Tides & Tails Grooming Studio St. Stephen

06/09/2026

Many owners are concerned when their little dogs are vibrating coming into the salon. I always reassure them that the shaking stops once they come in, run around for a bit, and settle into our routine. Aside from being a sponge who may be absorbing some of the owners nervous energy coming into the salon, or stimulation from the car ride, here is a physiological explanation for why little dogs shake, shake, shake 🤗💥

Why is my dog shaking? They must be terrified! 🥺 Can we bust a major biological myth? 👇

​If you own a smaller breed, especially a Toy Poodle, Maltese, or Chihuahua, you have likely seen them turn into a little vibrating washing machine the moment they walk into the vet clinic, a busy park, or the grooming salon.

​As pet parents, our hearts instantly sink. We assume they are frozen in pure terror or experiencing trauma.

​But biologically? You might be completely misreading the room.

​Welcome to "Psychogenic Tremors" (aka: The Sports Car Effect) ​Smaller breeds possess a naturally high metabolic rate and an incredibly sensitive nervous system. Their internal engines essentially "idle" at a much higher RPM than a big Golden Retriever.

​When they enter an environment where they know a specific routine is about to happen, their brain instantly releases a massive wave of adrenaline and cortisol. This isn't automatically a sign of fear, it is pure anticipation and hyper-focus.

​Because they have such tight, compact little muscle masses, that sudden, explosive surge of kinetic energy has nowhere to go. Their nervous system processes this sudden backlog of internal electricity by shivering to safely burn it off.

​Think of it like this: It is exactly the same as a human getting intense butterflies, a racing heart, or shaky hands right before they step onto a stage to give a big speech or ride a roller coaster. They aren't in physical danger or pain; their body is just firing on absolutely all cylinders to prepare for what’s next! ⚡

​The moment they get into their rhythm and that adrenaline naturally flushes out of their system, the vibrations stop.

​So the next time your little one starts to shiver at check-in, take a deep breath. They aren't broken, and you shouldn't feel guilty, their little sports car engine is just revving up! 🤍

​Groomers and Pet Professionals: Feel free to share this to your pages to help ease your clients' check-in guilt! 🔄

​

06/04/2026

 As we recognize Pride Month this June, we want to reaffirm that Tides & Tails Grooming Studio is an inclusive, welcoming, and judgment-free space for everyone.

We believe kindness, respect, and compassion matter—both for people and their pets. Our doors are open to all, and we are committed to providing a safe, supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

Happy Pride Month! 🌈🐾

06/03/2026

🐾 One thing people don’t always realize about grooming…

Sometimes the biggest accomplishment of the day isn’t the haircut.

It’s earning a dog’s trust.

Not every dog walks into the salon feeling confident and carefree. Some are nervous about the dryer, dislike having their feet handled, or have had difficult experiences in the past. Some are young puppies trying to make sense of a new experiences, or seniors trying to find the stamina to endure a grooming session.

That’s why professional grooming is about so much more than bathing, brushing, and haircuts. It’s about reading body language, understanding and regulating emotions, and helping dogs feel safe.

Quite often that means slowing things down, taking breaks, changing our approach, or celebrating small victories. Other times it means accepting that a dog’s emotional comfort is more important than achieving the “perfect” groom that day.

The goal isn’t simply to get through the appointment, the goal is to help your dog learn that grooming can be a positive experience.

One of the greatest gifts an owner can give a nervous dog is *consistency*. Bringing them in regularly, even when they’re anxious, allows them to build confidence through repeated positive experiences. Over time, those small successes add up to a dog who feels safer, calmer, and more trusting. And nothing brings us more joy than witnessing that.

A beautiful haircut grows out.

Confidence lasts a lifetime. ❤️🐶

05/19/2026

Tick tally at the studio has reached 10. This is a good infographic on how to remove these awful things.

Ticks can carry dangerous diseases for both pets and humans, so removing them quickly and correctly is very important. Even if your pet is on tick prevention, you should still check them regularly after being outdoors.

A tick can begin transmitting infection within 24–48 hours, so prompt removal matters. But how you remove it is just as important.

🚫 NEVER use petroleum jelly, alcohol, butter, oils, nail polish remover, matches, lighters, or freezing sprays to make a tick “back out.” These methods stress the tick and can increase the risk of infection being passed to your pet.

✅ The safest way to remove a tick is with:
• Fine-tipped tweezers
• A tick-removal tool

Wear gloves if possible and avoid touching the tick with bare hands.

If using tweezers:
• Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible
• Pull straight outward slowly and steadily
• Do NOT twist, jerk, squeeze, or crush the tick

After removal:
• Clean the bite area with antiseptic
• Disinfect your tweezers or tool with isopropyl alcohol
• Wash your hands thoroughly

It’s also a good idea to save the tick in a sealed container or bag with alcohol and note the date, in case your pet later develops symptoms of a tick-borne illness. You can bring it to your vet for identification and testing.

Watch for signs like fever, fatigue, swollen joints, limping, loss of appetite, or unusual behavior, and contact your veterinarian if you notice anything concerning.

If the tick is deeply embedded or you’re uncomfortable removing it yourself, take your pet to a veterinarian for safe removal.

05/11/2026

Collars up high for safety and effectiveness when walking your dog. Control of the head = control of the dog. ✅

ALL COLLARS UP HIGH!

It doesn't matter if you are using a prong collar, a flat buckle, a martingale, a slip, a dominant or otherwise - the best position for your dog's collar is up high right under the chin and right behind the ears. This avoids all of the sensitive areas of the front of your dog's neck; the trachea, esophagus, voice box etc

Move that collar up and not only notice how your dog won't visibly choke themselves anymore, but also the decrease in physical pressure that you have to exert to control and communicate with your dog.

05/09/2026

‘I think sometimes we need to take a step back
and just remember we have no greater right to be here than any other animal.”
🦚🐩🐈🐘
— David Attenborough

04/28/2026

Support our local shelter!

04/27/2026

I know sometimes owners are a little taken aback when I emphasize the importance of staying calm, confident, and matter-of-fact during drop-off at the groomer.

You’ve likely heard me say things like, “No baby talk,” or “Let’s put them on the floor,” and sometimes I’ve gently taken your dog from your arms and settled them into a crate or pen area myself.

I do all of this for a reason.

It is never about being abrupt, rude, or dismissive of your feelings—it is about creating emotional security for your dog.

Dogs are incredibly perceptive. They feed off our energy. When drop-off becomes emotional, uncertain, or overly reassuring, it can actually increase their anxiety and make the grooming experience far more stressful for them.

Calm leadership creates calm dogs.

The emotional and physical wellbeing of your pet is always my first priority while they are in my care. After 32 years of managing a kennel of high-powered dogs, and 22 years of professional grooming, I can assure you this approach comes from a place of deep love, experience, and understanding of dogs—not arrogance.

Sometimes what feels “kind” to us as humans can actually create more stress for them.

Please take a moment to read the post I’m sharing below, along with the client comment in the first comment section. It may help explain a little better why I approach drop-offs the way I do.

I’m not being mean. I’m not being arrogant. I’m not being rude.

I am putting your dog’s emotional wellbeing first.

Because a positive grooming experience starts long before they walk through my door. 🚪🐾

04/27/2026

What does your groomer do on her days off if she’s not at a dog show? Dog classes! Fill the nooks and crannies of your life with fluffy friends and you’ll never have a bad day!
This is London 👑🤴🏻