Nautical Tails

04/07/2025

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03/07/2025

️✂️🐾Force-free grooming FAQs
We highly recommend Helen at The Dogroom and Claudia & Gail @ The Dog Spa - Bramhall for force-free dog groomers. If your dog is fearful or reactive around grooming, they can help your dog- in a safe way- to accept being groomed.

1.
Q They use treats- isn't this a bribe?
A NO, when used correctly, treats or games/toys create a positive emotional association with grooming. I.e.scary thing = good things = reduction in stress = looks forward to going to salon = CHANGE IN EMOTIONAL STATE

2.
Q Won't my dog learn that he's rewarded for growl or bite if its given treats during high stress
A NO, not if your timing is right. If you punish the dog for growling, it wont growl = dangerous for you and others as you've taught him NOT TO WARN YOU. So he may escalate to a bite w/out warning first. A growling dog is a GOOD thing. It's letting you know it's not comfortable..if the dog is growling, that means YOU missed lower level signals to get it out of that situation before it felt the need to escalate to a growl. If it's growling, AND will still take food, he isn't quite above threshold yet, and you can pair the 'scary things' with 'nice things' to change how they FEEL about the scary thing, therfore reducing their stress and increasing tolerance of the scary thing.

3.
Q But the dog CAN'T make it's own grooming appointment- isn't the fact that it's not given a choice to go to groomers forcing it?
A Sure, just like when your dog is sick and you have to go to vet. They may not WANT TO GO, but they need to go for their welfare. It's what happens WHEN they're there that matters. IF THE GROOMER FORCES THE GROOM IT'S UNACCEPTABLE.!!!!A force- free dog groomer WON'T push the dog beyond what it can tolerate on that day - That means backing off if it shows stress signals or escalates its behaviour. YES you had to book them in, but if your groomers says Fluffy wont allow XYZ that day, listen to them!!! Your dogs FEELINGS mean more to them than your requests on how the dog looks. Respect that. FORCE FREE MEANS NOT FORCING THE DOG TO COMPLY just because YOU want it to look good. It'll look good in time, honest! Its not worth your dog ending a groomers career or having a bite history. SUCK IT UP and work with your groomer to get your dog comfortable with your requests for what you want them to look like.

4.
Q Why does it cost more for force free?
A These groomers have studied dog behaviour- which is NOT included in grooming school. Dog Grooming is an unregulated industry -and groomers who are force free have taken it UPON THEMSELVES to go above and beyond to learn how dogs communicate outside of their schooling of bathing or clipping. You're paying for their knowledge and experience of not turning your dog into a d*ck. 😉

5.
Q Can't you just muzzle him/her and get on with it?🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
A if that's the groomer you want, then, go there. Muzzling and 'getting on with it' just makes your dog hate the process, despise their groomer, and you. If that's the kind of relationship you want for your dog, and your groomer...maybe you shouldn't have a dog.. . Get a fish- and give your dog to someone who gives a flying s**t about it's mental health & wellbeing...

Peace out ✌️😎✌️

02/07/2025

✨️Spotlight on local dog groomers this week! ✂️🐾✂️
The Dog Spa - Bramhall
🐾🐾Force free groomers DON'T push the dog beyond what it can cope with, or carry on with the session if the dog doesn't feel comfortable or in control of their personal space.
🐾🐾They let the dogs have CHOICE and the FREEDOM to say no if they've had enough.
🐾🐾This may mean shorter sessions or more frequent visits to work in stages, but the end result is a dog who is more confident with this part of their life and above all, feels SAFE. 🥹🥰

Frankie was very cautious of strangers when he 1st came to me. He would growl if I got too close and I was advised to muzzle him, which I didn't. I couldn't touch him. He came for a few visits without being touched. I let him roam around and come to me for treats if he wanted to. It was all on his terms. On the 3rd visit, he let me touch him a couple of times briefly, I would sit on the table and let him come to me. Eventually, he sat next to me for a short while. On the 4th visit, he let me brush him and do a gentle, dry clip of his body. The 5th time he let me bath and dry him and today he let me do a complete makeover ♥️ he now runs into the salon and gives me lots of kisses and cuddles. He is so happy to be here and trusts me not to push his boundaries. Over the number of sessions, a licki mat and small pieces of sausages were used, and his owner provided squirty cheese. I'm so proud of how far he has come.

01/07/2025

✨️Spotlight on local dog groomers this week! ✂️🐾✂️

🐾🐾Force free groomers DON'T push the dog beyond what it can cope with, or carry on with the session if the dog doesn't feel comfortable or in control of their personal space.
🐾🐾They let the dogs have CHOICE and the FREEDOM to say no if they've had enough.
🐾🐾This may mean shorter sessions or more frequent visits to work in stages, but the end result is a dog who is more confident with this part of their life and above all, feels SAFE. 🥹🥰

✨️This cute pupper Lily is a rescue. Helen at The Dogroom in Cheadle Hulme & Lily's owner developed a plan to help Lily get more comfortable and less fearful about grooming. By respecting Lily's boundaries at each visit and helping her feel safe, she's getting more confident and coming out of her shell. 👏👏🤩
*photos shared with permission

29/06/2025

Adventures at Rudyard Lake this weekend. Trails & trains and....cows! 😍

27/06/2025

1000% this 🐾🫶 respect each other's space, including fellow humans 🫣

27/06/2025

When dark side of the moon meets rainbow bridge ... 🐾🌈🥹 acrylic on 12 x 16" canvas
If you'd like one with your breed DM for details

21/06/2025

It's gonna be another hot one so please leave your good boi or girl at home in the cool. We're open 10-6pm so plenty of time to pop in for some tasty food and yummy treats and if you ask nicely we'll let you stand in the Walk In for 5 minutes😉😂💙🐾💙🐾

20/06/2025

🤣😂🤣

13/06/2025

🙈🐾😂