best **wiggle-dance move** to keep things interesting. Who knew drying a dog could be an extreme sport? The groomer was laughing (and maybe crying a little), but hey—I kept it entertaining!

By the time we were done, my hooman said, “Wow, you look amazing!” and the groomer just sighed and said, **“See you next time, troublemaker.”** 😆

Mission accomplished. **Same time next month?**

27/04/2025

Pricing Your Grooms: Maths That’ll Make You Cry – Big Rant, No Apology

Let’s rip the plaster off: every time you price a groom, the Government, your landlord, and your business all get fed BEFORE you do.

Every £1 you charge? Only about 33p actually lands in your sad little pocket.

👑 1/3 goes straight to the Government (big shoutout to Rachael Thieves for funding potholes, broken NHS websites, and uninvited guests).
🧼 1/3 gets inhaled by your business – rent, council tax, water, electric, insurance, sharpening, building repairs, kit replacements… you get it.
💸 1/3 is for your survival: food, heating, therapy (and maybe a bottle of wine or Netflix – never both these days).

So when you undercharge because “it’s just a trim” or do nails for free “because it benefits the dog”, you’re PAYING Karen for the privilege of shaving her yeti.

Stop being the nice gal. You can’t pour from an empty cup – or groom from an empty wallet.

When you’re charging £60 for a two-hour groom, Karen thinks you’re on £30/hour. You’re actually making closer to £10/hour – before she casually drops that her Cavapoochondoodle is matted to the core.

If you’re not pricing properly, you’re just an unpaid intern with clippers and trauma.

Exposure, “experience” and a pat on the head won’t fix your RSI, slipped discs, or rising bills. Goodwill doesn’t keep the lights on.

You’re a luxury service, not a charity shop. Price like it.

👉 Fix your prices. Save your soul. Get the Hourly Rate Calculator at www.centrestagedog.co.uk.

If you don’t charge like your spine depends on it, you’ll end up broke, bitter, and one doodle away from selling voodoo dolls on Etsy.

26/04/2025

26/04/2025

These were the ones I remembered!! Sometimes I forget or the owner arrives early !!! Cute fur babies 👶 😍

22/04/2025

It's tiring being this beautiful you know 🙈

22/04/2025

Gorgeous Bella having a blow out!

22/04/2025

One very matted monkey !!! Archie is super wiggly to groom 🙈

22/04/2025

Alfies first groom today, from hairy monster, to beautiful prince charming! Well done alfie, such a good boy!! 👍 🥰

22/04/2025

2pm thursday available for a groom if anyone wants it

We are a warm and friendly dog groomers based in Plymouth, Devon. Get in touch with us today to book our services.

16/04/2025

WHAT YOU DON'T SEE AT THE DOG GROOMERS.......
You dropped your dog off at the salon and picked them up few hours later - fluffy, fresh, and happy. But what you saw was just the tip of the iceberg.

You didn’t see your groomer arrive early to open up the salon, disinfect tools, lay out fresh towels, and check the day’s appointments. You didn’t see them look over your dog from nose to tail before even lifting a brush - checking the coat condition, skin, eyes, ears, nails, and weight.

You didn’t see the careful way they clipped around a wriggly paw, or how they paused to let your dog calm down during the bath. You didn’t notice the matting hidden beneath your dog’s topcoat, or the way the groomer worked slowly to avoid hurting the skin beneath it.

You weren’t there when they spotted a red patch of irritated skin, or a small lump you hadn’t noticed. You heard them gently mention it to you at collection - not to worry you, but because they genuinely care about your dog’s wellbeing.

And after you left, you didn’t see the clean-down , the floor swept, tables cleaned, blades oiled, messages replied to, notes written up for your next visit, and laundry on again.

All of that… for a price that’s often lower than what you’d pay for your own haircut. And your hairdresser?
They don’t have to bathe you, clip your nails, or hold you still while you try to bite the brush.

The truth is ……. dog grooming is so much more than a haircut.

It’s about health, hygiene, comfort, and trust. It’s about knowing dog anatomy, coat types, skin conditions, behaviour management, handling skills, and safe sc******ng techniques. It’s a profession that takes training, practice, and patience.
Most groomers got into this work because they love dogs. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be paid fairly for the physical, emotional, and skilled work they do every single day.

If your dog leaves their groomer happy, healthy and looking good - it’s not by luck. It’s because you have got a good groomer.
So next time, take a moment to thank them. Leave a review.

Tip them if you can. And above all - don’t undervalue them.
They’re doing far more than just washing the dog.

If you want to know more about the trade association for pet groomers and how we support them, contact the British Dog Groomers Association a division of the Pet Industry Federation www.petfederation.co.uk

16/04/2025

Today is our last day before Easter break ! Hope you all have an eggggstra lovely break, we will be back on Tuesday 22nd April!!

11/04/2025

2pm cancellation today if anyone wants it

We are a warm and friendly dog groomers based in Plymouth, Devon. Get in touch with us today to book our services.

10/04/2025

It's been a busy old week so far, looking forward to a well deserved weekend off! Can't remember the last time I took a weekend off.

Let's hope the sun stays out.

Limited spaces for grooms next week, so get those Easter pampers in, if you want your fur baby smelling delicious

10/04/2025

Pinched this off another groomer ! Is your groomer the real deal??

06/04/2025

Awwwww look at these cuties smelling all fresh and lovely xx