Groomed by Alexis

Home
United States
Marion, IA
Groomed by Alexis

Directions Website

✨ Turning shaggy into stylish
🐶 Groomer • Dog lover • Fur artist
✂️ Sharing grooming transformations

09/04/2026

Well folks, it’s been a while!

While I’ve been a little inactive on Facebook, I’ve definitely not been inactive in the groom room. ✂️🐾

Over the last couple of months, I’ve had the pleasure of working with so many wonderful pups, and I wanted to share a few of my favorites with you! Thank you to all of my amazing clients for trusting me with your furry family members. ❤️

Here are just a few of the dogs that have kept me busy lately!

Call Apple Creek Canine Resort to get scheduled with me today!

08/10/2026

Today, I did my first ever creative groom! 🎨🐾 This is Winnie, my English Springer Spaniel!

This was such a fun learning experience, especially because there weren’t many photos or examples of the exact look I was hoping to accomplish. I had to do a little experimenting along the way, and I learned a few things that I’ll definitely keep in mind for my next creative groom!

1. Darker colors need to sit longer than lighter colors.
2. Next time, I would wrap the flames around his sides and maybe even start bringing them down onto his legs.
3. The shorter the hair, the more predictable it will sit, which makes coloring and placing designs much easier.
4. I absolutely want to find more opportunities to try out creative grooming!

If you’re interested in having your pet colored, please let me know! Below are a few ideas I would LOVE to try, but I would also love the opportunity to help bring your own vision to life!

1. Giraffe print on an apricot or red poodle/doodle
2. Lisa Frank-inspired grooms with bright colors and wild animal prints
3. Leopard print
4. Tiger
5. Groovy/retro prints — daisies, rainbows, brighter pastels, etc.
6. Tie-dye

I’m excited to keep learning and experimenting with creative grooming, so if you have an idea you’ve been wanting to try, send it my way!

06/28/2026

🐾 The Importance of Brushing: More Than Just Looking Good 🐾

One of the most common issues groomers see is matting, and unfortunately, it’s much more than a cosmetic problem.

When a dog’s coat becomes matted, the tangled hair tightens and pulls on the skin with every movement. This constant tension can be incredibly uncomfortable and, in severe cases, painful.

Matting can:

• Pull tightly on the skin
• Trap moisture, dirt, and bacteria against the skin
• Cause irritation, sores, and open wounds
• Restrict movement when located in areas like the armpits, groin, ears, or paw pads
• Restrict blood flow, which can sometimes lead to bruising or hematomas once severe matting is removed
• Hide underlying skin conditions, infections, masses, growths, or tumors that may otherwise be noticed sooner

Many people assume that removing mats is a simple fix, but the reality is much more complicated.

Dematting is a lengthy process that often causes discomfort that could have been prevented through regular brushing and grooming. Even when mats can be worked through, the hair is still damaged during the process. For many dogs, repeated pulling and discomfort can create negative associations with grooming, making future appointments more stressful.

In severe cases, shaving out the matting is the safest and most humane option. However, even this can take hours of careful work. Groomers must work slowly and cautiously because we never know what may be hidden beneath the matting—open wounds, skin infections, warts, growths, or other abnormalities can all be concealed under a tightly matted coat.

Dematting fees are not a punishment, nor are they simply an extra charge added to a bill. They reflect the additional care, skill, equipment wear, and safety precautions required when working on a matted dog. Groomers spend significant extra time helping these pets become comfortable and healthy again while minimizing stress and discomfort as much as possible.

The best way to prevent matting is through regular brushing at home and maintaining a consistent grooming schedule. Not only will your dog look their best, but they’ll feel their best too. ❤️

A few minutes of brushing can prevent hours of discomfort.

Here are some photos of real clients that I have worked with.

06/26/2026

Meet Ollie! 🐾

Ollie is a Bernese mountain dog who fell off a grooming table and injured his leg when he was a puppy. Since then, grooming has been a very scary experience for him. He has needed Trazodone before grooming appointments and other management tools to help keep both himself and his groomers safe.

I had the pleasure of having this big guy on my schedule today, and after speaking with his mom, my mind was set on making grooming a more positive experience for him.

I knew this journey could take anywhere from one appointment to several years, but I was determined to help him build confidence.

My first thought was to keep him as close to the ground as possible to prevent any anxiety related to falling.

When we got to the grooming room, I brought him into the walk-in shower and simply sat with him, giving him pets and letting him relax. Then I let him come back down and explore the room for a few minutes. Once he had a chance to see and smell everything, I called him back over to the shower.

It was important that Ollie chose to get into the tub on his own. Giving him that choice helped set the tone for the entire service. It only took about 10 seconds before he stepped in, and then it was go time!

