Beyond The Leash Dog Grooming and Training

09/06/2025

Another week, another treat!!!

A few spaces open this week.

So if you would like any of the following contact me:

* Breed styling, make your little or big guy look like they were born to look😜
* Hand stripping, schnauzers, border terriers, airedale terriers just to name a few
* Maintenance Groom., just a quick spruce up😜
* Wash and Dry
* De-shed, for those double coated kids
* ALL breeds Welcome.

Contact today to book your spot

07/06/2025

SCOTTIE & WESTIE: A Tale of Two Terriers

Scottish spirit wrapped in two very different coats.

Rooted in Scottish heritage and bred for tenacity, intelligence, and companionship, the Scottish Terrier (Scottie) and the West Highland White Terrier (Westie) are more than just charming—they’re icons in their own right.

Though their silhouettes are similar, these two breeds tell different coat stories—and understanding that difference is key to proper grooming.

🖤 The Dignified Scottie

With a dense, wiry black coat and a famously bold expression, the Scottie exudes elegance with edge. His coat is double-layered:
• A harsh outer coat designed to protect
• A soft undercoat that insulates

🧼 Grooming Needs:
• Requires stripping or clipping to maintain texture
• Needs deep cleansing resets to remove buildup between trims
• Moisture balance is crucial—hydration without softening the texture too much

🤍 The Bright-Eyed Westie

The Westie is all sparkle and s***k, with a brilliant white coat that needs brightness maintenance. Unlike the Scottie, the Westie’s coat tends to be:
• Softer in texture
• Prone to buildup and yellowing

🧼 Grooming Needs:
• Requires gentle whitening support
• Needs light but effective cleansing to maintain purity and contrast
• Should be conditioned without flattening the coat’s bounce

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🌿 Shared Traits, Individual Care

Both breeds are part of the terrier family, and both benefit from:
• Balanced grooming routines
• Routine brushing to prevent matting
• And occasional deep-cleansing resets to maintain coat health

But the key lies in respecting the individual coat type: where the Scottie demands structure and shape, the Westie thrives in a white sheen.

💬 Final Thought:

Great grooming doesn’t just clean the coat—it honors the breed. Whether you’re maintaining the Scottie’s strong silhouette or keeping the Westie’s snow-white glow, WE offers breed-conscious solutions that let your dog shine the way nature intended.

Because grooming is science—but loving them is instinct.

05/06/2025

Today was a bit of a hectic day, not even photos of the cuties but still a good day!!

So let's talk THE BIOLOGY BEHIND THE BEAUTY

🔬 The Biology Behind the Beauty: Inside the Hair Shaft
Understanding what lies beneath the shine.

Beneath every beautifully groomed coat lies a biological marvel—each hair strand is a sophisticated structure built for strength, flexibility, and protection. We believe healthy grooming starts with understanding that structure, from cuticle to core.

🧱 The Three Layers of the Hair Shaft

1. The Cuticle
The outermost layer, made of overlapping scale-like cells. Think of it like armor—it shields the inner hair shaft while creating that natural sheen when it lies flat.
🔍 When damaged or lifted: Hair becomes dull, rough, and prone to tangling or breakage.

2. The Cortex
This is the thickest, most integral part of the strand. It contains tightly packed keratin proteins, moisture-binding structures, and pigment granules. The cortex determines the coat’s elasticity, strength, and even its color.
🔍 When compromised: Hair loses resilience, becomes brittle, and appears faded or lifeless.

3. The Medulla (if present)
The innermost layer—often a hollow or sponge-like core. But here’s where things get interesting: not all dogs have one, and whether it forms often depends on coat color and texture.

🧬 What Does the Medulla Actually Do?

The function of the medulla is still somewhat mysterious, but it’s believed to aid in:
• Thermal insulation
• Light reflection
• Structural rigidity

🦴 Texture:
Coarse or double-coated breeds—like Huskies or German Shepherds—usually have a defined medulla, especially in their guard hairs. It contributes to the coat’s stiffness and volume.

🎨 Color & Structure:
White or pale-coated breeds—such as Bichons, Maltese, and Poodles—often lack a visible medulla, especially in their softer undercoat or furnishings.

