No Filter: A Groomer’s Truth Bombs
Today’s blog is written by Izzy, Owner and Head Groomer at The Canine Parlour in Ealing, West London. Known for her honest, compassionate, and no-filter approach, Izzy specialises in grooming difficult, nervous, reactive, and rescue dogs - and has built a reputation for making even the most challenging cases feel understood and safe.
She spends her days detangling doodles, negotiating with terriers, and working closely with trainers and behaviourists to support dogs who need a little extra help. Izzy’s passion for animal welfare and her commitment to transparency in an often-closed-off industry is exactly why we’ve invited her to share her expertise.
This piece is your chance to hear what groomers really wish owners knew - delivered with humour, heart, and hard-earned experience.
Let’s get into it!
At The Canine Parlour, their goal is simple: A calm, safe, predictable grooming experience that your dog can actually feel good about.
Ever wondered what your groomer wants to say, but doesn’t have the balls to?
Hi, I’m Izzy — Owner and Head Groomer of The Canine Parlour in Ealing, West London.
I spend my days washing doodles, negotiating with terriers, detangling questionable situations, getting bitten so much that I laugh, and chatting to cats who definitely don’t want to chat back.
I’m also a reactive and rescue specialist and have worked with some of the most difficult and dangerous dogs.
I’ve built my reputation on honest, trustworthy work and advice, and I regularly recruit trainers and behaviourists for clients to make lifelong changes that benefit everyone involved.
I work tirelessly to give advice and insider knowledge in an industry that is, to be frank, SO clicky — and yes, a little bitchy. I absolutely love what I do and the more people who listen the better!
But let me be honest with you — there are things your groomer really wishes you knew and would listen to.
So today, the filter’s off. Not out of annoyance — out of love.
Pure, honest love.
Because when you understand what really happens during grooming, your dog’s life becomes easier, calmer, and safer.
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1. Your dog isn’t “bad for grooming” — they’re just not trained for it
Grooming isn’t instinctive.
No dog is born thinking, “Oh yes, please lift my paw, shave my bum, and blast me with a loud dryer that feels like it’s going to throw me to the moon.”
If your dog:
pulls away
won’t let me near their feet
panics at the dryer
wriggles like a fish
tries to bite
…it’s not naughtiness, not a bad dog, and not ‘just how they are’.
It’s fear. Lack of preparation. Lack of communication.
Handling is a trainable skill, just like sit, stay, or loose lead walking.
Izzy’s 5 minute daily homework:
Touch and hold paws — gradually introduce objects like a pen to swipe up and down the paw and nails
Brush little and often, daily
Lift ears and reward
Check the mouth — gradually get your pup used to teeth inspections. It’ll save you a fortune at the vet later if your groomer can’t clean their teeth safely
Practise calm stillness — introduce a “place” command. We can use this during grooming, and your dog will understand it
Tiny habits = a dog who feels safe going to the groomers!
Coats grow back. Trauma and trust? That takes a long time to recover.
2. Mats aren’t minor — they’re painful
Here’s the no-filter truth: mats hurt. Always.
They pull on skin, trap moisture, and can hide sore spots, fleas, or wounds. Brushing them out is so much more painful than shaving, and I point blank refuse to do it.
So when I recommend shaving, it’s not because I’m lazy or want an “easy groom.” It’s because I’m choosing your dog’s comfort over aesthetics. And you have a grooming schedule for this reason.
And here’s the thing — you chose the breed, and that comes with responsibilities.
Every breed has physical, mental, and grooming requirements. Don’t want to brush daily for at least an hour? Don’t get a Giant Samoyed. Want a cute, Instagram-worthy poodle? Invest in a comb from day one, and commit to regular brushing — even learn to do their ‘poodle feet’ yourself!
Coats grow back. Trauma and trust? That takes a long time to recover.
Groomers advice – If you think ‘oh shiz I haven’t brushed them for a while and I think they look a little worse for wear’, book a maintenance groom or a wash and dry! They might not need a full groom, but that quick trip for a bath and dry can be the magic fix before those matts are full pelt restricting movement, causing sores, and leading to a painful AND SOMETIMES VERY DANGEROUS shave off. Never be embarrassed, us groomers love an owner who realises things build up and they need help keeping on top of a coat.
The bonds we build with the dogs — and their owners — are what make The Canine Parlour feel like a family.
3. STOP RUINING YOUR PUPPY’S FUTURE BEFORE IT STARTS!
What if I told you, your puppy’s first 1–2 grooming experiences shape their entire future. Not just on the grooming table.
If their only associations are loud noises, long appointments, or lots of handling in the wrong way… they’ll be the dogs dragged into salons or carried in because they simply cannot cope. The ones who also are scared of the vets. The ones who become terrified of the vacuum and so on.
That’s why we created our Puppy Club — some of the most important work I do.
I designed it with input from shadowing top trainers and speaking with behaviourists across the country, and including my own experiences, so every step is grounded in expert knowledge and real-world experience.
Over 19 months, the results have been phenomenal.
Almost every puppy stays with us long-term. The bonds we build with the dogs — and their owners — are what make The Canine Parlour feel like a family.
It’s a three-session programme designed to make grooming fun, safe, and confidence-building — and the lessons go beyond the grooming table.
We gradually introduce puppies to the salon, reward brave steps, and familiarise them with sights, sounds, and handling. By the final session, pups are walking confidently through our doors for their magical first full groom — and loving every minute.
Some pups are naturally more nervous, sometimes due to breeding, (ill swiftly divert here, as this is way out of my expertise …) and that’s okay — Puppy Club still gives them the best start possible.
I could tell you everything we do… but that would spoil the fun. You’ll have to come and see it in action. Trust me — it’s worth it!
A good groomer will care about safety, comfort, and long-term wellbeing way ahead of a perfect groom.
4. Do your due diligence! — your dog deserves it
Choosing a groomer isn’t just about a cute Instagram cut or a bargain price — it’s about trust, skill, and care.
You are putting your dog completely in someone else’s hands, out of sight, with sharp dangerous equipment and that is a huge responsibility.
I see dogs every day who have been rushed, forced, or handled incorrectly because their owners didn’t check credentials, experience, or approach.
I have dogs on my books who have had their tails chopped off, been blinded or restrained an inch of their life.
Some dogs are nervous, fearful, and a lot, aggressive — and that’s exactly when expertise matters most.
Do your homework: ask about experience, training, handling philosophy, and how they deal with nervous or reactive dogs.
Read reviews, ask other visitors their experience.
A good groomer will care about safety, comfort, and long-term wellbeing way ahead of a perfect groom.
Remember: a cheap or fast groom may look fine in the photo, but if it costs your dog’s trust, confidence, or health, it’s never worth it.
Your dog deserves someone who sees them as a whole being, learns their personality, their fears and quirks, not just a coat to style.
I pride myself in our client reviews and more importantly the response from our four (some times three!) legged visitors flying into our salon and not wanting to leave.
So there we have it!
Groomers like Izzy don’t share this kind of behind-the-scenes truth to call anyone out, but to help owners understand what really goes into keeping dogs safe, calm, and cared for. The more we work with our groomers, the easier and kinder these experiences become for our dogs. And if you’re looking for a groomer who truly understands complex coats, nervous dogs, rescues, or reactive behaviour, Izzy at The Canine Parlour is one of the best in the industry.
Her honesty, patience, and specialist experience make her a trusted partner for dogs who need a little extra understanding.
Take what you’ve learned, share it, and let’s keep raising the standard of care for every dog who steps onto a grooming table!