Is your dog trying to tell you something?
A 60-second grooming readiness check
Dogs rarely act “difficult” for no reason. Most of the time, they’re just uncomfortable and grooming is often the fix.
Tick anything that sounds familiar 👀
🧼 Coat & skin signals
☐ Your dog smells again within a day or two of a bath
☐ Their coat feels greasy, dry, or oddly clumpy
☐ You can’t quite get the brush through anymore
☐ You’re discovering knots you swear weren’t there yesterday
☐ Brushing creates static, pulling, or mild drama
☐ Their coat looks dull instead of soft and bouncy
☐ You’re avoiding touching certain areas because they feel… complicated
💡 Why this matters:
Poor coat condition traps moisture, dirt, and bacteria — which leads to itching and irritation (even if you can’t see it yet).
✂️ Matting “uh-oh” zone (very common)
☐ Knots around armpits, ears, collar, or bum
☐ You’ve tried cutting one out yourself (we see you)
☐ The mats feel tight or close to the skin
☐ Brushing seems to make it worse, not better
💡 Why this matters:
Matting pulls on the skin constantly. It’s uncomfortable at best, painful at worst — and the earlier it’s dealt with, the kinder the groom.
🐕 Behaviour changes (big clue most people miss)
☐ Avoids brushing or suddenly hates being handled
☐ More fidgety, clingy, or restless than usual
☐ Pulls away when you touch certain areas
☐ Seems grumpy “for no reason”
☐ Acts relieved or zoomy after baths or trims
💡 Why this matters:
Dogs often show discomfort through behaviour long before they show visible problems.
🦴 Nails & paws (often overlooked, very important)
☐ Nails clicking loudly on hard floors
☐ Nails curling or touching the ground when standing
☐ Paw licking more than usual
☐ Hesitant on walks or slippery floors
☐ You’re nervous about trimming nails yourself
💡 Why this matters:
Overgrown nails affect posture and joints — and can quietly cause long-term discomfort.
👂 Ears, eyes & “face stuff”
☐ Ears smell a bit… funky
☐ Shaking head or scratching ears
☐ Tear staining or gunk around eyes
☐ Crusty bits around mouth or chin
☐ You’re not quite sure how to clean these areas safely
💡 Why this matters:
These areas need gentle, regular care — but only if done properly.
🧠 The human signals (also very real)
☐ You’ve Googled “how often should my dog be groomed?”
☐ Booking feels like effort, so you keep delaying
☐ You worry grooming might stress them
☐ You worry not grooming might be worse
☐ You’re thinking, “I should probably book…”
💡 Why this matters:
If you’re thinking about it, your dog’s probably already feeling it.
✅ What your ticks mean
✔ Mostly unticked
Your dog’s doing great — a maintenance groom keeps it that way.
👉 Book a gentle top-up groom
✔ 2–4 ticks
This is the perfect moment to book.
Early grooms = calmer dogs, shorter sessions, less stress.
👉 Book now while it’s easy
✔ 5+ ticks
You haven’t failed — but now’s the time to act.
Waiting longer often means longer, tougher grooms.
👉 Let’s help your dog feel better