K8's K9s Dog Grooming

19/08/2025

26/10/2024

I am bereft. Yesterday I had to say goodbye to my best of best friends.
And it made me acutely aware of the struggle we face when our beloved furry family members near the final stages.
My boy was blind and increasingly deaf. But he enjoyed his dinners, cuddles and naughty but nice gravy bones.
18 months or so ago I’d consulted a vet fearful he had some issues and early stages of dementia and heart murmur were diagnosed. But neither were severe.
Since then I’ve been paying close attention and as time passed set a timer. I’d watch him for 10 minutes each day. Observing his actions and reactions. This assessment was on the basis of a check in: “are you still garnering pleasure from life, my dearest of dear friends?”
3 days ago I felt this enjoyment was lesser than previously. And he was pacing and panting on Tuesday and Wednesday night. Rejected touch. Taking ages to settle.
The last night was worse. Inconsolable he was scratching at the wall. I felt his answer would’ve been “no. Not really. Not anymore”
So I gurded my loins and took him to the vet. Who confirmed my suspicion. He was suffering.
It’s an incredibly personal choice. Some baulk at acting, others baulk at not acting. A choice for which I genuinely believe right and wrong don’t factor. For myself I wanted to do right my him. He gave me 12 years of joy. Of unconditional love. Happily doing my bidding (or obstinately refusing lol). And now it was time for me to do my best to do same for him. Trying, best I could, to think of what he would choose. Those cloudy eyes no longer seeking mine.
It was time.
And I write this here because out of all the questions we ask about the care and nurturing of our dogs this last question is the hardest. And one no one else can ever answer for us. It is a choice each guardian must make based on the values and ethos of the household and relationship with the dog. The grief is unbearable enough. Without second guessing a decision made on its approach. He always did right by me. I hope and pray I’ve reciprocated fully and done right by him.
So if you have or are about to embark on the last season of your relationship with your canine companion, I hope this post will go some way to making those excruciating decisions more bearable. There is no right. There is no wrong. Only a best guess. Only a best attempt. Only love.
RIP Prayers Tartan Ted. Most noble and dignified of border terriers.

15/10/2024

What we seek to achieve is the dog choosing to be groomed. . .

30/09/2024

“STACKING” my thoughts and perspective
What are yours?

Did you know how dogs are taught to “stack” for shows?What are your thoughts on stacking?

30/09/2024

LETS TALK STACKING
I intend talk about this in more detail.
But for now, just to get you thinking a bit in the meantime.
In the dog show world there is a tool used to create the stacking required. This tool is also used to facilitate the stance and stillness required for high level grooming.
Anyone can buy them.
An innocuous tool, or barbaric?
I’m going to talk about it later.

The ultimate training device for teaching puppies and dogs of all ages and sizes the correct stack for the conformation show ring. A useful device for both novice breeders and professional handlers alike.

29/08/2024

I LOVE THIS
a recording of one of my customers taken by their human. Made me giggle

25/05/2024

🐾🐾🐾🐾TRUST TAKES TIME 🐾🐾🐾

I always ask owners to give me 3 grooms. Why? Because trust takes time. Learning your dog’s communication style takes time. Learning which combs and brushes, which blade type and which order they prefer takes time. And time is needed for your dog to learn to trust that I am doing things in ways that are minimally confrontational and stressful.
I also ask owners to come to a meet and greet session before any grooming takes place, whenever possible. This sets the tone for your dog and gives the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the area, my salon and me.
This sweet girl had her first groom with me after a meet and greet and was so much more confident than would’ve been otherwise. And I’m certain it won’t be long before she is trotting up to greet me and comfortable in the groom environment.

08/11/2023

CONSENT BASED DOG GROOMING WORKS

This handsome boy was referred to me by another groomer. His owner stated he was getting worse and worse and his level of anxiety and reluctance was becoming ever more problematic. True to his breed he wasn’t shy about showing his teeth and was desperately communicating his discomfort.
We did several socialisation sessions, gently progressing towards a full groom. Now he enters the salon straight away, is happy to jump up onto the table, will enter the bath with a bit of coaxing and tolerates 80% of a full groom with no issue. Feet and nails are still bothersome for him and we continue to work at his pace to help him gain confidence.
Today he was the best ever and I’m thrilled with how far he has come

06/11/2023

🐾🐾🐾🐾 Autumn Clip 🐾🐾🐾🐾
This lovely boy is all ready for the wet weather. His owner is great at maintaining his hair between grooms, but prefers him kept short and easy to dry. He’s gone from being terrified of grooming to tolerating every aspect of the process calmly. He knows he can move away any time he wants and after 3 grooms chooses to stay. Isn’t he adorable?

02/11/2023

🐾SPLISH SPLASH, I WAS TAKING A BATH 🐾
Sid having a bubbilicous time in the tub ☺️

19/10/2023

Please be advised:
I am NOT K8’s K9s Bridgend Doggie Daycare.
They tell me K8’s K9s is their logo, Bridgend Doggie Daycare their name.
I doubt anyone wants to drive from Bridgend to Northamptonshire for a groom 🤣 I’m good, but probably not THAT good 🤣

11/10/2023

🐾🐾🐾🐾 WELCOME 🐾🐾🐾🐾
It’s been a long time coming, but finally…