The bath went very smoothly. He had a special shampoo that needed to sit on his skin and coat for a bit before rinsing, which gave us a great opportunity to continue building trust. While we waited, I gave him lots of pets, praise, and sweet talk before rinsing him off.

Next came the dryer. According to previous grooming notes, this was a difficult part of the process for Ollie, so I wanted to make it a better experience. I removed the nozzle to reduce the force of the air and put a Happy Hoodie on him in hopes that it would feel less intimidating.

I also gave him frequent breaks from the dryer, about every 10 minutes, until he was fully dry.

After that, it was time to move to the floor. Our groom room is equipped with floor hooks specifically for dogs who are more comfortable staying low rather than being elevated on a table.

I started by testing his reaction to the sounds of the tools I would need to use. He was not a fan of the Dremel and was a little on edge afterward, so for both his safety and mine, I chose to use a muzzle for the remainder of the service.

I then introduced my clippers, turning them on and immediately pairing the sound with a treat. From there, I was able to shave out his paw pads and sanitary area and tidy up some of his wispy hair.

At his last appointment, the groomer was unable to touch his feet, complete his sanitary trim, or fully dry him.

Today, Ollie left fully dry, with clipped nails, cleaned-up feet, a completed sanitary trim, and his tail wagging.

This is only the beginning of our grooming journey together, and I am so excited to watch his confidence grow with each visit. ✨💜✨

If your dog needs a little extra love with grooming, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Apple Creek Canine Resort to schedule!

06/21/2026

🐾 Guess the Breed! 🐾

Can you identify today’s fluffy mystery pup? 🤔

✨ Hints:
• I have a double coat that helps protect me from both heat and cold.
• I’m small in size but have a BIG personality.
• My ancestors were much larger working dogs from the Arctic region.
• I’m known for my fox-like face and fluffy tail that curls over my back.
• I love being the center of attention!

Drop your guess in the comments before the answer is posted at 6!

06/20/2026

☀️ Summer Cuts vs. Desheds: What’s Best for Your Double-Coated Dog? ☀️

As temperatures rise, many well-meaning pet parents request a short shave to help their dogs stay cool. While that may seem like the right thing to do, double-coated breeds actually do not need a haircut to beat the heat!

Breeds like Golden Retrievers, Huskies, German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, and many others have a double coat that acts as natural insulation. This coat helps regulate body temperature by keeping them warm in the winter and protecting them from excess heat in the summer.

When a double-coated dog is shaved down, that natural insulation is removed. Contrary to popular belief, shaving these breeds can actually make it harder for them to stay cool and may cause permanent coat damage.

Potential long-term effects of shaving a double-coated dog include:
❌ Hair loss or patchy regrowth
❌ Changes in coat texture (soft, fluffy, or woolly coats)
❌ Uneven coat regrowth
❌ Coat discoloration or fading
❌ Reduced ability to properly regulate body temperature

So what’s the solution?

✨ A Professional Deshed Service! ✨

A Deshed Service is designed to remove the dead undercoat while leaving the healthy protective coat intact. This service includes:

🐾 A specialized deshedding shampoo and conditioner that helps loosen dead undercoat
🐾 A high-velocity blowout to remove loose hair
🐾 A thorough brush out to remove any remaining dead coat

By removing the excess undercoat, air can circulate through the coat more effectively, helping your dog stay comfortable while maintaining the natural protection their coat was designed to provide.

For most double-coated dogs, a Deshed Service every 4–8 weeks helps maintain a healthy coat and keeps shedding under control. Dogs with heavier coats or those going through a seasonal coat blow may benefit from more frequent appointments.

Before requesting a summer shave, ask your groomer if a Deshed Service may be the better option. Your dog’s coat was designed to protect them—and with proper maintenance, it can do exactly that all summer long! ☀️🐶

Click the link below to schedule today!

06/20/2026

🐾 Welcome to the page! 🐾

Hi, I’m Alexis, and I’m excited to share my grooming journey with you!

My goal is simple: to help dogs look and feel their best while making grooming a positive, low-stress experience. Grooming isn’t just about a haircut—it’s about building trust, creating confidence, and helping every dog feel safe and comfortable throughout the process.

On this page you’ll find:
✨ Before & after transformations
✨ Grooming tips and coat care advice
✨ Educational content for pet parents
✨ Behind-the-scenes grooming videos
✨ Plenty of adorable pups!

I believe every dog deserves patience, kindness, and individualized care. Whether your dog loves spa day or needs a little extra encouragement, positive experiences matter.

You can currently find me grooming at Apple Creek Canine Resort, where I have the privilege of helping dogs look and feel their best every day.

Thank you for following along and supporting my passion for grooming. I can’t wait to share more with you and your furry friends! 🐶❤️

Address

650 51st Street
Marion, IA
52302

Website

https://www.applecreekcanineresort.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Groomed by Alexis posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.