Why? Because white hairs contain no pigment (melanin) in the cortex. Without pigment to stabilize the strand, the medulla may never form—or may collapse, leaving a hollow or absent core. This makes white coats:
• More flexible and light-reflective
• But also more prone to dehydration and breakage

🧠 So, if your dog has a white coat, its hair likely lacks a medulla—and that’s perfectly normal.

🌿 Why Hair Structure Matters in Grooming

Each layer of the hair shaft plays a role in coat health:
• The cuticle protects and shines
• The cortex provides strength, texture, and elasticity
• The medulla (if present) affects structure and resilience

Understanding this architecture helps us treat the coat holistically—not just cleaning the surface, but supporting what’s beneath.

💧Choose the Right Line for Your Dog

Because healthy coats aren’t just born. They’re built—cuticle to core.

04/06/2025

04/06/2025

Today was a day for loads of love and cuddles..
Attie u are such a soft, playfull kiddo!!!
Then we had Tom Jones and Neil Diamond...
Well, these to were model clients, sitting patiently or laying down.
Thank you for giving me a very enjoyable day...

Not a bad day in the office!!!!

Beyond The Leash Dog Grooming and Training
Marliza Badenhorst
076 9610 712

03/06/2025

What a lekker week so far.

Remember, this week is fully booked, except for our emergency slot that we are now keeping open for those sometimes unplanned for need for a good clean!!!

Few spots available for next week.

* Tuesday is our home groom day, with 1 slot open still *

Whatsapp 076 961 0712

01/06/2025

A bit of Sunday Groomer humor

31/05/2025

POODLE POWER: The Coat That Thinks It’s Armor

Don’t let the curls fool you—Poodles weren’t bred for bows and bandanas.
They were water retrievers, engineered with tight curls that trapped warmth and repelled cold, murky water.
That coat isn’t fluff. It’s function.

But those tight curls?
They mat fast, trap debris, and hold onto moisture—which means odor, skin irritation, and breakage can build quickly without the right care.

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Why Poodle Coats Need Specialized Maintenance
• Curls tangle inward, often close to the skin where you can’t see
• Moisture gets trapped, encouraging yeast and bacteria
• Improper brushing or skipped maintenance leads to painful mats
• The wrong products can weigh curls down or dry them out

This is a coat that demands structure and rewards consistency.

• No-Rinse Shampoo is perfect for freshening up the face and paws between baths

Whether kept in a continental trim or a puppy cut, this coat needs respect.

And with the right tools?
It becomes one of the most striking, healthy, and expressive coats in the dog world.

30/05/2025

Just a furry kinda Friday.. 🐾🐾

28/05/2025

Matting Isn’t Just a Mess—It’s a Warning Sign

We get it—life gets busy.
And brushing your dog might not always make the top of the list.

But here’s what you need to know:

Matting isn’t just a grooming inconvenience.
It’s your dog’s coat trying to tell you something’s wrong.

What’s Really Hiding in That Tangle?
• Trapped moisture that can lead to yeast or bacteria buildup
• Pulled skin from tight mats, which can cause inflammation or bruising
• Discomfort or pain, especially in high-friction areas like armpits, tails, and ears
• And worst of all—hidden infections that stay masked until it’s too late

Mats form fast, especially in curly, wooly, or double coats—and once they start, they grow like velcro.

Prevention Is Easier Than Correction

✅ Use a brushing spray every time you brush to reduce breakage and friction
✅ Line brush from the skin out—don’t just skim the surface
✅ Don’t skip prep brushing before bathing—wetting down mats only makes them worse
✅ Book regular grooms—and in between, stay consistent at home

Let’s stop seeing mats as just a mess—
And start seeing them as what they are: a sign your dog needs help.

28/05/2025

Healthy home made Dog Treats

We are excited to be launching our healthy treats in the next couple of weeks.

Our aim is to use natural products with health benefits, giving our loved pups a delicious treat while giving healthy benefits!!!

10 Benefits of natural treats:

Stronger Immunity. ...
Better Digestion. ...
Dental and oral health support. ...
Natural Dewormers. ...
Healthier Skin and Coats. ...
Fewer Allergies. ...
Naturally calming. ...
Air Dried.

So keep an eye out on our page to not miss it!!

05/02/2025

Dog walking

Don't have time to take the kids for a walk?

No problem, book your slot, and off we go.!!

Contact Marliza
076 961 0712