Gold Star Grooming Studio

08/06/2026

This is the core of our grooming ethos too. That beautiful groom will come with time and patience, as the pup gets more and more comfortable with every visit.

For a very long time the grooming industry has celebrated a groomer's ability to finish a groom from beginning to end, even better if the dog looks beautiful into the bargain.

And don't get me wrong, completing a groom is absolutely the goal of any groomer, including myself - but not at the expense of a positive emotional experience for the dog.

It's true that I've come to believe that completion isn't always the best measure of success.

👉 Sometimes a dog arrives feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or even unwell.

👉 Sometimes they have a history of difficult grooming and/or handling experiences.

👉 And sometimes, they're simply having a bad day.

In those moments when we are faced with a dog who is not in the right frame of mind for strenuous activities and physical harassment, success looks more like getting the essentials done with minimal stress.

A skilled groomer isn't someone who can force a dog through grooming tasks regardless of how the dog feels.

A skilled groomer (to me) is someone who can recognise, acknowledge and, RESPECT, when a dog is struggling then ADAPT their plan REGARDLESS of what a person might think.

It's about prioritising the dog's EMOTIONAL wellbeing and experience.

Every 👏 single 👏 time 👏!

Because every grooming appointment is teaching the dog something.

They're either learning:

✔️ I am safe

✔️ My communication is respected

✔️ Good things happen during grooming

OR, they are learning the exact opposite.

Some of my proudest appointments haven't resulted in a complete groom but instead resulted in a dog leaving more relaxed than when they arrived.

Sometimes success is stopping a task BEFORE trust is lost.

I believe we should be celebrating good communication more, improved welfare and the building of trust between groomer and dog - all of which are mandatory for long-lasting, positive grooming sessions.

Because the way a dog perceives grooming is more important than being able to style a dog to breed standard.

19/05/2026

The stunning bearded collie Hector popped in today. He’s not a fan of being groomed, which is not ideal if you’re covered in long luscious locks.
So today’s plan of action. Get Hector happier with being groomed, and get out the matts and tangles whilst saving as much coat as possible.
We planned a bath, but thought that’s too much trauma for one day. So with a mountain of leave in conditioner, and every brush, comb and rake, we set to.
Scared turned to obstinate, obstinate turned to feisty, feisty turned to relaxed and chill. Patience, persistence and calm energy worked a treat.
You did so well Hector. See you soon, for round two and a bath
🥰

Gold Star Grooming Studio
Lightwood Lane S8
07725947003

18/05/2026

Poppy has gone from a terrified piranha a few grooms ago, to a wiggly snuggle bum. We found her triggers and work round them.
Definitely earnt her ‘Well Done’ rosette today. So proud.

Lightwood Lane
S8
07725947003

30/04/2026

The regal Lilabet, popped in for a summer trim. We carded out her undercoat, and with a good scissor trim, then an Artero detox shampoo, followed by a brightening colour treatment. She looks like herself, just shorter, and ready for the beach 🥰

20/04/2026

The beautiful 7month pup Winnie came for her first ever groom today. Very very nervous girlie, but with patience, gentle praise, and reassurance we got there.
Well done Winnie 🥳🐶🏆

31/03/2026

Consultations, why do we do them??
Most dogs aren’t like Bertie the Bichon, a static mannequin.
They have quirks, fears and personalities. Because your dogs comfort and happiness are our priority, we like to do consultations to find out what those needs are. That way, with our cooperative grooming methods, fears or bad habits can be gently worked on with treats and training, chill out time, refocusing energy or using different tools and methods to groom.You may even get some homework to do with your dog.
One thing we don’t do is rush them like it’s a conveyor belt, there’s meet n greet time hanging out on the floor after pet parents have left, we give massages in the bath, allow dogs a little downtime between stressful stages to gather themselves, and use as little restraint as possible.

Lightwood Lane S8 8BG
07725947003

09/03/2026

The gorgeous double doodle Phoenix giving me the side-eye after his bath. TBH he’s the first dog to jump straight in the bath, so I don’t think he’s that mad at me.
Such a big sweetie x

Lightwood Lane, S8
07725947003

05/03/2026

We got Custard all ready for his Crufts debut.
Just heard the results, 3rd place, well done everyone 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

02/03/2026

Blossom christening the ###xl bath, a few tweaks and some aesthetics to do, but works a treat. Loads of room to turn, sit, lie down, and I can get in there too and make sure every inch is clean.

Gus must have come from his singing lessons, spent 3 hrs singing the songs of his people.
His adult coat is starting to come in, so he had a good carding of his undercoat, then onto the spa, Artero detox, Artero bloom, keratin + balsam conditioner, plus some Artero leave in conditioner as a grooming spray.

01/03/2026

Sage advice from Coco.