In a nutshell, it's the Personalised Approach that makes us so special
Hello and thank you for taking the time to read this.
Centre Stage Grooming stands as a dedicated hub where every dog's distinct needs are met with meticulous care and attention.
Our comprehensive process starts with a thorough assessment of your dog's specific requirements, which of course may change from visit to visit, ensuring that every visit is an experience of unparalleled quality.
All Inclusive
Your dog will receive whatever treatments we believe wil benefit it most, every time it comes. This is all included in the price.
A central tenet of our philosophy is the role of the bathing process.
Our array of specialised shampoos and conditioners feature esteemed brands like Always Your Friend and WildWash, just part our unwavering commitment to excellence. We like to believe that we go beyond the conventional and extend our services to include treatments such as mud masks which are ideal for addressing dry, irritated skin and restoring damaged coats. Blueberry Facials are used if the dog has or looks like it may be starting to show signs of facial staining.
This fundamental stage serves as the cornerstone of any successful grooming session. Dogs necessitating deshedding are meticulously attended to during this phase, eliminating the discomfort of rigorous brushing through dry fur. Instead, we opt for high-pressure hydrobath jets and conditioning agents, ensuring the painless dissemination of densely packed fur and tangles. Our commitment to thoroughness extends to ear cleaning, seamlessly integrated into the bathing process.
Lavender Wraps
Following the bathing and conditioning regimen, our Lavender Wrap technique employs heated chamois towels infused with the essential oils that will most benefit your dog. Moreover, we introduce Reiki during this period, providing an added dimension of relaxation and rejuvenation. This holistic approach not only addresses grooming needs but also nurtures your dog's overall well-being.
Ultrasonic Teeth Treatment
Every dog is assessed during the bathing process and an appropriate amount of time is set aside to administer an Emmi-Pet Ultrasonic teeth and mouth cleaning treatment. This is one of the few treatments that can be purchased additionally as a stand-alone service (nail grinding being a notable other), but it is included in every groom regardless. Whilst cleaning the teeth we have a good look around within your dog's mouth and will, of course, report anything significant if we see it.
Ionic Drying
Upon completion, dogs undergo a tailored drying process based on their unique coat types. Whether managing the elegant grooming of silky-coated show dogs or tending to fleece coats in consideration of their length, our approach remains adaptable and aligned with each dog's individual attributes.
A moment of respite awaits every dog as they luxuriate in the warmth of the Dezynadog cabinet.
Pawdicure
The styling process commences with a meticulous pawdicure, involving nail grinding for a polished, rounded finish and precise fur trimming from between the paw pads.
Clipping and Scissoring
Our styling expertise revolves around clipping and scissoring techniques, as we eschew hand-stripping. Styling choices are guided by your preferences or the dog's age and lifestyle, culminating in a harmonious and fitting appearance.
The Finishing Touches
Concluding the grooming journey, we apply a finishing spray, a subtle scent, and an elegant collar embellishment. We recommend providing a clean collar to adorn your impeccably cleansed and pleasantly fragrant canine companion.
And Finally
I have twenty years of grooming experience and am fully qualified, being an International Certified Master Groomer. Couple that with fifteen prior years of experience as a dog training instructor (I owned The Canine Film Academy and brought clicker training to the UK in 1996), I am committed to the behavioural as well as structural needs of each cherished pet that comes in through my door. Be aware that I'm known to have a "Marmite" personality (🤣) and be assured that I'll always be the voice for your dog ... whether you want to hear it or not!
We use Fresha online, so you can use this link to book an appointment online if you wish.
You can also email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or WhatsApp / Text / Signal 07767 341424
This is where we are located:
but sometimes the simplest thing to do is call!
07767 342434
There are many things that you can do that will assist (or impede) your groomer during your dog's visit to a professional grooming salon.
Going on holiday?
Is your pride-and-joy a super soft fluffy coated dog like a Maltese, Poodle or Bichon perhaps? Or a Cavoodle, Labradoodle or Cavishon? Or even maybe a Chorkie or Yorkie in full coat? If so, PLEASE don't think "well, he's only at 5 weeks now, I'll have it done when I get back..."
