Posh Paws Groom Room, Shinfield

Posh Paws Groom Room, Shinfield Your local “consent based”/“force free”/“cooperative” dog groomer!

27/06/2026

Well I think we’re all quite happy that the weather is getting cooler! Lots of early morning walks in the woods for my two and trying to keep the kitchen as cool as possible! We’re all bouncing off the walls 😅 🐶

Did you know that sniffing is such a tiring activity for dogs? So if you’re impatiently hurrying your dog away from that really good smell, remember it’s their way of processing and reading the local news 📰

Animal Centered Education (ACE) Freework is something I learned through my course with Sue Williamson (Taking the Grrr). I do this on a much smaller scale for newbies who attend meet & treats in my Groom Room and generally during grooms if dogs are nervous. It gives them something else to focus on for a bit during grooming, particularly if it’s a sensitive area we’re working on.

Autonomy to move is often thought to take up precious time in the grooming environment. But movement is natural for dogs, standing still for an hour (or more) is not.

My dogs are still for longer, not tap dancing, not trying to air snap or protect the area they don’t enjoy me grooming. We’re communicating and there’s less stress. Some dogs need to be “doing”.

Ted actually happily wandered around this activity without whining (which is quite a surprise for Ted) for 40 minutes doing this. He absolutely loved it and is completely pooped!

This activity is great for observing how your dog moves, what they enjoy eating, the puzzles they find most stimulating and is great for bonding. Stay with your dog, talk to them, enjoy watching them explore. It’s not something to distract your dog, it’s 1 on 1, quality time.

Give it a go, shout if you have questions and let me know how you get on!

19/05/2026

The secret to easier grooming? A dog that actually trusts you. 💜🐾

Traditional grooming often focuses on the result. Consent-based grooming focuses on the dog — and the results are better because of it.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

🐾 Learn to read canine body language. Spot discomfort early, offer a short break, and watch the whole session get smoother. Stress signals don’t disappear — they escalate.

🐾 Let dogs move. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but a dog with some autonomy is a calmer dog. My doodles? Done in 1hr 45. Movement doesn’t mean lost time.

🐾 Rethink what “a good groom” means. A perfectly styled dog achieved through force doesn’t help anyone. The dog remembers how it felt, and will take that feeling through to their next appointment.

🐾 Problem-solve the stress triggers. Does the guardian need to stay? Is the bath too hard to climb into? Are they slipping (bath mats = game changer)? Small adjustments make a huge difference.

🐾 Pre-clip before bathing so drying time is shorter. Test different dryers at different distances — what this dog tolerates, that dog won’t. Meet each dog where they are.

Every dog that leaves your table feeling safe is one that comes back easier next time. That’s not soft — that’s smart grooming.

What would you add? 👇

14/05/2026

Oh my word, Bodhi is a sweetheart! I realised I’d shared this on the “Taking the Grrr” FB page but hadn’t left it here!

Bodhi came to me after his lovely guardian realised he was being muzzled without her knowledge. Bodhi is a softie. What did I do differently?

🐾 I invited Bodhi’s guardian to stay, I have nothing to hide, what you see on Insta is what you get in reality! Plus we love a natter which keeps the atmosphere relaxed.

🐾 I give Bodhi freedom to move, making sure I have lots of bath mats down so he doesn’t slip or feel unsafe.

🐾 I use pet remedy spray before he arrives which is THE BEST! The valerian root has a calming on me and the dogs!!

🐾 This handheld dryer is actually an amazing tool! It has three settings, is nice and warm so even for these long coats, it works a treat. My aim isn’t to get him super dry, just as dry as he can cope with, which is pretty dry!

🐾 Bodhi is bathed, brushed through and deshed, tidied up with scissors (including his grinch paws which we’ve spent time desensitising), in 1 hour. Consent based grooming doesn’t take more time.

Bodhi, you’re a star ⭐ see you soon!

12/05/2026

This is Molly, she’s been super poorly recently but thankfully, she was back to herself yesterday. Not only was she THRILLED to see me, but she was ready for food which is always a good sign!

As always, when a doggy is unwell or not feeling themselves, I postpone the groom to ensure that an already challenging experience isn’t worsened and the doggy has time to get better. I also prep the guardian to let them know their dog will let me know when they’re done. So expect a call!

02/04/2026

What a lovely sunny few days I’ve had learning at the Conference by the Sea in Torquay! Hosted by and who provided a safe space for humans to bond whilst talking about animal’s emotional wellbeing.

It was EPIC!

Speakers sharing their knowledge about why sleep, choice, calmness and freedom to move are all important in creating a well balanced dog who feels safe in the presence of humans.

There were Pet Groomers, Behaviourists, Trainers, Rescue Workers, Vets & Vet Nurses, Physios and Massage therapists (and MORE), all coming together to connect, learn from one another and figure out how to have a positive impact on Animals’ lives.

Full of inspiring people, I can’t wait to go back next year! And let’s not forget my fellow consent based groomers who I had the pleasure to spend some quality time with 💜🐾 #

14/01/2026

I’ll post more of these to demonstrate how excited my four pawed clients are, even the sensitive ones!

Let’s be clear that they’re still showing stress signals, but most come into my groom room willingly.

All of my doggy clients who have only experienced consent based grooming come running in!

Benefits:

🐶 Guardians comment that their dogs are better with handling

🐶 The dog is calmer knowing they have an option to move away, so there’s no need for muzzles, slings, restraints

🐶 The guardians understand I don’t push their dogs, so I don’t have to carry the stress of getting that perfect groom

24/12/2025

Thank you so much for trusting me with your precious pups this year! All your pups have done SO well!! Here’s just a few of them during their grooms.
Hope you all have wonderful Christmases, thank you for the tips, presents and cards, I’ve been very spoilt!
Note that I’m taking a real break over Christmas, so there will likely be a delay in my responses, be patient, but haven’t “switched off” since opening 💜🐾

Gentle grooming all the way

consentbasedgrooming

Address

Shinfield

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 2pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+447754295060

Website

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