Paws and thank you (2026)

Using positive reinforcement and desensitization to build trust, reduce stress, and teaching you simple, effective at-home care. As a certified dog trainer and a gentle, fear-free groomer, I’ll work with you to create personalized training and behavior modification plans that suit your needs. Using positive reinforcement techniques, my aim is to help dogs overcome their fears related to grooming while fostering desirable behaviors, building confidence and creating a relationship based on trust.

29/10/2025

Grooming may seem like a spa day but not every dog feels that way. While some can tolerate it, many can feel anxious or scared during parts of the process, or even the whole thing. That’s why it’s important to train them to understand that grooming can be a safe and positive experience. Using consent-based grooming techniques can help dogs feel more secure and empowered, allowing them to communicate when they need a break or want to keep going. This approach encourages dogs to cooperate in their grooming routine instead of enduring it through the use of force or untrained restraint. Since grooming is a lifelong necessity for dogs, why not make it a safer, more enjoyable experience for them?

22/10/2025

I frequently receive requests to be especially gentle when grooming senior dogs. I always make it a point to explain that while I do everything I can, it doesn't guarantee that your dog won't feel any pain. Conditions such as arthritis can make movement or handling uncomfortable and even standing still for long periods can lead to muscle and joint aches. It's not easy to predict or manage issues that I can’t see or feel.

Pain can manifest in the moment, or even linger, leading to changes in behavior. Oftentimes snapping or biting is a common reaction when your dog feels pain during grooming, which makes the process more challenging. When dogs become difficult to handle, it raises the risk of injury for them, creating a frustrating cycle of painful grooming.

If your dog—regardless of age—is experiencing physical pain, I highly recommend discussing pain management options with your veterinarian. It’s important that your dog doesn’t suffer in order to stay clean and healthy.

16/10/2025

I've seen a few dogs develop skin tags and warts as they grow older. If they’re not posing any serious health risks, I completely understand not wanting to put your dog under anesthesia for removal. I always try my best to conduct a thorough skin check and note down any spots I find, but new ones can sometimes pop up. It can be tricky to spot anything that’s tucked away under mats, and occasionally I might unintentionally nick them while grooming. The more skin tags or warts there are, the more challenging it becomes to groom or brush without causing irritation, which I’m sure can be painful and even lead to infections.

I really don’t know which is the better option between taking the risk of removal versus possibly irritating them every time they get groomed. What I recommend doing is to check your dog’s skin more regularly so you can alert groomers to any specific areas to watch out for. Additionally, consider scheduling grooming sessions more frequently to give us a better chance to see right down to the skin. what else can I do?

08/10/2025

Most shampoo instructions suggest wetting your dog first and then applying the shampoo. However, that often just dilutes the shampoo right on their coat. Since dog shampoo can be thick or gel-like, it’s not always easy to spread evenly, and sometimes it just slides right off—what a waste! A better method is to grab a water bottle or squeeze bottle and fill it with water first. Then, add the shampoo and give it a little shake to mix it up well. Diluted shampoo penetrates the coat more effectively and rinses out much easier. In fact, I sometimes skip wetting the dog altogether and just apply the mixture directly. This way, I can easily see any dry spots and ensure I wash every part of their body.

Most professional or bulk-sized shampoos come with recommended dilution ratios, like 16:1 (16 parts water to 1 part shampoo). So, to make a gallon, you only need about a cup of shampoo! While the quality of shampoo can affect the ideal ratio, a good starting point for home use is about 4:1 (4 parts water to 1 part shampoo). It doesn’t need to be precise—just use a marker to indicate where to fill the water, and then add the shampoo.

01/10/2025

Hi. Just a little intro about me so we can get to know each other!

18/09/2025

Maintaining a regular grooming schedule is essential, but it's important to be flexible and adjust it as their health needs change.

I used to see Frodo for a full grooming every five weeks. However, as he grew older and dealt with arthritis and some extra weight, standing for long periods became difficult and stressful for him. His mobility also declined, reducing the amount of nails that got filed down on walks. To accommodate him better, we changed our routine to every two weeks, breaking it down into a haircut one visit and a bath the next, checking his nails each time. Additionally, since he now wears a diaper, we established a daily cleaning routine for his sensitive areas to ensure he stays comfortable and clean.

Aging can be tough on our pets, but by adapting our grooming practices to fit their evolving needs, we can help make this phase of their lives more manageable and comfortable.

Address

07003

Opening Hours

Monday	10:00 - 18:00
Tuesday	10:00 - 18:00
Wednesday	10:00 - 18:00
Thursday	10:00 - 18:00
Friday	10:00 - 18:00
Saturday	10:00 - 14:00

Website

http://www.pawsandthankyou.com/

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