Have him groomed JUST BEFORE you go. Go one one or two lengths shorter than normal so that when you get back its "Just Right". Home boarders and kennels will love you for giving them less coat to manage and the groomer won't be weeping as she shaves your dog down when you return. Home boarders ESPECIALLY will appreciate a sweet smelling, knot free pooch delivered to their home and are much more likely to return it in the same condition... ;-)
Feed your dog the correct diet
Yup, you read that right! The wrong food causes stinky skin and porous coats that take multiple shampoos to get clean and forever to get dry! We can spot a Bakers dog blindfolded by feel and smell alone. (NOT NICE!!)
A good site for researching what food to use (or how yours measures up) is Dog Food Analysis. We stock a frozen Biologically Appropriate Raw Food Diet (BARF) called Nutriment, rated at 5 stars on the Which Dog Food Site because it's very, very good.
Promptness, NO SHOWS and Cancellations
One groomer (who shall remain nameless) is reputed to ask the client who turns up late which leg they'd like left untouched! ;-) Seriously, late clients cause a big headache in a small salon.
Please treat us like dentists - if you make an appointment a) turn up for it, b) cancel it in good time for the groomer to fill the slot or c) be prepared to pay regardless. Grooming is our livelihood and passion but not our hobby.
Bring him in clean and dry
Many groomers implement a "Clean Up" fee if your dog poos or wees during the grooming process, so make sure your dog has had ample opportunity to empty its tanks before coming (but not so "ample" that its too tired to stand up!!)
Don't walk him through a quagmire before coming. Groomers always appreciate an "exercised" dog, but not one that's so filthy it needs immediate attention upon arrival. Remember the groomer may still be finishing up the dog before you and so having to immediately attend to yours because of its condition may cause them a serious problem.
Groom your dog at home
Take out everything that you can, burrs, branches, brambles and knots. Your groomer will love you forever. Remember also that unbrushed dogs get sore when subjected to a mammoth grooming session, so it's best to break it down into small daily sessions.
Grooming your dog should occur as often as you feed it or walk it. Point out anything you couldn't handle to your groomer during hand over. Do not attempt to cut out matts yourself, remember, we charge a lot less than your vet! Your groomer will recommend the right tools for your dog.
Parasites
TICKS: Yes, you can still bring your dog to the salon and we're happy to take ticks out wherever and whenever we can. We'll even show you how to do this if you don't know already. ... and we sell the O'Tom Tick Tools to do the job safely for YOU and your dog (did you know you can catch diseases from ticks?)
FLEAS: Leave your dog in the car. Tell your groomer you suspect (or know) that your dog has fleas. This way he/she can deal with the dog appropriately. If you wait til pick up to tentitively ask if your groomer if he/she found any, be prepared to pick up the defestation bill for the entire salon and every dog within it that day.
Behaviour and Manners
Train your dog! Practise grooming on a table (with a rubber car mat on) at home. Take your dog to training classes and ask your instructor to help you. ASK the groomer if there is anything your dog could be trained to do to make the grooming process easier. Even if the answer is no, the groomer will be hugely flattered/touched that you care!
If you need help, Cranbourne Dog Training School is excellent, or there are several private trainers we can recommend to you in this area.
It is NOT the groomers job to train your dog.
Regular Maintenance
"Once-A-Year-Grooms" will always be more expensive than Regular-Clients.
Centre Stage Dog Grooming offers free interim-nail appointments to regular clients. Many dogs need their nails attended to more frequently than they need their coats attended to. If your dog fits this bill, why not ask your groomer if they will offer the same service?
If I asked you what is the largest organ in the body would you know?
You might perhaps be thinking Liver? Spleen? Lungs?
Would you be surprised to learn that it is, in fact, the skin!
