Pet Prep Dog Grooming

06/08/2026

I have been seeing Buddy for nearly one year now. Initially, he needed health checks but the vets could not get near him. I had to be incredibly careful stroking him in case I touched his ears/teeth (we were not sure what was hurting him at the time until he could get to the vets and be handled for sedation). I walked on egg shells. It is such a joy to be having cuddles with him like this, and shows that trust can be built with time.

🐾❤️🐶🛁 🐾

05/08/2026

Little Wookie had fun at his first ever puppy groom introduction session.

We like to spread out the introduction of all the sights, smells, sounds, tastes and sensation the grooming salon involved.

Wookie was quite confident. His favourite activity was going up the ramp in and out of the bath (I had to the the ramp away!). Brushing, being up on the table, the dryer, scissors were all just a bit boring really. Nail clipping was a little worrying, but we did it and Wookie received plenty of treats.

Wookie will come back every few weeks to consolidate this, and add to it. This means by the time he is 6 months old and has a full groom he w 🐾❤️🐶🛁 🐾 ill not be overwhelmed.

Well done Wookie.

12/06/2026

Every Tuesday Harriet Birdsey of Windrush Physiotherapy works in the grooming room adjacent to the training centre.

Here is Neo enjoying a session. This is his third session, and I noticed he was more open, relaxed into it more and as a result Harriet was able to work deeper. Sometimes it takes a dog a few sessions to learn its going to feel nice and they can relax.

He is also now used to the laser machine (he snapped at it on his first session).

Neo sees a physio as he has some muscle areas that become sore, which then results in a tight back. Physio isnt just for rehabilitation post surgery. It's also for prevention I.e. sort the niggles out before compensatory patterns or unhealthy posture leads to soreness, restrictions and potentially injury.

11/06/2026

This lovely girl got a bit matted lately. Normally her mum does a fab job of brushing her, it with the recent hot weather she was cooling off with hose pipes and paddling pools, so casually getting wet frequently.

Here are two pointers from this girls experience that not everyone knows:

1) Unfortunately with the poodle coat type if you dont brush out wet coat, it very easily starts to pelt.

2) Mats that are tight and close to the skin can cut off blood circulation. Therefore when you clip the mats away amd feeling comes back it can feel funny and dogs will often shake off, scratch and seem agitated.

Although she had to be cut a bit shorter this time, her coat will grow back and we will get back into our 6 weekly cycle with maintenance at home no problem at all.

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22/05/2026

Little Benji had his second Puppy session. He is a bold chap and not phased by much, but it was still important to introduce him to elements of the grooming process and environment carefully and systematically.
Today Benji had:

Time on the table for treats
Time on the table with little bits of paw handling, to explain to him that it is only temporary, and we will give him his paw back! This also gave him the opportunity to practice shifts in his balance fir shirt periods.
Running the clippers along his body so he can acclimatise to the vibration
Time in the bath just having treats, and getting used to the idea of being trapped
Time in the bath with the hose flowing, and just a little squirm of water
Time on the floor chasing treats while the dryer was on. He had the choice of where to go, and how close to get, and I observed his stress levels to gauge how much to push him vs keep the air pressure off him.

Go Benji! You are doing great!

To book a puppy session visit www.mindsalikeanimaltraining.com or email [email protected] (Chesham, Bucks)

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03/03/2026

02/03/2026

✨🐶 Does your pooch need a pamper? 🐶✨

We’ve had a Saturday appointment become available with our wonderful groomer Emma 💛

At our salon, we specialise in grooming anxious and nervous dogs. We provide a calm, gentle, one-to-one environment where your dog can feel safe, understood, and never rushed.

📅 Saturday availability – message us to book before it’s gone!
📧[email protected]