Marie’s Grooming Room

Marie’s Grooming Room 🌸 Calm • Confident • Balanced 🌸

Low-volume, welfare-first grooming for small to medium dogs in Kerikeri. One-on-one care
💖 in a peaceful home studio. 💖
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Last weekend I stepped completely outside my comfort zone and did something I’ve never done before in my 19 years of gro...
04/08/2026

Last weekend I stepped completely outside my comfort zone and did something I’ve never done before in my 19 years of grooming… I entered my very first grooming competition. 🐾💖

What an incredible experience it was.

I entered the Advanced Salon Freestyle class with the beautiful Bailey, who was an absolute superstar from start to finish. From bath to judging we spent around three hours together, and she handled every moment like a true professional. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner for my first competition.

To top it all off, we were awarded 1st Place in the Advanced Salon Freestyle class, and I was also incredibly honoured to receive the Gentle Handling Award. Those awards mean so much to me because they recognise not only the finished groom, but also the calm, kind approach that has always been at the heart of how I groom.

A huge thank you to Bailey’s wonderful mum, Emma, for trusting me with your precious girl and for all of those early Saturday morning drop-offs so we could achieve the best coat preparation possible. Your support meant the world to me, and I’m so incredibly grateful. 💖

I’d also like to sincerely thank the amazing judges for giving up their time, sharing their knowledge, and making the competition such a positive experience. Thank you to the Modern Pet Groomers Association NZ for organising such a fantastic event, and to AllGroom for sponsoring the online competition.

To say I’ve caught the competition bug would be an understatement! I already can’t wait for the next one. There is always something new to learn in this industry, and I’m excited to keep growing, challenging myself, and becoming an even better groomer for my wonderful clients and their dogs.

Here’s to the beginning of a brand new adventure. 💖🐾

The Modern Pet Groomers Association NZ 💖
AllGroom 💖

There’s something so satisfying about watching a coat come back to life. 🤍🐾This sweet boy was an absolute pleasure to sp...
04/08/2026

There’s something so satisfying about watching a coat come back to life. 🤍🐾

This sweet boy was an absolute pleasure to spend time with 💞. A fresh bath, a tidy groom and a little extra care has left him looking so bright, soft and ready to take on the world again. ✨

Today, my Double K Midnight White Shampoo from MJ’s truly worked its magic with this coat. Despite its name, it’s one of my favourite shampoos for bringing out the very best in a dog’s natural colour—and not just white coats. It leaves the coat looking fresh, vibrant and beautifully clean without looking overdone.

Of course, the shampoo is only part of the story. Careful bathing, thorough drying, brushing and a groom tailored to each individual dog are what bring everything together.

I think this handsome boy is looking rather proud of himself… and I can’t say I blame him. 🤍🐾

Calm • Confident • Balanced

💞🐾Home Groom SeriesWeek 12 – Bringing It All TogetherCongratulations! You’ve reached the point where all the individual ...
02/08/2026

💞🐾

Home Groom Series

Week 12 – Bringing It All Together

Congratulations! You’ve reached the point where all the individual skills you’ve been practising begin to flow together into one calm grooming routine.

Over the past eleven weeks, you’ve been building trust, confidence and understanding—not just teaching grooming.

Your VIPaw has learnt that your hands are kind, that standing quietly is rewarding, that having their feet, ears, muzzle and tail gently handled is safe, and that brushing isn’t something to fear.

As always, begin your session the same way.

Guide your dog calmly into the space using the lead…

light pressure…
movement…
release.

Allow them to settle.

Brush an area they already know well.

Ask for a stand.

Now let everything you’ve learnt come together.

Spend a few moments line brushing an easy area.

Check your work with the comb.

Gently handle the feet.

Touch around the muzzle.

Lift an ear.

Stroke the tail.

Move through each step calmly, just as you’ve been practising.

You don’t need to groom every part of your dog during every session. Five calm, successful minutes is far more valuable than twenty stressful ones.

If your VIPaw becomes distracted, restless or worried, simply pause for a moment. Allow them to reset, then calmly try again. If they still need a little more support, return to an exercise they already know well before continuing.

Comfort → challenge → comfort.

Remember, this series has never been about creating a perfectly groomed dog at home.

It’s about creating a dog that feels calm, safe and confident throughout the grooming process.

Every gentle session strengthens your relationship and helps your VIPaw arrive at their professional grooming appointments relaxed, prepared and ready to enjoy the experience.

You’re not just caring for a coat…

You’re building trust that will last a lifetime. 🌸

Sometimes, despite the best planning… life has other ideas. 🤍🐾This handsome boy’s groom started like any other, until th...
31/07/2026

Sometimes, despite the best planning… life has other ideas. 🤍🐾

This handsome boy’s groom started like any other, until the power suddenly went out halfway through his first shampoo.

With no electricity, my califont couldn’t heat the water, which meant no hot water to rinse him. Leaving shampoo sitting on his skin wasn’t an option—it can become uncomfortable and itchy—so my only choice was to gently rinse him with cold water.

My heart absolutely broke seeing him shiver.

I towel dried him as thoroughly as I could, carefully brushed his coat to help it dry more quickly and to prevent any matting, then called Mum so he could head home to warm up in a sunny spot.

And then… just as Mum was about to drive away… the power came back on. ✨

Back into the warm bath he went so I could finish his bath properly before completing the groom he deserved.

The difference was instant. Once he was warm, dry and comfortable again, his happy personality came straight back. 💖

Days like today remind me that grooming isn’t just about creating a beautiful finish.

Sometimes it’s about making the best decision for the dog in front of you, even when things don’t go according to plan.