Skin has some pretty amazing properties. It keeps dirt out and moisture in. Its capable of absorbing nutrients as well as toxins from the atmosphere above it and the body below it. It comprises three layers and contains miniature erectile muscles, sebaceous glands, blood vessels, fat, hair follicles and sweat glands.
The hair or fur grows from the centre layer of the skin and out through the top layer. Unhealthy skin will therefore produce unhealthy hair.
Whilst there are similarities between your hair and your dog's hair, there are some vital differences too.
The outer layer of the skin is called the epidermis in both species; however, whilst the human epidermis is 25 cells thick on average, your dog's is only 8-10.
So your dog's skin twice as SENSITIVE as yours.
Hairs grow from a pocket called a follicle in the second layer of the skin which is called the dermis. There are Simple Follicles which grow a single hair. Your dog has simple follicles producing single hairs, they're called whiskers. Humans have Simple Follicles too, and that's where we grow our hair from no matter where it grows on your body.
But dogs ALSO have Compound Follicles, which grow one long guard hair and several finer hairs from the same pocket. These fine hairs twist round each other and tangle. Add some mud or other debris to the mix and you have the start of a matt. Not all Compound Follicles are equal. In some breeds there is one guard hair and two or three filament like hairs. Some of the Miniature Labradoodles and other poodle crosses however, have one guard hair and 10+ filament hairs. These coats are very dense, very soft and very likely to tangle up at the drop of a hat.
Not all hair is the same
As you have probably noticed, there are two quite distinct types of coat in the dog world.
Hair bearing dogs are those dogs with a coat that grows to a finite length, then stops, like a German Shepherd, Beardie, Boxer or Labrador. These dogs shed. A Lot.
Fur bearing dogs have a coat that does not stop growing. Poodles, Bichons and all their associated cross breeds are good examples of this; with the exception of "Scruffy" coated Labradoodles. Fur bearing dogs also shed. But these dogs have fine filaments that prevent the hair leaving the coat so easily. It has to be brushed and combed out or the result is a matted mess that needs to be shaved down and started again.
Not all groomers are the same
There are of course, groomers who know this and groomers that don't. There are groomers who use Fairy Washing Up Liquid - because it's cheap and groomers who research their products and review them regularly.
I admit, I've been a shampoo-junkie for years. I tried just about every professional shampoo on the market, always searching for the best product there was.
After contracting Lyme Disease it became critical that I was not subjecting myself to any more harsh chemicals. I have my hands submerged in shampoo four or five times a day, so what I use has to be absolutely the highest quality and gentlest shampoo on the market, but it still has to get the dog clean.
Wildwash have spent the last 10 years slowly and patiently developing what we believe to be the best pet shampoo range in the world. They have been awarded the 3 Star Certification from ASCAS.
Their products are 100% Natural and will cause no disruption, damage or pollution to our environment, ourselves or our pets. They contain no Parabens, Phthalates, Phosphates, Sulfates or PEGS. Their products have AT NO STAGE been tested on animals, are Organic, Fair Trade and GMO Free.
The base of their products is made from soybean oil, to which they have added Neem Extract, Sea Kelp and Aloe Vera.
They have blended a range of shampoos to deal with every kind of coat - as you've read above, not all dogs are equal!
Just for example, their product for Dry Itchy Coats and Skin includes Lavender, Manuka Leaf, Ylang Ylang, Rose Geranium, Pachoulie and Benzoin. ... You can already imagine how heavenly these products smell.
What are Surcharges?
Surcharges are fees charged in addition to the cost of a groom. They reflect the dog's condition or behaviours and the amount of extra work involved.
There are no planned increases to current price list, however, the following surcharges will apply...
... After all, why should the majority of our lovely customers who stick rigidly to their grooming schedules, maintain their dogs beautifully at home and present them for grooming ~ clean, dry and knot free have to pay the same as the odd customer who constantly abuses the system?
"No-Shows", late arrivals/pick-ups, matted dogs, dogs outside the recommended breed schedule and dogs with dubious temperamental issues cost us 272 unpaid hours in 2013.