Thankfully, today’s story still had a very happy ending… and what a handsome boy he turned out to be. 🐾🌸

How many times have you said, “Lets go… we’re just going for a quick walk!”… only to realise your dog has very different...
24/07/2026

How many times have you said, “Lets go… we’re just going for a quick walk!”… only to realise your dog has very different plans? 🤭🐾

To us, it’s a blade of grass.

To them, it’s who walked past this morning, who visited yesterday, what the neighbour’s cat had for breakfast, and whether Charlie from three streets over has been here recently. 🌿😂

Every sniff is a little adventure, and honestly… that’s one of the many things we love about them. 💕

Tell me… does your VIPaw stop to investigate every blade of grass 🤭, or are they on a mission from the moment they leave the driveway? 👇🐾

Some friendships don’t need words. 🤍Neo and one of his very best friends sharing a quiet moment together between grooms....
22/07/2026

Some friendships don’t need words. 🤍

Neo and one of his very best friends sharing a quiet moment together between grooms. These little moments that remind me just how special dogs are. They have a beautiful way of finding comfort in each other’s company.

This is now one of my favourite photos because it’s completely unposed—just two friends, happy to be together.

🐾💗🌸

😊🐾💖
19/07/2026

😊🐾💖

Here’s the Week 11 write-up, kept under your 1,999-character limit and matching the tone of the rest of your series.⸻Wee...
19/07/2026

Here’s the Week 11 write-up, kept under your 1,999-character limit and matching the tone of the rest of your series.

⸻

Week 11 – Introducing Line Brushing

Over the past few weeks, your dog has been learning that being touched, standing calmly, and working with you are all safe experiences. This week, we introduce one of the most important grooming skills of all – line brushing.

Line brushing isn’t about brushing the top of the coat. It’s about reaching the coat underneath, where tangles and knots begin to form.

Choose an easy area to start, such as the chest or the top of a back leg.

Using your free hand, gently lift a very small section of coat in the opposite direction to the way it naturally sits. This creates a horizontal “line” where you can see right down to the skin between the brushed and unbrushed coat.

Place your slicker brush just below this line and brush the coat back down in the direction it naturally falls. Once that small section has been brushed, move slightly higher and repeat, creating one line after another until you have covered the area.

After brushing each section, run your comb through the same area. If the comb glides through easily, you’ve reached the skin. If it catches, simply return to your brush before checking again.

Keep your sessions short and positive. If your dog becomes restless or worried, finish on a success and continue another day.

Remember, this series is a guide, not a race. Every dog learns at a different pace, and it’s perfectly okay to revisit earlier weeks whenever you need to. Going back isn’t a setback—it’s another opportunity to strengthen trust and confidence.

Every calm, gentle session is building a dog that feels safe, supported, and confident during grooming. That’s the goal we’re working towards together.

💞🐾Home Groom SeriesWeek 10 — Introducing the TailOver the past nine weeks, your VIPaw has been learning that grooming is...
12/07/2026

💞🐾

Home Groom Series

Week 10 — Introducing the Tail

Over the past nine weeks, your VIPaw has been learning that grooming is calm, predictable, and something we work through together.

Before we introduce anything new, we reinforce what they’ve already learnt.

This series is a guide, not a timeline.

Every dog learns at their own pace.

If you’re still on Week 5 or 6, that’s okay.

Going back isn’t failure.

It’s how trust is built.

Now let’s continue.

Guide your dog into the space using the lead…

light pressure…
movement…
release.

Allow them to settle.

Brush an area they already feel comfortable with.

Ask for a stand.

Briefly revisit the previous weeks.

Touch around the muzzle.

Lift an ear.

Run your hand down each front leg.

Rest your hand on each paw.

When your VIPaw feels relaxed, introduce the tail.

Run your hand gently along the back to the base of the tail.

Pause.

If they remain comfortable, softly stroke down the tail before releasing.

No gripping.

No lifting it high.

Just calm, gentle contact.

As confidence grows, gently lift the tail a small amount before lowering it again.

If your VIPaw becomes unsure, return to brushing somewhere familiar.

Comfort → challenge → comfort.

The same reset we’ve practised from the beginning.

This prepares your dog for professional grooming, where the tail is gently lifted for brushing, clipping, styling and sanitary grooming.

Soft eyes.

Quiet voice.

Relaxed hands.

Less talking.

More allowing.

Because every calm experience helps your VIPaw build trust in the grooming process. 🌸

🌸 A Little VIPaw Celebration 🌸Over the years, Marie’s Grooming Room has become home to so many wonderful little personal...
07/07/2026

🌸 A Little VIPaw Celebration 🌸

Over the years, Marie’s Grooming Room has become home to so many wonderful little personalities. Some cheeky, some shy, some full of confidence… and some who have stolen a little piece of all our hearts. 🤍

I’d love to see them all together.

Simply share your favourite photo of your VIPaw in the comments below. It can be from home or out on an adventure. 🐾

On 21 July 2026, the photo with the most ❤️ reactions will receive a complimentary VIPaws Plus Upgrade at their next appointment.

Your VIPaw will enjoy:

🌸 Berry Facial
🦷 Teeth Brushing
🐾 Paw & Nose Balm Treatment

A few quiet little touches that make a lovely groom feel just that little bit more special.

I can’t wait to see all of your beautiful VIPaws filling the comments. They truly are the heart of Marie’s Grooming Room. 💖

Competition closes: 21 July 2026 at 6:00pm
The winner will be announced the following day.

One photo entry per VIPaw. The winner will be determined by the number of ❤️ reactions on their comment when the competition closes.

Calm • Confident • Balanced

Address

1B Lanark Road
Kerikeri
0230

Telephone

+64212599801

Website

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