Clean and Dry
Avoid Surcharges
We bend over backwards for any client who presents their dog for grooming in the same condition that they present themselves to their hairdresser.
This link has further information.
We appreciate that this is difficult in the middle of winter, but there are customers who manage it.
Incur Surcharges
Muddy / Wet Dog - when a dog gets here it goes into a crate lined with clean soft warm vetbed for its comfort. If the dog's condition is so bad that the vetbed needs to be changed before it can be used by a clean dog, additional fees will need to be charged. Whilst we expect to wash the beds at the end of every day, we do not expect to have to do this between each and every dog, though of course we will do so if required.
A booby-trapped dog (burrs or brambles or other sharp debris in coat) A dog that has rolled in anything vile A dog with any parasites (fleas or ticks)
Removal of anything like paint or tar or oil (etc) from the coat.
Stay within the recognised Breed Schedule
Avoid Surcharges
Stay within the recognised Breed Schedule - as discussed at the initial assessment or as recommended in peer-reviewed publications such as "Notes From The Grooming Table" (Verplank et al)Incur Surcharges
Each breed has a recommended frequency for visits to a professional groomer. Dogs outside that schedule will be charged appropriately because the clipping pattern has grown out; we are basically starting from scratch and this groom has become a Restyle, not a Maintenance Trim. For example, a Cocker Spaniel that costs £50 at 8 weeks will cost £56.25 at 9 weeks and £62.50 at 10 weeks. There are no savings to be made by pushing out appointments as these dogs always take longer to do and undoubtedly place more strain on our staff and equipment.
Knot Free
Avoid Surcharges
Customers who brush their dog at home, right down to skin, then get a comb and check it will undoubtedly pay less.
Incur Surcharges
If he's "just a bit knotty" he'll be "just a bit more expensive". Dematting is charged at £1.00 per minute for a maximum of 20 minutes. If there is more than 20 minutes work we will offer a total shavedown instead (). This will always incur a surcharge in addition to the grooming fee for the breed.
Good Temperament and/or Training
Avoid Surcharges
If the dog is easy to do, it will not incur extra charges.
Incur Surcharges
The owner of a dog that needs muzzling for any part of the groom whether the threat is perceived or real or a dog that actually bites will incur EXTREMELY HEFTY SURCHARGES if we have not been prewarned about its behaviour. Whilst we are both qualified and willing to work with these dogs, we will not do so for the same price as a well behaved version of the same breed.
Exceptionally nervous or shy dogs or over-exuberant / untrained dogs are also welcome and again, we'll happily put the training in whilst the dog is with us and advise you how to do the same at home, though if the dog's behaviour increases the duration or difficulty of the groom it will be reflected in the price.
Correct Weight / Fit Dog
Avoid Surcharges
We have noticed, over the last 10 years of grooming all breeds that dogs fed a holistic natural (raw) diet generally have better coats. They are less porous, self clean more readily and dry more quickly. These dogs are also more likely to be at the correct weight for their height and build.
We can weigh small dogs (up to 15kg) and monitor their weight at their grooming appointments - this service is free.
Incur Surcharges
This sounds very harsh, but it's a sad fact that an obese dog with extra rolls of fat is not as straight forward to clip or groom as a dog of the correct weight and always take a lot longer to do. (It should be said that severely underweight dogs have bony protrusions which also need extra care, but are so rarely seen at this salon that this rule hardly ever applies).
Over Breed Standard - if your GSD/Cavalier/Labradonkey is heading for the Guiness World Records Book expect it to cost more than a dog within the normal height/weight for its breed!
Enormous effort and care is put into customers' geriatric dogs who definitely need extra TLC during their groom.
Blind and or Deaf dogs have their own special needs, which we are happy to cater for.
Please note that any dog that poops in the salon will incur appropriate cleanup charges.
Promptness
We expect dogs to be picked up within 30 minutes of the time stated at drop off or the text we send to let customers know when their dog will be ready. Daycare will be charged at £5.00 per hour or part thereof from that point onwards.